IDIOMS/PHRASES
l He is fair and square in his deal- 27. (3) play through his nose : to pay 34. (3) made a clean breast of : to
ings. too much money for something tell the truth about something so
The best option is honest. l We paid through the nose for that you may no longer feel guilty
18. (2) no love lost between : do that vacation. l You’ll feel better if you make a
not like each other The best option is pay an ex- clean breast of the incident.
l These is no love lost between tremely high price The best option is confessed with-
them. 28. (4) rest on their laurels : to feel out reserve.
The best option is not on good so satisfied with what you have 35. (2) to keep up : to continue to be
terms. already achieved that you do not in contact with somebody
19. (1) played havoc : caused dam- try to do any more. l He couldn’t keep up with his
age, destruction or confusion (1) complacent : too satisfied with friends who went into business.
l The severe earthquake played yourself or with a situation, so The best option is to keep in
havoc all around the area. that you may not feel that any touch.
The best option is caused de- change is necessary
36. (3) souring wild oats : (of young
struction. l Despite our success, this is not men) to go through a period of
20. (3) green thumb : a person good the time to rest on our laurels. wild behaviour while young, es-
at making plants grow The best option is to be compla- pecially having a lot of romantic
l Her beautiful garden shows that cent. or sexual relationships
she has a green thumb. 29. (3) to give him a piece of my l He sowed his wild oats in early
The best option is to have a nat- mind : to tell somebody that you life, but has become sober now.
ural interest in gardening. disapprove of his behaviour or The best option is irresponsible
21. (1) took to his heels : ran away angry with him pleasure seeking in young age.
l As soon as the thief saw the po- l I’ve had enough of Raju. I’m go- 37. (3) stand-offish : not friendly to-
lice, he took to his heels. ing to give him a piece of my wards other people; aloof
The best option is ran away in mind.
l He can be quite stand-offish and
fear. The best option is to reprimand rude, even to his friends.
22. (2) hard and fast : that cannot be him.
The best option is indifferent.
changed in any circumstances 30. (1) to stave off : to prevent
38. (3) blowing your own trumpet :
l One must abide by the hard and something bad from affecting you
to praise your own abilities and
fast rules of this organisation. for a period of time; to delay achievements; boast
The best option is strict. something
l Anyone will tell you she’s one of
l He could stave off an open argu-
23. (3) off and on : from time to time; the best journalists we have got,
now and again; occasionally ment. although she never blows her
l She always remains sick. She has
The best option is postpone. own trumpet.
to visit the doctor off and on. 31. (4) takes after : to look or behave The best option is prasising your
The best option is occasionally. like an older member of your fam- own abilities and achievements.
ily, especially your mother or fa- 39. (3) an axe to grind : to have pri-
24. (1) murdered in cold blood :
ther vate reasons for being involved
murdering in a way that is delib-
l John takes after his grand father. in something or for arguing for a
erately cruel/with no pity
l The whole family was murdered The best option is resembles. particular cause
in cold blood. 32. (1) made no bones about : to be l He claimed to be disinterested,
The best option is a murder done honest and open about some- but I knew he had an axe to
without feeling. thing; not to hesitate to do some- grind.
25. (3) going places : to be getting thing The best option is a private in-
more and more successful in your l She made no bones about in ac- terest to serve.
life or career cepting her defeat at the Olym- 40. (2) an open book : can easily un-
l Maria writes very well. She is
pics. derstand and know everything
definitely going places. The best option is did not have about somebody
The best option is talented and any hesitation in. l Your health secrets will be an
successful. 33. (4) heads will roll : will be pun- open book to anyone who can do
26. (3) drew on his fancy : used his ished because of something that an online search.
imagination has happened The best option is one that held
l When the company’s year-end no secrets.
l Painters draw on their fancy in
results are known, heads will 41. (1) reading between the lines :
their sketches and paintings.
roll. looking for or discovering a mean-
The best option is used his imag-
The best option is dismissals will ing
ination.
occur.
SEE–752