UNIT 2

Question 1

put down
run down
pick holes in

Answer 1

find fault with

Question 2

resign oneself

Answer 2

to accept sth that you do not like because you cannot change it

Question 3

get a move on
pressed for time
race against time

Answer 3

in a hurry

Question 4

it serves you right
you only have yourself to blame
it is of your own making

Answer 4

it’s your fault

Question 5

give sb a new lease of/on life

Answer 5

make sb/sth more lively

Question 6

give sb the benefit of the doubt

Answer 6

believe that sb is truthful/honest, despite being unsure

Question 7

give sb half the chance

Answer 7

give sb the slightest opportunity

Question 8

give one’s word

Answer 8

promise

Question 9

give sb/sth the/one’s seal of approval

Answer 9

officially admire sth, or say one likes it

Question 10

run one’s eye over

Answer 10

look at sth quickly

Question 11

run away with the idea/impression/notion

Answer 11

have completely mistaken the idea of sth

Question 12

fond memories

Answer 12

happy recollections

Question 13

spitting image

Answer 13

exact likeness or precise resemblance

Question 14

pet theory

Answer 14

a plan, idea, or subject that sb particularly like or is interested in

Question 15

pet hate

Answer 15

sth that you strongly dislike or find annoying

Question 16

poison sb’s mind

Answer 16

to make someone believe unpleasant things about another person that are not true

Question 17

blistering heat

Answer 17

temperature higher than what is comfortable

Question 18

twist sb’s words

Answer 18

repeat what they have said in an inaccurate or distorted way

Question 19

scratch the surface

Answer 19

deal with a matter only in the most superficial way
initiate the briefest investigation to discover something concealed

Question 20

take the sting out of

Answer 20

Lessen the severity or unpleasantness of something

Question 21

a clean break

Answer 21

a complete end to, or separation from, a relationship or situation

Question 22

cut sb dead

Answer 22

to totally ignore sb

Question 23

cut to the bone

Answer 23

severely reduce or eliminate sth to the bare munimum

Question 24

give/hand sth to sb on a plate

Answer 24

To give or relinquish something to someone very easily, without them having to work very hard to get or achieve it

Question 25

a pushover

Answer 25

a person who is easily persuaded, influenced or seduced

Question 26

learn the hard way

Answer 26

Gaining knowledge or understanding through personal experience

Question 27

teething issues

Answer 27

a short-term problem arising in the early stages of a new project or venture; any of the small problems or difficulties that typically occur before a new venture, process, way of working, etc., is fully established

Question 28

be no picnic be a hard row to hoe

Answer 28

be difficult or unpleasant

Question 29

at the back of

Answer 29

riding on the success or popularity of sth else, benefiting from a previous achievement

Question 30

the onus is on hold the fort

Answer 30

the responsibility for sth

Question 31

pass the buck

Answer 31

evade responsibility by shifting blame or responsibility to sb else

Question 32

my hands are tied

Answer 32

One is being prevented from acting, helping, or intervening as one should or desires to because of circumstances beyond one's control, such as rules, conflicting orders, or higher priorities

Question 33

as tough as old boots

Answer 33

having great strength of body Tough food is very difficult to cut or eat.

Question 34

see the back of someone/something

Answer 34

If you are pleased to see the back of someone or something, you are pleased that you no longer have to be involved with him, her, or it