Learn these four English idioms: at the drop of a hat, go downhill, the best of both worlds and from A to Z. Learn the meaning of these useful idioms and master them by studying and reading aloud the example sentences. Also read the Idioms in Use text, which contains all four target idioms in a natural context. Leave a comment below and practice the idioms that you learned. Learn more by visiting me at www.SirEnglish.com

7. Choose only two of the four phrases to make a good
sentence. Write down your answer before moving
ahead to check your answers.

8. • If I get the best of both worlds,
• I include every detail.
• If do something at the drop of a hat,
• I enjoy the benefits of two different things.
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

9. • If I get , I
enjoy the benefits of two different
things.
Answer

10. • Someone’s health getting worse and worse
• is an example of something going downhill.
• Doing something immediately without thinking
• is an example of getting the best of both worlds.
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

11. • Someone’s health getting worse
and worse is an example of
something .
Answer

12. • because it gives a benefit of two different things.
• because I did it immediately without thinking
about it.
• I quit my job at the drop of a hat
• My book about the city is an A to Z guide
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

13. • I quit my job
because I did it immediately
without thinking about it.
Answer

14. • If someone gives an account of his or her life from
A to Z,
• he or she enjoys the benefits of two things.
• he or she includes every detail.
• If someone’s health goes downhill,
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

15. • If someone gives an account of his
or her life , he or she
includes every detail.
Answer

16. Replace the phrases in bold with one of the idioms
from this section. Write down each sentence before
moving ahead to check your answers.

17. • This neighbourhood used to be lovely, but it is getting worse and
worse now.
• In today’s meeting, we’re going to cover everything in the project
including every detail.
• You expect me to do everything immediately and without thinking.
It’s not fair.
• Living in California gives me the benefits of two different things. I get
good weather all year, plus there are lots of job opportunities.
Replace the phrases in bold with an idiom from this section
Sentences with normal phrases

18. Answers
• This neighbourhood used to be lovely, but it is going downhill now.
• In today’s meeting, we’re going to cover everything in the project from
A to Z.
• You expect me to do everything at the drop of a hat. It’s not fair.
• Living in California gives me the best of both worlds. I get good
weather all year, plus there are lots of job opportunities.
Sentences with idioms

19. Example Sentences
at the drop of a hat
to do something immediately without thinking about it
go downhill
to get worse and worse
the best of both worlds
to enjoy the benefits of two different things
from A to Z
including every detail
Read the sentences containing the idioms that we studied. Think about the meaning of the idioms as
you read aloud. Train your brain to master these idioms.

20. The new boss expects everything done at the
drop of a hat. He’s too demanding and
unrealistic.

21. When CDs were invented, the record industry
went downhill very quickly. Now with MP3s,
CDs are going the same way.

22. Pedro: Is Canada a nice place to study English?
Antonio: It’s great. I can practise my English
every day, plus I can learn the culture of the
country. I get the best of both worlds.

23. This philosophy course covers everything
from A to Z, starting with Greek philosophy
and finishing in the present day.

24. Rob: Would you like to come fishing with me
tomorrow morning?
Andy: Of course. You know I love fishing. I’m
always ready to go at the drop of a hat!

25. Ever since the economy collapsed, business
has been going downhill. I think it’s time to
sell and start a new business.

26. The company’s offices provide employees
with the best of both worlds. Traditional
desks and computers at one end, and
comfortable sofas and laptops at the other.

27. The tour guide that accompanied us in Poland
was really knowledgeable. She knew every city
from A to Z, and could answer any question
we asked.

28. A few years ago, the city was really going
downhill. Now, with government help and
business investment, it’s starting to come
back to life again.

29. Harry: Do you know anything about European
history? We’re doing a class project on it and I
need help.
Ben: Ask Simon. He knows European history
from A to Z.

30. Emma is so emotional nowadays. She cries at
the drop of a hat over the tiniest things.

31. I bought a new book entitled ‘Raising a Child
From A to Z’. I hope it helps when we have
children someday.

32. If you only pay $400 for a car, you can’t expect
it to be in perfect condition. You can’t have
the best of both worlds.

33. Lecturer: Tom, when you started university
your essays were fantastic. But recently
they’ve started to go downhill.
Tom: I know. I’ll try harder from now.

34. I’d love to visit you in Australia Aunt Rita, but I
can’t just take a two-week holiday at the drop
of a hat. I need some time to plan it.

35. This cake is delicious and it’s made with
healthy ingredients, so you get the best of
both worlds.

36. Idioms in Use Set Six
Read this short passage aloud. Think about the meanings of the idioms
as you read. This will train your brain to master these idioms.
Situation: A person is talking about the town that they live in.
I love this town so much. It’s always been a great place to live, but a
few years ago it started to go downhill. Businesses started to leave and
many people lost their jobs. Thankfully, all that has changed now, and
it’s a pleasant place to live again. The locals are so friendly that they’re
willing to help you at the drop of a hat. The town is nice and peaceful,
and the busy city is just 20 minutes away, so we get the best of both
worlds. Because I’ve been here my whole life, I know the town and its
history from A to Z. We get many tourists visiting, and I try to help
them as much as I can by teaching them about our historic places.