Objective Proficiency p 37. Food Idioms. Extra Key Word Transformation

a. This government is raising taxes but is also bringing in additional benefits for employees.
PILL
This government ____________________higher taxation by introducing new benefits for employees
at the same time.
b. Although I'm freelance, I'm only working for one company- if they closed down, I'd be left high and dry.
EGGS
Although I'm freelance, I’ve _____________________________ work-wise.
c. Not realising that Professor Samuels was in front of him in the canteen queue, Harry started imitating his Australian accent — when the professor turned round, Harry felt really embarrassed.
EGG
Not realising that Professor Samuels was in front of him in the canteen queue, Harry started imitating his Australian accent.  Harry ___________________ when Professor Samuels confronted him.
d. Valentina had decided to stay on here as a student, but now she's been offered a scholarship at Harvard, so she's off to the US.
FISH
Valentina isn’t staying on here as a student as she ______________________ in the US, with a Harvard scholarship.
e. Journalists have been criticising the rugby team all season but after this amazing victory, they will have to admit they were wrong. 
PIE
After the rugby team’s outstanding performance, journalists will have to __________________ since they have been criticising the rugby team all season
f. I finally managed to persuade Simon to tell me his big secret — he's getting married! 
BEANS
I finally got Simon to _______________________ his wedding.
g. Sharon currently has plenty to deal with. She is studying for an MBA and running a big department — and she has building work going on at home too. 
PLATE
Sharon has ___________________the moment. She is studying for an MBA and running a big department — and she has building work going on at home too.
h. The earrings Maria has designed are doing really well on the market stall.
CAKES
Maria’s earrings are _____________________ on the market stall.

KEY
a. is sugaring/ sweetening the pill of 
sugar/sweeten the pill: to do something that makes an unpleasant situation seem less unpleasant. E.g. To sweeten the pill, the company will introduce a range of new performance-related bonuses.



b. put all my eggs in one basket
Put all your eggs in one basket: to rely on one particular course of action for success rather than giving yourself several different possibilities. E.g. I've applied for several jobs. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.   

High and dry: in a difficult situation, without help or money. E.g. I'm only working for one company. If they closed down, I'd be left high and dry.
-wise: concerning. E.g. Things aren't too good businesswise.


c. had/got egg on/ all over his face
Have/ get egg on/all over your face: (informal) to be made to look stupid. E.g. They were left with egg on their faces when only ten people showed up. By demonstrating his technical incompetence, sure he's got egg on his face now.  

Confront somebody: to face somebody so that they cannot avoid seeing and hearing you, especially in an unfriendly or dangerous situation. E.g. This was the first time he had confronted an armed robber. Confronted by an angry crowd, the police retreated.



d. has bigger/other fish to fry
Have bigger/other fish to fry: to have more important or more interesting things to do. E.g. I won't waste time on your question. I have bigger fish to fry.   



e. eat humble pie
Eat humble pie: to say and show that you are sorry for a mistake that you made. E.g. It's never fun to have to eat humble pie for something we've done wrong.   



f. spill the beans about
Spill the beans: (informal) to tell somebody something that should be kept secret or private. E.g. My friend has spilt the beans and told everyone I have been made redundant.  



g. a lot on her plate at
have enough/a lot/too much on your plate: (informal) to have a lot of work or problems, etc. to deal with. E.g. With three kids and a full-time job, she's got enough on her plate already.



h. selling/going like hot cakes
Sell/go like hot cakes: to sell quickly or in great numbers. E.g. the tickets were sold like hot cakes.