Level 2 idioms – Unit 01
Conversation:
Andrei: Sven, I’ve always looked up to you. Would you give me some advice?
Sven: Sure. How can I help?
Andrei: I’m trying to get up the nerve to ask Victoria out.
Sven: Really? The girl in your math class who looks like a movie star?
Andrei: That’s right. I want to ask her to the dance this Friday, but my shyness gets in the way.
Sven: I know what you mean. It takes a lot of nerve to ask a beautiful girl out. My advice is to start talking to her and play it by ear.
Andrei: But what if she doesn’t warm up to me?
Sven: Don’t worry. On the whole, girls like it when a guy shows courage.
Andrei: Maybe, but I have butterflies in my stomach. I guess I’ll just have to put aside my fear and ask her.
Sven: Good luck. I hope everything works out.
Vocabulary:
• advice: what you tell someone they should do
• shyness: feeling like other people won’t like you
• guy: man, boy
• courage: going through your fear to do something
• fear: feeling of being afraid
Idioms:
• look up to (someone) admire, respect
• get up the nerve find the courage
• ask (someone) out invite (someone) on a date
• look like resemble
• get in the way make it difficult to do something
• take a lot of nerve require a lot of courage
• play it by ear do something without a plan
• warm up to (someone) become friendly with (someone)
• on the whole generally
• have butterflies in one’s stomach be nervous
• put aside save for later
• work out bring to a successful conclusion / solve / exercise
Notes:
Work out has three meanings. The other two are:
(solve) Example: First, we had to work out the problem of transportation.
(exercise) Example: I don’t have time to work out at the gym anymore.
Quiz: Level 2 idioms 01 - True/False exercise
- Question 1 of 12
1.
If it looks like it’s going to rain, then there are dark clouds above.
Yes. Correct!
No. Wrong
- Question 2 of 12
2.
Rather than prepare for your job interview, you should just play it by ear.
Way to go!
Not right
- Question 3 of 12
3.
If everything works out, I’ll get fired.
Right you are!
Not correct
- Question 4 of 12
4.
If you’re afraid to do something necessary, then you have to get up the nerve.
Perfect!
Not right
- Question 5 of 12
5.
If my children get in the way, then the job goes faster.
Nice!
Oh no!
- Question 6 of 12
6.
When a man asks a woman out, he usually pays.
That’s correct!
That’s not right
- Question 7 of 12
7.
On the whole, people like to spend time at home.
Good for you!
Incorrect
- Question 8 of 12
8.
If I look up to someone, then they admire me.
That’s it!
That’s not it
- Question 9 of 12
9.
If we put aside our homework, then we’ll have to do it later.
Well done!
No. Not it
- Question 10 of 12
10.
For most people, it takes a lot of nerve to ask for a raise.
Right!
Wrong
- Question 11 of 12
11.
I know I’m not nervous when I have butterflies in my stomach.
Nicely done!
Sorry. No
- Question 12 of 12
12.
If a puppy warms up to you quickly, then it likes you a lot.
Excellent!
Not good
Your Score:
Your Ranking:
Quiz: Level 2 idioms 01 - exercise
- Question 1 of 14
1.
For most people it _________________________ to give a speech.
You got it!
Not right
- Question 2 of 14
2.
There’s a nice girl in my history class, and I think I’ll _________________.
Well done!
That’s not it
- Question 3 of 14
3.
I heard that your girlfriend left you. I’m sorry that it didn’t ______________.
Correct!
Not right
- Question 4 of 14
4.
At first our new dog was shy, but now he’s starting to ________________ us.
Perfect!
Incorrect
- Question 5 of 14
5.
If he doesn’t _______________________ to ask for a raise, he’ll never get one.
That’s correct!
That’s incorrect
- Question 6 of 14
6.
Although it rains a lot, _________________ the weather in Vancouver is pretty good.
Good for you!
No. Not right
- Question 7 of 14
7.
He _________________ his father’s brother with his dark curly hair and blue eyes.
You’re right!
You’re wrong
- Question 8 of 14
8.
Nigel ________________ three times a week to keep in shape.
Well done!
Not it
- Question 9 of 14
9.
We have no plans for our summer holidays; we’re going to ________________.
Nicely done!
Incorrect
- Question 10 of 14
10.
Before I give a speech, I always _______________________.
Good for you!
Sorry. No
- Question 11 of 14
11.
When Sue starts doing housework, don’t ________________, or it’ll make her angry.
Excellent!
Sorry. No
- Question 12 of 14
12.
Would you help me ______________ this math problem?
You’re right!
That’s wrong
- Question 13 of 14
13.
Please tell him not to start smoking. He’ll listen because he ________________ you.
Nice!
No. Wrong
- Question 14 of 14
14.
I’m much too tired to finish my homework. I think I’ll _________________ till later.
Sweet!
Not right I’m afraid
Your Score:
Your Ranking:
© 2004 Ambien Malecot