Unit 6

Question 1

the top of the ladder

Answer 1

the highest position in one’s profession

Question 2

down-and-out (adj/n)

Answer 2

(of a person) with no job or home

Question 3

live/sleep rough

Answer 3

live under unpleasant conditions

Question 4

as poor as a church mouse

Answer 4

extremely poor

Question 5

from rags to riches

Answer 5

from being very poor to being very rich

Question 6

right hand man

Answer 6

close and trusted assistant

Question 7

call the shots

Answer 7

make important decisions

Question 8

the jet set

Answer 8

group of rich and fashionable people who are interested in enjoyment and travelling

Question 9

the slippery slope

Answer 9

sth that is difficult to stop once it has begun and which usually ends badly

Question 10

tear-jerker

Answer 10

a film, story, etc. that is designed to make people feel sad

Question 11

have got several irons in the fire

Answer 11

have several options/projects at the same time

Question 12

at full stretch

Answer 12

using all one’s energy to do sth

Question 13

a dead end

Answer 13

sth which leads nowhere and has no future

Question 14

adopt a lower profile

Answer 14

avoid public attention

Question 15

take a back seat

Answer 15

take a position of less importance/influence

Question 16

the rat race

Answer 16

the struggle for success, especially in a large city

Question 17

the big guns

Answer 17

important and powerful people

Question 18

have time on my hands

Answer 18

have spare/free time

Question 19

do my own thing

Answer 19

do whatever one wants

Question 20

keep up with the Joneses

Answer 20

be in competition with other people for a higher social standard