This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Arts, Media, Literature & Culture. 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.
tread the boards
Act in the theatre.
In a review of a book, film, or performance, participants used “tread the boards” to communicate this idea: “Act in the theatre”.
at one fell swoop
All at once, in a single action.
During an arts criticism workshop, the facilitator introduced “at one fell swoop”, an expression meaning “All at once, in a single action”.
the halcyon days
A happy, successful period in the past.
During a review of a book, film, or performance, the trainer referred to “the halcyon days”, a useful expression for the idea “A happy, successful period in the past”.
star-crossed lovers
Lovers whose relationship is doomed by bad luck.
While taking part in an arts criticism workshop, the speaker highlighted “star-crossed lovers”, which means “Lovers whose relationship is doomed by bad luck”.
the pen is mightier than the sword
Ideas and writing can be more powerful than violence.
In an arts criticism workshop, “the pen is mightier than the sword” was explained as an expression meaning “Ideas and writing can be more powerful than violence”.
pandora's box
A source of many unexpected problems.
In a review of a book, film, or performance, “pandora's box” was explained as an expression meaning “A source of many unexpected problems”.
when all's said and done
After considering everything.
During a literature-and-culture seminar, the trainer referred to “when all's said and done”, a useful expression for the idea “After considering everything”.
parting shot
A final comment or action before leaving.
While taking part in a literature-and-culture seminar, the speaker highlighted “parting shot”, which means “A final comment or action before leaving”.
the Midas touch
The ability to make things successful or profitable.
During a literature-and-culture seminar, the facilitator introduced “the Midas touch”, an expression meaning “The ability to make things successful or profitable”.
a Trojan horse
A person or thing that secretly harms from inside.
In an arts criticism workshop, “a Trojan horse” was explained as an expression meaning “A person or thing that secretly harms from inside”.
hustle and bustle
Busy activity and noise.
During an arts criticism workshop, the trainer referred to “hustle and bustle”, a useful expression for the idea “Busy activity and noise”.
fiddle while Rome burns
Ignore a serious problem while doing trivial things.
In a literature-and-culture seminar, participants used “fiddle while Rome burns” to communicate this idea: “Ignore a serious problem while doing trivial things”.
achilles heel
A person's one weak point.
While taking part in a media-analysis discussion, the speaker highlighted “achilles heel”, which means “A person's one weak point”.
rome wasn't built in a day
Important things take time to do properly.
During a review of a book, film, or performance, the facilitator introduced “rome wasn't built in a day”, an expression meaning “Important things take time to do properly”.
the sword of Damocles
A constant threat hanging over someone.
While taking part in a media-analysis discussion, the speaker highlighted “the sword of Damocles”, which means “A constant threat hanging over someone”.
[put/stick] two fingers up at [something]
Show strong disrespect for something.
In an arts criticism workshop, participants used “[put/stick] two fingers up at [something]” to communicate this idea: “Show strong disrespect for something”.
lay it on with a trowel
Praise or exaggerate excessively.
During a media-analysis discussion, the facilitator introduced “lay it on with a trowel”, an expression meaning “Praise or exaggerate excessively”.
show your hand
Reveal your plans or intentions.
In a literature-and-culture seminar, “show your hand” was explained as an expression meaning “Reveal your plans or intentions”.
do a hatchet job on
Criticise something very harshly and unfairly.
While taking part in a review of a book, film, or performance, the speaker highlighted “do a hatchet job on”, which means “Criticise something very harshly and unfairly”.
an Aladdin's cave
A place full of interesting or valuable things.
During a literature-and-culture seminar, the trainer referred to “an Aladdin's cave”, a useful expression for the idea “A place full of interesting or valuable things”.
the green-eyed monster
Jealousy.
In a media-analysis discussion, participants used “the green-eyed monster” to communicate this idea: “Jealousy”.
all-singing, all-dancing
Having many impressive features.
In a review of a book, film, or performance, participants used “all-singing, all-dancing” to communicate this idea: “Having many impressive features”.
be no oil painting
Not be very attractive.
In a media-analysis discussion, “be no oil painting” was explained as an expression meaning “Not be very attractive”.
a [something] and a half
An especially impressive example of something.
During a literature-and-culture seminar, the facilitator introduced “a [something] and a half”, an expression meaning “An especially impressive example of something”.
put two fingers up at [something]
Show strong disrespect for something.
During a media-analysis discussion, the trainer referred to “put two fingers up at [something]”, a useful expression for the idea “Show strong disrespect for something”.