This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Success, Failure & Achievement. 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.
set your sights on
Decide to aim for something.
During a performance-review session, the facilitator introduced “set your sights on”, an expression meaning “Decide to aim for something”.
stand out from the crowd
Be noticeably different and better than others.
While taking part in a project-review meeting, the speaker highlighted “stand out from the crowd”, which means “Be noticeably different and better than others”.
half-measures
Actions that achieve only part of what is needed.
In a conversation about achievement, “half-measures” was explained as an expression meaning “Actions that achieve only part of what is needed”.
sink like a stone
Fail completely.
In a discussion of success and failure, “sink like a stone” was explained as an expression meaning “Fail completely”.
no end of
A very large amount of.
During a conversation about achievement, the facilitator introduced “no end of”, an expression meaning “A very large amount of”.
the kiss of death
Something that causes failure or an end.
In a conversation about achievement, participants used “the kiss of death” to communicate this idea: “Something that causes failure or an end”.
in leaps and bounds
Very quickly and by large amounts.
During a project-review meeting, the trainer referred to “in leaps and bounds”, a useful expression for the idea “Very quickly and by large amounts”.
come up trumps
Do much better than expected when it matters.
In a project-review meeting, “come up trumps” was explained as an expression meaning “Do much better than expected when it matters”.
come into your own
Become very useful, successful or confident.
During a discussion of success and failure, the facilitator introduced “come into your own”, an expression meaning “Become very useful, successful or confident”.
fall into your lap
Come to you easily without effort.
In a performance-review session, participants used “fall into your lap” to communicate this idea: “Come to you easily without effort”.
be half the battle
Be the most difficult part of achieving something.
During a performance-review session, the trainer referred to “be half the battle”, a useful expression for the idea “Be the most difficult part of achieving something”.
wait in the wings
Be ready to take part when the opportunity comes.
During a performance-review session, the trainer referred to “wait in the wings”, a useful expression for the idea “Be ready to take part when the opportunity comes”.
a flash in the pan
A one-time success or event that is not repeated.
During a performance-review session, the facilitator introduced “a flash in the pan”, an expression meaning “A one-time success or event that is not repeated”.
hit the jackpot
Be extremely successful or lucky.
While taking part in a performance-review session, the speaker highlighted “hit the jackpot”, which means “Be extremely successful or lucky”.
on track
Likely to achieve an aim; progressing as planned.
While taking part in a discussion of success and failure, the speaker highlighted “on track”, which means “Likely to achieve an aim; progressing as planned”.
go from strength to strength
Become increasingly successful or effective.
During a project-review meeting, the facilitator introduced “go from strength to strength”, an expression meaning “Become increasingly successful or effective”.
hit the mark
Have the desired effect or be correct.
In a discussion of success and failure, participants used “hit the mark” to communicate this idea: “Have the desired effect or be correct”.
raise your game
Improve your performance.
In a project-review meeting, participants used “raise your game” to communicate this idea: “Improve your performance”.
ahead of the game
More successful or prepared than competitors.
While taking part in a project-review meeting, the speaker highlighted “ahead of the game”, which means “More successful or prepared than competitors”.
dig your own grave
Do something that causes your own failure.
While taking part in a conversation about achievement, the speaker highlighted “dig your own grave”, which means “Do something that causes your own failure”.
all or nothing
With complete success or complete failure; no compromise.
In a conversation about achievement, participants used “all or nothing” to communicate this idea: “With complete success or complete failure; no compromise”.
fall short of
Fail to reach a required standard or amount.
During a discussion of success and failure, the trainer referred to “fall short of”, a useful expression for the idea “Fail to reach a required standard or amount”.
a game plan
A plan for how to achieve an aim.
In a discussion of success and failure, “a game plan” was explained as an expression meaning “A plan for how to achieve an aim”.
on a roll
Having a series of successes.
In a performance-review session, “on a roll” was explained as an expression meaning “Having a series of successes”.
reach for the stars
Aim for the highest possible achievement.
During a conversation about achievement, the trainer referred to “reach for the stars”, a useful expression for the idea “Aim for the highest possible achievement”.