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Category: business english idioms

  • A Lost Cause

    🗓️ Idiom: A Lost Cause (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • A situation with no chance of success.
    • Something that cannot be saved, fixed, or improved.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • He felt the interview was a lost cause after he answered the first question badly.
    • She kept trying to fix her résumé, but the old format was a lost cause.
    • The candidate thought the interview was a lost cause, but the company still called him back.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from older English and European expressions referring to causes or goals that could not succeed, no matter the effort. Today, it simply means something hopeless or impossible to improve.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    After missing the key question, Mark felt the interview was __________.

    Answer

    a lost cause

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “a lost cause” mean?
    a) Something that still has a good chance
    b) Something with no hope of success
    c) Something that is easy to fix

    Answer

    b) Something with no hope of success

    3. Change the sentence using “a lost cause”

    “She felt there was no chance of saving the interview.”

    Answer

    She felt the interview was a lost cause.

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  • A Bomb

    🗓️ Idiom: A Bomb (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • Something that fails completely.
    • A performance or situation that does not go well at all.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • His interview was a bomb because he could not answer the basic questions.
    • The presentation was a bomb after the speaker forgot the main points.
    • She felt her test was a bomb, but she tried to stay positive.

    🏛️ Origin

    Originally, “a bomb” was used in theatre to describe a show that failed. The idea spread to general English, and now it means anything that goes badly or is unsuccessful.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    Jason said his interview was __________ because he forgot to prepare.

    Answer

    a bomb

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “a bomb” mean?
    a) Something that is very successful
    b) Something that fails completely
    c) Something that surprises everyone

    Answer

    b) Something that fails completely

    3. Change the sentence using “a bomb”

    “The interview went very badly and was not successful.”

    Answer

    The interview was a bomb.

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  • A Train Wreck

    🗓️ Idiom: A Train Wreck (n)

    💬 Meaning

    • A situation that goes very badly.
    • An event or performance that is messy, confusing, or out of control.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • His interview was a train wreck because he did not prepare any answers.
    • The presentation became a train wreck when the slides stopped working.
    • She described her first job interview as a train wreck, but she learned from it.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the image of a real train crash, which is sudden, messy, and impossible to ignore. Over time, people started using it to describe any situation that goes very wrong.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    The interview turned into __________ after he froze on the first question.

    Answer

    a train wreck

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “a train wreck” mean?
    a) A well-prepared interview
    b) A situation that goes very badly
    c) A minor mistake

    Answer

    b) A situation that goes very badly

    3. Change the sentence using “a train wreck”

    “The interview went very badly from start to finish.”

    Answer

    The interview was a train wreck.

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  • Go in Blind

    🗓️ Idiom: Go In Blind (verb)

    💬 Meaning

    • To enter a situation without any information.
    • To do something without preparation or understanding what to expect.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • If you go in blind to an interview, you may struggle to answer basic questions.
    • She researched the company so she would not be going in blind.
    • He realised he was going in blind when he could not explain why he wanted the job.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from the idea of moving forward without being able to see. Over time, it became a common expression meaning to start a task or event without the necessary knowledge or preparation.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    You should read the company website so you are not __________ during the interview.

    Answer

    going in blind

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “going in blind” mean?
    a) Starting something without information or preparation
    b) Asking for help from a friend
    c) Practicing many times before a meeting

    Answer

    a) Starting something without information or preparation

    3. Change the sentence using “going in blind”

    “He entered the interview without knowing anything about the role.”

    Answer

    He went in blind to the interview.

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  • 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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