This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Science, Technology & Change. 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 envelope
Go beyond normal limits in an innovative way.
In a discussion about digital transformation, “push the envelope” was explained as an expression meaning “Go beyond normal limits in an innovative way”.
set in motion
Start a process.
During a discussion about digital transformation, the facilitator introduced “set in motion”, an expression meaning “Start a process”.
fall off the radar
Stop being noticed or talked about.
In a technology-innovation meeting, “fall off the radar” was explained as an expression meaning “Stop being noticed or talked about”.
back to the drawing board
To start planning again because an earlier attempt has failed.
In a innovation-and-technology workshop, “back to the drawing board” was explained as an expression meaning “To start planning again because an earlier attempt has failed.”.
from the cradle to the grave
From birth until death.
While taking part in a science-and-change seminar, the speaker highlighted “from the cradle to the grave”, which means “From birth until death”.
not half
Very; used for emphasis.
While taking part in a discussion about digital transformation, the speaker highlighted “not half”, which means “Very; used for emphasis”.
safe and sound
Safely.
During a science-and-change seminar, the trainer referred to “safe and sound”, a useful expression for the idea “Safely”.
ahead of its time
More advanced than was usual at that time.
During a discussion about digital transformation, the facilitator introduced “ahead of its time”, an expression meaning “More advanced than was usual at that time”.
the fact of the matter is
The truth is.
In a science-and-change seminar, participants used “the fact of the matter is” to communicate this idea: “The truth is”.
at first glance
When first seen or considered.
In a research-and-development workshop, “at first glance” was explained as an expression meaning “When first seen or considered”.
at the cutting edge
At the most advanced stage of development.
While taking part in a technology-innovation meeting, the speaker highlighted “at the cutting edge”, which means “At the most advanced stage of development”.
up-to-the-minute
Very modern and current.
During a discussion about digital transformation, the trainer referred to “up-to-the-minute”, a useful expression for the idea “Very modern and current”.
bluff your way
Get through a situation by pretending to know more than you do.
During a discussion about digital transformation, the trainer referred to “bluff your way”, a useful expression for the idea “Get through a situation by pretending to know more than you do”.
part and parcel
A necessary part of something.
During a science-and-change seminar, the facilitator introduced “part and parcel”, an expression meaning “A necessary part of something”.
gas guzzler
A vehicle that uses a lot of fuel.
In a discussion about digital transformation, participants used “gas guzzler” to communicate this idea: “A vehicle that uses a lot of fuel”.
reinvent the wheel
Waste effort creating something that already exists.
While taking part in a research-and-development workshop, the speaker highlighted “reinvent the wheel”, which means “Waste effort creating something that already exists”.
oil the wheels
Make a process easier to happen.
In a research-and-development workshop, participants used “oil the wheels” to communicate this idea: “Make a process easier to happen”.
go haywire
Start working in a strange, uncontrolled way.
During a technology-innovation meeting, the facilitator introduced “go haywire”, an expression meaning “Start working in a strange, uncontrolled way”.
tempt fate
Do something risky that may cause bad luck.
While taking part in a technology-innovation meeting, the speaker highlighted “tempt fate”, which means “Do something risky that may cause bad luck”.
rock hard
Extremely hard.
In a technology-innovation meeting, participants used “rock hard” to communicate this idea: “Extremely hard”.
open the door to
Make a new opportunity possible.
During a technology-innovation meeting, the trainer referred to “open the door to”, a useful expression for the idea “Make a new opportunity possible”.
take to the next level
Make something more advanced or impressive.
In a research-and-development workshop, “take to the next level” was explained as an expression meaning “Make something more advanced or impressive”.
hot off the press
Very recently published or announced.
In a science-and-change seminar, “hot off the press” was explained as an expression meaning “Very recently published or announced”.
domino effect
A chain reaction in which one event causes others.
During a research-and-development workshop, the facilitator introduced “domino effect”, an expression meaning “A chain reaction in which one event causes others”.
be on the blink
Not be working correctly.
In a science-and-change seminar, participants used “be on the blink” to communicate this idea: “Not be working correctly”.