Flashcard - Unit 54

Unit 54: Understanding Idioms in Written English

Many written idioms and fixed expressions appear in advertisements, notices, official documents, references, insurance policies, property listings, and formal correspondence. They often have meanings that cannot be understood word-for-word. Learning them improves reading speed and accuracy.

Key expressions: for sale, o.n.o. (or nearest offer), situations vacant, out of bounds, under offer, in the event of, reserve the right to, on production of, at somebody’s discretion, at your earliest convenience, To whom it may concern, keep your distance.

Image Placeholder: Property advertisement showing “For Sale” and “Under Offer”.

Advanced note: These expressions are semi-fixed chunks. They are common in professional writing because they are concise and legally precise. For example, “reserve the right to” allows future action without guaranteeing it, while “at your earliest convenience” politely requests action without setting an exact deadline.

Image Placeholder: Formal letter beginning with “To whom it may concern”.

Exercise 1 – Complete the expression

  1. for _____
  2. under _____
  3. out of _____
  4. situations _____
  5. at your earliest _____
  6. in the event of _____
  7. on production of a valid _____
  8. keep your _____

Exercise 2 – Match

  1. for sale
  2. o.n.o.
  3. under offer
  4. out of bounds
  5. situations vacant
  6. at sb’s discretion
  7. keep your distance
  8. To whom it may concern

a job adverts b not addressed to a person c available to buy d stay away e decision left to someone f offer accepted g or nearest offer h forbidden area

Exercise 3 – Choose the best phrase

  1. Formal reference opening?
  2. House already being bought?
  3. Job-ad section?
  4. Show ID first?
  5. Area forbidden?
  6. Polite request for reply?
  7. Possible future circumstance?
  8. Seller accepts close offers?

Exercise 4 – Rewrite formally

  1. Reply soon.
  2. If something changes, tell us.
  3. Show your card.
  4. You cannot enter.
  5. The café decides about tips.
  6. This item can be bought.
  7. The company may change rules.
  8. Stay back from the machine.

Exercise 5 – Identify the context

  1. Insurance policy
  2. Restaurant bill
  3. Property advert
  4. Reference letter
  5. Railway station
  6. Safety notice
  7. Newspaper jobs page
  8. Second-hand car advert

Exercise 6 – Create sentences

  1. for sale
  2. o.n.o.
  3. under offer
  4. reserve the right
  5. on production of
  6. at your discretion
  7. at your earliest convenience
  8. keep your distance

Further Practice

Focus on recognising fixed written idioms in authentic contexts.

Image Placeholder: Safety sign saying “Keep Your Distance”.

Exercise 1 – Gap fill

  1. _____ whom it may concern
  2. at your earliest _____
  3. or nearest _____
  4. under _____
  5. out of _____
  6. situations _____
  7. reserve the _____
  8. in the event _____

Exercise 2 – Multiple choice

  1. “ono” means a) no offers b) nearest offer c) new owner
  2. “under offer” relates to a) jobs b) property c) travel
  3. “out of bounds” means a) permitted b) repaired c) forbidden
  4. “production of ID” means a) making b) showing c) printing
  5. “discretion” means a) choice b) accident c) delay
  6. “situations vacant” concerns a) houses b) jobs c) schools
  7. “earliest convenience” is a) rude b) neutral c) polite
  8. “reserve the right” is often a) legal b) poetic c) humorous

Exercise 3 – Error correction

  1. for selling
  2. under suggestion
  3. out from bounds
  4. situation vacant
  5. earliest comfortable time
  6. on showingness of ID
  7. keep distance yourself
  8. reserve a right

Exercise 4 – Short answers

  1. Where might you see “for sale”?
  2. Why use “ono”?
  3. Who writes references?
  4. Why keep distance?
  5. Why ask for ID?
  6. Who may reserve rights?
  7. What can be under offer?
  8. Why use formal phrases?
Image Placeholder: Newspaper jobs page titled “Situations Vacant”.

Exercise 5 – Match beginning and ending

  1. In the event
  2. Reserve the right
  3. On production
  4. At your earliest
  5. Keep your
  6. To whom it
  7. For
  8. Under

a distance b convenience c sale d offer e of a change f of ID g may concern h to amend terms

Exercise 6 – Write a notice

Create eight short notices using the target expressions.

  1. Notice 1
  2. Notice 2
  3. Notice 3
  4. Notice 4
  5. Notice 5
  6. Notice 6
  7. Notice 7
  8. Notice 8

Extended Practice and Review

Apply the expressions in realistic written contexts.

Image Placeholder: Insurance document with formal conditions.

Exercise 1 – Classify

Write A=Advertisement, N=Notice, L=Letter, P=Policy.

  1. for sale
  2. To whom it may concern
  3. reserve the right
  4. keep your distance
  5. situations vacant
  6. under offer
  7. on production of ID
  8. at your earliest convenience

Exercise 2 – Sentence completion

  1. The museum is _____ of bounds after closing.
  2. Please reply at your earliest _____.
  3. The applicant found the advert in situations _____.
  4. The flat is currently under _____.
  5. Discounts apply on production of a valid _____.
  6. Tips are left at your _____.
  7. In the event of fire, leave immediately.
  8. The company reserves the _____ to refuse entry.

Exercise 3 – True or False

  1. “ono” invites negotiation.
  2. “under offer” means sold long ago.
  3. “out of bounds” means open to all.
  4. “discretion” involves personal choice.
  5. “To whom it may concern” is highly informal.
  6. “keep your distance” can be a safety instruction.
  7. “production of ID” means showing ID.
  8. “situations vacant” advertises jobs.
Image Placeholder: Student showing ID card for a discount.

Exercise 4 – Mini dialogues

  1. House advert response
  2. Job advert response
  3. Safety notice response
  4. Restaurant bill response
  5. Reference letter response
  6. Insurance policy response
  7. Student discount response
  8. Property negotiation response

Exercise 5 – Transformation

  1. available to buy → ?
  2. showing a card → ?
  3. if something happens → ?
  4. not allowed area → ?
  5. job advertisements → ?
  6. reply when possible → ?
  7. decide yourself → ?
  8. greeting for unknown reader → ?

Exercise 6 – Writing task

  1. Property advert
  2. Job advert
  3. Safety sign
  4. Reference opening
  5. Insurance condition
  6. Student discount notice
  7. Restaurant note about tips
  8. Formal email request
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