WORK WITH IDIOMS. A. Read the newspaper articles below and discuss them with your partner. Then try to work out the meaning of the multi-word verbs in italics.
THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW The literary world was taken aback yesterday when the famous author, Arnold Swift, was found guilty of stealing copies of his latest novel from a bookshop. The magistrate said that he would let him off lightly with a £50 fine, but warned him that any further offences would result in a more serious punishment. The novel is called “ Keeping to the straight and narrow”. BOMB BLAST A bomb went off in a central car park in the early hours of yesterday morning. Police sealed off several streets and carried out a detailed search of the area. It appears the bomb was intended for a busy shopping centre nearby.
HARDENED CRIMINALS Two men who escaped from prison by hiding inside a cement mixer were recaptured last night when they gave themselves up to the police. It seems that the two men, who were described as hardened criminals, had been unable to get very far because of the quick-drying cement that had stuck to their feet. The prison authorities have said they would set up a committee to look into security at the prison.
BREAKDOWN IN LAW AND ORDER A police spokesman said yesterday that law and order is breaking down in some inner-city areas. He was speaking after a night in which two riots had broken out and several serious crimes had been reported. “At present, too many people think they can commit a crime and get away with it,” he said.
CAUGHT RED-HANDED Yesterday, Gregory Brush, 24, was convicted of the attempted robbery of a paint factory in Leeds. It was reported that he fell into a large drum of red paint while trying to escape with the money. He was rescued by a night watchman and gave himself up when police arrived to arrest him. He owned up to the crime and pleaded guilty at his trial.
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