Idioms

Question 1

(to be) on the ball

Answer 1

be quick to undestand and react to things; to be ready and alert (you really need to be on the ball for the important meeting tomorrow/He didn’t sleep much last night, so today he’s just not on the ball)

Question 2

pass (something) with flying colors

Answer 2

to do somthing, such as pass an exam, sucessfully. (He passed his exams with flying colours)

Question 3

turn a blind eye (to something)

Answer 3

to ignore something that you know is wrong (the teacher turned a blind eye to cheating during the quiz)

Question 4

(to take) the easy way out

Answer 4

refers to what is easiest in a difficult situation (But these days, if it looks as if it’s going to be nasty, I take the easy way out.)

Question 5

How, what, why, etc. on earth…

Answer 5

used when you are extremely surprised, confused, or angry about something (How on earth did this happen?/Why on earth are you changing jobs?/What on earth is that?)

Question 6

in light of (something)

Answer 6

because of or as a result of (inlight of recent events, we cancelled the match/in light of learning new vocabulary, I’m going to study with flashcards)

Question 7

at the end of your rope

Answer 7

having no strenngth or patience left. add emphasis (By six o’clock after a busy day I’m at the end of my rope / I’m at the end of my rope with these kids!)

Question 8

(to fight) to the bitter end

Answer 8

until something is finished (We may not meet the deadline, but we’re going to work to the bitter end)

Question 9

get off on the right/wrong foot

Answer 9

to make a succesful or unsuccesful start in something (the team did not get along, so the project got off on the wrong foot)

Question 10

( a bit ) over the top

Answer 10

too extreme and not suitable, or exaggerated (she was supposed to buy me a small present, but her gift was way over the top)

Question 11

at the crack of dawn

Answer 11

very early in the morning, specially at the time when the sun first appears. adds emphasis. (This morning, I got up at the crack of dawn / My grandfather has been up since the crack of dawn)

Question 12

(to have a) change of heart

Answer 12

when you change your opinion or the way you feel about something; a reversal i your attitude. (this morning, I was going to make pancakes, but then i had a change of heart and i decided to cook some eggs instead / She was going to sell her grandmother’s neckace, but she had a sudden change of heart)