Idioms and Phrases

Phrases and idioms

by Christelle Dumortier

​What are phrases and idioms ?

​Phrases and idioms are set expressions using more than one word. Often, the meaning of the whole phrase is not obvious from the meaning of

the individual words and they're easy to misunderstand.

Sometimes, they may be similar to phrases and idioms in other languages, but often they aren't.

You need to recognise and understand them when reading a text / doing a listening task as you will often come across prases and idioms.

You also need to use them in speaking and writing as they make you sound more natural.

​How can I learn idioms

• ​By reading in English

• By comparing them to phrases and idioms in your own language and learn the similarities and differences

• ​By learning phrases and idioms that aren't similar to anything in your own language.

Open Ended

What are phrases and idioms ?

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

The work has to be finished today at all...

• expenses

• costs

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

He felt completely at ... with telling others what to do.

• ease

• comfort

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

Susie spoke at great ... about her charity.

• width

• length

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

We must leave at ..

• now

• once

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

She cancelled the appointment at very short ...

• note

• notice

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

He can be quite generous at ...

• times

• occasions

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

It was a great show by all ...

• accounts

• stories

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

Did you go to the fundraising event by any ... ?

• chance

• luck

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

It was the best performance by ...

• afar

• far

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

She learned all the words by ...

• mind

• heart

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

He's friendly by ...

• character

• nature

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

Let's play cards for a ... to pass the time.

• difference

• change

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

They left the UK for ... to move to Asia.

• good

• better

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word :

Just wait here for the time ...

• being

• doing

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

A good way to break the ice with someone is to walk up to them

and introduce yourself.

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

She was initially against the idea, but she changed her tune later.

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

He had to eat his words after the project became a success.

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

I know it's difficult work, but you'll just have to grin and bear it.

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

I can't do anything about it. My hands are tied.

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

He took the job because it was easy money.

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

You can't do your best at something if your heart's not in it.

Open Ended

What's the meaning of the idiom underlined ?

It's high time we took a break and headed for the beach!

Multiple Choice

We'll notify you on ... of your application.

a b c

• agreement

• support

• approval

Multiple Choice

On ... of all of us, thanks for your efforts.

• behalf

• demand

• behaviour

Multiple Choice

I'll come with you on .... that we leave early.

a b c

• event

• condition

• situation

Multiple Choice

There are only three rescue workers on ...

• duty

• work

• task

Multiple Choice

The difficult work had him on his ...

• knees

• arms

• legs

Multiple Choice

The costumes which the actors wore were on ...

• advance

• loan

• borrow

Multiple Choice

They're building a refugee shelter on the ... of town.

• limits

• bounds

• outskirts

Multiple Choice

I'm sure that was no accident and she did it on ...

• purpose

• reason

• point

Multiple Choice

The charity fundraiser featured signed books

and photos on ...

• deal

• purchase

• sale

Multiple Choice

Today's neighbourhood clean-up started on ...

• schedule

• agenda

• programme

Multiple Choice

She was on good with the members of the

committee.

• boundaries

• limits

• terms

Multiple Choice

The project was, on the ... , very successful.

• top

• total

• whole

Open Ended

What's the idiom which means the same as this expression ?

To do everything according to the rules.

CLUE : book

Open Ended

What's the idiom which means the same as this expression ?

To be punished for something you did

CLUE : music

Open Ended

What's the idiom which means the same as this expression ?

To help someone remember something

CLUE : j

Open Ended

What's the idiom which means the same as this expression ?

To watch someone's belongings

CLUE : eye

Open Ended

What's the idiom which means the same as this expression ?

To be very clean.

CLUE : as

Open Ended

What's the idiom which means the same as this expression ?

To be honest about something.

CLUE : clean

Open Ended

What's the idiom which means the same as this expression ?

To be ambitious

CLUE : aim