Business English listening

Video IDIOM B2 12 min

Give it your best shot

You are not sure you can answer every interview question, but you have prepared carefully and intend to do your best. How can you describe that effort?

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Video IDIOM B2 12 min

Go hand in hand

A growing shop receives more orders, but it also needs more customer support. The two changes repeatedly appear together. How can you describe their connection?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Go off the rails

A previously reliable manager starts hiding expenses, ignoring every warning, and breaking company rules. How can you describe this serious change in behaviour?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Go to your head

A colleague wins one award and immediately starts acting as if nobody else's advice matters. What can you say about the effect of that success?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Go with the flow

Your friends change the plan several times, but none of the options matters much to you. You decide to accept their choice and enjoy the day. What are you doing?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Grey area

A company policy explains business travel but says nothing about combining a work trip with one personal day. The rule is not clearly allowed or forbidden. What is this situation?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Hand in your notice

You have accepted another job, but your contract requires four more weeks of work. What do you give your employer to formally begin the leaving process?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Hands full

You are caring for a sick child while finishing two urgent reports. A colleague asks whether you can lead another project. How can you explain that you are already too busy?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Have a word

A mistake in a report needs discussing, but you do not want to raise it in front of the whole team. How can you ask the writer for a short private conversation?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Head start

You receive the reading list a month before everyone else and finish two books before the course begins. What kind of advantage do you have?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Hit and miss

A bus arrives exactly on time some mornings and twenty minutes late on others. You cannot plan around it with confidence. How can you describe the service?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

In one go

A report usually takes you three short sessions, but today you read the entire document without stopping. How can you describe completing it as one continuous action?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

In the loop

A project changes while you are away, but your colleague sends every update. Which phrase shows that you remain informed and included?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

In the running

Three candidates remain after the final interview, and any one of them could get the job. How can you describe their continuing chance?

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Video IDIOM B2 12 min

In your element

Your quiet friend becomes lively and confident while organising a complex event. Which phrase shows that this activity suits her perfectly?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

It goes without saying

Everyone understands that a borrowed camera must be returned safely, but you still want to emphasise it politely. Which expression introduces that obvious expectation?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Jump the gun

A company announces a product before the final safety test is complete. Which idiom criticises acting before the right moment?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Keep an eye out

Your parcel could arrive at any moment while you are in another room. What can you ask a friend to do?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Might as well

The bus will not arrive for an hour, and walking takes twenty minutes. How can you casually suggest the most logical choice?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

On the same page

Before work begins, everyone agrees about the goal, deadline, and responsibilities. Which phrase describes that shared understanding?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

One-off

A company pays a special bonus this month but will not repeat it. Which British English expression shows that the payment happens only once?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Play safe

Traffic is unpredictable, so you take an earlier train to avoid missing your flight. Which expression describes this cautious choice?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Singing your praises

Have you ever chosen a course because several people could not stop talking about how good the teacher was?

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IDIOM B2 12 min

Take advantage of

Using a free course is sensible, but using a helpful colleague unfairly is not. How can one expression describe both situations?

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