Match the items to create sentences using the idioms correctly. A. Musical idioms 1. He was arrested when they found 2. He is always blowing his own trumpet, 3. I passed. 4. When you are a bit older, 5. They are in debt 6. She's too highly strung - 7. That man just waltzed off 8. He likes his new teacher - a. he was fiddling the books. b. you'll change your tune. c. to the tune of nearly $5 million. d. saying he's the best player on the team. e. Well, that is music to my ears! f. with our tickets. g. everything seems to upset her! h. he's been singing her praises all evening. B. Musical idioms 9. You can't blame her alone - 10. The exam was easy. 11. Now, to end on a positive note, I want 12. The football club hasn't many members - 13. I want to be in charge for once. 14. I don't think that would be quite in harmony 15. Stop fiddling about 16. I'm sorry, but I am out of tune a. with our general aims and objectives. b. I just waltzed through it. c. and get on with your work. d. I'm tired of playing second fiddle to her. e. with all these modern ideas. f. I'll give an assembly talk and try to drum up support. g. to announce the PTA has agreed to subsidise the activity. h. you know, it takes two to tango. C. Train idioms 17. Calm down. 18. I sent them to the playground for a break 19. The project's back on the rails now 20. She was doing so well, 21. We're going to have to deal with that 22. It's been a nightmare. 23. Okay, we're all ready. 24. Oh, no, his background and family are nothing like hers. a. There's no need to get so steamed up about it. b. and should be completed on time. c. to let off some steam. d. somewhere along the line. e. He was born on the wrong side of the tracks. f. Let's go full steam ahead. g. We've had trouble all down the line. h. then suddenly she seemed to lose steam. D. Water idioms 25. No, she didn't like the idea. 26. You will soon adjust 27. Society is endangered 28. If we allow the students to dye their hair, 29. There is a strong current of opinion 30. You mean break the law? a. by a rising tide of drug-related crime. b. We are getting into deep water here. c. it will just open the floodgates to all sorts of unacceptable behaviour. d. She spent five minutes pouring cold water on it. e. and get into the flow of it. f. against further harbour reclamation work. Answers 1. a; 2. d; 3. e; 4. b; 5. c; 6. g; 7. f; 8. h; 9. h; 10. b; 11. g; 12. f; 13. d; 14. a; 15. c; 16. e; 17. a; 18. c; 19. b; 20. h; 21. d; 22. g; 23. f; 24. e; 25. d; 26. e; 27. a; 28. c; 29. f; 30. b
