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Bite Sized Business English

Author: Teacher Rob

  • In the Hot Seat

    🗓️ Idiom: In the Hot Seat (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be in a position where you must answer difficult questions or face pressure.
    • To feel under stress because others are watching or judging your performance.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Many candidates feel in the hot seat when the interviewer asks unexpected questions.
    • The manager was in the hot seat during the meeting when the board demanded answers.
    • She knew she would be in the hot seat as soon as the panel interview began.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea of sitting in a place where someone faces strong attention or pressure. In the past, it was linked to the idea of being questioned intensely, similar to being in a very hot or uncomfortable chair. It became a common expression for any stressful situation where someone must respond or perform.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the interview, I felt like I was __________ when they asked me to explain my biggest mistake.

    Answer

    in the hot seat

    2. Multiple choice

    When is someone “in the hot seat”?
    a) When they are relaxing at home
    b) When they must answer tough questions
    c) When they are taking a lunch break

    Answer

    b) When they must answer tough questions

    3. Change the sentence using “in the hot seat”

    “I was under pressure when the panel asked me difficult questions.”

    Answer

    I was in the hot seat when the panel asked me difficult questions.

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  • Have Butterflies in Your Stomach

    🗓️ Idiom: Have Butterflies in Your Stomach (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To feel nervous before something important.
    • A light, shaky feeling caused by stress or excitement.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Many candidates have butterflies in their stomach before a big job interview.
    • She always has butterflies in her stomach when speaking to a panel.
    • He prepared well, but he still had butterflies in his stomach before meeting the hiring manager.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the idea that strong nerves or excitement can make your stomach feel light or fluttery. People began comparing this feeling to small butterflies moving inside the stomach, and the expression became common in English in the early twentieth century.

    1. Fill in the blank

    Before the interview started, I had __________ because I wanted to do well.

    Answer

    butterflies in my stomach

    2. Multiple choice

    Which situation best shows someone having butterflies in their stomach?
    a) Feeling excited and nervous before a job interview
    b) Feeling bored during a long meeting
    c) Feeling confused about a new schedule

    Answer

    a) Feeling excited and nervous before a job interview

    3. Change the sentence using “have butterflies in your stomach”

    “I felt very nervous as I waited for the interview to begin.”

    Answer

    I had butterflies in my stomach as I waited for the interview to begin.

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  • To Move On

    🗓️ Idiom: To Move On (phrasal verb)

    💬 Meaning

    • To stop focusing on a past conflict or problem.
    • To continue forward instead of staying stuck in disagreement or negative feelings.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After discussing the issue, both managers agreed to move on and focus on the upcoming project.
    • The customer was still upset, but the support agent encouraged them to move on after the refund was processed.
    • Once the team resolved the misunderstanding, everyone decided to move on and rebuild trust.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase “move on” comes from the simple idea of physically moving forward and away from something. It now means moving past something emotionally or mentally after a problem or conflict. It is now commonly used in workplaces to encourage closure and a fresh start.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The disagreement was finally settled, and both sides agreed to __________ and start fresh.

    Answer

    move on

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    To “move on” means to:
    a) Restart the argument
    b) Stay upset about the issue
    c) Leave the problem behind and continue forward

    Answer

    c) Leave the problem behind and continue forward

    3. Change the sentence using “move on”:
    “They decided to stop focusing on the old complaint and look ahead.”

    Answer

    They decided to move on and look ahead.

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  • Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

    🗓️ Idiom: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (V+Ph)

    💬 Meaning

    • To avoid restarting an old argument or problem.
    • To leave a situation alone because doing anything may cause trouble.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The manager chose to let sleeping dogs lie and didn’t reopen last month’s conflict between the teams.
    • The customer finally stopped complaining, so the support agent decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up the issue again.
    • HR advised them to let sleeping dogs lie rather than revisit the disagreement from last year.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom dates back to the Middle Ages. People believed that disturbing a sleeping dog could be dangerous because the dog might wake up suddenly and attack. Over time, the phrase became a metaphor for avoiding old problems that could “bite” if brought up again.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The argument had finally ended, so everyone agreed it was best to __________ and move on.

    Answer

    let sleeping dogs lie

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If you “let sleeping dogs lie,” you:
    a) Start a new conflict
    b) Avoid reopening an old problem
    c) Demand a full explanation

    Answer

    b) Avoid reopening an old problem

    3. Change the sentence using “let sleeping dogs lie”:
    “He decided not to bring up the old complaint again.”

    Answer

    He decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

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  • To Patch Things up

    🗓️ Idiom: To Patch Things Up (v phrase)

    💬 Meaning

    • To fix a disagreement or repair a damaged relationship.
    • To solve a problem between people so they can get along again.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After their argument about the project deadline, the two colleagues met privately to patch things up.
    • The customer was upset, but the support agent managed to patch things up by offering a clear solution.
    • HR encouraged both sides to talk openly so they could patch things up before the next meeting.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea of patching torn fabric by sewing a piece over the damaged area. The phrase became a way to describe repairing emotional or social “damage” between people, especially after a conflict.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    After the disagreement, they set up a quick meeting to __________ before the client presentation.

    Answer

    patch things up

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two coworkers “patch things up,” they:
    a) Make the conflict worse
    b) Avoid speaking to each other
    c) Repair their relationship

    Answer

    c) Repair their relationship

    3. Change the sentence using “patch things up”:
    “They decided to fix their disagreement before working together again.”

    Answer

    They decided to patch things up before working together again.

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  • Shake Hands and Make Up

    🗓️ Idiom: Shake Hands and Make Up (verb phrase)

    💬 Meaning

    • To end an argument and become friendly again.
    • To agree to forgive each other after a conflict.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After the tense meeting, the two managers decided to shake hands and make up.
    • The teammates shook hands and made up so they could focus on the deadline.
    • HR helped both sides talk through the issue so they could shake hands and make up.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from the long-standing tradition of shaking hands as a sign of peace, agreement, or trust. When people “make up,” they end a disagreement. The two ideas were combined to describe formally settling a conflict and restoring good relations.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    After arguing all morning, they finally agreed to __________ and continue the project.

    Answer

    shake hands and make up

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two colleagues “shake hands and make up,” they:
    a) Start a new argument
    b) Decide to end the conflict
    c) Ignore each other completely

    Answer

    b) Decide to end the conflict

    3. Change the sentence using “shake hands and make up”:
    “Both sides agreed to stop fighting and work together again.”

    Answer

    Both sides agreed to shake hands and make up.

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  • Let Bygones Be Bygones

    🗓️ Idiom: Let Bygones Be Bygones (verb phrase)

    💬 Meaning

    • To stop thinking about past problems and forgive someone.
    • To agree to move forward without anger or blame.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After their argument, they agreed to let bygones be bygones and focus on the project.
    • The two departments finally decided to let bygones be bygones and work together again.
    • It is easier to solve conflicts when both sides choose to let bygones be bygones.

    🏛️ Origin

    This expression comes from old English, where “bygones” meant “things that have passed.” The idea is that past events should stay in the past. Over time, it became a common phrase for forgiving mistakes and moving forward.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    After weeks of tension, both teams agreed to __________ and restart their cooperation.

    Answer

    let bygones be bygones

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two managers “let bygones be bygones,” they:
    a) Bring up old problems again
    b) Forgive past issues and move on
    c) Refuse to resolve the conflict

    Answer

    b) Forgive past issues and move on

    3. Change the sentence using “let bygones be bygones”:
    “They forgot the past argument and decided to work together again.”

    Answer

    They let bygones be bygones and worked together again.

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  • Call a Truce

    🗓️ Idiom: Call a Truce (V)

    💬 Meaning

    • To agree to stop arguing or fighting.
    • To pause a conflict so both sides can calm down or work together.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After a long meeting filled with disagreements, both departments decided to call a truce and revisit the issue the next day.
    • The customer was frustrated, so the manager suggested they call a truce and review the problem step by step.
    • The two colleagues finally agreed to call a truce so they could focus on finishing the project.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from old military language, where a “truce” was a temporary stop in fighting between two armies. It became a common expression for stopping any type of conflict, especially arguments between people.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    Both sides were exhausted from arguing, so they agreed to __________ and continue later.

    Answer

    call a truce

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two coworkers “call a truce,” they:
    a) Start a new argument
    b) Agree to stop fighting
    c) Make the conflict worse

    Answer

    b) Agree to stop fighting

    3. Change the sentence using “call a truce”:
    “The customer and support agent decided to stop arguing and talk calmly.”

    Answer

    The customer and support agent decided to call a truce and talk calmly.

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  • Bury the Hatchet

    🗓️ Idiom: Bury the Hatchet (V)

    💬 Meaning

    • To make peace with someone after a disagreement or conflict.
    • To end an argument and agree to move forward positively.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After weeks of tension, the two team leaders decided to bury the hatchet and work together on the new project.
    • The customer was upset at first, but once the issue was resolved, both sides were able to bury the hatchet.
    • HR encouraged the colleagues to bury the hatchet so they could focus on improving the workflow.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from a Native American tradition where tribes would literally bury weapons, such as hatchets or axes, as a symbol of ending a conflict. Over time, it became a figurative expression meaning to stop fighting and restore peace between people.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    After their heated argument, both managers agreed to __________ and restart the discussion calmly.

    Answer

    bury the hatchet

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    To “bury the hatchet” means to:
    a) Start a new conflict
    b) Ignore the problem completely
    c) Make peace and end the argument

    Answer

    c) Make peace and end the argument

    3. Change the sentence using “bury the hatchet”:
    “The two colleagues finally decided to stop arguing and work together again.”

    Answer

    The two colleagues finally decided to bury the hatchet and work together again.

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  • Stuck In a Rut

    🗓️ Idiom: Stuck In a Rut (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • Stuck in a routine that feels boring, unproductive, or difficult to change.
    • Continuing the same habits or behaviour even though they are not helping.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The team was stuck in a rut, using the same conflict-filled communication patterns that never solved anything.
    • After weeks of tense meetings, both managers felt stuck in a rut and couldn’t find a new way to resolve their disagreements.
    • Our department is stuck in a rut, repeating the same arguments instead of trying fresh solutions.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from wagon wheels getting stuck in deep tracks, or “ruts,” in the ground. Once the wheels were stuck, it was very hard to change direction. Over time, the phrase came to describe people or teams who feel trapped in repetitive or unhelpful behaviour.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The two colleagues were stuck __________, repeating the same argument every week.

    Answer

    in a rut

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If a team is “stuck in a rut,” it means they are:
    a) Trying many new ideas
    b) Stuck in the same unhelpful pattern
    c) Working faster than usual

    Answer

    b) Stuck in the same unhelpful pattern

    3. Change the sentence using “in a rut”:
    “The department keeps handling conflicts the same way, even though it never works.”

    Answer

    The department is stuck in a rut, handling conflicts the same way even though it never works.

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