the clumsiest kid

[Kati Svaby]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #299 "English Slang Idioms (21)", question 3

He was the clumsiest kid she had ever seen -- a definite ......... just waiting to happen.

(a) fall
(b) idiot
(c) accident
(d) bump

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #299 "English Slang Idioms (21)", answer 3

He was the clumsiest kid she had ever seen -- a definite accident just waiting to happen.

Correct answer: (c) accident
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What does accident mean here? What are their synonyms in this sentence?
Thanks:
Kati Svaby
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We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.

[Beeesneees]

'An accident waiting to happen' is an idiom. The individual words have no literal translation.

He is so clumsy that he is bound to have an accident sooner or later -- the accident will happen - at the moment we're waiting for it.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Kati Svaby]

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Hello BZ,

You are right. Thanks. I have to see the whole sentence. In other words:
"As the kid is one is the clumsiest kids, we have to prepare for an accident." etc.
Regards:
Kati
_________________
We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.