This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Problems, Risk & Decision-making. 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.
harder than you'd bargained for
More difficult than expected.
While taking part in a discussion about solving a difficult problem, the speaker highlighted “harder than you'd bargained for”, which means “More difficult than expected”.
in the cold light of day
When considered calmly and realistically.
In a planning session for a complex decision, participants used “in the cold light of day” to communicate this idea: “When considered calmly and realistically”.
not have a cat in hell's chance
Have no chance at all.
In a discussion about solving a difficult problem, “not have a cat in hell's chance” was explained as an expression meaning “Have no chance at all”.
a storm in a teacup
A lot of fuss about something unimportant.
In a decision-making workshop, participants used “a storm in a teacup” to communicate this idea: “A lot of fuss about something unimportant”.
a fait accompli
A decision or completed action that cannot be changed.
In a risk-assessment meeting, participants used “a fait accompli” to communicate this idea: “A decision or completed action that cannot be changed”.
every cloud has a silver lining
Every bad situation has something good in it.
In a decision-making workshop, “every cloud has a silver lining” was explained as an expression meaning “Every bad situation has something good in it”.
a cloud on the horizon
A problem likely to happen soon.
While taking part in a planning session for a complex decision, the speaker highlighted “a cloud on the horizon”, which means “A problem likely to happen soon”.
like nailing jelly to a wall
Try to do something impossible to define or control.
During a risk-assessment meeting, the trainer referred to “like nailing jelly to a wall”, a useful expression for the idea “Try to do something impossible to define or control”.
baptism of fire
A very difficult first experience.
During a planning session for a complex decision, the facilitator introduced “baptism of fire”, an expression meaning “A very difficult first experience”.
a recipe for disaster
A situation likely to end badly.
While taking part in a risk-assessment meeting, the speaker highlighted “a recipe for disaster”, which means “A situation likely to end badly”.
throw a spanner in the works
Cause a plan to fail or become difficult.
In a risk-assessment meeting, participants used “throw a spanner in the works” to communicate this idea: “Cause a plan to fail or become difficult”.
better safe than sorry
It is wiser to avoid risks.
In a discussion about solving a difficult problem, participants used “better safe than sorry” to communicate this idea: “It is wiser to avoid risks”.
batten down the hatches
Prepare carefully for a difficult situation.
In a risk-assessment meeting, “batten down the hatches” was explained as an expression meaning “Prepare carefully for a difficult situation”.
a last-ditch attempt
A final effort made when all else is failing.
In a planning session for a complex decision, “a last-ditch attempt” was explained as an expression meaning “A final effort made when all else is failing”.
open a can of worms
Create a situation that causes many complicated problems.
While taking part in a planning session for a complex decision, the speaker highlighted “open a can of worms”, which means “Create a situation that causes many complicated problems”.
at stake
Likely to be lost or gained in a situation.
During a discussion about solving a difficult problem, the trainer referred to “at stake”, a useful expression for the idea “Likely to be lost or gained in a situation”.
throw [someone] a curveball
Surprise someone with a difficult or unexpected problem.
During a decision-making workshop, the trainer referred to “throw [someone] a curveball”, a useful expression for the idea “Surprise someone with a difficult or unexpected problem”.
a Catch-22 situation
An impossible situation with circular conditions.
During a decision-making workshop, the facilitator introduced “a Catch-22 situation”, an expression meaning “An impossible situation with circular conditions”.
a half-baked scheme
A poorly thought-out plan.
During a decision-making workshop, the trainer referred to “a half-baked scheme”, a useful expression for the idea “A poorly thought-out plan”.
live a charmed life
Be unusually lucky and avoid serious problems.
During a decision-making workshop, the facilitator introduced “live a charmed life”, an expression meaning “Be unusually lucky and avoid serious problems”.
a chapter of accidents
A period when many things go wrong.
In a discussion about solving a difficult problem, “a chapter of accidents” was explained as an expression meaning “A period when many things go wrong”.
between a rock and a hard place
In a situation where every choice is difficult.
During a planning session for a complex decision, the trainer referred to “between a rock and a hard place”, a useful expression for the idea “In a situation where every choice is difficult”.
cross that bridge when you come to it
Deal with a problem when it actually happens.
During a risk-assessment meeting, the facilitator introduced “cross that bridge when you come to it”, an expression meaning “Deal with a problem when it actually happens”.
be [skating] on thin ice
Be in a risky situation and likely to get into trouble.
While taking part in a decision-making workshop, the speaker highlighted “be [skating] on thin ice”, which means “Be in a risky situation and likely to get into trouble”.
a hard nut to crack
A difficult problem or person to understand.
During a discussion about solving a difficult problem, the facilitator introduced “a hard nut to crack”, an expression meaning “A difficult problem or person to understand”.