A matter of time
A new café is already popular, and you are confident it will need a bigger space, but you do not know when. Which phrase expresses that expectation?
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
English dictation exercises
Browse the lesson library
Explore 448 lessons. Open a lesson for its dictation, explanation, and other available activities.
Showing 1 to 14 of 14 lessons
A mean streak
A usually charming colleague sometimes humiliates people for amusement. Which phrase describes that unkind side of the person's character?
5-second sample
American, British, Australian
A mixed blessing
Working from home saves your commute but makes you feel isolated. Which phrase captures the benefit and drawback together?
6-second sample
American, British, Australian
A short fuse
A colleague becomes furious over tiny delays that most people barely notice. Which phrase describes this tendency to anger quickly?
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Keep a low profile
After an embarrassing mistake, a colleague avoids interviews and public events for a while. Which phrase describes this deliberate lack of attention?
5-second sample
American, British, Australian
Last-ditch effort
Several repairs have failed, and one final solution must work before the building closes. How can you describe that desperate final attempt?
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Lose your head
An alarm rings, and a normally calm colleague panics and forgets the simple safety steps. Which idiom describes that loss of control?
5-second sample
American, British, Australian
My hands are tied
A manager wants to approve your request, but company policy gives her no permission. Which phrase explains her lack of freedom to act?
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Off the top of my head
Someone asks for last year's exact sales figure, but you have no report in front of you. Which phrase can qualify your answer from memory?
6-second sample
American, British, Australian
On the back burner
You still want to redesign the office, but an urgent customer problem must come first. Which phrase shows that the redesign is delayed, not abandoned?
3-second sample
American, British, Australian
On thin ice
An employee has ignored two warnings and is late again. Which phrase shows that another mistake could bring serious consequences?
6-second sample
American, British, Australian
Set your heart on
Your friend wants one particular university place so much that every alternative feels disappointing. Which expression describes that emotional commitment?
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
Smooth sailing
The first stage was difficult, but every later step worked without delay or confusion. Which phrase describes that trouble-free progress?
5-second sample
American, British, Australian
Take your mind off something
You are waiting anxiously for test results, and a funny film gives you two hours of relief. Which phrase describes this change of attention?
4-second sample
American, British, Australian
