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Practice

THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Do your homework

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To research and prepare carefully before dealing with a situation.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. We did our homework before choosing a venue, checking access and available space.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To research and prepare carefully before dealing with a situation.
Show the answer

Do your homework — To research and prepare carefully before dealing with a situation.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Do your homework” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To research and prepare carefully before dealing with a situation.

Compare: We did our homework before choosing a venue, checking access and available space.

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GO DEEPER

More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use the figurative expression for preparation before an interview, meeting, purchase or project. It suits everyday and workplace conversation.

More examples in context

  • She had done her homework and could answer questions about the project’s aims.
  • Do your homework before the meeting so you understand the main issues.

Usage note

It also literally means completing school assignments. Homework is uncountable: do not say “a homework” or “homeworks.”

A short conversation

A: How did you answer the panel’s questions so clearly?
B: I did my homework and read the project brief carefully.
A: That preparation helped.

One more practice question

What does “They did their homework before the interview” mean in this figurative use?

A. They deliberately avoided learning anything relevant.
B. They researched and prepared thoroughly.

Check your answer

B. The idiom refers to careful preparation, even outside school.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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