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.
in dribs and drabs
In small amounts over time.
During a conversation about everyday routines, the trainer referred to “in dribs and drabs”, a useful expression for the idea “In small amounts over time”.
make [someone's] life a misery
Make someone's life very unhappy.
During a discussion of ordinary life, the facilitator introduced “make [someone's] life a misery”, an expression meaning “Make someone's life very unhappy”.
a matter of life and/or death
A situation of extreme importance or survival.
In a conversation about everyday routines, “a matter of life and/or death” was explained as an expression meaning “A situation of extreme importance or survival”.
live on borrowed time
Continue existing longer than expected.
During a day-to-day planning session, the trainer referred to “live on borrowed time”, a useful expression for the idea “Continue existing longer than expected”.
first come, first served
The first people to arrive are served first.
In a practical lifestyle workshop, participants used “first come, first served” to communicate this idea: “The first people to arrive are served first”.
not know whether you're coming or going
Be too busy or confused to think clearly.
While taking part in a conversation about everyday routines, the speaker highlighted “not know whether you're coming or going”, which means “Be too busy or confused to think clearly”.
all in good time
At the appropriate time; be patient.
In a discussion of ordinary life, participants used “all in good time” to communicate this idea: “At the appropriate time; be patient”.
until the cows come home
For a very long time.
While taking part in a day-to-day planning session, the speaker highlighted “until the cows come home”, which means “For a very long time”.
all told
In total.
During a practical lifestyle workshop, the trainer referred to “all told”, a useful expression for the idea “In total”.
leave [someone] high and dry
Leave someone in a difficult situation without help.
While taking part in a practical lifestyle workshop, the speaker highlighted “leave [someone] high and dry”, which means “Leave someone in a difficult situation without help”.
time after time
Many times.
In a conversation about everyday routines, “time after time” was explained as an expression meaning “Many times”.
the good old days
A time in the past remembered fondly.
During a discussion of ordinary life, the trainer referred to “the good old days”, a useful expression for the idea “A time in the past remembered fondly”.
a matter of life and death
A situation of extreme importance or survival.
While taking part in a day-to-day planning session, the speaker highlighted “a matter of life and death”, which means “A situation of extreme importance or survival”.
see life
Experience the world and enjoy life.
In a day-to-day planning session, participants used “see life” to communicate this idea: “Experience the world and enjoy life”.
do yourself the world of good
Be very beneficial for you.
In a day-to-day planning session, “do yourself the world of good” was explained as an expression meaning “Be very beneficial for you”.
there's no time like the present
The best time to act is now.
During a practical lifestyle workshop, the facilitator introduced “there's no time like the present”, an expression meaning “The best time to act is now”.
keep up with the Joneses
Try to match the possessions or lifestyle of people around you.
During a day-to-day planning session, the facilitator introduced “keep up with the Joneses”, an expression meaning “Try to match the possessions or lifestyle of people around you”.
variety is the spice of life
Change makes life more interesting.
In a discussion of ordinary life, participants used “variety is the spice of life” to communicate this idea: “Change makes life more interesting”.
c'est la vie
That is life; accept something unpleasant.
During a conversation about everyday routines, the facilitator introduced “c'est la vie”, an expression meaning “That is life; accept something unpleasant”.
a living death
A life that feels hopeless, empty or unbearable.
During a practical lifestyle workshop, the facilitator introduced “a living death”, an expression meaning “A life that feels hopeless, empty or unbearable”.
wouldn't give [something] house room
Refuse to allow something in your home or life.
During a practical lifestyle workshop, the trainer referred to “wouldn't give [something] house room”, a useful expression for the idea “Refuse to allow something in your home or life”.
a busman's holiday
A holiday or break spent doing the same type of work that you normally do.
In a daily-routines discussion, “a busman's holiday” was explained as an expression meaning “A holiday or break spent doing the same type of work that you normally do.”.
like there's no tomorrow
As if there will be no future limit.
In a conversation about everyday routines, participants used “like there's no tomorrow” to communicate this idea: “As if there will be no future limit”.
eleventh-hour
Happening at the last possible moment.
While taking part in a discussion of ordinary life, the speaker highlighted “eleventh-hour”, which means “Happening at the last possible moment”.
keep your finger on the pulse
Stay informed about current developments.
In a discussion of ordinary life, “keep your finger on the pulse” was explained as an expression meaning “Stay informed about current developments”.