Wordskills unit 30

Question 1

be criticized severely for sth you have done

Answer 1

come/ be under fire

Question 2

Fast/ slow in reaction to a situation

Answer 2

quick/ slow off the mark

Question 3

INF seem reasonable or logical (used mainly in a negative sense)

Answer 3

add up

Question 4

say a name, number, etc. without giving it any thought

Answer 4

pluck sth out of the air

Question 5

gain a further advantage for yourself from a situation

Answer 5

capitalize on sth

Question 6

stop a bad situation from getting worse

Answer 6

stop the rot

Question 7

describe or discuss sth in a way that makes it sound better than it is

Answer 7

talk sth up

Question 8

(of 2 people or groups) level with each other in a race or competition

Answer 8

neck and neck

Question 9

used to state a basic truth after everything has been discussed and considered

Answer 9

in the final analysis

Question 10

if a situation or problem … one thing, that thing is the main point in the situation, or the main cause of the problem

Answer 10

boil down to sth

Question 11

a bitter argument between groups over a period of time

Answer 11

a war of words

Question 12

make necessary changes or improvements in your business, way of life, etc.

Answer 12

put your house in order

Question 13

INF refuse to change an opinion, decision, etc

Answer 13

not give/ budge/ move an inch

Question 14

INF, DISAPPROVING join others in doing or saying sth that is popular and fashionable in order to make yourself popular

Answer 14

jump/ climb on the bandwagon

Question 15

treat sb as if their behaviour is honest or correct, even though you are not certain that it is

Answer 15

give sb the benefit of the doubt

Question 16

(often used of the media) be given the opportunity to do sth you enjoy, especially when it causes trouble for sb else

Answer 16

have a field day

Question 17

if sth is likely to …, it is likely to continue for a long time (we often say sth looks set to … = looks likely to)

Answer 17

run and run

Question 18

FML be a good/ bad sign for sb/ sth

Answer 18

bode well/ ill for sb/ sth

Question 19

An arranged telephone call to wake you up at a particular time

Answer 19

a wake-up call

Question 20

An event that makes you realize there is a problem that must be tackled

Answer 20

a wake-up call