idioms
Idioms & Natural Expressions
Fixed expressions and idiomatic language to sound more natural and precise.
30 minC1c1idiomscorruption-transparency-accountabilitycorrupcióntransparenciarendición de cuentas
Lesson objectives
- Use idiomatic language connected to corruption, transparency & accountability more naturally.
- Distinguish neutral, formal and contemporary expressions.
- Recognise when an expression improves fluency without sounding forced.
Idioms & expressions — Corruption, Transparency & Accountability
To pull the strings · neutral
neutralMeaning:To be in control of a situation, often secretly or behind the scenes.
Significado:Manejar los hilos / Ser el que mueve los hilos.
Example:While the CEO makes the public announcements, it is clear that the board members are the ones pulling the strings.
A paper trail · formal
formalMeaning:A series of documents that provide evidence of someone's activities.
Significado:Un rastro de documentos / Evidencia documental.
Example:The investigators are confident they will find a paper trail linking the offshore accounts to the ministry.
To cook the books · informal
formalMeaning:To manipulate financial records illegally to hide the true state of affairs.
Significado:Maquillar las cuentas / Falsear la contabilidad.
Example:The audit revealed that the startup had been cooking the books to attract more venture capital.
To be in the dark · neutral
neutralMeaning:To be kept uninformed about something important.
Significado:Estar a oscuras / No estar al tanto.
Example:The local community was kept in the dark about the environmental impact of the new factory.
To whistle-blow · formal
formalMeaning:To report illegal or unethical activities within an organisation to the authorities.
Significado:Denunciar / Actuar como informante (en contextos de ética).
Example:The whistleblower provided enough evidence to trigger a full-scale government inquiry.
To sweep something under the rug · neutral
neutralMeaning:To hide a problem or mistake instead of dealing with it.
Significado:Barrer bajo la alfombra / Ocultar un problema.
Example:The administration tried to sweep the data breach under the rug, but the news leaked anyway.
To deepfake the truth · informal
formalMeaning:To use AI-generated content to distort reality or create false narratives (Contemporary).
Significado:Manipular la verdad mediante deepfakes / Distorsionar la realidad digitalmente.
Example:The political campaign was accused of trying to deepfake the truth to discredit their opponents.
To greenwash the deficit · neutral
neutralMeaning:To use environmental rhetoric to hide financial mismanagement or lack of accountability (Contemporary).
Significado:Usar el ecologismo para ocultar deficiencias o falta de transparencia financiera.
Example:Critics argue the corporation is just trying to greenwash the deficit of their ESG commitments.
Algorithmic bias masking · formal
formalMeaning:When automated systems hide discriminatory practices or lack of accountability (Contemporary).
Significado:Ocultar sesgos o falta de responsabilidad tras algoritmos.
Example:The lack of transparency in hiring was blamed on algorithmic bias masking, making it hard to hold anyone accountable.
To hold someone's feet to the fire · informal
formalMeaning:To pressure someone to take responsibility or perform their duty.
Significado:Presionar a alguien para que rinda cuentas / Poner a alguien entre la espada y la pared.
Example:The investigative journalists are holding the government's feet to the fire regarding the missing funds.