Idioms rarely mean what their individual words suggest — and native speakers use them constantly, without noticing.

Notice

  • “We need to hit the ground running.” — start something with full energy immediately.
  • “They cut corners on the renovation.” — did something cheaply or carelessly to save time/money.
  • “That’s just the tip of the iceberg.” — a small visible part of a much bigger problem.

Rule

Rule: idioms are learned as whole units, not built word by word. At C2, the goal is not to memorise hundreds of idioms but to recognise them instantly in context and use a solid working set naturally, without overusing them.

Practice

  1. What does “to cut corners” mean?
    Answer: To do something in the cheapest or easiest way, often sacrificing quality or safety.
  2. “This scandal is just the tip of the iceberg” — what does the speaker imply?
    Answer: That there is a much bigger, mostly hidden problem behind what has been revealed so far.
  3. Use “hit the ground running” in a sentence about starting a new job.
    Answer: Example: “She hit the ground running in her new job, closing two deals in her first week.”
  4. Why is it risky to overuse idioms in formal writing?
    Answer: It can sound too casual or clichéd for a formal register, and non-native readers may misread the intended meaning.

Connect

Test your recognition of idioms in context with the Vocabulary Quiz.

Try Vocabulary Quiz →

CEFR: C2

Azizul Hakim
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