La motivación por aprender una lengua extranjera a través de las “TIC”

If your hands are tied something such as a law is preventing you from acting in the way that you want to.

He w ould like to help but his h ands are tied by the regulations.

[note] You can also say that you h a v e your h a n d s tie d or that something tie s your h a n d s .

The present rule ties jocke ys' h ands a n d I don't feel it is fair.

Exercise 1

Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

1 There's a fine___________ between fact and fantasy in this TV programme. a line b mark c limit

2 AM realized that this time he'd probably overstepped th e ____________ a limit b mark c line

3 Perhaps I was a bit over th e ___________ , accusing you of being a traitor. a line b top c mark

4 I asked if he's ever been tempted to bend th e ___________ for a good cause. a rules b strings c line

5 The site of the disaster is completely off____________to reporters. a strings b limits c bounds

6 The editor allowed the photos to be taken but drew th e ___________ at publishing them. a bounds b strings c line

7 When she's not writing her hands are___________ with her family. a bound b empty c full

8 The spokesman said that his hands were___________ and he could not account for the delay. a fine b tied c bound

Exercise 2

Match sentence halves 1-6 with A-F to make complete sentences.

1 I'll make it clear that the kitchen A had his hands full. 2 The college said the donation B my hands are tied.

3 I want to make some changes but with no budget - C I'm afraid of treading on his toes. 4 The director asked me to make suggestions but D had been made with no strings attached 5 A poster on the kitchen wall E shows all the important dos and don'ts. 6 I didn't stop to talk because he obviously F is completely out of bounds.

Exercise 3

Use sentences A-F to answer questions 1-6.

1 Who has gone a bit over the top? A Birgit's got two part-time jobs and four children. 2 Who has decided to draw the line? B Roger has refused to accept any more invitations. 3 Who's hands are full? C Leo asked his colleague if he was already dealing with the

matter.

4 Who's hands are tied? D It's not usually allowed, but Atsuko has decided to let parents watch the class.

5 Who doesn't want to step on anyone's toes? E Arif can't complete the order without his boss's permission. 6 Who has decided to stretch the rules? F Jenny has told her teenage daughters they won't ever be

allowed to go out in the evening again.

Exercise 4

Replace the underlined words with the idioms in the box.

off limits my hands are tied | step on someone's toes | I've got my hands full, overstepped the mark dos and don'ts

1 I'm sorry I can't help you at the moment. I'm really busy.

2 It's a good idea to read the list of things you should and shouldn't do before you arrive. 3 I'd love to help but I'm afraid I am not allowed to.

4 I want to make sure I don't offend anyone bv interfering with their responsibilities. 5 Going into the fields next to the school is not allowed. They are not accessible. 6 Please apologise. You've really done something unacceptable.

Exercise 5

Match situations 1-8 with idioms A-H.

1 We are not allowed to use the roof terrace at the A My hands are full. top of the building.

2 I've been given an amazing opportunity without B My hands are tied. having to do anything in return.

3 1 think going on holiday in a private jet was a bit C It was over the top. extreme.

4 Swearing in the classroom is unacceptable. Don't D 1 draw the line at it. do it again.

5 Sometimes you can do things that are theoretically E You've overstepped the mark. not allowed.

6 How could you say such a mean and nasty thing? F It's out of bounds. That's very rude of you.

7 I'm afraid 1 can't help you because you work for a G There are no strings attached. different department.

8 I've got far too many other things to do just now. H You can bend the rules.

Exercise 6

Correct the idioms in these sentences.

1 There's a full line between bravery and foolishness.

2 When he occasionally overstepped the line he would immediately apologize. 3 There is no classical music which is out of limits for children, they say.

4 I am grateful to them for their co-operation, which was given with no lines attached.

5 The policy is flexible - staff waiting for an important call can bend the toes provided the phone remains on silent. 6 The publisher produces a booklet full of don'ts and dos for new authors.

7 The council says their toes are tied by government spending limits. 8 He was smart enough not to tread on his colleagues' lines.

Your turn!

Are there any limitations and restrictions in your life? Use the idioms in this unit to describe them. For example:

I've got my hands full with schoolw ork at the moment.

M y friends went a bit over the top inviting everyone they could think of to their party.