Binomials

Question 1

surprisingly short in a way that is pleasing

Answer 1

short and sweet

This morning’s meeting was short and sweet.

Question 2

noise and activity

Answer 2

hustle and bustle

I love the hustle and bustle of the marketplace.

Question 3

loud and clear

Answer 3

very clear and easy to understand

Question 4

take it or leave it

Answer 4

either accept something without any change or refuse it:

I’ll give you $40 for the bike - take it or leave it.

Question 5

flesh and blood

Answer 5

This decision is not about legal theory, it’s about flesh and blood, about boys and girls who deserve a decent education.
плоть и кровь человек

Question 6

you succeed or fail completely by your own efforts

Answer 6

sink or swim

My employer gave me no help when I started my new job - I was just left to sink or swim.

Question 7

fed up with smth

Answer 7

sick and tired

Question 8

nonsence

Answer 8

mumbo jumbo

ou don’t believe in horoscopes and all that mumbo jumbo, do you?

Question 9

someone who is very interested in music, art, theatre, etc.:

Answer 9

culture vulture

If you’re a culture vulture, New York has everything you could want - opera, theatre, museums, and more.

Question 10

to be a feature of something, especially a feature that cannot be avoided:

Answer 10

be part and parcel of sth

Being recognized in the street is part and parcel of being a celebrity.

Question 11

completely

Answer 11

good and proper

The table is broken good and proper.

Question 12

суть, важные детали

Answer 12

the nitty-gritty

English teachers should concentrate on the nitty-gritty of teaching grammar.

Question 13

aproximately

Answer 13

give or take

Question 14

to entertain someone with food and drink, esp. expensive food and drink

Answer 14

wine and dine (sm)

They wine and dine clients in festive tents, promoting their image of achievement and success.

Question 15

быстро разбогатеть, из грязи в князи

Answer 15

go from rags to riches

Question 16

used many times before and proved to be successful:

Answer 16

tried and tested/trusted

I’ll give you my mother’s tried and tested recipe for wholemeal bread.

Question 17

снова и снова

Answer 17

time after time

Question 18

very soon

очень скоро

Answer 18

in no time

We’ll be home in no time.

Question 19

забудем прошлое, что было, то прошло

Answer 19

let bygones be bygones

/ˈbaɪɡɒnz/

Question 20

used to refer to an ordinary person or all ordinary people

Answer 20

Tom, Dick, and Harry

This was not information for every Tom, Dick, and Harry to have access to.
You’d better get an electrician to fix this - you don’t want any Tom, Dick, or Harry messing around with your wiring.

Question 21

under any circumstances or conditions

Answer 21

in any way, shape, or form

That behavior is not acceptable in any way, shape, or form.

Question 22

very clean and tidy

Answer 22

spick and span

Question 23

в целом

Answer 23

by and large

By and large, people have welcomed the changes.

Question 24

not hurt or damaged

Answer 24

safe and sound

Three days later, the hikers were found safe and sound.

Question 25

взлеты и падения

Answer 25

ups and downs

Question 26

with nothing other than what has been mentioned

Answer 26

pure and simple.

The relationship is over, pure and simple.

Question 27

a person or thing that gives someone great joy and satisfaction

Answer 27

someone’s pride and joy

Those flowers are her pride and joy.

Question 28

moving first in one direction and then in the opposite one

Answer 28

back and forth

She swayed gently back and forth to the music

Question 29

the damage that happens to an object in ordinary use during a period

Answer 29

wear and tear

Seat covers on buses take a lot of wear and tear.

Question 30

active; doing the things you usually do:

Answer 30

out and about

The doctor says she’s making a good recovery, and she should be out and about in a few days’ time.

Question 31

(of a person) without money, a job, or a place to live; destitute.

Answer 31

down and out

“a novel about being down and out in London”

Question 32

to try very hard to get something you want

Answer 32

fight tooth and nail

We fought tooth and nail to get the route of the new road changed.

Question 33

to do something that is not at all convenient for someone and puts them in a very difficult situation

Answer 33

leave someone high and dry

They pulled out of the deal at the last minute leaving us high and dry.

Question 34

a situation in which the laws of a country are being obeyed, especially when the police or army are used to make certain of this:

Answer 34

law and order

a complete breakdown in law and order

Question 35

various things of different types, usually small and not important, or of little value:

Answer 35

odds and ends

I took most of the big things to the new house, but there are a few odds and ends left to pick up.

Question 36

make unnecessary fuss about smth

Answer 36

song and dance

She gave me some song and dance about how busy she is.

Question 37

зуб за зуб

Answer 37

tit for tat

I noticed she didn’t send me a card - I think it was tit for tat because I forgot her birthday last year.

Question 38

однозначный

Answer 38

black and white

The issue of nuclear weapons is not black and white.

Question 39

to be complete and finished

By now the deal was done and dusted.

Answer 39

to be done and dusted.

Question 40

from many places

Answer 40

from far and wide

People came from far and wide to see the parade

Question 41

something that you say to a child to stop any argument when you want him or her to do something

Answer 41

no ifs, ands, or buts

I want no ifs, ands, or buts - just finish eating your food now.

Question 42

used to say that someone was born and grew up in a particular place, and has the typical character of someone who lives there:

Answer 42

born and bred

He’s a Parisian born and bred.

Question 43

до конца, несмотря ни на какие препятствия

Answer 43

through thick and thin

We’ve been together through thick and thin.