IDIOMS

Question 1

I haven’t the foggiest/faintest idea

Answer 1

not have the foggiest (idea)
​(informal) to not know anything at all about something

‘Do you know where she is?’ ‘Sorry, I haven’t the foggiest.’

Question 2

To hazard a guess

Answer 2

to risk doing something, especially making a guess, suggestion, etc.:

I wouldn’t like to hazard a guess.

to risk doing something that might cause harm to someone or something else:

The policy hazarded the islands and put the lives of the inhabitants at risk.

to risk making a guess or suggestion:

She wouldn’t hazard a guess about the meaning of the word.

Can you hazard a guess as to how much the repair will cost?

I would hazard a guess that she will be late to the meeting.

Let me hazard a guess: you’re feeling stressed out about work.

I can’t say for sure, but I would hazard a guess that he’s probably not interested in dating right now.

Without knowing all the details, I can only hazard a guess as to what happened.

I would hazard a guess that the project will be completed by the end of the week.

Can you hazard a guess as to what the final score will be?

Question 3

Catch my drift

Answer 3

to understand the general meaning of what someone is saying:

She could see from his expression that he caught her drift immediately.

You can make a point quite subtly and you know that the audience will get your drift.

I suspect she didn’t catch your drift.

Question 4

To lose one’s train of thought

Answer 4

train of thought/events

a series of connected thoughts or events:

What amazing train of thought led you from Napoleon to global warming?

The book describes the train of events that led up to the assassination.

….Sorry, I ‘ve just lost my train of thought

Question 5

To split hairs

Answer 5

​to pay too much attention in an argument to differences that are very small and not important

I think the woman in the photo is a teacher rather than a headmistress, but let’s not split hairs

Question 6

Pet peeve

Answer 6

somebody’s pet hate
(British English)

(North American English somebody’s pet peeve)

​something that you particularly dislike

Weak coffee is one of my pet peeves.

Question 7

To cut a long story short

Answer 7

used when you do not tell all the details:

Long story short, I got fired.

(to cut a) long story short
(British English)

To cut a long story short, we didn’t get home until 3 in the morning!

Anyway, long story short: we had this argument and I haven’t seen him since.

Question 8

Dawn on

Answer 8

If a fact dawns on you, you understand it after a period of not understanding it:

[ + that ] I was about to pay for the shopping when it suddenly dawned on me that I’d left my wallet at home.

It finally dawned on him that she’d been joking.

As I was driving home, it suddenly dawned on me that I had left my wallet at the restaurant.

It wasn’t until I read the email a second time that it dawned on me what my boss was trying to say.

At first, I didn’t understand the joke, but then it slowly dawned on me and I burst out laughing.

After hours of struggling with the math problem, the solution finally dawned on me and I was able to solve it quickly.

When I saw her face again after all these years, it suddenly dawned on me how much I had missed her.

I was trying to remember the name of the actor for hours, but it wasn’t until I heard it on the radio that it dawned on me who he was.

Question 9

Sit/be on the fence

Answer 9

to delay making a decision:

You can’t sit on the fence any longer - you have to decide whose side you’re on.

to avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing something

He tends to sit on the fence at meetings.

Mary is always sitting on the fence when it comes to political discussions. She never takes a side.

I wish he would stop sitting on the fence and make a decision about which college he wants to attend.

The company’s management is sitting on the fence about whether to invest in new technology or not.

John is sitting on the fence and not taking any action to solve the problem.

The politician is always sitting on the fence, trying not to offend any group of voters.

Question 10

Bite the bullet

Answer 10

to force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult, or to be brave in a difficult situation:

I hate going to the dentist, but I’ll just have to bite the bullet.

I decided I had to bite the bullet and take a couple of math classes even though I knew they were hard.

Question 11

The last straw

Answer 11

the latest problem in a series of problems, that makes a situation impossible to accept:

The last straw was when the company fired most of the managers.

Losing my job was bad enough, but being evicted was the final straw.

She’s always been rude to me, but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother.

Question 12

Rest on your laurels

Answer 12

to be satisfied with your achievements and not to make an effort to do anything else:

Just because you’ve got your degree doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels.

Question 13

Hot potato

Answer 13

a problem, situation, etc. that is difficult to deal with and causes a lot of disagreement:

The abortion issue is a political hot potato in the United States.

Question 14

An elephant in the room

Answer 14

If you say there is an elephant in the room, you mean that there is an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about.

Question 15

In a nutshell

Answer 15

very briefly, giving only the main points:

“What went wrong?” “In a nutshell, everything.”

Question 16

make a name FOR yourself

Answer 16

o become famous or respected by a lot of people:

He’s made a name for himself as a talented journalist.

After winning the championship, she made a name for herself in the world of tennis.

The young artist made a name for herself with her unique style of painting.

He made a name for himself as a successful businessman by developing innovative marketing strategies.

The chef made a name for himself in the culinary world by creating new and unique dishes.

The actor made a name for himself by starring in a series of blockbuster movies.

Question 17

Make / stage a recovery

Answer 17

Mira made a full recovery from the operation.

Property has staged a recovery this year.

Question 18

make a point of doing something

Answer 18

The expression “make a point of” means to make a conscious effort or to prioritize something as important. When someone “makes a point of” doing something, it suggests that they have deliberately decided to pay attention to it or to give it special consideration.

For example, “I make a point of thanking my colleagues for their hard work” means that the speaker takes the time to show appreciation to their colleagues on a regular basis, because they believe it’s important to acknowledge their hard work

to always do something or to take particular care to do something:

She makes a point of keeping all her shopping receipts.

I should have made a point of writing the telephone number

Sarah always makes a point of arriving at work 10 minutes early.

My grandfather always makes a point of calling me on my birthday.

Jane makes a point of eating a healthy breakfast every morning.

I make a point of thanking my colleagues for their hard work.

The manager makes a point of giving his employees regular feedback and recognition.

John makes a point of reading a book every night before bed.

Question 19

take notice (of something)

Answer 19

to give something your attention:

Voters are beginning to take notice of him as a serious candidate.

Question 20

give up hope

Answer 20

to stop hoping that a particular thing will happen:

We still haven’t given up hope of finding her alive.

He just believed in her and no matter how bad things got, he refused to give up hope.

Question 21

be on the point of (doing) something

Answer 21

to be going to do something very soon:

As we were on the point of giving up hope, a letter arrived.

She was so tired that she was on the point of collapse.

Question 22

Have a recollection of st

Answer 22

a memory of something:

I have many pleasant recollections of the time we spent together.

Question 23

think/speak highly of someone

Answer 23

to admire or say admiring things about someone. To have a good opinion of someone or something:

He’s very highly thought of within the company.

She thinks very highly of her boss.

Sarah’s boss thinks highly of her work and has offered her a promotion.

The professor thinks highly of his students and is always available to offer support and guidance.

John’s parents think highly of him and are proud of his accomplishments.

The CEO thinks highly of the company’s employees and values their contributions to its success.

The committee thinks highly of the applicant’s qualifications and experience, and is considering offering them the job.

Mary’s friends think highly of her artistic talent and often ask her to create pieces for them.

Question 24

Come to a head

Answer 24

If something comes to a head or someone brings something to a head, a situation reaches a point where something must be done about it:

Things hadn’t been good between us for a while and this incident just brought it to a head.

After weeks of tension between the two coworkers, their disagreement finally came to a head during a heated argument in the office.

The long-simmering conflict between the two neighboring countries finally came to a head when one of them launched a surprise attack on the other.

The financial problems of the company had been building up for months, but they came to a head when the CEO announced massive layoffs and pay cuts.

Question 25

give rise to

Answer 25

to cause something:

International support has given rise to a new optimism in the company.

The discovery of new technologies has given rise to a more connected and interdependent world.

The controversial policy change is expected to give rise to widespread protests and civil unrest.

The increased use of pesticides in agriculture has given rise to concerns about the long-term effects on the environment.

The pandemic has given rise to a new wave of innovation in remote work and virtual collaboration.

Question 26

as a matter of course.

Answer 26

If something is done as a matter of course, it is a usual part of the way in which things are done and is not special:

Safety precautions are observed as a matter of course.

As a matter of course, I always double-check my work before submitting it to my boss.”

“When it comes to safety procedures, following them as a matter of course is critical.”

“As a matter of course, I make sure to set my alarm for the same time every morning to establish a consistent sleep schedule.”

“As a matter of course, the company requires all employees to attend regular training sessions to stay up-to-date with industry changes.”

“As a matter of course, I always bring a reusable water bottle with me to avoid buying disposable plastic bottles.”

Question 27

hollow

Answer 27

ring true/hollow/false

​to give the impression of being sincere/true or not sincere/true

It may seem a strange story but it rings true to me.

His expressions of support rang rather hollow.

As an adjective:

Empty or containing nothing: The box was hollow inside.
Having a sunken or concave shape: The tree trunk was hollowed out by woodpeckers.
Insincere or without real value or meaning: His words sounded hollow and insincere.
Describing a sound that is dull or echoing: The hollow sound of the drums echoed through the valley.
As a noun:

A depression or concavity in a surface: The horse’s back had a hollow where the saddle rested.
A small valley or basin surrounded by higher land: The cabin was located in a hollow at the base of the mountain.
As a verb:

To make something empty or remove the contents from it: She hollowed out the pumpkin to make a jack-o’-lantern.
To form a hollow or concave shape: The artist hollowed out the sculpture using a chisel.
Example sentences:

She felt a hollow pit in her stomach when she heard the bad news.

The team explored the hollow at the bottom of the canyon.

He hollowed out a canoe from a large tree trunk.

The vase was so delicate that it cracked and hollowed when it was dropped.

Question 28

Take sth on board

Answer 28

To take something on board means to accept or acknowledge a suggestion, idea, or piece of information and incorporate it into one’s understanding, plans, or actions

Banks need to take on board the views of their customers.
Thanks for sharing your suggestion, I’ll definitely take it on board.

I’m willing to take your feedback on board and make the necessary changes.

Let’s take some time to consider this idea and see if it’s something we want to take on board.

The team decided to take the client’s request on board and revise the proposal accordingly.

We’re always open to taking new ideas on board to improve our processes and services.

Question 29

Off the mark

Answer 29

If something someone says or writes is off the mark, it is not correct:

His criticisms are way off the mark.

Bedini and Curzi were probably not far off the mark in their analysis.

The journalist’s article was completely off the mark - it didn’t accurately reflect the situation at all.

I thought I knew the answer, but my guess was off the mark.

The company’s revenue projections were way off the mark, and they ended up losing money as a result.

His criticism of the movie was off the mark - he missed the point entirely.

The coach’s prediction for the game was off the mark - the final score was much higher than he anticipated.

Question 30

have had its/your day

Answer 30

to be much less popular than before:

She sold a lot of books in the 1990s, but she’s had her day.

“John used to be a top athlete, but now he’s out of shape and struggles to keep up. He has had his days.”

“The famous singer had a string of hit songs in the ’90s, but her recent albums haven’t received much attention. It seems like she has had her days.”

“The aging actor was once a household name, but now he only gets minor roles in obscure films. It’s clear that he has had his days in the spotlight.”

“The retired CEO was a visionary leader who built a successful company from the ground up. Now, he enjoys a quiet life on his farm. He has had his days of running a corporate empire.”

“The renowned author published several bestselling novels earlier in his career, but his recent books haven’t gained much popularity. It seems like he has had his days as a literary sensation.”

Question 31

a different ball game

Answer 31

a situation or activity that is entirely distinct or different from what was previously experienced. It is often used to describe a situation that requires a different approach or a new set of skills or strategies, which may be unfamiliar or challenging.

Question 32

Piece of work

Answer 32

a veryunkindorunpleasantperson. typically used to convey that the person is difficult, complex, or challenging in their behavior, character, or actions. T

I”John is a real piece of work. He constantly lies and manipulates people to get what he wants.”

“I can’t believe she spread those rumors about me. She’s a real piece of work, always causing drama wherever she goes.”

“My boss is a piece of work. He’s always changing his mind, giving contradictory instructions, and making unreasonable demands.”

“Did you hear what he did? He cheated on his partner and then tried to blame them for it. He’s truly a piece of work.”

Question 33

stand the test of time

Answer 33

If something stands the test of time, it is still popular, strong, etc. after a long time:

Which songs from the last year will stand the test of time?

This ancient temple has stood the test of time and is still a popular tourist destination today.

Shakespeare’s works have stood the test of time and are still widely read and performed today.

Question 34

in the fullness of time.

Answer 34

If you say something will happen in the fullness of time, you mean that it will happen if you wait long enough:

Everything will become clear in the fullness of time.

In the fullness of time, the truth about the scandal was finally revealed.

The company’s expansion plans will be implemented in the fullness of time, after careful consideration and planning.

In the fullness of time, the wounds of the past will heal and the future will look brighter.

Question 35

blindingly obvious

Answer 35

extremely:

It’s blindingly obvious that she’s not happy at school.

Question 36

As it is

Answer 36

already:

Here are some examples using the phrase “as it is”:

“I’m already working 60 hours a week as it is, I don’t think I can take on any more responsibilities.”

“I have to drive for three hours to get there as it is, so I don’t want to be stuck in traffic.”

“I don’t have much money as it is, so I can’t afford to go out for dinner tonight.”

“We have a lot of work to do as it is, so we need to stay focused and productive.”

“The project is behind schedule as it is, so we can’t afford any more delays

Question 37

Beg the question of..

Answer 37

If a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question:

Spending the summer travelling around India is a great idea, but it does beg the question of how we can afford it.

To discuss the company’s future begs the question of whether it has a future.

Question 38

come/get to grips with the fact that…

Answer 38

to make an effort to understand and deal with a problem or situation:

Here are some examples using the phrase “come to grips”:

“It took me a while to come to grips with the fact that I had failed the exam.”

“She needs to come to grips with the fact that her relationship is over and she needs to move on.”

“It’s important to come to grips with your fears so that they don’t control your life.”

“The company needs to come to grips with the fact that they need to change their business model to stay competitive.”

“It can be difficult to come to grips with a diagnosis of a serious illness, but it’s important to stay positive.”

“He needs to come to grips with his addiction and seek help before it’s too late.”

Question 39

along the line of

Answer 39

similar in type:

I was thinking of doing a meal along the lines of that dinner I did for Annie and Dave.

They’re campaigning for the electoral system to be reformed along the lines of (= so that it becomes similar to) the one in Germany.

I’m looking for a job in marketing, preferably something along the lines of digital marketing or social media management.”

“The new policy will be along the lines of the old one, with a few minor tweaks.”

“I’m trying to eat healthier, so I’m looking for recipes along the lines of low-carb or vegetarian.”

“Her painting was along the lines of the impressionist style, with lots of light and color.”

“The movie was described as a romantic comedy, but it was more along the lines of a drama with a few funny moments.”

Question 40

in your own right

Answer 40

If you have a position in your own right, you have earned it or got it by yourself and not because of anyone else:

She’s a millionaire in her own right.

Although she is the daughter of a famous actor, she is a talented actress in her own right.”

“The artist has gained recognition as a painter in her own right, not just as the wife of a famous sculptor.”

“After years of hard work and dedication, he has become a successful lawyer in his own right, without any family connections or influence.”

“Although she was initially known as the sister of a famous musician, she has since established herself as a talented musician in her own right.”

“He is a respected author in his own right, with several best-selling novels to his name.”

Question 41

get hold of

Answer 41

to find someone or obtain something:

Where can I get hold of some stamps?

How can I get ahold of Chris?

I’ve been trying to get hold of my friend all day, but her phone is always busy.

You need to get hold of a good lawyer if you want to win this case.

I can’t seem to get hold of my passport. I think I may have misplaced it.

If you want to succeed in business, you need to get hold of the latest technology.

Could you please try to get hold of some concert tickets for me? I’d really appreciate it.

Question 42

by and large

Answer 42

when everything about a situation is considered together:

There are a few small things that I don’t like about my job, but by and large it’s very enjoyable.

Question 43

go off on a tangent

Answer 43

to suddenly start talking or thinking about a completely new subject:

It’s hard to get a firm decision out of him - he’s always going off on a tangent.

Question 44

That is about the size of it

Answer 44

used to showyouragreementwith someone who has said somethingcorrect:

“So youmeanyou won’t come to thepartywith me?” “Yes, that’s about thesizeof it.”

After a long explanation of a complicated task, a teacher might say, “So, that’s about the size of it. Do you have any questions?”

During a business meeting, a manager might say, “We’ve discussed all the major issues, and that’s about the size of it. Let’s move on to the next item on the agenda.”

In a conversation with a friend about a recent breakup, someone might say, “He was always distant and never wanted to spend time together. So, that’s about the size of it. I’m better off without him.”

Question 45

Getting on top of sb

Answer 45

If adifficultsituationgets ontopof you, it makes youfeelsoupsetthat you cannotdealwith it:

She’s had a fewfinancialproblems, and Ithinkthings have just been getting ontopof her.

Question 46

Before long

Answer 46

soon:

With a little exercise, you’ll be back in shape before long.

Before long, the sun will set and it will be dark outside.

If we keep working hard, before long we will finish this project.

The flowers will bloom before long, as spring is just around the corner.

If we don’t make changes soon, before long our planet will face irreversible damage.

If you keep practicing, before long you will become an expert in your field.

Before long, the baby will start walking and exploring the world around them.

Question 47

Or else

Answer 47

used to say what will happen if another thing does not happen:

We must be there by six, or else we’ll miss the beginning.

You need to finish your homework tonight, or else you won’t be able to go to the party tomorrow.

Please make sure you set your alarm, or else you’ll oversleep and be late for your appointment.

The restaurant better start improving their service, or else they’re going to lose customers.

You need to turn off your phone during the movie, or else you’ll be disturbing the other viewers.

Please pay your bills on time, or else you’ll be charged late fees.

Question 48

trick of the trade

Answer 48

a clever method used by people who are experienced in a particular type of work or activity:

Magazines often improve photographs before they print them - it’s one of the tricks of the trade.

Question 49

follow in someone’s footsteps

Answer 49

to do the same thing as someone else did previously:

She followed in her mother’s footsteps, starting her own business.

After his father retired from the military, John decided to follow in his footsteps and enlist as well.

Growing up, my mom was a successful lawyer, and I always knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps and become a lawyer too.

When I was younger, I used to watch my older brother play guitar and sing, and now I’m following in his footsteps and pursuing a career in music.

As a child, I was inspired by my grandmother’s activism and dedication to social justice, and now I’m following in her footsteps by volunteering for local non-profits and advocating for marginalized communities.

Many people who have succeeded in business often credit their success to following in the footsteps of successful entrepreneurs who came before them.

Question 50

Crop up

Answer 50

The phrase “crop up” is an idiomatic expression that means to appear or happen unexpectedly or suddenly. It can be used to describe a situation or event that occurs without warning or preparation. Here are a few examples of how the phrase can be used in context:

“I wasn’t expecting any visitors, but my old friend from college suddenly cropped up at my door.”

“Problems with the new software keep cropping up, causing us to delay the release date.”

“I thought I had finished my project, but a few last-minute issues cropped up that required my attention.”

Question 51

There is no knowing

Answer 51

If you say there’s no knowing, you mean it is impossible to be certain about something:

There’s no knowing what she’ll do if she finds out about this.

There is no knowing how the weather will be tomorrow, so it’s best to bring an umbrella just in case.

When it comes to investing, there is no knowing for sure which stocks will perform well and which ones won’t.

There is no knowing what the future holds, so it’s important to live in the present and enjoy each moment.

The virus has mutated several times already, so there is no knowing how it will continue to evolve and what impact it will have.

There is no knowing when the pandemic will end, but we can all do our part to help slow the spread by following safety guidelines.

Question 52

In someone interest / Benefits

Answer 52

Beneficial to one.

It would be in your interest to have your lawyer review the contract before you sign it.

in one’s (own) (best) interest(s)

to one’s advantage; as a benefit to oneself.

It is not in your own interests to share your ideas with Jack. He will say that they are his.

Jane thought it was in the best interest of her friend to tell his mother about his illness.

in one’s interest

Also, in the interest of one; in one’s own interest; in one’s best interest. For one’s benefit or advantage, as in

It’s obviously in their interest to increase profits, or Is this policy in the interest of the townspeople?

I suspect it’s in your own best interest to quit now.

Question 53

At a loss

Answer 53

not to know what to do or say:

I’m at a loss to know how I can help you.

It was unlike him to be at a loss for words.

After trying every possible solution, I’m still at a loss as to how to fix this problem.

When her husband unexpectedly passed away, she was at a loss for words.

The math problem was so difficult that even the teacher was at a loss to solve it.

The company’s new marketing strategy failed, and the CEO was at a loss as to what to do next.

I’m at a loss as to why my car won’t start, even though I’ve checked everything I can think of.

Brian was at a loss to explain how the stolen computer got into the boot of his car

Question 54

There is no such thing us

Answer 54

used to say that something or someone does not exist:

I’ve told you before, sweetie, there’s no such thing as ghosts!

Question 55

On the part of

Answer 55

done or experienced by someone:

This was a misjudgment on the part of the government.

A little humility on her part would be appreciated.

On the part of the company, there was a lack of communication about the changes in the project.

The success of the project was due to the hard work and dedication on the part of the entire team.

The delay in the flight was caused by a technical issue on the part of the airline.

On the part of the government, there was a failure to address the concerns of the citizens.

The misunderstanding was due to a miscommunication on the part of both parties involved.

Question 56

TO stand a chance of

Answer 56

to have a chance of success:

He doesn’t stand much of a chance in the election.

The company stands every chance of getting the contract

If you don’t study for the test, you don’t stand a chance of passing it.

With his lack of experience, he doesn’t stand a chance of getting the job.

If we don’t start working on the project soon, we won’t stand a chance of completing it on time.

Without proper training, the team doesn’t stand a chance of winning the championship.

If you don’t prepare well for the interview, you won’t stand a chance of getting the job offer.

Question 57

It is a matter of time before

Answer 57

used when you think that something will happen at some point in the near future:

If you keep on driving like that, it’ll only be a matter of time before you have an accident.

Question 58

See the point of/in

Answer 58

to understand the importance of or the reason for something:

They couldn’t see the point of more training.

Question 59

Leave someone to its own device

Answer 59

to allow someone to make their own decisions about what to do:

He seemed to be a responsible person, so I left him to his own devices.

After giving my little brother the instructions, I left him to his own devices in the kitchen while I finished my homework.

The manager trusted the team to complete the project on time and on budget, so he left them to their own devices.

My friend prefers to travel alone, so she always leaves me to my own devices when we’re on a trip together.

When it comes to decorating her house, my sister leaves her creative instincts to their own devices and always manages to create something unique and beautiful.

The teacher encouraged her students to be independent learners and left them to their own devices during class discussions.

ChatGPT Mar 14 Version. Free Research Preview. Our goal is to make AI systems more natural and safe to interact with. Your feedback will help

Question 60

Breath life into

Answer 60

to bring new ideas and energy to something:

The new chef has breathed life into the failing French restaurant.

The director was able to breath life into the old play by casting talented actors and using modern stage design.

The new CEO had a vision for the struggling company and was determined to breath life into it with fresh ideas and strategies.

The artist’s use of bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes really breathed life into the otherwise mundane landscape painting.

The coach’s motivational speeches and rigorous training program breathed life into the previously lackluster team, leading them to victory.

The renovations and new furniture really breathed life into the old house, transforming it into a beautiful and comfortable home.

Question 61

To be under the illusion / Delusion

Answer 61

to wrongly believe that something is true:

At the time I was still laboring under the delusion that the project might be a success.

Sarah was under the illusion that she could finish the project in one day, but it actually took her a week.

The politician was under the illusion that he could win the election without the support of his party, but he lost by a landslide.

The company was under the illusion that cutting corners on safety measures would save them money, but it actually cost them a lawsuit.

The actor was under the illusion that he could succeed in Hollywood without any training or experience, but he soon realized how competitive the industry was.

The student was under the illusion that they could pass the test without studying, but they failed miserably.

Question 62

Get underway

Answer 62

to begin to happen:

The Democratic convention gets underway tomorrow in Chicago.

The concert is about to get underway, so let’s find our seats quickly.

We need to get underway with the preparations for the conference next month.

The construction work is scheduled to get underway next week.

The negotiations to resolve the dispute are set to get underway tomorrow.

The team is ready to get underway with the project and meet the deadline.

Question 63

On a shoestring

Answer 63

If you do something on a shoestring, you do it with a very small amount of money:

The film was made on a shoestring.

Question 64

Rule with Iron Hand

Answer 64

to control a group of people very firmly, having complete power over everything they do

Question 65

So much for sth

Answer 65

used to express disappointment at the fact that a situation is not as you thought it was:

The car won’t start. So much for our trip to the beach.

I planned to go for a run this morning, but it started raining. So much for my exercise routine.

We were hoping to have a picnic in the park, but it’s too crowded. So much for our outdoor plans.

The new restaurant had great reviews, but the food was terrible. So much for our high expectations.

I thought I had enough time to finish my project, but my computer crashed. So much for meeting my deadline.

The team practiced for weeks, but they still lost the game. So much for their hard work.

Question 66

reap what you sow

Answer 66

to experience the result, often a bad one, of something that you did in the past:

I learned the hard way that you reap what you sow.

He may have suffered, but I believe he reaped what he sowed.

Some employers have not treated their workers well, and now they are reaping what they have sown.

Question 67

Take a hard line on sth

Answer 67

to be very severe in the way that you deal with someone or something

The government has decided to take a hard line on immigration and implement stricter border controls.

The company’s CEO has taken a hard line on employee misconduct and will not tolerate any form of unethical behavior.

The school principal has taken a hard line on bullying and has implemented a zero-tolerance policy.

The city council is taking a hard line on littering and has increased fines for offenders.