Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories 2 – Lesson 17 MCQ Test

Lesson 17 – At the office

Idioms

a far cry from = very different from

It’s a far cry from the kind of pizza I usually eat.
This hotel is a far cry from the last place we stayed. It’s much nicer here!
The food here is a far cry from real Chinese food.

A: This beach is so dirty!
B: Yeah. It’s a far cry from the picture in the magazine.

be better off = have more opportunity, be in a nicer position

You‘re better off without him.
You would be better off living with your parents while you are in college.
Women are better off now than they were one hundred years ago.

A: It’s raining very heavily.
B: You’d be better off staying here until it stops.

be out of the question = impossible; forbiden

Forget it! It’s out of the question.
Don’t ask me if you can go. It is out of the question.
She knew that leaving work early was out of the question.

A: Dad, can I quit school and become a professional wrestler?
B: That‘s out of the question!

get through = be able to communicate with someone

I tried to call but I couldn’t get through.
She was on hold for fifteen minutes before she finally got through to the operator.
The storm damaged the phone line so I can’t get through to my parents’ house.

A: Have you gotten through to Kim yet?
B: No. The line is still busy.

ill at ease = not comfortable

Her father made him feel ill at ease.
He always felt a little ill at ease in crowded elevators.
The hostess tried to make sure none of her guests felt ill at ease at the party.

A: I feel ill at ease with you driving a motorcycle.
B: Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be careful.

in charge of = leading; controlling

You’ll be in charge of the ceiling.
Can you tell me who is in charge of cleaning the office at night?
No one was in charge of the project, so it was never completed.

A: What do you do at your job?
B: I’m in charge of sales and marketing.

look into = investigate; check to see if something is possible

Your ray-gun was stolen at 8:00 p.m.? I’ll look into this right away.
He was looking into going to medical school.
I don’t know much about that subject, but I’ll look into it when I have time.

A: Why don’t we see if we can stay an extra day?
B: Good idea. I’ll look into it.

think nothing of it = It is/was no trouble. (You’re welcome.)

Thank you! Think nothing of it.
“Thank you for helping me.” “Think nothing of it.”
“I appreciate what you did.” “Think nothing of it.”

A: Thanks for saving me from that hungry bear!
B: Think nothing of it.

think up = imagine; have an idea quickly

He thought up a great idea.
She was always thinking up new ways to make extra money.
He had to think up an excuse for being late.

A: Let’s think up a way to surprise Dan on his birthday.
B: How about inviting all his old girlfriends?

what’s up = How are you?

Hi! What’s up?
“Jim, how is it going?” “What’s up, Bob?”
“What’s up, Sam?” “Not much, Mark. What’s up with you?”

A: Hi Sarah! What’s up?
B: Oh, nothing much. Just waiting for the bus.

READ THE FOLLOWING STORY 

My sister called me last week. She tried to get through to me on the phone for over an hour. I was on the Internet at the time, so my phone was busy.

I apologized, “I’m sorry, Kim. I didn’t plan to use the computer for so long. I guess I wasn’t keeping track of time. So, what’s up?”

Kim sounded a little ill at ease when she answered, “I need your help. You know that we have moved. I wanted to have a party to meet our neighbors, but I think I invited too many people. Now I am in charge of cooking dinner for twelve people tomorrow night!”

I told Kim, “Maybe you should look into getting pizza delivered or something.”

“No,” Kim said. “Pizza is out of the question. Everyone is expecting a home cooked meal. Can you think up any good recipes I can try?”

I’m a far cry from a chef or anything, but I know how to make a few simple things that are good for parties. I told my sister how to make them.

Kim said, “Your ideas sound great, Alice! Thanks.”

“Think nothing of it,” I said. “But wouldn’t you have been better off calling Mom for recipes?”

Kim replied, “Mom is good at cooking. Her recipes might be too hard for me. I know that if you can cook something, I can cook it.”