IDIOM CONNECTION

Delay Idioms and an Airplane Flight

Introduction

1. What do you think is the best airline in the world?

2. What do you think is the worst airline in the world?

Reading

My airplane was scheduled to take off at four o'clock. Usually, I arrive at the airport just in time to check in and board my flight. This time was different. I wanted to arrive early and have lunch before boarding the plane. However, the flight was not on time. It was three hours late. It turned out that the airplane had been held up because of a mechanical problem. They had to hold over the plane at the previous stop to fix this problem. There was nothing that I could do about this so I decided to put my plans for the day on hold. I decided to take advantage of the delay and do some reading that I have wanted to do for a long time.

Reading Questions

Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.

1. When was her airplane scheduled to take off?

2. When does she usually arrive at the airport?

3. Was her flight on time?

4. Did it turn out that the airplane had been held up?

5. Why was the airplane held up?

6. Why did they hold over the plane at the previous stop?

7. Did she have to put her plans on hold?

8. Did she take advantage of the delay and do something useful? What did she do?

Making Connections and Idiom Meanings

Some of the idioms have another meaning or are connected to another meaning. Use this information to help you choose the correct meaning for each of the underlined idioms:

1. Off can be used to move away from a place or to begin to go somewhere. When you run off you leave somewhere quickly. To start off means to leave and begin to go somewhere. What does to take off mean in the following sentence?

Our plane did not take off until the other planes had gone.
a)   board
b)   leave
c)   arrive

2. The man always arrives at work in time to have a coffee.
a)   because he wants
b)   with enough time
c)   before the other employees

3. The plane arrived on time.
a)   after the scheduled time
b)   at the scheduled time
c)   after a very long delay

4. It turned out that the movie started at 6:00 o'clock – not 6:30.
a)   was found
b)   was strange
c)   was incredible

5. The bus was held up because of bad weather.
a)   empty
b)   delayed
c)   early

6. Over is sometimes used when you want to talk about something that extends beyond a time that has already been decided. Therefore, when you stay over for another day, you are extending your stay for another day. When you hold an event, you organize the event. What does hold over mean in the following sentence?

They will hold over the movie for one more week.
a)   extend the engagement of
b)   discuss
c)   cancel

7. One meaning of a hold is a temporary stop to something or a delay in something. What does to put one's plans on hold mean in the following sentence?

I plan to put my school plans on hold until next year.
a)   to continue to go to school
b)   to postpone my school plans
c)   to study very hard at school

8. An advantage is a benefit or a gain. When you take something you are getting something into your possession. What would take advantage of something mean in the following sentence?

We took advantage of the swimming pool at the hotel and went swimming many times.
a)   were able to use
b)   took the opportunity to use
c)   decided not to use

Your score is: ___ out of 8

Match the Sentences

Choose the best answer for each sentence:

1. The plane was not able to take off at the scheduled time.
a) The plane was late.
b) The plane was not late.

2. I arrived at the movie in time to talk to my friend before the movie started.
a) She arrived early and was able to talk to her friend.
b) She had no time to talk to her friend.

3. The concert will start on time.
a) The concert may start late.
b) We must not be late for the concert.

4. It turned out that my friend was right during our argument last night.
a) Her friend is always right.
b) Her friend was right last night.

5. The concert was held up because of a problem with the lights.
a) The concert did not begin at the correct time.
b) The concert began at the correct time.

6. They will hold over the exhibition for one more month.
a) The exhibition will end tomorrow.
b) The exhibition will end next month.

7. I will put my plans to move on hold.
a) I will not move soon.
b) I will move very soon.

8. We were able to take advantage of many good restaurants during our holiday.
a) We did not go to any restaurants during our holiday.
b) We went to some restaurants during our holiday.

Your score is: ___ out of 8

Grammar Focus

Choose the word or expression that makes each of the following sentences correct:

1. Our plane ________________ when the runway was clear.
a)   took off
b)   took in
c)   took over

2. I arrived at the meeting _______________ to prepare my notes.
a)   after time
b)   all the time
c)   in time

3. The train arrived exactly ___________________.
a)   on time
b)   under time
c)   over time

4. It __________________ that my library book was overdue.
a)   turned over
b)   turned in
c)   turned out

5. The bus was __________________ because of a mechanical problem.
a)   held down
b)   held up
c)   held out

6. The circus is very popular and will be ________________ for one more week.
a)   held on
b)   held over
c)   held up

7. The university will ___________________________.
a)  put their plans to expand to hold
b)  put their plans to expand for holding
c)  put their plans to expand on hold

8. My aunt ___________________ the good weather and went for a walk.
a)  took advantage of
b)  took advantage to
c)  took advantage in

Your score is: ___ out of 8

Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

1. Do you know any airline whose planes never take off at the scheduled time?

2. Did your last airplane flight take off late?

3. Do you always arrive at school or work in time to have a coffee or other drink?

4. Do you usually arrive home in time to relax before you eat?

5. Do you always arrive at school or work on time?

6. Which airlines do not usually arrive on time?

7. Did you ever write an exam that turned out to be harder than you thought?

8. Did you ever have a bad day that turned out really well?

9. Do you know someone who always holds you up when you are in a hurry?

10. Have you been held up for any reason recently?

11. Do you know any concerts that were held over recently?

12. What other events have been held over in your town or city?

13. Have you had to put any project on hold recently?

14. Are there any construction projects that have been put on hold in your town or city?

15. Do you sometimes take advantage of your free time in order to do something interesting?

16. Do you take advantage of your free time to study English?

Role Play

Student A: You have just arrived at the airport and discovered that your plane is four hours late. You must phone your friend and explain what has happened.

Student B: You receive the telephone call from your friend and now you must change your plans.

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