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MOST teenagers spend the better part of their day being told by parents and teachers alike not to waste time. While time is equally precious for everyone, it holds special interest for students of English language because of the many idioms it has contributed. Work against the clock: work fast because you only have limited time. The doctor worked against the clock to find a cure for his patient. In no time at all: something happens or is done very quickly. Vandana adjusted to her new school in no time at all. Call it a day: stop doing something, especially working. I have still not finished my report but I am so tired that I want to call it a day. Not have a minute to call your own: be extremely busy. Ever since my children have come home for their vacations, I haven’t had a minute to call my own. Then and there (or there and then): do something immediately. He liked the new model of the car so much that he decided to buy it then and there. At the crack of dawn: very early in the morning. My grandmother tells me that getting up at the crack of dawn is good for health. Once in a lifetime: likely to happen only once in someone’s life. I was so excited when I got the chance to meet Amitabh Bachchan. After all, such an opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Once in a blue moon: very rarely. Even though I like jeans, I wear them only once in a blue moon. Once and for all: finally and definitely. I have decided once and for all that I am never going to get into another argument with my mother. Off and on (or on and off): sometimes but not regularly or continuously. Even though I am not a regular in the kitchen, I do like to cook off and on. From time to time: sometimes but not regularly. I like to drive to the hills from time to time. Nine times out of ten: almost always. Nine times out of ten when my phone rings, it is a wrong number. Round the clock: all day and night. Rescuers worked round the clock to help the victims of the earthquake. Like clockwork: unfailingly regular, at fixed times. My father switches on the TV at 9 pm every night, like clockwork. Watch the clock: keep looking to see what the time is because you are eager to stop what you are doing. During the economics class, I invariably find myself watching the clock. Go/run/work like clockwork: happen exactly as planned, without any problems. Our annual function went like clockwork. From scratch: start right at the beginning. I had made quite a name for myself as a lawyer in my hometown but now that I have moved to a new city, I will have to start again from scratch. Exercise Rewrite the following sentences using idioms: I am working fast to meet a deadline tomorrow. I am`85 I am going to stop working now. I am going to`85. I am very busy these days. I`85. I get up very early these days. I get up`85. Even though my friend lives down the street, I see her very rarely. I see my friend`85. The designer worked all day and night to get the dresses ready for the fashion show. The designer worked`85. The fire burnt Mr Tandon’s factory to the ground and now he will have to start again from the beginning. Mr Tandon will have to start his factory`85. I have decided finally and definitely that I am never going to watch another horror movie. I have decided`85. The music show I had organised went off exactly as planned, without any hitches. The music show`85. (Reference: Cambridge International
Dictionary of Idioms) |
