COLLOCATIONS AND IDIOMS
1. The luxurious office accentuated the manager’s position………….. It enhanced his power and his sense of his own
worth. And it made other people feel small. A. on the pecking pole B. in the nibbling line C. at the nipping post D. in the packing order
2. ‘Have you tried to read the guarantee?’ - ‘There’s so much legal ………….. that it’s impossible to understand.’ A. mumbo jumbo B. bongo bongo C. abracadabra D. okey-dokey
3. When several companies showed interest in buying the film rights to his novel, he knew he had …… A. upped the ante B. scooped the bag C. caught the fat one D. hit the jack pot.
4 . I can't go out wearing something like that. I’d be the …………..of the neighborhood. A. make-me-laugh B. laughing stock C. laughter maker D. laughing gas
5 . I grew up in this old house, so I know every …………..of it. A. hook and sinker B. lock, stock and barrel C. step and stop D. nook and cranny
6. A large group of teenagers were………….. around the entrance to the zoo. A. mulling B. mudding C. mauling D. milling
7. The pally was already………….. by the time we arrived. Everyone was singing and dancin A. in full swing B. up in the air C. over the moon D. under the cloud
8. They have serious problems. That’s why their relationship is on the………….. A. cliffs B. rocks C. stones D. grass
9. What she told me was a …………..of lies. A. pack B. load C. herd D. flock
10. Janet will see you if you use the computer without permission. She has eyes like a ………….. . A. bird B. goose C. hawk D. fox
11. That Mary is an …………… liar; you must take what she says with a small grain of salt. A. incorrigible B. incurable C. irredeemable D. irremediable
12. I knew my mother would…………… a face the minute she saw my new haircut. A. drag B. lift C. pull D. raise
13. If you don’t stop smoking, you …………… the risk of developing chronic bronchitis. A. bear B. suffer C. make D. run
14. He was a pickpocket and had to spend many years behind ……………. A. windows B. prisons C. cells D. bars
15. If you say you'd like ……………of cream on your strawberries then you don't want very much cream. A. a dash B. oodles C. lashings D. a dollop
16. In her speech the Prime Minister…………… tribute to the valuable contributions to society made by voluntary organizations. A. paid B. sent C. brought D. gave
17. Tamara has set her …………… on becoming a ballet-dancer. A. feet B. brain C. heart D. head
18. The football team Manchester United paid…………… to sign up the Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva when they were only eighteen. A. their heart in it B. an arm and a leg C. a good heart D. their eyes to eyes
19. He spoke well though it was his …………… speech. A. first-hand B. maiden C. slurred D. prime
20. In his …………… days, he was quite dandy. A. salad B. green C. fruit D. vegetable
21. I 've had this car for 12 years, but now I’m having more and more problems with it. Clearly it’s …………... A. on its hind legs B. got its back up C. got its heart set D. on its last leg
22. When the morning came, the scene of where the bomb had fallen was one of ………….. devastation. A. great B. utter . C. entire D. extreme
23. It may be raining, but I'm ………….. enjoying myself. A. thoroughly B. highly C. extremely D. desperately
24. The film is ………….. based on a true story, but most of it is fiction. A. loosely B. casually C. faintly D. lightly
25. Calls from people trying to sell us things we don’t want are a real …………... A. ach e in the neck B. ache in the back C. pain in the neck D. pain in the back
26. Sally has an …………..command of the Chinese language. A. excellent B. outstanding C. utter D. intensive
27. There is still a ………….. of hope that the rescuers will find survivors. A. spray B. ray C. light D. spot
28. The bridge was collapsing and the train was plunging into the ravine. But Superman arrived, as usual, caught the
train in his arms of steel and carried it to safety. A. in the nick of time B. in the fullness of time C. on the spur of the moment D. in the heat of the moment
29. I gave them ………….. time to make a decision. A. spacious B. lavish C. extensive D. ample
30. When Rita was promoted to sales manager, she was………….. A. over the hill B. up in the cloud C. over the moon D. in the seventh moon
31. The social condemnations of the bombing, therefore, focus not on …………the act but on lamenting the consequences. A. execrating B. deploring C. shedding tears over D. wringing hands over
32. If you want to have a good flat in London, you have to pay through the…………for it. A. mouth B. eye C. nose D. head
33. I was out of………… with you on this matter, but let’s not quarrel about it. A. empathy B. harmony C. keeping D. sympathy
34. Eventually, a passer-by ………… and asked her what her problem was.
A. put her out of his misery B. was charitable towards C. took pity on her D. threw himself on her mercy
35. She expects the political experience gained in this election will stand her in good…………in her future career,
which, she suggests, could include another campaign. A. footing B. grounding C. precedent D. stead
36. Poor management brought village shops to teeter………… of collapse although community-owned shops, Internet
retailing and home delivery schemes were becoming more popular. A. in the teeth B. on the brink C. on the razor’s edge D. on the threshold
37. A lot of criticism and scorn has been heaped ………… his options. A. above B. beyond C. on D. up
38. Unanswered, the demands for nuclear deterrents have ………… fears of civil war. A. flashed up B. prognosticated C. sidetracked D. stoked up
39…………, the people who come to this club are in their twenties and thirties. A. By and large B. All together C. To a degree D. Virtually
40. I don’t feel like buying a ………… in a poke; we’d better check the content. A. pig B. cattle C. buffalo D. ox
41. I had to get through a lot of………….tape, but I finally got the documents I needed. A. red B. blue C. link D. yellow
42. The hospital staff pulled out all the…………. to make sure the children had a wonderful day. A. roadblocks B. barricades C. plugs D. stops
43. Neither side is prepared to …………. an inch in the negotiations. A. stir B. budge C. push D. bend
44. Congressman Saunders fired the opening…………. during a heated debate on capital punishment. A. salvo B. barrage C. cannonade D. burst
45. I like the way people here always queue up. Back home we just push and shove, and the devil take the…………. ! A. outermost B. foremost C. hindmost D. utmost
46. The manager attached himself to the luncheon club and became a………….fixture there. A. perennial B. enduring C. stable D. permanent
47. I was so hungry, and that meal was absolutely delicious! It was just what the ………….ordered. A. scientist B. doctor C. expert D. healer
48. Although the Government has increased allocations to the social sector by as much as 40 per cent, State funding
still falls …………. short of needs. A. well B. totally C. severely D. abjectly
49. Last week's violence was …………. condemned by foreign governments. A. grimly B. roundly C. roughly D. bitingly
50. She hasn't had an accident yet but she has had a number of………….Shavers. A. narrow B. near C. close D. tiny
51. Mr Simkins is the big…………..in the company as he has just been promoted to the position of Managing Director. A. bread B. apple C. cheese D. meat
52. This is a good hair dye but the colour gradually………….. after a few weeks. A. fades B. vanishes C. disappears . D. pales
53. Breaking his leg dealt a …………..to his chances of becoming a professional footballer. A. thump B. strike C. hit D. blow
54. The judge's ruling………….. a wave of protest campaigns across the country. A. provoked B. instigated C. launched D. commenced
55. Despite her poor exam results, Alice put a………….. face on the situation. A. tough B. brave C. courageous D. bold
56. My grandmother was a lovely person who…………..pleasure from helping others. A. gathered B. derived C. deduced D. collected
57. For busy people in today's society, lifestyle management is gaining ………….. A. points B. speed C. ground D. terrain
58. Once at the skating rink, Ivan was allowed to skate to his heart's………….. A. happiness B. content C. contentment D. delight
59. Benjamin Britten, the composer, is probably most………….. for his opera "Peter Grimes". A. famous B. conspicuous C. remarkable D. distinguished
60. He slammed my hand in the car door and, to add insult to………….., didn't stop to apologise. A. damage B. harm C. injury D. infamy
61. John takes a ……………seat in his marriage. His wife makes all the decisions in the family. A. tail B. rear C. front D. back
62. Catherine Rhodes is considered to be one of the big …………… in the fashion industry. A. rifles B. guns C. pistols D. weapons
63. Martha didn’t get the job at the florist’s, but she’s got several…………… in the fire. A. logs B. irons C. coals D. embers
64. He didn't intend to make a speech. If asked to, he would make a few remarks……………, but that was all he would do. A. off the cuff B. on the off-chance C. off and on D. off his rocket
65. In a situation like this, there are no …………… rules. You just have to use your own discretion. A. clear and cut B. hard and fast C. up-and-coming D. out-and-out
66. She demanded to be promoted to a post of responsibility, otherwise she would …………… about her affair with the Prime Minister. A. reveal the cake B. spill the beans C. let loose the pussycat D. spit out the bit
67. Her wages were so low that she had to take a second job just to …………… A. tie up loose ends B. meet her match C. make ends meet D. be on the loose
68. “Why don’t we go for a picnic this weekend?”
- “That’s what I was just about to suggest. Great minds…………… A. think alike B. think the same C. meet each other D. meet likewise
69. Two escaped prisoners are currently……………the police. A. at ease with B. out of respect for C. on a par with D. on the run from
70. The studio didn’t publicize the film but its reputation nonetheless spread…………… A. at a distance B. from memory C. by word of mouth D. by force
71 . Not getting the promotion felt like a real kick in the ................. as I’d put in so much hard work for the company. A. head B. teeth C. leg D. back
72. Could somebody please help me as I am at the end of my ..... ......... over next door’s barking dog. A. tether B. leash C. lead D. rope
73. I hope readers have enjoyed this article and that it has offered some………….for thought. A. bread B. dough C. food D. grains
74. I went………….on a limb for you, and this is how you thank me! A. off B. out C. away D. back
75. He ran up three flights of stairs and wasn't the slightest bit out of breath even though he’s no …………. chicken. A. spring B. young C. fresh D. baby
76. The two young fighters fought toe to toe and both showed………….determination. A. grim B. strong C. harsh D. mean
77. I would like to welcome you all on this auspicious…………., the 25th anniversary of the founding of our company. A. occasion B. moment C. meeting D. gathering
78. As a conservative………….I think we need to put aside £4,000 for the wedding. A. forecast B. approximation C. guess D. estimate
79. Both parents were unemployed and the family had a …...........lifestyle. A. cautious B. frugal C. careful D. tight
80. The car screeched to a ………….at the junction and two men jumped out and ran down the street. A. halt B. stop C. end D. standstill