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