Английские устойчивые выражения, коллокации и идиомы. Практическое пособие для уровня B1–B2

1. Story

Tom usually starts his day at 7 a.m., but on this particular morning, everything went differently. He woke up later than usual because he had forgotten to set his alarm the night before. When he opened his eyes, he immediately realized that he was already running late for work.

For a few seconds, Tom stayed in bed, trying to figure out what to do first. Then he quickly got up and started his morning routine in a hurry. He did not have time to think carefully, so he focused only on essential tasks. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and got dressed as quickly as possible.

While preparing breakfast, Tom tried to save time. He made a simple sandwich and poured a cup of coffee. However, he accidentally spilled some coffee on the table, which made him even more stressed. He cleaned it quickly, but he could feel that his morning was getting out of control.

Tom checked the time again and realized that he was in danger of missing his usual bus. He usually prefers public transport because it is cheaper and more convenient, but today he was not sure he could wait. He had an important meeting at work, and being late was not an option.

At first, he thought about running to the bus stop. However, after a short moment of hesitation, he made a quick decision to take a taxi instead. It was more expensive, but it would help him arrive on time. He did not want to take any risks that could affect his work performance.

While waiting for the taxi, Tom organized his thoughts and mentally prepared for the meeting. He reviewed the key points of his presentation and tried to calm down. He realized that stress would not help him, so he focused on staying productive even in a difficult situation.

During the ride, Tom slowly started to feel better. The traffic was not too heavy, and he noticed that he might still arrive on time. He used the remaining minutes to go over his notes again and make sure he remembered everything important.

In the end, Tom arrived at work just a few minutes before the meeting started. He felt relieved and understood that better planning the night before could have saved him a lot of stress. This morning taught him an important lesson about time management and the importance of preparation.

2. Useful Words and Expressions

wake up late — проснуться поздно

set an alarm — поставить будильник

run late — опаздывать

in a hurry — в спешке

essential tasks — основные задачи

get dressed — одеваться

prepare breakfast — готовить завтрак

save time — экономить время

spill coffee — пролить кофе

get out of control — выйти из-под контроля

check the time — проверить время

miss the bus — пропустить автобус

public transport — общественный транспорт

make a decision — принять решение

take a taxi — взять такси

hesitate for a moment — на мгновение задуматься

on time — вовремя

organize thoughts — привести мысли в порядок

stay calm — сохранять спокойствие

go over notes — повторять заметки

time management — управление временем

prepare for a meeting — готовиться к встрече

feel relieved — почувствовать облегчение

3. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Tom woke up late because he forgot to ___ his alarm.

He was running ___ for work.

He got dressed in a ___.

Tom decided to take a ___ instead of the bus.

He tried to stay ___ during the situation.

He used the time to go ___ his notes.

In the end, he arrived ___ for the meeting.

The situation was getting out of ___.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Why did Tom wake up late?

A) He worked late

B) He forgot to set his alarm

C) He went to bed early

What problem did Tom face in the morning?

A) He lost his job

B) He was running late

C) He forgot his house keys

What did Tom decide to do?

A) Walk to work

B) Take a taxi

C) Stay at home

What did Tom do during the taxi ride?

A) Slept

B) Reviewed his notes

C) Called a friend

Exercise 3: Questions (Answer in 2—3 sentences)

Why was Tom’s morning stressful?

What options did Tom consider before making his decision?

Why did he choose a taxi instead of public transport?

How did Tom use his time during the taxi ride?

What lesson did Tom learn from this morning?

4. Answer Key

Exercise 1

set

late

hurry

taxi

calm

over

on time

control

Exercise 2

1 — B

2 — B

3 — B

4 — B

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

Tom’s morning was stressful because he woke up late and had very limited time to prepare for work. This caused him to rush through his routine and feel pressure.

He considered running to the bus stop or taking public transport as usual. He also briefly thought about waiting for the bus despite the risk of being late.

He chose a taxi because it was the fastest option and reduced the risk of missing an important meeting at work. Although it was more expensive, it was more reliable in that situation.

During the taxi ride, Tom reviewed his notes and organized his thoughts for the meeting. He used the time productively to prepare himself mentally.

Tom learned that better time management and preparation the night before could prevent stressful mornings. He realized the importance of planning ahead to avoid unnecessary pressure.

1. Story

Maria believed that the way she started her morning often influenced the rest of her day. After several unproductive weeks, she decided to change her routine and focus on building better habits. She wanted to start each day with more energy, clarity, and purpose.

On Monday morning, Maria woke up early, even before her alarm went off. She resisted the temptation to stay in bed and immediately got up. Instead of checking her phone, she took a few minutes to breathe deeply and clear her mind. This simple habit helped her feel more focused and calm.

After that, she followed a structured morning routine. She made her bed, drank a glass of water, and did light exercise to wake up her body. She noticed that even small actions made a big difference in her energy levels. Unlike before, she did not rush through her morning but tried to stay present and organized.

For breakfast, Maria chose a healthy meal instead of grabbing something quick and unhealthy. She prepared oatmeal with fruit and a cup of green tea. While eating, she avoided distractions and did not check social media. This allowed her to think clearly about her priorities for the day.

Before leaving home, Maria spent a few minutes planning her tasks. She wrote a short to-do list and highlighted the most important goals. She realized that having a clear plan helped her avoid wasting time later in the day. In the past, she often felt overwhelmed, but now she felt more in control.

On her way to work, Maria used public transport as usual, but instead of scrolling through her phone, she listened to a short educational podcast. She found this habit useful because it helped her learn something new without extra effort. She felt that even her commute became more meaningful.

When Maria arrived at work, she immediately started with her most important task. She did not waste time on small or unimportant activities. This helped her build momentum early in the day. As a result, she finished her first task faster than expected and felt a sense of achievement.

During lunch, Maria took a proper break instead of working non-stop. She went for a short walk outside and allowed herself to relax. She understood that productivity was not only about working harder but also about resting at the right time.

By the end of the day, Maria felt satisfied and balanced. She had completed her main tasks, learned something new, and maintained her energy throughout the day. She realized that starting the day productively was not about doing more, but about doing the right things with focus and intention.

2. Useful Words and Expressions (20—30)

start the day — начать день

productive morning — продуктивное утро

wake up early — проснуться рано

go off (alarm) — сработать (будильник)

resist temptation — сопротивляться искушению

clear the mind — очистить разум

stay focused — оставаться сосредоточенным

build habits — формировать привычки

light exercise — лёгкая зарядка

energy levels — уровень энергии

stay present — быть в моменте

healthy meal — здоровая еда

grab something quick — быстро перекусить

avoid distractions — избегать отвлечений

set priorities — расставить приоритеты

to-do list — список дел

feel overwhelmed — чувствовать перегруженность

in control — под контролем

commute to work — дорога на работу

educational podcast — образовательный подкаст

build momentum — набирать темп

sense of achievement — чувство достижения

take a break — сделать перерыв

maintain energy — сохранять энергию

do the right things — делать правильные вещи

work efficiently — работать эффективно

3. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Maria wanted to start her day in a more ___ way.

She tried to ___ the temptation to check her phone.

She did light ___ to wake up her body.

She wrote a ___ list before leaving home.

She avoided ___ during breakfast.

She listened to a ___ podcast on her way to work.

She focused on building early ___.

She took a proper ___ during lunch.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

What did Maria do differently in the morning?

A) She slept longer

B) She avoided her phone

C) She worked immediately

What did she eat for breakfast?

A) Fast food

B) Oatmeal with fruit

C) Only coffee

How did she use her commute time?

A) Sleeping

B) Watching videos

C) Listening to a podcast

What did Maria focus on at work first?

A) Emails

B) Social media

C) Most important task

Exercise 3: Questions (Answer in 2—3 sentences)

Why did Maria decide to change her morning routine?

What habits helped her start the day productively?

How did she use her commute time in a useful way?

Why did Maria take a break during lunch?

What is the main lesson from Maria’s experience?

4. Answer Key

Exercise 1

productive

resist

exercise

to-do

distractions

educational

momentum

break

Exercise 2

1 — B

2 — B

3 — C

4 — C

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

Maria decided to change her morning routine because she had experienced several unproductive weeks. She wanted to improve her energy levels and overall efficiency.

Her habits included waking up early, avoiding her phone, doing light exercise, and planning her tasks. These actions helped her feel more focused and organized.

She used her commute time by listening to an educational podcast. This allowed her to learn new information and use her time more effectively.

Maria took a break during lunch to rest and recharge her energy. She understood that breaks are important for maintaining productivity throughout the day.

The main lesson is that productivity depends on intentional habits and good planning. Doing the right things with focus is more effective than simply doing more tasks.

1. Story

Daniel used to underestimate the importance of breakfast. On most weekdays, he either skipped it completely or grabbed something quick on his way out. As a result, he often felt tired before noon and struggled to stay focused during the first half of his day. Over time, he realized that his morning energy levels were closely connected to what he ate — or did not eat — after waking up.

One morning, Daniel decided to make a change. He woke up a little earlier than usual to give himself enough time for a proper breakfast. Instead of rushing, he stayed calm and followed a simple routine. He washed his face, drank a glass of water, and sat down at the kitchen table without distractions.

He prepared a balanced meal consisting of eggs, whole-grain toast, and fresh fruit. While eating, he avoided checking his phone or watching videos. He wanted to focus on the food and pay attention to how he felt. This small change helped him become more mindful of his morning habits.

After breakfast, Daniel noticed a clear difference in his energy. He did not feel heavy or sleepy, as he sometimes did after eating sugary snacks. Instead, he felt light, alert, and ready to start the day. He realized that a healthy breakfast could significantly improve his concentration and productivity.

At work, Daniel usually experienced a mid-morning energy drop. However, on this day, he managed to stay focused for a longer period of time. He completed his tasks more efficiently and did not feel the need for constant coffee breaks. This surprised him, as he had always believed that coffee was the main source of his energy.

During lunch, Daniel reflected on his morning experience. He understood that small daily choices could have a big impact on overall well-being. He decided to continue improving his eating habits, not only for breakfast but throughout the entire day.

In the evening, Daniel felt satisfied with his progress. He did not feel exhausted, as he usually did after work. Instead, he still had enough energy to go for a short walk and plan the next day. He realized that good breakfast habits were not just about food, but about building a stable and healthy routine.

From that day on, Daniel made a conscious effort to treat breakfast as an important part of his lifestyle. He stopped skipping it and began experimenting with healthier options. Gradually, he noticed long-term improvements in his mood, focus, and overall energy levels.

2. Useful Words and Expressions

skip breakfast — пропускать завтрак

grab something quick — быстро что-то перехватить

energy levels — уровень энергии

feel tired — чувствовать усталость

stay focused — оставаться сосредоточенным

morning routine — утренний распорядок

drink a glass of water — выпить стакан воды

balanced meal — сбалансированный приём пищи

whole-grain toast — тост из цельнозернового хлеба

fresh fruit — свежие фрукты

avoid distractions — избегать отвлечений

check the phone — проверять телефон

feel light — чувствовать лёгкость

feel alert — быть бодрым

improve concentration — улучшить концентрацию

mid-morning drop — спад энергии в середине утра

work efficiently — работать эффективно

coffee break — кофейный перерыв

overall well-being — общее самочувствие

eating habits — пищевые привычки

pay attention to — обращать внимание на

feel exhausted — чувствовать истощение

make a conscious effort — сознательно стараться

long-term improvement — долгосрочное улучшение

healthy option — здоровый вариант

stable routine — стабильный распорядок

3. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Daniel used to ___ breakfast in the morning.

He wanted to improve his energy ___.

He ate a ___ meal with eggs and fruit.

He avoided ___ while eating.

He felt more ___ after breakfast.

He had a mid-morning energy ___.

He decided to improve his eating ___.

He made a ___ effort to change his habits.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

What was Daniel’s usual morning habit?

A) Eating a full breakfast

B) Skipping breakfast

C) Cooking lunch early

What did Daniel eat for breakfast?

A) Fast food

B) Balanced meal

C) Only coffee

How did he feel after changing his breakfast?

A) More tired

B) More alert

C) More stressed

What did he do during breakfast?

A) Watched TV

B) Checked emails

C) Avoided distractions

Exercise 3: Questions (Answer in 2—3 sentences)

What problems did Daniel experience when he skipped breakfast?

What changes did he make to his morning routine?

How did breakfast affect his energy during the day?

Why did Daniel stop relying only on coffee?

What long-term lesson did Daniel learn from this experience?

4. Answer Key

Exercise 1

skip

levels

balanced

distractions

alert

drop

habits

conscious

Exercise 2

1 — B

2 — B

3 — B

4 — C

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

When Daniel skipped breakfast, he often felt tired and unfocused before noon. This negatively affected his productivity during the first part of the day.

He started waking up earlier, eating a balanced meal, and avoiding distractions during breakfast. He also became more mindful of his morning routine.

Breakfast helped him maintain stable energy levels throughout the morning. He felt more alert and could concentrate better at work.

Daniel stopped relying only on coffee because he realized it was not the true source of his energy. A proper breakfast gave him more stable and natural energy.

He learned that consistent healthy eating habits have a strong impact on daily performance. Small changes in routine can lead to long-term improvements in well-being.

1. Story

Every weekday morning, Elena followed the same route to university. She usually woke up early enough to avoid rushing, but she still needed to manage her time carefully. Living in a busy city meant that transportation could be unpredictable, so planning ahead was essential.

On this particular morning, Elena left her apartment slightly later than usual. She had spent too much time reviewing her notes and lost track of time. When she finally checked the clock, she realized she needed to leave immediately to avoid being late for her first lecture.

She quickly got ready, packed her bag, and double-checked that she had everything she needed: notebooks, a laptop, and her student ID. In situations like this, she had learned not to panic, but instead to focus on practical steps. She locked the door and hurried downstairs.

Outside, the weather was colder than expected. Elena tightened her coat and walked quickly toward the bus stop. She hoped that the bus would arrive on time, but she knew that delays were common during the morning rush hour. Many people were also heading to work or school, so the streets were already crowded.