prepared by h. belbin 2011 csps- efpc body-related idioms and expressions censored

Prepared by H. Belbin 2011 CSPS-EFPC

Body-related Idioms and Expressions

CENSORED


• Hank and Jeff are best friends. They have been ____________________ ever since they met ten years ago.

(to be) extremely close friends

joined at the hip

Find an expression that means:


• Due to the cost-recovery model becoming popular in the public service, many agencies now have to _________________ for services that used to be provided free of charge.

foot the bill

to pay for something



• I have no problem finding my way around Place du Portage. I worked there for many years, so I know that place _________________________. like the back of my hand

(to know a place) very well



neck of the woods.

• I’m from Quebec City and Shelli is from Levis. We come from the same ___________________.

(from the same) area



• This competition is exhausting. I’ve interviewed over 10 people this week! This morning I had three interviews _________________________________.back-to-back.

one after another



• My new boss is a micromanager. He won’t leave me alone to do my work. I’m tired of his ________________________.breathing down my neck

To supervise very closely so that deadlines will be met.



• Catherine was nervous about filing a grievance, but she felt better knowing that her union would _________________.back her up

to support and/or defend someone



• I think Sherry is upset with me. I said hello to her in the hallway earlier, but she ________________________.gave me the cold shoulder

to deliberately ignore someone



• The manager was aware that Julian was breaking the rules, but because he liked Julian, he just _______________________.turned a blind eye

to deliberately ignore a situation



• I dealt with a very angry client this morning. I have no idea why he was so upset, but he seemed extremely aggressive and defensive. He definitely had _____________________________.a chip on his shoulder

to have an aggressive / defensive / hostile attitude.



• Many university students take summer jobs with the federal government. It is a great way to get _________________ for a career in the public service.

a foot in the door

to get through the first step in a process



• Frank has been acting as an EX-01 for a long time, and he has done an excellent job. Giving him the permanent position would be a ____________. no-brainer

the obvious right answer



• The committee decided that the ADM had broken the rules concerning his expense account. However, she just got a _________________instead of a serious punishment. slap on the wrist

a very light punishment



• It seems that engineers reported structural problems with the Ville Marie tunnel several years before its collapse, but their concerns _______________________.fell on deaf ears

(for concerns or complaints) to be ignored.



• I can’t stand the sight of blood. I guess I have a _____________.weak stomach

To feel nauseous when you see, hear, or smell certain things.



• Julie: How do you feel about your upcoming presentation.

• Mitch: I’m very nervous. To be honest, I have ____________________________butterflies in my stomach

to feel so nervous that you feel nauseous



Review: Select the best answer:

The report is due next week, and my boss is __________________ to make sure that we’ll make the deadline.

a) on my back

b) breathing down my back

c) breathing down my neck


• My performance review went very well. My supervisor gave me a ____________ for my hard work over the past year.


c) slap on the back

a) slap on the wrist

b) pat on the back


• I’m looking for a new house, and I finally found one in great shape, at a great price, in a great location. Making an offer _______________.


a) has no brain

b) is a no-brainer

c) is a non-brain


Review: Select the best answer

• When Anna complained that her colleague was harassing her, management did nothing. Her complaint ______________.

b) was all earsa) fell on deaf ears

c) turned a blind eye



• A summer job in the in a government department is a great way for many university students to ________________________ to a career in the public service.

c) get a foot in the door

b) put their feet in the door

a) get their feet indoors



• When the minister was caught embezzling taxpayer money, he didn’t get a serious punishment. Instead, he got ____________

Embezzle =

to steal money from a business or employer

c) a slap on the back

b) a pat on the back

a) a slap on the wrist



• Someone who exhibits an aggressive attitude on a regular basis has __________.

c) a chip on his / her shoulder

b) a chip on his / her back

a) chips on his / her shoulder



• When management ignored Anna’s complaint, they _______________ to the problem of harassment in the workplace.

a) turned a blind eye

b) blinded their eyes

c) turned blind eyes



• When I saw my old boyfriend yesterday, I said hello but he pretended not to know me. In other words, he _____________.

b) gave me the cold shoulder

a) snobbed me

c) turned his shoulder



• I interviewed a candidate for a job this morning, and he didn’t elaborate on any of his answers. It was so frustrating; It was ___________________.

c) like pulling teeth

a) like pulling worms from his nose

b) like pulling verbs out of his nose

prepared by h. belbin 2011 csps- efpc body-related idioms and expressions censored

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