Time and place idioms – C1 English Vocabulary

Time and place idioms

Exercise 2

Choose the correct option for each gap. Use each expression only once.

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1The teacher asked me a difficult question, and I had to answer once in a blue moonagainst the clockin the blink of an eyeon the spothas seen better daysa stone's throw awayin the nick of timeevery nook and crannyout of placejumped the gun.

2Alice against the clockhas seen better daysevery nook and crannyon the spotjumped the guna stone's throw awayout of placein the nick of timeonce in a blue moonin the blink of an eye and booked the tickets before we'd agreed on a date.

3Our new house is in the nick of timea stone's throw awayon the spotagainst the clockonce in a blue moonhas seen better daysout of placejumped the gunevery nook and crannyin the blink of an eye from the local park.

4We worked out of placein the blink of an eyehas seen better daysagainst the clockonce in a blue moonjumped the guna stone's throw awayin the nick of timeevery nook and crannyon the spot to get the presentation ready for the meeting.

5The firefighters arrived in the nick of timein the blink of an eyeevery nook and crannyhas seen better daysjumped the gunon the spotonce in a blue moonout of placeagainst the clocka stone's throw away to stop the fire from spreading.

6I felt completely every nook and crannyagainst the clockin the nick of timeout of placejumped the gunonce in a blue moonin the blink of an eyea stone's throw awayhas seen better dayson the spot wearing a formal suit in the nightclub.

7Restaurants are so expensive that we eat out has seen better daysagainst the clockin the blink of an eyein the nick of timejumped the gunon the spotonce in a blue moonevery nook and crannyout of placea stone's throw away.

8This bag in the nick of timea stone's throw awayagainst the clockout of placeon the spotevery nook and crannyin the blink of an eyejumped the gunhas seen better daysonce in a blue moon; I'm going to have to get a new one soon.

9We searched in the blink of an eyeonce in a blue moonhas seen better daysevery nook and crannya stone's throw awayjumped the gunout of placein the nick of timeagainst the clockon the spot of the house but were unable to find the keys.

10The dog slipped through the open gate and disappeared in the nick of timeagainst the clocka stone's throw awayout of placeonce in a blue moonin the blink of an eyeon the spotjumped the gunhas seen better daysevery nook and cranny.

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Time and place idioms

In this Advanced Vocabulary lesson, you will learn advanced idioms related to time and place. The chart, definitions, and examples below will help you understand and remember the terms and use them naturally in context.

Idioms about place

1 In the middle of nowhere means in a very remote place, far from towns or cities.

• The house was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by fields.

2 A stone’s throw away means very close or a short distance away.

• The hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the beach.

3 Every nook and cranny means every small part or corner of a place.

• We searched every nook and cranny of the house for the keys.

4 Nowhere to be found means not present in any place.

• My phone was nowhere to be found after the meeting.

5 All over the place means scattered in many different locations.

• There were papers all over the place on his desk.

6 Within reach means close enough to be reached.

• Keep your phone within reach in case of emergencies.

7 Out of place means not in the correct or usual position.

• The modern building looked out of place in the historic village.

8 On the spot means at that exact place and time. It often implies an element of pressure or the need to act immediately.

• The police officer fined him on the spot.

9 Out in the open means in a place where everything is visible.

• They left the equipment out in the open.

10 Under your nose means very close and easy to see, but unnoticed.

• The answer was right under your nose.

Idioms about time

1 In the nick of time means just in time, at the last possible moment.

• We arrived in the nick of time to catch the train.

2 Ahead of time means earlier than expected.

• She finished the project ahead of time.

3 Has seen better days means something is old or in poor condition now.

• This building has seen better days.

4 Against the clock means in a hurry because there is not much time.

• We were working against the clock to finish the report.

5 Buy time means to delay something to get more time.

• He asked more questions to buy time.

6 Jump the gun means to do something too early.

• They jumped the gun and announced the results too soon.

7 In the long run means over a long period of time.

• It will be cheaper in the long run.

8 Once in a blue moon means very rarely.

• I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.

9 It’s early days means it is too soon to know the result.

• It’s early days, but the project looks promising.

10 In the blink of an eye means very quickly.

• The car disappeared in the blink of an eye.

After completing the exercises in this lesson on Time and Place, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flashcards to revise and help you memorize the terms.