Choose the best option to complete each of the following sentences.
1. Some people like to
their neck doing dangerous sports.
Explanation
Correct Answer: risk
The phrase risk your neck means to do something very dangerous that could result in serious injury or death.
The phrase risk your neck means to do something very dangerous that could result in serious injury or death.
2. In
, I wonder if we should have done more.
Explanation
Correct Answer: hindsight
The phrase in hindsight is normally used to indicate the understanding about an event or situation that you only get after it has happened.
The phrase in hindsight is normally used to indicate the understanding about an event or situation that you only get after it has happened.
3. The opposition will be elected into government, without a
of doubt.
Explanation
Correct Answer: shadow
When you say something is true without a shadow of doubt, you are emphasizing that it is absolutely certain.
When you say something is true without a shadow of doubt, you are emphasizing that it is absolutely certain.
4. Meg had a
escape when she was hang-gliding yesterday.
Explanation
Correct Answer: narrow
The phrase a narrow escape describes a situation in which you just manage to avoid danger or a very difficult situation.
The phrase a narrow escape describes a situation in which you just manage to avoid danger or a very difficult situation.
5. The election is
and neck. We’re going to have to wait until the very last votes are tallied.
Explanation
Correct Answer: neck
When two people or things are neck and neck, they are so close or similar that it’s impossible to tell who’s better or winning.
When two people or things are neck and neck, they are so close or similar that it’s impossible to tell who’s better or winning.
6. I know you’re upset but there are plenty more
.
Explanation
Correct Answer: fish in the sea
The idiom plenty more fish in the sea is used to tell someone that there are many other people they could have a relationship with.
The idiom plenty more fish in the sea is used to tell someone that there are many other people they could have a relationship with.
7. She was offered a golden
: a chance to work in the US with all expenses paid.
Explanation
Correct Answer: opportunity
A golden opportunity refers to an ideal or excellent chance to do something that is unlikely to happen again.
A golden opportunity refers to an ideal or excellent chance to do something that is unlikely to happen again.
8. The plan was dead in the
after the first round of feedback.
Explanation
Correct Answer: water
If a project or plan is dead in the water, it means it has failed completely and has no hope of succeeding in the future.
If a project or plan is dead in the water, it means it has failed completely and has no hope of succeeding in the future.
9. If you play your
right, you might be promoted by the end of the year.
Explanation
Correct Answer: cards
To play your cards right means to behave in a very controlled and intelligent way to make sure that you succeed.
To play your cards right means to behave in a very controlled and intelligent way to make sure that you succeed.
10. She jumped at the chance — she knew it was now or
.
Explanation
Correct Answer: never
The expression now or never means that a person must do something immediately because they will not have another opportunity.
The expression now or never means that a person must do something immediately because they will not have another opportunity.
11. They’re trying to get their foot in the
in the Asian market.
Explanation
Correct Answer: door
To get a foot in the door means to enter an organization or a field at a low level with the hope of being more successful later.
To get a foot in the door means to enter an organization or a field at a low level with the hope of being more successful later.
12. You will be putting your life on the
if you take up skydiving.
Explanation
Correct Answer: line
To put your life on the line means to risk being killed or seriously injured while doing something.
To put your life on the line means to risk being killed or seriously injured while doing something.
13. They were walking on thin
by coming late again after the warning.
Explanation
Correct Answer: ice
To walk on thin ice means to be in a risky situation which could lead to serious trouble or failure.
To walk on thin ice means to be in a risky situation which could lead to serious trouble or failure.
14. It was touch and
whether they would survive the storm.
Explanation
Correct Answer: go
If a situation is touch and go, it is very uncertain and there is a high risk that something bad will happen.
If a situation is touch and go, it is very uncertain and there is a high risk that something bad will happen.
15. It was a close
– we nearly missed the train.
Explanation
Correct Answer: call
The idiom a close call is used for a situation in which something bad or dangerous almost happened but was avoided.
The idiom a close call is used for a situation in which something bad or dangerous almost happened but was avoided.