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Bite Sized Business English

Author: Teacher Rob

  • Wing It

    🗓️ Idiom: Wing It (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To do something without preparing.
    • To act or speak without planning in advance.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • He did not prepare for the interview and decided to wing it.
    • If you wing it during a job interview, your answers may not be clear.
    • She realised she could not wing it, so she spent the evening preparing.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from early theatre. Actors who were not fully prepared would wait in the wings and quickly learn their lines right before going on stage. They were “winging it.” Today, it means doing something without proper preparation.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    Tom did not review the job description, so he had to __________ during the interview.

    Answer

    wing it

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does “wing it” mean?
    A. Prepare a detailed plan
    B. Do something without preparing
    C. Ask for more time

    Answer

    B Do something without preparing

    3. Change the sentence using “wing it”:
    “He answered the questions without any preparation.”

    Answer

    He winged it.

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  • On Top of Things

    🗓️ Idiom: On Top of Things (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be well organised and in control of your tasks.
    • To know what is happening and manage responsibilities effectively.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • In the interview, she showed she was on top of things by explaining her project timeline clearly.
    • The manager wants someone who is on top of things and does not miss deadlines.
    • He looked confident because he was on top of things and fully prepared.

    🏛️ Origin

    This phrase comes from the idea of being physically “on top” of a situation. If you are above something, you can see everything clearly and manage it well. Over time, it became a common expression for being organised and in control.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The interviewer was impressed because Mia was __________ during the whole presentation.

    Answer

    on top of things

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does “on top of things” mean?
    A. Feeling tired at work
    B. Being organised and in control
    C. Starting a new job

    Answer

    B Being organised and in control

    3. Change the sentence using “on top of things”:
    “He managed all his tasks very well.”

    Answer

    He was on top of things.

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  • Do Your Homework

    🗓️ Idiom: Do Your Homework (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To prepare carefully before a meeting or task.
    • To collect useful information so you are ready to perform well.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Before the interview, she did her homework and read everything about the company.
    • If you do your homework, you will feel more confident when answering questions.
    • He did his homework on the job role, so he knew exactly what the employer wanted.

    🏛️ Origin

    In schools, homework is work given to students to complete at home. The phrase became a metaphor for preparing well for any important situation, including job interviews.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    You will give better answers in the interview if you __________ first.

    Answer

    do your homework

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does “do your homework” mean?
    A. Ask for extra time
    B. Prepare and research before something important
    C. Avoid difficult tasks

    Answer

    B Prepare and research before something important

    3. Change the sentence using “do your homework”:
    “She prepared a lot before the interview.”

    Answer

    She did her homework before the interview.

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  • Have Your Ducks in a Row

    🗓️ Idiom: Have Your Ducks in a Row (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be well organised and fully prepared.
    • To have everything arranged correctly before an important event.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Before going to a job interview, it is important to have your ducks in a row.
    • She had her ducks in a row, so she answered every question clearly.
    • The team did not have their ducks in a row, and the presentation did not go well.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom likely comes from the way ducklings line up neatly behind their mother. People began using it to describe situations where everything is organised in a clear and orderly way. Today, it is a common business expression for being well prepared.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    Before the interview, make sure you __________ by reviewing your CV and practice answers.

    Answer

    have your ducks in a row

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “have your ducks in a row” mean?
    a) To be fully organised and prepared
    b) To arrive late on purpose
    c) To wait for someone else to lead

    Answer

    a) To be fully organised and prepared

    3. Change the sentence using “have your ducks in a row”

    “You need to be well prepared before speaking to the interviewer.”

    Answer

    You need to have your ducks in a row before speaking to the interviewer.

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  • Up Against the Wall

    🗓️ Idiom: Up Against the Wall (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be in a difficult situation with limited options.
    • To feel pressure because you must make a decision or act quickly.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the interview, I felt up against the wall when they asked for an example I had not prepared.
    • The team was up against the wall when the deadline was suddenly moved forward.
    • She realised she was up against the wall when the interviewer challenged her answer.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom originally described someone pushed back against a physical wall, unable to move or escape. Over time, it became a metaphor for any situation where a person feels trapped, pressured or forced to respond with limited choices.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the interview, I felt __________ when they asked for a solution I had not practised.

    Answer

    up against the wall

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “up against the wall” mean?
    a) To have many easy options
    b) To be in a difficult situation with pressure
    c) To take a break and relax

    Answer

    b) To be in a difficult situation with pressure

    3. Change the sentence using “up against the wall”

    “I felt trapped when they kept asking for more examples.”

    Answer

    I felt up against the wall when they kept asking for more examples.

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  • Face the Music

    🗓️ Idiom: Face the Music (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To accept the results of your actions, even if they are difficult or unpleasant.
    • To deal with criticism, questions or consequences directly.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After arriving late to the interview, he knew he had to face the music when the manager asked why.
    • The team had to face the music after missing an important deadline.
    • She did not prepare well and had to face the music during the interview when she could not answer the questions.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom likely comes from the theatre. Actors had to walk on stage and “face the music” played by the orchestra, meaning they had to perform and accept whatever happened. Over time, it became a metaphor for facing difficult situations or consequences.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    After forgetting part of my presentation, I had to __________ during the interview.

    Answer

    face the music

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “face the music” mean?
    a) To accept consequences or criticism
    b) To relax and listen to music
    c) To take a break during the interview

    Answer

    a) To accept consequences or criticism

    3. Change the sentence using “face the music”

    “I had to accept the consequences when the interviewer realised I had not prepared.”

    Answer

    I had to face the music when the interviewer realised I had not prepared.

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  • Given the Third Degree

    🗓️ Idiom: Given the Third Degree (V)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be questioned in a very intense or detailed way.
    • To feel pressure because someone keeps asking many follow-up questions.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the interview, I felt like I was given the third degree about my work history.
    • The manager was given the third degree when the board asked him to explain the results.
    • She worried she would be given the third degree in the panel interview.

    🏛️ Origin

    The expression “the third degree” began in the early twentieth century. It was used to describe very tough questioning, especially when someone wanted the whole truth.It became a common idiom for any situation where a person is asked many difficult or detailed questions.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the job interview, I felt like I was __________ about every part of my CV.

    Answer

    given the third degree

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “given the third degree” mean?
    a) Being asked very intense or detailed questions
    b) Being given more time to prepare
    c) Being told the interview is over early

    Answer

    a) Being asked very intense or detailed questions

    3. Change the sentence using “given the third degree”

    “They questioned me again and again during the interview.”

    Answer

    I was given the third degree during the interview.

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  • Under the Microscope

    🗓️ Idiom: Under the Microscope (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be examined very closely.
    • To have your actions, answers or performance watched in great detail.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the panel interview, every answer felt under the microscope.
    • The company’s results were under the microscope after the poor sales quarter.
    • She knew her skills would be under the microscope during the technical test.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the scientific tool used to look at very small details. When something is “under the microscope,” it is studied carefully. The phrase later became a metaphor for moments when people feel closely examined or judged.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the interview, my problem-solving skills were __________ as they watched every step.

    Answer

    under the microscope

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “under the microscope” mean?
    a) Being examined very closely
    b) Being given more time to think
    c) Being allowed to skip questions

    Answer

    a) Being examined very closely

    3. Change the sentence using “under the microscope”

    “They checked every detail of my answers during the interview.”

    Answer

    My answers were under the microscope during the interview.

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  • Put on the Spot

    🗓️ Idiom: Put on the Spot (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be asked a question or given a task suddenly, without time to prepare.
    • To feel pressure because you must respond immediately.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the interview, I was put on the spot when they asked me to solve a problem quickly.
    • She felt put on the spot when the panel asked her to talk about her weaknesses.
    • The manager was put on the spot when the team requested an immediate decision.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from theatre and public speaking. When someone was placed “on the spot,” they stood in a bright spotlight where everyone watched them closely. The phrase began to describe any situation where a person faces sudden pressure to respond.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the interview, I was __________ when they asked me an unexpected question.

    Answer

    put on the spot

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “put on the spot” mean?
    a) To be asked something suddenly without preparation
    b) To have extra time to think
    c) To finish the interview early

    Answer

    a) To be asked something suddenly without preparation

    3. Change the sentence using “put on the spot”

    “I felt stressed when they suddenly asked me to explain my biggest mistake.”

    Answer

    I was put on the spot when they suddenly asked me to explain my biggest mistake.

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  • Being Grilled

    🗓️ Idiom: Being Grilled (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be asked many difficult or detailed questions.
    • To feel pressure because someone wants clear and honest answers.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Many candidates worry about being grilled by a strict interviewer.
    • The manager was grilled during the meeting when the team wanted an explanation.
    • She felt she was being grilled when the panel kept asking follow-up questions.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the idea of grilling food over high heat. Over time, people began using “grilled” to describe situations where someone faces intense questioning that feels uncomfortable, similar to being under strong heat. It is now commonly used in business, interviews and meetings.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the job interview, I was __________ about my past experience.

    Answer

    being grilled

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “being grilled” mean?
    a) Being asked many difficult questions
    b) Being offered a promotion
    c) Being given more time to prepare

    Answer

    a) Being asked many difficult questions

    3. Change the sentence using “being grilled”

    “They asked me one challenging question after another during the interview.”

    Answer

    I was being grilled during the interview.

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