Time and place idioms – C1 English Vocabulary

Time and place idioms

Exercise 3

Complete the passage using expressions from the lesson.

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Last autumn, a few old friends and I rented an old cottage for a week. We see each other once in a 1 these days, so we were looking forward to catching up and enjoying time together by the sea.

We arrived late on Friday afternoon and were surprised to find that the cottage looked nothing like the comfortable retreat we'd seen in pictures when we booked the place online.

The place had seen 2 . The wallpaper was peeling and the rickety old furniture was covered in a layer of dust. There were cobwebs all over 3 . Still, it was a 4 away from the beach, with a great view of the sea, so we really couldn't complain.

On our first evening, we decided to eat outside and enjoy the fresh sea air. We set the table in the garden and carried the food outside. Just as we sat down to eat, we noticed dark clouds suddenly gathering overhead. Realising rain was coming, we worked against 5 to carry everything back inside before the storm started. The rain arrived in 6 of an eye, but we managed to get indoors in the 7 time.

Suddenly there was a bright flash of lightning, and all the power in the cottage went out. Aware that it would soon be dark outside, we decided to light some candles. Fortunately, I had remembered to bring a lighter, asnobody else had. However, as I reached into my pocket, I realised the lighter was not there. We then searched 8 and cranny of the cottage for it, but it was nowhere to 9 .

Finally, after half an hour of searching, Tom found it sitting on the kitchen table. It had been right under our 10 all along and none of us had noticed.

We spent the rest of the evening chatting and drinking wine by candlelight. We were having such a good time that we forgot there was no power. In fact, we had a shock when the lights came on a few hours later.

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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.