This lesson trains 45 C2 idioms on Health. 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.
Shed crocodile tears
To pretend to be sad or sorry when one is not.
He claimed to be upset about the mistake but everyone knew he was not sincere.
Catch some z's
To get some sleep.
After the long flight, he needed to rest before the meeting.
Send shivers down your spine
To cause a strong feeling of fear or excitement.
The horror movie scene was so realistic that it made the audience feel cold with fear.
No news is good news.
If you have not heard anything, it is likely that nothing bad has happened.
They had not received any update from the hospital for several hours.
See the joke
To understand and appreciate a joke or humorous situation.
At first she was offended, but then she realized it was meant to be funny.
Eat like a horse
To eat a lot.
The young athlete had an enormous appetite after training.
Mind over matter
The power of the mind to control physical feelings or problems.
Even though he was tired he continued running by focusing on his goal.
Be all in the mind
To exist only as a psychological or imaginary problem rather than a real one.
The patient experienced symptoms with no physical cause according to the tests.
That's all we need
Used ironically to express that a new problem is the last thing wanted in an already difficult situation.
Just as the team was about to finish, the main server crashed.
Risk life and limb
To do something very dangerous that could cause injury or death.
The firefighters entered the burning building to rescue the children.
The penny drops
Someone suddenly understands something that was not clear before.
After several explanations, she finally realized what the manager had meant.
Within an inch of your life
Very close to dying or being destroyed.
The car accident left him badly injured.
Black and blue
Covered with bruises.
After the fall down the stairs, his arms and legs were covered in bruises.
Compos mentis
In full possession of one's mental faculties; sane.
After the stressful day she needed time to think clearly again.
As fresh as a daisy
Full of energy and looking healthy.
After a good night's sleep she was ready for the busy day ahead.
Stick in my mind
To be remembered for a long time.
The beautiful scenery from the holiday remained clear in her memory.
Take the biscuit
To be the most surprising, annoying, or extreme example of something.
After all the delays, the last-minute cancellation was the worst thing that could happen.
Make your hair stand on end
To cause extreme fear or horror.
The ghost story was so frightening that the children could not sleep.
A matter of life and death
An extremely serious situation where lives are at risk.
The emergency surgery could not be delayed even for a minute.
To cap it all
To add a final, usually negative, event to an already bad situation.
After the delayed flight and lost luggage, the hotel reservation had been cancelled.
Fighting fit
In excellent physical condition.
After months of training the athlete was in peak condition.
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Used to say that you are glad that someone or something unwanted has gone.
The difficult customer finally left the shop.
Out and about
To be outside and active after a period of staying indoors.
She had been recovering from a long illness and finally felt strong enough to resume her usual routine.
A dog's life
A life of misery and hardship.
The workers in the factory had very poor conditions and long hours.
Piping hot
Very hot.
The soup was served straight from the stove.
Go out like a light
To fall asleep very quickly.
He was so tired after the long flight that he slept immediately.
Be out like a light
To fall asleep very quickly.
He was so tired after the long flight that he slept immediately.
Get a new lease of life
To become healthy, active, or successful again after a difficult period.
After the operation she felt much stronger and started traveling again.
Dead to the world
Sleeping very deeply.
After the long journey he fell asleep immediately and did not hear anything.
Punch-drunk
Confused or dazed, especially after receiving too much information or criticism.
After the long and difficult meeting, everyone felt mentally exhausted.
Live to tell the tale
To survive a dangerous experience.
The climbers were caught in a storm but managed to return safely.
A living death
A life so miserable that it feels like being dead.
After the accident he was confined to bed and could not enjoy life.
A square meal
A good, nourishing meal.
After days of snacks he finally had a proper dinner.
Fight for your life
To struggle very hard to survive or succeed.
The patient was seriously ill and the doctors were doing everything possible.
Huff and puff
To breathe loudly and heavily because of effort or anger.
He was out of breath after running up the stairs.
Eat like a bird
To eat very little.
She hardly touched her meal during the stressful meeting.
Don't even go there!
Used to warn someone not to mention a subject because it is too sensitive or difficult.
She started to ask about his failed marriage and he stopped her immediately.
Burning the candle at both ends
Working or playing so much that one becomes exhausted.
She worked full time and studied every evening, leaving no time for rest.
Bite the bullet
To endure a painful or unpleasant situation bravely.
The surgery was necessary even though the patient was terrified.
Bored out of your mind
Extremely bored.
The three-hour lecture on an unfamiliar topic felt endless.
Scare the life out of
To frighten someone very much.
The loud noise in the middle of the night terrified the children.
Be at death's door
To be very seriously ill or close to dying.
The patient was extremely weak after the long illness.
Do sb the world of good
To be very beneficial to someone.
A short holiday helped her recover from the stress.
Take it easy.
Relax and do not worry or work too hard.
After the stressful week, she needed some time to rest.
Dice with death
To do something extremely dangerous.
Skydiving without proper training is taking a huge risk.