Common Idioms for Limitations and Restrictions IELTS Reading

Common Idioms for Limitations and Restrictions IELTS Reading contains 6 exercises. The exercise questions include choose the best answer to complete the sentences, match the sentences, use sentences to answer the questions, replace the underlined words with idioms, match the situations with idioms and correct the idioms in the sentences.
Common Idioms For Limitations and Restrictions IELTS Reading assesses candidates on their reading abilities in English language. Candidates willing to achieve a high IELTS Score need to be proficient in vocabulary and use of idioms. In order to excel in IELTS Reading section candidates need to enhance their knowledge in the use of idioms. Candidates need to undertake effective preparation in learning idioms for IELTS to improve their English language skills.

Common Idioms for Limitations and Restrictions

Exercise 1:

Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

1. There’s a fine ____________ between fact and fantasy in this TV programme.

1. line
2. mark
3. limit

2. AM realized that this time he’d probably overstepped the ____________

1. limit
2. mark
3. line

3. Perhaps I was a bit over the ____________, accusing you of being a traitor.

1. line
2. top
3. mark

4. I asked if he’s ever been tempted to bend the____________ for a good cause.

1. rules
2. strings
3. line

5. The site of the disaster is completely off ____________ to reporters.

1. strings
2. limits
3. bounds

6. The editor allowed the photos to be taken but drew the ____________ at publishing them.

1. bounds
2. strings
3. line

7. When she’s not writing her hands are ____________ with her family.

1. bound
2. empty
3. full

8. The spokesman said that his hands were ____________and he could not account for the delay.

1. fine
2. tied
3. bound

Answers:

Question 1.

Answer: a. line
Explanation: If there is a thin line between two activities or situations, there is a point where they are quite similar, which is usually when one is acceptable and the other isn't.

Question 2.

Answer: b. mark
Explanation: When you 'overstep the mark', you insult people by doing something regarded as rude or inappropriate.

Question 3.

Answer: b. top
Explanation: When you say something is "over the top," you're implying that it's excessive.

Question 4.

Answer: a. rules
Explanation: If you 'bend the rules’, you are doing something that is not permitted, either to aid someone else or to benefit yourself.

Question 5.

Answer: b. limits
Explanation: You are not permitted to enter an area that has been designated as off-limits.

Question 6.

Answer: c. line
Explanation: If you know where to ‘draw the line’, you'll recognise when an activity or scenario is no longer reasonable and becomes intolerable and illegal.

Question 7.

Answer: c. full
Explanation: If you have your hands full you are very busy.

Question 8.

Answer: b. tied
Explanation: If you have your hands tied, something like a law prevents you from behaving in the way you want.

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Exercise 2:

Match sentence halves 1-6 with A-F to make complete sentences.

1. I’ll make it clear that the kitchen
2. The college said the donation
3. I want to make some changes but with no budget
4. The director asked me to make suggestions but
5. A poster on the kitchen wall
6. I didn’t stop to talk because he obviously

1. had his hands full.
2. my hands are tied.
3. I’m afraid of treading on his toes.
4. had been made with no strings attached.
5. shows all the important dos and don’ts.
6. is completely out of bounds.

Answers:

Question 1.

Answer: F. is completely out of bounds.
Explanation: If a location is out of bounds, you are not permitted to visit it.

Question 2.

Answer: D. had been made with no strings attached.
Explanation: When you say "no strings attached", you're referring to the fact that accepting the offerings does not obligate you to do anything or give anything in return.

Question 3.

Answer: B. my hands are tied.
Explanation: Something has tied your hands from doing some work means that you are not able to complete that work owing to some limitations or hardships faced by you.

Question 4.

Answer: C. I’m afraid of treading on his toes.
Explanation: You offend someone by interfering with something that is their responsibility if you tread on their toes.

Question 5.

Answer: E. shows all the important do’s and don’ts.
Explanation: The do’s and don’ts list shows the things you can do with or on with those particular things and things which you can not do with them.

Question 6.

Answer: A. had his hands full.
Explanation: If you have your hands full you are very busy.

Exercise 3:

Use sentences A-F to answer questions 1-6.

1. Who has gone a bit over the top?
2. Who has decided to draw the line?
3. Who’s hands are full?
4. Who’s hands are tied?
5. Who doesn’t want to step on anyone’s toes?
6. Who has decided to stretch the rules?

1. Birgit’s got two part-time jobs and four children.
2. Roger has refused to accept any more invitations.
3. Leo asked his colleague if he was already dealing with the matter.
4. It’s not usually allowed, but Atsuko has decided to let parents watch the class.
5. Arif can’t complete the order without his boss’s permission.
6. Jenny has told her teenage daughters they won’t ever be allowed to go out in the evening again.

Answers:

Question 1.

Answer: Jenny
Explanation: When you say something is "over the top," you're implying that it's excessive.

Question 2.

Answer: Roger
Explanation: You would not participate in a specific activity if you ‘drew a line’ at it because you disapprove of it.

Question 3.

Answer: Birgit
Explanation: If you ‘have your hands full’, you are very busy.

Question 4.

Answer: Arif
Explanation: Something that has ‘tied your hands’ from doing some work means that you are not able to complete that work owing to some limitations.

Question 5.

Answer: Leo
Explanation: You offend someone by interfering with something that is their responsibility or concern if you ‘step on their toes’.

Question 6.

Answer: Atsuko
Explanation: When you stretch the rules, you are doing something that is not allowed, either to aid someone else or to benefit yourself.

Exercise 4:

Replace the underlined words with the idioms in the box.

1. I’m sorry I can’t help you at the moment. I’m really busy.
2. It’s a good idea to read the list of things you should and shouldn’t do before you arrive.
3. I’d love to help but I’m afraid I am not allowed to.
4. I want to make sure I don’t offend anyone by interfering with their responsibilities.
5. Going into the fields next to the school is not allowed. They are not accessible.
6. Please apologise. You’ve really done something unacceptable.

Answers:

Question 1.

Answer: I’ve got my hands full.
Explanation: If you ‘have your hands full’, you are very busy.

Question 2.

Answer: dos and don’ts
Explanation: The things you should and should not do in a specific situation are known as the dos and don'ts of that situation.

Question 3.

Answer: my hands are tied
Explanation: If you have your hands tied, something like a law prevents you from behaving in the way you want.

Question 4.

Answer: step on someone’s toes
Explanation: You offend someone by interfering with something that is their responsibility or concern if you ‘step on their toes’.

Question 5.

Answer: off limits
Explanation: If an area or location is marked off limits then you are not allowed to go there.

Question 6.

Answer: overstepped the mark
Explanation: When you 'overstep the mark', you insult people by doing something regarded as rude or inappropriate.

Exercise 5:

Match situations 1-8 with idioms A-H.

1. We are not allowed to use the roof terrace at the top of the building.
2. I’ve been given an amazing opportunity without having to do anything in return.
3. I think going on holiday in a private jet was a bit extreme.
4. Swearing in the classroom is unacceptable. Don’t do it again.
5. Sometimes you can do things that are theoretically not allowed.
6. How could you say such a mean and nasty thing? That’s very rude of you.
7. I’m afraid I can’t help you because you work for a different department.
8. I’ve got far too many other things to do just now.

1. My hands are full.
2. My hands are tied.
3. It was over the top.
4. I draw the line at it.
5. You’ve overstepped the mark.
6. It’s out of bounds
7. There are no strings attached.
8. You can bend the rules.

Answers:

Question 1.

Answer: F. It’s out of bounds
Explanation: We are not allowed to use the roof terrace at the top of the building as it is out of bounds which means that going on the terrace is not allowed.

Question 2.

Answer: G. There are no strings attached.
Explanation: I’ve been given an amazing opportunity with no strings attached. This means that I got this opportunity without having to do anything in return.

Question 3.

Answer: C. It was over the top.
Explanation: It was over the top means it became too excessive. Going on holiday in a private jet is a bit too extreme.

Question 4.

Answer: D. I draw the line at it.
Explanation: If you know where to ‘draw the line’, you'll recognize when an activity or scenario is no longer reasonable and becomes intolerable and illegal.

Question 5.

Answer: H. You can bend the rules.
Explanation: When you ‘bend the rules’, you are doing something that is not allowed.

Question 6.

Answer: E. You’ve overstepped the mark.
Explanation: How could you say such a mean and nasty thing? You’ve overstepped the mark.

Question 7.

Answer: B. My hands are tied.
Explanation: I’m afraid I can’t help you because you work for a different department. My hands are tied.

Question 8.

Answer: A. My hands are full.
Explanation: My hands are full means I am too busy as I have got too much work to do.

Exercise 6

Correct the idioms in these sentences.

1. There’s a full line between bravery and foolishness.
2. When he occasionally overstepped the line he would immediately apologize.
3. There is no classical music which is out of limits for children, they say.
4. I am grateful to them for their co-operation, which was given with no lines attached.
5. The policy is flexible – staff waiting for an important call can bend the toes provided the phone remains on silent.
6. The publisher produces a booklet full of don’ts and dos for new authors.
7. The council says their toes are tied by government spending limits.
8. He was smart enough not to tread on his colleagues’ lines.

Answers:

Question 1.

Answer: a fine line
Explanation: There’s a fine line between bravery and foolishness, which means that bravery and foolishness are quite similar but the existence of any one of them during a situation refrains the existence of the other one.

Question 2.

Answer: overstepped the mark
Explanation: When he occasionally overstepped the mark he would immediately apologize.

Question 3.

Answer: off limits
Explanation: There is no classical music which is off-limits for children, they say. This means that there is not even single classical music that is restricted to be listened to by the children.

Question 4.

Answer: with no strings attached
Explanation: I am grateful to them for their cooperation, which was given with no strings attached. When you say "no strings attached", you're referring to the fact that accepting the offerings does not obligate you to do anything or give anything in return.

Question 5.

Answer: bend the rules
Explanation: The policy is flexible – staff waiting for an important call can bend the rules provided the phone remains silent. When you ‘bend the rules’, you are doing something that is not allowed which may be useful for others or for yourself.

Question 6.

Answer: dos and don’ts
Explanation: The publisher produces a booklet full of dos and don’ts for new authors. This means that the publisher produces a list of activities that should and should not be followed by the new authors.

Question 7.

Answer: their hands are tied
Explanation: The council says their hands are tied by government spending limits. It means the council is not able to perform some of its functions due to the low government spending limits.

Question 8.

Answer: tread on his colleague’s toes
Explanation: He was smart enough not to tread on his colleagues’ toes.
You offend someone by interfering with something that is their responsibility if you tread on their toes and he was smart enough to not to interfere in his colleagues’ works.