work

Idioms (63)

• do the job Informal · CEFR B1
  to be good enough to achieve the desired result
• shut up shop Informal · CEFR B2
  to stop working for the day or to close a business permanently
• fall into place Informal · CEFR B2
  to become clear or to work out well after a period of confusion
• on the side Informal · CEFR B2
  in addition to one's main job or activity, often secretly
• shift gears Informal · CEFR B2
  to change your approach, activity, or pace
• deliver the goods Informal · CEFR B2
  to do what is expected or promised; to produce good results
• someone's bread and butter Informal · CEFR B2
  the main source of someone's income or basic work
• burn the midnight oil Neutral · CEFR B2
  To stay up very late working or studying.
• call it a day Informal · CEFR B1
  To decide to stop working on something for now.
• have your hands full Neutral · CEFR B1
  To be very busy or fully occupied with responsibilities.
• bring home the bacon Informal · CEFR B2
  To earn the money that supports a household.
• pull your weight Neutral · CEFR B2
  To do your fair share of the work in a group.
• learn the ropes Neutral · CEFR B1
  To learn how to do a job or task properly.
• in the trenches Informal · CEFR C1
  doing the difficult, unglamorous, hands-on work at the front line of a problem or project
• sweat equity Neutral · CEFR B2
  value built through hard work rather than cash investment
• rat race Informal · CEFR B1
  the exhausting, competitive struggle to keep up at work and get ahead
• glass ceiling Neutral · CEFR B2
  an invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from rising to senior roles
• golden handcuffs Informal · CEFR C1
  financial incentives designed to keep a valuable employee from leaving
• crunch time Informal · CEFR B2
  the final, high-pressure period before a deadline
• pressure cooker Informal · CEFR B2
  an intensely stressful environment or situation
• hit the ground running Neutral · CEFR B1
  to start a new job or project with immediate energy and effectiveness, without needing a slow start
• burn the candle at both ends Neutral · CEFR B2
  to work so hard and long that you exhaust yourself
• wear many hats Informal · CEFR B1
  to perform many different roles, especially in a small organization
• have several balls in the air Informal · CEFR B2
  to be managing multiple projects or commitments at once
• put out fires Informal · CEFR B1
  to deal with urgent problems instead of doing planned work
• pull an all-nighter Informal · CEFR B2
  to stay up and work through the entire night
• climb the corporate ladder Neutral · CEFR B2
  to advance step by step through the ranks of a company
• keep your nose to the grindstone Informal · CEFR C1
  to work hard and steadily without distraction
• up and running Neutral · CEFR B2
  fully operating and ready for use
• round the clock Neutral · CEFR B1
  continuously, throughout all twenty-four hours of the day
• lend a hand Informal · CEFR B1
  to give someone practical help
• follow in someone's footsteps Neutral · CEFR B2
  to copy another person's actions or pursue a similar path, especially in work or achievement
• rough and ready Neutral · CEFR C1
  basic and unpolished but practical enough to do the job
• rub shoulders Neutral · CEFR B2
  to mix or spend time with people in a social or professional setting
• on the trot Neutral · CEFR C1
  continually busy or active, with no real break
• look the part Neutral · CEFR B2
  have the appearance or clothing expected for a particular role
• pass the buck Neutral · CEFR B2
  avoid accountability by shifting responsibility or blame to another person
• mean business Neutral · CEFR B2
  to show serious determination to accomplish a goal
• make a go of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to turn an undertaking into a lasting success
• breathe down someone's neck Neutral · CEFR B2
  to monitor someone so closely that they feel pressured or uncomfortable
• carry the can Neutral · CEFR C1
  To take the blame or responsibility for a problem, especially when others avoid doing so.
• par for the course Neutral · CEFR B2
  Normal and unsurprising for a particular situation, even if it is inconvenient or disappointing.
• blaze a trail Neutral · CEFR B2
  to pioneer an approach that opens the way for later people
• rough edges Neutral · CEFR B2
  small flaws that remain without seriously reducing the overall quality
• teething troubles Neutral · CEFR C1
  small, temporary problems that arise while a new system or activity is getting started
• tread the boards Neutral · CEFR C1
  to pursue a career performing on the theater stage
• send someone packing Neutral · CEFR B2
  to dismiss someone or force them to leave quickly and decisively
• ahead of the game Neutral · CEFR B2
  to stay better prepared than others by anticipating future needs
• in the fast lane Neutral · CEFR B2
  living or working at an intense pace often associated with excitement and risk
• pass muster Neutral · CEFR C1
  to be judged good enough after an examination or review
• clear the decks Neutral · CEFR B2
  to remove distractions or unfinished tasks so you are ready for action
• jockey for position Neutral · CEFR C1
  to maneuver competitively in order to gain the most advantageous position
• jack of all trades Neutral · CEFR B2
  a versatile person with many useful skills but no necessary specialization
• all in a day's work Neutral · CEFR B2
  a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties
• donkey work Neutral · CEFR B2
  the tiring, repetitive, and often unappreciated work that supports a larger task
• show someone the door Neutral · CEFR B2
  to dismiss someone or make it clear that they must leave
• hand in glove Neutral · CEFR B2
  working together in an extremely close and cooperative way
• up to speed Neutral · CEFR B1
  fully informed about a current situation or topic and ready to proceed
• first among equals Formal · CEFR C1
  a member of a formally equal group who holds the leading or most prominent role
• cut the mustard Neutral · CEFR B2
  to perform well enough for a particular need or expectation
• make light work of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to handle a demanding task quickly and effortlessly
• draw the short straw Neutral · CEFR B2
  to be selected, often by chance, for an unwanted task or outcome
• fill someone's shoes Neutral · CEFR B2
  to replace someone in a role and meet the demands they handled