VI. Make the following story more idiomatic using the idioms studied

I was really obliged to laugh, and Gilbert laughed too. His laughter was frank and boyish. It looked as though he were amused at everything Jane said. But Mrs.Tower was almost at the end of her tether, and I was afraid that unless relief came she would for once forget that she was a woman of the world. I came to the rescue as best I could.

“I suppose you’re very busy buying your trousseau,” I said.

“No. I wanted to get my things from the dress-maker in Liverpool I’ve been to ever since I was first married. But Gilbert won’t let me. He’s very masterfool, and of course he has wonderfool taste.”

She looked at him with a little affectionate smile, demurely, as though she were a girl of seventeen.

Mrs.Tower went quite pale under her make-up.

“We’re going to Italy for our honeymoon. Gilbert has never had a chance of studying Renaissance architecture, and of course it’s important for an architect to see things for himself. And we shall stop in Paris on the way and get my clothes there.”

(W.S. Maugham)

VII. Complete the following sentences using the idioms studied

1. It was raining heavily yesterday and as I’d left my umbrella at home I decided-----on Anne.

2. Why you-----? You must have won in a lottery or something like that.

3. Don’t ever try-----. I’m not a person to put up with it.

4. Doesn’t it seem to you that she is constantly-----?

5. I’ve been ironing since the very morning. Now-----.

6. I don’t want to see him any more! His sharp words yesterday at the party were-----.

7. It doesn’t-----. I can’t understand what you are driving at.

8. It would be better for us both not to remember our last quarrel-----.

9. It seems to me he was drunk yesterday. He-----quite unexpectedly and without any reason.

10. Boys, what-----? You’ve been whispering in the corner for half an hour already.

LESSON 10

to show off – to try to impress people by making a display of one’s learning, abilities etc.

Yates hid a grin. The big man was showing off. (S. Heym)

2. It evidently was child’s play for them, and welcome opportunity to show off. (J. Wescott)

to make a clean breast of – to confess

1. At last – moved curiously enough by exactly the same motive forces that has resulted in his dishonesty he went to Professor Bindon, and made a clean breast of the whole affair…and he stood before the desk as he made his confession. (H. Wells)

2. The chief constable said:”You’d better make a clean breast of it, Mrs.Lee, and leave us to judge.” (A. Christie)

3. …If the worst came to the worst I should make a clean breast of it to Dorothy: I’m not sure if the best plan wouldn’t be to make a clean breast of it anyhow. (W.S. Maugham)

4. I’ve been trying to decide to make a clean breast of things or not. I’d already practically decided to tell you everything…(A. Christie)

5. Why don’t you go down and explain our position – make a clean breast of it to Dr.Tanner? Say that, if he gives us time, we’ll pay him everything. (A. Cronin)

to be in for – to be involved, as to be in for trouble (i.e. likely to get into trouble); to be in for it (i.e. something unpleasant)

1. …she told him to walk quickly so they wouldn’t be recognized by any of her neighbours. He knew then what he was in for…,yet hoping with the same inward breath that his premonition would turn out well. (A. Sillitoe)

2. A disposition to be on the side of the hunted against the hunter sometimes brings unpleasant consequences. Oh, well, thought Victoria, I’m in for it now, anyway! (A. Christie)

3. “But, don’t you worry, Rythym, you and I are going to get along like blazes.” “Yes, indeed! Stay as you are now, that’s all. I see that I’m in for it. I’ll do anything you like.” (J. Collier)

to take one’s word for it – to believe what a person says

1. “I shall love you for ever…” “I didn’t get that in black and white, but I’ll take your word for it.” (D. Cusack)

2. I have to take her word for that, mind you. (J. Wain)

3. “Jerry, it’s crazy what has the kid got to do with – “Herbie, take my word for it and get him out of town on the morning plane.” (H. Wouk)

to come to think of it – to begin to think of something (when one stops and recalls something)

1. Heard you mention it once or twice, now I come to think of it. (B. Shaw)

Now I come to think of it, you probably staged that show last night on purpose, just to get out of cleaning up today. (D. Cusack)

3. When you come to think of it, it’s a very good plan for a murder, and meets the permanent problem of the disposal of the body. (G. Chesterton)

to be (get) in a mess (fix) – to be (get) into trouble

1. Roger was always a queer chap about money. She got in a mess and didn’t dare tell him, poor kid. (A. Christie)

Not to mince matters,” he said gloomily, “I’m in the devil of a mess.” (A. Christie)

3. …wondering how it was that no one could see the blood running down his face he turned and saw Doreen. “Hey up, duck,” he said with a smile. “My God,” she said, “what’s the matter with you, Arthur? You look in a mess.” (A. Sillitoe)

4. Look, I must get home. I’m in an awful fix. (I. Murdoch)

to fix up – to settle; to make arrangements; to repair

1. I didn’t say anything to Steve. I just sneaked. But I fixed it up all right. I wrote Steve a note and enclosed a package of “rough-on-rats” telling him what to do with it. (J. London)

Do you really want to meet the Aryan Brother, Miss Arrested? That can be easily fixed up. (E. Forster)

3. They went in an old rattie-trap of a car Chilla was fixing up for one of his friends. (D. Cusack)

4. We’ll have to fix something up. (K. Amis)

to be on friendly (easy, best of) terms – to feel friendly towards somebody

1. This was a Magda with whom you could be on friendly terms, who made no demands on you. (D. Cusack)