14,08,2019

1. (To) Hit the books

Literally, hit the books means to physically hit, punch or slap your reading books. However, this is a common English idiom among students, especially American college students who have a lot of studying to do. It simply means “to study,” and is a way of telling your friends that you’re going to study. It could be for a final exam, a mid-term test or even an English exam.

“Sorry but I can’t watch the game with you tonight, I have to hit the books. I have a huge exam next week!”

2. (To) Hit the sack

Just like the first idiom, the literal meaning of this would be physically hitting or beating a sack (a large bag usually used for carrying things in bulk such as flour, rice or even soil). But actually to hit the sack means to go to bed, and you’d use this to tell your friends or family that you’re really tired, so you’re going to sleep. Instead of saying hit the sack you can also say hit the hay.

“It’s time for me to hit the sack, I’m so tired.”

1. Visitors are asked to abstain ___________ smoking on the premises.

(a) from    (b) on

2. She is unavailable at the moment as she is attending _________ an urgent issue.

(a) on    (b) to

3. I believe _________  him – he is such a talented and hard-working artist.

(a) with    (b) in

4. She took some time off work to care ________ her sick son.

(a) for    (b) of

5. I totally agree _______ your opinion – everything you say about this is true!

(a) with    (b) for

6. The schoolboy was blamed _______ the broken window.

(a) about    (b) for

7. He annoys me because he is always boasting __________ his achievements!

(a) about    (b) with

8. The management team is meeting this afternoon to decide ___________ the best solution.

(a) on    (b) for