Idioms Part 1

Question 1

kept in the dark about sth

Answer 1

not knowing very much about sth, because other people are keeping it secret from you

Question 2

round the bend

Answer 2

crazy

Question 3

quick/slow on the uptake

Answer 3

taking a very short/long time to understand or realise sth

Question 4

take stock of

Answer 4

spend some time thinking about the situation you are in before you decide what to do next

Question 5

catch one’s eye

Answer 5

to get sb’s attention

Question 6

right up one’s street

Answer 6

within one’s range of interests/knowledge

Question 7

in one’s element

Answer 7

very happy/suited to a situation

Question 8

run of the mill

Answer 8

ordinary and unexciting

Question 9

round the clock

Answer 9

all day and all night

Question 10

one’s best bet

Answer 10

the most appropriate choice

Question 11

get into the swing of

Answer 11

to become accustomed to sth and start enjoying it

Question 12

steer clear of

Answer 12

to avoid sb or sth

Question 13

an old flame

Answer 13

sb one was once in love with

Question 14

donkey’s years

Answer 14

a long time

Question 15

bury the hatchet

Answer 15

to forget old quarries

Question 16

tie the knot

Answer 16

to get married

Question 17

in clover

Answer 17

in comfort/wealth

Question 18

by leaps and bounds

Answer 18

with startlingly rapid progress.

Ex: “productivity improved in leaps and bounds”

Question 19

at one wits’ end

Answer 19

completely puzzled and perplexed, not knowing what to do

Question 20

all mod cons

Answer 20

all modern conveniences, the machines and pieces of equipment in your house that make life easy and comfortable

Question 21

change one’s tune

Answer 21

change one’s opinion or attitude

Question 22

know sth inside out

Answer 22

be very familiar with

Question 23

turn over a new leaf

Answer 23

change your life by starting to lead a healthy lifestyle and steer clear of bad habits