Pull Someone’s Leg | Spill the Beans | Slip One’s Mind | The Last Straw

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Exercise 1

Vocabulary

pull (someone's) leg

Phrase

pʊl ˈsʌmwʌnz lɛg

to deceive or play a joke on someone

I knew you were pulling my leg! There was no way the cat could have gotten into the freezer!

I thought he was being serious, but he was just pulling my leg.

spill the beans

Phrase

spɪl ðə binz

to reveal a secret

Spill the beans already! Everyone knows that you’re hiding something.

I apologize for spilling the beans about your wedding.

slip one’s mind

Phrase

slɪp wʌnz maɪnd

to be forgotten or overlooked

Mother’s day completely slipped my mind! I should call my mom today.

I was planning to write him an e-mail, but it slipped my mind.

the last straw

Phrase

ðə læst strɔ

something that makes a person lose their patience; the last thing a person can tolerate

This prank is the last straw! You are grounded for a week, young man!

Turning up late today was the last straw. That's why the boss fired him.

Exercise 2

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogue aloud with your tutor.

	Hannah So, how was the costume party yesterday?
	Lauren Well...
	Hannah Spill the beans! What happened?
	Lauren Okay. First of all, the party slipped my mind, to be honest. I only remembered when Noah gave me a call 30 minutes before the party!
	Hannah You’re pulling my leg! That can’t be true.
	Lauren No, I’m being totally honest. I got ready and got there in 30 minutes.
	Hannah Wow! Is that even possible? Anyway, how was the party itself?
	Lauren Well, it was great until Simon got drunk. He started talking about the student election and how Jessica didn't win the election fair and square. The last straw was when he tripped and broke an expensive vase!
	Hannah What?! That's really bad.

Exercise 3

Article

Read the passage aloud with your tutor.

Jenn and Thomas have been friends for years. They always had a great relationship; however, Thomas has been quite annoying lately. First, he started asking her about her ex-boyfriend, although she told him not to. Then, her birthday slipped his mind. Jenn was furious. “I always give him a phone call on his birthday! And he didn’t even care to write me a message,” she thought. One day Thomas saw Jenn and asked her what happened: “Spill the beans! What are you mad about?” Jenn looked at him and said: “Are you pulling my leg? You forgot all about my birthday!” Thomas was shocked. “But that was weeks ago! You’re still mad?” Thomas asked. Jenn couldn’t believe what he had just said: “You remembered and didn’t even send me a belated message?! This is the last straw! Don’t talk to me unless you want to apologize.”

Exercise 4

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms to complete the dialogue.

Matt and Nathan are talking about a “secret” concert.
	Matt What are you doing this weekend, Nathan?
	Nathan I might go to a concert, actually. Lauren said she has an extra ticket and she invited me to go with her. But she won't tell me what kind of concert it is.
	Matt Cool! She isn’t (1), is she?
	Nathan I hope not. But I wish she’d just (2) and tell me already! Otherwise, I won't go.
	Matt You remember what happened last time she had a surprise for you, don't you?
Matt chuckles.
	Nathan I don't even want to talk about it!
	Matt Haha! But she knows that was (3), so I'm sure she won't do anything like that again.
	Nathan I sure hope so. Oh, it's already 5 o'clock! I've got to go. I have a dentist appointment, it (4) completely!
	Matt Okay, talk to you later!

Choose answers from the options below that fit in blanks 1 to 4

Answer Pool (Questions 1-4)

slipped my mind
the last straw
spill the beans
pulling your leg

Exercise 5

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms to complete the sentences.

Being rude to the principal was . They will probably expel him because of that.

I hate it when my friends try to ; I don’t like their pranks at all!

Usually, things tend to , so I keep a journal of things I have to do.

She was ; there was no snake in the garden.

Adam asked Sally to and tell him why she doesn't speak with Sophie anymore.

I’m sorry! Your birthday completely. Will you forgive me?

How does the book end? already. I have to know!

We broke up because he was very mean to me. was when he started yelling at me in front of all my friends.

Exercise 6

Sentence Building

Create sentences using the following idioms.

spill the beans
pull someone’s leg
slip one’s mind
the last straw