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  • The promotion cuts both w......., I’ll make more money but spend less time with the family. - has pros and cons,
    ways
  • The new smartphones are selling like .........; they're flying off the shelves.
    HOTCAKES
  • It's important to s______ a good example to children.
    set
  • "She might be over 60, but she doesn't feel over the h___." - too old, past one’s best.
    hill
  • The deal seemed too good to be true and he suspected that there was something f...... going on.
    fishy
  • My wife is great with plants she has g...... f........
    green fingers
  • I lose t....... of time while I was reading my book and was late for dinner.
    track
  • "The detective was excellent at f______ out hidden clues at a crime scene." - investigate tenaciously
    ferreting
  • Tourism has b......... back - (returned to the previous levels)
    bounced
  • My friend _______ me into going to the cinema. (persuaded/convinced me)
    talked
  • Teaching English is his ..... and ......; it's how he earns a living.
    BREAD AND BUTTER
  • You better thank your l..... s....... that there wasn’t a car coming the other way, otherwise, you could have been killed. - THANK YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL
    lucky stars
  • "The kids were m______ around in the living room instead of getting ready for bed." - being silly/misbehaving
    monkeying
  • Policeman: "Hand ______ your driving licence please."
    over
  • At first I didn't understand the joke, but then the p______ dropped and I started laughing. (realise/understand)
    penny
  • I n..... off in my armchair while watching the news. (fell asleep)
    nodded off
  • I hate my new job, same ______, different ______.
    shit, day
  • She received critical a........... for her latest art exhibition. (acknowledgement, praise, applause)
    acclaim
  • The government are hoping that the population will reach h_____ immunity.
    herd
  • The village was r......... by the news of the local doctor's death. (shocked)
    rocked
  • Amalia and the handsome prince lived h.... e..... a..... (the end of a fairy tale)
    happily ever after
  • (reaching for the teapot) "S..... I be m.......?"
    Shall I be mother?
  • If we don't take action now, we might have serious problems down the l........ (in the future)
    line
  • The more the climate changes, the more animals die _______.
    out
  • I know it's not a very good film but it's my g........ p........., I watch it when I'm feeling down and it makes me happy.
    guilty pleasure
  • "He d_______ out of the birthday party early, saying he had another urgent appointment." - make excuses and leave discreetly
    ducked
  • I was in a... o..... my parents when I was growing up. - have a deep respect for
    in awe of
  • We're having pancakes, I've just mixed the b........... (pancake mixture of ingredients)
    batter
  • I tried to speak with John about the problem, but he is such a space c...... that it was a waste of my time. - DETACHED FROM REALITY
    cadet
  • Trump’s refusal to concede defeat speaks _________ about his character. (says a lot)
    volumes
  • I’ve been r__________my brains to remember where I’ve seen that man before.
    racking
  • My parents went b_______ when they saw the state of the house. (got v.angry)
    ballistic
  • What does NIMBY stand for?
    not in my back yard
  • "Wearing his uniform, my grandfather cut a d..... on his wedding day." - look attractive
    dash
  • He makes himself ...... to be this hotshot lawyer but he’s never actually been to law school.
    out
  • We shouldn't be pessimistic, we should look on the ______ ________!
    bright side
  • She has a b..... in her b.......... about cleaning the windows. (obsessed, always talking about it)
    bee, bonnet
  • We came within t...... d....... of a koala. (close enough to touch)
    touching distance
  • It’s the d.... thing in Madrid. - a thing that everyone does/a typical thing
    done
  • After the terrorist attack there were s...... everywhere looking for the culprits. - spies
    spooks
  • They're worried that the vaccine causes blood c...... (thrombosis)
    clots
  • We m....... around the old city centre. - wander, walk without destination, explore
    meandered
  • My two cats are s......... on the floor because it's so hot. (lying on the floor face down with legs out)
    splooting
  • Pasta, bread, potatoes, rice etc. C__________
    carbs
  • The moon w....... and wanes during its cycle.
    waxes
  • Be careful with the map, if we lose it, we'll really be ..... the creek.
    up
  • There was a big power b...... for two hours. We had no electricity.
    blackout
  • My grandad m_______ something under his breath about the vegetarian sausages.
    muttered
  • At school I was a big of a g_____-g_____. (someone who doesn't break the rules)
    goody-goody
  • I'm going to get my b...... s....... next week. (3rd vaccine dose)
    booster shot
  • It's very rude to e........... - secretly listen to someone else's conversation
    eavesdrop
  • The National Trust is an organisation that maintains s........ homes in the UK. (big posh houses)
    stately
  • "She arrived at the reception dressed to ......" - wearing sexy clothes
    kill
  • I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get ....... to sleep. (fall asleep again)
    back
  • She can’t cook an egg, l....... a....... a whole meal.
    let alone
  • He has to shave every day, the afternoon he has a 5.........-s.......... (start of a beard)
    5 o'clock shadow
  • I had to wear my big brother's hand-m.....-d......... when I was a child. (old clothes)
    hand-me-downs
  • We had to call the p..... c...... company to get rid of the cockroaches.
    pest control
  • My dad blew his t____ when he saw the phone bill.
    top
  • He dropped ....... of university after one term.
    out
  • It is like Steve is l....... on a....... p........ Did he not hear her say that she doesn’t want to go out with him? Then why is he going to ask her out again? - OBLIVIOUS TO WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND HIM.
    living on another planet
  • It makes my blood ....... when people spit on the street. - makes me very angry
    boil
  • Santa comes down the chimney and fills the kid's Xmas s________ with presents. (not socks)
    stockings
  • “There’s a rumour going around that the new guy is earning more, despite having less experience. That’s really put the cat amongst the ............” - cause anger/chaos/scandal
    pigeons
  • M...... m...... ago, when I was a young boy, I used to love riding my bike down to the candy store after school. - A LONG TIME AGO
    many moons
  • Don't be a party p......! The music isn't that loud! - aguafiestas
    party pooper
  • What's this?
    a bubble
  • You don't get much l..... on Ryanair. (space in front of your seat)
    legroom
  • The wildfires in Australia wiped _____ hundreds of different species.
    out
  • My new shoes r......../c....... and gave me a blister. (constant contact and friction)
    rubbed/chafed
  • Amalia is a member of a s........... s.............. (holy order, cult!)
    secret society
  • He completely lost his r_____ and started shouting at the waiter.
    rag
  • Don’t worry, this job is like shooting ........ in a barrel, you’ll pick it up in no time. - very easy
    fish
  • I need to d.......... my kitchen. (throw away all the useless things)
    declutter
  • Put the ______ on, let's have a cup of tea.
    kettle
  • The company went to the ...... during the crisis in 2008 (went bankrupt)
    wall
  • It's easy, you just need to fill in this form, send it to the passport office and B____ your u_______.
    Bob's your uncle
  • what game is this?
    draughts (drafts)
  • The company's success didn't last long, it was just a f....... in the pan.
    flash
  • I don't want to b_____ my own t_______ but I've performed really well this month.
    blow my own trumpet
  • 0-0 Barça and Real drew the match _____-_____ (zero-zero)
    nil-nil
  • My voice is a little h....... from all the singing we did last night. (strained from overuse)
    hoarse
  • Bell bottom jeans seem to be all the r....... again. (popular/in fashion)
    rage
  • The table was covered with weird p....... (things, objects)
    paraphernalia
  • I didn't mean to say that, it was just a s.... of the t.....
    a slip of the tongue
  • My new boss runs a very tight s......, she's super strict.
    ship
  • It is not r......... s.......... to figure out that you need to sell more products to make this business work. - IT’S NOT DIFFICULT/COMPLICATED
    rocket science
  • I used to sleepwalk when I was younger but I grew ...... of the habit. (lose a habit as you get older)
    out
  • The Qatar world cup was a clear case of s............ (when a company or country tries to improve its reputation through sport)
    sportswashing
  • It'll be like finding a needle in a __________. (v. difficult)
    haystack
  • The g........ is a building in London that looks just like the Torre Agbar.
    gherkin
  • "He was excited about skydiving all week, but he c______ out when it was time to jump from the plane." - got scared and backed out
    chickened
  • The police put the robber in h......
    handcuffs
  • “Lisa was delighted when the boss complimented her idea in the meeting. She looked like the cat that got the .........” - very pleased/self-satisfied
    cream
  • He was a h....-b....... - someone who’s not wanted/famous any more
    has-been
  • We always get the i........ story on any news stories about planes from Amalia. (secrets, hidden facts)
    inside
  • A new hairstyle has c______ on with teenagers. (become popular)
    caught
  • I've got enough savings to ...... back on if I lose my job. (use as a safety net)
    fall
  • Her writing has come on in l........... and b........... - it has improved a lot, very quickly
    leaps and bounds
  • I’m not a fan of that neighbourhood – it’s street after street of c.....-c....... houses; there’s no diversity. - they’re all identical
    cookie-cutter
  • We’ve put the plan to paint the living room on the b.... b..... for now. (postponed)
    back burner
  • He passed his physics exam with f...... c...... (with a very high mark)
    with flying colours
  • I can't drink red wine anymore, it doesn't _____ with me. - it makes me feel unwell
    agree
  • Someone seems to have t...... with the lock on my suitcase. - touched/changed with bad intentions
    tampered
  • I like to press the s......... button at least once before I get up.
    snooze
  • Those printers don’t work. Let’s get rid of them and use the area for storage, otherwise, it is just a w.......... of s............
    waste of space
  • The new teacher is a bit of a p_________ and the students are taking advantage of him. (not strict, gives up easily)
    pushover
  • I'm annoyed because my favourite TV show got a____ (cancelled)
    axed
  • When he saw how much further they had to walk his heart ....... (he got sad)
    sank
  • My new bedroom has an e............ bathroom, it's great!
    ensuite
  • I like a nice warm bowl of p.......... for breakfast at the weekend. (avena)
    porridge
  • He disappeared in a s______ second. (v.quickly)
    split
  • My hay fever has been terrible this week, probably because the p.... c..... is very high.
    pollen count
  • If Espanyol beat Barça, I'm going to eat my ....... (I'm very sure it won't happen)
    hat
  • We had an Easter egg h..... in our graden.
    hunt
  • The teacher watched the two naughty boys like a ......... while they were in the playground to make sure they didn’t get up to anything bad. -- watch very intently
    hawk
  • It’s time to take the ....... by the horns and tell him how you really feel, otherwise it’s not fair. - deal with a difficult problem decisively
    bull
  • We didn't realise that our new house is right under the f...... p...... to Barcelona airport. (route planes follow)
    flight path
  • When I was at school, if we s..... out of line, we got punished.
    stepped
  • Have you been to the new restaurant down on Fifth street yet? The chicken wings are o.... of this w........ - SUPERB/EXCELLENT
    out of this world
  • I was swimming in the sea when I g... s...... by a jellyfish.
    got stung
  • Details of the disaster are s....... at the moment. (unclear, imprecise) clue=drawing
    sketchy
  • Let's go up the a....... and p........ (stairs)
    apples and pears
  • In the evening my cats wake up and get the z........ for about an hour - run around like crazy for no reason
    get the zoomies
  • He’s got a big b....... beard. - LARGE VOLUME OF HAIR
    bushy
  • I'm in a lot of pain because of a t........ nerve in my back.
    trapped
  • I had a c______ s_______ while I was cycling to work, a truck nearly hit me.
    close shave
  • Celebrities have to put up with constant h......... from the media. (incordio)
    harassment
  • "She's been s______ away old photographs and letters for years, keeping them safe in her attic." - saving bit by bit
    squirrelling
  • The negotiations are going at a ..........'s pace, it’ll take them ages to reach an agreement. - very slowly
    snail
  • "Don't make a mountain out of a m......, it's not that big of a deal!" - exaggerate a problem
    molehill
  • You need to cut him some s......., he’s doing his best in difficult circumstances. - be more understanding
    slack
  • The little boy s..... for half an hour when we told him he couldn't eat all the sweets. - be angry and quiet
    sulked
  • "The d....-at-h.... student I first met became a successful writer." - poor, shabby
    down-at-heel
  • "Not only was he rude but he had a face like a b.... chewing a w.....!" - very ugly, OR in a very bad mood.
    face like a bulldog chewing a wasp
  • Stop d........ing! We need to hurry up! - deliberately go slow
    dawdling
  • John b...... about the surprise party and ruined the surprise. (spilt the beans)
    blabbed
  • Tom can't play the piano for t...... (he's terrible at playing it)
    toffee
  • I didn't swim in the sea, I just went for a ........... (only my feet)
    paddle
  • We’ve really got our work cut out f..... us if we want to finish this by tomorrow, there’s so much to do!
    for
  • My wife makes delicious s________ bread. (masa madre)
    sourdough
  • We think that the injury was self-i........ (he/she did it to themselves)
    self-inflicted
  • My friend Bill is c......, he can't tell the difference between red and green!
    colourblind
  • She looks like b...... wouldn’t m...... in her mouth but actually she’s a devil!
    butter, melt
  • The journalist tried to w_________ the information out of the politician by paying him compliments.
    wheedle
  • Before the pandemic did you often put friends ____ at your house? (let them stay)
    up
  • I use my phone as an alarm clock in case these is a p........ c......... (when the electricity goes off)
    power cut
  • Cows go .......... (sound)
    moo
  • I offered to help with the decorating but he turned me .......... (rejected the offer.)
    down
  • You should always try to eat ________ (SEASON) vegetables.
    seasonal
  • This new lighting system is amazing, you just s...... your fingers and the lights switch on.
    snap
  • Fair trade initiatives aim to level the p......... f.........for farmers in developing countries." - make it fairer, more just
    playing field
  • It really pushes my b..... when people spit in the street. (annoys me)
    pushes my buttons
  • S___________ (another word for GPS)
    satnav
  • My car battery is flat, do you have any j______ cables?
    jump
  • The bank manager refused to give up the code to the bank v...... - secure place where the money is stored
    bank vault
  • We had to run but we just m.... it to the train on time. (arrived)
    made - to make it
  • My 40th birthday c........ up on me. (time passed without me realising)
    crept
  • The stole the money and then did a r__________.
    runner
  • He's really good-looking but when he opened his mouth it ...... me off.
    put
  • I don't understand any of this, it's all ..... to me.
    Greek
  • This table isn't worth much money but it was my grandma's so it has s_________ value to me.
    sentimental
  • She is on the r..... to r...... (getting better)
    on the road to recovery
  • What's this?
    a snow globe
  • There are no restrictions on AI, it's like the w... w.....!
    wild west
  • "She continued to b_____ me about joining the committee, even though I explained I was too busy." - nag, bother, persistently ask
    badger
  • We did .... the house ourselves. - painted, repaired, improved, remodel
    up
  • The situation isn't black and white, there are definitely some g..... a...... - morally unclear aspects
    grey areas
  • In terms of weather, October hits the s.... s..... between hot and cold.
    sweet spot
  • They tried to c_______ the cat out from under the bed with some tuna.
    coax
  • Dangerous f.... f..... affected large parts of Spain. (very sudden inundations)
    flash floods
  • The long and w_________ road that leads to your door.
    winding
  • It's a classic rags to r______ tale about a small-town girl who becomes a famous singer.
    riches
  • Listen, I’m going to cut to the c........, are you interested in buying the house or not?
    chase
  • "Caroline must be going to a party - she's dressed up to the ......" - wearing your best/most formal clothes
    nines
  • His truffle soup is a real s............, everyone always loves it.
    showstopper
  • The statement released to the press was w........ inaccurate, it couldn’t have been more wrong! (completely)
    wholly
  • The mother always dying is a t_____ in fairytales. - cliche, thing that always happens
    trope
  • There's too much r......... t.......... in this country. (bureaucracy)
    red tape
  • Freddy stood Felicity ..... by mistake. (not show up to a date)
    up
  • My boss got s............. in the meeting and spent half an hour talking about something completely different. (went off topic)
    sidetracked
  • He’s such a sexist, he always talks ...... to the women in meetings. (patronise)
    down
  • "He's getting long in the t_____ but is still spry." - be old
    tooth
  • I cheated in the exam and I got a...... w..... it (I wasn’t caught)
    away with
  • I went to the hairdresser's for a t______ (they only cut a little bit of hair)
    trim
  • I bought the old car for s...... parts.
    spare
  • Sorry, I can't help you at the moment, I've got b.... f..... to f..... (more important things to do)
    bigger fish to fry
  • The health service is under a lot of s_______ at the moment.
    strain
  • The barman gave an almost .......... (PERCEIVE) nod to the waitress.
    imperceptible
  • They came around and f........ the house to kill all the cockroaches.
    fumigated
  • He was g_______ when he heard his football team had lost. (disappointed/upset)
    gutted
  • The mafia boss decided to go s_________ and open a bakery. (live a legal life)
    straight
  • The Count saved some of his precious family h________. (old family items)
    heirlooms
  • The long weekend after the move will give me a little b....... s..... before I start my new job. - time to rest
    breathing space
  • Hold your ..............! We don’t have to eat all the popcorn before the film even starts. - stop, wait a moment.
    horses
  • He went hunting, but he came back e...-h...... (with nothing)
    empty-handed
  • Amalia used to spend hours s........ a......... in her favourite dress. (rotating)
    spinning around
  • They turned a d______ e______ to the protests and carried on working. (ignored)
    deaf ear
  • It rubs me up the w_____ w______ when people are inconsiderate.
    wrong way
  • "You _______ something new every day!"
    learn
  • He's going to take the f..... for the crime even though he's innocent. - be prosecuted/face the punishment
    fall
  • I'm really h_____-p_______ for time at the moment. (struggling)
    hard-pressed
  • It's important to go over the contract with a fine t...... c....... before signing. (in great detail)
    tooth comb
  • We'll have a f______ b_______ at the party. (pica pica)
    finger buffet
  • I still haven’t got ....... to fixing the window in the garage.
    around
  • We had to call a t... t.... to pull our car home. (Una grua)
    tow truck
  • a j______ is a person who brings bad luck.
    jinx
  • I was running late for a date – and then, to add i....... to i......... , a car drove past and splattered me with mud. - a bad thing on top of another bad thing
    insult to injury
  • He’s a computer w........ - someone who’s very good with computers
    whizzkid
  • Do you have a ......-in at the weekend? (sleep longer than usual)
    lie
  • a b_____-h_______ person is very arrogant (chulo)
    big-headed
  • Let's add some new activities to the party to ....... things up and make it more exciting.
    SPICE
  • “I’m trying to get everyone together for my birthday at the weekend, but with everyone working different hours it’s like ...... cats!” - very difficult to organise
    herding
  • There is a c_______ in place from 10pm to 6am
    curfew
  • When it came to foreign policy, Trump was like a ......... in a china shop, he did so much damage! - very clumsy and destructive
    bull
  • _____ ______ her father's assistance, she wouldn't have passed her driving test. (without)
    But for
  • The two armies ........ forces to fight the enemy.
    joined
  • I have to spend a p....... - go to the toilet
    penny
  • My horrible neighbours have finally moved out. Good r__________ to bad rubbish!
    riddance
  • Lots of politicians have s_______ in the c_________. (dark secrets)
    skeletons in the closet
  • She went to the plastic surgery to get a b....... j......... (breast augmentation)
    boob job
  • His new car is a real g....... g........ - a car that uses a lot of fuel.
    gas guzzler.
  • As the car came racing towards me, my life f_______ before my eyes.
    flashed
  • I have a wooden egg that I use to d...... my socks.
    darn
  • I hate it when smokers drop their cigarette b....... on the floor
    butts
  • That horror film really f...... me o.......! (scared me)
    freaked me out
  • The plane tried to raise the landing g...... (wheels)
    gear
  • It's time for governments to step _____ and do something about the situation.
    up
  • He's really quiet but sometimes he makes really clever, thoughtful and passionate comments. Still waters r...... d....... I suppose.
    still waters run deep
  • Stop ....... around/about the bush and get to the point! - NOT GETTING TO THE POINT
    beating
  • If your partner is angry with you, you are in the __________.
    doghouse
  • They're all the same, if you've seen one, you've ....... ....... ......
    seen them all
  • It drives me up the ______ when people leave the toilet seat up.
    wall
  • I was the c...... at my friends' wedding. (I conducted the ceremony)
    celebrant
  • They really r.... out the r.... c...... when we arrived - (treated/welcomed us very well)
    rolled out the red carpet
  • The government has decided to l__________ some of the restrictions. (make them lighter)
    loosen
  • What's this?
    a bauble
  • These reality show's are full of D-L..... celebrities making fools of themselves.
    D-list
  • We've just put ...... a deposit on a new house!
    down
  • I had to help them organise the paperwork as it was all ..... a bit of a shambles to be honest.
    in
  • Ever since he got that promotion Brian has looked like the ...... that got the cream. - look very self-satisfied and self-confident
    cat
  • The metro is full of c...... early in the morning. (people travelling to work)
    commuters
  • Did you know Amanda is breaking up with Steven? I heard it through the g........! - VIA RUMOURS/GOSSIP
    grapevine
  • The plants in my garden are really t______ing at the moment. (doing very well)
    thriving
  • Sorry, I just s......../z...... o...... for a moment. Can you say that last part again? - LOSE ATTENTION
    spaced/zoned out
  • Do you have any _______ requirements? DIET (allergies etc.)
    dietary
  • Sandra is always such an eager .........., she’s so enthusiastic about everything we do! - enthusiastic and very keen.
    beaver
  • “I advise you not to try and find out where that money is coming from. ............ killed the cat.” - don’t be nosey
    curiosity
  • They will sell the company to the highest b.......... - the person willing to offer the most money
    bidder
  • “I’ve got a ...... to pick with you. You owe me €20 for the taxi last week!” - a problem/difference to resolve
    bone
  • Handwriting analysis has been d........ - disproved/rejected
    debunked
  • Angela Merkel was dressed in a very smart p...... suit. (suit for women)
    pant suit
  • I had soft-boiled eggs and s______ for breakfast. (strips of toast)
    soldiers
  • Slow down! You'll hurt yourself, you're no s....... c........ anymore! - you're not young anymore
    spring chicken
  • As soon as the film started I began to n...... off. (fall asleep)
    nod
  • In England we call old buildings that are protected "L_______ buildings"
    listed
  • We got s..... i..... during the winter. (trapped in our house because of cold weather)
    snowed in
  • The c______ (police) came and arrested everyone.
    cops US coppers UK
  • "Whenever someone mentions her ex, she _____ up and changes the subject." - stops talking, gets shy
    clams
  • Because of the rain, the river b.... its b.... and flooded the town. (escaped from it's normal route)
    burst its banks
  • The new airport is a huge w...... e....... for the local government now, no one is using it!
    white elephant
  • Bad table manners are like a red rag to a b_____ for me.
    bull
  • With the reign of Charles III, the UK has now entered the C...... era.
    Carolean
  • I was going to ask the boss for Friday off work but I got scared and ............ out. - get scared and decide not to do something
    chickened
  • We had to wear w........... to go rafting. (neoprene)
    wetsuits
  • Sorry, I'm busy at the moment, can I phone you ...... ? (call again later)
    back
  • "You're retired now, act your age, not your s___ s____!" - behave appropriately for your age
    shoe size
  • She’s forever warning her husband about driving too fast, but he pays no attention. OFTEN No ________ ____ _______ she warns him, he takes no notice.
    matter how often
  • Stop w______/w________! (complaining)
    whinging/whining
  • Despite being tired, the kids were full of ..... and couldn't sit still.
    beans
  • I was feeling really ill earlier this week but now I'm on the m.... (getting better)
    mend
  • "After retirement, she found a second w____." - new energies - a new burst of energy
    wind
  • More o....... than not we get a takeaway on Friday night. (usually)
    often
  • "The poor guy has a face only a ..... could ......" - very ugly
    only a mother could love
  • I went on a health k...... - make big changes to be healthy,
    kick
  • When the famous pop star arrived unannounced it caused quite a k..... on the street outside the hotel. - fuss/commotion
    kerfuffle
  • I told him a L_______ w_______ lie to keep him happy.
    little white lie
  • I bought some avocados yesterday and they've already gone o.....! - go bad
    off
  • We handed _____ leaflets on the street corner outside the train station.
    out
  • John Foster-Jenkins has a double-b........... surname.
    barrelled
  • The forecast says that there's going to be a heat w...... this weekend. (short period of intense heat)
    wave
  • I’ve broken the .......... of the ironing now, I’ll finish the rest tomorrow. - done most of it
    back
  • It was b..... d...., I got completely soaked! (raining heavily)
    bucketing down
  • People have short f....... - not much patience
    fuses
  • He has a c...... on his s........ about being bottom of the class in Maths. - a resentment
    chip on his shoulder
  • 0-0 the match was a draw (UK) or a ______ (US)
    tie
  • I stood on a s... u..... and hurt my foot.
    sea urchin
  • We were t...... in by a scam artist. (tricked, cheated)
    taken
  • I think we should hire that last guy we interviewed, I like the cut of his j......- he impressed me,
    jib
  • try some of this crème brule, it's to ...... for! (delicious)
    die
  • She brought flowers to the boss's office, trying to ....... him up before asking for a promotion.
    BUTTER
  • "At the fair, the artist was h______ his paintings, calling out to the crowd to take a closer look." - selling
    hawking
  • The company had to pay a h..... fine for breaking the rules. (a big/heavy fine)
    hefty
  • She s....... the candy bar in half so they could share it.
    snapped
  • Sometimes I can be a bit of a c....... p......., I'll spend the whole weekend on the sofa.
    couch potato
  • The lion hid in the grass and then attacked the ............ (SUSPECT) antelope.
    unsuspecting
  • We b.........-watched the whole series in two days, it's great!
    binge
  • In the summer I walk around the house b....... (without shoes or socks)
    barefoot
  • All of the other kids made ...... of my new haircut! - mocked/teased
    fun
  • I've got the s..... this week. (I've got a minor cold)
    the sniffles
  • Amalia and her husband t..... one l...... at the city, and decided to leave.
    took one look at
  • The flag on the palace is flying at h....... m........ because the queen's uncle has died. (halfway down the flagpole)
    at half mast
  • A guy in a BMW cut me ...... on the roundabout, I nearly crashed. - overtake/pass in a car in a dangerous way
    up
  • I’m not really into c.......-cut guys, I prefer them a little bit r........ around the edges.
    clean, rough
  • He used to be nice but now he's famous he has got too big for his b_______.
    boots
  • Lot of people are very ill and in i________ c________.
    intensive care
  • I always have a ..... in my throat when I hear this song. - feel like crying
    lump
  • The horrible man used a racial s.... to insult the protesting students. (an insulting/racist word )
    slur
  • You can do whatever you like, the world is your o_______.
    oyster
  • When my old car died, I took it to the s......... (place where old dead cars go)
    scrapyard
  • The RAC man had to j___ start my car because the battery was flat.
    jump start
  • Some antihistamines make you feel very d_________. (sleepy)
    drowsy
  • When I was at school there was a c......... for yo-yos for about 6 months, everyone had one! (a mania)
    craze
  • When reading online reviews, it's important to take them with a grain of ...... because they may not always be reliable.
    SALT
  • It's my favourite shop because it c........ for women my size. (provides/serves)
    caters
  • a f......... of sheep.
    flock
  • The forecast says that there's going to be a cold s...... this weekend. (short period of intense cold)
    snap
  • Hurry up! You’re h......... us back. (slowing our progress)
    holding
  • After the job interview, he was o... e..... for the whole week waiting for the response. (very nervous)
    on edge
  • We met in 2012, f....-f...... 10 years and we're married with kids. (go XXX years into the future)
    fast-forward
  • Machine for cutting hair
    clippers
  • Burnt toast is c_________ (causes cancer)
    carcinogenic
  • Are you having a g........? (joke/laugh)
    giraffe
  • The idea that he has disappeared without trace is quite o.......... - difficult to believe
    outlandish
  • These chocolates are very m....... (addictive)
    moreish
  • "Even at 70, she's in her p_____." - at your peak, in best condition
    prime
  • The new administration has b........... a......... sweeping changes in its first month in office. (made/caused)
    brought about
  • We really p_______ out all the s_______ to finish the decorating in time for Christmas.
    pulled out all the stops
  • My sister was always a s........-A student at school.
    straight-A
  • My battery is f______, call the RAC.
    flat
  • “When Hayley arrived home from the party at 6am her disapproving parents simply remarked, ‘look what the cat ......... in’.” - comment on someone’s appearance - “you look terrible!”
    dragged
  • My big brother was t..... of the c...... in maths, there was no one better.
    top of the class
  • We made it to the train station by the s..... of our t...... (only just in time)
    by the skin of our teeth
  • My French teacher at school had _____ ______ _______ me. (me tenía mania)
    had it in for
  • They had to take the spines out of my foot with a pair of t.......
    tweezers
  • It snowed a lot but it didn't s_______, so we couldn't go skiing.
    settle
  • You’re b...... up the wrong tree, I didn’t have anything to do with stealing the cake. - ACCUSING THE WRONG PERSON, TAKING THE WRONG COURSE OF ACTION.
    barking
  • He rose through the r______ until her reached the position of chief inspector.
    ranks
  • The new presenter on the show is quite different but very refreshing, she's like a b....... of f....... a........
    breath of fresh air
  • He got into a f...... outside a pub. (fight)
    fracas
  • Will you two kids cut it ......?! You’ve been fighting all afternoon. - stop doing that!
    out
  • Can you get some bread on your way home? Yesterday's loaf is s_______.
    stale
  • They managed to n_______ the list down to 5 names.
    narrow
  • We're going g_____ for my birthday! (glamorous camping)
    glamping
  • I’m going to go out on a l..... and suggest that we drop that client, they’re not worth the effort. - TAKE A RISK, WITH A SUGGESTION
    limb
  • That actor has got a good f..... for r..... - ugly
    face for radio
  • I had to b........ the news to the workers that the company was closing. - tell someone bad news
    break
  • What's this?
    an otter
  • When she learned that he was cheating ..... her, she hit the b....... (became an alcoholic)
    on, bottle
  • The children were bright-eyed and b____-t_____ on Christmas morning. - enthusiastic and full of energy.
    bushy-tailed
  • They're not real Gucci sunglasses, they're cheap k......-o........ (fakes)
    knock-offs
  • The cat jumped ....... the table. (not under)
    onto
  • The job is a p........ chalice, they gave it to him knowing he would fail.
    poisoned
  • I f...... with my hair while I'm on the phone - play with something idly
    fiddle
  • My document was accidently deleted because of a g...... in the computer network. (technical problem)
    glitch
  • She's very ........-eyed, she doesn't miss a thing.
    eagle
  • He still hasn't c_____ to t______ w_______ the fact that her children are grown up now.
    come to terms with
  • That car is going so slowly, try to .......... them. (pass them)
    overtake
  • "After the marathon, he w______ down a huge meal as if he hadn’t eaten in days." - eat very quickly
    wolfed
  • The drug has some dangerous s_______ e_______ such as weight gain and hair loss.
    side effects
  • What are these?
    cashew nuts
  • She suffers from asthma so she needs to use an i.........
    inhaler
  • "Angela is always impeccably dressed - never a h.... out of p.....!" - always perfect
    never a hair out of place
  • She got a s.......... to a private school. (a grant/una beca)
    scholarship
  • He changed his behaviour to f... i... at school. (feel part of a group)
    fit in
  • All new spies have to be v...... very thoroughly to make sure they're not double agents. - questioned and investigated
    vetted
  • Hello? Can you hear me? Sorry, we got cut ....., we went through a tunnel.
    off
  • They made short ......... of the cake. - they ate it very quickly
    work
  • His full name is Anthony but he goes ..... Tony.
    by
  • What do you want to drink? A s______ and mixer please. (una cubata)
    spirit
  • a g_______ p__________ (an animal/person you do experiments on)
    guinea pig
  • If we give the old TV to grandad, it’ll keep him happy and free up space in the house, we’d be killing two ........ with one stone. - solve 2 problems with 1 action
    birds
  • I quit my job in London because the c...... was just too long, I was travelling for 2 hours every day just to get to and from work.
    commute
  • Sitting at a computer all day gives me a c.......... in the neck.
    crick
  • I’ve worn my shoes ....... - used them until they have broken
    out
  • My neighbour was m........ by some local criminals. (violently robbed)
    mugged
  • It caused a r....... between the two families. (A fight/conflict)
    rift
  • The manager singled the goalkeeper ...... for praise after their 1-0 win.
    out
  • Can you put in a good w_____ for me with your boss?
    word
  • Stories about saving the d......... in distress are considered old-fashioned.
    damsel
  • "After his presentation, John was ______ for compliments by repeatedly mentioning how unprepared he felt." - being self-critical so that someone says something nice
    fishing
  • He has ............... (QUESTION) taste in clothes. (bad)
    questionable
  • I would rather not know about the dangers, ignorance is b............
    bliss
  • Luis Rubiales's mother went on h____ s____ as a protest - she stopped eating food
    hunger strike
  • I saw my next-door neighbour on the beach in Mallorca! It's a s..... w.......!
    small world
  • The government have clamped down ...... illegal parking by introducing hefty fines.
    on
  • The education system used to be very strict, and now it's to permissive. It's gone f..... one e...... to the o.......
    go from one extreme to the other
  • Come on, you can do ten more push-ups… m..... over m.....! - use the power of your mind/willpower
    mind over matter!
  • Politicians are arguing over pointless things while no one is doing anything about the ............... in the room, climate change!
    elephant
  • Classes were more h......... in the past. (made up of children for similar backgrounds/less variety)
    homogenous
  • Gary Cooper looks very r...... in all his old photos. - handsome in a careless/cheeky way
    rakish
  • Magicians have to be good at sleight of ......... tricks.
    hand
  • Sometimes you have to be thankful that you have a r...... over your head. (shelter, a place to live)
    roof
  • It's very expensive if you travel at p..... times.
    peak
  • The government is cracking _______ on illegal logging.
    down
  • She’s a real doctor, not a q..... - a fraudulent medical practitioner
    quack
  • It’s very d........... in our house - air currents pass through
    draughty
  • He went on a big r_______ about how I never change the toilet roll when I finish it, he was quite angry!
    rant
  • That boy has ......... in his pants, he can never sit still in class. - can’t sit still, restless, fidgety
    ants
  • He used some little worms as b____ to catch a fish.
    bait
  • I can't eat too much chocolate, it doesn't a...... with me. (I get a bad stomach)
    agree
  • There was a sharp b______ in the road, we nearly crashed. (corner/curve)
    bend
  • It would be nice just to have some .... time (time to myself)
    me
  • I could talk about comic book movies until the ...... come home, I love them! - for a long time
    cows
  • One of the p...... of my job is free flights.
    perks
  • Don't worry, everything is going smoothly; it's all ........ (food)
    GRAVY
  • I come ...... in spots if I eat liver. (spots appear on my skin)
    out
  • This October we're enjoying an I....... summer with temperatures as high as 20ºC
    Indian
  • I tend to be good at keeping a l..... on my emotions. (keeping them in)
    lid
  • Her new boyfriend is a bit v..... c...... - short, not tall
    vertically challenged
  • After the disaster all the different government departments kept p.... the b......, no one would take responsibility.
    passing the buck
  • "Dad's gone a bit t.... on the t..... in the last few years." - going bald, balding
    thin on the top
  • He took a job teaching English in Thailand to escape the ..... race of the banking sector. -stressful, competitive environment, work-related
    rat
  • I never really liked studying in school, but my mom always told me to s...... for the m........ - BE AMBITIOUS - AIM HIGH
    shoot for the moon
  • When he got older he finally saw the e..... of his w...... (realised the mistakes he had made)
    saw the error of his ways
  • She's a really quiet, shy girl she wouldn't say b...... to a g.......
    boo to a goose
  • I park my car in a parking s_____/b______
    space/bay
  • I have to get this off my ........... - I have to say this because it’s bothering me.
    chest
  • When I go to the beach I love to go b..... for the whole day. (without socks or shoes)
    barefoot
  • Grandma looks in the p______ these days, it must be the new diet. (very healthy)
    pink
  • Sometimes Donald Trump seems like a pantomime v............ (an exaggerated baddy)
    villain
  • Buying a house is an important m............ (important moment in life)
    milestone
  • Put your phone .......! It's rude to have it out at the table.
    away
  • The adaptation of The Light Between Oceans is very t..... to the b..... (faithful to the novel)
    true to the book
  • Catch the ball! Ooops! You dropped it b....... f........
    butter fingers
  • The new skyscraper is a terrible e...... - ugly buildings
    eyesore
  • They're going to h..... a referendum next week.
    hold
  • He's so rich, money is no o........ to him.
    object
  • "He's getting a bit s___ in his w____, but he's still open to new experiences." - rigid routine, unwilling to change
    set/stuck in his ways
  • The new hospital is €50million over b_______. (spent too much money)
    budget
  • Stop h........ the games console, let your sister have a turn. (not sharing)
    hogging
  • T_____ as I m______ I couldn't open the locked door.
    try, might
  • I had to get a new charger for my Macbook, it cost an ............., it’s outrageous! (be very expensive)
    cost an arm and a leg
  • There was a big group of a.....-v....... protesting outside the health centre. (people who don't believe in vaccines)
    anti-vaxxers
  • The company’s b..... l...... is the most important thing. - profits
    bottom line
  • A green field is a sight for s...... eyes for a person who lives in a city.
    sore
  • Who used _____ all the toilet roll?
    up
  • You've changed your t______! You said you hated opera last week.
    tune
  • The r............... pressure eventually got to him and he had to take some time off. (non-stop)
    relentless
  • I go to the gym after work to let o.... s......
    let off steam
  • He makes a lot of money f....... houses. (buying them, repairing them and selling at a profit)
    flipping
  • My husband keeps d...... h...... about buying a speedboat. (making indirect comments)
    dropping hints
  • I used to ........... when I was younger.
    sleepwalk
  • Have you ever had to have a beloved pet put _____? (euthanised)
    down
  • The new model has r.......... the old one obsolete.
    rendered
  • We nearly bought a house with aluminosis, we really d...... a b....... there. (avoided a big problem)
    dodged a bullet
  • I can't quite put my ________ on where I've seen his face before.
    finger
  • How did you r.... in the new year on the 31st?
    ring
  • They've launched a campaign to drum ______ support for the charity.
    up
  • I recommend breaking your new shoes ..... by wearing them round the house for a few hours. (get your feet used to them)
    in - break in shoes
  • I've only tried it twice but I'm getting the h______ of surfing. (starting to understand how to do)
    hang
  • I didn't have any side effects after the vaccine, just a ....... arm. (painful)
    sore
  • The crowd went ........ when their favourite band took the stage.
    BANANAS
  • There’s so much h...... about the new series of the show, I hope it lives up to expectations. (marketing/promotion/media attention)
    hype
  • Some members of the team p..... f........ some interesting ideas and suggestions for the Xmas party.
    put forward
  • Now that the pandemic is nearly over, people have l..... their g...... and stopped taking precautions.
    lowered their guards
  • We got s...... i..... because of the big winter storm. (trapped inside your house because of snow)
    snowed in
  • She took the law into her _______ _________. (she became a vigilante)
    own hands
  • The RAC man came and rescued us like a k...... in s....... a........, we were so grateful! (a heroic figure)
    a knight in shining armour
  • David was the u________ in his fight against Goliath
    underdog
  • He kept r________ on for hours about the economy, it was so boring!
    rabbiting
  • I felt like a bit of a 3rd w....... when I went for dinner with my friend and his new girlfriend.
    wheel
  • The ship was sinking so everyone got into the l......b.......
    lifeboats
  • He lives in the suburbs on the o_______ of Madrid. (on the edge)
    outskirts
  • Why don’t you take a ______ out of Dan’s book? (copy sb's example)
    leaf
  • Everyone chipped _____ for John's birthday present.
    in
  • "Age before b_____, let your elder go first." - let the older person go first
    beauty
  • It’s a w..... and all story of my family. - not omitting any ugly details
    warts
  • I managed to catch the train by the s.... of my t..... (only just, por los pelos)
    by the skin of my teeth
  • Are you someone who tends to put themselves _____ a lot? (be self-critical)
    down
  • My sister is on one of these f..... diets, she tries a new one every month. (fashionable, ineffective diet at the moment)
    fad
  • The company lost a lot of money and almost went b.........../b............
    bankrupt/bust
  • We’re cutting it f...... if you want to catch the last bus. - we’re running late
    fine
  • We all waited with b........ b........ to find out who had won first place in the competition.* - holding your breath because of tension
    bated breath
  • He did half the amount of work as the rest but took the .......’s share of the credit. - take the biggest part
    lion
  • You should always read the s...... p....... on insurance policies carefully. (letra pequeña)
    small print
  • Everybody needs to do their b.... to save the planet.
    bit
  • The sauce was nice but very g......... (too much ajo)
    garlicky
  • She could never m.......... u....... to her mother’s expectations. (fulfil)
    measure up
  • We did all the work and he took all the c........, it’s a joke! (recognition, praise etc.)
    credit
  • I kissed my c_______ for the first time last week. (the person I fancy)
    crush
  • Good dentists are thin on the g_______ in this city. (rare/in short supply)
    ground
  • Enola Holmes is a s____-o_____ from Sherlock Holmes about his little sister.
    spin-off
  • Amalia had to s...... whisky into the hospital for her grandad. (get st in secretly)
    smuggle
  • We need to come up ....... a solution to the problem.
    with
  • I think of myself as a bit of a film b...... (expert)
    buff
  • You should eat 3 s______ meals a day.
    square
  • The government are introducing new restrictions now after the crisis has happened, it's like locking the door after the ...... has bolted. - taking action very late
    horse
  • My new trousers come ...... to my ankle. (reach/end at)
    up - come up to
  • Who will stand up _____ the rights of the endangered animals? (defend)
    for
  • I feel as fresh as a d...... today, I’m ready for anything. - VERY WELL, FULL OF BEANS - ENERGETIC
    daisy
  • I have a copy of Abbey Road by the Beatles in m..... condition.
    mint
  • He applied for a job in McDonald's even though he has a PhD, he is .................... QUALIFICATION
    overqualified
  • My young son threw a t......... in the middle of the supermarket, he screamed and refused to get up off the floor.
    tantrum
  • After 10 minutes of the class on American history, the children were bored s........ (v. bored)
    bored stiff
  • How old is he? 35? And he is still living with his parents? Yeah, I guess he is a f...... to l....... - YOUNG PERSON STRUGGLING TO TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD
    failure to launch
  • Someone's h.....-i....... my bike! (stolen/pinched)
    half-inched
  • He cut his t........ reporting for his local newspaper, then got hired by one of the big broadsheets. - gain valuable experience
    teeth
  • We left our car in the p..... and r...... and took the bus to the city centre.
    park and ride
  • Despite all his problems, his friends never turned their b............o........ him
    turned their backs on
  • It's such a s_______ statement to say that all men are good at sports.
    sweeping
  • There was a private detective s_______ around the other day asking questions.
    snooping
  • They gave us lots of f....... in the 5-star hotel. (things we didn't have to pay for)
    freebies
  • The whole world seems to be in a state of p........... (constant problems)
    permacrisis
  • I hardly slept last night, I was t....ing and t.....ing all night.
    tossing and turning
  • The bad feedback on his presentation really t..... the w..... out of his sails. (deflated him)
    took the wind out of his sails
  • At the end of the day, it all boils ...... to money, there just isn’t enough to fund the project this year.
    down
  • It's disappointing that we lost the game, but there's no point in crying over spilled ......
    MILK
  • I would love to buy some new furniture, but we are just p....... for space. - don't have enough
    pressed
  • What a month we’ve had! Everything's ....... up roses! - EVERYTHING IS GOING SWIMMINGLY - PERFECTLY
    coming
  • For some people, black olives are an a__________ taste.
    acquired
  • Some people tend to see the world through r_____-t______ glasses.
    rose-tinted
  • He’s thought to have nearly finished writing the next book, but don’t h.... your b.......!
    hold breath
  • George’s room is just a big b...... h........ He can never find his things in there. - A MESS,
    black hole
  • I'm h........ on a really good Netflix series at the moment. (enganchado/a)
    hooked
  • 9 times ____ ____ 10 Barça will beat Espanyol in a football match.
    out of
  • We don't have a strict plan for the trip, we're just going to p______ it by e_______. (improvise)
    play it by ear
  • He's a bit of a gym ........., he goes every day.
    bunny
  • The pandemic was a big/steep l..... c...... for everyone. (a difficult experience that taught you things)
    learning curve
  • The first book has a c......... ending to make you want to read the second one.
    cliff-hanger
  • I have to get my flu j..... (vaccine)
    jab
  • Old-fashioned arthouse films don’t stand a c.... in h.....'s chance of surviving against all the franchise movies.
    cat hell's
  • My work has set up a car-.......... scheme to help cut emissions. (sharing a car)
    car-pooling
  • I for a walk every day to k.... f...... (stay in shape)
    keep fit
  • I’m going to go home and take a ..... nap before we go out tonight. - a short sleep
    cat
  • Professionally he feels like he's tuck in a .... and needs a change.
    rut
  • The loss of his job b______ Phil down to E_______. (made him more realistic)
    brought, Earth
  • The cat jumped ........ the box. (went inside)
    into
  • You should travel at o___-p____ times, the tickets are cheaper.
    off-peak
  • I made a s.... cake for my brother's birthday party.
    sponge
  • Even under pressure, she remained cool as a ...... and made rational decisions.
    CUCUMBER
  • I spent all day just f_______ a________, I didn't get anything done. (working/spending time in an unproductive way)
    faffing around
  • The teacher caught Mario g....... o....... into space rather than paying attention during class. - BE DAYDREAMING
    gazing off
  • His outfit is very l......, it hurts my eyes! (lots of bright colours)
    loud
  • She took to playing the piano like a d______ to w_______.
    duck to water
  • We had a p________ party for my birthday. (everyone brought food in tupperware)
    potluck
  • It's important that newly hired workers aren't left to s.... or s....., they need support. (fail or succeed entirely by one's own efforts.)
    sink or swim
  • I just want to go out with my friends and let my h........ d......... (relax, have a good time)
    let my hair down
  • Jimmy Hendrix's c______ of the Bob Dylan song "All Along the Watchtower" is better than the original.
    cover
  • Lots of specialist jobs are dying ....... because of automation. (disappearing)
    out
  • There’s a stomach ........ going around and so many of the workers have caught it, they’re dropping like ........! - virus or illness, + becoming ill/dying in large numbers.
    bug, flies
  • He's a bit of an adrenalin j.........
    junky
  • I can ______ him like a book. (His feelings are obvious)
    read
  • It was another d...... winter day in London and it made her feel depressed. (grey, monotonous)
    dreary
  • "Time and t...... wait for no man." - you can't stop time
    tide
  • When he didn't win the award, he claimed it was meaningless, I think it was sour ........
    GRAPES
  • These wool socks are very i......., I can't stop scratching. (irritate the skin)
    itchy
  • I couldn't make h_____ nor t______ of the plot of the film. (I didn't understand it at all)
    head nor tail
  • We decided to go to a Korean restaurant ..... a change. (to do something different)
    for
  • They're getting married next week but she's starting to get c...... f....... (have doubts about getting married)
    cold feet
  • She couldn't go through with the wedding so she left him at the a......
    altar
  • My grandfather was a f........ f......... for me. - person who plays the role of Dad
    father figure
  • No one will take responsibility for the problem, they keep passing the ________.
    buck
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