This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Arts, Media, Literature & Culture. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
[be/take] centre stage
Be or become the most important focus of attention.
In a media-analysis discussion, participants used “[be/take] centre stage” to communicate this idea: “Be or become the most important focus of attention”.
take a nosedive
Fall suddenly and quickly.
In a literature-and-culture seminar, “take a nosedive” was explained as an expression meaning “Fall suddenly and quickly”.
[cry/weep] buckets
Cry a great deal.
While taking part in a media-analysis discussion, the speaker highlighted “[cry/weep] buckets”, which means “Cry a great deal”.
have stars in your eyes
Be excited about the future and dreams of fame.
During an arts criticism workshop, the facilitator introduced “have stars in your eyes”, an expression meaning “Be excited about the future and dreams of fame”.
wear your heart on your sleeve
Show your emotions openly.
During a review of a book, film, or performance, the trainer referred to “wear your heart on your sleeve”, a useful expression for the idea “Show your emotions openly”.
lick your wounds
Recover from a bad experience.
While taking part in a review of a book, film, or performance, the speaker highlighted “lick your wounds”, which means “Recover from a bad experience”.
stick two fingers up at [something]
Show strong disrespect for something.
During a review of a book, film, or performance, the facilitator introduced “stick two fingers up at [something]”, an expression meaning “Show strong disrespect for something”.
a page-turner
A book so exciting that you want to keep reading.
During a review of a book, film, or performance, the facilitator introduced “a page-turner”, an expression meaning “A book so exciting that you want to keep reading”.
see the writing on the wall
Recognise that something bad is likely to happen.
In an arts criticism workshop, participants used “see the writing on the wall” to communicate this idea: “Recognise that something bad is likely to happen”.
between you and me
Confidentially; not to be repeated.
During a literature-and-culture seminar, the facilitator introduced “between you and me”, an expression meaning “Confidentially; not to be repeated”.
take centre stage
Become the main focus of attention.
While taking part in an arts criticism workshop, the speaker highlighted “take centre stage”, which means “Become the main focus of attention”.
all right on the night
Things will work out when the performance happens.
While taking part in an arts criticism workshop, the speaker highlighted “all right on the night”, which means “Things will work out when the performance happens”.
do me a favour
Used to show disbelief, annoyance or rejection.
In a review of a book, film, or performance, participants used “do me a favour” to communicate this idea: “Used to show disbelief, annoyance or rejection”.
no news is good news
If nothing bad is reported, things are probably fine.
In a literature-and-culture seminar, participants used “no news is good news” to communicate this idea: “If nothing bad is reported, things are probably fine”.
set the [scene/stage]
Create the conditions for something to happen.
During a media-analysis discussion, the trainer referred to “set the [scene/stage]”, a useful expression for the idea “Create the conditions for something to happen”.
wade through
Read or deal with something slowly and with difficulty.
In a media-analysis discussion, participants used “wade through” to communicate this idea: “Read or deal with something slowly and with difficulty”.
for a song
Very cheaply.
During a literature-and-culture seminar, the trainer referred to “for a song”, a useful expression for the idea “Very cheaply”.
make waves
To attract attention by doing something new, surprising or controversial.
In a media-and-culture workshop, “make waves” was explained as an expression meaning “To attract attention by doing something new, surprising or controversial.”.
have your name in lights
Be famous, especially as a performer.
In a media-analysis discussion, “have your name in lights” was explained as an expression meaning “Be famous, especially as a performer”.
bring the house down
Make an audience laugh or applaud loudly.
In an arts criticism workshop, “bring the house down” was explained as an expression meaning “Make an audience laugh or applaud loudly”.
rub shoulders with [someone]
Spend time with important or famous people.
In a review of a book, film, or performance, “rub shoulders with [someone]” was explained as an expression meaning “Spend time with important or famous people”.
a wild-goose chase
A hopeless or pointless search.
In a literature-and-culture seminar, “a wild-goose chase” was explained as an expression meaning “A hopeless or pointless search”.
rolling in the aisles
Laughing a great deal.
During a media-analysis discussion, the facilitator introduced “rolling in the aisles”, an expression meaning “Laughing a great deal”.
same difference
The difference is unimportant.
While taking part in a literature-and-culture seminar, the speaker highlighted “same difference”, which means “The difference is unimportant”.
point the way to
Show how to achieve or understand something.
During an arts criticism workshop, the trainer referred to “point the way to”, a useful expression for the idea “Show how to achieve or understand something”.