Page 261 - English Vocabulary In Use upper intermediet and advance

1 There is a verb to ham it up, which can be used to criticise an actor's performance if it is
overdone and grossly exaggerated; we can call such an actor a ham actor.
2 If you don't like something or somebody you can say it/he/she just isn't my cup of tea, which
means you do not feel attracted to it or to the person.
3 If you say something is the icing on the cake you are praising it as something extra good on
something that is already good. 'Flying first class was wonderful, and being met at the other
end by a limousine really was the icing on the cake.'
4 If you call a person a real nutcase, you mean they are mad/crazy.
5 If you say someone knows hidher onions, you are praising their knowledge of a particular
subject.
6 If you say a group of people really are the cream, you are saying they are the best possible
representatives of a larger group. If they are the absolute best, you can say they are the cream
of the cream.

Unit 82
82.1 Suggested answers:
1 It seems that Ann can't get a word in edgeways.
2 It seems that Mick got the wrong end of the stick.
3 It seems that Reg can't make head nor tail of what Dan is saying.
4 Madge seems to be talking down to Eric.

1 wrap up the discussion 2 talk rubbish 3 start the ball rolling 4 cometget to the point

82.3 1 speaks 2 talk 3 talking 4 talking

Unit 83

1
83 1 B is driving a hard bargain.
2 A could be described as someone who has a finger in every pie.
3 A seems to have the song 'Lady in Red' on the brain.
4 A seems to have bought a pig in a poke.
83.2 1 Can I tell you about a problem I have? I just have to get it off my chest. It's been bothering me
for a while now.
2 They charged us £100 for a tiny room without a bath. It was a real rip-off! or They really
ripped us off!
3 There'll just be time to have a bite to eat before the show.
4 I've got to hand it to her, Maria coped with the situation brilliantly. or I've got to hand it to
Maria, she coped with.. . etc.
5 I think 1'11 just go upstairs and have a nap, if nobody objects.
6 Well, I crashed out on the sofa at about two o'clock, and the party was still in full swing.
Possible answers:
1 You might have to get a bite to eat on the way if you had to set off on a journey and didn't
really have time to eat before leaving, or couldn't get anything before leaving, perhaps because
it was too early.
2 Typically, hotels charge over the odds during festival weeks or if there is an important event
on, for example, the Olympic Games. In short, any time when demand is very high.
3 Some people find it hard to make any headway in learning languages, but if you have got this
far with this book, you don't have that problem!
4 You might be willing to pay through the nose if it is a performer you like very much and/or a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see that person.

English Vocabulary in Use