Idiomatic Expressions in Professional Use

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Matching

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Discussing a disagreement.

   Answer choices

   • withdraw from a previously defended position
   • accept a compromise rather than demand everything
   • maintain a position despite pressure

   Items

   • meet someone halfway
   • stick to one's guns
   • back down
   Check answers and explanations

   1. meet someone halfway

   accept a compromise rather than demand everything

   2. stick to one's guns

   maintain a position despite pressure

   3. back down

   withdraw from a previously defended position

   The idioms distinguish compromise, persistence and retreat.

2. Question 2 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Handling a sensitive matter.

   Answer choices

   • resolve tensions through frank discussion
   • avoid public embarrassment or loss of respect
   • act cautiously to avoid causing offence

   Items

   • tread carefully
   • clear the air
   • save face
   Check answers and explanations

   1. tread carefully

   act cautiously to avoid causing offence

   2. clear the air

   resolve tensions through frank discussion

   3. save face

   avoid public embarrassment or loss of respect

   Caution, tension resolution and dignity are distinct aims.

3. Question 3 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Making priorities explicit.

   Answer choices

   • move directly to the central issue
   • continue remembering the main objective
   • become stuck on minor points

   Items

   • keep sight of the goal
   • get bogged down in detail
   • cut to the chase
   Check answers and explanations

   1. keep sight of the goal

   continue remembering the main objective

   2. get bogged down in detail

   become stuck on minor points

   3. cut to the chase

   move directly to the central issue

   The meanings distinguish sustained focus, obstruction by detail and a direct move to essentials.

4. Question 4 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Assessing a proposal.

   Answer choices

   • become more widely accepted
   • fail to produce the intended positive response
   • remain logically convincing under examination

   Items

   • hold water
   • fall flat
   • gain ground
   Check answers and explanations

   1. hold water

   remain logically convincing under examination

   2. fall flat

   fail to produce the intended positive response

   3. gain ground

   become more widely accepted

   Logical credibility, an unsuccessful reception and growing acceptance are different outcomes.

5. Question 5 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Managing expectations.

   Answer choices

   • change the requirements after the process has begun
   • make conditions fairer for competing groups
   • establish a demanding standard

   Items

   • set the bar high
   • move the goalposts
   • level the playing field
   Check answers and explanations

   1. set the bar high

   establish a demanding standard

   2. move the goalposts

   change the requirements after the process has begun

   3. level the playing field

   make conditions fairer for competing groups

   The idioms concern standards, changed conditions and fairness.

6. Question 6 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Understanding responsibility.

   Answer choices

   • assume leadership of an organisation
   • take blame for a failure
   • shift responsibility to someone else

   Items

   • pass the buck
   • carry the can
   • take the helm
   Check answers and explanations

   1. pass the buck

   shift responsibility to someone else

   2. carry the can

   take blame for a failure

   3. take the helm

   assume leadership of an organisation

   Shifting blame, bearing blame and leading have distinct meanings.

7. Question 7 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Talking about long-term work.

   Answer choices

   • prepare the basis for later progress
   • complete a plan successfully
   • make progress less rapidly than before

   Items

   • lay the groundwork
   • lose momentum
   • bring something to fruition
   Check answers and explanations

   1. lay the groundwork

   prepare the basis for later progress

   2. lose momentum

   make progress less rapidly than before

   3. bring something to fruition

   complete a plan successfully

   Preparation, slowing progress and completion mark different stages.

8. Question 8 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Reaching a difficult agreement.

   Answer choices

   • treat a disputed issue as finished
   • end a situation in which neither side can move
   • avoid committing to one course too soon

   Items

   • break the deadlock
   • draw a line under the matter
   • keep one's options open
   Check answers and explanations

   1. break the deadlock

   end a situation in which neither side can move

   2. draw a line under the matter

   treat a disputed issue as finished

   3. keep one's options open

   avoid committing to one course too soon

   Ending stalemate, closing a past issue and retaining future choices are separate actions.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.