Idiomic Pairs #1

A couple weeks back I posted an article on 40 Brilliant Idioms That Simply Cant Be Translated. Today I want to look at idioms a little closer. Most idioms come in pairs, and make most sense when used together with one another; like peanut butter and jelly! No, all jokes aside, have a look at these pairs and see if you can recognise them - some are more common than others.

I will continue posting different pairs in the coming month. Its a good and fun way for you to practice your English in use! 

So, lets see our first pairs of idioms below:

•   alive and kicking = in good health and active.
I got a letter from Ronald, he's alive and kicking, working for an insurance company.

•   born and bred = born and educated.
Helen was born and bred in London, that's why she always carries an umbrella.

•   bright and early = very early in the morning.
We have to leave bright and early if we want to arrive there by 10.

•   cut and dried = final, decided (plans).
Our plan is cut and dried: first we are going to the cinema, and then to the restaurant.

•   fair and square = in a fair way.
We will pay for our part, let's make it fair and square.

•   high and dry = without any help.
She was left high and dry, but she managed to get on with her life.

•   home and dry = sure of success.
If you study a lot, you will be home and dry for the final exam.

•   on and on = without stopping.
I've been cleaning the house all morning, and I still have to go on and on to finish.

•   rough and ready = not exact.
I don't understand much about grammar but I can give you a rough and ready explanation.

•   round and round = in circles.
I started to feel sick, everything was going round and round in my head.

•   safe and sound = unharmed.
After being away for five months, we arrived home safe and sound.

•   short and sweet = without unnecesary details.
A long letter of complaint would be annoying, so when you write it, try to make it short and sweet.

•   sick and tired = completely annoyed or tired of something/someone.
I'm sick and tired of hearing about your trip to Russia.

•   wine and dine = have a meal with wine at a restaurant.
For our anniversary I think we could wine and dine at that new restaurant that opened last week.

Exercises: Idiomic Pairs #1

1. Please, Andrew, shut up! I'm really---------------------- of your excuses.

2. The boss promised all the employees to keep the meeting-------------------------------- .

3. Ingrid decided to get up---------------------------------- , ready to start a new day.

4. This test is only--------------------------------- a guide to the student's real knowledge.

5. She stared at the washing machine, just looking at the clothes going---------------------------- .

6. The beast was still---------------------------------- .

7. Honestly, we should admit that they won the competition-------------------------------- .

8. I don't think that this plan is as----------------------------------- as you think.

Answers will be posted tomorrow, so come have a look then!