Unit 5

Question 1

be taken with a pinch/grain of salt

Answer 1

used to warn somebody not to believe something completely

Question 2

at death’s door

Answer 2

about to die

Question 3

full of beans/life

Answer 3

(of a person) having a lot of energy, energetic

Question 4

go downhill

He’s been going slowly downhill since he came out of hospital.

Answer 4

get worse in quality, health, etc.

Question 5

uphill battle, struggle, task, etc.

Answer 5

an argument or a struggle that is difficult to win and takes a lot of effort over a long period of time

Question 6

nothing but skin and bone

Answer 6

very thin

Question 7

a shadow/ghost of your former self

Answer 7

not have the strength, influence, etc. that you used to have

Question 8

up and about/around

Answer 8

feeling well enough to get out of bed and move around

Question 9

up and down

Answer 9

sometimes happy and sometimes sad

Question 10

up and running

Answer 10

working fully and correctly

Question 11

up-and-coming

Answer 11

likely to be successful and popular in the future

Question 12

as strong as an ox

Answer 12

very strong and fit

Question 13

ripe old age

Answer 13

very old age

Question 14

kick the bucket

Answer 14

die

Question 15

alive and kicking

Answer 15

still alive and active

Question 16

touch and go

Answer 16

uncertain

Question 17

the writing is on the wall|the handwriting on the wall

Answer 17

used when you are describing a situation in which there are signs that something is going to have problems or that it is going to be a failure

Question 18

hold your own (against somebody/something) (in something)

She can hold her own against anybody in an argument.

Answer 18

remain in a strong position when somebody is attacking you, competing with you, etc.

Question 19

grin/smile/beam from ear to ear

Answer 19

smile broadly

Question 20

there’s life in the old dog yet

Answer 20

one is still physically/mentally energetic despite old age

Question 21

as blind as a bat

Answer 21

blind or unable to see well

Question 22

have got one foot in the grave

Answer 22

to be near death

Question 23

run out of steam

Answer 23

lose the energy that one had previously