take a short cut take a more direct or faster route than usual take off (1) remove (clothing, for example)
(2) ascend (a plane, for example) (3) hecome popular quickly take over assume control or responsibility take part (in) participate in
take the plunge finally take action; do something different
take time off (from) take a vacation or a break from work or school take up begin to study some topic or engage in some activity
talk down to speak to someone as if he or she were a child; patronize talk into persuade; convince
talk out of dissuade; convince not to do something talk over discuss
tear oneself away from something stop doing something interesting tear up rip into small pieces
tell apart distinguish
things are looking up the situation is improving think over consider
throwaway discard; get rid of
throw cold water on discourage; force to cancel (a plan, for example) throw the book at someone give someone the maximum punishment try on test clothing before buying (for size, style, and so on)
try out test a product before buying
try out (for) audition for (a role in a play, for example); attempt to join (a team, for example)
98 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
1. You'd better these gloves before you buy them; they may not fit.
2. At first, 1 didn't want to go to the party, but I'm glad Annette me it. It was fun.
3. The spy the document so that no one else could read it.
4. The twins look so much alike that almost no one can them _ _ _ _ 5. "I need more excitement in my life."
"Why don't you give up stamp collecting and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ sky-diving instead?"
6. "Who made the final decision?"
"All of the people who were at the meeting _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the decision-making process."
7. Most air accidents take place when a plane is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ or landing.
8. You've got to those computer games and do your
homework.
9. Dan was afraid the judge would _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ him because he had been charged with the same
offense several times.
10. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ your boots before you go into the house.
11. 1 wish I'd this calculator before 1 bought it. It doesn't seem to be working right.
12. Marvin was going to drop out of school, but his grandfather him _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ it.
13. I'm not sure if this is a suitable topic for a research paper. 1 need to it _ _ _ _ with my teacher before 1 start writing.
14. "I'm going to those old newspapers."
"Don't just put them in the trash-recycle them instead."
15. "Are you going on the class trip?"
"I need to it before 1 decide."
16. "How did you get home so quickly?"
"I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ through the fields."
17. "So, Louisa, you decided to a part in the play?"
"Yes, I've been interested in acting for quite a while, so 1 finally decided to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 18. Akiko is going to _ _ _ _ some _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ teaching to finish writing her
dissertation.
Mini-Lesson 1.12
turn around face in a different direction turn down (1) reject an offer
(2) decrease the intensity of
;...turn in (1) return; give back; hand in (2) go to bed
turn into change to; transform into
turn off stop the operation (of an appliance, for example); shut off
turn on turn out
turn up
start the operation (of an appliance, for example) (1) result; end up; be the final product
(2) produce
(3) arrive; gather (for a meeting, for example) (1) increase in intensity
(2) arrive
under the weather slightly ill use up usc completely wait on serve
walk on air be very happy warm up (1) heat
(2) practice; prepare for
warm up (to) become friendly with; start to enjoy watch out (for) be alert; look out for
wear out become no longer useful because of wear
what the doctor ordered exactly what was needed; the perfect thing wipe out eliminate; stamp out
without a hitch without a problem work out (1) exercise
(2) bring to a successful conclusion; solve
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
1. The story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is about a scientist who a monster after drinking a chemical potion.
2.
3. It's warm in here. Could you _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the heater a little?
4. I love that song. Could you _ _ _ _ .. _ _ _ the radio a little?
5. I can't see a thing. Please. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the light.
6. This sweater looked nice when it was new, but now it's 7. "I'm hungry!"
"Why don't you ____ _ __ . ____ some of the leftovers from lunch? You can use the microwave oven."
8. Not many people for the meeting last night.
9. It's been a rough day. I'm going to _ _ ... _ ... _. _ _ _ early and get a good night's sleep.
10. "How about a nice cup of hot tea?"
"That's exactly what I'm in the mood for. It's just _____ . _ _ _ 11. "How was your presentation?"
"Great, It went off _________ . _____ _
12. 1"m going to the gym to __ .. _______ . _____ .. on the exercise machines.
13. If you're on a crowded bus or subway car, you must __ .... _. ____ . ___ _ . ____ pickpockets.
14. "A bear' I don't see a bear! Where is it?"
__ ___ slowly. It's right behind you."
15. Maria had quite a few problems last year, but she _ _ _ _ them all _ _ _ _ 16. Don't ask me to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ you! I'm not your servant.
17. Brian was offered the manager's job, but he responsibility.
_ _ _ it _ _ _ _ He said he didn't want the
100 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
18. Before the game starts, the players need to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
19. "This cake Holly baked for the wedding very well, don't you think?"
"Yes, indeed. It was delicious."
20. "Mitchell looked pale and tired."
"He told me he was feeling a little _ _ ~ ___________ _ 21. "You must be happy about getting that scholarship."
"Are you kidding? I'm still _____ ~ __________ ."