This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Daily Life & Routines. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
have the time of your life
Enjoy yourself enormously.
During a conversation about everyday routines, the facilitator introduced “have the time of your life”, an expression meaning “Enjoy yourself enormously”.
at all hours
At many unusual times of day or night.
In a day-to-day planning session, participants used “at all hours” to communicate this idea: “At many unusual times of day or night”.
out and about
Active and outside doing normal activities.
While taking part in a practical lifestyle workshop, the speaker highlighted “out and about”, which means “Active and outside doing normal activities”.
by and large
On the whole; generally.
During a practical lifestyle workshop, the facilitator introduced “by and large”, an expression meaning “On the whole; generally”.
the life and soul of the party
The most lively and entertaining person at a party.
While taking part in a conversation about everyday routines, the speaker highlighted “the life and soul of the party”, which means “The most lively and entertaining person at a party”.
in your own time
At a time you choose, without pressure.
In a practical lifestyle workshop, participants used “in your own time” to communicate this idea: “At a time you choose, without pressure”.
drop in on
Visit someone informally and unexpectedly.
In a conversation about everyday routines, “drop in on” was explained as an expression meaning “Visit someone informally and unexpectedly”.
outstay your welcome
Stay longer than the host wants.
In a conversation about everyday routines, participants used “outstay your welcome” to communicate this idea: “Stay longer than the host wants”.
in the dead of night
In the middle of the night.
While taking part in a discussion of ordinary life, the speaker highlighted “in the dead of night”, which means “In the middle of the night”.
go out on the town
Spend an evening in bars, clubs or restaurants.
In a discussion of ordinary life, participants used “go out on the town” to communicate this idea: “Spend an evening in bars, clubs or restaurants”.
time will tell
The future will show what happens.
In a day-to-day planning session, participants used “time will tell” to communicate this idea: “The future will show what happens”.
take each day as it comes
Deal with life one day at a time without worrying ahead.
In a practical lifestyle workshop, “take each day as it comes” was explained as an expression meaning “Deal with life one day at a time without worrying ahead”.
no time like the present
The best time to act is now.
During a day-to-day planning session, the facilitator introduced “no time like the present”, an expression meaning “The best time to act is now”.
wear and tear
Damage caused by ordinary use.
During a discussion of ordinary life, the trainer referred to “wear and tear”, a useful expression for the idea “Damage caused by ordinary use”.
live life to the full
Enjoy life as much as possible.
During a conversation about everyday routines, the trainer referred to “live life to the full”, a useful expression for the idea “Enjoy life as much as possible”.
as a matter of course
As a normal or routine practice.
While taking part in a conversation about everyday routines, the speaker highlighted “as a matter of course”, which means “As a normal or routine practice”.
in next to no time
Very soon.
In a day-to-day planning session, “in next to no time” was explained as an expression meaning “Very soon”.
an ivory tower
A detached, protected life away from ordinary reality.
In a practical lifestyle workshop, “an ivory tower” was explained as an expression meaning “A detached, protected life away from ordinary reality”.
big time
To a very great extent.
During a discussion of ordinary life, the trainer referred to “big time”, a useful expression for the idea “To a very great extent”.
get a life
Start living more actively or sensibly.
While taking part in a day-to-day planning session, the speaker highlighted “get a life”, which means “Start living more actively or sensibly”.
on a weekly basis
Every week.
In a discussion of ordinary life, “on a weekly basis” was explained as an expression meaning “Every week”.
round the clock
All day and all night.
During a day-to-day planning session, the trainer referred to “round the clock”, a useful expression for the idea “All day and all night”.
a dog's life
A hard, unpleasant life.
During a discussion of ordinary life, the facilitator introduced “a dog's life”, an expression meaning “A hard, unpleasant life”.
scare the life out of
Frighten someone greatly.
During a discussion of ordinary life, the facilitator introduced “scare the life out of”, an expression meaning “Frighten someone greatly”.
have a bad hair day
Have a day when you feel unattractive or things go wrong.
During a practical lifestyle workshop, the trainer referred to “have a bad hair day”, a useful expression for the idea “Have a day when you feel unattractive or things go wrong”.