B2 – 51 … in keeping with
… in keeping with
… The design is in keeping with contemporary trends.
… His actions were in keeping with professional standards.
… in keeping with is Matching or consistent with something.
… in keeping with
/ in keeping with
… The design is in keeping with contemporary trends.
/ The design is in keeping with contemporary trends.
… The design is in keeping with contemporary trends.
… His actions were in keeping with professional standards.
/ His actions were in keeping with professional standards.
… His actions were in keeping with professional standards.
B2 – 52 … run counter to
… run counter to
… The proposal runs counter to established principles.
… His opinion runs counter to widely accepted beliefs.
… run counter to is To go against something.
… run counter to
/ run counter to
… The proposal runs counter to established principles.
/ The proposal runs counter to established principles.
… The proposal runs counter to established principles.
… His opinion runs counter to widely accepted beliefs.
/ His opinion runs counter to widely accepted beliefs.
… His opinion runs counter to widely accepted beliefs.
B2 – 53 … turn one’s back on
… turn one’s back on
… She turned her back on the traditional approach.
… He turned his back on a promising opportunity.
… turn one’s back on is To reject or abandon something.
… turn one’s back on
/ turn one’s back on
… She turned her back on the traditional approach.
/ She turned her back on the traditional approach.
… She turned her back on the traditional approach.
… He turned his back on a promising opportunity.
/ He turned his back on a promising opportunity.
… He turned his back on a promising opportunity.
B2 – 54 … bear witness to
… bear witness to
… The ruins bear witness to the region’s ancient history.
… Her success bears witness to her remarkable dedication.
… bear witness to is To show evidence of something.
… bear witness to
/ bear witness to
… The ruins bear witness to the region’s ancient history.
/ The ruins bear witness to the region’s ancient history.
… The ruins bear witness to the region’s ancient history.
… Her success bears witness to her remarkable dedication.
/ Her success bears witness to her remarkable dedication.
… Her success bears witness to her remarkable dedication.
B2 – 55 … come into force
… come into force
… The new regulations will come into force next quarter.
… The policy came into force after extensive debate.
… come into force is To officially begin to apply (law or rule).
… come into force
/ come into force
… The new regulations will come into force next quarter.
/ The new regulations will come into force next quarter.
… The new regulations will come into force next quarter.
… The policy came into force after extensive debate.
/ The policy came into force after extensive debate.
… The policy came into force after extensive debate.
B2 – 56 … derive from
… derive from
… The word derives from an academic term.
… His confidence derives from consistent practice.
… derive from is To come from a source.
… derive from
/ derive from
… The word derives from an academic term.
/ The word derives from an academic term.
… The word derives from an academic term.
… His confidence derives from consistent practice.
/ His confidence derives from consistent practice.
… His confidence derives from consistent practice.
B2 – 57 … fall apart
… fall apart
… The plan fell apart due to unexpected issues.
… The old bridge began to fall apart after severe weather.
… fall apart is To break into pieces or stop functioning.
… fall apart
/ fall apart
… The plan fell apart due to unexpected issues.
/ The plan fell apart due to unexpected issues.
… The plan fell apart due to unexpected issues.
… The old bridge began to fall apart after severe weather.
/ The old bridge began to fall apart after severe weather.
… The old bridge began to fall apart after severe weather.
B2 – 58 … give rise to
… give rise to
… The changes gave rise to significant improvements.
… The rumor gave rise to widespread confusion.
… give rise to is To cause something to happen.
… give rise to
/ give rise to
… The changes gave rise to significant improvements.
/ The changes gave rise to significant improvements.
… The changes gave rise to significant improvements.
… The rumor gave rise to widespread confusion.
/ The rumor gave rise to widespread confusion.
… The rumor gave rise to widespread confusion.
B2 – 59 … take shape
… take shape
… The project began to take shape after initial planning.
… Her idea took shape into a coherent plan.
… take shape is To begin to form clearly.
… take shape
/ take shape
… The project began to take shape after initial planning.
/ The project began to take shape after initial planning.
… The project began to take shape after initial planning.
… Her idea took shape into a coherent plan.
/ Her idea took shape into a coherent plan.
… Her idea took shape into a coherent plan.
B2 – 60 … think highly of
… think highly of
… They think highly of her exceptional skills.
… He thinks highly of the innovative program.
… think highly of is To have a very good opinion of someone or something.
… think highly of
/ think highly of
… They think highly of her exceptional skills.
/ They think highly of her exceptional skills.
… They think highly of her exceptional skills.
… He thinks highly of the innovative program.
/ He thinks highly of the innovative program.
… He thinks highly of the innovative program.
B2 – 61 … come in for
… come in for
… The company came in for harsh criticism.
… The policy came in for intense debate.
… come in for is To receive (criticism, praise, etc.).
… come in for
/ come in for
… The company came in for harsh criticism.
/ The company came in for harsh criticism.
… The company came in for harsh criticism.
… The policy came in for intense debate.
/ The policy came in for intense debate.
… The policy came in for intense debate.
B2 – 62 … make light of
… make light of
… Don’t make light of such a serious issue.
… He made light of the complex situation.
… make light of is To treat something as not serious.
… make light of
/ make light of
… Don’t make light of such a serious issue.
/ Don’t make light of such a serious issue.
… Don’t make light of such a serious issue.
… He made light of the complex situation.
/ He made light of the complex situation.
… He made light of the complex situation.
B2 – 63 … set the stage for
… set the stage for
… The discovery set the stage for groundbreaking research.
… Her efforts set the stage for major progress.
… set the stage for is To prepare the conditions for something to happen.
… set the stage for
/ set the stage for
… The discovery set the stage for groundbreaking research.
/ The discovery set the stage for groundbreaking research.
… The discovery set the stage for groundbreaking research.
… Her efforts set the stage for major progress.
/ Her efforts set the stage for major progress.
… Her efforts set the stage for major progress.
B2 – 64 … lose momentum
… lose momentum
… The campaign lost momentum after initial excitement faded.
… The team lost momentum due to prolonged delays.
… lose momentum is To slow down or weaken in progress.
… lose momentum
/ lose momentum
… The campaign lost momentum after initial excitement faded.
/ The campaign lost momentum after initial excitement faded.
… The campaign lost momentum after initial excitement faded.
… The team lost momentum due to prolonged delays.
/ The team lost momentum due to prolonged delays.
… The team lost momentum due to prolonged delays.
B2 – 65 … gain traction
… gain traction
… The idea gained traction among influential leaders.
… The new method gained traction in academic circles.
… gain traction is To become widely accepted or successful.
… gain traction
/ gain traction
… The idea gained traction among influential leaders.
/ The idea gained traction among influential leaders.
… The idea gained traction among influential leaders.
… The new method gained traction in academic circles.
/ The new method gained traction in academic circles.
… The new method gained traction in academic circles.
B2 – 66 … strike a chord with
… strike a chord with
… Her speech struck a chord with the general audience.
… The message struck a chord with diverse communities.
… strike a chord with is To strongly resonate with someone emotionally.
… strike a chord with
/ strike a chord with
… Her speech struck a chord with the general audience.
/ Her speech struck a chord with the general audience.
… Her speech struck a chord with the general audience.
… The message struck a chord with diverse communities.
/ The message struck a chord with diverse communities.
… The message struck a chord with diverse communities.
B2 – 67 … open the door to
… open the door to
… The breakthrough opened the door to advanced technology.
… The partnership opened the door to broader opportunities.
… open the door to is To make something possible.
… open the door to
/ open the door to
… The breakthrough opened the door to advanced technology.
/ The breakthrough opened the door to advanced technology.
… The breakthrough opened the door to advanced technology.
… The partnership opened the door to broader opportunities.
/ The partnership opened the door to broader opportunities.
… The partnership opened the door to broader opportunities.
B2 – 68 … close the gap between
… close the gap between
… The program aims to close the gap between urban and rural areas.
… The new policy closed the gap between experienced and new workers.
… close the gap between is To reduce the difference between two things.
… close the gap between
/ close the gap between
… The program aims to close the gap between urban and rural areas.
/ The program aims to close the gap between urban and rural areas.
… The program aims to close the gap between urban and rural areas.
… The new policy closed the gap between experienced and new workers.
/ The new policy closed the gap between experienced and new workers.
… The new policy closed the gap between experienced and new workers.
B2 – 69 … fall prey to
… fall prey to
… Many people fall prey to deceptive advertising.
… The town fell prey to severe flooding.
… fall prey to is To be harmed or deceived by something.
… fall prey to
/ fall prey to
… Many people fall prey to deceptive advertising.
/ Many people fall prey to deceptive advertising.
… Many people fall prey to deceptive advertising.
… The town fell prey to severe flooding.
/ The town fell prey to severe flooding.
… The town fell prey to severe flooding.
B2 – 70 … keep in check
… keep in check
… The system keeps in check harmful behavior.
… She kept her emotions in check during the tense meeting.
… keep in check is To control or limit something.
… keep in check
/ keep in check
… The system keeps in check harmful behavior.
/ The system keeps in check harmful behavior.
… The system keeps in check harmful behavior.
… She kept her emotions in check during the tense meeting.
/ She kept her emotions in check during the tense meeting.
… She kept her emotions in check during the tense meeting.
B2 – 71 … rock the boat
… rock the boat
… He didn’t want to rock the boat during the delicate negotiation.
… Speaking up might rock the boat in such a sensitive situation.
… rock the boat is To cause trouble or disrupt stability.
… rock the boat
/ rock the boat
… He didn’t want to rock the boat during the delicate negotiation.
/ He didn’t want to rock the boat during the delicate negotiation.
… He didn’t want to rock the boat during the delicate negotiation.
… Speaking up might rock the boat in such a sensitive situation.
/ Speaking up might rock the boat in such a sensitive situation.
… Speaking up might rock the boat in such a sensitive situation.
B2 – 72 … call the shots
… call the shots
… In this project, she calls the shots with authoritative leadership.
… He likes to call the shots in strategic decisions.
… call the shots is To be in control or make the decisions.
… call the shots
/ call the shots
… In this project, she calls the shots with authoritative leadership.
/ In this project, she calls the shots with authoritative leadership.
… In this project, she calls the shots with authoritative leadership.
… He likes to call the shots in strategic decisions.
/ He likes to call the shots in strategic decisions.
… He likes to call the shots in strategic decisions.
B2 – 73 … break new ground
… break new ground
… The research broke new ground in scientific innovation.
… The team broke new ground with their creative approach.
… break new ground is To do something innovative or pioneering.
… break new ground
/ break new ground
… The research broke new ground in scientific innovation.
/ The research broke new ground in scientific innovation.
… The research broke new ground in scientific innovation.
… The team broke new ground with their creative approach.
/ The team broke new ground with their creative approach.
… The team broke new ground with their creative approach.
B2 – 74 … move the needle
… move the needle
… The new strategy finally moved the needle in meaningful ways.
… Her efforts moved the needle on critical issues.
… move the needle is To make a noticeable impact.
… move the needle
/ move the needle
… The new strategy finally moved the needle in meaningful ways.
/ The new strategy finally moved the needle in meaningful ways.
… The new strategy finally moved the needle in meaningful ways.
… Her efforts moved the needle on critical issues.
/ Her efforts moved the needle on critical issues.
… Her efforts moved the needle on critical issues.
B2 – 75 … shift the burden to
… shift the burden to
… The policy shifts the burden to local authorities.
… They shifted the burden to external partners.
… shift the burden to is To transfer responsibility to someone else.
… shift the burden to
/ shift the burden to
… The policy shifts the burden to local authorities.
/ The policy shifts the burden to local authorities.
… The policy shifts the burden to local authorities.
… They shifted the burden to external partners.
/ They shifted the burden to external partners.
… They shifted the burden to external partners.
B2 – 76 … fly in the face of
… fly in the face of
… His argument flies in the face of logical reasoning.
… The decision flies in the face of common expectations.
… fly in the face of is To strongly oppose or contradict something.
… fly in the face of
/ fly in the face of
… His argument flies in the face of logical reasoning.
/ His argument flies in the face of logical reasoning.
… His argument flies in the face of logical reasoning.
… The decision flies in the face of common expectations.
/ The decision flies in the face of common expectations.
… The decision flies in the face of common expectations.
B2 – 77 … go against the grain
… go against the grain
… His style goes against the grain of conventional thinking.
… The idea goes against the grain in traditional culture.
… go against the grain is To be contrary to what is normal or expected.
… go against the grain
/ go against the grain
… His style goes against the grain of conventional thinking.
/ His style goes against the grain of conventional thinking.
… His style goes against the grain of conventional thinking.
… The idea goes against the grain in traditional culture.
/ The idea goes against the grain in traditional culture.
… The idea goes against the grain in traditional culture.
B2 – 78 … hold sway over
… hold sway over
… The leader holds sway over regional politics.
… The trend holds sway over global markets.
… hold sway over is To have strong influence over something.
… hold sway over
/ hold sway over
… The leader holds sway over regional politics.
/ The leader holds sway over regional politics.
… The leader holds sway over regional politics.
… The trend holds sway over global markets.
/ The trend holds sway over global markets.
… The trend holds sway over global markets.
B2 – 79 … push the envelope
… push the envelope
… The team pushed the envelope with innovative designs.
… She pushed the envelope in creative performance.
… push the envelope is To go beyond normal limits.
… push the envelope
/ push the envelope
… The team pushed the envelope with innovative designs.
/ The team pushed the envelope with innovative designs.
… The team pushed the envelope with innovative designs.
… She pushed the envelope in creative performance.
/ She pushed the envelope in creative performance.
… She pushed the envelope in creative performance.
B2 – 80 … at a loss
… at a loss
… He was at a loss after hearing the unexpected news.
… She felt at a loss in the complex situation.
… at a loss is Unable to know what to do or say.
… at a loss
/ at a loss
… He was at a loss after hearing the unexpected news.
/ He was at a loss after hearing the unexpected news.
… He was at a loss after hearing the unexpected news.
… She felt at a loss in the complex situation.
/ She felt at a loss in the complex situation.
… She felt at a loss in the complex situation.
B2 – 81 … at one’s disposal
… at one’s disposal
… You have several valuable resources at your disposal.
… The team had advanced tools at their disposal.
… at one’s disposal is Available for someone to use freely.
… at one’s disposal
/ at one’s disposal
… You have several valuable resources at your disposal.
/ You have several valuable resources at your disposal.
… You have several valuable resources at your disposal.
… The team had advanced tools at their disposal.
/ The team had advanced tools at their disposal.
… The team had advanced tools at their disposal.
B2 – 82 … beyond doubt
… beyond doubt
… Her talent is beyond doubt after such impressive results.
… The evidence is beyond doubt in this critical case.
… beyond doubt is Certainly; without question.
… beyond doubt
/ beyond doubt
… Her talent is beyond doubt after such impressive results.
/ Her talent is beyond doubt after such impressive results.
… Her talent is beyond doubt after such impressive results.
… The evidence is beyond doubt in this critical case.
/ The evidence is beyond doubt in this critical case.
… The evidence is beyond doubt in this critical case.
B2 – 83 … by and large
… by and large
… By and large, the overall outcome was positive.
… By and large, the general feedback was supportive.
… by and large is Generally; for the most part.
… by and large
/ by and large
… By and large, the overall outcome was positive.
/ By and large, the overall outcome was positive.
… By and large, the overall outcome was positive.
… By and large, the general feedback was supportive.
/ By and large, the general feedback was supportive.
… By and large, the general feedback was supportive.
B2 – 84 … cut corners
… cut corners
… They cut corners to meet tight deadlines.
… Cutting corners can lead to serious problems.
… cut corners is To do something cheaply or carelessly.
… cut corners
/ cut corners
… They cut corners to meet tight deadlines.
/ They cut corners to meet tight deadlines.
… They cut corners to meet tight deadlines.
… Cutting corners can lead to serious problems.
/ Cutting corners can lead to serious problems.
… Cutting corners can lead to serious problems.
B2 – 85 … for the time being
… for the time being
… We’ll use the temporary solution for the time being.
… For the time being, the initial plan remains.
… for the time being is For now; temporarily.
… for the time being
/ for the time being
… We’ll use the temporary solution for the time being.
/ We’ll use the temporary solution for the time being.
… We’ll use the temporary solution for the time being.
… For the time being, the initial plan remains.
/ For the time being, the initial plan remains.
… For the time being, the initial plan remains.
B2 – 86 … from scratch
… from scratch
… She built the entire system from scratch.
… They created the comprehensive model from scratch.
… from scratch is Starting from nothing.
… from scratch
/ from scratch
… She built the entire system from scratch.
/ She built the entire system from scratch.
… She built the entire system from scratch.
… They created the comprehensive model from scratch.
/ They created the comprehensive model from scratch.
… They created the comprehensive model from scratch.
B2 – 87 … in accordance with
… in accordance with
… The changes were made in accordance with official guidelines.
… The report was written in accordance with formal standards.
… in accordance with is Following or matching something.
… in accordance with
/ in accordance with
… The changes were made in accordance with official guidelines.
/ The changes were made in accordance with official guidelines.
… The changes were made in accordance with official guidelines.
… The report was written in accordance with formal standards.
/ The report was written in accordance with formal standards.
… The report was written in accordance with formal standards.
B2 – 88 … in due course
… in due course
… The results will be announced in due course after thorough review.
… You’ll receive updates in due course as further progress is made.
… in due course is At the appropriate time in the future.
… in due course
/ in due course
… The results will be announced in due course after thorough review.
/ The results will be announced in due course after thorough review.
… The results will be announced in due course after thorough review.
… You’ll receive updates in due course as further progress is made.
/ You’ll receive updates in due course as further progress is made.
… You’ll receive updates in due course as further progress is made.
B2 – 89 … in essence
… in essence
… In essence, the core idea remains unchanged.
… In essence, the plan is straightforward.
… in essence is Basically; fundamentally.
… in essence
/ in essence
… In essence, the core idea remains unchanged.
/ In essence, the core idea remains unchanged.
… In essence, the core idea remains unchanged.
… In essence, the plan is straightforward.
/ In essence, the plan is straightforward.
… In essence, the plan is straightforward.
B2 – 90 … in hindsight
… in hindsight
… In hindsight, the initial warning was clear.
… In hindsight, the critical mistake was avoidable.
… in hindsight is Looking back and understanding something better.
… in hindsight
/ in hindsight
… In hindsight, the initial warning was clear.
/ In hindsight, the initial warning was clear.
… In hindsight, the initial warning was clear.
… In hindsight, the critical mistake was avoidable.
/ In hindsight, the critical mistake was avoidable.
… In hindsight, the critical mistake was avoidable.
B2 – 91 … in place
… in place
… The necessary measures are already in place.
… A functional system is now in place.
… in place is Existing and ready to be used.
… in place
/ in place
… The necessary measures are already in place.
/ The necessary measures are already in place.
… The necessary measures are already in place.
… A functional system is now in place.
/ A functional system is now in place.
… A functional system is now in place.
B2 – 92 … in question
… in question
… The method in question has notable limitations.
… The policy in question sparked intense debate.
… in question is Being discussed or considered.
… in question
/ in question
… The method in question has notable limitations.
/ The method in question has notable limitations.
… The method in question has notable limitations.
… The policy in question sparked intense debate.
/ The policy in question sparked intense debate.
… The policy in question sparked intense debate.
B2 – 93 … in the wake of
… in the wake of
… In the wake of the devastating storm, many homes were rebuilt.
… In the wake of major changes, new rules appeared.
… in the wake of is Following something; as a result of something.
… in the wake of
/ in the wake of
… In the wake of the devastating storm, many homes were rebuilt.
/ In the wake of the devastating storm, many homes were rebuilt.
… In the wake of the devastating storm, many homes were rebuilt.
… In the wake of major changes, new rules appeared.
/ In the wake of major changes, new rules appeared.
… In the wake of major changes, new rules appeared.
B2 – 94 … on the grounds that
… on the grounds that
… He refused on the grounds that the request was unreasonable.
… The plan was rejected on the grounds that it lacked credible evidence.
… on the grounds that is For the reason that.
… on the grounds that
/ on the grounds that
… He refused on the grounds that the request was unreasonable.
/ He refused on the grounds that the request was unreasonable.
… He refused on the grounds that the request was unreasonable.
… The plan was rejected on the grounds that it lacked credible evidence.
/ The plan was rejected on the grounds that it lacked credible evidence.
… The plan was rejected on the grounds that it lacked credible evidence.
B2 – 95 … on the verge of
… on the verge of
… The company is on the verge of significant expansion.
… She was on the verge of a major breakthrough.
… on the verge of is Very close to doing or experiencing something.
… on the verge of
/ on the verge of
… The company is on the verge of significant expansion.
/ The company is on the verge of significant expansion.
… The company is on the verge of significant expansion.
… She was on the verge of a major breakthrough.
/ She was on the verge of a major breakthrough.
… She was on the verge of a major breakthrough.
B2 – 96 … out of the question
… out of the question
… Traveling now is out of the question due to strict restrictions.
… His proposal was out of the question in such a sensitive context.
… out of the question is Impossible; not allowed.
… out of the question
/ out of the question
… Traveling now is out of the question due to strict restrictions.
/ Traveling now is out of the question due to strict restrictions.
… Traveling now is out of the question due to strict restrictions.
… His proposal was out of the question in such a sensitive context.
/ His proposal was out of the question in such a sensitive context.
… His proposal was out of the question in such a sensitive context.
B2 – 97 … play a pivotal role
… play a pivotal role
… Technology plays a pivotal role in modern education.
… Her leadership played a pivotal role in strategic growth.
… play a pivotal role is To be extremely important in something.
… play a pivotal role
/ play a pivotal role
… Technology plays a pivotal role in modern education.
/ Technology plays a pivotal role in modern education.
… Technology plays a pivotal role in modern education.
… Her leadership played a pivotal role in strategic growth.
/ Her leadership played a pivotal role in strategic growth.
… Her leadership played a pivotal role in strategic growth.
B2 – 98 … raise the bar
… raise the bar
… The new model raises the bar for industry standards.
… Her performance raised the bar in competitive sports.
… raise the bar is To set higher standards.
… raise the bar
/ raise the bar
… The new model raises the bar for industry standards.
/ The new model raises the bar for industry standards.
… The new model raises the bar for industry standards.
… Her performance raised the bar in competitive sports.
/ Her performance raised the bar in competitive sports.
… Her performance raised the bar in competitive sports.
B2 – 99 … serve a purpose
… serve a purpose
… The old system still serves a practical purpose.
… His advice served a meaningful purpose.
… serve a purpose is To be useful or meaningful.
… serve a purpose
/ serve a purpose
… The old system still serves a practical purpose.
/ The old system still serves a practical purpose.
… The old system still serves a practical purpose.
… His advice served a meaningful purpose.
/ His advice served a meaningful purpose.
… His advice served a meaningful purpose.
B2 – 100 … under no circumstances
… under no circumstances
… Under no circumstances should confidential data be shared.
… Under no circumstances can unauthorized access be allowed.
… under no circumstances is Absolutely not; never allowed.
… under no circumstances
/ under no circumstances
… Under no circumstances should confidential data be shared.
/ Under no circumstances should confidential data be shared.
… Under no circumstances should confidential data be shared.
… Under no circumstances can unauthorized access be allowed.
/ Under no circumstances can unauthorized access be allowed.
… Under no circumstances can unauthorized access be allowed.
