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
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"...
A
it is certain to happen
B
it will not happen for a long time
C
it is an unfortunate consequence
Question 2
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...
A
with plenty of time to spare
B
after waiting for a long time
C
at the last possible moment before something bad happens
Question 3
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...
A
really enjoying an experience
B
practicing an important life skill
C
staying in a place temporarily
Question 4
After the earthquake, volunteers worked around the clock to bring food and water to the victims.
"Around the clock" means...
A
in shifts
B
without stopping
C
as fast as possible
Question 5
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...
A
probably impossible
B
far in the future
C
just a few years away
Question 6
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...
A
shocking
B
beautiful
C
obvious
Question 7
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...
A
quiet time
B
free time with nothing to do
C
time to do productive work
Question 8
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...
A
it is the perfect time
B
it should have already happened
C
it is not happening at a good time
Question 9
I'm leaving the office in the early afternoon so that I can beat the rush hour traffic.
"Rush hour" is...
A
the lunch hour when everyone is driving to go get food
B
when all the cars are going too fast
C
the period of time with lots of traffic
Question 10
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...
A
something that could be dangerous
B
suddenly and spontaneously
C
without talking to other people
Question 11
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"...
A
it was the first time it ever happened
B
it made you very happy
C
it was unexpected
Question 12
My dog starts barking every morning at 6 AM, like clockwork.
If something happens "like clockwork," it happens...
A
earlier than expected
B
exactly at regular times
C
inside your house
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Video Explanation
Idioms Course: Lesson 5 Practice Quiz
Choose the best idiom to complete each sentence!
Start
Question 1
The city is building a new highway to help reduce traffic jams _______________________.
A
during rush hour
B
in the nick of time
C
around the clock
Question 2
Sheila does terrible work. It's _____________ that she only got the job because her father is the president of the company.
A
about time
B
just a question of time
C
as plain as day
Question 3
You arrived _______________ - we were about to leave without you.
A
in the nick of time
B
about time
C
like clockwork
Question 4
A tattoo is something you'll have for life - you shouldn't make the decision to get one __________________.
A
as plain as day
B
on the spur of the moment
C
only a matter of time
Question 5
Jerry was in critical condition after the accident; he needed _______________ care.
A
rush hour
B
clockwork
C
around-the-clock
Question 6
He spends hours on Facebook commenting on every single photo and post - I think he has too much _______________.
A
clockwork
B
spur of the moment
C
time on his hands
Question 7
I have a co-worker who's impossible to work with. _________________ when I found out he's being transferred to another department!
A
It made my day
B
It's only a matter of time
C
It was the time of my life
Question 8
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 about time
C
It's light-years away
Question 9
Every time there's a snowstorm, my grandmother calls to ask if I'm OK - ____________________.
A
light-years away
B
like clockwork
C
having the time of my life
Question 10
The police gathered a lot of evidence from the crime scene. It's __________________ before they find the culprit.
A
only a matter of time
B
a lot of time on their hands
C
the time of their life
There are 10 questions to complete.
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Question Details
Results
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Hint
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seconds
Time used
Answer Choice(s) Selected
Question Text
All done
Need more practice!
Keep trying!
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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!
This is a free sample lesson from the 300+ English Idioms Course!
Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.
