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41 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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BP's first efforts to stop the oil leak were almost completely ineffectual, and they were forced (to go back to the drawing board) to solve the problem.
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to start over
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1. When I bought a vacation cabin at the lake I got more (than I had bargained for.)
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than I expected
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2. If you think you can fool her into giving you 500 dollars to buy a new car, you're (barking up the wrong tree.)
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to be mistaken
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3. Mary (bore the brunt) of the boss's criticism when he discussed how our team had failed to meet its sales goals.
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received the worst of
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4. The bill collector went to David's house to collect on an outstanding debt, but David's sister said that he was (behind bars.)
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in jail or prison
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5. When Mr. Jones set out to teach Sally how to use Microsoft Excel, it was really a case of (the blind leading the blind.)
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the ignorant teaching the inexperienced
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6. The matter was called the worst case of official malfeasance in the state's history, but it all (blew over) after a few months.
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was forgotten
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7. When I told my mother that I had been studying every evening at my friend's house, she told me that she wasn't (born yesterday.)
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naive
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8. She said she had a (bone to pick) with me, and I suggested that we meet after work at the Italian place across the street.
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a dispute to discuss
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9. George told William he was sorry for his previous behavior and asked if they couldn't (bury the hatchet.)
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make peace
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10. Gathering my fishing gear together, I picked up my things and ran outside to the awaiting car; "Sorry for being late," I said. ("It's about time.") replied my friend Peter.
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finally!
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1. We had been working hard all afternoon and I looked over to Mary, who was wiping the sweat from her brow, and suggested that we (call it a day.)
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quit for the day
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2. My best customer said that either we give him a bigger discount or he would take his business someplace else; and so I decided to (call his bluff.)
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invite him to do it
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3. When I told my wife what I had been doing all day, she really (chewed me out.)
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lectured me
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4. If you don't mind, can't we just (cut to the chase?)
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focus on what's important
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5. Mary went to the event and (got all choked up) when the boy's father spoke.
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was overcome by emotion
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6. In my opinion, even if your brother-in-law can pull strings and get his son into Chapman University, the poor kid is not very smart and won't be able to (cut the mustard college.)
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to succeed
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7. You can speak out at the annual employee appreciation lunch, but you'll be (cutting your own throat if you do.)
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ruining your chances for success
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8. If you continue to drag your feet, we'll have (the chance of a snowball in hell) to get out of this mess.
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no chance
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9. The commissioner pounded his gavel and (called to order) the meeting.
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formally opened
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10. Bill is a great player captain who really knows how (to call the shots.)
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to lead
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1. Cindy's willingness to give in to my request right away made me think that she must have (an ace up her sleeve.)
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a secret weapon
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2. (Adding insult to injury,) the opposing team scored a goal during injury time, when they were already ahead by three goals.
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to make it even worse
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3. I encouraged my son, who was on the varsity basketball team, to take AP science courses in high school so that he would already be (ahead of the game) when he got to college.
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well positioned
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4. My friend the opera singer asked me how I liked her performance, and I told her that I thought she was (one hell of a) soprano.
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a fantastic
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5. We need serious, committed people to volunteer for the street racing intervention group, not the same old fogies who are just (along for the ride.)
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there for the company
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6. Our new boss looks great in her frilly dress, but be careful with her because she is (as hard as nails.)
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cruel and unfeeling
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7. It cost me (an arm and a leg) to get here; and now that I'm here I don't know why I made the effort.
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a lot of money
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8. Nancy's boyfriend is always (at her beck and call.)
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ready and willing to help her out
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9. I've been told that my next fight club opponent (has a chip on his shoulder.)
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is angry due to a past events
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10. Mr. Jones went before the commission to plea for more funds for the community center; but Jeffrey Towne, who obviously has (an ax to grind,) urged his colleagues to vote against the proposal and the measure was defeated.
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a personal interest in
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1. I hope you don't mention the second set of books we were keeping. That would open up a whole other (can of worms.)
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complicated situation
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2. After we arrived outside the store, Joe motioned for us to keep an eye out for trouble while he went in and (cased the joint.)
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studied the layout
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3. They caught the thief (red-handed) when he was trying to walk out of the supermarket with a roast chicken.
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the act of stealing
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4. At first Mr. Thompson said he had nothing to do with the bank heist, but when he was shown the video recording of the robbery (he changed his tune.)
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changed his story
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5. When we saw the patrol car disappear from view, I gave the signal to my buddies that (the coast was clear.)
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there was no danger in sight
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6. We spent much of the evening asking little Danny what had happened in the bathroom when we were out, but he refused to (come clean.)
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tell all
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7. The problem had been festering at the school for quite some time, but it finally (came to a head) when several students were hospitalized with drug overdoses.
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reached a critical point
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8. Her husband (covered his tracks) when he went to see his lover after work by complaining about the long hours he was putting in at the office and swearing about what a lousy job he had
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hide where you have been
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9. His wife wanted to know if he was intending to fight with his widowed sister over the ownership of their father's home when he passed away and he told her that he would (cross that bridge when he came to it.)
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to deal with it when it actually happens
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10. Go ahead, you can quit now if you want, but you'll really be (cutting off your nose to spite your face,) since no one is going to hire you after I tell how you left me here in the lurch with all these magazines to deliver.
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to punish yourself by doing something against someone else
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