Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension 81
Mini-Lessons for Section 1
Idiomatic Expressions
A knowledge of idioms is important for the Listening Comprehension section, especially Part A.
These Mini-Lessons contain lists of some 300 expressions and their definitions as well as exercises to
familiarize you with most of these expressions. Many of the expressions listed here have appeared on
the Listening Comprehension sections of TOEFL exams in the past, some of them several times.
Notes:
1. If a phrase contains a word in parentheses, that word is used only if the verb is followed by an
noun or pronoun.
Example:
f catch UP! (with)
You go ahead. I'll catch up later. (no noun or pronoun)
I'll catch up with you later. (pronoun)
2. The words one and someone are used to indicate that any pronoun (or sometimes a noun) can be
used in this expression.
Example:
on one's own
How long have you been on your own?
Tom's been on his own for several years.
Mini-Lesson 1.1
about to almost ready to
above all most importantly
add up make sense; be logical
all at once suddenly; without warning
! ' all of a sudden all at once; suddenly
~ a matter of fact in reality; actually
as a rule generally; customarily
~ at ease not nervous; calm
~t the drop of a hat quickly; without any preparation time
back out (of) withdraw an offer
bank on depend on; count on
be my guest do what you want; feel free; help yourself
be rusty need practice or review
beats me I don't know; I have no idea (often used in response to a question)
0- better off in an improved condition.
\bite off more than one can chew take on more responsibility than one can handle
C""' bound to certain to; sure to
~break down stop functioning (a machine, for example)
~!>reak in (on) interrupt
~reak the ice break through social barriers (as at a party)
~reak the news (to) inform; give bad news
'break up end (a meeting, for example)
~break up (with) stop being a couple (a boyfriend and girlfriend, for example)
( a breeze something very simple and easy to do
S
, 82 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
~.
"hnng about cause to happen
L~bring up (1) raise (a child)
, (2) introduce (a topic, for example)
C.:::: brush up on review; study; practic~
bump into meet unexpectedly; run into
by and large mostly; generally; on the whole
by heart by memory; learned word for word
&~y no means in no way; not at all
cy
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be
one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be
grammatically correct. The first one is done as an example.
1. "Can you talk now?"
"No, I'm about to go to the grocery store, but I'll call you as soon as 1 get back."
2. "You're probably too tired to play another game of racquetball, right?"
"I'm not that tired. really. , I'd enjoy another
game."
3. "Will you support my proposal at the meeting?"
"Certainly. You can __ .________ my support."
4. 1 was talking to my aunt when suddenly my cousin George Ann
our conversation.
5. "I understand Diane lost her job."
"Yes, but she's actually ____ . She found a more interesting job with a higher
salary."
6. _~ ____ , Carlos is very punctual, but he sure 'was late tonight.
7. My car _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ last week, and 1 had to take the bus to work until it was repaired.
8. I was taking a quiet walk last night when, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , there was a
loud explosion.
9. Kent is fail that class if he doesn't start studying.
10. They _~________~ their children to be honest.
11. There were a Jew things I didn't like about Professor Wong's class, but _ _ _ _ _ _ __
____ I enjoyed it.
12. "I think Matthew was cheating on that quiz."
"That doesn't _____ . Why should the best student in the class cheat?"
13. "Can I have another sandwich'"
"Sure. _________.... ______ . I made plenty."
14. Actors and actresses must know their lines _ _ _ _ _ _ __
IS. If you don't want to talk about this problem, why did you ____ it _ _ __
16. Many accidents are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by carelessness.
17. Their team won the game, but they dominated it. It was a very
close garne.
18. "What a boring party. No one is talking to one another."
"Maybe we should put on some music and start dancing. That might ___ ~ ._ _ __
19. "Have you studied Spanish before?"
"Yes, but it's been years since 1 took a Spanish class, so I'll need to - .. _._- -~---
_ .. ___ it before I go to Venezuela."
20. "You're taking five classes this term?"
"Yes. and I'm havim! trouhle getting caught up. I'm afraid 1
.. _ .________ this time."
, Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension '83
21. "You're all packed and ready to go, I see."
"I could leave _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
22, "Do you know what the name of this street is?"
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . This is the first time I've ever been in this town."
23, "How's that biology class youre taking?"
"So far, it's been . We'..,., just been going over things I studied last semester."
24. "What time did the part\ __ last night?"
"I don't know. It was stU] buing on when 1 went home."
25. "I was awfully nervous when I gave that speech."
"Really? You hid it well. 1 thought you were completely _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Mini..Lesson 1.2
call it a day stop working for the day; go home
call off cancel
call on visit
cahn down relax
care for (1) take care of
(2) like; feel affection for
catch on become popular
catch on (to) understand; learn
catch up (with) go as fast as; catch
check in (or into) register (at a hotel)
check out (00 (1) leave (a hotel)
(2) take material (from a library, for example)
cheer up become cheerful; be happy
chip in (on/for) contribute
clear up (1) clarify; make understandable
(2) become nice and sunny (used to talk about the weather)
conle across find; meet; encounter
come around (to) begin to change one's opinion; begin to agree with
come down with become sick with (an illness)
come up with think of (an idea)
cost an arm and a leg be very expensive
count on depend on; rely on; bank on
count out eliminate; no longer consider as a factor
cut off stop; discontinue (a service, for example)
cut out for have an aptitude for; be qualified for
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be
one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be
grammatically correct.
1. The reception in the garden was because of a thunderstorm.
2. Don't get so excited. Just _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and tell us what happened.
3. I was looking up some information in the almanac when 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ an interesting fact.
4. I can ____ _ _ ___ my car. It's very dependable and never breaks down.
S. How did you _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ such a strange idea?
6. I arrived in town last night at seven-thirty and _._. __________ my hotel at around eight. This
morning I plan to at about nine.
---- -- ---
, 84 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
7. "Did you rent this videotape?"
"No, I ~_____ it ______ the library."
8. You look tired. Why don't we____~ and finish up tomorrow?
9. It won't be too expensive to buy Professor McMillen a present if we all _ _ _ ~.. ___
10. If Arthur doesn't pay his electric bill soon, the utilities company might_ . __ __ his
electricity.
11. "I don't understand this theorem at all."
"Talk to Professor Adler. I'll bet she can ______ your confusion."
12. Who ______ _ your cat while you were out of town?
15. A good stereo system doesn't have to __________ . _________________
__ . You can find one for a reasonable price.
14. Cauliflower isn't my favorite vegetable. In fact, I don't it at all.
15. "I'm depressed. I didn't do very well on the first quiz."
_ _ _ !That quiz only counted for 10% of the total grade, and I'm sure you'll do
better on the other tests."
16. "How did Eric do in the cross-country ski race?"
"He got off to a bad start, so he never _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the leading skiers."
17. "Why did Brenda drop out of business school?"
"She decided she wasn't _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a career in business. She's going to study
art instead."
18. This song wasn't very popular when it was first recorded, but now it's starting to _ _ __
19. "Your roommate is still planning to vote for Smithson for president of the Student Council?"
"Yes, but I'm going to keep talking to him. I think eventually he'll ~~ __.. _________
our point of view and vote for Brannigan."
20. That saleswoman her clients at least once a month because she thinks
personal contact is important.
21. "Is it still raining?"
"No, the rain has stopped and it's starting to ________
Mini-Lesson 1.3
day in and day out constantly; for a long time
die down become less severe; quiet down
do over do again; repeat
do without not have
down the drain wasted: done for no reason (work, for example)
dream up invent; think of; come up with
drop (someone) a line send someone a letter
drop in (on) visit informally
drop off (1) leave something (a package, for example)
(2) take (someone) home; let someone out of a car
drop out (00 stop attending (classes, for example)
easy as pie very simple; a piece of cake
eyes bigger than one's stomach said of someone who takes more food than he or she can eat
fall behind not move as quickly as; lag behind
fall through fail to happen
Mini-Lessons for Section 1
Idiomatic Expressions
A knowledge of idioms is important for the Listening Comprehension section, especially Part A.
These Mini-Lessons contain lists of some 300 expressions and their definitions as well as exercises to
familiarize you with most of these expressions. Many of the expressions listed here have appeared on
the Listening Comprehension sections of TOEFL exams in the past, some of them several times.
Notes:
1. If a phrase contains a word in parentheses, that word is used only if the verb is followed by an
noun or pronoun.
Example:
f catch UP! (with)
You go ahead. I'll catch up later. (no noun or pronoun)
I'll catch up with you later. (pronoun)
2. The words one and someone are used to indicate that any pronoun (or sometimes a noun) can be
used in this expression.
Example:
on one's own
How long have you been on your own?
Tom's been on his own for several years.
Mini-Lesson 1.1
about to almost ready to
above all most importantly
add up make sense; be logical
all at once suddenly; without warning
! ' all of a sudden all at once; suddenly
~ a matter of fact in reality; actually
as a rule generally; customarily
~ at ease not nervous; calm
~t the drop of a hat quickly; without any preparation time
back out (of) withdraw an offer
bank on depend on; count on
be my guest do what you want; feel free; help yourself
be rusty need practice or review
beats me I don't know; I have no idea (often used in response to a question)
0- better off in an improved condition.
\bite off more than one can chew take on more responsibility than one can handle
C""' bound to certain to; sure to
~break down stop functioning (a machine, for example)
~!>reak in (on) interrupt
~reak the ice break through social barriers (as at a party)
~reak the news (to) inform; give bad news
'break up end (a meeting, for example)
~break up (with) stop being a couple (a boyfriend and girlfriend, for example)
( a breeze something very simple and easy to do
S
, 82 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
~.
"hnng about cause to happen
L~bring up (1) raise (a child)
, (2) introduce (a topic, for example)
C.:::: brush up on review; study; practic~
bump into meet unexpectedly; run into
by and large mostly; generally; on the whole
by heart by memory; learned word for word
&~y no means in no way; not at all
cy
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be
one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be
grammatically correct. The first one is done as an example.
1. "Can you talk now?"
"No, I'm about to go to the grocery store, but I'll call you as soon as 1 get back."
2. "You're probably too tired to play another game of racquetball, right?"
"I'm not that tired. really. , I'd enjoy another
game."
3. "Will you support my proposal at the meeting?"
"Certainly. You can __ .________ my support."
4. 1 was talking to my aunt when suddenly my cousin George Ann
our conversation.
5. "I understand Diane lost her job."
"Yes, but she's actually ____ . She found a more interesting job with a higher
salary."
6. _~ ____ , Carlos is very punctual, but he sure 'was late tonight.
7. My car _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ last week, and 1 had to take the bus to work until it was repaired.
8. I was taking a quiet walk last night when, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , there was a
loud explosion.
9. Kent is fail that class if he doesn't start studying.
10. They _~________~ their children to be honest.
11. There were a Jew things I didn't like about Professor Wong's class, but _ _ _ _ _ _ __
____ I enjoyed it.
12. "I think Matthew was cheating on that quiz."
"That doesn't _____ . Why should the best student in the class cheat?"
13. "Can I have another sandwich'"
"Sure. _________.... ______ . I made plenty."
14. Actors and actresses must know their lines _ _ _ _ _ _ __
IS. If you don't want to talk about this problem, why did you ____ it _ _ __
16. Many accidents are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by carelessness.
17. Their team won the game, but they dominated it. It was a very
close garne.
18. "What a boring party. No one is talking to one another."
"Maybe we should put on some music and start dancing. That might ___ ~ ._ _ __
19. "Have you studied Spanish before?"
"Yes, but it's been years since 1 took a Spanish class, so I'll need to - .. _._- -~---
_ .. ___ it before I go to Venezuela."
20. "You're taking five classes this term?"
"Yes. and I'm havim! trouhle getting caught up. I'm afraid 1
.. _ .________ this time."
, Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension '83
21. "You're all packed and ready to go, I see."
"I could leave _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
22, "Do you know what the name of this street is?"
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . This is the first time I've ever been in this town."
23, "How's that biology class youre taking?"
"So far, it's been . We'..,., just been going over things I studied last semester."
24. "What time did the part\ __ last night?"
"I don't know. It was stU] buing on when 1 went home."
25. "I was awfully nervous when I gave that speech."
"Really? You hid it well. 1 thought you were completely _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Mini..Lesson 1.2
call it a day stop working for the day; go home
call off cancel
call on visit
cahn down relax
care for (1) take care of
(2) like; feel affection for
catch on become popular
catch on (to) understand; learn
catch up (with) go as fast as; catch
check in (or into) register (at a hotel)
check out (00 (1) leave (a hotel)
(2) take material (from a library, for example)
cheer up become cheerful; be happy
chip in (on/for) contribute
clear up (1) clarify; make understandable
(2) become nice and sunny (used to talk about the weather)
conle across find; meet; encounter
come around (to) begin to change one's opinion; begin to agree with
come down with become sick with (an illness)
come up with think of (an idea)
cost an arm and a leg be very expensive
count on depend on; rely on; bank on
count out eliminate; no longer consider as a factor
cut off stop; discontinue (a service, for example)
cut out for have an aptitude for; be qualified for
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be
one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be
grammatically correct.
1. The reception in the garden was because of a thunderstorm.
2. Don't get so excited. Just _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and tell us what happened.
3. I was looking up some information in the almanac when 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ an interesting fact.
4. I can ____ _ _ ___ my car. It's very dependable and never breaks down.
S. How did you _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ such a strange idea?
6. I arrived in town last night at seven-thirty and _._. __________ my hotel at around eight. This
morning I plan to at about nine.
---- -- ---
, 84 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
7. "Did you rent this videotape?"
"No, I ~_____ it ______ the library."
8. You look tired. Why don't we____~ and finish up tomorrow?
9. It won't be too expensive to buy Professor McMillen a present if we all _ _ _ ~.. ___
10. If Arthur doesn't pay his electric bill soon, the utilities company might_ . __ __ his
electricity.
11. "I don't understand this theorem at all."
"Talk to Professor Adler. I'll bet she can ______ your confusion."
12. Who ______ _ your cat while you were out of town?
15. A good stereo system doesn't have to __________ . _________________
__ . You can find one for a reasonable price.
14. Cauliflower isn't my favorite vegetable. In fact, I don't it at all.
15. "I'm depressed. I didn't do very well on the first quiz."
_ _ _ !That quiz only counted for 10% of the total grade, and I'm sure you'll do
better on the other tests."
16. "How did Eric do in the cross-country ski race?"
"He got off to a bad start, so he never _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the leading skiers."
17. "Why did Brenda drop out of business school?"
"She decided she wasn't _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a career in business. She's going to study
art instead."
18. This song wasn't very popular when it was first recorded, but now it's starting to _ _ __
19. "Your roommate is still planning to vote for Smithson for president of the Student Council?"
"Yes, but I'm going to keep talking to him. I think eventually he'll ~~ __.. _________
our point of view and vote for Brannigan."
20. That saleswoman her clients at least once a month because she thinks
personal contact is important.
21. "Is it still raining?"
"No, the rain has stopped and it's starting to ________
Mini-Lesson 1.3
day in and day out constantly; for a long time
die down become less severe; quiet down
do over do again; repeat
do without not have
down the drain wasted: done for no reason (work, for example)
dream up invent; think of; come up with
drop (someone) a line send someone a letter
drop in (on) visit informally
drop off (1) leave something (a package, for example)
(2) take (someone) home; let someone out of a car
drop out (00 stop attending (classes, for example)
easy as pie very simple; a piece of cake
eyes bigger than one's stomach said of someone who takes more food than he or she can eat
fall behind not move as quickly as; lag behind
fall through fail to happen
