VIII. Insert the correct preposition.

1. I don't think we understand each other well. We must be talking ..... cross-purposes. Let's start again.

2. All the money from our sponsors and the effort of our specialists at breeding the snow tigers in the zoo went ….. the drain. Not a single cub was born.

3. The loans were granted by the bank ….. the eleventh hour. We were just about to close the business down.

4. When all his companions were killed by the enemy snipers, the sergeant was left ….. his own devices in the middle of the battlefield.

5. ….. the aftermath of the volcano eruption, all the neighbouring villages had to be evacuated.

6. Ever since he criticized his boss, Chris has been ….. a cloud. He should have watched his words.

7. They say that when you turn fifty, you're ….. the hill.

8. The family lost all their possessions in the fire. And when it turned out they hadn't been insured against it, they had to start everything ….. scratch.

9. 'Which of you has broken the window? Are you ….. fault again, Leo?' 'No. I didn't do it, mom.'

10. Let's have lunch at the Amigo restaurant. It's ….. far the best Italian restaurant in the city.

11. All the fingerprints that were found at the murder site belong to the captured criminal ….. the exception of just one, which probably points to the fact that he had an accomplice.

12. Alice has just told me that she's ….. the family way. Her baby is due in September.

13. We didn't ask Mr Gilford to tell us about his experiences in prison. He did it ….. his own accord.

14. You'll be ….. deep water if the tax office find out you've been cooking the books.

15. Your smoking so much is ….. the detriment of your health. Aren't you aware of that, young man?

16. It's not me who revealed your secret. I wouldn't do it ….. all the world. I'm your best friend, aren't I?

17. Jason's father is a millionaire, so he doesn't have to worry about money. He and his two sisters are ….. easy street.

18. I was thinking of buying the old house and renovating it, but ….. second thoughts I decided to look for something more modern.

19. Eric's been ….. disfavour with his teachers ever since he started playing truant.

20. I can see you're ….. a loose end, Terry. So, perhaps you could help me with chopping the wood instead of lazing about like that?

21. The police arrived ….. the nick of time when the burglars were just about to leave the villa.

22. I was ….. a cold sweat when the results of the examination were being announced.

23. Rita's been ….. the moon because her boyfriend has finally proposed to her.

24. Must the two of you always be ….. loggerheads with each other? Can't you reach a compromise at least once?

25. I've decided to put a share of my salary aside every month ….. a view to buying a new car next year.

26. It was a good decision ….. the part of one of the customs officers to search the van for smuggled goods.

27. We all thought we had equal chances of getting a bonus, but ….. point of fact only the upper management were promoted.

28. I was ….. a loss for words when Janice told me she loved another boy.

10. We're ….. a tight corner. We've got lost and we don't have a map.

11. The coach and the supporters expected much more of the players. Their performance at the last game wasn't ….. to scratch, for sure.

31. 'What is this device ….. aid of?' 'It's for peeling fruit and vegetables.'

32. Tom had too much alcohol last night. No wonder he's ….. of sorts today.

33. ….. no account are the younger scouts allowed to leave the camp at night.

34. Miss Elms is a devoted teacher. She gives all her time to her students ….. stint.

35. Various forms of marine life are ….. abundance on the Great Barrier Reef.

36. Shoplifters caught red-handed will be punished ….. the spot.

37. My car is ….. hand. Just tell me when you need it.

38. I've done everything you’ve asked me to ..... accordance with your orders, sir.

39. He's ….. the spout. He's lost his position, money and influences. He's finished.

40. I'd like to go to the mountains whereas my wife and children would prefer to spend the holiday at the seaside. I'm ….. sixes and sevens.

41. I could see the incident quite well. I was ….. close quarters when it occurred.

42. Ronald has lost all the money he was supposed to deliver to the bank. He'll be ….. the creek when his boss finds out about it.

43. The future of our scientific project will be ….. jeopardy unless we find some sponsors immediately.

44. Robbie's been ….. the rack ever since his wife left him. He's in a very bad state.

45. We're ….. arrears with our bills. We'll pay them when we get the money.

46. We didn't arrange to meet in the park. We met ….. chance.

47. I haven't heard from Ursula recently. In fact, we haven't been ….. touch since her last birthday.

48. The researchers had no specific requirements from volunteers. They chose people ….. random.

49. Paul says he hit me by accident, but I'm sure he did it ….. purpose.

50. ….. my part, the idea sounds good. I don't know what the others think.

51. The Burkes put a considerable share of their salaries aside. They say it's ….. the sake of their children's future.

52. There were wonderful leather jackets ….. display in the store.

53. The investigation has showed that the director is ….. no means guilty of the fraud. He had nothing to do with it.

54. Mr Hopkins is a bit of a bore but ….. and large he is a decent man.

55. This place looks deserted. There's nobody ….. sight who we could ask for the way.

56. You can visit us ….. all hours. You are always welcome in our house.

57. We will take the vacuum cleaner ….. approval. The shopkeeper says we can return it if it doesn't match our expectations.

58. Must we always listen to jazz? Can't we put on pop music ….. a change?

59. Aunt Celine is very generous ….. nature. She loves giving small presents to everyone who comes for a visit.

60. ….. view of your clean record, you will not be fined this time. But next time you break safety regulations, you won't get away with it.

61. Because we had very little time to spare, we had to think about possible solutions to the problem ….. short notice.

62. The students say they're looking for a cheap flat ….. hire.

63. It's been decided that another military conflict in the Balkans must be prevented ….. all costs.

64. Although he lives in Spain, Adriano is an Italian ….. birth.

65. ….. times, we invite our neighbours for a barbecue, but mainly we spend our free time alone.

66. The Royal guards cannot speak to passers-by while they are ….. duty.

67. Several decades ago, these strange machines were ….. use in almost every household. Now, they can only be seen in museums.

68. ….. average, we spend one thousand on monthly bills. Sometimes less, sometimes more.

69. Before going abroad, we put all our savings and valuables in the bank just ….. safe keeping.

70. ….. recognition of his scientific achievements, the professor has been awarded the Nobel prize.