Idioms

Cutting Edge Advanced Worksheet Module 3 1. Choose the correct word to complete the idiom. a) (be) at your wit’s end / final / out b) fall / run / fly off the handle c) inside / ins / in and outs (of something) d) keep / mind / leave your own business! e) on-off / stop-start / in-out relationship f) over / above / off the top g) (the) penny dropped / fell / landed h) play / pray / pay for time i) pull / force / hold yourself together j) (be) really in / into / to something k) (talk about) somebody behind their face / back / ears l) (look/feel) washed through / out / in 2. Now match the completed idiom (a-l) to the correct definition below. i) when someone finally understands something iii) to be very worried because you have tried everything to solve a particular problem v) to become very angry suddenly and unexpectedly, about something that does not seem very important vii) to say bad things about somebody without them knowing about it ix) something that is likely to annoy or offend people because it is so extreme or excessive xi) to keep something private and not want to tell anyone about it

ii) a relationship where you are always breaking up and getting back together again soon iv) to delay something because you are not ready or need more time to think about it vi) to feel weak and look unhealthy because you are very tired viii) to force yourself to stop behaving in a nervous, frightened or disorganised way x) to like and be very interested in something xii) know all the exact details of a complicated situation, problem, system, etc

3. Write true (or false!) sentences about yourself. You also need to complete the idiom using your answers form Exercise 1. a) I fly _____ the handle when… b) I would tell someone to _____ their own business if… c) I would _____ for time if… d) I would talk about someone behind their _____ if… e) I feel washed _____ when… f) I know the _____ and outs of… g) What I’m really _____ is…

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Cutting Edge Advanced Worksheet Module 3 Key 1. a) end b) fly c) ins d) mind e) on-off f) over g) dropped h) play i) pull j) into k) back l) out 2. ii) e) iii) a) iv) h) v) b) vi) l) vii) k) viii) i) ix) f) x) j) xi) d) xii) c) 3. Students’ own answers

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