Speak Business English Like an American » Review for Lessons 16-20

Practice The Idioms

Fill in the blank with the missing word:

  1. After he was fired, Roger was going to send a nasty e-mail to his boss. But then he changed his mind and decided not to _____ his bridges.
    • a) break
    • b) burn
    • c) destroy
  2. Courtney's department is very efficient. She really runs a tight _____.
    • a) ship
    • b) boat
    • c) raft
  3. After spending several weeks out of the office, Phil felt _____ the loop.
    • a) part of
    • b) in
    • c) out of
  4. Jeremy brought his boss Betsy flowers on Boss's Day. He's always trying to _____ her up.
    • a) please
    • b) oil
    • c) butter
  5. If you bought a house closer to your office, you could _____ a bundle on gas.
    • a) spare
    • b) save
    • c) make
  6. Ever since Sam was passed up for a promotion last fall, he's had a chip on his _____ .
    • a) arm
    • b) shoulder
    • c) elbow
  7. We need to think of some creative ways to increase our sales. Let's get together and bat _____ some ideas.
    • a) around
    • b) about
    • c) off
  8. You didn't reply to my urgent e-mail because your computer wasn't working? Spare me the _____ story!
    • a) tragic
    • b) sad
    • c) sob
  9. According to the rumor _____, Wayne has been having an affair with his administrative assistant for the past twenty years.
    • a) mill
    • b) bin
    • c) machine
  10. Zachary showed up late for work again, and then claimed he had a dentist appointment. He's up to his _____ tricks.
    • a) new
    • b) old
    • c) favorite
  11. I know you're not enjoying your international assignment, but you'll be leaving in a few months. For now, you'll just have to _____ and bear it.
    • a) grin
    • b) smile
    • c) laugh
  12. Roy is in charge of sales at our company, and our sales are down by 75 percent versus last year. His days are _____.
    • a) limited
    • b) lettered
    • c) numbered
  13. If you want to get _____ at this company, you're going to have to kiss up to your boss and put in long hours like everybody else.
    • a) up
    • b) forward
    • c) ahead
  14. You can try to talk me into going to the conference until you're _____ in the face. I've already decided I'm not going.
    • a) green
    • b) blue
    • c) red
  15. When Shane was told he would have to move into a much smaller office, he got really _____ out of shape.
    • a) twisted
    • b) bent
    • c) stretched
Answer Key
Practice The Idioms
  1. c
  2. b
  3. b
  4. a
  5. b
  6. a
  7. c
  8. b
  9. b
  10. c
  11. a
  12. c
  13. b
  14. a
  15. b
Answer Key
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