Idioms AND Phrasal Verbs

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Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman

OXFORD I

ORD L" 'IYEIl IT; PRE Great Clarendo n £reet , Oxford OX2 6DP Oxford University Pre s is a department of the University of Oxford. It funhers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in ord _ 'e\ York Aucklan d Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi _ -ew Delhi hanghai Taipei Toronto With offic e in Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore uth Ko rea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam OXFORD and OXFORD ENGLISH are registered trade marks of Oxford Unive rsity Press in the UK and in certain other countries t> Oxfo rd University Press 2011 The moral rights of the authors have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) Firs t published 2011 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 o unauthorized photocopying All rig hts reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, rored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any m eans, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press , or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope ofthe above should be sent to the ELT Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You m u st not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and yo u must impose this same condition on any acquirer Any websites referred to in this publication are in the public domain and their addresses are provided by Oxford University Press for information only. Oxford University Press disclaims any responsibility fo r the content ISB : 97 80194620130 Printed in China Thi book is printed on paper from certified and well-managed sources.

ACK OWLEDGEMENTS The authors and publisher are grateful to those who have given permission to reproduce the following extracts and adaptations of copyright material: p. Uni t 16 Exercise 1, p Unit 27 Exercise 1, p Unit 53 Exercise 1, and p .160 Unit 59 Exercise 1 based on an exercise from Oxford Idioms Dictionary for Learners of English 2nd edition, ISBN 9780194317238 G Oxford University Press. Reproduced by permission. Source: pp. 10-11 Oxford Idioms Dictionary for Learners of English 2nd edition, I B. 97801 94317238 Co'er illustration by: Carol Verbyst. 'I Illustrations by: Chris Davidson pp, 153; Colin Elgie pp, 162; Clive Goddard ppAO, 114 , 132 , 148; Andy Hammond p; Sarah Kelly pp, 28 , 33, 144 ; Harry Venning pp, 107

We would also like to thank the followingfor permiSSion to reproduce the following photographs: Alamy pp (woman/Andres Rodriguez), 37 (Dundee Photographics) , 47 (Ted Horowitz), 49 (Ale x Segre) , 50 (sandy young), 58 (Edd Westmacott), 60 (Kablonk! RF/Golden Pixels LLC), 136 (male witness in court/Ilene MacDonald), 136 (radio/Gary Roebuck), 138 (woman and carer/Clarissa Leahy/Cultura); Getty Images pp (PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections), 18 (man with pipe/Matthias Clamer/Riser), 18 (woman with straight hair/Peter Augustin/Stone+), 18 (woman with curly hair/Bob Thomas/ Photographer 's Choice) , 18 (man with hat/Margo Silver/Taxil. 19 (Echo/ Cultural. 20 (David Fischer/photodisc) , 24 (Comstock Images), 25 (Thomas Northcut/photodisc), 26 (rollercoaster/Robin Smith/Stone) , 30 (Mark Lewis/The Image Bank) , 35 (Richard Ross/PhotodlSC) , 36 (Stockbyte), 38 (Zero Creatives/Cultura), 44 (PhotoAlto/Alix Minde/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections), 51 (Fuse), 56 (family meal/Gallo Images-Hayley Baxter/ Photodisc) , 62 (Jamie Grill/Iconica) , 67 (Jamie McDonald -The FA), 68 (Jacobs Stock Photography/Digital Vision) , 74 (DreamPictures/The Image Bank), 78 (Scott Barbour), 80 (Yellow Dog Productions/The Image Bank), 82 (Richard Osbourne/Photographer's Choice) , 85 (Blend Images/ Colin Anderson), 93 (David OliverfTaxi), 96 (Comstock Images) , 109 (Hill Creek Pictures{UpperCut Images), 110 (Photodisc), 111 (couple/Digital VisionPhotodisc), 111 (man/Alexander Nicholson/Stone), 119 (Kate Powers/ Taxi), 121 (Mark Lewis/Photographer's Choice) , 134 (Image Source), 138 (Bank of England./Jeremy Walker/Stone), 149 (minersfIYler Stableford/ Stone), 149 (climbers/Jimmy Chin/Aurora), 150 (Rachel Watson/Riser), 151 ('For Sale'/Cocoon/photodisc), 151 (womanfDavid Laurens/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections); iStockphoto pp (Ayron/shino -b), 21 (Carmen/moneca), 56 (cheficons/Tzu-Lan Hsieh), 65 (Lise Gagne); Photolibrary pp (White), 99 (image100), 101 (Norbert Michalke/ imagebroker), 117 (Pixtal Images), 140 (Corbis); Rex Features pp, 66 (Glyn Thomas), 79, 87, 136 (policewoman); Royalty-free pp (Kim/ David Buffington/Blend Images), 21 (Princess/Radius Images), 125 (David Chasey/Photodisc) Artwork sourced by: Suzanne Williams/Pictureresearch .uk The authors and publishers would like to thank the teachers and students from Argentina, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Norway, Serbia, and Poland who helped with the development of this book. They would also like to thank: Rachel Godfrey , Carol Tabor, and Michael Terry for their valuable comments on early drafts of the text; and Suzanne Williams for the picture research.

Communication

Introduction

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Idioms and Phrasal Verbs forms part of the Oxford Word Skills vocabulary series. It is a series of two books for students to learn. practise. and revise everyday English idioms and phrasal verbs.

There are over 1 new idioms and phrasal verbs in each. and all of the material can be used in the classroom or for self-study.

How are the books organized? Each book contains 60 units of vocabulary presentation and practice. Units are one to three pages long. depending on the topic. New vocabulary is presented in manageable quantities for learners. with practice exercises following immediately. usually on the same page. The units are grouped together thematically in modules of four to nine units. At the end of each module there are further practice exercises in the review units. so that learners can revise and test themselves on the vocabulary learned.

What are idioms and phrasal verbs?

Why teach them together?

Idioms are usually defined as groups of words whose meaning is different from the individual words. So, under the weather has nothing to do with the literal meaning of 'the weather'; it means 'feeling ill'. If you sweep something under the carpet, you try to keep something secret; and if you put someone in the picture. you give them the information they need to understand a situation. As these examples illustrate. in some idioms the meaning can be almost impossible to guess out of context. while others are more transparent.

Phrasal verbs consist of two and occasionally three words: a base verb and at least one particle (preposition or adverb). Many phrasal verbs are idiomatic: in other words, the meaning of the verb and particle is different from the base verb on its own. For example, the meanings of give up and give in are quite different from the meaning of give. As with idioms. some phrasal verbs are more transparent then others, e. stand up and the most

At the back of each book you will find: - an answer key for all the exercises - an answer key for the review units - a list of the spotlight boxes - a list of all the idioms and phrasal verbs taught, with a unit reference to where each item appears - a separate list of key words with unit references - a page featuring the histories behind some of the idioms in the book look on the website oup/elt/wordskills for more).

common meaning of stand are very similar in meaning, as are sit down and sit. In other words. phrasal verbs can be seen as a type of idiom. although they are often singled out for specific attention in language-teaching materials. Putting idioms and phrasal verbs together has a linguistic rationale, but perhaps an even greater pedagogic one. A relatively short passage of text

Introduction 5

How can students study alone?

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used:

students could then write their answers (or their partner's answers) as follow-up. To extend page 162, which gives the histories

behind a number of idioms in this book, go to the website oup/elt/wordskills to find a regular feature. You and your students should find this interesting.

You can usually test yourself on the new Look at the idioms and phrasal verbs in the glossaries and tables, and cover the meanings. See if you can remember the meanings. You can do this when you have finished the exercises, or several days later as a way of revising the idioms and phrasal verbs.

You can use the further practice exercises in the review sections which follow each module. Either do them immediately after a unit, or do them a few days later as a form of revision.

We think it is probably better for you to do one unit at a time on a regular basis, e. two or three times a week, rather than study irregularly but try , to do a lot of units at the same time.

If you haven't got a good dictionary in English, we recommend The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. You may also be interested in two specialist dictionaries: Oxford Idioms Dictionary for learners of English and Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary for learners of English.

Go to the website - oup/elt/wordskills to find a regular feature on the origins of a number of idioms in the book.

N noun sth something v ADJ ADV PL opp SYN INF FML

verb adjective adverb plural opposite synonym informal formal

sb somebody etc. You use 'etc.' at the end of a list to show there are other things, but you aren't going to say them all. i. that is e. for example

Introduction 7

1 I can understand idioms

Idioms are fixed or semi -fixed phrases, and many of them are difficult to understand.

The situation is improving, but we're not out of not out of the woods INF not yet free from the woods yet. difficulties or problems. I'll probably take a back seat and let Marco do take a back seat deliberately become less actively most of the work. involved in sth, and stop trying to control things. My heart sank when I saw the hotel room my heart sank used to tell sb that you suddenly felt they'd given us. sad or worried about sth.

Idioms are particularly common in spoken English. Some are easier to understand, but you will need to learn many of them as fixed phrases. 'Its an expensive restaurant. Having said that, the food is very good: ' ... and then the next thing I knew , the cat had jumped out of the window .. .' 'Pete and Sue have split up. Mmm. I thought as much :

Glossary having said that the next thing I knew I thought as much

used to say that sth is true despite what you have just said. used to say that sth happened very quickly and unexpectedly. used to say you are not surprised that sth is true.

The glossaries and tables in this book will also show you that some idioms have a choice of words or a particular style. (See Units 49-54 for more on style.)

Idiom Meaning Special feature Will they lose? - More than likely. very likely. a choice of words with different meanings: She can't do the gardening. -I'd more than likely/happy/ready, etc. be more than happy to help her. very happy. I'd be hard pressed to name all find it very difficult a choice of synonyms: the countries in Europe. to do sth. be hard pressed /pushed/put to do sth. I think Ann got out of bed on the used to say that sb the style is HUMOROUS. wrong side this morning. is in a bad mood.

Most of all, you need to be aware that idioms come in all shapes and sizes (= are of many different types), and they are not always obvious. When you read a text, look for possible idioms and check in a good dictionary to see if you are right.

I asked Sue about her essay and she just ignored me. 1 Yes, I think its a bit of a sore point because she got a very low mark for it. Oh dear. I put my foot in it, then. No, it serves her right. She didn't do a stroke of work , so don't take it personally. She'll just have to work harder next time.

Glossary

a sore point put your foot in it it serves sb right (for doing sth ) not do a stroke of work take it/sth personally

sth that makes you upset, angry, or embarrassed when sb mentions it. INF accidentally say sth that embarrasses, upsets, or annoys sb. used to say that you think sb deserves sth unpleasant that happens to them. INF not do any work at all. feel that a failure is your fault, or feel offended by sth/ sb.

8 Introduction to Idioms and phrasal verbs

2 Idiom and metaphor

Many idioms begin as phrases with a literal meaning, which then develop a figurative/metaphorical meaning. For example, somebody can be in the driving seat (of a vehicle), which means they are literally in control of the vehicle. When we use the phrase metaphorically, we mean the person is in control of a situation. Other examples are:

They've decided to wait for Literal meaning: 'wait to be able to see more clearli the dust to settle. Metaphorical meaning: 'wait for an unsettled situation to become calm: I'm sure we're on the right Literal meaning: 'on the right road, path, or track: track. Metaphorical meaning: 'acting in a way that will bring a desired result: opp on the wrong track.

Metaphors from particular areas of activity can sometimes describe particular thoughts, ideas, etc. For example, boxing expressions often describe people in difficult situations:

The minister is on the ropes now. The boss found himself in a tight corner. INF = having serious problems and likely to fail. INF = in a difficult situation. SYN in a tight spot INF.

Idioms derived from card games are sometimes connected to keeping plans and ideas hidden.

She plays her cards close to her chest. = keeps her plans or ideas secret.

I think he's got something up his sleeve. = has a plan or idea he will keep secret until needed. With some idioms, the literal meaning has lost over time, and we only use the metaphorical meaning. For example, in the past a blacksmith was a person who made things out of iron. He had to strike (= hit) the iron while it was still hot in order to bend it into the shape he wanted. From this we get the idiom strike while the iron is hot = make use of an opportunity immediately because now is the best time to do it. The idiom have a chip on your shoulder (= be sensitive about or feel offended by sth, as a result of sth that happened in your past) comes from a 19 th-century American custom. If a boy wanted to fight, he would put a piece of wood on his shoulder; he fought against the first person who knocked the piece of wood off. You can find the histories behind some of the idioms in this book on page 162 _ (look on the website oup/elt/wordskills for more).

10 Introduction to Idioms and phrasal verbs

1 Complete the sentences. 1 It'll take a while to finalize the plans, but I think we're on the right now. 2 Katrina hasn't told us everything. I think she's still got something up her 3 That boy has a on his shoulder about his height. I don't know why it bothers him. 4 I think we should wait for the to settle before we decide what to do. S After the recent criticism, I think she's in quite a tight 6 I don't understand why he always plays his cards so close to his

2 Rephrase these situations using a suitable idiom. She's got a secret plan. sVle's got l.-