Here’s one way to go over some collocations and idioms you’ve looked at in class, or simply to see how good your English instincts are. Can you guess the next word in the sentences below..?
The sentences below include some collocations and idiomatic expressions, so there should be just one appropriate answer (or just a few possibilities).
Level
Please note that this is suitable for Advanced [C1+] learners – I’ll do an intermediate version another time 😉
What’s the next word?
Example:
When Brad met Sandra, it was a case of love at first …………………..
Love at first SIGHT.
1. – How about going out?
– Sorry Bill, I’m really tired. Think I’ll have an early ………………….
2. “He won’t get re-elected. He doesn’t understand that people are hurting, he’s a Harvard elitist who doesn’t know how the real folks live. He’s out of ………………….”
3. Despite her many successes, she told herself to keep moving forward, never to rest on her ………………….
4. When John came home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, Julie was thrilled to ………………….
5. “I don’t see why Bill likes Natasha, she bad-mouths him and treats him like ………………….”
6. If you want to work in advertising and sales, you really have to think on your ………………….
7. “I had to tell my husband about my lesbian lover. For too long I was living a …………………. “
8. George got the promotion but he knew nothing about the share market. He was completely out of his ………………….
9. After Sally came to work two hours late every day last week, her boss finally gave her the ………………….
10. – So how much should we pay?
– Well, we both spent the same, more or less. I had 2 teas and a cake, you had a coffee and a wine. Let’s just go ………………….
11. – You don’t seem too happy about the wedding, Betty. What’s up?
– Oh, it’s Frank. I’m not so sure anymore. I think I’m having second ………………….
12. “It’s so obvious that Pavel fancies Hillary – he wears his heart on his ………………….”
13. When she heard about her child’s accident, she broke down in ………………….
14. “Hey I hope it all goes well with the job application, Laura. Keep me …………………. ”
15. “I’m afraid of taking John to the party, with the stuff he says. He swears like a ………………….!”
[Scroll down for the answers]
What do they mean?
First, try to guess from the context. If you’re still unsure, ask me below and I’ll be happy to explain more.
In-class activity
You also can play this as a quiz game in class.
Students are divided into teams, and points are awarded according to the most appropriate answer. Teams write down the word on a separate piece of paper, and hold up their answers at the same time.
Teams get 2 points if they’re the only ones who have the best or most appropriate answer.
Teams get 1 point for an answer that others also have.
Alternative: teams can be awarded points for having the most creative response.
Answers
nb If you have a different answer, and you think it is ok, leave a comment below and we’ll check it 😉
1. night 2. touch 3. laurels 4. bits 5. dirt [or shit, crap, rubbish, garbage!] 6. feet 7. lie 8. depth 9. sack 10. halves (or go Dutch) 11. thoughts 12. sleeve 13. tears 14. posted 15. trooper
Idioms from today
to have an early night
to be out of touch
to rest on your laurels
to be thrilled to bits
to treat someone like dirt
to think on your feet
to live a lie
to be out of your depth
to give someone the sack (especially AUS/UK)
to go halves
to have second thoughts
to wear your heart on your sleeve
to break down in tears
to keep someone posted
to swear like a trooper
Over to you
Choose 3 of these questions below to answer the comment box:
When was the last time you had an early night?
Which political leader in your country is out of touch? Why do you think this?
When do you rest on your laurels?
When was the last time you were thrilled to bits?
Why do you think some people treat their partner like dirt?
Are you good at thinking on your feet? If not, describe a friend who is.
Do men in your country pay for the date or do they ask to go halves?
Do you know someone who swears like a trooper?
Still unsure about any of these idioms? Fire away below : )
Further reading
This activity is also mentioned in Teaching Online [DELTA Publishing]
10.
May I also suggest “go Dutch” ?
Now to the questions:
– When was the last time you had an early night?
A few months ago when I had to make a trip by coach. I’m not an early riser but needs must !
– Which political leader in your country is out of touch? Why do you think this?
Probably the whole government is out of touch. The current economic situation in Spain is gloomy and the politicians don’t seem to be doing much to turn things around.
– When do you rest on your laurels?
Never. Self-improvement is a life-long pursuit of mine.
– When was the last time you were thrilled to bits?
When I thought I girl I fancied was interested in me. Now I know what “unrequited love” means.
– Why do you think some people treat their partner like dirt?
Because they have no respect for them. Some partners are simply being used as (sexual ?) objects. Those people don’t deserve their partners. I’m single, by the way. (message to girls)
– Are you good at thinking on your feet? If not, describe a friend who is.
I haven’t been tried extensively to give an accurate answer. Now, if it comes to girls, I suppose I can be.
Do men in your country pay for the date or do they ask to go halves?
If I’m on a date, I pay for everything (no, I’m not loaded). Men in Spain usually pay for their would-be girlfriends, I think. So, anyone free next Friday evening ?
Do you know someone who swears like a trooper?
No. We are very polite here.
Hi Francisco!
>Damn, there’s no edit option
Aha, good point. I’m actually getting a professional to improve the whole site, so I’ll jot that down, thanks.
>May I also suggest “go Dutch” ?
Great – I’ve added it above in the answers. I personally say ‘go halves.’ I just checked up a possible explanation for the history of ‘go Dutch’ (click here).
>A few months ago when I had to make a trip by coach. I’m not an early riser but needs must !
Yeah, I never go to bed early, but I’m thinking of going on a trip to Dresden next Sunday, which would mean getting up at 6am or so. For me to do this will be an amazing feat! Btw for people in Prague you can check out the link for this trip here: http://milujikavu.cz/vylet_labe/ There’ll be a 5-hour cruise on the way back.
>Probably the whole government is out of touch. The current economic situation in Spain is gloomy and the politicians don’t seem to be doing much to turn things around.
The funny thing is that back home (Australia) we have a comparatively good economic situation, continual economic growth since 1991, yet a VERY unpopular government and Prime Minister. Perhaps by the very nature of power and politics our leaders are out of touch.
>Never. Self-improvement is a life-long pursuit of mine.
I do sometimes (rest on my laurels), I admit. But I like linking up with motivated, enthusiastic people either here in Prague or through the blogosphere.
You might be interested to know I have a self-development blog, which is under construction. It’s for guys after a break up, believe it or not, and I want to use it as well to post little reminders to myself. Feel free to check it out here. But be gentle – it’s not my day job 😉
>Because they have no respect for them. Some partners are simply being used as (sexual ?) objects. Those people don’t deserve their partners. I’m single, by the way. (message to girls)
You’ve come to the right place, er, country – Czech girls are beautiful. Though when I was in Spain I thought the women were more seductive.
>No. We are very polite here.
Haha..I have thought about having a post on ‘swear words’ but at the same time, the English-speaking world has enough swearers as it is. Btw I only came across this idiom recently, when I was chatting with an American who swore like a Trooper (and proudly so).
Have a good afternoon, Francisco. It’s raining over here, off to the gym,
David
Damn, there’s no edit option:
When I said “sexual object” I meant “sex object”. That’s why it is important to always revise what you have written.
Interesting information, David, especially the content in your blog.
Now, let’s see if other people in Prague answer your questions. I’d be interested to read other opinions.
Well, a reader told me this morning she thought this quiz was too hard, so I doubt many will reply to this post (as her English is really good). But as I said, I’ll have an intermediate+ version next time!