This lesson trains 31 C2 idioms on Conflict. 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.
Behind your back
Secretly and usually in a negative way.
The team members were criticizing the new manager while he was attending another meeting.
Pandora's box
A situation that, once started, creates many unforeseen and difficult problems.
Opening the investigation revealed years of hidden corruption throughout the organization.
The shit hits the fan
A situation suddenly becomes very bad or chaotic.
When the accounting error was discovered, the company faced serious consequences.
Play sb for a fool
To try to trick or deceive someone.
The con artist pretended to be a bank official to steal money.
Play into sb's hands
To do something that gives an advantage to an opponent.
By arguing publicly they only helped their rivals.
Bite the hand that feeds you
To behave badly or ungratefully toward someone who helps or supports you.
The employee publicly criticized the company that had given him his first big opportunity.
Out of hand
Out of control.
The party became too noisy and the neighbors complained.
Not give sb the time of day
To refuse to speak to or acknowledge someone.
After the argument she completely ignored her former friend.
Be a minefield
A situation full of hidden dangers or problems.
Negotiating the complicated contract was extremely risky.
Be one in the eye for sb
To be a disappointment or defeat for someone.
The rival company's success was a blow to their competitors.
Shoot sb down in flames
To reject an idea or person very strongly and publicly.
The board immediately dismissed the risky proposal without any discussion.
Pick holes in
To find faults or criticize something.
The lawyer examined the contract and found several problems.
The game's up
The situation is hopeless and the deception has been discovered.
When the police arrived, the criminals knew they could not escape.
Rattle sb's cage
To deliberately annoy or provoke someone.
The journalist's critical article upset the politician greatly.
Throw sb a curveball
To surprise someone with an unexpected and difficult problem.
Just when the team thought the project was finished, the client changed all the requirements.
Play cat and mouse
To tease or control someone by keeping them in uncertainty.
The interviewer kept changing the questions and making the candidate nervous.
Plunge into chaos
To suddenly become completely disordered.
The power failure caused the entire airport to descend into confusion.
Strike at the heart of
To attack or affect the most important part of something.
The new law directly challenged the core principles of the constitution.
Double whammy
Two bad things happening at the same time.
The company faced both rising costs and falling sales in the same quarter.
Bone of contention
The main cause of a disagreement.
The division of company profits remained the main point of conflict between the partners.
Play games
To behave in a way that is not serious or honest.
She felt he was not being straightforward about his intentions.
A Catch-22 situation
A situation where one is trapped by contradictory rules or conditions.
To get a job he needed experience, but to get experience he needed a job.
Eat sb for breakfast
To defeat or deal with someone very easily.
The experienced lawyer destroyed the witness's testimony in minutes.
The gloves are off
People are ready to argue or fight seriously without holding back.
After months of polite discussion the negotiations became aggressive.
Pull the rug from under your feet
To suddenly remove support or change a situation in a way that leaves someone helpless.
The company withdrew funding without warning, leaving the project team without resources.
Bone to pick
A reason to complain or argue with someone.
She had a serious issue to discuss with her colleague about the missing report.
A wolf in sheep's clothing
A person who appears friendly but is actually dangerous or malicious.
The charming salesman turned out to be dishonest and manipulative.
Argue the toss
To continue arguing about a decision that has already been made.
Even after the vote was final, some members kept complaining about the outcome.
Fall on deaf ears
To be ignored or not listened to.
All her warnings about the budget problems were completely ignored by management.
A Trojan horse
Something that seems harmless but is actually harmful.
The free software contained hidden malware that damaged the entire network.
Over my dead body
Used to say that something will happen only if you are dead; strong refusal.
The family refused to let the old house be sold to developers.