PREPOSITIONS IN IDIOMS — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
In many common English idioms, the preposition is fixed and cannot be predicted from meaning alone — it must simply be learned as part of the expression. This exercise covers ten widely-used idiomatic phrases.
Need a refresher? Jump to the grammar review ↓
Need a refresher? Jump to the grammar review ↓
Choose the correct answer for each sentence, then click Check answers to see how you did.
1. Richard's boss asked Richard to work overtime every day this week. And, to add insult _______________ injury, he didn't even pay him anything extra for this.
Correct answer: to
2. He began to teach Mary everything he knew. = He took Mary _______________ his wing.
Correct answer: under
3. Ever since Tom became famous, he turned his back _______________ his friends.
Correct answer: on
4. Why are you making a big deal _______________ this?
Correct answer: about
5. He doesn't really appreciate her fully. = He takes her _______________ granted.
Correct answer: for
6. P1: How much do I owe you for the coffee? P2: Nothing, it's _______________ the house. (= it's free)
Correct answer: on
7. OK, someone else confessed to the crime. You're _______________ the hook.
Correct answer: off
8. Because of him, she had to experience a lot of negative things. = He put her _______________ a lot.
Correct answer: through
9. Once he got a good job, everything else fell _______________ place.
Correct answer: into
10. She made the cake _______________ scratch.
Correct answer: from
Grammar review
Prepositions in idiomatic expressions
Fixed phrases: in charge of, in advance, on behalf of, on purpose, at fault, at last, by accident, by heart.
The preposition cannot be predicted from meaning alone — must be learned as set expressions.
Fixed phrases: in charge of, in advance, on behalf of, on purpose, at fault, at last, by accident, by heart.
The preposition cannot be predicted from meaning alone — must be learned as set expressions.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More preposition exercises:
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
More preposition exercises:
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
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