Unit 1&2

Question 1

to ring the changes

Answer 1

to make changes to something in order to make it more interesting

e.g.: Ring the changes on packed lunches using different types of bread and spicy fillings.

Question 2

to get in with

Answer 2

to begin to be involved with a particular person or group

e.g.: I hope he doesn’t get in with the wrong crowd

Question 3

to jump at sth

Answer 3

to accept something eagerly

Question 4

to track sb/sth down

Answer 4

to find something or someone after looking for them in a lot of different places

Question 5

to busk

Answer 5

perform music in the street

Question 6

kinship

Answer 6

blood relationship

Question 7

rough it

Answer 7

to live without the modern comforts and conveniences of one’s home or daily life

e.g.: We roughed it until our house was repaired.

Question 8

shoestring budget

Answer 8

extremely limited budget

Question 9

culture vulture

Answer 9

a person who is extremely interested in arts

Question 10

to be in the lap of luxury

Answer 10

living in very comfortable conditions because you have a lot of money

Question 11

liable

Answer 11

likely

Question 12

to embody

Answer 12

express, represent

Question 13

despair

Answer 13

helplessness

Question 14

dreary

Answer 14

boring

Question 15

to pore over sth

Answer 15

to look at and study something, usually a book or document, carefully:

e.g.: She spends her evenings poring over textbooks

Question 16

peril

Answer 16

danger

Question 17

to have a row with someone

Answer 17

to have a fight with someone

Question 18

recurrent

Answer 18

happening again many times:

Question 19

seasoned

Answer 19

experienced

Question 20

discerning

Answer 20

tasteful, sophisticated

Question 21

intrepid

Answer 21

fearless

Question 22

armchair traveller

Answer 22

someone who speaks authoritatively about traveling despite not traveling often.

Question 23

tout

Answer 23

B.E.: a person who buys up tickets for an event to resell them at a profit
N.A.: a person who offers racing tips for a share of any resulting winnings

Question 24

in the region of

Answer 24

approximately, roughly

e.g.: We caught somewhere in the region of 80 fish.

Question 25

on the brink of something

Answer 25

almost to the point of doing something e.g.: I was on the brink of selling my car to make ends meet when the tax refund came in the mail.

Question 26

in conjunction with something

Answer 26

in combination with. together with sth e.g.: The worksheets are designed to be used in conjunction with the new coursebooks.

Question 27

on behalf of someone

Answer 27

done for another person’s benefit or support, or because you are representing the interests of that person e.g.: I’d like to say on behalf of the whole group that we wish you well in your new job.

Question 28

in vain

Answer 28

without success

Question 29

the verge of something

Answer 29

you are very close to experiencing sth e.g.: Her husband's violent and abusive behaviour drove her to the verge of despair.

Question 30

on the grounds (of)/ (that)

Answer 30

because e.g.: Many critics have objected to the proposal on the grounds that it would be too costly.

Question 31

something get my goat

Answer 31

irritate me

Question 32

to be/get carried away

Answer 32

lose self-control

Question 33

to fork out sth

Answer 33

to pay an amount of money

Question 34

hefty

Answer 34

heavy, large

Question 35

to be dead set on sth

Answer 35

to be intent on doing or obtaining something e.g.: I am dead set on going out today, so a little rain isn't going to stop me.

Question 36

to be in line with sth or someone

Answer 36

to be in agreement with sth or someone

Question 37

to face the music

Answer 37

to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done

Question 38

to foot the bill

Answer 38

to pay for sth expensive

Question 39

to shoulder the burden

Answer 39

to take on a responsibility

Question 40

to stomach the idea

Answer 40

to be able to accept an unpleasant idea or watch sth unpleasant

Question 41

to toe the line

Answer 41

to obey the rules