Test incompl/inter-312, User's Answer 2

[Nenad11]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #312 "English Slang Idioms (33)", question 2

"We are going to have to burn ......... to get there on time. If we drive as fast as possible, we might make it," Matt said to Brian.

(a) rubber
(b) leather
(c) firewood
(d) exhaust

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #312 "English Slang Idioms (33)", answer 2

"We are going to have to burn rubber to get there on time. If we drive as fast as possible, we might make it," Matt said to Brian.

Correct answer: (a) rubber

Your answer was: incorrect
"We are going to have to burn firewood to get there on time. If we drive as fast as possible, we might make it," Matt said to Brian.
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Does it mean what is actually mentioned in the second part of the sentence that to burn rubber is equal of driving as fast as possible?

[Beeesneees]

Yes, that's right.

'Rubber' indicates the tyres. If you were able to burn the rubber on the tyres using friction against the surface of the road, you would have to be travelling extremely fast, which is where this saying originates.
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett