1. It's useless to try to deceive Michael. He is so smart that he can **read** a lie with ease.
2. Despite the curator's scary stories about ghosts and creaking floorboards at night, we managed to **pluck** up the courage to spend the night in the castle.
3. So you have lost all your money on the bets. But it's no good crying over spilt milk. Next time you come to Las Vegas, you should stay clear of casinos.
4. He didn't put it straight, but I could **see** between the lines that he was not satisfied with the fee that he was offered.
5. Any form of **hitting** irresponsible behavior is punished at this school. Those who call other pupils names or fan fun at them are put in detention.
6. The preparations for the secret mission must be completed within just two weeks. No wonder the agents have been **working** the candle at both ends.
7. I've been worried about Carl since he started keeping company with those bad boys. He's a weak character and they may easily lead him astray.
8. It is hoped that Mr. Hurston's testimony will **shed** new light on the case of women kidnappings in Livingston.
9. It's not a matter of being a discontented employee. Pete keeps stewing to show his dissatisfaction with the fact that he wasn't given a raise.
10. We love visiting the Browns because they are so hospitable and friendly. They will spare no pains to make you feel comfortable in their house.
11. Poor Mr. Daniels. When his wife left him for her lover he hit the bottle. And he has been drinking heavily since then.
12. I'm going to invest my savings in the business and hope to reap a considerable harvest in the future.
13. I offered to pay $100, and Sean insisted on $120. But finally, we agreed that we would split the difference, so I paid him $110 for the moped.
14. It was Adam's decision to accept the bribe. Let him stew now in his own juice.
15. You shouldn't have mentioned anything about Steve's failed exam. It only fanned the flames of your brother's irritation.