Error correction
I don't trust him. You should take whatever he says with a spoon of salt.
take something with a PINCH of salt
He always has a book in his hand. He's an ____ reader.
AVID
Not touch something with a barge pole / Not touch something with a ten-foot pole
Something is extremely unappealing
in the pipeline
a project about to be finalised
You use this to pluck hair from the body
TWEEZERS
My brother is an advisor to the Mayor. If I need help with anything he can always pull a few ropes.
Pull a few STRINGS
I asked if he was feeling ok but he just gave me _____ answers.
EVASIVE
Sweep something under the carpet / Sweep something under the rug
hide or ignore a problem
out of the loop
not informed about the latest developments
SOCKET
My new colleague is not very sociable. Talking to him is like pulling fingernails.
pulling TEETH
She has always been a _____ supporter of the environment.
STAUNCH
Put a spanner in the works / Throw a wrench in the works
deliberately spoil or destroy something
Up in the air
not decided yet
RAZOR
He's very secretive about his private life. I think he has a lot of dead bodies in the cupboard.
SKELETONS in the cupboard.
The new campaign has been a resounding _____. Well done everyone!
SUCCESS
Blow your own trumpet / hoot your own horn
speak too much about your own achievements
Cut corners
Try to save time or money and do something badly
You use this to open a bottle of wine
CORKSCREW
The new boss told me her name this morning but I've already forgotten it. I have a memory like a bucket.
memory like a SIEVE
We lost our main client last quarter. That was a crushing ____.
BLOW
A storm in a teacup / a tempest in a teapot
an insignificant problem that someone exaggerates.
kick the can down the road
delay dealing with a problem and it gets worse in future
You use this to change gears on a car
GEAR STICK