Part 1 有一半的題目和「時間」有關：How often do you... / When did you last... / Do you have enough free time? 時間類慣用語是投資報酬率最高的一組——一個詞可以撐很多題。
15 個時間主題慣用語
| 慣用語 | 中文 | 自然例句 | |-------------------------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | killing time | 打發時間 | I was just killing time before my train arrived. | | in the nick of time | 千鈞一髮 | I handed in the essay in the nick of time. | | time flies | 時光飛逝 | Time really flies when you're with old friends. | | around the clock | 日以繼夜 | Nurses work around the clock during flu season. | | once in a blue moon | 難得一次 | We visit my grandparents once in a blue moon. | | in the blink of an eye | 一眨眼 | My university years flew by in the blink of an eye. | | ahead of time | 提前 | I always arrive ahead of time for exams. | | behind schedule | 進度落後 | Our project is running behind schedule this month. | | a waste of time | 浪費時間 | I find scrolling Instagram a complete waste of time. | | take your time | 慢慢來 | There's no rush — just take your time. | | in no time | 很快就 | I finished the book in no time. | | all in good time | 時候到了自然會 | Don't worry about promotions — all in good time. | | the good old days | 以前的好時光 | I miss the good old days of slower city life. | | call it a day | 今天到此為止 | After six hours of studying, I had to call it a day. | | on the spur of the moment | 臨時起意 | We booked the trip on the spur of the moment. |
考場 Q&A 示範
Q&A 1：Do you have a busy schedule?
Honestly, yes — I feel like I'm working around the clock these days. Between classes and my part-time job, time flies, and I often only finish assignments in the nick of time. That said, I try to call it a day by 10pm so I still get enough sleep.
用了：around the clock / time flies / in the nick of time / call it a day——4 個，自然分散。
Q&A 2：When do you usually relax?
I relax mostly on Sunday afternoons. I usually just kill time at a café with a book, or go for a walk on the spur of the moment if the weather's nice. I think slow Sundays are really important — otherwise the week flies by in the blink of an eye.
用了：kill time / on the spur of the moment / in the blink of an eye——3 個。
Q&A 3：Is punctuality important in your culture?
Absolutely. In Taiwan, arriving ahead of time is seen as a sign of respect, and being behind schedule — especially at work — can really damage your reputation. Of course, not everyone follows this, but for business meetings, most people wouldn't dream of being late.
用了：ahead of time / behind schedule——2 個貼合主題的時間慣用語。
容易搞混的幾組
in time vs on time
- in time = 趕上（差點遲到但沒）: I got there just in time.
- on time = 準時（照表）: The train arrived on time.
Band 6 考生常常混用——Band 7 要分清。
at the time vs at that time
- at the time = 當時（敘述過去）: At the time, I didn't understand.
- at that time = 那個時候（更正式）: At that time, Taiwan was still developing.
for the time being = 暫時
I'm living with my parents for the time being, until I find my own place.
這不是 idiom 但是高頻 collocation——Part 1 關於住處、工作的題目超好用。
練習任務
用這三題各回答 40 秒，每題至少塞 2 個時間慣用語：
- How often do you exercise?
- Do you manage your time well?
- Did you wake up early as a child?
錄音後檢查：
- [ ] 慣用語用對情境
- [ ] 沒有硬塞 4 個以上
- [ ] 發音自然（nick 短音、blink 鼻音）
搭配閱讀
下一篇：工作與成功主題慣用語