These
An award or medal is the _____ on the cake. The true achievement is the person they have grown into through their journey. [P5W42]
icing
the icing on the cake = something extra and not essential that is added to an already good situation or experience and that makes it even better
We are constantly under the _____ eye of the authorities. [P5W33]
watchful
under the watchful eye of = being watched carefully by somebody
It is understandable why Max might have felt he fell _____ of expectations with his third-place win during the Paris 2024 Olympics. [P5W42]
short
fell short of = failed to reach the standard that you expected or need
For what it is _____, surveillance cameras are a bane for crime. [P5W33]
worth
for what it is worth = used to emphasise that what you are saying is only your own opinion or suggestion and may not be very helpful
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is _____ up of muscles and supplied with nerves. [P5W1W2]
made
made up of = formed something
It is easier to say, “the fish is sleeping”, than to _____ the bad news about the pet dying. [P5W26]
break
break the (bad) news = be the first to tell somebody some bad news
A small slipper can have a large footprint once we factor _____ production, shipping and waste. [P5 June Holiday 2]
in
factor in = include a particular fact or situation when you are thinking about or planning something
We may turn a blind eye to people who take a few cuttings or leaves. However, ripping off plants, stealing fruit and destroying greens are behaviours that cross the _____. [P5W33]
line
cross the line = do something that is not considered to be acceptable behaviour
It is disappointing when gardeners, who have put in so much tender loving care to grow their plants, are not able to enjoy the _____ of their labour. [P5W33]
fruits
fruits of their labour = the good results of an activity or a situation
Exposure to _____ lies, such as saying “good job” when it is not true, can increase the chances of children telling fibs. [P5W26]
white
white lies = small lies, especially ones that you tell to avoid hurting somebody
It is better to sow the _____ of honesty and trustworthiness from young. [P5W26]
seeds
sow the seeds of = start the process that leads to a particular situation or result
If there is danger or a social threat that triggers an angry state, we are more likely to _____ on it. [P5W1W2]
act
act on = take action as a result of advice, information, etc.
If you _____ prey to a scam, report it immediately to the relevant authorities. [P5W33]
fall
fall prey to = (of a person) to be harmed or affected by something bad
It is recommended for concert-goers to not raise their phones above eye level to take pictures or videos of the performance. However, many people clearly disregarded this rule and in the standing pen, it is every man for _____. [P5W18]
himself
every man for himself = people must take care of themselves and not give or expect any help
Ms Mandy Teo wrote a Facebook public post to set the _____ straight after she found out that a fraudster had stolen her identity. [P5W33]
record
set the record straight = give people the correct information about something in order to make it clear that what they previously believed was in fact wrong
The Thwaites Glacier acts as an anchor holding back the West Antarctic ice sheet, keeping things at _____ for now. [P5W42]
bay
keeping things at bay = prevent an enemy from coming close or a problem from having a bad effect
In our society, where academic and economic success often _____ precedence, we also seem fixated on gold and glory above all else. [P5W42]
take
take precedence = the condition of being more important than somebody else and therefore coming or being dealt with first
Extreme swings in rainfall _____ on by climate change threaten the future of the Victoria Falls, one of the biggest and most awe-inspiring waterfalls on the planet. [P5 June Holiday 2]
brought
brought on = made something develop, usually something unpleasant
For hotels to operate more sustainably, removing complementary disposable slippers is a low-hanging _____ in the fight against plastic. [P5 June Holiday 2]
fruit
low-hanging fruit = the things that are easiest to achieve out of a set of tasks or goals
At the end of the day, it boils _____ to having situational awareness and knowing when and how to be more considerate to everyone around you. [P5W18]
down
boils down to = (of a situation, problem, etc.) has something as a main or basic part
It could be that when your idols are up on stage, all rules about how to behave at a concert go out the _____. [P5W18]
window
go out the window = stop existing; disappear completely
Hotel companies that have made commitments to banning single-use plastics have blazed a _____ to more eco-friendly slippers, such as those made from natural materials or recycled plastic. [P5 June Holiday 2]
trail
blazed a trail = the first to do or to discover something that others follow
More than 80 per cent of parents in Singapore admit to having lied to their children, in the _____ of parenting. [P5W26]
name
in the name of = using the authority of somebody / something; as a representative of somebody / something
Thinking that these fallen-by-the-wayside plant parts are akin to trash and thus free-for-all is a _____ slope. [P5W33]
slippery
slippery slope = a course of action that is difficult to stop once it has begun, and can lead to serious problems or disaster
After all, a stitch in time saves _____. Taking these precautions now can save you from trouble down the line. [P5W33]
nine
a stitch in time saves nine = it is better to deal with something immediately because if you wait it may become worse or more difficult and cause extra work