Binomials (learn words in sentences first)

Question 1

1. again and again

Answer 1

I told him again and again that I’d be going out tonight

Question 2

2. back and forth

Answer 2

The argument went back and forth for hours, but eventually they reached an agreement.

Question 3

3. bits and pieces

Answer 3

I’ve got a few bits and pieces I want to finish first, so I’ll meet you there in an hour.

Question 4

4. by and large

Answer 4

We had some clouds on Sunday morning, but by and large it was a glorious weekend.

Question 5

5. cheap and cheerful

Answer 5

The B&B was cheap and cheerful . Bueno, bonito y barato.

Question 6

6. chicken and egg

Answer 6

It’s a chicken and egg situation: you ignore him because he talks a lot, and he talks a lot because you’re ignoring him!

Question 7

7. cut and dried

Answer 7

The thief had been caught at the scene of the crime, so the case was cut and dried .

Question 8

8. doom and gloom

Answer 8

She’s full of doom and gloom today because she thinks she’s going to lose her job.

Question 9

9. face to face

Answer 9

Let’s meet and discuss this face to face . It’s difficult to talk over the phone.

Question 10

10. far and wide

Answer 10

We’ve searched far and wide for a blue velvet armchair, but we just can’t find one!

Question 11

11. first and foremost

Answer 11

First and foremost , can you run to the shop for some coffee? Our guests will be here in ten minutes

Question 12

12. hand in hand

Answer 12

Sadly, poverty and obesity often go hand in hand , as healthy food is more expensive.

Question 13

13. heart to heart

Answer 13

They had a heart-to-heart and she explained why she’d been so upset by his news.

Question 14

14. hit and miss

Answer 14

The speeches were a bit hit and miss. Some were great, but others were quite boring.

Question 15

15. home and dry

Answer 15

I just need one more source for this essay and then I’ll be home and dry.

Question 16

16. ins and outs

Answer 16

Just give me the overview. Don’t tell me all the ins and outs of the problem.

Question 17

17. little by little

Answer 17

I’m making slow progress on my project, but little by little I’m completing it.

Question 18

18. live and learn

Answer 18

That’s really interesting! I never knew that. You live and learn , don’t you?

Question 19

19. neck and neck

Answer 19

The election is neck and neck. We’re going to have to wait until the very last votes are tallied.

Question 20

20. no ifs or buts

Answer 20

I want this finished by Friday and that’s final - no ifs or buts about it.

Question 21

21. odds and ends

Answer 21

What’s in that drawer? ~ Oh, all sorts of odds and ends which didn’t belong anywhere else.

Question 22

22. on and off

Answer 22

Is it raining? ~ Not now, but it’s been raining on and off all day.

Question 23

23. out and about

Answer 23

I’m just out and about with Mary if you would like to come join us.

Question 24

24. part and parcel

Answer 24

I don’t like the traffic here, but it’s part and parcel of living in a large city.

Question 25

25. pick and choose

Answer 25

You could move to any part of the city; you can pick and choose wherever you like.

Question 26

26. pins and needles

Answer 26

Ow! I've been sitting on my foot and now I've got pins and needles in it.

Question 27

27. rough and ready

Answer 27

1. Do we have a plan? ~ Yes, it's a bit rough and ready , but I think it will work. 2. The workers on the oil rig are a little bit rough and ready, but they're good guys, every single one of them.

Question 28

28. sick and tired

Answer 28

I'm sick and tired of hearing my neighbour's TV through the walls. It's so loud.

Question 29

29. skin and bone

Answer 29

Let me make you a big lunch. You're skin and bone ! Don't they feed you at university?

Question 30

30. so-and-so

Answer 30

1. I was talking to so-and-so at the party… You know, the tall man with two children. 2. You lousy so-and-so! This car you sold me is a piece of junk!

Question 31

31. step by step

Answer 31

Can you show me what I need to do for this task step by step ? It's all new to me

Question 32

32. the life and times

Answer 32

I'm reading a biography about the life and times of Jane Austen.

Question 33

33. through and through

Answer 33

1. You're your father's child through and through . You're exactly like him. 2. I know Elizabeth through and through, and I really doubt that she's mad at you. 3. I read the report through and through.

Question 34

34. tossed and turned

Answer 34

I couldn't sleep last night. I tossed and turned all night.

Question 35

35. touch and go

Answer 35

I almost missed my flight. It was touch and go but I just made it in time.

Question 36

36. trial and error

Answer 36

This is experimental work so a lot of our progress is through trial and error .

Question 37

37. up and about

Answer 37

I heard you were ill. ~ I was, but I'm fine now. I'm up and about .