Spot the idiom(s) 1

Read the following letter and see if you can spot the idioms used in the text, and their meanings.

Dear Joanne,

Hi. How are you? I thought I would let you know how we’ve settled in across the pond! The house is lovely, and the neighbours are very welcoming, so things are looking good so far.

I have told Ted that he needs to make a plan for the redecoration of the house and the landscaping of the grounds, with completion times, so we stick to the schedule; it’s plain who wears the trousers in this relationship, eh?? Mind you, someone has to do the running, otherwise nothing would get done!

I have had to tell Kathy that the house will not be ready in time for her planned visit in the spring, so if she comes over she may have to find a motel to stay at, or put up with a half-completed bedroom and house. That went down like a lead balloon, I can tell you! I really wanted to ask her to postpone the trip, but I can imagine her going spare at that suggestion. Still, it’s hardly my fault that things have gone pear-shaped, is it? It’s just hard cheese! – things don’t always work out as we would like…..

How is work? It’s very odd for me not to be trailing down to that office every weekday, especially as I seem to have been doing it for donkey’s years! I hope my new job will be as much fun, ‘tho; I would hate to get there all excited at the new challenge and it end up being a damp squib, particularly as I am so far away from friends and family now…. Ooh, I’m being far too negative! I am sure it will be fine.

Now then, you MUST plan a visit to see us (obviously once we have done the work, unless you are happy in the chaos? I am sure you would be- unlike Kathy!). Flights are not very expensive you know, and booking everything online is easy peasy these days. So, get on with it!! Ooops, I have to go now – I hear Ted’s plaintive wails for assistance!! Please write soon, with all your news….. hope all is fine and dandy,

Lots of love,

Trudie XXX

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