Summery expressions

Keep thoughts of summer alive all year round with our quiz on “summery” expressions. Although the idioms below can be used in any season, each contains a word related to summer. See if you can match each idiom to its correct meaning.

1.  “I’ve gotten used to travelling on a shoestring, and I actually enjoy the challenge,” said Adele,a) as she packed only the essentials for her upcoming trip to Europe.b) as she realized she would be on a tight travel schedule.c) as she set a daily travel budget of €15.
2. “Let’s just say it was no picnic,” said Daniela,a) about the struggles of working part-time while studying full-time.b) about her demanding yet rewarding job as a summer tour guide.c) about her whirlwind tour of Italy.
3. A bona fide urbanite accustomed to his creature comforts, Nicolas felt like a fish out of water on his first canoe camping trip.a) He is a nature enthusiast.b) He enjoyed the fishing.c) He was out of his element.
4. Mortimer’s efforts amounted to a drop in the ocean.a) He didn’t do much.b) He did a lot.c) He was an accomplished scuba diver.
5. “Santiago was right about you, Matilda—you are an absolute ray of sunshine!”a) Matilda’s preference for vivid colours brightens up the office.b) Matilda’s sunny disposition brings joy to her colleagues.c) Matilda’s boss favours her over her colleagues.
6. Showtime is only an hour away, and Tony is like a cat on a hot tin roof.a) Tony is feeling lethargic, so he takes a nap in his dressing room. b) Tony is loudly rehearsing his lines in his dressing room.c) Tony has a case of pre-performance jitters and can’t sit still.
7. Although controversial, the ridesharing app Uber is making a splash.a) Uber is having little success, and the business is sinking.b) Uber is in the spotlight and making headlines.c) Uber is garnering praise for providing safe transportation.
8. “So, this is what it feels like to have a place in the sun,” thought Francisco triumphantly to himself,a) as offers to publish his collection of essays came rolling in.b) as he basked in the sun on a white sandy beach in Hawaii.c) as he enjoyed the perks of his travel rewards credit card.
9. The CEO’s departure came hot on the heels of the company’s acquisition by a leading telecommunications firm.a) The CEO left the company before it was acquired.b) The CEO’s departure was controversial.c) The CEO left the company immediately after it was acquired.
10.  Much to his friends’ surprise, Harold swam against the tidea) when he moved back in with his parents to save for his first home.b) when he voted for the underdog for his union president.c) when he did not order his usual at his favourite pizza restaurant.