TOEIC Idioms and colloquialisms 1

Idioms and colloquialisms (spoken expressions) are a common feature of the TOEFL Listening Comprehension. There are a lot of them, and each one has to be learnt individually. Often, but not always, it is possible to identify the meaning of an idiom or a colloquialism from the context in which it is being used.

The idioms and colloquialisms in todays exercises will focus on some of the most commonly-used expressions.

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Complete the dialogs with an expression from the box.

A. Shall we eat out or do you want me to cook something?

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Select answer

A. OK. In that case, let's eat out.

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A. The economics seminar has been canceled yet again.
B. ​

Select answer

A. I'm afraid not. Professor Parkhill sure seems to be absent a lot these days.

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A. Our history lessons are really boring, aren't they.
B. ​

Select answer

A. Right. Perhaps we shouldn't have chosen it as an option.

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A. We're going to Mo's bar tonight. Want to come?

B. ​

Select answer

A. Come on, don't be like that! It'll be fun!

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A. I need a decision as soon as possible.
B. ​

Select answer

A. Well, to be honest, I'd rather you told me now.

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A. Are you interested in science?
B. ​

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A. Me neither. I find it really boring.

Drag and Drop

A. I spent most of the weekend lying in bed and watching TV.

B. ​

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A. I know! You're not the first person to say that.

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You really should get a life

Never mind. It can't be helped.

You're welcome, but it was nothing really

Wow! Way to go!

I couldn't care less.

Why not? Go for it!

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A. If you don't work harder, you'll fail your exams.
B. ​

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A. Well, you should. Your whole future might depend on them.

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You really should get a life

Never mind. It can't be helped.

You're welcome, but it was nothing really

Wow! Way to go!

I couldn't care less.

Why not? Go for it!

Drag and Drop

A. I've passed all my exams – grade A's all round!

B. ​

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A. Thanks. I never thought I'd be able to do it.

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You really should get a life

Never mind. It can't be helped.

You're welcome, but it was nothing really

Wow! Way to go!

I couldn't care less.

Why not? Go for it!

Drag and Drop

A. Do you think I should apply to the University of West Virginia?

B. ​​ ​

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A. All right, I will. Thanks.

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You really should get a life

Never mind. It can't be helped.

You're welcome, but it was nothing really

Wow! Way to go!

I couldn't care less.

Why not? Go for it!

Drag and Drop

A. Thank you so much for all your help. I couldn't have done it without you.

B. ​

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A. No, really, I really appreciate it.

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You really should get a life

Never mind. It can't be helped.

You're welcome, but it was nothing really

Wow! Way to go!

I couldn't care less.

Why not? Go for it!

Drag and Drop

A. I'm really sorry that I lost your dictionary.

B. ​

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A. Nevertheless, I promise to replace it.

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You really should get a life

Never mind. It can't be helped.

You're welcome, but it was nothing really

Wow! Way to go!

I couldn't care less.

Why not? Go for it!

Drag and Drop

A. Poor Sarah failed to get a good grade in her TOEFL once again.

B. ​

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A. Right. She never seems to do any preparation for it.

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Let me lend a hand.

How's it going?

How should I know?

I'm a bit tied up for the time being.

I'm going to give it all I've got.

Is it any wonder

Drag and Drop

A. I'm working really hard for my exam at the moment.

B. ​

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A. Oh, not bad. I'm fairly confident of passing.

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Let me lend a hand.

How's it going?

How should I know?

I'm a bit tied up for the time being.

I'm going to give it all I've got.

Is it any wonder

Drag and Drop

A. I have to get the hall ready for tonight's lecture.

B. ​

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A. That's really kind of you.

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Let me lend a hand.

How's it going?

How should I know?

I'm a bit tied up for the time being.

I'm going to give it all I've got.

Is it any wonder

Drag and Drop

A. Where's Mary today?
B. ​

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A. Don't be like that. I was only asking.

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Let me lend a hand.

How's it going?

How should I know?

I'm a bit tied up for the time being.

I'm going to give it all I've got.

Is it any wonder

Drag and Drop

A. I was wondering if you could help me with my assignment.

B. ​

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A. Yes, I thought you might be a bit busy right now.

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Let me lend a hand.

How's it going?

How should I know?

I'm a bit tied up for the time being.

I'm going to give it all I've got.

Is it any wonder

Drag and Drop

A. Do you think you'll pass your exams?
B. ​

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A. That's the spirit! Well, good luck.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Let me lend a hand.

How's it going?

How should I know?

I'm a bit tied up for the time being.

I'm going to give it all I've got.

Is it any wonder

Drag and Drop

A. Do you find it difficult getting up at 6 o'clock every morning?

B. ​

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A. I suppose you must be. You've been doing it for so long.

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Oh, I'm used to it.

Sure. Why not?

What a drag!

What do you have in mind?

You bet!

You're out of luck.

Drag and Drop

A. Can I have a look at your essay to get a few ideas?

B. ​

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A. Thanks. I'll do the same for you next time.

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Oh, I'm used to it.

Sure. Why not?

What a drag!

What do you have in mind?

You bet!

You're out of luck.

Drag and Drop

A. We need to finish this assignment by Monday. There goes our weekend.

B. ​

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A. I know, but we'll make up for it next weekend.

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Oh, I'm used to it.

Sure. Why not?

What a drag!

What do you have in mind?

You bet!

You're out of luck.

Drag and Drop

A. We're thinking of doing something to celebrate the end of the term.

B. ​

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A. I'm not sure, really. Perhaps a barbecue, or something like that.

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Oh, I'm used to it.

Sure. Why not?

What a drag!

What do you have in mind?

You bet!

You're out of luck.

Drag and Drop

A. Want to come to the concert tonight?
B . ​

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A. That's great. I'll go and get us some tickets.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Oh, I'm used to it.

Sure. Why not?

What a drag!

What do you have in mind?

You bet!

You're out of luck.

Drag and Drop

A. Are there any tickets left for tonight's show?

B. ​

Placeholder

A. I thought so. Oh well, never mind.

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Oh, I'm used to it.

Sure. Why not?

What a drag!

What do you have in mind?

You bet!

You're out of luck.