Common Idioms for Relationships IELTS Reading

Common Idioms for Relationships IELTS Reading consists of 6 exercises. The exercise questions include- find same and opposite meaning of idioms, matching the sentences, choose the best answers, correcting idioms, replace underlined words, and complete the table
Common idioms for Relationships 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.

Idiom Topic - Relationships

Exercise 1:
Look at the sentences below. Which three idioms have the same meaning? Which idiom has the opposite meaning to these three?

1. Everyone around the table remained silent and I tried to think of a way of breaking the ice.
2. It’s strange that her two ex-husbands get on like a house on fire!
3. Oh yes, we go back a long way – we went to nursery school together.
4. I’m afraid we got off on the wrong foot because I got her name wrong.
5. They are definitely on the same wavelength – both passionate about green politics.
6. We didn’t really hit it off– we just aren’t interested in the same things.

Question 1:

Answers: B, E, F
Explanation: the statements B, E, F are similar in meaning as the idioms used in these three statements have the same meaning. In statement B the idiom “ get on like a house on fire” means two people easily and quickly becomes a friend. In statement E “on the same wavelength” to understand and agree with the opinion of the other person and in statement F the idiom “hit it off” means to like each other in their first meet. Thus all three idioms mean easily getting acquainted with other people.

Exercise 2:

Match sentence halves 1-8 with A-H to make complete sentences.

Question 1.

Answer: B
Explanation: the first statement matches statement B IN the SECOND column. “whenever his mother was in the room, I was aware of sparks flying”. The idiom “ SPARKS FLYING” means to get angry with each other and start arguing.

Question 2.

Answer: F
Explanation: The second statement will make complete sense when option F from the second column is added to it. “It is his stupid loud voice which gets on my nerve”. The idiom “ To get on my nerve” means to get irritated by something.

Question 3.

Answer: A
Explanation: The third statement will make complete sense when option A from second column is added o it. “ their business partnership was on rock”. This idiom means that something is encountering a lot of difficulties and is about to end.

Question 4.

Answer: E
Explanation: the fourth statement will be completed by adding statement E from the second column. “ she took his keys and his coat and left him in the lurch”. This idiom means that to put someone in a difficult situation by withdrawing the helping hand or the support.

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Question 5.

Answer: C
Explanation: the fifth statement will make complete sense when option C is added to it. “ they left because the manager treated them like dirt". The meaning of treating someone like dirt idiom is to treat someone badly.

Question 6.

Answer: H
Explanation: the sixth statement will make complete sense when option H is added to it. " He was rude to her so she's decided that in the future, she will give him the cold shoulder". To give a cold shoulder means to ignore someone or to evade someone.

Question 7.

Answer: D
Explanation: the seventh statement will make complete sense when option D is added to it. "We care about you because you are our own flesh and blood". The idiom our own flesh and blood means to be a member of the same family.

Question 8.

Answer: G
Explanation: the eighth statement will make complete sense when option G is added to it. " We pretend not to notice them leave to save the face." To save the face means to do something to maintain respect and reputation.

Exercise 3:

Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

1. You have started _________________ by arriving late for our appointment.

1. to save face
2. on the same wavelength
3. off on the wrong foot

Answer: Option C
Explanation: to begin a relationship on a bad note. This idiom correctly fixes in this blank as the sentences mean that you have begin the relationship on a bad note by arriving late.

2. He’s highly educated and she’s got no qualifications at all, but they managed to _________________

1. get off on the wrong foot
2. hit it off
3. go back a long way

Answer: Option B
Explanation: the idiom to hit off means to get friendly easily. According to this idiom the sentence mean that both he and she are opposite in their education qualification but still they get along very well.

3. Mr Sen invited them all to dinner at his house to _________________.

1. get off on the wrong foot
2. get on like a house on fire
3. break the ice

Answer: Option C
Explanation: the meaning of the idiom break the ice is to make someone more comfortable and relaxed in a social situation. According to this idiom, the statement would mean that Mr. Sen invited them to break the social hesitation and make them more social.

4. As soon as the prisoners arrive, the guards begin to _________________.

1. treat them like dirt
2. get off on the wrong foot
3. leave them in the lurch

Answer: Option A
Explanation: the meaning of the idiom to treat like dirt means to treat badly. According to this idiom, the statement means that as soon as the prisoners arrive they treated them badly or rudely.

5. Luca’s personal assistant quit suddenly and _________________ so I’m doing some typing for him.

1. left him in the lurch
2. treated him like dirt
3. got the cold shoulder

Answer: Option A
Explanation: leave them in the lurch mean to withdraw support or help. According to this idiom, the statement means Luca’s assistant left her when she needed him.

6. They argue all the time now. There’s no doubt that their marriage is _________________ .

1. on fire
2. on the rocks
3. their own flesh and blood

Answer: Option B
Explanation: the idiom on the rock means that the relationship is encountering ups and downs. According to this idiom, the statement means their marriage is encountering ups and downs.

Exercise 4:

Correct the idioms in these sentences.

1. When I saw her at the party, she just gave me cold hands.

Answer: The cold Hands is not the correct rather it is To give the cold shoulder.
Explanation: To give a cold shoulder means to ignore someone.

2. We used to argue a lot, but now we’re getting on like a house in the lurch.

Answer: getting on like a house in a lurch is not correct rather it is getting on like a house on fire.
Explanation: This idiom means getting acquainted easily and in a friendly manner.

3. We go back on the rocks. We met when we were just children.

Answer: Go back on the rock is incorrect rather it is To go back a long way.
Explanation: This idiom means that the two people share a great friendship for a long time.

4.  As soon as they met, they hit it on.

Answer: Hit it on is incorrect rather it would be to Hit off.
Explanation: To Hit off means to like each other in their first meeting.

5. I find him a bit irritating. He really gets on my sparks.

Answer: Gets on my sparks is incorrect rather it would be to get on my nerve.
Explanation: This idiom means to get irritated by someone or something.

6. We understand each other well. We’re on the same foot.

Answer: Same foot is incorrect rather it means to be on the same page.
Explanation: To be on the same page means to understand each other very well.

Exercise 5:

Replace the underlined words with idioms from this unit in the correct form.

1. We get on well, but we have different views on politics. As soon as we start talking about politics, we have an argument – so we tend to avoid the subject.

Answer: Here the idiom Sparks fly will be applicable.
Explanation: Sparks fly means to get angry and start arguing.

2. Don’t worry – I promised I would help you, and I won’t abandon you.

Answer: Here the idiom Leave in the lurch is applicable.
Explanation: According to this idiom, the statement states that I won't leave/ abandon you.

3. Unfortunately, when we first met, we had a disagreement which ruined our relationship. But I’m sure that next time we meet, we can become friends.

Answer: Here the idiom Get off on the wrong foot will be applicable.
Explanation: To get off on the wrong foot means to begin a relationship or any event badly.

4. I tried to say something funny just to ease the tension – but I don’t think she found it very amusing.

Answer: Here the idiom break the ice is applicable.
Explanation: Break the ice means to make someone comfortable and relaxed socially.

5. Jenny and your brother seem to have enjoyed each other’s company right from the start ֊ they’ve been talking together for ages.

Answer: Here the idiom Hit off is applicable.
Explanation: To Hit off means to get along easily from their first meeting.

6. I think he should resign. His boss shows no respect for him and he deserves better.

Answer: Here the idiom treats like dirt is more applicable.
Explanation: To treat like dirt means to treat someone badly and rudely.

7. Most of the time I was terrified, but trying to appear unaffected. I did my best to stay cool.

Answer: Here the idiom Save face is more applicable.
Explanation: To save face means to do something which maintains respect and reputation.

8. I was shocked to hear her speaking to a member of her family like that.

Answer: Here the idiom own flesh and blood is more applicable.
Explanation: Own Flesh and blood mean to be a member of the same family.

Exercise 6:

Complete the table. Put the idioms in the correct groups.

Successful relationships

Question 1.

Answer: Go back a long way
Explanation: It means to share a great friendship for a long time.

Question 2.

Answer: Get on like a house on fire.
Explanation: It means to get easily acquainted.

Question 3.

Answer: Hit it off.
Explanation: To hit it off means to like each other in their first meeting.

Question 4.

Answer: On the same wavelength
Explanation: On the same wavelength means to understand d and agree with each other

Bad relationships

Question 1.

Answer: Get off on the wrong foot
Explanation: To get off on the wrong footers to start a relationship on a bad note.

Question 2.

Answer: Spark Fly
Explanation: Spark Fly means to get angry and start an argument.

Question 3.

Answer: Give someone a cold shoulder
Explanation: To give someone a cold shoulder means to ignore someone

Question 4.

Answer: Get on someone's Nerve
Explanation: To get on someone's nerves means to get irritated by something or someone.

Question 5.

Answer: On the rocks
Explanation: On the rock means encountering difficulties and ups and downs.

Question 6.

Answer: Leave someone in the lurch
Explanation: To leave someone in a lurch means to withdraw support or help.

Question 7.

Answer: To treat someone like dirt
Explanation: To treat someone like dirt means to treat them badly or rudely.