Unit 14

Question 1

a bone of contention

Answer 1

a subject that causes people to disagree

Question 2

close to the bone

Answer 2

(of a remark, joke, story, etc.) so honest or clearly expressed that it is likely to cause offence to some people

Question 3

cut, pare, etc. something to the bone

Answer 3

reduce something, such as costs, as much as you possibly can

Question 4

have a bone to pick with somebody

Answer 4

be angry with somebody about something and want to discuss it with them

Question 5

like a dog with a bone

Answer 5

very determined and refusing to give up

Question 6

make no bones about (doing) something

Answer 6

be honest and open about something; to not hesitate to do something

Question 7

put flesh on (the bones of) something

Answer 7

develop a basic idea, etc. by giving more details to make it more complete

Question 8

go round in circles

Answer 8

work hard at something or discuss something without making any progress

Question 9

come, turn, etc. full circle

Answer 9

return to the situation in which you started, after a series of events or experiences

Question 10

run round in circles

Answer 10

be busy doing something without achieving anything important or making progress

Question 11

square the circle

Answer 11

do something that is considered to be impossible

Question 12

(put something) in a nutshell

Answer 12

(to say or express something) in a very clear way, using few words

Question 13

(fight) a losing battle

Answer 13

(to try to do) something that you will probably never succeed in doing

Question 14

rack your brain(s)

Answer 14

think very hard or for a long time about something

Question 15

beat your brains out|cudgel your brains

Answer 15

think very hard about something for a long time

Question 16

put our/your/their heads together

Answer 16

think about or discuss something as a group

Question 17

get/set/start/keep the ball rolling

Answer 17

make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen

Question 18

have something/a lot on the ball

Answer 18

to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent

Question 19

the whole ball of wax

Answer 19

the whole thing; everything

Question 20

pick up/take the ball and run with it

Answer 20

develop an idea or plan that already exists

Question 21

(be) on the ball

Answer 21

be aware of and understand what is happening and be able to react quickly

Question 22

put your thinking cap on

Answer 22

try to solve a problem by thinking about it

Question 23

the bare bones (of something)

Answer 23

the basic facts

Question 24

the cupboard is bare

Answer 24

used to say that there is no money for something

Question 25

**lay something bare**

Answer 25

show something that was covered or to make something known that was secret

Question 26

**rock the boat**

Answer 26

do something that upsets a situation and causes problems

Question 27

**float somebody’s boat**

Answer 27

be what somebody likes

Question 28

**push the boat out** | = splash out on sth

Answer 28

spend a lot of money on enjoying yourself or celebrating something

Question 29

**talk shop**

Answer 29

talk about your work with the people you work with, especially when you are also with other people who are not connected with or interested in it

Question 30

**get on somebody’s nerves**

Answer 30

annoy somebody

Question 31

**be a bag/bundle of nerves**

Answer 31

be very nervous

Question 32

**strain every nerve/sinew (to do something)**

Answer 32

try as hard as you can to do something

Question 33

# [](http://) **hit/touch/strike a (raw/sensitive) nerve**

Answer 33

mention a subject that makes somebody feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc

Question 34

**have nerves of steel**

Answer 34

be able to remain calm in a difficult or dangerous situation

Question 35

**pass the buck**

Answer 35

blame someone or make them responsible for a problem that you should deal with

Question 36

**not mince (your) words**

Answer 36

say something in a direct way even though it might offend other people

Question 37

**(catch/throw somebody) off balance**

Answer 37

make somebody unsteady and in danger of falling; make somebody surprised and no longer calm

Question 38

**throw/cast caution to the wind(s)**

Answer 38

stop caring about how dangerous something might be; to start taking risks

Question 39

**hold your peace/tongue**

Answer 39

say nothing although you would like to give your opinion

Question 40

**make (your) peace with somebody**

Answer 40

end an argument with somebody, usually by saying you are sorry

Question 41

**(there’s) no peace/rest for the wicked**

Answer 41

used when somebody is complaining that they have a lot of work to do

Question 42

# [](http://) **drive something home (to somebody)**

Answer 42

make somebody understand or accept something by saying it often, loudly, angrily, etc.

Question 43

**clear the air**

Answer 43

improve a difficult or tense situation by talking about worries, doubts, etc.

Question 44

**ring true/hollow/false**

Answer 44

give the impression of being sincere/true or not sincere/true