This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Communication & Conversation. 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.
push the right buttons
Do exactly what is needed to get a desired response.
While taking part in a communication-skills workshop, the speaker highlighted “push the right buttons”, which means “Do exactly what is needed to get a desired response”.
word for word
Using exactly the same words.
During a team discussion, the trainer referred to “word for word”, a useful expression for the idea “Using exactly the same words”.
at a loss for words
Unable to think of what to say.
In a communication-skills workshop, “at a loss for words” was explained as an expression meaning “Unable to think of what to say”.
the conventional wisdom
The generally accepted opinion.
While taking part in a conversation between colleagues, the speaker highlighted “the conventional wisdom”, which means “The generally accepted opinion”.
read between the lines
Find the hidden or implied meaning in what is said or written.
During a meeting focused on clear communication, the trainer referred to “read between the lines”, a useful expression for the idea “Find the hidden or implied meaning in what is said or written”.
crystal clear
Completely clear.
In a conversation between colleagues, “crystal clear” was explained as an expression meaning “Completely clear”.
speak volumes
To communicate a great deal without using words.
In a communication-skills session, “speak volumes” was explained as an expression meaning “To communicate a great deal without using words.”.
clear the air
Discuss a problem openly to remove bad feelings.
In a meeting focused on clear communication, participants used “clear the air” to communicate this idea: “Discuss a problem openly to remove bad feelings”.
go in one ear and out the other
Be forgotten immediately.
In a team discussion, participants used “go in one ear and out the other” to communicate this idea: “Be forgotten immediately”.
live to tell the tale
Survive a dangerous experience.
In a meeting focused on clear communication, “live to tell the tale” was explained as an expression meaning “Survive a dangerous experience”.
take the words right out of my mouth
Say exactly what I was about to say.
During a team discussion, the facilitator introduced “take the words right out of my mouth”, an expression meaning “Say exactly what I was about to say”.
come clean
Tell the truth about something previously hidden.
During a team discussion, the trainer referred to “come clean”, a useful expression for the idea “Tell the truth about something previously hidden”.
put your foot in it
Say something that embarrasses or upsets someone.
In a conversation between colleagues, participants used “put your foot in it” to communicate this idea: “Say something that embarrasses or upsets someone”.
listen with half an ear
Listen without full attention.
During a conversation between colleagues, the facilitator introduced “listen with half an ear”, an expression meaning “Listen without full attention”.
a lone voice
A single person expressing an unpopular opinion.
During a team discussion, the facilitator introduced “a lone voice”, an expression meaning “A single person expressing an unpopular opinion”.
prick your ears up
Start listening carefully.
During a meeting focused on clear communication, the facilitator introduced “prick your ears up”, an expression meaning “Start listening carefully”.
I thought as much
That is what I expected.
During a communication-skills workshop, the trainer referred to “I thought as much”, a useful expression for the idea “That is what I expected”.
from the word go
From the very beginning.
While taking part in a meeting focused on clear communication, the speaker highlighted “from the word go”, which means “From the very beginning”.
on message
Saying the agreed official view.
In a communication-skills workshop, participants used “on message” to communicate this idea: “Saying the agreed official view”.
push all the right buttons
Do exactly what is needed to get a desired response.
In a team discussion, “push all the right buttons” was explained as an expression meaning “Do exactly what is needed to get a desired response”.
of the same mind
Agreeing with each other.
While taking part in a team discussion, the speaker highlighted “of the same mind”, which means “Agreeing with each other”.
common ground
Shared opinions or interests.
During a communication-skills workshop, the facilitator introduced “common ground”, an expression meaning “Shared opinions or interests”.
out of the question
Completely impossible or not allowed.
During a conversation between colleagues, the trainer referred to “out of the question”, a useful expression for the idea “Completely impossible or not allowed”.
get the wrong end of the stick
To misunderstand a situation or what someone has said.
In a communication-skills session, “get the wrong end of the stick” was explained as an expression meaning “To misunderstand a situation or what someone has said.”.
call a spade a spade
Say the truth directly, even if it is impolite.
While taking part in a conversation between colleagues, the speaker highlighted “call a spade a spade”, which means “Say the truth directly, even if it is impolite”.