English idioms – LoveMyESL

Level 4 idioms – Unit 08

Conversation:

Julio: I can’t believe you got an ace on the river to beat me. I think I’m going to call it quits for the day and go home.

Allan: At least you’re a good sport. Most people would be beside themselves with anger after losing $100 playing poker.

Julio: The way I look at it is that I broke even for the week. Three days ago I won a hundred bucks at the casino. Can I ask you a question? Do you think I’ve got a gambling problem?

Allan: The idea has crossed my mind. You do spend a lot of time playing poker. I think you should move on and find something else to do that tickles your fancy.

Julio: You might be right. Poker’s not as much fun as it used to be. It’s become a drag.

Allan: I didn’t mean to come down hard on you, but you did ask.

Julio: No, I’m glad you spoke your mind. I’ve been running on autopilot for a long time, and I definitely need a change.

Allan: Well, if anybody can pull it off, you can. I’ve got confidence you’ll do the right thing.

Vocabulary:

ace: the highest value card
the river: the last card placed on the board
bucks: dollars
casino: gambling house
gambling: betting money on a game of chance
used to be: was in the past
definitely: absolutely
confidence: belief

Idioms:

• call it quits: stop doing it
• a good sport: someone who can win or lose and not show emotion
• be beside oneself: show strong emotion
• break even: have the same amount of money as originally
• cross one’s mind: be thought about
• move on: stop doing the same thing and do something different
• tickle one’s fancy: be something one likes
• a drag: something boring
• come down hard on (someone): tell (someone) what they’re doing wrong
• speak one’s mind: honestly say what one thinks
• run on autopilot: do things automatically without thinking
• pull it off: accomplish (something), be successful at (something)

Notes:

come down hard on and be tough on have the same meaning.

run on autopilot can also be be on autopilot.

a drag can be made stronger by adding “real”: a real drag.

Level 4 idioms – Unit 07

Dec 5,2015 Leave a comment advanced idioms, English idioms, ESL idioms

Conversation:

Brian: I’ve had it with my car. I think it’s on its last legs. Yesterday I was pulled over by the police because there was smoke coming out the exhaust. I need to buy a new car and fast.

Jake: I think I can help. I’ve got a friend who owns a twenty-year-old Honda that’s in near mint condition. He’s a mechanic and has been taking really good care of it for years. It’s recently come to light that he wants to sell it.

Brian: That’s good, but I’m of two minds. I know Hondas are really good cars, but it’s old. How do I know it won’t break down?

Jake: I give you my word. I know this guy, and I know he wouldn’t sell a bad car. Because of his reputation, you can rest assured that this car will sell fast. You have a small window of opportunity here, and if I were you, I would make an offer quickly.

Brian: I don’t know. I’d have to sleep on it. What’s he selling it for anyway?

Jake: I’m not sure, but I think it’s $3000 or so. I’m sure he’ll give you a fair shake.

Vocabulary:

exhaust: the tailpipe of a car
mechanic: a person who works on cars and other vehicles
break down: stop working
reputation: what other people think of him
offer: what someone is willing to pay

Idioms:

• one has had it: one can’t tolerate something any longer
• on its last legs: almost ready to die
• pull over: stop at the side of the road
• in mint condition: like new, in perfect condition
• come to light: start to be known
• be of two minds: think that both choices are good
• give (someone) one’s word: promise
• rest assured: know that (something) is true
• a window of opportunity: a limited time for action
• sleep on it: make a decision tomorrow
• or so: or about that, approximately
• a fair shake: a deal that’s fair for both people

Notes:

One has had it and that does it have the same meaning

The opposite of give someone one’s word is break one’s word.
Example: I believed he would do it, but he broke his word.

Level 4 idioms – Unit 06

Sep 14,2015 Leave a comment advanced idioms, English idioms, ESL idioms

Conversation:

Greg: I just came into a lot of money. My rich uncle died and left me a tidy sum in stocks, bonds and property in his will. All in all, I think it’s in the neighborhood of half a million dollars.

Sarah: Hey! That’s good news. What are you going to do with all that money?

Greg: I don’t have the money yet. There’s a lot of red tape. They tell me it could take up to six months to probate his will, which does me no good in the short run. I’m under the gun to pay next semester’s tuition.

Sarah: You should keep this news on the q.t. If our friends got wind of this, they’d all be looking for a handout.

Greg: You’re probably right. Let’s keep this between us for now. You know, all my life I’ve been struggling with money. It’s about time I got a break. Finally, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Vocabulary:

stocks: shares in the profits of a company
bonds: loans to a company or government
will: a legal paper that states where your property will go after you die
probate: determine if a will is legal
handout: something given for free
struggling: having a hard time

Idioms:

• come into   receive (money)
• a tidy sum a large amount of money
• all in all    all together
• in the neighborhood of around, about
• red tape legal requirements and delays
• in the short run over a short period of time, in the near future
• under the gun needing to do something fast
• on the q.t. a secret [q.t. = quiet]
• get wind of hear about
• it’s about time it took too long to happen
• get a break   get some good luck
• light at the end of the tunnel an easier time in the future

Notes:

All in all can also be shortened to in all.

In the short run has an opposite: in the long run, which means over a long period of time.
In the short run can also be in the short term, and the opposite can also be in the long term or over the long term.

Get a break is the opposite of give (someone) a break, which means to give someone some luck by not doing anything bad to them.

Level 4 idioms – Unit 05

Aug 24,2015 Leave a comment advanced English idioms, advanced idioms, English idioms, ESL idioms

Conversation:

Carla: I’m thinking of getting involved in a multi-level marketing business. The company has a line of cleaning products which make everything spic and span. I can make a lot of money depending on how hard I work. The sky is the limit. What do you think?

Phil: Right off the bat, I can think of a couple of reasons why that’s not a good idea. First of all, you’ll have to buy inventory and store it in your home so you have it to sell. And what happens if you don’t sell your product? I’ll tell you. You’re up the creek without a paddle. Every month you have to buy more product even if you haven’t sold all your stock.

Carla: Yes, but I’m sure I can make a go of this. At least I want to try.

Phil: I think someone’s trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Most people who go into this kind of business fail.

Carla: Even if that’s true, I think I’ll give it my best shot. I’m tired of not having any money. I just want my piece of the pie.

Phil: All I know is a friend of mine joined a network marketing company and they took him to the cleaners. He spent thousands of dollars with little return. But you know, it’s your funeral. Do what you want.

Carla: Would you consider doing it with me? There would be less risk that way.

Phil: Yea, that’ll be the day!

Carla: Well, if you change your mind, let me know.

Idioms:

• spic and span: very, very clean
• the sky is the limit: there are no limits
• right off the bat: without delay
• up the creek without a paddle: in a terrible situation with no solution
• make a go of: be successful with
• pull the wool over one’s eyes: stop someone from knowing something
• give it one’s best shot: do the best one can do
• piece of the pie: part of the wealth of the world
• take (someone) to the cleaners: take all one’s money
• it’s one’s funeral: it’s one’s future failure
• that’ll be the day: that will never happen
• change one’s mind: change the way one thinks

Notes:

You can say: make a go of this, make a go of it, or make a go of (something)
Example: I know I can make a go of starting my own business.

Notes:

make a go of this can also be make a go of it

Level 4 idioms – Unit 04

Aug 18,2015 Leave a comment advanced idioms, English idioms, ESL idioms

Conversation:

Jonathan: I love my job, but my boss and I have been at odds since the beginning of the month when I took a week off to be at the hospital with my sick mother. He didn’t want to give me the time off, but I would never let anything come between my mother and me, not even my job.

Marissa: I would have done the same thing. My bottom line has always been that family comes first. How is your mother?

Jonathan: She’s fine now. The doctor gave her a clean bill of health, but she’s not off the hook yet. She still needs to get her strength back.

Marissa: I’m so glad to hear that. Now you have to bury the hatchet with your boss. You don’t want him to give you the boot.

Jonathan: No I don’t. I thought I had patched things up with him, but I think he’s still angry with me.

Marissa: You have a way with words. I think you should bite the bullet and talk to him again, no ifs, ands or buts.

Jonathan: You’re right. I don’t want there to be any bad blood between us. I’ll try to make it right.

Idioms:

• at odds   in disagreement about something
• come between cause trouble between two people
• bottom line   most important thing
• a clean bill of health an assurance of good health
• off the hook     no longer having a problem
• bury the hatchet no longer be angry with someone
• give (someone) the boot fire (someone) from a job
• patch things up   improve a relationship by doing something nice
• a way with words an ability to use words to achieve a goal
• bite the bullet do a difficult and unpleasant task
• no ifs, ands or buts no excuses
• bad blood   very unfriendly relationship

Notes:

Give (someone) the boot is the opposite of get the boot, which means “get fired.”

Level 4 idioms – Unit 03

Mar 24,2015 Leave a comment advanced idioms, English idioms, ESL idioms

Conversation:

Omar: Yesterday I took the stairs up to my office because the elevator wasn’t working. By the time I reached the fifth floor, I was out of breath. It was a real wake-up call for me. I know I need to start doing something about it.

Sydney: I’m glad to hear that. Exercise goes hand in hand with good health, so you should start an exercise program. I have, and I feel great.

Omar: It’s been a long time since I set foot in a gym. I spend most of my time sitting, and we all know that’s a recipe for disaster.

Sydney: I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. You know, if you get in shape, it’s like getting a new lease on life. All aspects of your life will get better.

Omar: I’m glad to hear that because my business is starting to weigh me down. Okay, what would you suggest that I do? I don’t have a lot of free time because I work around the clock.

Sydney: I’m usually pressed for time too, so I go to the gym three times a week in the mornings for half an hour before work.

Omar: That sounds doable. I’ve been taking my health for granted for too long.

Sydney: I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses.

Vocabulary:

aspects: areas, parts
doable: something you can do

Idioms:

• out of breath breathing too fast
• a wake-up call a scary experience that says something is wrong
• go hand in hand go together
• set foot in enter
• a recipe for disaster something that will cause a very bad result
• come to one’s senses understand what the right thing to do is
• in shape with a body that is strong and healthy
• a new lease on life a feeling of starting over as a new person
• weigh (someone) down make (someone) feel like there’s too much work
• work around the clock work all day and night
• pressed for time don’t have enough time
• take (something/one) for granted think that (something/one) will always be there

Notes:

a wake-up call is the same as an eyeopener

in shape and in good shape are the same. The opposite is out of shape or in bad shape. Example: Because he doesn’t get much exercise, he’s out of shape.

Level 4 idioms – Unit 02

Aug 23,2014 Leave a comment advanced English idioms, English idioms, ESL idioms

Conversation:

Sahar: Natalia, do you have a minute?

Natalia: Sure. What’s on your mind?

Sahar: I found out that Hossein hasn’t been on the level with me.

Natalia: What do you mean? Are you getting cold feet about marrying him?

Sahar: No it’s not that. I love him, but the other day I found some photos of him with a strange woman, and I’ve been a basket case ever since.

Natalia: Well you knew he had been around the block before you two got together. It was probably a photo of an old girlfriend.

Sahar: I don’t think so. We had a heart to heart last week, and I was completely above board with him about all my old boylfriends. The only old girlfriend he told me about was a blond, but the woman in the photo was a brunette.

Natalia: Although there’s a fine line between not telling the whole truth and lying, maybe he didn’t want to come clean all at once. I’d give him some time if I were you.

Sahar: Okay. I hope you’re right. It would be a crying shame if the wedding were called off.

Vocabulary:

got together: became a couple
a blond: a woman with blond hair
brunette: a woman with brown hair
all at once: immediately
called off: cancelled

Idioms:

• have a minute have time to have a short talk.
• on one’s mind being thought about
• on the level telling the truth
• cold feet doubt about something you planned
• the other day a day not too long ago
• a basket case a person who is overly nervous or upset
• been around the block have had many experiences
• have a heart to heart have an emotional conversation
• above board totally honest, legally done
• a fine line not much of a difference
• come clean be totally truthful
• a crying shame too bad, a sad event

Notes:

Have a minute can also be have a second.

The opposite of above board is under the table when talking about something being illegal.

a basket case and in bad shape have the same meaning.

Level 4 idioms – Unit 01

Aug 12,2014 Leave a comment advanced idioms, English idioms, ESL idioms, upper advanced idioms

Conversation:

David: I just got a job in the bookstore, and now I’ve got a head start on saving for next term.

Grace: What a lucky break. I’m so happy for you.

David: Thanks. I’m rather proud of myself. When I heard about the job opening, I didn’t drag my feet. I got right over there and filled out an application.

Grace: I don’t have time for a job. I have a full plate with six courses this term, and I can tell you it’s no bed of roses.

David: It sure isn’t. When I got the call this morning that I had the job it was music to my ears. When tuition went up last term, my parents went through the roof. They are trying to save for my younger sister’s education, too, so this job fits the bill.

Grace: So far I’m okay with my scholarship, but if worse comes to worst and my marks aren’t good enough, I could lose it.

David: If that happened, you’d be in dire straits, and you’d have to make time for a job.

Grace: Yes. I’d have to start pulling my own weight.

David: Don’t worry about that now. If things change I know you can go with the flow.

Vocabulary:

rather: very
over there: to that place
courses: classes over a semester
call: phone call
tuition: money to pay for classes
term: semester
scholarship: free money that pays for your education

Idioms:

• a head start an earlier-than-normal start
• a lucky break a change in one’s luck for the better
• drag one’s feet take a long time to do something
• a full plate a busy schedule, a lot to do
• no bed of roses not an easy time
• music to one’s ears good news
• go through the roof get very upset
• fit the bill be everything that’s needed
• if worse comes to worst if the worst thing happens
• in dire straits in a very bad situation
• pull one’s own weight work as hard as everyone else
• go with the flow easily change when the situation changes

Notes:

Pull one’s own weight can be shortened to pull one’s weight.

Level 3 idioms – Unit 10

Jun 17,2014 Leave a comment English idioms, ESL idioms, lower advanced idioms

Conversation:

Nick: You look like you’re walking on air. What’s up?

Sergey: Remember Sarah? We met her at the New Year’s Eve party last year?

Nick: No. Her name doesn’t ring a bell. What does she look like?

Sergey: Tall, long dark hair, beautiful blue eyes.

Nick: I’m still drawing a blank, but what about her?

Sergey: Well, this morning we met by chance in the coffee shop and we both hit it off right away. Now, I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but she could be the one for me. There’s only one small problem. I can’t lay my hands on her phone number. She wrote it on a napkin, and now I can’t find it! I’m on pins and needles.

Nick: I can imagine. You know if you don’t call her up within a few days, you’re going to be in hot water. She’s going to think you don’t like her.

Sergey: I know. I know. What am I going to do?

Nick: Get a grip! It won’t help to get upset. If I were you, I’d go back to the coffee shop tomorrow and try to find her.

Sergey: Hang on. It just dawned on me that I changed by jeans when I got home. I’ll bet her number is in one of the pockets. I’ll go look.

Nick: For your sake, I hope it is. But if it’s not, it serves you right for being so careless.

Sergey: Here’s her phone number! It was in my jeans pocket all along.

Vocabulary:

by chance: accidentally
the one: the perfect person
hang on: wait
sake: benefit, well-being

Idioms:

• walk on air feel very happy
• ring a bell be something one remembers
• draw a blank not be able to remember
• hit it off become friendly immediately
• jump to conclusions form an opinion without all the evidence
• lay one’s hands on (something) be able to find (something)
• on pins and needles anxious, nervous
• in hot water in trouble
• get a grip make oneself calm
• dawn on (someone) (someone) realizes
• it serves (someone) right (someone) gets the punishment he/she deserves
• all along for the whole time

Notes:

ring a bell and draw a blank are opposites.

on pins and needles and on edge have the same meaning.

Level 3 idioms – Unit 09

May 19,2014 Leave a comment English idioms, lower advanced idioms

Conversation:

Ron: Meg, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot about our lunch date yesterday, but I’ll make it up to you, I promise. It’s just that I had a really important meeting yesterday morning, and it went so well, we all went for lunch.

Meg: Tell me what happened, and this had better be good.

Ron: I’ve had this business deal in the works for three months now, but I didn’t want to say anything and jinx it. The long and the short of it is that I’m going into partnership with a Chinese firm that wants to sell it’s anti-virus software in North America.

Meg: Well, it looks like things are looking up for you. Only once in a blue moon does an internet business like yours take off.

Ron: I know. I guess I was in the right place at the right time. The deal is still up in the air, but when the dust settles, I should have enough money to retire if I want to.

Meg: Wow. I’m impressed. Personally, I would never take the plunge and start a business like you did. I’m just not cut out for it.

Ron: I wouldn’t say that. Everyone makes mistakes at first, while they are learning the ropes. It’s the ones who stick with it who eventually succeed. Also, because business people are all in the same boat, it’s a good idea to join a business group and hear how others solve their problems.

Meg: I know it’s extremely hard to start a business without a hitch, but I think you’re right. If I want to be financially independent in the long run, I have to start working for myself.

Vocabulary:

had better: must
deal: agreement:
jinx: to give something bad luck:
partnership: two companies helping each other
firm: company
anti-virus software: computer programs that kill viruses.
take off: become successful
impressed: thought of in a very good way
cut out for it: not have the talent or desire
stick with it: continue doing it
eventually: slowly
financially independent: having enough money to not worry

Idioms:

• make it up to (someone) do something good to balance the bad
• in the works currently being worked on
• the long and the short of it a condensed version
• things are looking up the situation is improving
• in a blue moon in a very long time
• up in the air not yet decided or agreed on
• when the dust settles when things have stopped happening
• take the plunge take action without waiting anymore
• learn the ropes learn how to do a job
• in the same boat in the same situation
• without a hitch without any problems
• in the long run over a long period of time

Notes:

The long and the short of it has the same meaning as in a nutshell.

Learn the ropes is the opposite of show (someone) the ropes. Example: I’ll show her the ropes on her first day. I hope she’s smart enough to learn the ropes in one day.

Without a hitch is often used after the expression come off or go off, both of which mean to happen. Example: We worked really hard to make sure everything would come off without a hitch.

In the long run is the opposite of in the short run.

When the dust settles can also be after the dust settles.

Tag ArchiveEnglish idioms

Conversation:

Vocabulary:

Idioms:

Notes:

Quiz: Idioms level 4 - Unit 08 - True/False exercise

1. If I move on, then I stop doing the same old thing.

2. If she pulls it off, then it falls to the floor.

3. If something is a drag, then it’s really dirty.

4. If you break even, you haven’t lost any money.

5. He’s a good sport if he likes what he’s playing.

6. If you’re running on autopilot, then your actions are automatic.

7. She’s beside herself with jealousy if she has a twin sister.

8. If you come down hard on the child, she may cry.

9. Things that cross your mind make you angry.

10. You’ll laugh if it tickles your fancy.

11. If I call it quits, I don’t want to continue.

12. If he speaks his mind, he’s not lying,

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Quiz: Idioms level 4 - Unit 08 - exercise

1. He told me he’s going to continue to gamble until he ________________.

2. My advice is to do whatever ________________ in your time off.

3. There’s lots of preparation that we need to do, but I think we can ________________.

4. She ________________ when she found out he lied to her.

5. I always want you to be honest and ________________.

6. Sometimes things get hard, and I just want to ________________.

7. I’ve been doing this job for so long that I’m ________________.

8. Win or lose, he’s always ________________.

9. Hasn’t it ever ________________ that your husband works too hard.

10. After his wife died, he ________________ with grief.

11. It’s ________________ to have to work every weekend.

12. Stop calling your ex-boyfriend and just ________________.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Conversation:

Vocabulary:

Idioms:

Notes:

Quiz: Level 4 idioms - Unit 07 - True/False exercise

1. If someone says, “Rest assured,” then you should take a nap.

2. Something in mint condition has seldom been used.

3. If someone says, “…or so,” they are being exact.

4. If someone has had it, they don’t mind continuing.

5. If you got a fair shake, then everyone is happy with the deal.

6. When you give someone your word, you shouldn’t break it.

7. If you need a new window, and it’s on sale, it’s a window of opportunity.

8. If you hear an emergency vehicle when you’re driving, you should always pull over.

9. If something comes to light, it used to be unknown.

10. If you’re of two minds, then you can’t ever make a decision

11. If you have a decision to make, and you sleep on it, then you have time to think about it.

12. If it doesn’t have legs, then it can’t be on it’s last legs.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Conversation:

Vocabulary:

Idioms:

Notes:

Quiz: Level 4 idioms - Unit 06 - True/False exercise

1. If I get a break, then I have to go to the hospital.

2. If I get wind of something, then I know about it.

3. $967 is in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars.

4. Things that are on the q.t. should be talked about.

5. A business may not make any money in the short run.

6. All in all there are about 7.4 billion people in the world.

7. Red tape makes things go faster.

8. If you come into a fortune, then you don’t have to work for a living anymore.

9. A neat but small stack of money is a tidy sum.

10. You need a good watch to know if it’s about time.

11. If I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, then I have a long way to go.

12. It’s dangerous to be under the gun.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Quiz: Level 4 idioms - Unit 06 - exercise

1. I’m _________________ to finish painting this house by the end of this weekend.

2. I don’t want anybody else ________________ our plans, so keep them secret.

3. We will need a building permit, and there’s probably more ________________ if we want to build a garage.

4. Our neighbors ________________ a lot of money last weekend when they won the lottery.

5. You must keep his surprise birthday party ________________ or he’ll find out.

6. ________________ I think there will be over ten thousand people at the game.

1.
If I move on, then I stop doing the same old thing.

2.
If she pulls it off, then it falls to the floor.

3.
If something is a drag, then it’s really dirty.

4.
If you break even, you haven’t lost any money.

5.
He’s a good sport if he likes what he’s playing.

6.
If you’re running on autopilot, then your actions are automatic.

7.
She’s beside herself with jealousy if she has a twin sister.

8.
If you come down hard on the child, she may cry.

9.
Things that cross your mind make you angry.

10.
You’ll laugh if it tickles your fancy.

11.
If I call it quits, I don’t want to continue.

12.
If he speaks his mind, he’s not lying,

1.
He told me he’s going to continue to gamble until he ________________.

2.
My advice is to do whatever ________________ in your time off.

3.
There’s lots of preparation that we need to do, but I think we can ________________.

4.
She ________________ when she found out he lied to her.

5.
I always want you to be honest and ________________.

6.
Sometimes things get hard, and I just want to ________________.

7.
I’ve been doing this job for so long that I’m ________________.

8.
Win or lose, he’s always ________________.

9.
Hasn’t it ever ________________ that your husband works too hard.

10.
After his wife died, he ________________ with grief.

11.
It’s ________________ to have to work every weekend.

12.
Stop calling your ex-boyfriend and just ________________.

1.
If someone says, “Rest assured,” then you should take a nap.

2.
Something in mint condition has seldom been used.

3.
If someone says, “…or so,” they are being exact.

4.
If someone has had it, they don’t mind continuing.

5.
If you got a fair shake, then everyone is happy with the deal.

6.
When you give someone your word, you shouldn’t break it.

7.
If you need a new window, and it’s on sale, it’s a window of opportunity.

8.
If you hear an emergency vehicle when you’re driving, you should always pull over.

9.
If something comes to light, it used to be unknown.

10.
If you’re of two minds, then you can’t ever make a decision

11.
If you have a decision to make, and you sleep on it, then you have time to think about it.

12.
If it doesn’t have legs, then it can’t be on it’s last legs.

1.
If I get a break, then I have to go to the hospital.

2.
If I get wind of something, then I know about it.

3.
$967 is in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars.

4.
Things that are on the q.t. should be talked about.

5.
A business may not make any money in the short run.

6.
All in all there are about 7.4 billion people in the world.

7.
Red tape makes things go faster.

8.
If you come into a fortune, then you don’t have to work for a living anymore.

9.
A neat but small stack of money is a tidy sum.

10.
You need a good watch to know if it’s about time.

11.
If I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, then I have a long way to go.

12.
It’s dangerous to be under the gun.

1.
I’m _________________ to finish painting this house by the end of this weekend.

2.
I don’t want anybody else ________________ our plans, so keep them secret.

3.
We will need a building permit, and there’s probably more ________________ if we want to build a garage.

4.
Our neighbors ________________ a lot of money last weekend when they won the lottery.

5.
You must keep his surprise birthday party ________________ or he’ll find out.

6.
________________ I think there will be over ten thousand people at the game.

7.
My brother finally ________________ when his boss promoted him to store manager.

8.
This flu will ________________ make you very sick, but in a few days you’ll only be tired.

9.
He’s twenty-three years old, and I think ________________ he gets a job.

10.
For most people $100,000 is ________________.

11.
That problem has finally been solved, and I can see ________________.

12.
There are ________________ 1500 homeless people living in this city.

1.
His ex-wife ____________________ and got the house, the car and the boat.

2.
When his roommate ____________________ his illegal activity, he called the police.

3.
I hope you ____________________ and come with us. It’ll be a lot of fun.

4.
Please keep her graduation present ____________________. I don’t want her to find out about it.

5.
Of course I’ll ____________________, but I don’t think it’s possible.

6.
____________________ we have 86 people who want to come.

7.
We’ve got ____________________ $4,000 in our savings account.

8.
I’ve never seen this kitchen so ____________________. You did a really good job.

9.
____________________ you woke up. It’s nearly noon.

10.
____________________ when your brother quits smoking. He’s tried hundreds of times.

11.
They ____________________ last month, so they’re vacationing in Hawaii.

12.
The police ____________________ when a witness called them about the robbery.

13.
There’s not ____________________ if you want to legally change your name.

14.
He bought her a ring because they decided to ____________________ married life.

15.
____________________ I can think of three reasons why that’s a bad idea.

16.
I have to finish this by 5:00, so ____________________.

17.
If you want to quit school, ____________________.

18.
You have to help me, please. I’m ____________________.

19.
He never knew about her secret savings account. She ____________________.

20.
She’ll suffer ____________________, but she’ll thank you later.