This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Character & Behaviour. 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 not half
Be extremely; used for emphasis.
During a coaching session on personal conduct, the trainer referred to “be not half”, a useful expression for the idea “Be extremely; used for emphasis”.
be your own person
Be independent and have your own opinions.
During a conversation about personality, the facilitator introduced “be your own person”, an expression meaning “Be independent and have your own opinions”.
cry wolf
Give a false warning so often that people stop believing you.
In a coaching session on personal conduct, participants used “cry wolf” to communicate this idea: “Give a false warning so often that people stop believing you”.
a glutton for punishment
Someone who willingly does difficult or unpleasant things.
In a coaching session on personal conduct, “a glutton for punishment” was explained as an expression meaning “Someone who willingly does difficult or unpleasant things”.
get your goat
Annoy or anger you.
During a workplace discussion about behaviour, the facilitator introduced “get your goat”, an expression meaning “Annoy or anger you”.
a wet blanket
A person who spoils other people's enjoyment.
During a coaching session on personal conduct, the facilitator introduced “a wet blanket”, an expression meaning “A person who spoils other people's enjoyment”.
lose the plot
Become confused or behave irrationally.
While taking part in a conversation about personality, the speaker highlighted “lose the plot”, which means “Become confused or behave irrationally”.
highly strung
Very nervous and easily upset.
During a workplace discussion about behaviour, the trainer referred to “highly strung”, a useful expression for the idea “Very nervous and easily upset”.
call to arms
An appeal for people to take action.
While taking part in a discussion about someone's behaviour, the speaker highlighted “call to arms”, which means “An appeal for people to take action”.
as keen as mustard
Very enthusiastic.
In a conversation about personality, “as keen as mustard” was explained as an expression meaning “Very enthusiastic”.
look out for number one
Put your own interests first.
In a coaching session on personal conduct, “look out for number one” was explained as an expression meaning “Put your own interests first”.
dead wood
People or things that are no longer useful.
During a conversation about personality, the trainer referred to “dead wood”, a useful expression for the idea “People or things that are no longer useful”.
a crowd-puller
Something or someone that attracts many people.
During a discussion about someone's behaviour, the facilitator introduced “a crowd-puller”, an expression meaning “Something or someone that attracts many people”.
a heart of gold
A very kind and generous nature.
While taking part in a conversation about personality, the speaker highlighted “a heart of gold”, which means “A very kind and generous nature”.
below the belt
Unfairly personal or cruel.
In a workplace discussion about behaviour, “below the belt” was explained as an expression meaning “Unfairly personal or cruel”.
play the fool
Behave foolishly to make people laugh.
In a workplace discussion about behaviour, participants used “play the fool” to communicate this idea: “Behave foolishly to make people laugh”.
happy-go-lucky
Cheerful and not worried about the future.
In a conversation about personality, participants used “happy-go-lucky” to communicate this idea: “Cheerful and not worried about the future”.
a loose cannon
An unpredictable person who may cause problems.
During a discussion about someone's behaviour, the trainer referred to “a loose cannon”, a useful expression for the idea “An unpredictable person who may cause problems”.
squeaky-clean
Completely honest and without blame.
During a discussion about someone's behaviour, the trainer referred to “squeaky-clean”, a useful expression for the idea “Completely honest and without blame”.
go their own ways
Separate and follow independent paths.
In a discussion about someone's behaviour, “go their own ways” was explained as an expression meaning “Separate and follow independent paths”.
go to your head
Make you arrogant or overconfident.
While taking part in a coaching session on personal conduct, the speaker highlighted “go to your head”, which means “Make you arrogant or overconfident”.
a heart of stone
A cruel, unfeeling nature.
In a workplace discussion about behaviour, participants used “a heart of stone” to communicate this idea: “A cruel, unfeeling nature”.
live and let live
Accept other people's choices and not interfere.
During a discussion about someone's behaviour, the facilitator introduced “live and let live”, an expression meaning “Accept other people's choices and not interfere”.
be a bundle of nerves
Be very nervous.
While taking part in a workplace discussion about behaviour, the speaker highlighted “be a bundle of nerves”, which means “Be very nervous”.
be down-to-earth
Be practical, realistic and easy to relate to.
In a discussion about someone's behaviour, participants used “be down-to-earth” to communicate this idea: “Be practical, realistic and easy to relate to”.