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  • Bring (something) to the Table

    🗓️ Idiom: Bring (something) to the Table (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To offer something useful, such as skills, ideas, or resources, during a discussion or negotiation.
    • To contribute value or input that can influence the outcome of a meeting or deal.
    • The skills and experience that someone is able to bring to a situation.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • She brings a lot of experience and insight to the table during contract discussions.
    • What exactly are you bringing to the table in this partnership?
    • The consultant brought new strategies to the table that helped close the deal.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase likely originates from formal meetings or negotiations where participants would literally gather around a table to present their ideas or offers. “Bring to the table” has since become a saying for contributing value in any professional context.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    During the negotiation, he __________ several creative marketing ideas to the table.

    Answer

    brought

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “bring to the table”:

    A) To delay a decision
    B) To offer something valuable or useful
    C) To remove an option from discussion

    Answer

    B) To offer something valuable or useful

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “She contributed a great deal of expertise during the budget meeting.” → Change the sentence using: bring to the table

    Answer

    She brought a great deal of expertise to the table during the budget meeting.

    ℹ️ Other Useful Pages

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  • Keep Your Cards Close to Your Chest

    🗓️ Idiom: Keep Your Cards Close to Your Chest (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be very secretive or cautious about your thoughts, plans, or strategies.
    • To avoid revealing information, especially in a negotiation or competitive situation.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the negotiation, the manager kept her cards close to her chest and didn’t reveal the budget limit.
    • It’s smart to keep your cards close to your chest until you know the other side’s position.
    • He always keeps his cards close to his chest when discussing upcoming business moves.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from card games like poker, where players hold their cards close to their chest to avoid letting others see them. Over time, it became a saying for secrecy and strategic withholding of information, especially in business or negotiations.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    In the contract talks, she __________ her cards close to her chest to maintain leverage.

    Answer

    kept

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “keep your cards close to your chest”:

    A) To reveal all your plans early
    B) To keep your strategies private
    C) To lose control of a negotiation

    Answer

    B) To keep your strategies private

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “He didn’t share any of his negotiation tactics with the team during the negotiations.” → Change the sentence using: keep your cards close to your chest

    Answer

    He kept his cards close to his chest during the negotiations.

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  • Hand Over the Reins

    🗓️ Idiom: Hand Over the Reins (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To officially give someone control or responsibility, especially leadership or management of something.
    • To transfer power or decision-making authority to another person.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The founder handed over the reins to a younger CEO after two decades.
    • It was time to hand over the reins and let someone else lead the department.
    • She felt confident handing over the reins because her successor was well-prepared.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The outgoing manager __________ over the reins to his trusted assistant.

    Answer

    handed

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “hand over the reins”:

    A) To start a new project
    B) To take control from someone
    C) To give someone else leadership or control

    Answer

    C) To give someone else leadership or control

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “He gave control of the company to his daughter.” → Change the sentence using: hand over the reins

    Answer

    He handed over the reins to his daughter.

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  • Hands Are Tied

    🗓️ Idiom: Hands Are Tied (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be unable to act or help in a situation due to rules, limitations, or restrictions.
    • Often used in business when a person lacks authority or freedom to make a decision.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • I’d love to give you a refund, but my hands are tied by company policy.
    • The manager’s hands were tied until upper management approved the request.
    • We wanted to extend the deadline, but our hands were tied by the contract terms.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    I wish I could offer you a discount, but my __________ are tied.

    Answer

    hands

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “hands are tied”:

    A) Someone is physically restrained
    B) Someone is restricted from taking action
    C) Someone is offering a helping hand

    Answer

    B) Someone is restricted from taking action

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “I can’t help you because I don’t have permission from my supervisor.” → Change the sentence using: hands are tied

    Answer

    I can’t help you because my hands are tied.

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  • Steer the Ship

    🗓️ Idiom: Steer the Ship (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To lead or manage a team, project, or organization, especially through challenging times.
    • To be in control and make key decisions that influence direction and outcomes.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • As CEO, it’s her job to steer the ship during this economic downturn.
    • We need someone with vision and experience to steer the ship on this project.
    • He steered the ship through a major reorganization without losing team morale.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The manager had to __________ during the crisis to keep the company afloat.

    Answer

    steer the ship

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “steer the ship”:

    A) To operate a vehicle
    B) To lead and manage an organization or team
    C) To avoid making decisions

    Answer

    B) To lead and manage an organization or team

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “He took control of the company and led it through major changes.” → Change the sentence using: steer the ship

    Answer

    He steered the ship through major changes.

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  • Lead by Example

    🗓️ Idiom: Lead by Example (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To show others how to behave or act by doing it yourself first.
    • To demonstrate the standard you expect from others through your own actions.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Great managers don’t just give instructions. They lead by example.
    • If you want the team to be punctual, you need to lead by example.
    • She led by example by staying calm and focused during the crisis.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The most respected leaders don’t just give orders, they __________.

    Answer

    lead by example

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “lead by example”:

    A) To follow the crowd
    B) To set a standard through your own behavior
    C) To manage from a distance

    Answer

    B) To set a standard through your own behavior

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “He always demonstrates the behavior he expects from his employees.” → Change the sentence using: lead by example

    Answer

    He always leads by example.

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  • Be on the Same Page

    🗓️ Idiom: Be on the Same Page (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To agree or have a shared understanding about something.
    • To have the same information or viewpoint as others in a conversation or discussion.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Before we start the project, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.
    • The manager called a quick meeting to get everyone on the same page.
    • It’s hard to move forward if the team isn’t on the same page.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    We had a quick call to ensure we were __________ before the presentation.

    Answer

    on the same page

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “be on the same page”:

    A) To read the same book
    B) To agree or understand something in the same way
    C) To change the topic of conversation

    Answer

    B) To agree or understand something in the same way

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “We all understood the plan in the same way.” → Change the sentence using: be on the same page

    Answer

    We were all on the same page about the plan.

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  • Talk Shop

    🗓️ Idiom: Talk Shop (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To talk about work or business matters, especially in a social setting where it’s not appropriate.
    • To discuss job-related topics outside of a professional environment.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Even at the staff party, they couldn’t help but talk shop.
    • Let’s not talk shop during lunch — we all need a break from work.
    • The conference dinner was nice, but people started talking shop again by dessert.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Everyone was enjoying the evening until the managers started to __________.

    Answer

    talk shop

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “talk shop”:

    A) To open a new business
    B) To speak in a formal tone
    C) To talk about work, especially outside work hours

    Answer

    C) To talk about work, especially outside work hours

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “They spent the whole dinner discussing work.” → Change the sentence using: talk shop

    Answer

    They spent the whole dinner talking shop.

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  • Put Someone in the Picture

    🗓️ Idiom: Put Someone in the Picture (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To give someone all the necessary information about a situation.
    • To update someone so they understand what’s going on.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Before the meeting, I put the new team member in the picture about the project’s history.
    • Let me put you in the picture so you’re ready for tomorrow’s client call.
    • He wasn’t at the briefing, so someone needs to put him in the picture.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Can you __________ so I understand what’s happening with the presentation?

    Answer

    put me in the picture

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “put someone in the picture”:

    A) To criticize someone
    B) To update someone on a situation
    C) To draw a diagram

    Answer

    B) To update someone on a situation

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “I’ll explain everything to help you understand what’s going on.” → Change the sentence using: put someone in the picture

    Answer

    I’ll put you in the picture so you understand what’s going on.

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  • Hit the Nail on the Head

    🗓️ Idiom: Hit the Nail on the Head (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To describe a situation or problem exactly right.
    • To say something that is precisely correct or accurate.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • In her speech, she hit the nail on the head when explaining the team’s biggest challenge.
    • He hit the nail on the head with his comments about improving internal communication.
    • When she mentioned audience engagement, she really hit the nail on the head.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Her analysis of the issue was perfect. She really __________.

    Answer

    hit the nail on the head

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “hit the nail on the head”:

    A) To avoid making a decision
    B) To say something exactly right
    C) To begin a difficult task

    Answer

    B) To say something exactly right

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “Your summary of the situation was absolutely accurate.” → Change the sentence using: hit the nail on the head

    Answer

    You really hit the nail on the head with your summary of the situation.

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