Homework exercise

Write Substitution drills for three idioms in this lesson. Make four substitutions for each idiom.

Drill 24

Dialogue

A:I'd hate to be in Jack's shoes. He lost his job.

B:What happened?

A:As you know, Jack's an accountant. Last month he made an error in his books. The company lost a lot of money.

B:That's a shame. Well, I'm sure of one thing: he wasn't trying to get away with anything.

A:Of course not. Jack's very honest. He bent over backwards to correct his mistake. But it was too late. To make things worse, his wife came down with the flu.

B:Poor Jack! How's he going to make ends meet?

A: I don't know. If you hear of a job, let him know. He's ready to try his hand at anything.

Definitions

be in someone's shoes — be in another person's position

I wish I were in John's shoes. Pie just won a free trip to Europe.

get away with something — do something one shouldn't and not be caught at it

Dave may have been successful in fooling the boss this time, but he can't get away with it every time.

bend over backwards — try very hard make a real effort

I bent over backwards to help Bertha find a job, but she didn't appreciate it. come down with — become ill with

I don't feel very well I think I'm coming down with the flu. make ends meet — be able to live with the money one has

The Smiths have seven children, and although Joe doesn't have a big salary, they seem to make ends meet.

try one's hand at something — see if one is able to do something that requires some skill, ability I've never driven a tractor before, but I'm willing to try my hand at it.

Substitution drill

Repeat the following sentences, using the substitutions listed.

1.I'd hate to be in Jack's shoes. Mary's

Mr. Black's Frank's Jane's Pat's Bob's

2.He wasn't trying to get away with anything. They weren't trying

I don't believe they wanted No one thinks they expected We doubt they tried