1. I know you're mad at me for spending too much for the TV, so stop trying to skirt .......... the issue. I worked a lot of overtime this month, so we'll be able to afford it, Vince said to Gina.

2. If you get good grades, go to a decent school and do well there, the sky's the ..........! You can get any job you want, do anything you want, and get rich in the process, Jack told his son.

3. I need to bear down and study. I've been .......... off too much this semester, and now I'm behind in all my classes, Aaron said to his roomie.

4. I got passed up for promotion. They gave it to Ned. Talk about a .......... in the face! He's worked for the company half the time I have, and he has fewer qualifications, Simon fumed.

5. I thought my parents were going to kill me when I came home late, but I only got a slap on the .......... for it, Vicky said to Emma.

6. Durn! We forgot to bring the tent poles. Just give me a minute, and I'll .......... together some makeshift ones out of the dead-fall around here, Josh said to his fellow campers.

7. He was .......... to graduate with honors, but the Board won't let him now that he's been arrested for doing drugs on campus, Professor Thompson said to the Assistant Dean.

8. I just caught the new temp stealing saw blades from the tool shed, so I threw him out on his .......... right quick! Josh announced to the main boss.

9. So, what do you think of the job offer? It requires moving to a new city, but it's a lot more money, Kyle said. Jim replied, "I'm not sure. Let me .......... on it, and I'll have an answer for you tomorrow."

10. I don't think I'd date her if I were you. She's a bit .......... ; she's already dated half the staff, Bob warned the new employee.