This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Problems, Risk & Decision-making. 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.
fall into the trap of
Make a common mistake or be caught by a bad situation.
While taking part in a risk-assessment meeting, the speaker highlighted “fall into the trap of”, which means “Make a common mistake or be caught by a bad situation”.
cloud on the horizon
A problem likely to occur soon.
During a decision-making workshop, the trainer referred to “cloud on the horizon”, a useful expression for the idea “A problem likely to occur soon”.
sticking point
A difficulty that prevents agreement or progress.
During a risk-assessment meeting, the facilitator introduced “sticking point”, an expression meaning “A difficulty that prevents agreement or progress”.
be a minefield
Be full of potential problems or dangers.
While taking part in a discussion about solving a difficult problem, the speaker highlighted “be a minefield”, which means “Be full of potential problems or dangers”.
be a chapter of accidents
Be a situation in which many things go wrong.
In a decision-making workshop, “be a chapter of accidents” was explained as an expression meaning “Be a situation in which many things go wrong”.
be a casualty of
Be badly affected by a difficult situation.
During a risk-assessment meeting, the facilitator introduced “be a casualty of”, an expression meaning “Be badly affected by a difficult situation”.
tough it out
Continue through a difficult situation without giving up.
In a planning session for a complex decision, participants used “tough it out” to communicate this idea: “Continue through a difficult situation without giving up”.
hold your own
Perform as well as others in a difficult situation.
During a discussion about solving a difficult problem, the trainer referred to “hold your own”, a useful expression for the idea “Perform as well as others in a difficult situation”.
bite the bullet
Face a difficult situation bravely.
In a risk-assessment meeting, participants used “bite the bullet” to communicate this idea: “Face a difficult situation bravely”.
make a mountain out of a molehill
Make a small problem seem very serious.
In a risk-assessment meeting, “make a mountain out of a molehill” was explained as an expression meaning “Make a small problem seem very serious”.
double whammy
Two unpleasant things happening together.
In a planning session for a complex decision, “double whammy” was explained as an expression meaning “Two unpleasant things happening together”.
be barking up the wrong tree
Be following a mistaken idea or blaming the wrong person.
During a decision-making workshop, the facilitator introduced “be barking up the wrong tree”, an expression meaning “Be following a mistaken idea or blaming the wrong person”.
cut and run
Leave suddenly to avoid a difficult situation.
During a discussion about solving a difficult problem, the facilitator introduced “cut and run”, an expression meaning “Leave suddenly to avoid a difficult situation”.
the elephant in the room
An obvious problem everyone avoids discussing.
In a decision-making workshop, “the elephant in the room” was explained as an expression meaning “An obvious problem everyone avoids discussing”.
weather the storm
Survive a difficult period.
During a risk-assessment meeting, the trainer referred to “weather the storm”, a useful expression for the idea “Survive a difficult period”.
be at a crossroads
Be at a point where an important decision is needed.
During a risk-assessment meeting, the trainer referred to “be at a crossroads”, a useful expression for the idea “Be at a point where an important decision is needed”.
be no picnic
Be difficult or unpleasant.
While taking part in a planning session for a complex decision, the speaker highlighted “be no picnic”, which means “Be difficult or unpleasant”.
the tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger problem.
While taking part in a discussion about solving a difficult problem, the speaker highlighted “the tip of the iceberg”, which means “A small visible part of a much larger problem”.
in a tight corner
In a difficult situation.
During a planning session for a complex decision, the facilitator introduced “in a tight corner”, an expression meaning “In a difficult situation”.
be a nightmare
Be extremely difficult or unpleasant.
In a planning session for a complex decision, participants used “be a nightmare” to communicate this idea: “Be extremely difficult or unpleasant”.
stick your neck out
Take a risk by expressing an opinion or acting.
During a planning session for a complex decision, the trainer referred to “stick your neck out”, a useful expression for the idea “Take a risk by expressing an opinion or acting”.
on the rocks
In serious difficulty, especially financially or in a relationship.
While taking part in a decision-making workshop, the speaker highlighted “on the rocks”, which means “In serious difficulty, especially financially or in a relationship”.
hard to swallow
Difficult to accept or believe.
In a decision-making workshop, participants used “hard to swallow” to communicate this idea: “Difficult to accept or believe”.
be no joke
Be serious or difficult, not amusing.
In a discussion about solving a difficult problem, “be no joke” was explained as an expression meaning “Be serious or difficult, not amusing”.
risk life and limb
Risk being seriously injured or killed.
In a discussion about solving a difficult problem, participants used “risk life and limb” to communicate this idea: “Risk being seriously injured or killed”.