Grammar：Idioms about time
【明報專訊】Dr Panda: I heard you had a deadline for the project. How's it going?
Bill: Not great. My groupmate and I are racing against the clock to finish it.
Dr Panda: Sounds stressful. When do you usually work best?
Bill: I am a ''morning person''. I like to start at the crack of dawn.
Dr Panda: Wow, that's early! I guess once in a blue moon, I might catch the sunrise.
Bill: It's peaceful. Sometimes it's nice to kill time watching the day begin.
Dr Panda: I agree. It's those quiet moments that help us reset and focus.
■English highway﹕
◆Against the clock
If you do something against the clock, you do it as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time.
E.g. The security guards were working against the clock as the typhoon signal had been hoisted suddenly.
◆Once in a blue moon
Not very often.
E.g. My cousin lives in Canada, so I only see him once in a blue moon.
◆At the crack of dawn
Very early in the morning, especially at the time when the sun first appears.
E.g. We'll have to queue up at the crack of dawn so that we can buy the fresh vegetables.
◆Kill time
To do something while you are waiting for something else.
E.g. I went shopping to kill some time before my job interview.
■Gear up
Fill in the blank with the idioms given above.
1. The emergency response team worked tirelessly _______ to rescue the trapped hikers.
2. Meeting my favourite football player happens only ________, so I cherish those moments.
3. To get the best deals at the local market, you have to arrive _________ when the vendors are setting up.
4. During long layovers at the airport, I usually _______ by exploring the shops and restaurants.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
stressful(adj) 緊張的
hoist(v) 懸掛
cherish(v) 珍重
layover(n) 中途停留
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[Smarties' Power English 第422期]
