Question 1
Do you ever pick _____ hitch-hikers?
Pick up someone means to stop your car and let them get in, for example pick up a hitch-hiker or pick up the kids from school.
Question 2
A: He still sucks his thumb, darling.
B: Yes, I know. It’s strange. I thought he’d have _____ it by now.
Grow out of something means to stop doing it because you are older, e.g. grow out of sucking your thumb. After he'd have we need a past participle, and only grown is one.
Question 3
He ran for the bus but it pulled _____ from the stop just as he got there.
When a vehicle pulls away, it starts moving and leaves the place where it stopped. Not pull up, which means the opposite: to stop.
Question 4
I try to keep _____ the latest fashions by going to lots of shows in London.
Keep up with means to stay informed about something that changes, e.g. keep up with the latest fashions. Not up to, which is not used with this meaning.
Question 5
Manchester United’s chances of going to the final of the F.A. Cup were ended when they were knocked _____ by Liverpool in the semi-final.
In a competition, if a team is knocked out, it loses and cannot continue. The clue is that their chances of reaching the final were ended.
Question 6
Sales were down so they had to _____ some of their staff.
Lay off staff means to stop employing them, usually because there is not enough work or money. The clue is sales were down.
Question 7
It took the soldier a long time to _____ the death of his comrade.
Get over something means to recover from something sad or bad, like an illness or someone's death. Not get through, which means to survive a difficult period, not to recover from it.
Question 8
The fact is, doctor, I just can’t _____ this dreadful cough.
Get rid of something means to make something unwanted go away, e.g. get rid of a cough. The other options do not have this meaning.
Question 9
It’s an excellent story, and in the end it turns _____ that everyone had a part in the murder.
It turns out that… means you discover a fact in the end, often a surprising one. Example: It turned out that he was her brother.
Question 10
The car _____ after the crash but fortunately no one was killed.
When a car turns over, it rolls onto its side or roof, which often happens in a crash. Not turned back, which means went back the way it came.
Question 11
In court, she was so upset that she broke _____.
Break down means to lose control of your feelings and start crying. The clue is she was so upset. Not break up, which means to end a relationship.
Question 12
I think I’ll have to sell my car. It keeps _____.
When a machine or car breaks down, it stops working. Keeps breaking down means it happens again and again, so the speaker wants to sell the car.
Question 13
I think she’s coming _____! Thank God for that! I thought she was dead!
Come round means to become conscious again after fainting or being unconscious. The clue is I thought she was dead!
Question 14
It took him a long time to come _____ our way of thinking.
Come round to an idea or opinion means to change your mind and accept it, usually after some time. Example: She finally came round to my point of view.
Question 15
Birthdays seem to _____ much quicker nowadays than when I was a child.
When a regular event comes round, it happens again, e.g. Christmas comes round so quickly. Not come up, which is used for one event that is near, not for something that happens again and again.
Question 16
Sorry I’m late but I was _____ by traffic.
Be held up means to be delayed, e.g. held up by traffic. That is why the speaker is late.
Question 17
A: I thought you said you weren’t going to let Sally go to that pop concert in Brighton.
B: Yes, but you know Sally - she always finds a way to get _____ me in the end.
Get round someone means to persuade them to let you do what you want, often by being charming. The clue is that Sally gets permission in the end.
Question 18
He was going to reply to her letter, but for various reasons he never got _____ it.
Get round to (doing) something means to finally find time to do something you planned. He never got round to it means he never did it. Not get up to, which means to do something naughty.
Question 19
It was a very difficult problem - one which no one could see a way of _____.
Get round a problem means to find a way to avoid it or deal with it. Example: We found a way of getting round the rules. Not getting through, which is used for a difficult time or task, not for avoiding a problem.
Question 20
You look very unhappy, Doris. What’s the matter? Is something getting you _____?
Get someone down means to make someone feel sad or depressed. The clue is You look very unhappy.
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