Practical assignments

Ex.1 Match phraseologisms with the definitions:

To blow hot and cold	if something, especially an amount of money, is not to be sneezed at, it is large enough to be worth having
To leave one in the lurch	to reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward
not to be sneezed/sniffed at	to favor a thing at one time and treat it coldly at another; or to appear both to favor and to oppose.
to play possum	In the game of cribbage, to leave one's adversary so far behind that the game is won before he has scored thirty-one. To leave one behind; hence, to abandon, or fail to stand by, a person in a difficulty
to bill and coo	To offer stubborn resistance
to dig in one's heels	to throw it away heedlessly or squander it foolishly and unprofitably.
to back water	to interchange caresses; - said of doves; also of demonstrative lovers
to play at ducks and drakes	to feign ignorance, indifference or inattention, with the intent to deceive; to dissemble; - in allusion to the habit of the opossum, which feigns death when attacked or alarmed

Keys:

– c	5) – g
– d	– e
– a	– b
– h	– f

Ex.2 Choose the right translation.

to ring the bell	досягти успіху
not to give a hoot to smth.	бути незворушним
to be as cool as a cucumber	клеїти дурня
to be mad as a hatter	бути байдужим
to lose heart	бути божевільним
to act the goat	смутно нагадувати
to hit the big time	сумувати, впадати у відчай

Keys:

1. f)

2. d)

3. b)

4. e)

5. g)

6. c)

7. a)

Ex.3 Insert these phraseologisms into the sentences below:

to go off the boil	to eat a humble pie	good-for-nothing
to move heaven and earth	to happen when pigs fly	to swing the lead
with flying colors	at the drop of a hat	on the dot

1. Discontent had rarely______________.

2. He will pay his debt _____________________.

3. At nine o’clock _____________ they have breakfast.

4. Her father was a rich, charming, but __________ man.

5. She passed the entrance exams ___________________.

6. The police came __________________ two minutes after our call.

7. He ________________ to see his daughter entering the university.

8. We hope they ___________.

9. We want to stop anyone _______________.

Keys:

1. been of the boil

2. when pigs fly

3. on the dot

4. good-for-nothing

5. with flying colors

6. at the drop of a hat

7. moved heaven and earth

8. will eat a humble pie

9. swinging the lead.