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