Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

1. We are on the right ______.
2. She is in the ______ seat now.
3. Wait for the ______ to settle.
4. He is on the ______.
5. She is in a tight ______.
6. He has something up his ______.
7. She plays her cards close to her ______.
8. He has a chip on his ______.

Exercise 2: Match meanings

1. on the ropes
2. in the driving seat
3. on the wrong track
4. tight spot
5. strike while the iron is hot
6. chip on shoulder
7. dust to settle
8. up your sleeve

a. take opportunity now b. failing c. mistaken d. control e. secret plan f. wait g. sensitive h. difficulty

Exercise 3: Literal or metaphorical?

1. He is on the right track.
2. The train is on the track.
3. She is in a tight corner.
4. The chair is in the corner.
5. He’s on the ropes.
6. The rope is strong.
7. She has something up her sleeve.
8. The sleeve is torn.

Exercise 4: Rewrite with idioms

1. She is in control.
2. He is failing.
3. Act now.
4. Wait calmly.
5. She is hiding a plan.
6. He feels offended easily.
7. We are correct.
8. They are wrong.

Exercise 5: Complete sentences

1. I think we should ______ while the iron is hot.
2. She always ______ her cards close to her chest.
3. He is clearly ______ the ropes.
4. We’re definitely on the right ______.
5. They are in a tight ______.
6. He has something up his ______.
7. Wait for the dust to ______.
8. She has a chip on her ______.

Exercise 6: Short answers

1. What does “on the ropes” mean?
2. What does “driving seat” mean?
3. What does “dust to settle” mean?
4. What does “tight spot” mean?
5. What does “cards close” mean?
6. What does “up your sleeve” mean?
7. What does “right track” mean?
8. What does “chip on shoulder” mean?

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

1. On the ropes means: a) winning b) struggling c) resting d) hiding
2. Driving seat means: a) driving b) control c) sitting d) waiting
3. Right track means: a) wrong b) lost c) correct d) confused
4. Tight spot means: a) easy b) fun c) difficult d) boring
5. Up your sleeve means: a) open b) hidden c) lost d) clear
6. Dust to settle means: a) hurry b) wait c) fight d) speak
7. Chip on shoulder means: a) happy b) angry c) sensitive d) calm
8. Strike while hot means: a) delay b) act c) rest d) forget

Exercise 2: Sentence transformation

1. He is in control → ______
2. She is struggling → ______
3. Wait calmly → ______
4. Act now → ______
5. He is offended → ______
6. They are correct → ______
7. She hides plans → ______
8. He is confused → ______

Exercise 3: Match idioms to origin

1. on the ropes
2. cards close
3. right track
4. tight corner
5. up sleeve
6. strike iron
7. chip shoulder
8. driving seat

a. boxing b. cards c. travel d. space e. clothing f. blacksmith g. custom h. driving

Exercise 4: Gap fill

1. We are on the right ______.
2. She is in a tight ______.
3. He is on the ______.
4. Wait for the ______.
5. He has something up his ______.
6. She plays cards close to her ______.
7. He has a chip on his ______.
8. Strike while the iron is ______.

Exercise 5: Identify meaning

1. On the ropes = ?
2. Driving seat = ?
3. Right track = ?
4. Tight spot = ?
5. Up sleeve = ?
6. Dust settle = ?
7. Chip shoulder = ?
8. Strike iron = ?

Exercise 6: Create sentences

1. on the ropes
2. driving seat
3. right track
4. tight spot
5. up your sleeve
6. dust settle
7. chip shoulder
8. strike iron

Exercise 1: Head vs Heart idioms

1. use your head
2. lose your head
3. head screwed on
4. break heart
5. take to heart
6. not heart to do
7. heart rule head
8. explain meanings

Exercise 2: Matching

1. be on same wavelength
2. bite the bullet
3. beat hasty retreat
4. take wind out sails
5. be in saddle
6. get wires crossed
7. learn ropes
8. keep tight rein

a. confuse b. control c. retreat d. agree e. force yourself f. learn g. control h. discourage

Exercise 3: Fill in blanks

1. We are on the same ______.
2. He had to bite the ______.
3. They beat a hasty ______.
4. She took the wind out of his ______.
5. He is in the ______.
6. We got our wires ______.
7. She learned the ______.
8. He kept a tight ______.

Exercise 4: Rewrite

1. Agree → ______
2. Force yourself → ______
3. Run away → ______
4. Discourage → ______
5. Control → ______
6. Confuse → ______
7. Learn → ______
8. Strict control → ______

Exercise 5: Choose correct idiom

1. We think alike → a) ropes b) wavelength c) saddle d) bullet
2. Do difficult task → a) bullet b) ropes c) sail d) rein
3. Escape quickly → a) retreat b) rein c) saddle d) wires
4. Reduce confidence → a) sail b) ropes c) bullet d) saddle
5. Be in control → a) saddle b) rope c) wire d) bullet
6. Misunderstand → a) wires b) rope c) rein d) sail
7. Learn job → a) rope b) bullet c) sail d) rein
8. Strictly control → a) rein b) rope c) sail d) bullet

Exercise 6: Write sentences

1. same wavelength
2. bite bullet
3. hasty retreat
4. wind sails
5. in saddle
6. wires crossed
7. learn ropes
8. tight rein