Rewrite the sentence Flashcards
He realised how much he cared for her only when she had been away for a long time. (HOME)
–> Her prolonged _________
absence brought home to him how much he cared for her
He wil be the one to accept responsibility for this affair. (CAN)
–> __________
He will be the one to carry the can for this affair
Had it not been for John, she couldn’t have got the job (AGENCY)
–> Only ________
through the agency of John could she get the job
I completely emptied the drawers, but I couldn’t find the address.
–> I turned ___________, but I couldn’t find the address.
the drawers inside out
I think you should confront with your boss right now how you feel about this. (OUT)
–> Why don’t you ______
have it out with your boss right now?
She herself admitted to having given false figures in the company’s financial records. (FIDDLED)
–> On ___________
her own admission, she had fiddled the books
However unfavorable our situation is, we musn’t surrender. (FACE)
–> However unfavorable our situation is, __________
we must put a bold face on it
The prisoner was recaptured as he rushed towards the gate. (DASH)
–> The prisoner was recaptured _______
as he made a dash for the date
The guide book speaks highly of this hotel (SEAL)
–> The guide book __________
gives the hotel its seal of approval
The government recommends a balance of reward and punishment when dealing with young offenders. (STICK)
–> The government favors a ________ to young offenders.
carrot and stick approach
I think having to earn his own living was quite a shock to Billy.
–> Billy was brought ___________
down to earth by having to earn his own living
Experience has taught me not to trust people too much.
–> I have learned ________
the hard way not to trust people too much
Dad got really angry when I told him about the fight. (END)
–> Dad _______ when I told him about the fight.
went off deep end
I’m only here for a minute; I’m due at the hospital shortly. (FLYING)
–> I’m only here on ________; I’m due at the hospital shortly.
a flying visit
It really put Betty in her place when the boss said she was the office junior. (TWO)
–> The boss really _______
brought Betty down a peg or two by saying she was the office junior
You’d better get hurry if you want to be on time for the performances. (SKATES)
–> You’d better ________ if you want to be on time for the performances.
get your skates on
Talking to her is useless - she doesn’t respond. (HEAD)
–> Talking to her is like ________
banging your head against a brick wall
June never answers my questions. (MONTH)
–> June never answers __________
my questions in a moth of Sundays
She should see a doctor; she bruised herself terribly when she fell down the stairs (BLACK)
–> She’d better see a doctor; she is ________
black and blue after falling down the stairs
He was shabbily dressed and a little drunk as well. (HEEL)
–> Not only ________
was he down-at-heel but also a little drunk
I don’t wish to appear more important than you, but I have this to say. (UPSTAGE)
–> I don’t ________, but I have this to say.
wish to upstage you
Could you explain everything about the job to the new secretary tomorrow? (ROPES)
–> Do you ________?
mind showing the new secretary the ropes tomorrow
When it comes to money, I saw what he was really like. (COLORS)
–> He showed _______
his true colors when it comes to money
Al Pacino gave the best performance of all as the bride’s father.
–> Al Pacino stole _______ as the bride’s father.
the show with his performance
It was blindingly obvious that he knew nothing about the subject.
–> It stood out _______ nothing about the subject
a mile that he knew
Why did you have to cause so much trouble over something so unimportant? (DANCE)
–> Why did you have to _______ something so unimportant?
make such a song and dance about
Fiona will not join the strike because she thinks it is morally incorrect. (PRINCIPLE)
–> It is _______
a matter of principle that Fiona won’t join the strike
Marry was always making Jones the subject of her cruel jokes. (BUTT)
–> Jones _______
was always the butt of Marry’s cruel jokes
Tom teased Alice about her new hairstyle. (POKED)
–> Tom ________
poked fun at Alice’s new hairstyle
I’m sick of that program because I’ve watched it too often. (OFF)
–> I’ve ________ because I’ve watched it too often
gone off that program
I have to write everything out in triplicate and I’m completely fed up with it. (DEATH)
–> I’m _______
sick to death of having to write out everything in triplicate
Although the manager is sluggish, he is a smooth speaker. (GIFT)
–> Sluggish ______
as the manager is, he has the gift of the gab
She told everyone that she had been fired by the company. (SACK)
–> She let ________
it be known that she had been given the sack by the company
Anna had decided Tom was not telling the truth about what happened. (TEETH)
–> Anna was sure _________ about what happened.
Tom was lying through his teeth
If something’s worrying you, you should tell me about it now. (CHEST)
–> If you have a problem, why don’t you _______ now?
get it off your chest
Although the beginning may be smooth for a business, one has to think about the worst-case scenario. (PREOCCUPIED)
–> Plain ________
sailing as the beginning of a business may be, one has to be preoccupied with the worst-case scenario
Apparently, a lot of employees will be made rebundant when the 21st Century Fox is taken over. (HEAP)
–> Apparently, many _______ of 21st Century Fox.
an employee will be thrown on the scrap heap upon the takeover
Everybody made fun of him because he had his hair cut so short. (LAUGHING)
–> His _______
short hair made him a laughing stock
Although he didn’t revise much, he still performed well in the end-of-year exam. (ACQUITTED)
–> Little _______ in the end-of-year exam.
revision notwithstanding, he still acquitted himself well
Both girls laughed so much when he told them the joke. (DOUBLED)
–> Being ________ laughter
told about the joke, both girls doubled up with
We are behind with our mortgage payments. –> We have fallen ______
into arrears with our mortgage payments.
Must you follow me everywhere I go? (DOG)
–> Must you ______
dog my footsteps everywhere I go?
Why are you trying to mend something that isn’t broken? (MONKEYING)
–> Why are you _______
monkeying around with something that isn’t broken?
She sent her husband out to buy Bulgarian mushrooms, knowing he wouldn’t find any. (GOOSE)
–> She sent her husband ______
out on a wild goose chase for Bulgarian mushrooms
How could I tell him if I haven’t seen him for months? (HIDE)
–> How could ______
I tell him if I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him for months?
Harry was blind drunk, so he wasn’t in a suitable condition to drive. (STATE)
–> Harry wasn’t ________ many.
in a fit state to drive as he had a few too
It is urgent that the new principal strictly deal with school violence at once. (LINES)
–> The new principal will have to_____ away.
The figures have proved rumors about the company’s failure to be untrue. (LIE)
–> The figures _______ rocks
have given the lie to rumors that the company is on the
Tom has determined to quit his job and travel around the world. (JACKING)
–> Tom has set __________
his hearts on jacking in his job and travelling around the world
No matter how you consider it, a lot of people will be unhappy when the winner is announced. (SLICE)
–> Any _________________ unhappy people when the winner is announced.
way you slice it, there will be a lot of
The teacher has terrified his students by using draconian disciplinary measures (DINT).
–> The teacher, ________ hearts.
by dint of draconian disciplinary measures, has struck terror into his students’
The government will review their immigration policy next April. (COME)
–> The government’s immigration policy _________
comes up for review next April
I didn’t have the faintest idea about the quirks of the antique business, so I couldn’t give you any advice. (KEN)
–> Had _________
the quirks of the antique business not been beyond my ken, I could have given you advice
A real sportsman will never think of crowing over his opponents’ misfortunes. (MIND)
–> Exulting _____
over his opponents’ misfortunes is the last thing on a real sportsman’s mind
It was impossible to understand her colleagues’ overt hostility towards her proposal. (OPENLY)
–> That her colleagues ________ comprehension
was openly hostile towards her proposal was beyond
Nowadays, I consider casual friendship to be far less important than I used to (STORE)
–> Nowadays I don’t __________
set as much store by casual friendship as I used to
Graham took back his words on noticing there were fresh strawberries on the menu (TUNE)
—> Graham sang ______
a different tune on noticing there were fresh strawberries on the menu
It wasn’t until last week that the minister admitted he was wrong (ERROR)
–> Only ______
last week did the minister admit to an error of judgement
Looking back, I have the feeling that they gave the deceptive information about the case. (BOOKS)
–> In ________
retrospect, I have a feeling that they cooked the books about the case
He needs to obtain the tuition exemption, otherwise he will be forced to leave. (GOES)
–> Unless exempted ________ ear
from the tuition, out he goes on his
Because I believe in his lies, he got a lot of money from me. (CONNED)
–> Because I believe in his lies,__________
he conned me out a lot of money
I’m afraid your resume is not good enough for the engineering position. (PAR)
–> __________
I’m afraid your resume is not up to par for the engineering position
My husband has had to earn the income since I broke my leg. (BACON)
–> ___________
My husband has brought home the bacon since I broke my leg
The teacher got extremely upset when she realized nobody had done the homework. (COW)
–> ___________
The teacher had a cow when she realized nobody had done the homework
Doing regular exercise often helps improve your attitude to life (DO)
–> Many __________ on life.
a time does regular exercise do wonders for your outlook
I suppose she finally gave way to demands for an interview with the tabloid press (CONSENTED)
–> I dare ___________ by the tabloid press
say she finally consented to being interviewed
Due to his repentance of the sins, as it were, he will not be executed. (OWING)
–> His immunity _______ over the sins
from execution was somewhat owing to his remorse
Although the office received a flood of complaints, it managed to achieve positive outcomes (BROUGHT)
–> The office, deluged _________ unturned.
as it was with complaints, brought off leaving no stone
They designed the stadium to make hooliganism impossible (SUCH)
–> The stadium ________ out hooliganism
was designed in such a way as to rule
We resorted to supporting for clearing the man’s name since the public so strongly protested against the judge’s statement. (CLAMOURED)
–> We might _______ at the judge’s statement.
as well have clamoured to clear the man’s name, so great was the public outcry
If he only continued to play the main role when the proposal was drafted. (INSTRUMENTAL)
–> Long ______ of the proposal.
may he be instrumental in the drafting
The novel may be outstanding, but I have read a better one of this genre as yet. (EXCEPTION)
–> By ____________ of this genre.
no means is it without exception the most outstanding novel yet
She is so curious about the pocket she catches a glimpse of it (SHUFTI)
–> Overcome ___________.
with curiosity about the pocket, she has a shufti at it
Despite having difficulties in the early stages, he is unlikely to be reluctant to do the job. (REALMS)
–> Teething _________ from the job.
problems notwithstanding, it is beyond the realms of possibility (that) he will shrink
Though dumbfounded by people’s roaring with laughter, she tried to finish her speech. (ACCOMPANIMENT)
–> Nonplussed __________ laughter.
as she was, she tried to finish her speech in accompaniment to people’s uproarious
A great many people would congratulate Mary if she won the race. (TRIUMPHANT)
–> If Mary _____________ on her.
were triumphant in the race, she would have congratulations showered
It was his unexpected appearance that took us aback. (FETCHED)
–> What caught ___________ blue.
us by surprise was (the fact) that he fetched up out of the
He won’t be shocked by his poor performance since he has been too confident of his early success (HEAD)
–> Seeing _____________ up.
that his early success has gone to his head, his poor performance won’t shake him
John finally recognized that they didn’t understand each other when talking (PURPOSES)
–> John finally recognized that _________
they were talking at cross purposes
The manager was totally convinced that his deputy was honest (FAITH)
-> The manager ___________________.
had complete faith in his deputy’s honesty
My boss criticized me for not keeping my deadlines. (COALS)
–> My boss _______________
hauled me over the coals for not keeping my deadlines
It’s just possible that we may have to introduce pay cuts. (RULED)
–> We _____________
haven’t ruled out the possibility of introducing pay cuts
I’ve been racking my brain to remember where I’ve seen that man before. (FINGER)
–> Try as ___________ where I’ve seen that man before.
I might, I can’t put my finger on
This medicine will relieve the pain, but it won’t cure anything (MIRACLES)
–> This medicine __________ bring some pain relief.
won’t work miracles, but it will
I’ll have to consider working abroad if an opportunity doesn’t arise here soon. (NEAR)
–> Unless an opportunity presents _________ expatriate.
itself within near future, I will have to
It is necessary to free our business from the influence of the bureaucracy right now.(HAND)
–>It is necessary to free _________
our business from the dead hand of the bureaucracy right now
The train is too crowded with commuters during the morning rush hour. (SARDINES)
–> The commuters on the train were ____________
packed like sardines during the morning rush hour
I was dismayed to discover that he gave the secret away
–> Much ____________ the bag
to my dismay, he went so far as to let the cat out of the bag
I think my elder sister is planning to take over the family home when my mother is older. (DESIGNS)
–> I think my elder sister ____________ when my mother is older.
has designs on taking over the family home
Mr. Foster asked me to write this letter to you.
–> It is at _____________
Mr. Foster’s request that I’m writing this letter to you.
The business has been encumbered in deep recession. It won’t be able to make profits. (BOGGED)
–> With a recession looming, ____________
the business has been bogged down
There was hardly any movement in the traffic in front of us.
–> The traffic inched ___________
along in front of us
A rather nasty problem has appeared to us
–> We’ve come ___________
up against a rather nasty problem
Our teacher always made sure that all her students learned something new each lesson. (SAW)
–> Our teachers always __________ something new for all her students each lesson.
saw to it that she included
Hopefully, the sunny weather will continue for the next few months. (SHAPE)
–> Hopefully, the sunny weather will _________ for the next few months
be the shape of things to come
Because my father went away for the weekend, his secretary was in charge of the business.
–> Had ____________ store in terms of business.
my father not gone away for the weekend, his secretary wouldn’t have minded the
Preparations must be made as fast as possible as another crisis will happen soon unpredictably.
–> It is a ____________ in the wind
race against the clock to make preparations as another crisis is
Due to his mother’s permissiveness, it was little wonder to me that Jim was an exceedingly spoilt child.
–> It came ___________ every whim.
as no surprise to me that Jim was a exceedingly spoilt child ass his mother had always given way to his
She knew nothing of her husband’s impending promotion.
–> Little __________ for promotion
did she know that her husband was in line
Despite her let-down at his decision, Karen did not think badly of him. (BORE)
–> Disappointed __________ feelings over his decision.
as she was, Karen bore him no ill
He didn’t hesitate to recommend me for the job. (BONES)
–> He ________ for the job
made no bones about recommending me
Brian is a strong contender for the position. (LIST)
–> Brian _____________.
is on the short list for the position
He has done stupid things before, but this is really annoying. (BISCUIT)
–> _______________________.
He has done stupid things before, but this really takes the biscuit.
It seems that John doesn’t really want to go camping with us. (MIND)
–> ___________________.
It seems that John has half a mind about going camping with us.
Attendance at the additional evening lectures is not obligatory for students. (UNDER)
–> Students ___________
are under no obligation to attend the additional evening lectures.
The new plans for the school have been approved by the authorities. (MET)
–> ___________________________
The new plans for the school have met with the approval of the authorities.
She was delighted with her new car. (PINK)
–> She was ___________________
tickled pink with her new car
I think that my boss is prejudiced against me (IT)
–> I think _______________
that my boss has it in for me
The tourists were unharmed after the train crash. (NONE)
–> The tourists _____________
were none the worst for their experience in the train crash
I think it is going to rain all day. (SET)
–> I think ____________
the rain has set up for the day
I felt relaxed at Gita’s house because her parents greeted me so warmly. (EASE)
–> Gita’s parents ___________ the warmth of their greetings.
put me at ease with
The government shouldn’t let this situation get worse. (STATE)
–> This _________ to get worse by the government
state of affairs shouldn’t be allowed
Just think about his face at that moment makes me laugh. (VERY)
–> The _____________ makes me laugh.
very thought of his face at that moment
Everybody wants Pauline as an after-dinner speaker (DEMAND)
–> Pauline is ___________ after-dinner speaker
in great demand as an
Drinking too much will affect your health (TELL)
–> Drinking too much __________
will tell on your health
He hated the way media scrutinized his private life. (CAME)
–> He hated ____________________
how his private life came under scrutiny from the media
If you want to succeed, you need to make good use of the things you are good at. (PLAY)
–> You have to ________________________-
play your strengths if you want to succeed
The politician tried to find people who were willing to back his campaign to help the homeless. (DRUM)
–> The politician tried to _________________
drum up support for his campaign to help the homeless
How much did the market bill come to this week? (TOTAL)
–> How much _____________?
did the market bill amount to a total
I shouldn’t have trusted a stranger with my savings. (BETTER)
–> I should have ___________
known better than to trust a stranger with my savings.
Has anybody been hurt in the road collision?
–> Has anybody come ____________?
to any harm in the road collision
The community spoke enthusiastically about the recently elected mayor (SANG)
–> The community ______________
sang the recently elected mayor’s praises
I’m not certain, but there may be about 20 applicants for the job.
–> As a _____________________
guess, there are about 20 applicants for the job
Julia realized her boss was in a bad mood when he snapped at her before she had even said “good morning”. (SIDE)
–> Julia realized _________________ when he snapped at her before she had even said “good morning”.
that her boss got out of bed on the wrong side
That young man used to be a drug addict. (MONKEY)
–> That young man _______________
used to have a monkey on his back
The science building should be soon finished. (WAY)
–> The science building ______________
is well under way
I’d be grateful if you could have a look at these figures. (CAST)
–> I’d be ____________
grateful if you could cast a
I feel certain that there will be a new government after the election. (BOUND)
–> In my opinion, _______________
there is bound to be a change in government after the election.
Graham stopped talking to deal with a customer. (OFF)
–> Graham ______________
broke off to deal with a customer
I wish I hadn’t let Mark borrow my money because none of his investments has shown a profit. (NEVER)
–> I ought ___________________ because none of his investments has shown a profit.
never to have lent Mark my money
It’s uncertain whether the band’s tour will take place. (BALANCE)
–> The band’s tour ______________
is in the balance
She was exhausted from trying to satisfy the demands of her large family. (COPE)
–> She was wearing ____________
herself out trying to cope with the demands of her large family.
He is famous for his vast knowledge of primitive religion. (AUTHORITY)
–> He is _______________
an authority on primitive religion.
Not many people turned out at the meeting. (TURNOUT)
–> There __________________-
was a poor turnout for the meeting
With 6 children to look after, she’s extremely busy. (HANDS)
–> With _____________, she’s extremely busy.
6 children on her hands.
