Idioms Exercises – Part 68

.Match each idiomatic expression with its meaning and fill in the blanks

Hang in there
Up to her neck
Cost pretty penny
Catch somebody off guard
Take something
Go downhill

 if a situation goes downhill, it gets worse –
surprise someone, esp. in a way that makes the person feel confused or uncertain –
, endure or tolerate some unpleasant, critical, harsh, or abusive treatment –
whether physical or emotional
be very expensive –
remain persistent and determined in difficult circumstances –
be very busy –

. N1. I’d like to help, but I’m up to my …………………… at the moment

. N2. A fancy car like that costs a ……………………, so I definitely can’t afford it

. N3. in the second half, we just had to ……………………there

! …………………… N4. Tell me what you really thought of my play—be honest, I can

. …………………… N5. After his wife died, his health started to go

. …………………… N6. The news caught her completely off

:Answers

N1. Neck
N2. pretty penny
N3. hang in
N4. take it
N5. downhill
N6. guard

Hang in there = remain persistent and determined in difficult circumstances
Up to her neck = be very busy
Cost pretty penny = be very expensive
Catch somebody off guard = surprise someone, esp. in a way that makes the person feel confused or uncertain
Take something = endure or tolerate some unpleasant, critical, harsh, or abusive treatment, whether physical or emotional
Go downhill = if a situation goes downhill, it gets worse