IDIOMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS USING ‘DO’

CHECK YOUR ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR PHRASAL VERBS AND IDIOMS

IDIOMS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS USING ‘DO’

Exercise 1:

Each of the sentences in the following sentence pairs can be completed with the same phrasal verb using do. The meaning of the phrasal verb in its context is explained in italics at the end of each sentence. Note that in some cases, you will need to change the form of the verb (for example, to a past participle)..

1	(a) _____ _____ your shoelaces, or you'll fall over. (to fasten) (b) Our new house is wonderful, but it needs _____ _____. (to repair, paint and improve an old building, car, boat, etc)
2	(a) As soon as I opened the door, I could see that my house had been _____ _____. (informal: to be burgled; to have things stolen from your house) (b) While I was walking back from the cinema, I was _____ _____ by a gang of teenagers. (to attack someone and hit and kick them)
3	(a) While we're cleaning the room, let's _____ _____ the cupboards. (informal: to make a room, cupboard, etc, very tidy and clean) (b) We've had the kitchen _____ _____ with aluminium units and light blue tiles. (to decorate)
4	(a) What you _____ _____ yourself in your free time is your business. (used for saying how someone spends their time) (b) I could really _____ _____ a nice cup of tea. (used for saying that you want or need something)
5	(a) We need to get a new photocopier. This one's _____ _____. (informal: in such bad condition or so badly damaged that it cannot be used) (b) If the police see us, we're _____ _____. (informal: to be likely to be punished)
6	(a) A lot of the restrictions on imports have been _____ _____ _____. (to get rid of something) (b) There were rumours that Doug had _____ _____ _____ his wife. (informal: to murder someone)
7	(a) He gave me a small parcel _____ _____ in silver paper. (to wrap something in paper or cloth in an attractive way) (b) Before the party she spent hours _____ herself _____. (to dress in special clothes, make-up, etc)
8	(a) I think that someone _____ him _____ to get his money. (informal: to murder someone) (b) I'm completely _____ _____ after all that running around. (very tired)
9	(a) Joe had been _____ _____ by his teacher so often that he had lost all confidence. (to criticise someone in a way that makes them seem stupid or unsuccessful) (b) You mustn't _____ yourself _____ – you have a lot of ability. (as above, used as a reflexive verb)
10	(a) Most of the articles in today's paper are to _____ _____ America's foreign policy. (to be connected with someone or something) (b) My resignation has nothing to _____ _____ my argument with the manager. (as above, but negative)

Exercise 2:

Complete sentences 1 – 18 with idioms and other expressions from the box. Each idiom is explained in italics at the end of each sentence. When 'do' is used as a verb, you may need to change its form (for example, by changing it to its past simple form).

a bit of a do            do as you're told           do me a good turn           do the sights           do the trick         do to a turn     do me a favour           do's and don'ts       do the dirty         do you a world of good             do you justice                   do your dirty work             make do with          take some doing          that does it           that's done it                        the done thing              you were done

1	This steak is delicious. It's __________. (cooked perfectly)
2	We haven't got any coffee, I'm afraid. We'll have to __________ tea. (to deal with a situation by using what is available rather than using what you want)
3	The boss spent all morning writing out a list of __________ for the office. (rules)
4	__________, Harriet! One more word from you, and you can leave the room immediately! (a spoken expression used for saying that someone or something that has been annoying you has finally made you so angry that you will do something)
5	We've missed our train. __________! Now we'll never get to London in time for the show. (a spoken expression used for when something goes wrong and as a result you will be in trouble)
6	You need a holiday. A break would __________. (to make you feel happy or healthy)
7	That's a nice dress you're wearing, but it doesn't really __________. (to show or emphasise all the good qualities of someone or something)
8	You paid £200 for that old television? __________! (a very informal spoken expression which is used for saying that someone has paid too much for something)
9	We're having __________ this Saturday to celebrate our anniversary. (a party)
10	If the printer doesn't work, hit it gently: that usually __________. (something that is needed in order to achieve something, in this case to get the printer to start working)
11	We spent a week in Paris, and __________. (to visit all the most important and famous places)
12	I don't believe that you sold your computer to Paul when you knew it was broken. How could you __________ on one of your friends like that? (informal, to treat someone very badly and unfairly)
13	I'm fed up __________! (to do an unpleasant or dishonest job for someone so that they do not have to do it themselves)
14	I was wondering if you could __________. I need to borrow £20. (to help someone)
15	__________, Alison, or I'll send you to your room. (a spoken expression used for telling a child to obey you)
16	It will __________ to get all this work finished by five o'clock. (an expression used for saying that something will be very difficult to do)
17	Jane __________ last week, and I would really like to return the favour. (to help someone)
18	You shouldn't argue with your teacher. It's not __________. (to be the correct or suitable thing to do)

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