"I'm afraid I can't ___________  the party, I have to work."

Solution

The idiom "make it to" means to be able to attend or arrive at a place or event. In this case, the speaker is unable to attend the party because they have to work. The other options are unrelated idioms. a) Make ends meet - Manage to pay for basic expenses with the available income. b) Get cold feet - Feel nervous or hesitant about doing something previously decided or planned. c) Beat around the bush - Avoid talking about something directly, often by using indirect or vague language. d) Play it cool - Act calm and composed in a situation, even if feeling nervous or anxious.