Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets:

1. “Please stop that (mischief) and do some serious work.”

(a) dog and pony show (b) monkey business (c) piggyback (d) road hog

2. The little boy kept asking many questions until his mother finally said that (asking too many questions will get him into trouble).

(a) the cat had got his tongue (b) you can’t teach an old dog new tricks (c) curiosity killed the cat (d) there is more than one way to skin a cat

3. “Please (be patient and wait) while I make a phone call.”

(a) call the dogs off (b) have a whale of a time (c) flog a dead horse (d) hold your horses

4. The computer software patent is (a good source of money) for our company.

(a) a cash cow (b) as strong as an ox (c) a horse of a different color (d) a dark horse

5. The little boys thought that their friend was (easily frightened) because he would not play with the dog.

(a) as awkward as a cow on roller skates (b) a kangaroo court (c) as quiet as a mouse (d) a scaredy-cat

6. The supervisor has a reputation for (watching and controlling) the workers.

(a) living high off the hog on (b) riding herd on (c) horsing around with (d) going ape with

7. When the police arrived the two men looked frightened and suddenly (ran away).

(a) hit the bull`s eye (b) let the cat out of the bag (c) turned tail (d) cried wolf

8. I heard about the plans for the new magazine article (directly from the person responsible).

(a) off his high horse (b) straight from the horse`s mouth (c) in two shakes of a lamb’s tail (d) in a pig`s eye

9. The car engine stopping while driving on the freeway was the (thing that finally made me decide to do something) so I sold the car.

(a) straw that broke the camel`s back (b) black sheep of the family (c) cat on a hot tin roof (d) wolf in sheep`s clothing

10. He really (misjudged his chance of success) when he found an unreliable partner for his business.

(a) led a dog`s life (b) bet on the wrong horse (c) cast pearl`s before swine (d) made a mountain out of a molehole

11. He is the (most important person) in his company.

(a) holy cow (b) dog in the manger (c) alley cat (d) top dog

12. I had not seen my cousin for a long time so when we finally met we talked (for a long time).

(a) in the dog house (b) as busy as a beaver (c) until the cows came home (d) like lambs to the slaughter

13. “Do not be afraid of your new neighbour. Her (words are worse than her actions).”

(a) tail is wagging the dog (b) tail is between her legs (c) looks are like something the cat dragged in (d) bark is worse than her bite

14. My grandfather moved to the country to get away from the (business and confusion) in the city.

(a) white elephant (b) horse trading (c) rat race (d) horse sense

15. The young boy (pretended to be asleep) when his friend came into the room.

(a) went to the dogs (b) put on the dog (c) served as a guinea pig (d) played possum

16. The man who owns the store is (very dishonest).

(a) as crooked as a dog’s hind leg (b) as clean as a hound’s tooth (c) as stubborn as a mule (d) bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

17. We had (an exciting and interesting time) at the conference.

(a) a cock-and-bull story (b) a whale of a time (c) the best-laid plans of mice and men (d) a bull in a china shop

18. My supervisor is always angry so I do not like to (get into an argument with) her.

(a) lock horns with (b) monkey around with (c) go hog-wild with (d) make a monkey out of

19. I knew that our company was (supporting someone who could not win) but still we continued to support our candidate in the election.

(a) killing the fatted calf (b) making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear (c) backing the wrong horse (d) separating the sheep from the goats

Answers: 1 b), 2 c), 3 d), 4 a), 5 d), 6 b), 7 c), 8 b), 9 a), 10 b), 11 d), 12 c), 13 d), 14 c), 15 d), 16 a), 17 b), 18 a), 19 c)

Free English Lesson courtesy of http://www.internetenglishlearnonline.com

Learn and Speak English Online with IELO – Internet English Learn Online – Speaking Lessons, General English Classes, Exam Preparation Courses, English for Special Purposes, Jobseekers English, Document Editing and Custom English Courses designed just for you!