This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Work & Careers. 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.
down the line
Later in the future.
In a professional-development discussion, participants used “down the line” to communicate this idea: “Later in the future”.
tick all the boxes
Have all the wanted qualities.
In a professional-development discussion, participants used “tick all the boxes” to communicate this idea: “Have all the wanted qualities”.
castles in the air
Unrealistic plans or dreams.
During a career-development workshop, the facilitator introduced “castles in the air”, an expression meaning “Unrealistic plans or dreams”.
gardening leave
A paid notice period when an employee is told not to work.
During a workplace mentoring meeting, the facilitator introduced “gardening leave”, an expression meaning “A paid notice period when an employee is told not to work”.
chalk and cheese
Completely different.
In a job-interview preparation session, “chalk and cheese” was explained as an expression meaning “Completely different”.
heads will roll
People will be severely punished or lose jobs.
During a professional-development discussion, the trainer referred to “heads will roll”, a useful expression for the idea “People will be severely punished or lose jobs”.
fair enough
That seems reasonable or acceptable.
During a job-interview preparation session, the facilitator introduced “fair enough”, an expression meaning “That seems reasonable or acceptable”.
drop a bombshell
Make a shocking, unexpected announcement.
During a career-development workshop, the trainer referred to “drop a bombshell”, a useful expression for the idea “Make a shocking, unexpected announcement”.
join forces with
Work together with someone.
During a career-development workshop, the facilitator introduced “join forces with”, an expression meaning “Work together with someone”.
first and foremost
Most importantly.
While taking part in a professional-development discussion, the speaker highlighted “first and foremost”, which means “Most importantly”.
for a split second
For a very short moment.
In a career-development workshop, participants used “for a split second” to communicate this idea: “For a very short moment”.
climb the career ladder
Progress to more senior positions at work.
While taking part in a workplace mentoring meeting, the speaker highlighted “climb the career ladder”, which means “Progress to more senior positions at work”.
get a foot in the door
Get a low-level job to gain future opportunities.
In a professional-development discussion, “get a foot in the door” was explained as an expression meaning “Get a low-level job to gain future opportunities”.
get off your backside
Stop being lazy and start doing something.
While taking part in a career-development workshop, the speaker highlighted “get off your backside”, which means “Stop being lazy and start doing something”.
fringe benefits
Extra advantages of a job besides salary.
During a job-interview preparation session, the trainer referred to “fringe benefits”, a useful expression for the idea “Extra advantages of a job besides salary”.
get-up and go
Energy and enthusiasm.
During a workplace mentoring meeting, the trainer referred to “get-up and go”, a useful expression for the idea “Energy and enthusiasm”.
work like a dog
Work very hard.
During a career-development workshop, the trainer referred to “work like a dog”, a useful expression for the idea “Work very hard”.
golden handshake
A large payment when someone leaves a job.
While taking part in a job-interview preparation session, the speaker highlighted “golden handshake”, which means “A large payment when someone leaves a job”.
golden hello
A large payment offered to someone starting a job.
In a workplace mentoring meeting, participants used “golden hello” to communicate this idea: “A large payment offered to someone starting a job”.
make a name for
Become well known or respected.
In a job-interview preparation session, “make a name for” was explained as an expression meaning “Become well known or respected”.
fat chance
There is very little or no possibility.
In a workplace mentoring meeting, “fat chance” was explained as an expression meaning “There is very little or no possibility”.
give or take
More or less; approximately.
During a professional-development discussion, the facilitator introduced “give or take”, an expression meaning “More or less; approximately”.
make hard work of
Do something in a way that makes it harder than necessary.
While taking part in a workplace mentoring meeting, the speaker highlighted “make hard work of”, which means “Do something in a way that makes it harder than necessary”.
go the extra mile
Make more effort than is expected.
In a career-development workshop, “go the extra mile” was explained as an expression meaning “Make more effort than is expected”.
get your act together
Organise yourself and behave efficiently.
In a job-interview preparation session, participants used “get your act together” to communicate this idea: “Organise yourself and behave efficiently”.