Idiomatic Expressions 1

Question 1

It’s a LOSE-LOSE SITUATION

Answer 1

(Or NO-WIN SITUATION) when no choice is good

Question 2

You can try the product for free with NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Answer 2

no special conditions or restrictions

Question 3

OFF THE TOP OF ONE’S HEAD

Answer 3

I have no idea how many, off the top of my head I’d say about 20 (without thinking about it much or doing any research)

Question 4

We are ON A ROLL

Answer 4

experience prolonged success/good luck(“estar en racha”)

Question 5

“24/7”

Answer 5

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Question 6

ASAP

Answer 6

as soon as possible

Question 7

AT STAKE

Answer 7

There’s a lot at stake. = there’s a lot at risk (en juego)

Question 8

to give you a BALLPARK FIGURE..

Answer 8

A rough estimate

Question 9

we mustn’t lose sight of THE BIG PICTURE

Answer 9

the situation as a whole

Question 10

Let’s CALL IT A DAY

Answer 10

agree to stop doing something

Question 11

BLUE COLLAR

Answer 11

A “blue collar worker” is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). The opposite is a “white collar worker”, someone who works in an office.

Question 12

It’s important that we do everything BY THE BOOK

Answer 12

According to the rules

Question 13

Let’s GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Answer 13

Stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics

Question 14

GIVE THE THUMBS UP

GIVE THE THUMBS DOWN

Answer 14

Give approval

Deny approval

Question 15

It’s not clear, it’s a GRAY AREA

Answer 15

Not easily categorized

Question 16

The iPhone was a GROUND-BREAKING piece of technology

Answer 16

Innovative, pioneering

Question 17

IN A NUTSHELL,

Answer 17

In the fewest possible words,

Question 18

The company is IN THE BLACK / IN THE RED

Answer 18

making a profit / not making a profit

Question 19

It’s the LAST STRAW

Answer 19

(“la gota que colma el vaso”)

Question 20

We are ON THE SAME PAGE

Answer 20

in agreement

Question 21

Keep me IN THE LOOP

Answer 21

aware of information about a particular matter. (The opposite “out of the loop”: unaware of information)

Question 22

The new law is going to create a lot of RED TAPE

Answer 22

Excessive bureaucracy

Question 23

We don’t always SEE EYE TO EYE

Answer 23

to agree

Question 24

SMALL TALK

Answer 24

Polite conversation about unimportant things.E.g. we typically spend 5 minutes making small talk before the meetings.

Question 25

we have STATE-OF-THE-ART facilities

Answer 25

modern, technologically advanced

Question 26

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Answer 26

think creatively, think of unconventional solutions

Question 27

WORD OF MOUTH

Answer 27

personal recommendation (“el boca a boca”)

Question 28

We are in the SAME BOAT

Answer 28

in the same circumstances

Question 29

LEARN THE ROPES

Answer 29

Learn the basics of somethingE.g. I like my new job, I’m starting to learn the ropes.

Question 30

LOOPHOLE

Answer 30

Ambiguity in the law (“laguna legal”)