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Author: Teacher Rob

  • Sugarcoat Something

    🗓️ Idiom: Sugarcoat Something (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To make something unpleasant sound nicer or less serious.
    • To say bad news in a softer or more polite way.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The manager tried to sugarcoat the news about the job cuts, but everyone knew what was happening.
    • The customer didn’t want the staff to sugarcoat the problem, she just wanted an honest answer.
    • When giving feedback, it’s better not to sugarcoat something too much, or the person won’t learn.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the practice of taking medicine with sugar to make it taste better. There is a famous song, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”. Now it means to make something sound not as bad as it actually is.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The supervisor tried to ________ the report, but the client could still see there were delays.

    Answer

    sugarcoat

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    What does “sugarcoat something” mean?
    a) Make something more complicated than it is.
    b) Make unpleasant news sound nicer.
    c) Ignore a problem completely.

    Answer

    b) Make unpleasant news sound nicer.

    3. Change the sentence using “sugarcoat something”:
    “HR tried to make the bad news sound less harsh.”

    Answer

    HR tried to sugarcoat the bad news.

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  • Tiptoe Around Something or Someone

    🗓️ Idiom: Tiptoe Around Something or Someone (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To avoid directly addressing a problem or sensitive issue.
    • To be careful with your words or actions to prevent upsetting someone.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The team kept tiptoeing around the issue of staff complaints during the meeting.
    • Customer service staff often have to tiptoe around angry customers to keep the situation calm.
    • Instead of tiptoeing around the problem, the manager should discuss it openly.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the action of walking quietly on your toes to avoid making noise. By the early 1900s, it began to be used figuratively for avoiding direct discussion of sensitive topics — similar to walking carefully to prevent trouble.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The HR manager didn’t want to upset anyone, so she _______ the subject of employee complaints.

    Answer

    tiptoed around

    2. Multiple choice:
    To “tiptoe around” something means:
    a) To talk directly and clearly about a problem
    b) To avoid or handle an issue very carefully
    c) To make a formal complaint

    Answer

    b) To avoid or handle an issue very carefully

    3. Change the sentence using “tiptoe around”:
    “The customer service team avoided mentioning the delay to keep the client calm.”

    Answer

    The customer service team tiptoed around the delay to keep the client calm.

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  • Walk on Eggshells

    🗓️ Idiom: Walk on Eggshells (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be very careful about what you say or do to avoid upsetting someone.
    • To act cautiously around a sensitive person or situation.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Since the manager started receiving complaints, everyone has been walking on eggshells around him.
    • The customer was so angry that the support team had to walk on eggshells during the call.
    • After the project failed, the team walked on eggshells in meetings to avoid more conflict.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase “walk on eggshells” dates back to the 1800s. It describes how fragile eggshells break easily, just as certain situations or people require delicate handling. Over time, it became a common idiom for being cautious in speech or behaviour.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The staff had to _______ around the client after he complained about the delay.

    Answer

    walk on eggshells

    2. Multiple choice:
    To “walk on eggshells” means:
    a) To act carefully to avoid upsetting someone
    b) To take a strong stand and argue a point
    c) To make a formal complaint about a problem

    Answer

    a) To act carefully to avoid upsetting someone

    3. Change the sentence using “walk on eggshells”:
    “Everyone is extremely careful when they talk to the boss after any customer complaints.”

    Answer

    Everyone walks on eggshells when they talk to the boss after any customer complaints.

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  • Cry Over Spilled Milk

    🗓️ Idiom: Cry Over Spilled Milk (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
    • To complain or worry about a past mistake instead of moving on.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • There’s no use crying over spilled milk. The report is already submitted.
    • He kept complaining about the lost client, but it was just crying over spilled milk.
    • Instead of crying over spilled milk, let’s focus on fixing the next project.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom dates back to the 1600s and originally appeared as “no weeping for shed milk.” It refers to the idea that once milk is spilled, it cannot be recovered, so there’s no point in regretting it. Eventually, it became a common English expression for accepting mistakes calmly.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    We missed the deadline, but there’s no point _______ now.

    Answer

    crying over spilled milk

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does “cry over spilled milk” mean?
    a) To try to fix a mistake
    b) To be upset about something that can’t be changed
    c) To argue about something unimportant

    Answer

    b) To be upset about something that can’t be changed

    3. Change the sentence using “cry over spilled milk”:
    “He keeps complaining about the meeting that went badly last week.”

    Answer

    He keeps complaining about the meeting that went badly last week. He is crying over spilt milk.

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  • Kick Up a Fuss

    🗓️ Idiom: Kick Up a Fuss (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To complain loudly or show strong dissatisfaction about something.
    • To make a lot of noise or trouble because you are unhappy with a situation.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The customer kicked up a fuss when her delivery was late.
    • He kicked up a fuss about the new office rules.
    • There’s no need to kick up a fuss over such a small mistake.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the old English word fuss, meaning unnecessary excitement or noise. The phrase “kick up a fuss” first appeared in the 19th century and describes creating a disturbance or protest, much like kicking dust into the air.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    When the meeting was cancelled, several employees _______ about the short notice.

    Answer

    kicked up a fuss

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does “kick up a fuss” mean?
    a) To stay calm about a situation
    b) To complain or protest noisily
    c) To ignore a problem

    Answer

    b) To complain or protest noisily

    3. Change the sentence using “kick up a fuss”:
    “She protested strongly when she didn’t receive her bonus.”

    Answer

    She kicked up a fuss when she didn’t receive her bonus.

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  • Make a Scene

    🗓️ Idiom: Make a Scene (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To create a loud, noticeable, or dramatic reaction, often in public.
    • To express anger, frustration, or dissatisfaction in a way that draws attention.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The customer made a scene in the shop when her order was wrong.
    • He made a scene at the meeting because the budget wasn’t approved.
    • It’s better to stay calm than make a scene over a small issue.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from theatre language. A “scene” in a play is a part of the action. By the 1800s, people began using “make a scene” figuratively to describe dramatic behavior in real life — as if life were a stage.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    When the waiter made a mistake, she _______ and drew everyone’s attention.

    Answer

    made a scene

    2. Multiple choice:
    To “make a scene” means:
    a) To quietly explain a problem
    b) To create a dramatic or noisy reaction
    c) To ignore an issue

    Answer

    b) To create a dramatic or noisy reaction

    3. Change the sentence using “make a scene”:
    “She caused a big fuss in front of the team about the mistake.”

    Answer

    She made a scene in front of the team.

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  • Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

    🗓️ Idiom: Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To exaggerate a small problem or make it seem bigger than it really is.
    • To overreact to a minor issue.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill — it’s just a small delay in the project.
    • The client made a mountain out of a molehill when the report was one day late.
    • She tends to make a mountain out of a molehill whenever plans change slightly.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom dates back to the 1500s. It comes from the idea of turning something tiny, like a molehill made by a small animal, into something huge like a mountain. It was first used in English by the writer Nicholas Udall in 1548, to describe people who exaggerate small problems.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    It was just a small mistake, but he __________ and made everyone worry.

    Answer

    made a mountain out of a molehill

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If someone “makes a mountain out of a molehill,” they are:
    a) Solving a big problem
    b) Ignoring an issue
    c) Overreacting to something small

    Answer

    c) Overreacting to something small

    3. Change the sentence using “make a mountain out of a molehill”:
    “She exaggerated the importance of a tiny error in the report.”

    Answer

    She made a mountain out of a molehill about the tiny error in the report.

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  • Make a Point Of Something

    🗓️ Idiom: Make a Point (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To express an opinion clearly and with purpose.
    • To emphasize something important in a discussion.
    • To ensure others understand your argument or concern.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the meeting, she made a point about improving customer service.
    • He always makes a point of arriving early to show professionalism.
    • The manager made a point that communication must be more transparent.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom “make a point” dates back to the 18th century. The word “point” here means an argument or an idea. So, to “make a point” originally meant to state an argument clearly during a debate or conversation. Over time, it came to mean emphasizing something important or expressing your view strongly.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The HR director __________ of reminding staff about the new policy every week.

    Answer

    made a point

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    When someone “makes a point,” they are:
    a) Ignoring the discussion
    b) Emphasizing an important idea
    c) Changing the subject

    Answer

    b) Emphasizing an important idea

    3. Change the sentence using “make a point”:
    “He always tries to mention teamwork in his presentations.”

    Answer

    He always makes a point of mentioning teamwork in his presentations.

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  • Give Someone a Piece of Your Mind

    🗓️ Idiom: Give Someone a Piece of Your Mind (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To speak angrily to someone because you are upset or annoyed.
    • To strongly express your dissatisfaction or complaint about something.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • When the delivery was late again, she gave the company a piece of her mind.
    • He gave his manager a piece of his mind about the unrealistic workload.
    • The customer gave the staff a piece of her mind after waiting for over an hour.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom dates back to the 1500s. The phrase “give a piece of your mind” means to share your thoughts honestly and sharply, as if giving away a part of your thinking. It is often used when someone expresses anger or frustration directly.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    When the meeting was cancelled for the third time, she decided to _______.

    Answer

    give them a piece of her mind

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does “give a piece of your mind” mean?
    a) To calmly discuss an idea
    b) To tell someone off because you are angry
    c) To forget about a problem

    Answer

    b) To tell someone off because you are angry

    3. Change the sentence using “give a piece of your mind”:
    “He complained angrily to the team about their poor performance.”

    Answer

    He gave the team a piece of his mind about their poor performance.

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  • Put Your Foot Down

    🗓️ Idiom: Put Your Foot Down (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To take a firm stand or make a strong decision, especially when refusing something.
    • To show authority and say “no” clearly when you disagree or feel something is unfair.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The manager finally put her foot down when employees kept missing deadlines.
    • I had to put my foot down and tell the supplier that late deliveries were unacceptable.
    • When the complaints continued, the team leader put his foot down and set clear rules.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom likely comes from the image of stopping something firmly by putting your foot on the ground. It became popular in the 19th century to describe people showing determination or authority — like pressing a foot down to stop motion or make something final.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    After weeks of delays, the client decided to _______ and demand results.

    Answer

    put their foot down

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does it mean to “put your foot down”?
    a) To stay quiet about a problem
    b) To take a firm stand and refuse something
    c) To agree with everyone else

    Answer

    b) To take a firm stand and refuse something

    3. Change the sentence using “put your foot down”:
    “The manager finally refused to accept more last-minute changes.”

    Answer

    The manager finally put her foot down and and refused to accept more last-minute changes.

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