ARTICLES WITH IDIOMS EXERCISE 3 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
This third exercise in the articles-with-idioms series focuses on abstract nouns in fixed phrases — one of the trickiest areas of English article use. The grammar review below explains the patterns around abstract nouns and offers a practical tip for approaching unfamiliar idioms.
Grammar review
Articles in idioms — advanced patterns
At B1/B2 level, article use in idioms becomes more nuanced. Several patterns are worth understanding because they recur across many expressions.
Abstract nouns in idioms — often no article:
Many idiomatic expressions with abstract nouns take no article:
lose hope, take pride in, make room for, show respect, do justice to, give way to, take charge
But similar expressions sometimes use a:
give a chance, make a difference, have a word, take a seat, do a favour
The only reliable approach is to learn these as fixed forms.
Expressions with the:
on the contrary, out of the question, in the meantime, get the hang of, have the nerve to
Useful tip: Native speakers rarely think about articles in idioms — the whole expression is stored as one unit in the memory. The more you encounter idioms in context (reading, listening), the more naturally the correct article will come.
At B1/B2 level, article use in idioms becomes more nuanced. Several patterns are worth understanding because they recur across many expressions.
Abstract nouns in idioms — often no article:
Many idiomatic expressions with abstract nouns take no article:
lose hope, take pride in, make room for, show respect, do justice to, give way to, take charge
But similar expressions sometimes use a:
give a chance, make a difference, have a word, take a seat, do a favour
The only reliable approach is to learn these as fixed forms.
Expressions with the:
on the contrary, out of the question, in the meantime, get the hang of, have the nerve to
Useful tip: Native speakers rarely think about articles in idioms — the whole expression is stored as one unit in the memory. The more you encounter idioms in context (reading, listening), the more naturally the correct article will come.
Choose the correct article (a, an, the) or no article to complete each idiomatic expression.
1. I've gained a lot of weight in the past three months. I have to get back in _________________ shape soon!
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — by chance is a fixed idiom — no article used.
2. When something is certain, you can say it's "_________________ safe bet".
Correct answer: a — have a word with = speak briefly to someone — fixed idiom with a.
3. She didn't let him come too close. = She kept him at _________________ arm's length.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — in trouble is a fixed expression — no article before trouble.
4. When you're "at _________________ odds" with someone, it means you don't agree with that person (about something).
Correct answer: a — take a stand = adopt a firm position — fixed idiom with a.
5. Don't let yourself be seen/heard too much. = Keep _________________ low profile.
Correct answer: the — in the long run = eventually — fixed idiom with the.
6. My business is on _________________ up and up. = My business is doing well (becoming successful).
Correct answer: a — have a change of heart = change your mind — fixed idiom with a.
7. Hey, I'm not made of _________________ money! ( = I'm not so rich that I can buy anything I want)
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — by heart = from memory — fixed idiom, no article.
8. To "turn _________________ blind eye" to something means to ignore it.
Correct answer: a — make a difference = have an effect — fixed idiom with a.
9. Our noisy neighbors really put _________________ damper on our vacation. ( = they ruined it, made it less enjoyable, etc.)
Correct answer: the — in the meantime = during the intervening period — fixed idiom with the.
10. Don't keep me in _________________ dark. I want to know what's going on!
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — out of control is a fixed expression — no article before control.
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER ARTICLE EXERCISES:
A or the? 1 (A1/A2)
A or the? 2 (A1/A2)
Article or no article? 1 (A2/B1)
Article or no article? 2 (A2/B2)
Article or no article? 3 (A2/B2)
Articles with idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Articles with idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 1 (A2/B1)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 2 (A2/B1)
A or the? 1 (A1/A2)
A or the? 2 (A1/A2)
Article or no article? 1 (A2/B1)
Article or no article? 2 (A2/B2)
Article or no article? 3 (A2/B2)
Articles with idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Articles with idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 1 (A2/B1)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 2 (A2/B1)
