Choose the colloquial ‘pair phrase’ in the box to complete the sentences below.

Prim and
proper (Having very traditional, morally conservative beliefs and behavior).
To and fro (Back and forth; from one place to another; toward and away).
Odds and ends (An assortment of small, miscellaneous items, especially those
that are not especially important or valuable).
Hard and fast (Strictly or rigidly adhered to; strong, binding, and clearly defined.
Used especially to describe rules).
Tooth and nail (Furiously or fiercely; with all of one's strength and effort).
By and large (In general; overall).
Pros and
cons (The positive ("pros") and negative ("cons") aspects of something).
Down and out (Destitute or otherwise devoid of any resources).
Length & breadth (Everywhere in a place or area).
Safe and sound (Safe from danger and free from injury or harm).
Ins and outs (The correct and successful way to do something; the special
things that one needs to know to do something).
Up and about (Moving
around, especially after a period of injury, illness, or inactivity).
Ups and downs (Positive
and negative events or experiences, considered collectively).
Song and dance (An elaborate story or effort to explain and justify something).
Collar and tie (Formal dress for me – wearing a suit).
Sick and
tired(Exceedingly wearied by, bored of, or exasperated with something).
Bits and bobs (Sundry little items, tasks, or chores).
Cloak and dagger (Refers to situations involving intrigue, secrecy, espionage, or
mystery).

(A) She is very ________________________ about everything. Make sure you don’t use any
swear words around her.
(B) You can find quality beer throughout the ______________________________ of Ireland.
(C) She believes that, _____________________, there is nothing we can do to change anything.
(D) I’m afraid these rules are ____________________________. We can’t make any exceptions.
(E) Now, you’ll have to fight _____________________________ to win this game.
(F) We just had _____________________________ for dinner.
(G) I’m afraid that John is ____________________________. I saw him begging the other day.
(H) Their parents were relieved when they arrived _________________________ from their
hiking trip.
(I) I’ve been running _____________________________ all day long. I’m exhausted.
(J) You need to consider the ____________________________ before you make a decision.
(K) I love reading suspenseful ____________________________ novels.
(L) When I called the computer company all I got was a ___________________________.
(M) She’s _____________________________ of her boss. I think she’s looking for a new job.
(N) As soon as you learn the _____________________ of the business, you’ll be very successful.
(O) I keep all the ___________________________ in that draw over there.
(P) Don’t worry, you’ll be ____________________________ within 10 days.
(Q) It’s a formal dinner, very much a _____________________________ affair.
(U) Of course all marriages have their ______________________, but they are worth the effort.

ANSWERS:
COLLOQUIAL PAIR PHRASES

Choose the appropriate colloquial ‘pair phrase’ to complete the sentences.

(A) She is very prim and proper about everything. Make sure you don’t use any
swear words around her.
(B) You can find quality beer throughout the length & breadth of Ireland.
(C) She believes that, by and large, there is nothing we can do to change anything.
(D) I’m afraid these rules are hard and fast. We can’t make any exceptions.
(E) Now, you’ll have to fight tooth & nail to win this game.
(F) We just had odds and ends for dinner.
(G) I’m afraid that John is down and out. I saw him begging the other day.
(H) Their parents were relieved when they arrived safe and sound from their
hiking trip.
(I) I’ve been running to and fro all day long. I’m exhausted.
(J) You need to consider the pros and cons before you make a decision.
(K) I love reading suspenseful cloak and dagger novels.
(L) When I called the computer company all I got was a song and dance.
(M) She’s sick and tired of her boss. I think she’s looking for a new job.
(N) As soon as you learn the sins and out of the business, you’ll be very successful.
(O) I keep all the bits and bobs in that draw over there.
(P) Don’t worry, you’ll be up and about within 10 days.
(Q) It’s a formal dinner, very much a collar and tie affair.
(U) Of course all marriages have their ups and downs , but they are worth the effort.
1. My idea of a holiday is to do things that you can't do at home but my wife just loves to go
window dressing shopping.
To go window shopping = Faire du lèche-vitrines.

2. When their football team won the cup they really painted the town red .
To paint the town red = Faire la tournée des grands ducs.

3. When he gets an idea in his head he just won't listen: it's like talking to a brick wall.
It's like talking to a brick wall = Parler à un mur.

4. He really made a task meal of that simple problem: it took him ages.
To make a meal of… = Faire une salade de…

5. Even though he's now retired, he's always on the move go ; always energetically pursuing some
new plan of his.
He's always on the go. = Il n'a pas deux pieds dans le même sabot.

6. When he's had too much to drink he always tries to pick a quarrel with someone.
To try to pick a quarrel with someone = Chercher des rognes à quelqu'un.

7. I'll volunteer for that job as it's right up my way street.

That's right up my street = C'est mon rayon.

8. Her dinner was exact spot on, as everybody liked it.

Her dinner was spot on… = Son dîner était vraiment au poil…

9. The little girl had gone under the water when the lifeguard arrived just in the nick of time to save
her.
…in the nick of time = …à pic

10. In my opinion it's Hobson's choice: we either follow the road or face an impossible climb.
It's Hobson's choice = Il faut passer par là ou par la fenêtre.v