Idioms and phrasal verbs 4

Question 1

be in conflict with sth, contradict sth

Answer 1

be at odds with sth

Question 2

so that sb is told only wat they need to know and only when they need to know it

Answer 2

on a need-to-know basis

Question 3

annoy sb

Answer 3

get sb’s back up

Question 4

continue to give sb the necessary information

Answer 4

keep sb in the picture/keep sb posted

Question 5

give sb information they need to understand a situation

Answer 5

put sb in the picture

Question 6

iets overpeinzen

Answer 6

to mull sth over

Question 7

tussen de regels lezen

Answer 7

to read between the lines

Question 8

understand sth in the wrong way

Answer 8

to get hold of the wrong end of the stick

Question 9

used to say that sth makes no difference or is not important

Answer 9

it makes no odds

Question 10

tell sb sth (a secret)

Answer 10

to let on to sb about sth/let sb in on sth

Question 11

keep your plans secret

Answer 11

to keep your cards close to your chest/keep sb in the dark

Question 12

pretend to disagree with sb in order to start an argument or discussion

Answer 12

to play devil’s advocate

Question 13

to interrupt sb

Answer 13

to butt in

Question 14

rond de pot draaien

Answer 14

to beat about the bush

Question 15

do sth because you enjoy it

Answer 15

do sth for the sake of it

Question 16

het doel heiligt de middelen

Answer 16

the end justifies the means

Question 17

start behaving in an unacceptable way that shocks or upsets people

Answer 17

to go off the rails

Question 18

start to deal with a difficult task

Answer 18

get to grips with sth

Question 19

you can’t make people change their ideas/methods that they’ve had for a long time

Answer 19

you can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Question 20

do sth without preparations/plans

Answer 20

to wing it

Question 21

tell sb your ideas so that they can give their opinion

Answer 21

to run sth by sb

Question 22

do sth surprising or imperssive that makes sb pay attention to you

Answer 22

to make sb sit up and take notice

Question 23

to make sb more relaxed

Answer 23

to loosen sb up

Question 24

stay till the end of a boring speech

Answer 24

to sit through sth

Question 25

reduce the size or amount of sth

Answer 25

to pare sth down

Question 26

indommelen

Answer 26

to nod off

Question 27

langs elkaar praten

Answer 27

to talk at cross purposes

Question 28

a person who is very upset and worried

Answer 28

a nervous wreck

Question 29

a situation in which people have similar ideas and opinions

Answer 29

a meeting of minds

Question 30

understand sth in a particular way

Answer 30

to make sth of sth

Question 31

deal with a situation by reacting as things happen (without a plan)

Answer 31

play it by ear

Question 32

from the beginning

Answer 32

from the word go

Question 33

used to say you felt very nervous or frightened about sth

Answer 33

my heart was in my mouth

Question 34

gradually and in small amounts or numbers

Answer 34

in dribs and drabs

Question 35

make or produces sth in a hurry

Answer 35

throw sth together

Question 36

officially state rules, principles etc. that people must obey

Answer 36

lay sth down

Question 37

speak for a long time so that nobody else can speak

Answer 37

to hold the floor

Question 38

blijven doorbrabbelen

Answer 38

to ramble on

Question 39

to continue for longer than planned

Answer 39

to run over

Question 40

fail to make a definite decision or statement about sth

Answer 40

to leave sth hanging

Question 41

make strong and steady progress with sth

Answer 41

forge ahead

Question 42

resulting in harm or damage to sht/sb

Answer 42

to the detriment of sth/sb

Question 43

clearly and directly

Answer 43

in no uncertain terms

Question 44

dat is algemeen geweten

Answer 44

it’s common knowledge

Question 45

contrary to what people believe

Answer 45

contrary to popular belief

Question 46

to be officially described in a particular way, but the description is not really true/de jure

Answer 46

in name only

Question 47

de facto

Answer 47

to all intents or purposes

Question 48

be able to do sth but only with great difficulty

Answer 48

be able to do sth at a push/pinch

Question 49

Als het hetzelfde voor u is/als het niks uitmaakt

Answer 49

all other things being equal

Question 50

Ze zullen chance hebben als ze nog een restaurant vinden dat open is.

Answer 50

They’ll be lucky to find a restaurant that’s still open.

Question 51

when you’re annoyed/disappointed about sth

Answer 51

worse luck!