English Idioms 2
Trương Văn Ánh
Trường Đại học Sài Gòn

1 bitter pill to swallow = unpleasant, but has to be
accepted
2 sore spot = a subject which someone would prefer not
to talk about because it makes them angry or
embarrassed.
3 have itchy feet = want to travel or move on

4 (do something) for kicks = do something because it is
exciting, usually something dangerous
5 (something makes) somebody's day = something
makes someboty feel very happy.
6 jump for joy = be very happy and excited

Exercise
Complete the sentences, using correct idioms.
1 Losing the game was their … in the tournament.
A. for kicks
B. bitter pill to swallow
C. jumped for joy
D. sore spot

2 You should not mention the failure. It's … for her.
A. his day
B. had itchy feet
C. for kicks
D. sore spot

3 She likes travelling. Staying in one place makes her
…
A. bitter pill to swallow
B. sore spot
C. have itchy feet
D. jump for joy

4 Thomas is interested in catching poisonous snakes,
just …
A. for kicks
B. sore spot
C. his day
D. bitter pill to swallow

5 He has just been informed of his winning a
scholarship. It's really …
A. his day
B. had itchy feet
C. for kicks
D. sore spot

6 He … when he won the lottery.
A. had itchy feet
B. for kicks
C. jumped for joy
D. sore spot

KEY
1B
2D
3C
4A
5A
6C

Good luck!