WOTD Getting the intonation right D – answers

1 It’s all very obvious; do I need to spell it out for you?

spell something out – make something very clear – usually ironic or said in exasperation

2 The house was completely empty so we created makeshift furniture from cardboard boxes.

makeshift – adjective – temporary and of low quality, but used because of a sudden need; used of something made to last only a short period.

3 She bottled everything up for years and never told anybody about her brother’s / brothers’ death.

bottle (sth / a feeling) up – not show feeling about sth

4 Most people would go to the ends of the earth to help their children.

go to the ends of the earth – do as much as possible to achieve something

5 We have to keep our finger on the pulse of technology in order to stay ahead of the competition.

keep your finger on the pulse – know about the latest information and developments

6 Mick has been getting into trouble since he was at junior school; it’s time he turned over a new leaf for his family’s sake!

turn over a new leaf – change your behaviour for the better
Did you notice the tense of the verb after ‘It’s time’? Eg It’s time I went home now = I must go now.

7 A marked increase in sales has given us more work than we can cope with in this department.

cope with – manage something

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