Vocabulary Idioms Have Ants in Pants | Behind Closed Doors | Deliver the Goods | Go the Extra Mile | In Two Minds
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
have ants in (one’s) pants
Phrase
hæv ænts ɪn pænts
to be unable to sit still due to feeling impatient, anxious, or restless
Sally had ants in her pants because it was her first appearance on TV.
The young man has ants in his pants because of the interview.
behind closed doors
Phrase
bɪˈhaɪnd kloʊzd dɔrz
in secret or in private; away from the public
The restart of nuclear reactors will be negotiated behind closed doors.
The party was severely criticized for choosing its president behind closed doors.
deliver the goods
Phrase
dɪˈlɪvər ðə gʊdz
to do or provide what is expected
The team's new player failed to deliver the goods.
He looks like a nice guy, but I'm not sure if he can manage to deliver the goods.
go the extra mile
Phrase
goʊ ði ˈɛkstrə maɪl
to put more effort into something than is typically expected
He is always ready to go the extra mile to make sure the job is done well.
When we asked him the way to the restaurant, he went the extra mile and took us there himself.
in two minds
Phrase
ɪn tu maɪndz
unable to make a decision about something
She was in two minds about going abroad.
I am in two minds whether or not to purchase this dress.
Exercise 2
Dialogue Practice
Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.
 Saya | My interview with the board is tomorrow. I have ants in my pants! |
 Masa | That interview about your project? What exactly are you supposed to do there? |
 Saya | First, I'm going to present the project to the board. Then, they will discuss it behind closed doors.And in two weeks, they will let me know whether it has been accepted.I am still in two minds if I should go or not. |
 Masa | Come on!I know you can deliver the goods. I believe in you.And if you want, I can go with you to give you some support before the presentation. |
 Saya | That would be great! You're always ready to go the extra mile when I need it.Thank you, Masa. |
 Masa | No problem, that's what friends are for! |
Exercise 3
Article
Read the passage aloud with your teacher.
Saya has ants in her pants because she needs to deliver a presentation about her project. The board will discuss her project behind closed doors and will give her the results in two weeks. She's in two minds whether she should go or not. Masa gave her support by saying that she would be able to deliver the goods. Saya thanked him for the support and for being willing to go the extra mile by accompanying her to the interview.
Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms to complete the dialogue.
Saya and Masa are talking about Masa's first date with the girl he likes. | |
 Saya | You are going to ask her out, right? |
 Masa | Yes, but I have (1) ____________________. I am really shy. |
 Saya | Come on! You'll be fine, Masa! You talk to her almost every day.You just need to ask the question.And you should (2) ________________ and plan something special for your date. |
 Masa | I already have everything planned in my head. But asking her out... that's my biggest problem.She might reject me.She might think that I am desperate.I'm still (3) ___________________ about whether I should ask her out at all... |
 Saya | Come on!I'm sure she'll say yes! |
 Masa | Are you sure?And what if I fail to (4) _______________________ and the whole date ends in disaster?What if she gets bored with me?Also, if she says no, everyone will make fun of me. |
 Saya | Don't think that way, Masa!Everything will be okay.And, you can ask her (5) ___________________, so no one will know about it. |
 Masa | Okay. I guess I just need to calm down and do it.Thank you, Saya! |
Choose answers from the options below that fit in blanks 1 to 5
Answer Pool (Questions 1-5)
- go the extra mile
- ants in my pants
- deliver the goods
- in two minds
- behind closed doors
Exercise 5
Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms to complete the sentences.
1. He is still inexperienced, so I don’t think he can _______________________ .
2. Rory is better than Tom. She is always ready to ________________________ , unlike him.
3. If you’re _______________________ , don't go to the party.
4. Non-authorized personnel are not allowed inside. This meeting will take place ___________________________ .
5. I had _____________________________ before I met the president.
6. Sheila _________________________________ to buy a special gift for her father's birthday last month.
7. Don't worry! If you study hard, you'll definitely be able to __________________________ .
8. The decision about the new principal was made _________________________ .
9. I'm finally going on a date with Jessica. I've got ___________________________ .
10. You need to work harder so that you can _____________________________ .
Exercise 6
Sentence Building
Create sentences using the following idioms.
- have ants in one’s pants
- behind closed doors
- go the extra mile
- deliver the goods
- in two minds
