Essential english idioms

B. Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of an idiomatic expression from this unit only. 
Matt: 
Have you heard the news? A big fire ___________________ in the downtown area early this morning. 
A whole block was affected. 
Lisa: 
Really? How many buildings have ______________________________? 
Matt: More than ten, I believe. Haven't you seen the smoke in the air? 
Lisa: 
Yes, I wondered what that was. Doesn't the fire department have the fire under control by now? 
Matt: 
No, it doesn't. Their equipment is so _____________________ that it isn't effective in fighting the fire. 
Lisa: 
Boy, I bet that the people who lost their stores are really ____________________ about that. I would be 
very angry if it was my business. 
Matt: 
______________ me, I ________________________ all the workers who have lost their jobs because 
of the fire. 
Lisa: 
It _____________________ that the city government is going to have to buy _____________ 
equipment now. 
Matt: 
Let's hope so. 

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26
LESSON 13 
t o b r e a k d o w n : to stop functioning 
Compare this idiom with to burn out in Lesson 12. To burn out means that electrical equipment becomes hot 
from overuse and stops functioning. To break down means that something stops functioning mechanically, 
whether from overuse or not. 
- I just bought my new car yesterday and already it has broken down. 
- The elevator broke down, so we walked all the way up to the top floor. 
t o t u r n o u t : to become or result; to appear, to attend (also: t o c o m e o u t ) 
The noun form turnout derives from the second definition of the idiom.
- Most parents wonder how their children will turn out as adults. 
- Hundreds of people came out for the demonstration against new taxes. 
- What was the turnout for the public hearing on the education reforms?