Idioms and Colloquialisms - 5 in 1 Exercises With Answers

Idioms and colloquialisms (spoken expressions) are a common feature of the TOEFL Listening Comprehension. There are a lot of them, and each one has to be learnt individually. Often, but not always, it is possible to identify the meaning of an idiom or a colloquialism from the context in which it is being used.

The idioms and colloquialisms exercises in this article focus on some of the most commonly-used expressions.

Exercise 1 – Complete these dialogs with an appropriate expression from the box.

A little bird told me. * Be my guest. * Fire away, I’m all ears. * I’d be glad to * I’m having second thoughts. * I’m keeping my fingers crossed. * My lips are sealed. * Now you’re talking! * Rather you than me. * That’ll be the day! * That’ll teach you! * Who let the cat out of the bag?

1. A. Would you mind looking after my bag while I go to the rest room?
B. __________________________________________________

2. A. Do you mind if I sit here?
B. __________________________________________________

3. A. How do you know the test has been canceled?
B. __________________________________________________

4. A. I’d be really grateful if you didn’t tell anyone about it.
B. __________________________________________________

5. A. Do you think you’ll pass the exam?
B. __________________________________________________

6. A. I’ve signed up for extra sociology classes with Professor Dullman.
B. __________________________________________________

7. A. I’ve got some really interesting news.
B. __________________________________________________

8. A. You don’t want to work tonight? OK, let’s go to the theater instead.
B. __________________________________________________

9. A. I thought you were going to apply for a place on the Theory of Knowledge course.
B. __________________________________________________

10. A. I promise to work harder from now on.
B. __________________________________________________

11. A. I hear that you’re going to throw a surprise party for my birthday.
B. __________________________________________________

12. A. I’ve just eaten six hot dogs, and now I’ve got a terrible stomach ache.
B. __________________________________________________

Correct Answers:

I’d be glad to (this is a polite way of agreeing to do something).
Be my guest (this is a polite way of giving somebody permission to do something).
A little bird told me (we say this when we don’t want to say who said something to us).
My lips are sealed (we say this when we promise to keep a secret, or when we refuse to tell someone a secret).
I’m keeping my fingers crossed (we say this when we are hoping that something will happen).
Rather you than me (this means that we are glad we are not doing something that somebody else is).
Fire away, I’m all ears (this means that we are ready to listen to something).
Now you’re talking (we say this when somebody suggests something that is more
acceptable or enjoyable than something else they have already suggested).
I’m having second thoughts (this means that we will probably change our mind about something we have already agreed to).
That’ll be the day (this means that we don’t believe something will happen. We can also say “And pigs might fly!” or “I’ll believe it when I see it”)
Who let the cat out of the bag? (we say this when we want to know who revealed something that was supposed to be a secret, a surprise, etc.)
That’ll teach you! (this means that the person who is complaining has only themselves to blame)

Exercise 2 – Complete these dialogs with an appropriate expression from the box.

Congratulations. * Couldn’t be better. * Hold on. * I’d love to. * I’d rather you didn’t. * Oh, that’s too bad. * Oh, this is on me. * Sure, touch wood. * Thanks. Make yourself at home. * The name doesn’t ring any bells. * You’re welcome. * Yes. Take care and keep in touch.

1. A. I can’t afford to go to the concert tonight.
B. __________________________________________________

2. A. I’ve managed to get a place on the Advanced Studies program.
B. __________________________________________________

3. A. Would you like to come to Gino’s tonight?
B. __________________________________________________

4. A. Thank you very much for all your help.
B. __________________________________________________

5. A. Oh wow! What a great room. It’s wonderful.
B. __________________________________________________

6. A. We’d better leave now – our train leaves in half an hour.
B. __________________________________________________

7. A. It’s been nice seeing you again. Let’s get together again soon.
B. __________________________________________________

8. A. Hi, Tom. How are you?
B. __________________________________________________

9. A. Do you mind if I smoke in here?
B. __________________________________________________

10. A. I didn’t do too well in the end of semester exams.
B. __________________________________________________

11. A. Have you ever heard of the Darwin Awards?
B. __________________________________________________

12. A. Do you think you’ll do well in tomorrow’s test?
B. __________________________________________________

Correct Answers:

Oh, this is on me (we say this when we are offering to pay for something).
Congratulations (this is another way of saying “Well done”).
I’d love to (we say this when we are accepting an offer to do something)
You’re welcome (this is another way of saying “Not at all” or “Don’t mention it”).
Thanks. Make yourself at home (this is an expression we use when somebody visits our house).
Hold on (an informal expression which means “Wait”).
Yes. Take care and keep in touch (an expression we use when we will not see somebody for a while).
Couldn’t be better (this means that we are very well).
I’d rather you didn’t (this is a polite way of telling somebody that you don’t want them to do something).
Oh, that’s too bad (this is another way of saying “Hard luck”, “Bad luck”, or “Tough luck”, and we use it to sympathize with someone)
The name doesn’t ring any bells (this means that you do not recognize the name)
Sure, touch wood (“Touch wood” is an expression we use when we hope that something will, or won’t, happen)

Exercise 3 – Complete these dialogs with an appropriate expression from the box.

Have a good time. * How’s it going? * Oh well, it’s not the end of the world. * I’ll say. * Gesundheit! * Not on your life! * Of course. Take a seat. * So I guess you’re in the doghouse again. * Sure thing. * That’s a load off my mind. * Well, keep it to yourself. * Well, take it easy. Don’t kill yourself.

1. A. I’m about halfway through my essay.
B. __________________________________________________

2. A. I thought the lecture on the Declaration of Independence was great. Did you enjoy it?
B. __________________________________________________

3. A. Snake is considered a delicacy in some countries. Would you ever consider eating it?
B. __________________________________________________

4. A. Professor de Gruchy has extended the deadline for our essays to Thursday, so you don’t need to worry about not finishing it on time.
B. __________________________________________________

5. A. Did you know that our economics teacher has left the questions for tomorrow’s test lying on his desk?
B. __________________________________________________

6. A. Could you give me a bit of help with this assignment?
B. __________________________________________________

7. A. Can I come in?
B. __________________________________________________

8. A. I have so much to do by Monday; two essays to write, a presentation to prepare, and I have to do some research on the history of the U.N.
B. __________________________________________________

9. A. I’m so depressed. That’s the third time I’ve failed my driver’s test.
B. __________________________________________________

10. A. I’m off to Niagara Falls for the weekend. See you Monday.
B. __________________________________________________

11. A. I forgot my boyfriend’s birthday last week.
B. __________________________________________________

12. A. Aaachoooooooo!
B. __________________________________________________

Correct Answers:

How’s it going? (an informal way of asking somebody if something is going well or badly)
I’ll say (when we agree completely with somebody)
Not on your life! (an informal way of saying that we would never do something)
That’s a load off my mind. (when we are suddenly no longer worried about something that was troubling us. We can also say “That’s a weight off my mind”)
Well, keep it to yourself (= don’t tell anyone else, usually because something is, or should be, a secret)
Sure thing (an informal way of saying we agree to do something)
Of course, take a seat (“Take a seat” means “Sit down”)
Well, take it easy. Don’t kill yourself. (these are informal ways of telling somebody not to work too hard, or to calm down, relax)
Oh well, it’s not the end of the world (this means that things are probably not as bad as they seem).
Have a good time (we want the person to whom we are speaking to enjoy themselves)
So I guess you’re in the doghouse again (if you are “in the doghouse”, you are in trouble with someone)
Gesundheit! (this is something we say when someone sneezes. We can also say “Bless you!”)

Exercise 4 – Complete the dialogs with an expression from the box.

I couldn’t agree more. * I couldn’t care less. * I really don’t mind. It’s up to you. * It does nothing for me. * Let me sleep on it. * Never mind. It can’t be helped. * No way! Not a chance! * You’ve got to be kidding! * Why not? Go for it! * Wow! Way to go! * You should really get a life. * You’re welcome, but it was nothing really.

1. A. Shall we eat out or do you want me to cook something?
B. _____________________________________
A. OK. In that case, let’s eat out.

2. A. The economics seminar has been canceled yet again.
B. _____________________________________
A. I’m afraid not. Professor Parkhill sure seems to be absent a lot these days.

3. A. Our history lessons are really boring, aren’t they.
B. _____________________________________
A. Right. Perhaps we shouldn’t have chosen it as an option.

4. A. We’re going to Mo’s bar tonight. Want to come?
B. _____________________________________
A. Come on, don’t be like that! It’ll be fun!

5. A. I need a decision as soon as possible.
B. _____________________________________
A. Well, to be honest, I’d rather you told me now.

6. A. Are you interested in science?
B. _____________________________________
A. Me neither. I find it really boring.

7. A. I spent most of the weekend lying in bed and watching TV.
B. _____________________________________
A. I know! You’re not the first person to say that.

8. A. If you don’t work harder, you’ll fail your exams.
B. _____________________________________
A. Well, you should. Your whole future might depend on them.

9. A. I’ve passed all my exams – grade A’s all round!
B. _____________________________________
A. Thanks. I never thought I’d be able to do it.

10. A. Do you think I should apply to the University of West Virginia?
B. _____________________________________
A. All right, I will. Thanks.

11. A. Thank you so much for all your help. I couldn’t have done it without you.
B. _____________________________________
A. No, really, I really appreciate it.

12. A. I’m really sorry that I lost your dictionary.
B. _____________________________________
A. Nevertheless, I promise to replace it.

Correct Answers:

I really don’t mind. It’s up to you.
You’ve got to be kidding!
I couldn’t agree more.
No way! Not a chance! or You’ve got to be kidding!
Let me sleep on it.
It does nothing for me.
You really should get a life or You’ve got to be kidding!
I couldn’t care less.
Wow! Way to go!
Why not? Go for it!
You’re welcome, but it was nothing really.
Never mind. It can’t be helped.

Exercise 5 – Instructions as above.

Let me lend a hand. * How’s it going? * How should I know? * I’m a bit tied up for the time being. * I’m going to give it all I’ve got. * Is it any wonder? * Oh, I’m used to it. * Sure. Why not? * What a drag! * What do you have in mind? * You bet! * You’re out of luck.

1. A. Can I have a look at your essay to get a few ideas?
B. _____________________________________
A. Thanks. I’ll do the same for you next time.

2. A. I’m working really hard for my exam at the moment.
B. _____________________________________
A. Oh, not bad. I’m fairly confident of passing.

3. A. Where’s Murai today?
B. _____________________________________
A. Don’t be like that. I was only asking.

4. A. We need to finish this assignment by Monday. There goes our weekend.
B. _____________________________________
A. I know, but we’ll make up for it next weekend.

5. A. Want to come to the concert tonight?
B . _____________________________________
A. That’s great. I’ll go and get us some tickets.

6. A. Do you think you’ll pass your exams?
B. _____________________________________
A. That’s the spirit! Well, good luck.

7. A. Do you find it difficult getting up at 6 o’clock every morning?
B. _____________________________________
A. I suppose you must be. You’ve been doing it for so long.

8. A. We’re thinking of doing something to celebrate the end of the semester.
B. _____________________________________
A. I’m not sure, really. Perhaps a barbecue, or something like that.

9. A. Are there any tickets left for tonight’s show?
B. _____________________________________
A. I thought so. Oh well, never mind.

10. A. I have to get the hall ready for tonight’s lecture.
B. _____________________________________
A. That’s really kind of you.

11. A. I was wondering if you could help me with my assignment.
B. _____________________________________
A. Yes, I thought you might be a bit busy right now.

12. A. Poor Sarah failed to get a good grade in her TOEFL once again.
B. _____________________________________
A. Right. She never seems to do any preparation for it.

Correct Answers: