WOTD Getting the intonation right – E – answers

1 There can be no more beating about the bush, this issue needs to be resolved now.

beat about the bush – delay making a decision, avoid discussing something

2a) This change in the planning laws is a severe setback to the completion of the new site.
2b) His health suffered a setback when the drugs were no longer available.

a setback – a delay in plans or progress – noun from phrasal verb to set back

3 Can you see to it that the guest list is updated(,) and the seating plan rearranged to take into account these new guests, please?

to see to – to organise, to ensure. For advanced writing, you should have added a comma after the first clause.

4 If we could turn back the clock, we’d have made a very different decision.

turn back the clock – change the way things have happened. For advanced writing, you should have added a comma after the first clause.

5 It was so hot on the train I nearly passed out!

to pass out – to faint

6 Let’s not just ape what the others are doing; let’s come up with some ideas of our own!

to ape – to copy or mimic

7a I’ll be glad to see the back of this marking. I’ve been working on it for hours.
7b Their grandchildren were a real nuisance for the whole week they stayed with them, and they were both really pleased to see the back of them.

To be glad / happy / pleased / relieved to see the back of someone or something
– idiom – to be pleased when someone leaves or something ends because you did not like them or it

For some reading exercises
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