Idiomic Pairs #2

Second round of idiom pairs!

Ready, set, go!

•   bag and baggage = with all your possessions.
Mary got tired of living with her boyfriend so she decided to move, bag and baggage.

•   bits and pieces = small things.
I didn't hear everything he said, just some bits and pieces.

•   body and soul = physical and mental energy.
Jim loves learning a new language, he puts body and soul into it.

•   bread and butter = way of earning money to live.
Thomas doesn't have much money, he earns his bread and butter as a teacher.

•   bricks and mortar = property, buildings.
If you want to invest your money, I would advise you to put it into bricks and mortar.

•   give and take = compromise.
We can reach an agreement with a bit of give and take from both sides.

•   hustle and bustle = hurried activity.
I don't like living in the city centre, it's all hustle and bustle.

•   ifs and buts = excuses.
No ifs and buts, just finish your work and then you can go to play with the computer.

•   odds and ends = small things.
I'm almost done, but there are still some odds and ends I have to deal with.

•   part and parcel = part.
All those info programs are part and parcel of a campaign to destabilize the government.

•   rack and ruin = in bad conditions.
This is a nice neighborhood, but it's a shame that these buildings are going rack and ruin.

•   stuff and nonsense = foolish things.
Oh, no, he was not fired! That's all stuff and nonsense!

•   touch and go = close to success and failure at the same time.
After the accident, he's in a critical situation, the doctor said it's touch and go.

•   ups and downs = good and bad moments.
Don't panic, in a married couple there are always ups and downs.

•   wear and tear = deterioration.
Go change those clothes! Those can't stand any more wear and tear!

Exercises:

1. In every relationship there's some---------------------------------- .

2. Before I leave, let me get all my---------------------------- .

3. Working irregular hours is all---------------------- of being a doctor.

4. Sheila doesn't have much on his desk, just a few--------------------------- .

5. It was ---------------------------- whether the ambulance would get there on time.

6. The old house was left to go to-------------------------------- .

7. Before you leave, please check all your equipment for---------------------------------- .

8. They threw her out of the house,-------------------------------------------

Just like our last set, Ill make sure to post answers tomorrow!