Objective Proficiency p 19. Prepositions. Extra Gapped Sentences Exercise 1

Think of ONE word only that can be used appropriately in all three sentences of each exercise.
1.
a. The rumour that money was transferred illegally to Switzerland was not true. The bank transfer was completely ___________ board.
b. "How's Jack after his illness?" "Oh, he's fine now. ____________ par, I'd say. Better than ever!" 
c. Surely you don't suspect Mr Rogers of stealing the money? He's been a teacher here for years and is completely ____________ suspicion.
2.
a. The 2% tax cut goes __________ the board, so everyone will benefit.
b. Her speech was carefully prepared, but it didn't come __________ very well.
c. The story was splashed __________ the front pages of the Sunday papers.
3. 
a. "Has Richard finished his French essay?""Well, yes, he's done it- ___________ a fashion" 
b. Ted is careful not to serve drinks ___________ hours. He would lose his pub licence.
c. Margaret takes __________ her father in being strong-willed.
4. 
a. When Pam finds out that we have to work overtime next week, it will definitely go _____________ the grain with her.
b. Mason knew that in trying to save his company from ruin he was fighting a losing battle, but he carried on _____________ all odds.
c. Could you help me with this computer programme? I've run up___________ a few problems.
5.
a. Keep those dogs __________ bay until I've jumped over the wall.
b. Just a moment, I think we're talking __________ cross purposes. I was referring to John, not to his father.
c. Robert always seems to be ______________ loggerheads with one or other of the team.




KEY
1. above
above board: legal, without secrecy; (a person) correct, honest. (If card players keep their hands above the table (the board), other players can see what they are doing.) E.g. Don't worry; the deal was completely above board. If you do everything above board, you will have to pay tax on your earnings. In business Ross is always above board, but they say that he can be unscrupulous in private life. 
above par: better than average or normal. E.g. His work is above par, so he should get paid better. Their performance was way above par for an amateur production.
above/beyond suspicion: too honest to be suspected of doing something wrong. E.g.
Nobody who was near the scene of the crime is above suspicion.



2. across
across the board:  involving everyone or everything in a company, an industry, etc. E.g. The industry needs more investment across the board. An across-the-board wage increase.
come across: to be understood. E.g. He spoke for a long time but his meaning didn't really come across.
splash something across/over something: to put a photograph, news story, etc. in a place where it will be easily noticed. E.g. The name of their sponsors is splashed across the team's football shirts.



3. after
after a fashion: to some extent, but not very well. E.g. I can play the piano, after a fashion.‘Do you speak French?’ ‘After a fashion.’
after hours: happening or open after the normal or legal closing time for a business. E.g. an after-hours tour of the new facilities. An after-hours bar. This is the only place to get a drink after hours(= after the normal closing time for pubs).
take after somebody [no passive]1 (not used in the progressive tenses) to look or behave like an older member of your family, especially your mother or father. E.g. Your daughter doesn't take after you at all.



4. against
be/go against the grain (with someone): to be completely different from what you feel is right, natural, or normal for you. Be contrary to one's wishes or one's normal standards of behaviour; be displeasing. E.g. Shutting animals up in cages goes against the grain. It really goes against the grain to have to work on a Sunday.
against all/the odds: in spite of great opposition or disadvantage etc. Something that makes it seem impossible to do or achieve something. E.g. Against all (the) odds, he made a full recovery.
run up against something: to experience a difficulty. If you run up against problems, difficulties etc, you have to deal with them E.g. The government is running up against considerable opposition to its tax reforms. England ran up against a formidable opponent last Saturday.  We ran up against a few problems finding enough money.



5. at
hold/keep somebody/something at bay: to prevent an enemy from coming close or a problem from having a bad effect. E.g. I'm trying to keep my creditors at bay. Charlotte bit her lip to hold the tears at bay.

At cross purposes: if two people are/talk/argue at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they are talking about or aiming at different things, without realizing it. E.g. I think we're talking at cross purposes; that's not what I meant at all.

at loggerheads (with somebody) (over something): in strong disagreement. E.g. The two governments are still at loggerheads over the island.