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Essential Prepositions in Idioms Exercise

March 17, 2026 C1pdf

Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.

Progress 0 of 12 answered
1When I’m tired, I can’t think straight, so I’m not ............... my best.
Wrong!
Use "at" in the phrase "at my best" to mean performing as well as possible.
2Please don’t laugh ............... me. I’m trying my hardest.
Wrong!
Use "at" in "laugh at someone" when someone is the target of laughter.
3I’m ............... a hurry, so I can’t stop to chat.
Wrong!
Use "in" in the fixed phrase "in a hurry".
4He’s been ............... a bad mood all morning, so I’m giving him space.
Wrong!
Use "in" in the phrase "in a bad mood".
5We’re ............... the same boat, so let’s help each other.
Wrong!
Use "in" in the idiom "in the same boat".
6I’m not ............... the mood for a long meeting today.
Wrong!
Use "in" in the phrase "in the mood for" something.
7She’s ............... charge of the project, so ask her first.
Wrong!
Use "in" in the fixed phrase "in charge of".
8I’m ............... my way to the station, so I can’t pick you up.
Wrong!
Use "on" in the phrase "on my way" when you are going somewhere.
9The kids are ............... holiday next week, so the house will be noisy.
Wrong!
Use "on" in "on holiday" to mean taking a vacation.
10I’m ............... a diet, so I’m skipping dessert tonight.
Wrong!
Use "on" in the common phrase "on a diet".
11I’m ............... the phone right now, so I’ll call you back in five minutes.
Wrong!
Use "on" in the common phrase "on the phone".
12The manager is ............... a meeting, so please wait outside.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "at" and "in" are natural in this sentence, though "in a meeting" is more common for being unavailable.

Exercise complete

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Answers

  1. When I’m tired, I can’t think straight, so I’m not at my best.
  2. Please don’t laugh at me. I’m trying my hardest.
  3. I’m in a hurry, so I can’t stop to chat.
  4. He’s been in a bad mood all morning, so I’m giving him space.
  5. We’re in the same boat, so let’s help each other.
  6. I’m not in the mood for a long meeting today.
  7. She’s in charge of the project, so ask her first.
  8. I’m on my way to the station, so I can’t pick you up.
  9. The kids are on holiday next week, so the house will be noisy.
  10. I’m on a diet, so I’m skipping dessert tonight.
  11. I’m on the phone right now, so I’ll call you back in five minutes.
  12. The manager is at / in a meeting, so please wait outside.

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Related lesson in the course Prepositions and useful word partnerships Module 09: Clearer, natural English · Lesson 4

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