How to take this lesson:
- Take the introductory quiz
- Watch the video explanation
- Take the practice quiz
- Try the short answer exercises
This is a free sample from the 300+ English Idioms Course!
Idioms Course: Lesson 5 Introductory Quiz
Guess the correct meaning of each idiom from the context. It's OK if you get a lot of answers wrong – what’s important is to do your best in trying to figure it out!
Start
Question 1 |
My dog starts barking every morning at 6 AM, like clockwork.
If something happens "like clockwork," it happens...
If something happens "like clockwork," it happens...
A | inside your house |
B | exactly at regular times |
C | earlier than expected |
Question 2 |
Sorry I didn't let you know that we'd be out of town last weekend. When we saw that the weather was nice, my husband and I made a spur of the moment decision to go on a camping trip in the mountains.
"Spur of the moment" means...
"Spur of the moment" means...
A | something that could be dangerous |
B | suddenly and spontaneously |
C | without talking to other people |
Question 3 |
It's about time you called! We've been wondering where you were for the past hour.
If you say "it's about time" something happened, you are saying...
If you say "it's about time" something happened, you are saying...
A | it is not happening at a good time |
B | it is the perfect time |
C | it should have already happened |
Question 4 |
My son is having the time of his life at soccer camp - he doesn't want to come home!
If you're "having the time of your life," you are...
If you're "having the time of your life," you are...
A | really enjoying an experience |
B | practicing an important life skill |
C | staying in a place temporarily |
Question 5 |
After the earthquake, volunteers worked around the clock to bring food and water to the victims.
"Around the clock" means...
"Around the clock" means...
A | in shifts |
B | as fast as possible |
C | without stopping |
Question 6 |
I sent an e-mail to my favorite singer - and he actually wrote me back! Getting his message made my day!
If something "made your day"...
If something "made your day"...
A | it made you very happy |
B | it was the first time it ever happened |
C | it was unexpected |
Question 7 |
It's as plain as day that she's had plastic surgery - nobody's face is completely free of wrinkles at 70.
If something is "as plain as day," it's...
If something is "as plain as day," it's...
A | beautiful |
B | obvious |
C | shocking |
Question 8 |
Although scientists have made great progress in developing treatments for cancer, we're still light-years away from curing it completely.
If something is "light-years away," it is...
If something is "light-years away," it is...
A | just a few years away |
B | far in the future |
C | probably impossible |
Question 9 |
Sarah has been an alcoholic for years. It's only a matter of time before she develops liver problems.
If something is "only a matter of time"...
If something is "only a matter of time"...
A | it will not happen for a long time |
B | it is an unfortunate consequence |
C | it is certain to happen |
Question 10 |
Isabelle was a stay-at-home mother for almost 30 years, and now the youngest of her four children has left for college - so she has a lot of time on her hands
If you have "time on your hands," you have...
If you have "time on your hands," you have...
A | time to do productive work |
B | free time with nothing to do |
C | quiet time |
Question 11 |
When my father had a heart attack, we got him to the hospital in the nick of time. The doctor said that if we had waited 15 more minutes, he could have had serious complications.
"In the nick of time" means...
"In the nick of time" means...
A | after waiting for a long time |
B | at the last possible moment before something bad happens |
C | with plenty of time to spare |
Question 12 |
I'm leaving the office in the early afternoon so that I can beat the rush hour traffic.
"Rush hour" is...
"Rush hour" is...
A | the lunch hour when everyone is driving to go get food |
B | the period of time with lots of traffic |
C | when all the cars are going too fast |
There are 12 questions to complete.
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Video Explanation
Idioms Course: Lesson 5 Practice Quiz
Choose the best idiom to complete each sentence!
Start
Question 1 |
A tattoo is something you'll have for life - you shouldn't make the decision to get one __________________.
A | only a matter of time |
B | as plain as day |
C | on the spur of the moment |
Question 2 |
Jerry was in critical condition after the accident; he needed _______________ care.
A | clockwork |
B | around-the-clock |
C | rush hour |
Question 3 |
Sheila does terrible work. It's _____________ that she only got the job because her father is the president of the company.
A | just a question of time |
B | as plain as day |
C | about time |
Question 4 |
The city is building a new highway to help reduce traffic jams _______________________.
A | around the clock |
B | in the nick of time |
C | during rush hour |
Question 5 |
He spends hours on Facebook commenting on every single photo and post - I think he has too much _______________.
A | time on his hands |
B | spur of the moment |
C | clockwork |
Question 6 |
I have a co-worker who's impossible to work with. _________________ when I found out he's being transferred to another department!
A | It's only a matter of time |
B | It made my day |
C | It was the time of my life |
Question 7 |
The government passed a law guaranteeing equal salaries for men and women. ________________ this country took some steps towards equality!
A | It made my day |
B | It's light-years away |
C | It's about time |
Question 8 |
Every time there's a snowstorm, my grandmother calls to ask if I'm OK - ____________________.
A | like clockwork |
B | having the time of my life |
C | light-years away |
Question 9 |
The police gathered a lot of evidence from the crime scene. It's __________________ before they find the culprit.
A | a lot of time on their hands |
B | the time of their life |
C | only a matter of time |
Question 10 |
You arrived _______________ - we were about to leave without you.
A | in the nick of time |
B | about time |
C | like clockwork |
There are 10 questions to complete.
You have completed
questions
question
Your score is
Correct
Wrong
Partial-Credit
You have not finished your quiz. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost.
Correct Answer
You Selected
Not Attempted
Final Score on Quiz
Attempted Questions Correct
Attempted Questions Wrong
Questions Not Attempted
Total Questions on Quiz
Question Details
Results
Date
Score
Hint
Time allowed
minutes
seconds
Time used
Answer Choice(s) Selected
Question Text
All done
Need more practice!
Keep trying!
Not bad!
Good work!
Perfect!
Short-Answer Exercises
2-3 sentences each. Try to use each idiom in your answer.
1) What is something in your life that happens like clockwork?
2) Have you ever made a spur of the moment decision?
3) Have you ever had a problem or emergency that was resolved in the nick of time?
4) What do you do when you have a lot of time on your hands?
5) When was the last time something made your day?
Send in your short answers for correction!