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...
A
earlier than expected
B
inside your house
C
exactly at regular times
Question 2
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 3
After the earthquake, volunteers worked around the clock to bring food and water to the victims.
"Around the clock" means...
A
as fast as possible
B
in shifts
C
without stopping
Question 4
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
obvious
B
shocking
C
beautiful
Question 5
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
staying in a place temporarily
B
practicing an important life skill
C
really enjoying an experience
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"...
A
it made you very happy
B
it was the first time it ever happened
C
it was unexpected
Question 7
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 8
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 will not happen for a long time
B
it is an unfortunate consequence
C
it is certain to happen
Question 9
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 is not happening at a good time
C
it should have already happened
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
without talking to other people
B
suddenly and spontaneously
C
something that could be dangerous
Question 11
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
just a few years away
B
probably impossible
C
far in the future
Question 12
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
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Video Explanation
Idioms Course: Lesson 5 Practice Quiz
Choose the best idiom to complete each sentence!
Start
Question 1
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 2
Sheila does terrible work. It's _____________ that she only got the job because her father is the president of the company.
A
as plain as day
B
about time
C
just a question of time
Question 3
You arrived _______________ - we were about to leave without you.
A
like clockwork
B
about time
C
in the nick of time
Question 4
He spends hours on Facebook commenting on every single photo and post - I think he has too much _______________.
A
spur of the moment
B
time on his hands
C
clockwork
Question 5
The police gathered a lot of evidence from the crime scene. It's __________________ before they find the culprit.
A
the time of their life
B
a lot of time on their hands
C
only a matter of time
Question 6
Jerry was in critical condition after the accident; he needed _______________ care.
A
around-the-clock
B
rush hour
C
clockwork
Question 7
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 8
The government passed a law guaranteeing equal salaries for men and women. ________________ this country took some steps towards equality!
A
It's about time
B
It made my day
C
It's light-years away
Question 9
The city is building a new highway to help reduce traffic jams _______________________.
A
during rush hour
B
around the clock
C
in the nick of time
Question 10
A tattoo is something you'll have for life - you shouldn't make the decision to get one __________________.
A
on the spur of the moment
B
as plain as day
C
only a matter of time
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
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Question Text
All done
Need more practice!
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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.
