English idioms with time expressions

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

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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!

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Question 1

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 2

I'm leaving the office in the early afternoon so that I can beat the rush hour traffic.

"Rush hour" is...

A	the period of time with lots of traffic
B	the lunch hour when everyone is driving to go get food
C	when all the cars are going too fast

Question 3

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	obvious
C	beautiful

Question 4

My dog starts barking every morning at 6 AM, like clockwork.

If something happens "like clockwork," it happens...

A	exactly at regular times
B	inside your house
C	earlier than expected

Question 5

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 an unfortunate consequence
B	it is certain to happen
C	it will not happen for a long time

Question 6

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	staying in a place temporarily
C	practicing an important life skill

Question 7

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	after waiting for a long time
B	with plenty of time to spare
C	at the last possible moment before something bad happens

Question 8

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	time to do productive work
B	free time with nothing to do
C	quiet time

Question 9

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	suddenly and spontaneously
B	without talking to other people
C	something that could be dangerous

Question 10

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	far in the future
B	probably impossible
C	just a few years away

Question 11

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 12

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 unexpected
C	it was the first time it ever happened

There are 12 questions to complete.

Video Explanation

Idioms Course: Lesson 5 Practice Quiz

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Choose the best idiom to complete each sentence!

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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!

Learn more & join the course

English idioms with time expressions

How to take this lesson:

Idioms Course: Lesson 5 Introductory Quiz

Video Explanation

Idioms Course: Lesson 5 Practice Quiz

Short-Answer Exercises

Send in your short answers for correction!

This is a free sample lesson from the 300+ English Idioms Course!

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A	on the spur of the moment
B	only a matter of time
C	as plain as day

A	It's only a matter of time
B	It was the time of my life
C	It made my day

A	a lot of time on their hands
B	the time of their life
C	only a matter of time

A	rush hour
B	clockwork
C	around-the-clock