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Category: idioms

  • Hit a Brick Wall

    🗓️ Idiom: Hit a Brick Wall

    💬 Meaning

    • To suddenly stop making progress.
    • It means facing a barrier or problem that’s difficult to overcome.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • We hit a brick wall when trying to reduce shipping times without extra costs.
    • The negotiations hit a brick wall over the delivery terms.
    • Our expansion plans hit a brick wall due to new regulations.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom refers to the experience of physically running into a solid wall, which stops you immediately. In business, it describes situations where efforts or progress suddenly stop because of a major obstacle.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Our plan to open a second warehouse __________ when the city denied the building permit.

    Answer

    hit a brick wall

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “hit a brick wall”:

    A) To make fast progress
    B) To face a major obstacle
    C) To take a break
    D) To build something new

    Answer

    B) To face a major obstacle

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “We couldn’t continue the project because of a serious problem.” → Change the sentence using: hit a brick wall

    Answer

    We couldn’t continue the project because we hit a brick wall.

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  • Hit a Snag

    🗓️ Idiom: Hit a Snag

    💬 Meaning

    • To face an unexpected problem or delay.
    • It means something is stopping or slowing progress temporarily.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The shipment hit a snag when customs held it for inspection.
    • We hit a snag in the delivery process due to a system error.
    • Everything was going well until we hit a snag with the transport permits.

    🏛️ Origin

    Originally, a “snag” referred to a tree stump or hidden obstacle in a river that could stop a boat. Over time, the idiom came to mean any unexpected problem or delay in progress, including in business or logistics.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The supply chain project __________ when one of the main suppliers went out of business.

    Answer

    hit a snag

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “hit a snag”:

    A) To finish early
    B) To face an unexpected problem
    C) To change direction
    D) To save money

    Answer

    B) To face an unexpected problem

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “We had an unexpected delay in the middle of the delivery process.” → Change the sentence using: hit a snag

    Answer

    We hit a snag in the middle of the delivery process.

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  • In the Pipeline

    🗓️ Idiom: In the Pipeline (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • Something that is being planned, prepared, or developed and will happen or be available soon.
    • Something that is already in progress and expected to be completed.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • We have several exciting new products in the pipeline for next year.
    • The merger deal has been in the pipeline for months and is finally close to completion.
    • Our team has a lot of projects in the pipeline, so we’re always busy.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the image of a pipeline, like those used for oil or water, where something is flowing through it and is on its way to a destination. It means something is in a process of development or transmission, moving towards its intended outcome or release.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The new software update has been __________ for a while and should be released next month.

    Answer

    in the pipeline

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “in the pipeline”:

    A) Finished and delivered

    B) Being planned or developed

    C) Stored away for later

    Answer

    B) Being planned or developed

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The company is currently developing a new marketing campaign.” → Change the sentence using: put the wheels in motion

    Answer

    The company has a new marketing campaign in the pipeline.

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  • On Track

    🗓️ Idiom: On Track

    💬 Meaning

    • To be making progress as planned.
    • It means things are going in the right direction or on schedule.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The project is on track to finish by the end of the month exactly as planned.
    • After fixing the delay, the shipping schedule is back on track.
    • We’re on track to meet our quarterly targets.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the railway industry, where being “on track” meant a train was running on its intended path. In business, it now means a plan or process is moving forward as expected.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The new supply chain system is __________ and should be completed on time.

    Answer

    on track

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “on track”:

    A) To be lost or confused
    B) To be making progress as planned
    C) To go off course
    D) To cancel the plan

    Answer

    B) To be making progress as planned

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “Everything is going as expected with the delivery plan.” → Change the sentence using: on track

    Answer

    The delivery plan is on track.

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  • Full Steam Ahead

    🗓️ Idiom: Full Steam Ahead

    💬 Meaning

    • To move forward with energy and determination.
    • It means starting or continuing something with maximum effort and speed.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After the delay, the logistics team went full steam ahead with the new delivery schedule.
    • The manager gave the green light, so it’s full steam ahead on the new warehouse system.
    • We have secured funding. Now it’s full steam ahead for the expansion project.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the days of steam-powered ships and trains. When an engine was working at full power, it was said to be going “full steam ahead,” meaning maximum speed. Today, it is used in business to show strong progress or commitment.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Now that all the parts have arrived, it’s __________ on the production line.

    Answer

    full steam ahead

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “full steam ahead”:

    A) To cancel a project
    B) To slow down progress
    C) To move forward with full energy and speed
    D) To wait for instructions

    Answer

    C) To move forward with full energy and speed

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The team is continuing the project quickly and with great effort.” → Change the sentence using: full steam ahead

    Answer

    The team is going full steam ahead with the project.

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  • Put the Wheels in Motion

    🗓️ Idiom: Put the Wheels in Motion (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To start a process or series of events.
    • To begin taking actions that will lead to a result.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • We signed the supplier contract and put the wheels in motion for the new distribution plan.
    • Once the funding was approved, they quickly put the wheels in motion to upgrade the warehouse.
    • Her presentation put the wheels in motion for a complete change in the supply chain strategy.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the image of starting a vehicle or machine, where the wheels begin turning when something is set in motion. In business, it refers to starting any planned process or initiative.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The logistics manager __________ the wheels in motion for the new delivery system.

    Answer

    put

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “put the wheels in motion”:

    A) Delay a process
    B) Begin a process
    C) Stop a plan

    Answer

    B) Begin a process

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The director started the company’s new logistics strategy.” → Change the sentence using: put the wheels in motion

    Answer

    The director put the wheels in motion for the company’s new logistics strategy.

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  • Get the Ball Rolling

    🗓️ Idiom: Get the Ball Rolling (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To start something, especially a process or project.
    • To take the first step toward beginning an activity or plan.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • We need to get the ball rolling on this shipment before the end of the day.
    • The logistics team got the ball rolling by confirming the delivery schedule.
    • Once we get the ball rolling with the supplier, the rest of the process will move quickly.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from sports like croquet or bowling, where the action begins by setting a ball in motion. In business, it means starting something so others can continue it.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    We need someone to __________ the ball rolling on this new delivery route.

    Answer

    get

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “get the ball rolling”:

    A) To stop a project
    B) To begin a task or activity
    C) To take a break

    Answer

    B) To begin a task or activity

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “We need to begin the distribution planning immediately.”
    → Change the sentence using: get the ball rolling

    Answer

    We need to get the ball rolling on the distribution planning immediately.

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  • All Systems Go

    🗓️ Idiom: All Systems Go (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • Everything is ready and functioning correctly for a plan or project to begin.
    • There are no delays, and all parts or people are prepared to move forward.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After weeks of preparation, it’s finally all systems go for the product launch.
    • The team confirmed that it’s all systems go for tomorrow’s conference.
    • Once the final budget was approved, it was all systems go on the expansion plan.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from space and aviation testing, where systems are checked before a launch. If all systems are working correctly, the launch is allowed to proceed. It’s now used more generally in business and life.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Now that the client has signed the contract, it’s __________.

    Answer

    all systems go

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “all systems go”:

    A) Something has gone wrong
    B) Everything is ready to begin
    C) Only part of the plan is ready

    Answer

    B) Everything is ready to begin

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “The team has prepared everything and is ready to start.”
    → Change the sentence using: all systems go

    Answer

    It’s all systems go for the team.

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  • Tie Up Loose Ends

    🗓️ Idiom: Tie Up Loose Ends (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To complete any unfinished tasks or solve any small remaining issues.
    • Often used before finishing a project, deal, or event to ensure everything is properly handled.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Before we launch the new product, we still need to tie up a few loose ends.
    • She stayed late at the office to tie up all the loose ends before the meeting.
    • We’ve handled the major parts of the deal—now let’s tie up the loose ends.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom likely comes from sailing or textile work, where “loose ends” (unsecured ropes or threads) need to be tied or finished to prevent problems. It was later used more generally to describe finishing off details in any task.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Before closing the project, the manager asked the team to __________.

    Answer

    tie up loose ends

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “tie up loose ends”:

    A) To create more tasks
    B) To finish small remaining tasks or issues
    C) To start something new

    Answer

    B) To finish small remaining tasks or issues

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “We need to complete the final little details before the report is ready.”
    → Change the sentence using: tie up loose ends

    Answer

    We need to tie up loose ends before the report is ready.

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  • Iron Out the Wrinkles

    🗓️ Idiom: Iron Out the Wrinkles (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To solve small problems or remove difficulties in a process.
    • It’s often used when refining a plan, agreement, or system to make everything run smoothly.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • We still need to iron out the wrinkles in the new shipping process before launch.
    • The teams met to iron out the wrinkles in the supplier contract.
    • Let’s iron out the wrinkles now so we don’t face issues during delivery.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from ironing clothes to make them smooth. In business, “wrinkles” represent small issues or complications that need to be smoothed out to improve performance or efficiency.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Before going live, the project manager scheduled a meeting to __________.

    Answer

    iron out the wrinkles

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “iron out the wrinkles”:

    A) To stop a project from moving forward
    B) To fix minor issues or improve a process
    C) To cancel a decision

    Answer

    B) To fix minor issues or improve a process

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “We need to solve the small problems in our distribution plan.”
    → Change the sentence using: iron out the wrinkles

    Answer

    We need to iron out the wrinkles in our distribution plan.

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