This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Character & Behaviour. 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.
every Tom, Dick and Harry
Any ordinary or unimportant person.
In a conversation about personality, participants used “every Tom, Dick and Harry” to communicate this idea: “Any ordinary or unimportant person”.
[girl/man/person] Friday
A loyal helper or assistant.
During a workplace discussion about behaviour, the trainer referred to “[girl/man/person] Friday”, a useful expression for the idea “A loyal helper or assistant”.
creme de la creme
The very best people or things.
In a discussion about someone's behaviour, “creme de la creme” was explained as an expression meaning “The very best people or things”.
it takes two to tango
Two people are equally responsible for a situation.
In a coaching session on personal conduct, “it takes two to tango” was explained as an expression meaning “Two people are equally responsible for a situation”.
too clever by half
Annoyingly confident in your intelligence.
During a coaching session on personal conduct, the trainer referred to “too clever by half”, a useful expression for the idea “Annoyingly confident in your intelligence”.
blow your own trumpet
Praise yourself.
In a coaching session on personal conduct, participants used “blow your own trumpet” to communicate this idea: “Praise yourself”.
rattle [someone's] cage
Annoy or provoke someone.
In a workplace discussion about behaviour, participants used “rattle [someone's] cage” to communicate this idea: “Annoy or provoke someone”.
I wouldn't trust [someone] as far as I could throw them
I do not trust that person at all.
During a discussion about someone's behaviour, the facilitator introduced “I wouldn't trust [someone] as far as I could throw them”, an expression meaning “I do not trust that person at all”.
mind your Ps and Qs
Be very polite and careful about your behaviour.
While taking part in a conversation about personality, the speaker highlighted “mind your Ps and Qs”, which means “Be very polite and careful about your behaviour”.
[be no/be nobody's] fool
Be intelligent and not easily deceived.
During a conversation about personality, the facilitator introduced “[be no/be nobody's] fool”, an expression meaning “Be intelligent and not easily deceived”.
[act/play] the fool
Behave foolishly, often to make people laugh.
In a conversation about personality, “[act/play] the fool” was explained as an expression meaning “Behave foolishly, often to make people laugh”.
a law unto oneself
A person who behaves according to their own rules and ignores accepted standards.
In a character-and-behaviour discussion, “a law unto oneself” was explained as an expression meaning “A person who behaves according to their own rules and ignores accepted standards.”.
the cat's whiskers
Someone who thinks they are better than everyone else.
While taking part in a workplace discussion about behaviour, the speaker highlighted “the cat's whiskers”, which means “Someone who thinks they are better than everyone else”.
a wolf in sheep's clothing
A dangerous person who appears harmless.
During a coaching session on personal conduct, the facilitator introduced “a wolf in sheep's clothing”, an expression meaning “A dangerous person who appears harmless”.
sort [out] the sheep from the goats
Separate good people or things from bad ones.
During a discussion about someone's behaviour, the trainer referred to “sort [out] the sheep from the goats”, a useful expression for the idea “Separate good people or things from bad ones”.
as if [he] owned the place
In a very confident, controlling way.
In a discussion about someone's behaviour, participants used “as if [he] owned the place” to communicate this idea: “In a very confident, controlling way”.
clip [someone's] wings
Limit someone's freedom or ambition.
During a workplace discussion about behaviour, the facilitator introduced “clip [someone's] wings”, an expression meaning “Limit someone's freedom or ambition”.
be all over [someone] like a rash
Stay very close to someone in an overly affectionate way.
During a coaching session on personal conduct, the trainer referred to “be all over [someone] like a rash”, a useful expression for the idea “Stay very close to someone in an overly affectionate way”.
be no spring chicken
Not be young any more.
In a workplace discussion about behaviour, “be no spring chicken” was explained as an expression meaning “Not be young any more”.
the [someone/something] from hell
A person or thing that is extremely unpleasant.
In a discussion about someone's behaviour, participants used “the [someone/something] from hell” to communicate this idea: “A person or thing that is extremely unpleasant”.
amid mounting calls
While increasing numbers of people demand something.
While taking part in a workplace discussion about behaviour, the speaker highlighted “amid mounting calls”, which means “While increasing numbers of people demand something”.
that's [someone] all over
That is typical of that person.
In a conversation about personality, “that's [someone] all over” was explained as an expression meaning “That is typical of that person”.
dog in the manger
Someone who keeps something they do not need from others.
While taking part in a coaching session on personal conduct, the speaker highlighted “dog in the manger”, which means “Someone who keeps something they do not need from others”.
bring [someone] down a peg or two
Make someone less arrogant.
During a conversation about personality, the trainer referred to “bring [someone] down a peg or two”, a useful expression for the idea “Make someone less arrogant”.
bete noire
A person or thing you especially dislike.
While taking part in a discussion about someone's behaviour, the speaker highlighted “bete noire”, which means “A person or thing you especially dislike”.