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  • Smooth Sailing / Plain Sailing

    🗓️ Idiom: Smooth Sailing / Plain Sailing (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • A situation or process that goes easily and without problems.
    • It means everything is running well, with no major issues.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Once the new system was fully installed, it was smooth sailing.
    • After the team adapted to the new workflow, the project became plain sailing.
    • We expected challenges, but the rollout turned out to be smooth sailing.

    🏛️ Origin

    Both versions of the idiom come from sailing. “Smooth sailing” refers to calm water and easy movement, while “plain sailing” was a nautical term meaning clear and simple navigation. Today, both are used to describe easy progress.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After the training was complete, using the new software was __________.

    Answer

    smooth sailing / plain sailing

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “smooth sailing”:

    A) Facing constant delays
    B) Needing more resources
    C) Working through challenges
    D) Progressing without problems

    Answer

    D) Progressing without problems

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The change management process is now going very easily and without trouble.” → Change the sentence using: smooth sailing

    Answer

    The change management process is now smooth sailing.

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  • Going Against the Grain

    🗓️ Idiom: Going Against the Grain (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To do something in a way that is different from what is usual or expected.
    • It often refers to taking an approach that others may resist or disagree with.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The new policy goes against the grain of our company’s traditional culture.
    • Suggesting remote work in a company that values office presence goes against the grain.
    • He knew that changing the pricing model would go against the grain, but he believed it was necessary.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from woodworking, where going “against the grain” means cutting in the opposite direction of the wood fibers—making the job harder. In business, it means acting in a way that challenges the norm.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Proposing a flat team structure really __________ in a company known for strict hierarchy.

    Answer

    went against the grain

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “going against the grain”:

    A) Following the usual approach
    B) Making decisions randomly
    C) Doing something in a way that challenges the usual way
    D) Avoiding all conflict

    Answer

    C) Doing something in a way that challenges the usual way

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “She chose a strategy that was very different from what the team normally does.” → Change the sentence using: go against the grain

    Answer

    She chose a strategy that went against the grain of what the team normally does.

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  • Uphill Battle

    🗓️ Idiom: Uphill Battle (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • A situation that is very difficult and requires a lot of effort to succeed and things are against you.
    • It refers to challenges where progress is slow and success is hard to achieve.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Convincing the board to invest in new systems was an uphill battle.
    • The team faced an uphill battle trying to change long-standing company habits.
    • Implementing the new strategy without enough support became an uphill battle.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea of climbing uphill, which takes more effort than going downhill. In business, it means facing strong resistance or working against many difficulties.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Getting everyone to accept the new software has been __________ for the IT department.

    Answer

    an uphill battle

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “uphill battle”:

    A) A quick solution
    B) An easy win
    C) A difficult struggle
    D) A random challenge

    Answer

    C) A difficult struggle

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “Trying to change the old system was extremely difficult.” → Change the sentence using: uphill battle

    Answer

    Changing the old system was an uphill battle.

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  • Walking a Tightrope

    🗓️ Idiom: Walking a Tightrope (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be in a difficult situation where every decision must be made very carefully.
    • It describes attempting to balance a situation where one wrong move could cause problems.
    • Trying to keep diffrent people happy at the same time.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The manager was walking a tightrope between keeping costs low and maintaining staff morale.
    • During the merger, leadership had to walk a tightrope not to upset either team.
    • She’s walking a tightrope by pushing changes while trying to keep investors calm.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from circus performers who literally walk on a narrow rope high above the ground. In business, it’s used when someone is in a risky situation requiring careful balance and decision-making.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The HR director is __________, trying to enforce new rules without upsetting employees.

    Answer

    walking a tightrope

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “walking a tightrope”:

    A) Taking a break
    B) Managing a risky or sensitive situation
    C) Relaxing after work
    D) Making a quick decision

    Answer

    B) Managing a risky or sensitive situation

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The supervisor must be very careful to keep her team and her manager happy.” → Change the sentence using: walking a tightrope

    Answer

    The supervisor is walking a tightrope between keeping her team and her manager happy.

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  • Facing Headwinds

    🗓️ Idiom: Facing Headwinds (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To experience difficulties that slow progress.
    • It describes challenges that make moving forward harder, especially during change.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The company is facing headwinds due to rising material costs.
    • Our expansion plans are facing headwinds from new regulations.
    • The project team faced headwinds from stakeholders who didn’t support the change.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from sailing and aviation, where a headwind (a wind blowing towards you) slows down your movement. In business, “facing headwinds” means dealing with factors that make progress more difficult.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    We are __________ with declining sales and increased competition.

    Answer

    facing headwinds

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “facing headwinds”:

    A) Moving forward easily
    B) Ignoring problems
    C) Dealing with strong challenges
    D) Finishing early

    Answer

    C) Dealing with strong challenges

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The company is struggling due to several external challenges.” → Change the sentence using: facing headwinds

    Answer

    The company is facing headwinds due to several external challenges.

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  • A Rough Patch

    🗓️ Idiom: A Rough Patch (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • A difficult or challenging period of time.
    • It refers to a temporary phase when things are not going well, especially in business or relationships.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The company hit a rough patch after losing two major clients.
    • Every business goes through a rough patch during big changes.
    • The team experienced a rough patch while adjusting to the new management style.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom likely comes from farming or travel, where a “rough patch” refers to uneven or hard ground. In business, it’s used to describe tough times that are usually short-term.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The department is going through __________ due to the sudden restructuring.

    Answer

    a rough patch

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “a rough patch”:

    A) A period of success
    B) A time of slow but steady progress
    C) A short time of difficulty or trouble
    D) A final decision

    Answer

    C) A short time of difficulty or trouble

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The company is having a temporary period of difficulty.” → Change the sentence using: a rough patch

    Answer

    The company is going through a rough patch.

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  • A Sea Change

    🗓️ Idiom: A Sea Change (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • A big and important transformation in the way something is done or understood.
    • It describes a large and lasting change in direction, thinking, or operations.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • There has been a sea change in how companies approach employee wellbeing.
    • The decision to go digital-only marked a sea change in the company’s operations.
    • The merger brought a sea change in the leadership and structure of the firm.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, where it described a magical transformation caused by the sea. Today, it means any deep or dramatic change, especially in mindset or strategy.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The new CEO brought __________ that transformed the company’s culture.

    Answer

    a sea change

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “a sea change”:

    A) A temporary fix
    B) A small improvement
    C) A major and permanent change
    D) A shift in office location

    Answer

    C) A major and permanent change

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “There was a significant shift in how decisions were made across the company.” → Change the sentence using: a sea change

    Answer

    There was a sea change in how decisions were made across the company.

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  • A Baptism of Fire

    🗓️ Idiom: A Baptism of Fire (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • A difficult first experience in a new job or role.
    • It means facing a tough challenge right at the beginning of something new.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Her first week as team leader was a baptism of fire. Three staff quit and a major client complained.
    • Taking over during a company crisis was a baptism of fire for the new director.
    • Many new employees go through a baptism of fire when they first start.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom originally referred to a soldier’s first experience in battle. Today, it’s used in business and other contexts to describe a tough first experience that tests a person immediately.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Starting during the system upgrade was __________ for the new IT manager.

    Answer

    a baptism of fire

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “a baptism of fire”:

    A) A slow and easy start
    B) A helpful training program
    C) A difficult beginning experience
    D) A celebration of success

    Answer

    C) A difficult beginning experience

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “His first task was very hard and happened during a company emergency.” → Change the sentence using: a baptism of fire

    Answer

    His first task was a baptism of fire during a company emergency.

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  • Clean House

    🗓️ Idiom: Clean House (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To remove or replace people, systems, or policies that are not working well.
    • It means making big internal changes to improve performance or start fresh.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After the company’s poor performance, the new CEO decided to clean house.
    • The IT department cleaned house and removed outdated software tools.
    • When a new manager arrives, it’s common to clean house and bring in fresh ideas.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from literally cleaning a house. Throwing out what’s unnecessary or harmful. In business, it refers to removing staff, processes, or systems that no longer help the company succeed.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After several failed projects, upper management chose to __________ and restructure the whole department.

    Answer

    clean house

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “clean house”:

    A) Organize the office space
    B) Promote existing staff
    C) Remove or replace people and systems
    D) Hire a cleaning company

    Answer

    C) Remove or replace people and systems

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The company removed several managers and started fresh with a new team.” → Change the sentence using: clean house

    Answer

    The company cleaned house and started fresh with a new team.

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  • A Tough Sell

    🗓️ Idiom: A Tough Sell (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • Something that is difficult to persuade others to accept or support.
    • It refers to ideas, changes, or proposals that people resist or doubt.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The idea of cutting office hours was a tough sell to senior staff.
    • Introducing a new system during peak season is going to be a tough sell.
    • Changing the brand’s name was a tough sell, but the team finally agreed.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from sales. If a product is hard to sell, it’s called “a tough sell.” In business change, it refers to difficult ideas or decisions that need strong persuasion.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The plan to remove printed reports was __________ for many long-time employees.

    Answer

    a tough sell

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “a tough sell”:

    A) A product with high demand
    B) Something that is hard to get others to agree to
    C) A quick and easy deal
    D) A strong marketing strategy

    Answer

    B) Something that is hard to get others to agree to

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “It was difficult to convince the team to adopt the new reporting system.” → Change the sentence using: a tough sell

    Answer

    The new reporting system was a tough sell to the team.

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