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English as 2nd Language

Action Verb Idioms #2

  1. He bent over backwards to help Bob find a new job. Bend over backwards: make every effort possible
  2. Luckily, Jane stood up for me when the teacher accused me of cheating. Stand up for someone: defend someone
  3. I'm afraid I can't make it today. Can I give you a rain check? Give a rain check: promise to do something later that you can't do now
  4. If we go shopping on our way home from the lecture, we can kill two birds with one stone. Kill two birds with one stone: do two things with one action
  5. I hit the roof when my son told me he was going to get married at the age of 17! Hit the roof: become very angry
  6. We killed time by playing some video games. Kill time: waste time
  7. I tried to keep abreast of the situation in my home town. Keep abreast: to keep up to date, remain informed about
  8. Bye! I've got to hit the books because I have a test tomorrow. Hit the books: study
  9. I was just crunching the numbers and I'm afraid we don't have enough money. Crunch numbers: calculate finances or statistics
  10. I have to go to the supermarket. It looks like we are running out of food. Run out of: have very little of something and needing more, usually used with basic supplies like food, gas, money etc.
  11. I was going out of my mind thinking about what could have happened to Tom. Go out of your mind: become crazy
  12. I went over to Nancy's house to keep her company. Keep someone's company: provide friendship to someone

Continue Learning for Intermediate Unit 5 Questions Forms, Adverbs, Comparatives and Superlatives, Vocabulary: Action Verbs, Listening Comprehension: Customer Requests

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