1. The decision was made ________ the backdrop of a declining economy and rising unemployment.

2. The project has been ________ abeyance until more funding can be secured.

3. I am ________ no illusions about the difficulties we will face in the next quarter.

4. His performance in the exam was ________ par with that of the top students.

5. The legal team is acting ________ behalf of the victims of the chemical spill.

6. He was ________ the verge of a nervous breakdown before he decided to take a sabbatical.

7. The company is ________ the throes of a major reorganization that could last for months.

8. She felt ________ ease in the company of such distinguished scholars.

9. The suspect was released ________ bail pending further investigation.

10. The plan was doomed ________ failure from the very beginning due to lack of planning.

11. He has a penchant ________ antique clocks and spends weekends at flea markets.

12. The government’s actions were ________ variance with its election promises.

13. You should take his comments ________ a pinch of salt; he tends to exaggerate.

14. Many people are still ________ the breadline despite the recent economic growth.

15. The athlete was disqualified ________ suspicion of using performance-enhancing drugs.

16. I am not ________ liberty to discuss the details of the contract at this stage.

17. The new regulations are intended to bring the system ________ line with international standards.

18. Her expertise in quantum physics is ________ dispute; she is clearly a leader in the field.

19. The company has been ________ fire for its poor environmental record.

20. The CEO resigned ________ the wake of the financial scandal.

21. He succeeded ________ virtue of hard work and unwavering persistence.

22. The agreement was reached ________ prejudice to any future legal action.

23. This edition of the book is ________ print, but you might find a second-hand copy.

24. They were ________ loggerheads over the best way to handle the crisis.

25. He was so engrossed ________ his book that he didn't hear me enter the room.