[Unit 3b] That interview was an outright disaster

Question 1

We have a _ _ paperwork to g_ _.

Answer 1

We have a mountain of paperwork to get through.

Question 2

I’m feeling a bit e_ about the exam tomorrow. (= ​nervous, especially about what might happen)

Answer 2

I’m feeling a bit edgy about the exam tomorrow. (= ​nervous, especially about what might happen)

Question 3

I’m d_ _ emails.

= there are too many emails, I can’t answer everything

Answer 3

I’m drowning in emails.

/draʊn/

Question 4

That movie was an _ _.

Answer 4

That movie was an emotional rollercoaster.

/ˈrəʊlə kəʊstə(r)/

Question 5

Max d_ a complete b_ during the interview. (= he didn’t know what to say and just kept silent)

Answer 5

Max drew a complete blank during the interview.

Question 6

“I’ve told you _ m_ _ not to lie!”

= я тебе сто раз говорила

Answer 6

“I’ve told you a million times not to lie!”

a thousand times, a dozen times..

Question 7

Before an exam, I always feel somewhat e_ and tense.

(= ​nervous, especially about what might happen)

Answer 7

Before an exam, I always feel somewhat edgy and tense.

Question 8

If I don’t get a coffee soon, I’m going to c_.

Answer 8

If I don’t get a coffee soon, I’m going to collapse.

/kəˈlæps/

Question 9

He’s got _ of money.

Answer 9

He’s got tons of money.
/tʌnz/

Question 10

I could sleep _ _ _.

= I’m extremely tired

Answer 10

I could sleep for a week.

Question 11

I’m so hungry I could _ _ _.

Answer 11

I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Question 12

Exaggeration
When something is taking longer than expected

This is _ _.

Answer 12

This is taking forever.

Question 13

This place is _ _.

= [disapproving] unorganized, noisy, disordered, confusing, uncontrolled, busy, and/or crowded.

Answer 13

This place is a zoo.

Question 14

Sorry, my mind is d_ a b_ here! (= I don’t know the answer, I have no idea whatsoever)

Answer 14

Sorry, my mind is drawing a blank here!

Question 15

I was so embarrassed, I wanted _ _ to s_ me _.

Answer 15

I was so embarrassed, I wanted the ground to swallow me up.

/ˈswɒləʊ/

Question 16

I was a little a_ about starting my new job

(= ​worried or frightened that something unpleasant may happen)

Answer 16

I was a little apprehensive about starting my new job

Question 17

You have no reason to be a_ of the future.
She was deeply a_ that something might go wrong.

(= ​worried or frightened that something unpleasant may happen)

Answer 17

You have no reason to be apprehensive of the future.
She was deeply apprehensive that something might go wrong.

Question 18

This bag weighs _ _.

= it’s really heavy

Answer 18

This bag weighs a ton.

Question 19

Max d_ a complete b_ during the interview. (= he didn’t know what to say and just kept silent)

Answer 19

Max drew a complete blank during the interview.

Question 20

A: Could you help me with this proposal I’m writing? I think it’s OK but I just need to s_ _ a few points. (= make sure there’s no glaring, obvious mistakes)

Answer 20

I think it’s OK but I just need to sanity check a few points.

Question 21

‘Katie, can you help me do this?’
‘Sorry, I’m a bit sn_ _ at the moment.’ (= I have too much work already)

Answer 21

Sorry, I’m a bit snowed under at the moment.

normally used with adverbs totally / absolutely / a bit, etc
pronunciation: linking! snow-dunder

Question 22

Sorry, I’m a bit snowed under at the moment, and I have b_-_-_ meetings the whole morning. Can it wait till five o’clock? (= одно за другим, без перерывов)

Answer 22

Sorry, I’m a bit snowed under at the moment, and I have back-to-back meetings the whole morning. Can it wait till five o’clock?

Pronunciation: depends on the position of the word:
BACKtobackMEEtings
I’ve got MEEtings backtoBACK

Question 23

I think it’s OK but I just need to sanity check a few points. To make sure there are no g_ mistakes.

Answer 23

To make sure there are no glaring mistakes.

BrE /ˈɡleərɪŋ/
AmE /ˈɡlerɪŋ/