Idiomatic Reformulations That Still Fit

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Multiple choice

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The evidence gives the lie to the allegation.

   1. The evidence supports the allegation.
   2. The evidence proves every unrelated allegation false.
   3. The evidence shows the allegation to be false.
   4. The evidence contradicts the allegation.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The evidence shows the allegation to be false.; The evidence contradicts the allegation.

   Give the lie to means contradict or show false within the stated allegation's scope.

2. Question 2 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The negotiators refused to move the goalposts.

   1. They would not alter the conditions after negotiations had begun.
   2. They refused every possible compromise on any issue.
   3. They refused to change the agreed requirements mid-process.
   4. They agreed to change the rules unpredictably.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They would not alter the conditions after negotiations had begun.; They refused to change the agreed requirements mid-process.

   Move the goalposts concerns shifting requirements, not all forms of compromise.

3. Question 3 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The review leaves no stone unturned.

   1. The review examines every possible avenue.
   2. The review is exhaustive in its search.
   3. The review deliberately avoids difficult questions.
   4. The review guarantees that every conclusion is correct.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The review examines every possible avenue.; The review is exhaustive in its search.

   Exhaustive effort does not itself guarantee infallibility.

4. Question 4 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The proposal is a non-starter under the current rules.

   1. The present rules make the proposal unworkable.
   2. The proposal can never work under any possible future rules.
   3. The proposal has no realistic chance of proceeding under the current rules.
   4. The proposal is already operating successfully.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The present rules make the proposal unworkable.; The proposal has no realistic chance of proceeding under the current rules.

   The rejection is bounded by the current rules, not every conceivable future regime.

5. Question 5 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The committee kept its powder dry.

   1. The committee abandoned any future possibility of action.
   2. The committee launched its strongest response immediately.
   3. The committee preserved its ability to act later.
   4. The committee held back from acting immediately.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The committee preserved its ability to act later.; The committee held back from acting immediately.

   Keep one's powder dry means reserve resources or action for a suitable later moment.

6. Question 6 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The agreement is hanging by a thread.

   1. The agreement has already certainly collapsed.
   2. The agreement is in a highly precarious position.
   3. A small further problem could cause the agreement to collapse.
   4. The agreement is secure against every challenge.
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   Answer

   The agreement is in a highly precarious position.; A small further problem could cause the agreement to collapse.

   Precariousness means risk of collapse, not established collapse.

7. Question 7 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The statement has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

   1. Every word of the statement has been proved false.
   2. The statement is beyond reasonable doubt.
   3. The statement should not be accepted wholly at face value.
   4. The statement should be treated with scepticism.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The statement should not be accepted wholly at face value.; The statement should be treated with scepticism.

   The idiom recommends caution without asserting total falsity.

8. Question 8 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The director drew a line under the dispute.

   1. The director treated the dispute as finished.
   2. The director sought to close the matter and move on.
   3. The director proved that no disagreement had ever existed.
   4. The director deliberately reopened every issue.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The director treated the dispute as finished.; The director sought to close the matter and move on.

   Draw a line under marks closure, not erasure of history.

9. Question 9 · Multiple choice

   Choose all the correct answers.

   Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The report pulls no punches.

   1. The report avoids softening its critical judgement.
   2. The report makes every possible accusation regardless of evidence.
   3. The report expresses its criticism directly and forcefully.
   4. The report conceals all criticism.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The report avoids softening its critical judgement.; The report expresses its criticism directly and forcefully.

   Direct forceful criticism does not entail indiscriminate accusation.

10. Question 10 · Multiple choice

    Choose all the correct answers.

    Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The concession was made to save face.

    1. The concession was intended to maximise humiliation.
    2. The concession was intended to help avoid public embarrassment.
    3. The concession proves complete agreement on the substance.
    4. Preserving dignity was the purpose of the concession.
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    The concession was intended to help avoid public embarrassment.; Preserving dignity was the purpose of the concession.

    Save face concerns avoiding public embarrassment and preserving dignity. Was made to describes the purpose; it does not establish that the purpose was achieved.

11. Question 11 · Multiple choice

    Choose all the correct answers.

    Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The explanation does not hold water.

    1. The explanation is factually false in every detail.
    2. The explanation does not withstand critical examination.
    3. The explanation has never been stated clearly.
    4. The explanation is not logically convincing.
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    Answer

    The explanation does not withstand critical examination.; The explanation is not logically convincing.

    Failure to be convincing does not establish that every factual detail is false.

12. Question 12 · Multiple choice

    Choose all the correct answers.

    Choose TWO correct statements based on the information given. The parties agreed to let sleeping dogs lie.

    1. They decided to investigate the old issue immediately.
    2. They chose to avoid disturbing a matter best left alone.
    3. They agreed not to reopen an old troublesome issue.
    4. They agreed that the old issue had never existed.
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    They chose to avoid disturbing a matter best left alone.; They agreed not to reopen an old troublesome issue.

    The idiom concerns leaving a potentially troublesome past issue undisturbed.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.