Exercise Sheet: Complete the Expression

Objective:
To help English language learners improve their understanding of common English expressions by completing them with the correct words or phrases. This exercise will focus on idiomatic expressions, collocations, and common phrases used in everyday English.

Instructions:

1. Read the incomplete expressions carefully.
2. Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each expression.
3. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
4. Check your answers with the solved examples provided at the end of the exercise.

Section 1: Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases where the meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make them up.

1. Break the __________
   a) window
   b) ice
   c) door
2. Spill the __________
   a) beans
   b) water
   c) secrets
3. Hit the __________ on the head
   a) nail
   b) hammer
   c) ball
4. Under the __________
   a) table
   b) weather
   c) chair
5. Cut to the __________
   a) chase
   b) end
   c) story
6. A blessing in __________
   a) disguise
   b) surprise
   c) delight
7. Bite the __________
   a) bullet
   b) apple
   c) cheese
8. Miss the __________
   a) train
   b) boat
   c) bus
9. Burn the midnight __________
   a) oil
   b) candle
   c) fire
10. Hit the __________
    a) road
    b) car
    c) sky

Section 2: Collocations

Collocations are words that are commonly used together.

1. Make a __________
   a) decision
   b) question
   c) problem
2. Take __________
   a) care
   b) decision
   c) a break
3. Catch a __________
   a) bus
   b) ball
   c) cold
4. Pay __________
   a) money
   b) attention
   c) care
5. Give __________
   a) advice
   b) a bath
   c) an answer
6. Have a __________
   a) talk
   b) walk
   c) nap
7. Do __________
   a) a job
   b) a friend
   c) a gift
8. Break the __________
   a) news
   b) problem
   c) story
9. Make __________
   a) noise
   b) a story
   c) a bed
10. Set __________
    a) the table
    b) the wall
    c) the ground

Section 3: Common Phrases

These are phrases that are used regularly in conversation.

1. As easy as __________
   a) pie
   b) cake
   c) water
2. In the __________ of time
   a) nick
   b) moment
   c) hour
3. On cloud __________
   a) nine
   b) seven
   c) ten
4. Once in a __________
   a) lifetime
   b) blue moon
   c) long time
5. Piece of __________
   a) cake
   b) candy
   c) bread
6. Costs an arm and a __________
   a) leg
   b) foot
   c) hand
7. On the same __________
   a) page
   b) book
   c) note
8. The ball is in your __________
   a) court
   b) field
   c) hand
9. Burning the __________ at both ends
   a) candle
   b) light
   c) fire
10. Throw in the __________
    a) towel
    b) cloth
    c) napkin

Section 4: Advanced Expressions

These are slightly more challenging expressions that require a higher level of English proficiency.

1. A blessing in __________
   a) disguise
   b) surprise
   c) delight
2. Let the cat out of the __________
   a) bag
   b) house
   c) hat
3. When pigs __________
   a) fly
   b) run
   c) jump
4. A dime a __________
   a) dozen
   b) piece
   c) penny
5. Barking up the wrong __________
   a) tree
   b) street
   c) person
6. The last __________
   a) straw
   b) rope
   c) chance
7. Throw caution to the __________
   a) wind
   b) fire
   c) ground
8. The tip of the __________
   a) iceberg
   b) mountain
   c) hill
9. Off the __________ track
   a) beaten
   b) worn
   c) famous
10. By the skin of your __________
    a) teeth
    b) nails
    c) hands

Section 5: Practice with Context

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate expression from the previous sections. Use the clues to guide you.

1. She’s so lucky; she always finds parking spots just in the __________ of time.
   Clue: It means just before it’s too late.
2. John was so happy with his promotion; he was on cloud __________.
   Clue: He felt extremely happy.
3. Sarah didn’t tell anyone about the surprise party, but unfortunately, her friend __________ the beans.
   Clue: Revealed the secret.
4. You’ve got to make a decision now; the ball is in your __________.
   Clue: It’s your turn to take action.
5. It was a difficult decision, but I had to __________ the bullet and tell the truth.
   Clue: Do something difficult that is unpleasant.

Section 6: Solved Examples

Here are some examples of how these expressions can be completed.

1. Break the ice
   Meaning: To initiate conversation in a social setting, usually to ease tension.
2. Spill the beans
   Meaning: To reveal a secret.
3. Hit the nail on the head
   Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
4. Under the weather
   Meaning: Feeling ill or sick.
5. Cut to the chase
   Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.

Answer Key

Section 1: Idiomatic Expressions

1. b) ice
2. a) beans
3. a) nail
4. b) weather
5. a) chase
6. a) disguise
7. a) bullet
8. b) boat
9. a) oil
10. a) road

Section 2: Collocations

1. a) decision
2. c) a break
3. c) cold
4. b) attention
5. a) advice
6. c) nap
7. a) a job
8. a) news
9. a) noise
10. a) the table

Section 3: Common Phrases

1. a) pie
2. a) nick
3. a) nine
4. b) blue moon
5. a) cake
6. a) leg
7. a) page
8. a) court
9. a) candle
10. a) towel

Section 4: Advanced Expressions

1. a) disguise
2. a) bag
3. a) fly
4. a) dozen
5. a) tree
6. a) straw
7. a) wind
8. a) iceberg
9. a) beaten
10. a) teeth

Section 5: Practice with Context

1. nick
2. nine
3. spilled
4. court
5. bite

Conclusion

This exercise sheet on completing expressions aims to enhance your understanding of common idiomatic expressions, collocations, and phrases in English. Regular practice with these expressions will help you sound more natural and confident in your English communication. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to use these expressions in your daily conversations!