Gap-filling exercise based on a short text
1. Read through the text first and then try to spot all ten idioms and work out their meanings.
Two men are sitting in a café waiting for something to eat:
Bob: I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse.
Andy: Me too. But aren't we a bit early? Will the café be serving food now?
Bob: In about ten minutes. The early bird catches the worm, as they say.
Andy: (quietly) But it's not a very nice café, is it? I'm used to something more
upmarket. I feel like a fish out of water in this place. Can't we go to Diane's Café, they have real chairs to sit on there, not like these plastic ones.
Bob: I'm not going to another café now. Look at the weather. It's raining cats and
dogs now.
Andy: Okay. As long as the food's good.
Bob: Oh, the food's wonderful here - don't you worry. Once you've got a good
breakfast in you and you'll feel as strong as an ox.
Andy: At least the café's empty now.
Bob: That's right, we can talk as loud as we want. In those posh restaurants you
have to be as quiet as a mouse.
Andy: Yeah, we can talk about anything we want, without anyone hearing us.
Bob: Indeed. We can talk about the problem with your neighbour.
Andy: What, George, the fella who sold you that car? Now don't go opening that can
of worms.
Bob: Look, I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but he sold me a car
that doesn't work.
Andy: I told you before. That guy's as slippery as a snake. You should never have
got involved with him. You must have been blind as a bat. I wouldn't have
bought that car.
Bob: Yes, I should have listened to you, but it seemed such a good deal at the time.
Andy: You won't get any money back from him. He really is a sly old fox. I think
you should say goodbye to that problem and never have any more dealings
with him. Come on, our breakfasts are here. Let's tuck in and forget about old
George.
2. Gap Filling
This activity will help you to consolidate what you have learnt by using these idiomatic expressions in different contexts.
Look at the following sentences and see if you can link them to idiomatic expressions you have seen in the article above:
1. My sister lets the slightest little thing upset her. The dustbin men didn't turn up this morning to collect the rubbish and she wants to phone the council.
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2. Chloë's parents are going away for the weekend leaving her in charge of the house. Although she hasn't told them, she has already invited her friends over on Saturday night for a big party.
3. I'm not used to going to pubs. The music is always too loud, I'm not fond of drinking alcohol and the smoke makes me cough. Also, the people in pubs are always so loud and confident, whereas I am not.
4. I came in at 2.30am last Sunday morning after the party. I was careful not to wake up my parents, so I carefully closed the front door and tip toed up the stairs.
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5. I saw the 11.00am showing of the new Star Wars movie although I actually got to the cinema at 10.00 so I could get a seat. I know how popular this film is.
6. I saw my friend John pick up a piano the other day and lift it onto a truck. I could never do that!
7. The man who did my tiling told me that it would cost only £200, but he ended up charging me £350 as it took him longer than two days. I don't think I can trust him any more.
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8. In war, soldiers have to be careful not to be seen. They have to wait in the shadows of trees and in places where their enemy cannot see them. If they walk freely in the open they might get shot.
9. I am very hungry, as I haven't eaten since this morning.