Unit 13

Question 1

come under fire

Answer 1

extremely unpleasant, especially in a way that offends people

Question 2

foot the bill

Answer 2

be responsible for paying the cost of something

Question 3

a clean bill of health

Answer 3

a report that says somebody is healthy or that something is in good condition

Question 4

count the cost (of something)

Answer 4

feel the bad effects of a mistake, an accident, etc.

Question 5

break the band

Answer 5

cost a lot of money, or more than you can afford

Question 6

toe the line

Answer 6

say or do what somebody in authority tells you to say or do, even if you do not share the same opinions, etc.

Question 7

wide of the mark

Answer 7

not accurate

Question 8

overstep the mark/line

Answer 8

behave in a way that people think is not acceptable

Question 9

go up in smoke

Answer 9

be completely burnt; fail completely

Question 10

a smoke-filled room

Answer 10

a decision that people describe as being made in … is made by a small group of people at a private meeting, rather than in an open and democratic way

Question 11

pay lip-service

Answer 11

they say that they approve of it or support it, without proving their support by what they actually do

Question 12

a breath of freash air

Answer 12

a person, thing or place that is new and different and therefore interesting and exciting

Question 13

put somebody on the spot

Answer 13

make somebody feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by asking them a difficult question

Question 14

bring something to light

Answer 14

make new information known to people

Question 15

as clean as a whistle

Answer 15

very clean

Question 16

awakening

Answer 16

an occasion when you realize something or become aware of something

Question 17

burn (something) to a cinder/crisp

Answer 17

become completely burnt, especially because it has been cooked for too long

Question 18

crash and burn

Answer 18

go wrong or to fail badly and suddenly

Question 19

burn rubber

Answer 19

drive very fast

Question 20

burn your fingers | get your fingers burnt

Answer 20

suffer as a result of doing something without realizing the possible bad results, especially in business

Question 21

burn the candle at both ends

Answer 21

become very tired by trying to do too many things and going to bed late and getting up early

Question 22

burn your bridges/boats

Answer 22

do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation later

Question 23

slash-and-burn

Answer 23

1. relating to a method of farming in which existing plants, crops, etc. are cut down and burned before new seeds are planted
2. aggressive and causing a lot of harm or damage

Question 24

at loggerheads (with sb) (over sth)

Answer 24

in strong disagreement

Question 25

**disrepute** | bring something into disrepute ## Footnote fall into disrepute

Answer 25

the state of not being trusted or respected