idioms
Idioms & Natural Expressions
Fixed expressions and idiomatic language to sound more natural and precise.
30 minC1c1idiomswork-ambition-successambitioncareersuccess
Lesson objectives
- Use idiomatic language connected to work, ambition & success more naturally.
- Distinguish neutral, formal and contemporary expressions.
- Recognise when an expression improves fluency without sounding forced.
Idioms & expressions — Work, Ambition & Success
To hit the ground running · neutral
neutralMeaning:To start a new project or job with great energy and immediate success.
Significado:Empezar algo con mucha energía y de forma inmediata.
Example:As soon as she joined the leadership team, she hit the ground running and redesigned our entire workflow.
To climb the corporate ladder · neutral
neutralMeaning:To advance within a company to higher levels of authority.
Significado:Ascender en la escala jerárquica de una empresa.
Example:He has spent the last decade climbing the corporate ladder, aiming for a C-suite position.
To go the extra mile · neutral
neutralMeaning:To do more than what is expected of you in order to achieve success.
Significado:Dar el máximo esfuerzo o hacer más de lo estrictamente necesario.
Example:If you want to be considered for the promotion, you really need to go the extra mile on this project.
To cut corners · neutral
neutralMeaning:To do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.
Significado:Tomar atajos o escatimar esfuerzos/recursos, a menudo comprometiendo la calidad.
Example:We cannot afford to cut corners on the security protocols if we want to maintain client trust.
To be at a crossroads · formal
formalMeaning:To be at a point where a crucial decision must be made that will affect the future.
Significado:Estar en una encrucijada o punto decisivo.
Example:After five years of freelancing, she is at a crossroads: expand her agency or return to a corporate role.
To pull out all the stops · neutral
neutralMeaning:To make every possible effort to make something successful.
Significado:Hacer todo lo posible o emplear todos los recursos para lograr algo.
Example:The marketing team pulled out all the stops to ensure the product launch went viral.
To be in the loop · informal
formalMeaning:To be informed about what is happening within a specific group or project.
Significado:Estar al tanto o informado de lo que sucede.
Example:Please make sure to CC me on all emails so that I stay in the loop regarding the budget changes.
To lean into the friction · formal
formalMeaning:To embrace challenges or difficult situations as opportunities for growth or innovation (Contemporary).
Significado:Aceptar y trabajar con los desafíos o conflictos para generar crecimiento (Contemporáneo).
Example:Instead of avoiding the team's disagreements, the manager decided to lean into the friction to spark new ideas.
Quietly scaling · neutral
neutralMeaning:To grow a business or career steadily and efficiently without excessive public noise or hype (Contemporary).
Significado:Crecer de forma constante y eficiente sin buscar el ruido mediático o el hype (Contemporáneo).
Example:While competitors focus on flashy marketing, they are quietly scaling their operations through automation.
To optimize for output · neutral
neutralMeaning:To focus strictly on productivity and results rather than hours spent working (Contemporary/Digital Culture).
Significado:Priorizar la productividad y los resultados sobre el tiempo de trabajo (Contemporáneo).
Example:In our new remote-first culture, we don't track hours; we simply optimize for output.