back to the drawing board
To start planning something again from the beginning because a previous attempt failed
Our proposal was rejected by the client, so it's back to the drawing board.
bring to the table
To offer a useful skill, idea, or quality that helps a group or situation
Every team member brings something valuable to the table, so listen to everyone's ideas.
call it a day
To stop working on something for the rest of the day, or to stop doing something permanently
We've been painting for six hours — let's call it a day and finish tomorrow.
cross that bridge when we get to it
To deal with a problem or situation only when it actually happens, rather than worrying about it now
We don't know if the event will be cancelled — let's cross that bridge when we get to it.
cut to the chase
To get to the most important point without wasting time on unnecessary details
We only have five minutes left, so let's cut to the chase — do you want the job or not?
get the ball rolling
To start a process or activity and encourage others to continue it
Let's get the ball rolling on the new campaign by scheduling a meeting this week.
go the extra mile
To make more effort than is expected or required
Our teacher always goes the extra mile by staying after class to help struggling students.
hit the ground running
To start something quickly and with great energy and enthusiasm
The new employee hit the ground running and finished her first report on the very first day.
in your wheelhouse
Within your area of skill, knowledge, or comfort
Don't worry about the math section — statistics is totally in your wheelhouse.
jump on the bandwagon
To join or support something that has become popular or successful, often just because others are doing it
After the team won the championship, many people jumped on the bandwagon and became fans.
keep it under wraps
To keep something secret and not tell anyone about it
The company kept its new product under wraps until the big launch event.
lock, stock, and barrel
Completely; including every part of something
When they moved to Canada, they sold their house lock, stock, and barrel.
on the same page
Having the same understanding or agreement about something
Before we start the project, let's make sure everyone is on the same page about the deadline.
play it by ear
To decide what to do as a situation develops, without making plans in advance
I'm not sure what time the guests will arrive, so we'll just play it by ear.
push the envelope
To go beyond the usual limits and try something new or more extreme
The young designer always pushes the envelope with her bold and unusual clothing styles.
read the room
To understand the mood or feelings of the people around you and behave appropriately
He kept making jokes during the serious meeting — he really needs to learn to read the room.
right up your alley
Something that perfectly matches your interests, skills, or preferences
This job posting is right up your alley — it combines coding and graphic design, which you love.
take the plunge
To decide to do something risky or difficult after thinking about it for a long time
After years of dreaming about it, she finally took the plunge and opened her own restaurant.
throw in the towel
To give up or admit defeat on something
Learning the violin was very hard, but she refused to throw in the towel.
under the radar
Not noticed or attracting attention from others
The small café had been under the radar for years before a famous food blogger reviewed it.
Match the vocabulary word with its correct definition.
| # | Ans. | Word | Definition |
|---|
Complete each sentence with the correct word from the word bank.