Unit 9

Question 1

a rotten apple

Answer 1

one bad person who has a bad effect on others in a group

Question 2

inside job

Answer 2

a crime, especially stealing, committed by someone in the place where they work

Question 3

spill the beans/tea

Answer 3

tell sb sth that should be kept secret or private

Question 4

point a/the finger (at sb)

(n): finger-pointing

Answer 4

accuse sb of doing sth

Question 5

put a foot wrong

Answer 5

make a mistake

Question 6

cover your tracks

Answer 6

try and hide what you have done, because you do not want oher people to find out about it

Question 7

come clean (with sb) (about sth)

Answer 7

admit and explain sth that you have kept as a secret

Question 8

keep your nose clean

Answer 8

avoid doing anything wrong or illegal

Question 9

make a clean breast of sth

Answer 9

tell the truth about sth so that you no longer feel guilty

Question 10

wipe the slate clean

Answer 10

agree to forget about past mistakes or arguments and start again with a relationship

Question 11

do time

Answer 11

spend time in prison

Question 12

in hot water

Answer 12

be in trouble

Question 13

like a cat on hot bricks/ a hot tin roof

Answer 13

very nervous

Question 14

strike while the iron is hot

Answer 14

make use of an opportunuty immediately

Question 15

carry the can (for sth/sb)

Answer 15

accept the blame for sth, especially when it is not your fault

Question 16

kick the can (down the road)

Answer 16

delay dealing with a problem

Question 17

be in the can

Answer 17

be completed and ready for use

Question 18

brush/sweep sth under the carpet/rug

Answer 18

try to stop people from finding out about sth wrong, illegal, embarrassing, etc. that has happened or that you have done

Question 19

smooth (sb’s) ruffled feathers

Answer 19

make sb feel less angry or offended

Question 20

blow the whistle on sth/sb

Answer 20

tell sb in authority about sth wrong or illegal that they are doing

Question 21

blow/clear the cobwebs away

Answer 21

help sb have a fresh, lively state of mind again

Question 22

blow the gaff (on sb/sth)

Answer 22

tell sth secret, especially by mistake

Question 23

blow/knock sb’s socks off

Answer 23

surprise or impress sb very much

Question 24

on the spur of the moment

Answer 24

suddenly, without planning in advance

Question 25

get away with murder

Answer 25

do whatever you want without being stopped or punished

Question 26

in broad daylight

Answer 26

(in) the clear light of day, when it is easy to see

Question 27

by the book

Answer 27

following rules and instructions in a very strict way

Question 28

catch sb off guard

Answer 28

not careful or prepared for something difficult or dangerous

Question 29

cut and run

Answer 29

make a quick or sudden escape

Question 30

teach sb a lesson

Answer 30

punish sb