Practice Test Geeks(PET) Preliminary English Test Practice Test
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Idioms & Phrasal Verbs Flashcards

7 cards from real PET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Idioms & Phrasal Verbs flashcards as text

  1. What does 'get the ball rolling' mean?

    Answer: To start a process or activity

    'Get the ball rolling' means to start something or begin a process.

  2. She couldn't ___ with all the changes happening at work.

    Answer: keep up

    'Keep up' means to maintain the same pace or standard as others.

  3. The meeting was ___ because the director was sick.

    Answer: called off

    'Call off' means to cancel something.

  4. What does 'in hot water' mean in: 'He's in hot water with his boss'?

    Answer: He is in trouble

    'In hot water' is an idiom meaning to be in trouble or a difficult situation.

  5. I need to ___ some information before the presentation.

    Answer: brush up on

    'Brush up on' means to review or improve knowledge of something.

  6. The children were told to ___ their toys after playing.

    Answer: put away

    'Put away' means to store something in its proper place.

  7. What does 'burn the midnight oil' mean?

    Answer: To work or study late into the night

    'Burn the midnight oil' means to work or study very late at night.

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Sources & references

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  1. cambridgeenglish.org — Eligibility, fees, registration, passing score, score validity, test dates, test delivery, exam format · verified Oct 2026