This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Success, Failure & Achievement. 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.
[drop/fall] into your lap
Come to you easily without effort.
In a discussion of success and failure, participants used “[drop/fall] into your lap” to communicate this idea: “Come to you easily without effort”.
steal a march on [someone]
Gain an advantage by acting earlier.
In a project-review meeting, “steal a march on [someone]” was explained as an expression meaning “Gain an advantage by acting earlier”.
a Pyrrhic victory
A victory gained at such great cost that it is hardly worthwhile.
In a performance-review session, participants used “a Pyrrhic victory” to communicate this idea: “A victory gained at such great cost that it is hardly worthwhile”.
can't cut the mustard
Not be good enough.
In a conversation about achievement, “can't cut the mustard” was explained as an expression meaning “Not be good enough”.
leave no stone unturned
Make every possible effort to find or achieve something.
In a project-review meeting, participants used “leave no stone unturned” to communicate this idea: “Make every possible effort to find or achieve something”.
pull the rug from under your feet
Suddenly remove support or cause someone to fail.
In a conversation about achievement, participants used “pull the rug from under your feet” to communicate this idea: “Suddenly remove support or cause someone to fail”.
be [getting/going] nowhere
Make no progress.
During a project-review meeting, the facilitator introduced “be [getting/going] nowhere”, an expression meaning “Make no progress”.
it's not over until the fat lady sings
The result is not certain until the very end.
While taking part in a discussion of success and failure, the speaker highlighted “it's not over until the fat lady sings”, which means “The result is not certain until the very end”.
a dream come true
Something wonderful that you had hoped for happens.
In a project-review meeting, “a dream come true” was explained as an expression meaning “Something wonderful that you had hoped for happens”.
a fighting chance
A small but real possibility of success.
While taking part in a conversation about achievement, the speaker highlighted “a fighting chance”, which means “A small but real possibility of success”.
two heads are better than one
Two people can solve a problem better than one.
In a performance-review session, participants used “two heads are better than one” to communicate this idea: “Two people can solve a problem better than one”.
ride high
Be very successful or popular.
During a discussion of success and failure, the facilitator introduced “ride high”, an expression meaning “Be very successful or popular”.
nothing ventured, nothing gained
You must take risks to achieve something.
In a discussion of success and failure, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” was explained as an expression meaning “You must take risks to achieve something”.
pride comes before a fall
Overconfidence leads to failure.
While taking part in a project-review meeting, the speaker highlighted “pride comes before a fall”, which means “Overconfidence leads to failure”.
rest on your laurels
Stop trying because of past success.
During a performance-review session, the trainer referred to “rest on your laurels”, a useful expression for the idea “Stop trying because of past success”.
a dead duck
Something that has failed or has no chance of success.
During a discussion of success and failure, the facilitator introduced “a dead duck”, an expression meaning “Something that has failed or has no chance of success”.
go with a swing
Be lively, successful and enjoyable.
During a conversation about achievement, the facilitator introduced “go with a swing”, an expression meaning “Be lively, successful and enjoyable”.
win your spurs
Earn respect through achievement.
During a discussion of success and failure, the trainer referred to “win your spurs”, a useful expression for the idea “Earn respect through achievement”.
it's not over till the fat lady sings
The result is not certain until the very end.
In a performance-review session, “it's not over till the fat lady sings” was explained as an expression meaning “The result is not certain until the very end”.
the bigger they [are/come], the harder they fall
The more powerful someone is, the worse their fall can be.
While taking part in a conversation about achievement, the speaker highlighted “the bigger they [are/come], the harder they fall”, which means “The more powerful someone is, the worse their fall can be”.
dead in the water
Unable to continue or make progress.
While taking part in a performance-review session, the speaker highlighted “dead in the water”, which means “Unable to continue or make progress”.
make good headway
Make good progress.
During a conversation about achievement, the trainer referred to “make good headway”, a useful expression for the idea “Make good progress”.
no pain no gain
Success requires effort or suffering.
During a performance-review session, the facilitator introduced “no pain no gain”, an expression meaning “Success requires effort or suffering”.
be falling apart at the seams
Be close to collapse or failure.
During a discussion of success and failure, the trainer referred to “be falling apart at the seams”, a useful expression for the idea “Be close to collapse or failure”.
fall over yourself to do [something]
Be extremely eager to do something.
During a project-review meeting, the trainer referred to “fall over yourself to do [something]”, a useful expression for the idea “Be extremely eager to do something”.