Expressions using "brain", "face", "head", "mind", "wits"
Can you share a recent situation where a problem being solved was a l_________________?
Can you share a recent situation where a problem being solved was a load off your mind?
I don't know many quotations from Shakespeare, but I do know To be, or not to be!
The only_________________
The only quotation I know from Shakespeare is To be, or not to be!
Airlines need to t___________ the London tube driver way of announcing things.
Airlines needs to take a leaf out of the London tube driver way of announcing things.
I can’t help you right now, as I’ve got a bit of work to finish. But I’ll be with you …
… in the twinkling of an eye.
negligent/negligible
The difference in price is _________, so just take the one you think looks best.
I'm afraid he was found to have been _________ on his duties and was subsequently fired.
The difference in price is negligible, so just take the one you think looks best.
I'm afraid he was found to have been negligent on his duties and was subsequently fired.
Can you recall a situation when you were at ____________________ and didn't know what to do?
Can you recall a situation when you were at your wits' end and didn't know what to do?
Colin prided himself on knowing everything about English idioms.
There wasn't____________
There wasn't much that Colin didn't know about English idioms.
I'm glad I didn't j______________, or I never would have married him!
I'm glad I didn't judge a book by its cover, or I never would have married him!
This watch looks expensive, especially with all those little jewels instead of numbers, but looks can be deceptive. After all …
… all that glitters is not gold.
extend/expand
Have you heard that the chain of bookshops is _________ and opening two new outlets?
Could we possibly ________ the deadline for this project?
Have you heard that the chain of bookshops is expanding and opening two new outlets?
Could we possibly extend the deadline for this project?
When was the last time you tried to k__________ but, unable to contain yourself, burst into laughter?
When was the last time you tried to keep a straight face but, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter?
Liz really wished she could meet JK Rowling.
The person _________________-
The person (who/that) Liz really wished she could meet/to meet was JK Rowling.
The first reason is that they are still anxious to be in the government's _________.
The first reason is that they are still anxious to keep in the government's good books.
My neighbours were playing loud music all night. I …
… haven’t slept a wink.
censor/censure
Some films are ________ in order to meet classification guidelines for younger viewers.
The TV channel was publicly ________ for its inappropriate coverage of the event.
Some films are censored in order to meet classification guidelines for younger viewers.
The TV channel was publicly censured for its inappropriate coverage of the event.
Have you ever p________________ to helping someone achieve a goal?
Have you ever put your mind to helping someone achieve a goal?
The tutor was happy if we gave our work in on time. All_______________
(2 variants)
All the tutor wanted was for us to give our work in on time./ All the tutor wanted was that we gave in our work/gave our work in on time.
After listening to what she said, if you r _____________, you can begin to see what she really means.
After listening to what she said, if you read between the lines, you can begin to see what she really means.
He gave me detailed instructions on how to upload my pictures to his website, but I didn’t understand a word of what he said. It was …
… all Greek to me.
insistent/persistent
Our tutor was most ________ that we should spend our holidays reading Shakespeare.
The ___________ pressure of handing in assignments was quite difficult to handle.
Our tutor was most insistent that we should spend our holidays reading Shakespeare.
The persistent pressure of handing in assignments was quite difficult to handle.
What books worthy of reading would your recommend to your boss o______________?
What books worthy of reading would your recommend to your boss off the top of your head?
People really admire JRR Tolkien for his creative imagination.
What__________________
(2 variants)
WhatJRR Tolkien is really admired for is his creative imagination./What people really admire JRR Tolkien for is his creative imagination.
If you want to be left alone, you will be, because these bartenders can _____ a customer _______________.
If you want to be left alone, you will be, because these bartenders can read a customer like a book.
I don’t trust people who don’t show their feelings. I feel much more comfortable with those who...
… wear their heart on their sleeve.
variable/varying
Tests of _______ levels of difficulty were given to the students.
The _______ nature of the English climate means that people spend a lot of time talking about the weather!
Tests of varying levels of difficulty were given to the students.
The variable nature of the English climate means that people spend a lot of time talking about the weather!