Key Word Transformations
Prepositional Phrases
Preposition + Phrase
Advanced Collocations
Idiomatic Expressions
100

The damage to the painting is so minor that it won't be very noticeable to most people.

HARDLY

I'm sure that most people ________________ the minor damage to the painting.

will hardly notice

100

down in the dumps

feeling unhappy

100

with flying colours

very well, with a very high mark

100

a _____ illness

(an illness that cannot be cured and will lead to death)

a terminal illness

100

a dead end job

a job with low wages and no chance of progress

200

It was very easy for someone to steal the car because Dad forgot to lock it.

STOLEN

Dad forgot to lock the car which explains __________ easily.

why it was stolen so

200

between jobs

unemployed for a short time

200

in the meantime

in the period of time between two times or two event

200

_____ criticism

(feedback that provides specific, actionable suggestions)

constructive criticism

200

call it a day

stop doing something, especially working

300

I thought Sue's original plan was to move to Australia.

IMPRESSION

I __________ Sue was originally planning to move to Australia.

was under the impression that

300

across the board

affecting everyone or everything within an organisation

300

with bated breath

in an anxious or excited way

300

a _____ lie

(a very obvious and intentional lie)

a blatant lie

300

red tape 

excessive bureaucracy

400

Although we booked a table, it wasn't necessary because the restaurant was empty.

NEED

There was ______________ made a reservation because the restaurant was empty.

no need to have

400

behind the scenes

secretly, while other things are happening publicly

400

in arrears

late in making a regular payment

400

a _____ of luck

(a sudden occurrence of luck or fortune)

a stroke of luck

400

a vested interest

a personal or private reason for wanting something to happen

500

Mr. Smith was well-known as a bad-tempered man, but he was also fair.

REPUTATION

Despite Mr. Smith's ________________ bad-tempered, he was also fair.

reputation for being

500

along the lines of sth

similar in type

500

beyond reproach

such that no criticism can be made, perfect

500

a _____ of contract

(when one party in a valid agreement fails to fulfill their promised obligations)

a breach of contract

500

be waiting in the wings

be ready to do something if a suitable time comes