Learn these four English idioms: call the shots, couldn’t care less, easier said than done and gut feeling. Learn the meaning of these useful idioms and master them by studying and reading aloud the example sentences. Also read the Idioms in Use text, which contains all four target idioms in a natural context. Leave a comment below and practice the idioms that you learned. Learn more by visiting me at www.SirEnglish.com

7. Choose only two of the four phrases to make a good
sentence. Write down your answer before moving
ahead to check your answers.

8. • If I call the shots,
• I think something is difficult to do.
• If I couldn’t care less,
• I don’t care about someone or something.
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

9. • If I , I don’t care
about someone or something.
Answer

10. • Someone in a position to tell others what to do
• is an example of calling the shots.
• Someone that believes something is true, but they
don’t know why
• is an example of being easier said than done.
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

11. • Someone in a position to tell
others what to do is an example of
Answer

12. • because he believed something, but he didn’t
know why exactly.
• because he didn’t care about someone.
• Mike was calling the shots
• James had a gut feeling
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

13. • James had a because
he believed something, but he
didn’t know why exactly.
Answer

14. • If something is easier said than done,
• it puts you in a position to tell others what to do.
• it is a good idea but it’s difficult to do.
• If something gives you a gut feeling,
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

15. • If something is
, it is a good idea but it’s
difficult to do.
Answer

16. Replace the phrases in bold with one of the idioms
from this section. Write down each sentence before
moving ahead to check your answers.

17. • I knew he was lying to me. I had a belief that it was true, although I
didn’t know why.
• The team lost the game, but the fans didn’t care about that. They are
proud of their team’s performance.
• I always tell my daughter that becoming a successful artist is a good
idea, but it’s difficult to actually do.
• You’d better ask your mum about that. She is the one who tells others
what to do.
Sentences with normal phrases
Replace the phrases in bold with an idiom from this section

18. Answers
• I knew he was lying to me. I had a gut feeling.
• The team lost the game, but the fans couldn’t care less. They are proud
of their team’s performance.
• I always tell my daughter that becoming a successful artist is easier said
than done.
• You’d better ask your mum about that. She calls the shots.
Sentences with idioms

19. Example Sentences
call the shots
to be in a position to tell others what to do
couldn’t care less
to say that you don’t care about someone or something
easier said than done
something is a good idea, but it’s difficult to actually do
gut feeling
something you believe to be true, although you don’t know why exactly
Read the sentences containing the idioms that we studied. Think about the meaning of the idioms as
you read aloud. Train your brain to master these idioms.

20. Pamela calls the shots at this company, and
nothing happens unless she says so.

21. Dean: Did you watch the tennis final
yesterday? It was incredible!
Amy: I couldn’t care less about it. Tennis is so
boring that it sends me to sleep.

22. Eliminating all dangerous drug use is the ideal
situation, but that’s easier said than done
because it is so widespread.

23. Always follow your gut feeling when you are
unsure about something. It usually points you
in the right direction.

24. Jane: Do you have any ideas of where we can
go for our summer holiday?
Gary: I always choose, so I’ll let you call the
shots this time.

25. I realise that playing rugby is a dangerous
hobby, but I couldn’t care less. I love it so
much that the injuries don’t bother me.

26. The police are telling everyone not to worry
about the prisoner who is on the run, but
that’s easier said than done. They need to
catch him as quickly as possible.

27. Even before the bomb exploded, I had a gut
feeling that something terrible was going to
happen.

28. He’s not talking to me anymore, but I couldn’t
care less. He’s not worth having as a friend if
he acts like that.

29. Boss: What makes you think that she is the
right person for the job?
Employee: It’s just my gut feeling. Something
tells me she is the perfect fit.

30. Why do you always get to call the shots on
everything? I think we should discuss these
things together before coming to a decision.

31. I know I should study more and stop wasting
my time chatting on Facebook, but it’s easier
said than done. It’s so addictive!

32. I used to love playing video games when I was
younger, but I couldn’t care less about them
now. I prefer spending my time exercising.

33. Neil: If Paul owes you a lot of money, why
don’t you just ask him for it?
Adam: That’s easier said than done. He’s
ignoring my phone calls and messages.

34. Even though Tim is the youngest and smallest
of the group, he calls the shots on what
games to play.

35. As he walked down the dark street, the man
had a gut feeling that he was being watched.
And he was right – an undercover police
officer was following him.

36. Idioms in Use Set Twelve
Read this short passage aloud. Think about the meanings of the idioms
as you read. This will train your brain to master these idioms.
Situation: A rugby player is talking about his team’s preparation for the
cup final.
Every player on the team is excited but nervous about the final. It has
taken a lot of hard work to get here, so we really don’t want to lose. My
gut feeling is that we will win, but it’s easier said than done because
the other team is really good, with strong, skilful players. However, our
coach couldn’t care less about the opposition. He says that we can
beat any team that we play and that we shouldn’t worry about them.
We all trust the coach and he calls the shots, but I think the game will
be more difficult than he expects. We’ll find out on Sunday!