Idioms, Expressions and Figurative Language B2 Vocabulary Practice Tests

Exercises: 1 2 3 4 5

Exercise 1

Choose the correct word to complete each idiom or figurative expression.

Example: She was feeling under the ______ after working late all week. (weather / cloud / sky)
Answer: She was feeling under the weather after working late all week.

1. She decided to 'bite the bullet' and go through with the difficult surgery. What does this expression mean?

to delay a decision indefinitely

to endure a painful situation with courage

to make a hasty and unwise choice

to seek advice from a medical professional

2. The new manager 'turned a blind eye' to the minor rule violations in the office. What does this idiom mean?

to report an issue to higher authorities

to deliberately ignore something one is aware of

to examine a problem very carefully

to enforce rules more strictly than necessary

3. After years of rivalry, the two colleagues finally 'buried the hatchet'. What does this expression mean?

to intensify a long-standing argument

to make peace and end a disagreement

to expose a hidden conflict publicly

to compete aggressively for a promotion

4. The journalist's article was described as 'sitting on the fence'. What does this figurative expression suggest about the article?

It argued one side of the debate very convincingly.

It was written carelessly without proper research.

It avoided taking a clear position on the issue.

It was published without editorial approval.

5. His ambitious business plan turned out to be a 'pipe dream'. What does this expression mean?

a highly profitable and realistic venture

a plan that is simple to execute with minimal effort

an idea that is unrealistic and unlikely to happen

a project that was completed ahead of schedule

6. The CEO's bold speech at the conference 'set the tone' for the company's future strategy. What does 'set the tone' mean in this context?

to raise the volume of a discussion

to establish the general character or direction of something

to create an atmosphere of conflict and tension

to summarise the key points of a previous meeting

7. The politician's explanation for the scandal was described as 'beating around the bush'. What does this idiom mean?

to give a very honest and direct account of events

to exaggerate the severity of a situation unnecessarily

to avoid speaking directly about a difficult subject

to repeat the same information several times

8. After hearing the unexpected news, he was described as 'over the moon'. What does this expression convey?

deeply shocked and confused by an event

extremely happy and delighted

feeling emotionally overwhelmed and tearful

worried and anxious about an upcoming change

9. The project manager reminded the team not to 'let the cat out of the bag' before the official announcement. What does this idiom mean?

to introduce unnecessary complications to a plan

to accidentally reveal a secret

to delay an important decision without reason

to take credit for someone else's work

10. The start-up company was described as 'going from strength to strength' in its first year. What does this figurative expression mean?

experiencing significant setbacks but recovering quickly

becoming progressively more successful over time

struggling to maintain its initial level of performance

taking unnecessary risks in order to grow faster

Exercises: 1 2 3 4 5

Idioms, Expressions and Figurative Language

Have you ever told someone to break a leg before a performance, or warned a friend that they were skating on thin ice? If so, you were using idioms and figurative language — one of the most colourful and expressive aspects of the English language. At B2 level, understanding these expressions is essential for sounding natural, interpreting authentic texts, and navigating both formal and informal conversations with confidence.

Idioms, metaphors, similes, and other forms of figurative language cannot always be understood word by word. Their meaning is often implied rather than literal. In this lesson, you will learn a wide range of common and advanced idiomatic expressions grouped by theme, understand the nuances between similar expressions, and discover how register affects your choice of language.

Contextual Situation: A Conversation Between Two Colleagues

Read this short dialogue between two colleagues, Maya and David, discussing a difficult project at work. Notice how naturally idioms and figurative language appear in everyday speech.

Maya: "David, I think we're really in hot water with this deadline. The client wasn't happy with the last draft."
David: "I know. I've been burning the midnight oil trying to fix the report, but honestly, I feel like I'm going around in circles."
Maya: "Don't throw in the towel just yet. Let's hit the nail on the head — the main problem is the data presentation, not the writing."
David: "You're absolutely right. I was barking up the wrong tree the whole time. Let's start fresh."

Each bold expression above is an idiom. None of them should be interpreted literally. As you work through this lesson, you will learn these and many more examples of figurative language used in natural English contexts.

Key Vocabulary & Meaning Breakdown

1. Idioms Related to Problems, Challenges and Pressure

These idioms are frequently used when discussing difficulties, stress, mistakes, and decision-making — particularly useful in professional and academic contexts.

Word / Phrase	Part of Speech & Meaning	Example Sentence	Collocations / Notes
in hot water	idiom (informal) — in a situation that causes trouble or difficulty	She found herself in hot water after missing the second deadline in a row.	Often used with get into, land in, find oneself in hot water
burn the midnight oil	idiom — to work or study late into the night	The students were burning the midnight oil the night before their final exams.	Often used in progressive form: burning the midnight oil
skating on thin ice	idiom — taking a serious risk; in a dangerous or uncertain situation	You're skating on thin ice if you submit that report without checking the figures again.	Paired with be, you're, he's; implies imminent danger or risk
back against the wall	idiom — in a very difficult situation with no easy way out	With only one week left and half the work undone, the team had their backs against the wall.	Common in negotiations and crisis situations; often used with have your/their
bite off more than you can chew	idiom — to take on more responsibility than you are able to handle	He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to manage three departments at once.	Usually used in past tense or warning contexts: don't bite off more than you can chew
go around in circles	idiom — to keep discussing or attempting something without making any progress	The meeting was useless — we just went around in circles without reaching any conclusion.	Used with go, keep going, talk in circles; frustration implied

2. Idioms Related to Communication, Ideas and Understanding

These expressions are commonly used when discussing whether someone has understood a point, expressed an idea clearly, or been completely honest.

Word / Phrase	Part of Speech & Meaning	Example Sentence	Collocations / Notes
hit the nail on the head	idiom — to describe or identify something exactly correctly	"That's a brilliant point — you've really hit the nail on the head."	Used to affirm accuracy; often said in response to someone else's comment
bark up the wrong tree	idiom — to look for something in the wrong place or make a wrong assumption	If you think I took the files, you're barking up the wrong tree — I haven't been near that office.	Often used in accusations or when correcting a misunderstanding
beat around the bush	idiom — to avoid getting to the main point; to speak indirectly	Stop beating around the bush and tell me what actually happened.	Implies impatience; used in requests to be direct: don't beat around the bush
read between the lines	idiom — to understand the hidden or implied meaning in something said or written	Her email sounded polite, but if you read between the lines, she was clearly unhappy.	Used with learn to, try to, if you read between the lines
on the same page	idiom (informal) — to share the same understanding or agreement about something	Before we proceed, let's make sure we're all on the same page regarding the schedule.	Very common in business English; used with be, get, make sure we're all
speak volumes	idiom — to express a great deal without using words; to be highly revealing	The fact that nobody attended his farewell party speaks volumes about his reputation.	Often used with it, that, this + speaks volumes; strong emotional implication

3. Figurative Language: Metaphors, Similes and Hyperbole

Beyond fixed idioms, English speakers regularly use metaphors (describing one thing as if it were another), similes (making a direct comparison using like or as), and hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration for effect). Understanding these devices will transform your comprehension of spoken and written English.

Word / Phrase	Type & Meaning	Example Sentence	Collocations / Notes
time is money	metaphor — time is a valuable resource that should not be wasted	"Let's not delay any further — time is money, after all."	Classic business metaphor; used to justify efficiency and urgency
life is a rollercoaster	metaphor — life involves many extreme ups and downs	After everything she'd been through that year, she told her friends, "Life is a rollercoaster — you just have to hold on."	Can be used literally for emotional turbulence or varied experiences
as cool as a cucumber	simile — very calm and composed, especially in a stressful situation	Despite the chaos around him, Tom remained as cool as a cucumber during the interview.	Always used with as … as structure; informal register
like a fish out of water	simile — feeling very uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation	At the formal gala, she felt completely like a fish out of water — it simply wasn't her scene.	Used with feel, look, seem like; expresses awkwardness or displacement
I've told you a million times	hyperbole — extreme exaggeration used to emphasise frustration or emphasis	"I've told you a million times — please don't leave the door open!"	Very common in informal speech; not intended to be taken literally
move mountains	metaphor / hyperbole — to accomplish something that seems impossible; to make an extraordinary effort	She would move mountains for her children — there's nothing she wouldn't do.	Used with would, could, can; strong positive connotation of dedication
a storm is brewing	metaphor — a difficult or unpleasant situation is developing	The silence in the office was uneasy — everyone could feel that a storm was brewing.	Used to suggest conflict, argument, or crisis approaching; often atmospheric in tone

4. Idioms Related to Success, Effort and Giving Up

These expressions are widely used when discussing ambition, persistence, and the results of hard work — invaluable for professional, academic, and everyday social contexts.

Word / Phrase	Part of Speech & Meaning	Example Sentence	Collocations / Notes
throw in the towel	idiom — to give up; to admit defeat	After months of failed negotiations, the company finally threw in the towel and withdrew from the deal.	Origin: boxing; used with give up, not ready to, refuse to throw in the towel
go the extra mile	idiom — to make more effort than is required; to do more than expected	Our customer service team always goes the extra mile to ensure clients are satisfied.	Very common in professional English; positive connotation; used in CVs and appraisals
pull yourself up by your bootstraps	idiom — to improve your situation through your own efforts without help	Growing up with very little, she had to pull herself up by her bootstraps to get where she is today.	Strong connotation of self-reliance and resilience; formal and informal contexts
hit the ground running	idiom — to begin something energetically and make immediate progress	The new marketing director hit the ground running and launched three campaigns in her first month.	Very popular in job interviews and business contexts; implies enthusiasm and readiness
reap the rewards	idiom — to enjoy the benefits of hard work or a good decision	After years of studying, she is now reaping the rewards of her dedication.	Used with finally, begin to, now reap the rewards; positive outcome implied
bear fruit	idiom / metaphor — to produce positive results or outcomes after effort	Their investment in research is finally beginning to bear fruit, with three new patents secured this year.	Used with begin to, start to, finally bear fruit; formal and neutral register

Collocations & Useful Expressions

Learning the collocations around idioms and figurative expressions will help you use them more naturally and avoid sounding unnatural or forced.

get into + hot water
He got into hot water with his manager after leaking the confidential report.

don't + beat around the bush
Don't beat around the bush — just tell me whether I got the job or not.

make sure + on the same page
Before the meeting starts, let's make sure everyone is on the same page.

refuse to + throw in the towel
Despite all the setbacks, she refused to throw in the towel.

finally + bear fruit / reap the rewards
All those years of hard work have finally begun to bear fruit.

it + speaks volumes
It speaks volumes that he didn't even say goodbye on his last day.

try to + read between the lines
You have to try to read between the lines with her — she never says exactly what she means.

feel like + a fish out of water
On his first day in the city, he felt completely like a fish out of water.

a storm + is brewing
Judging by the tense atmosphere in the office, a storm is definitely brewing.

go + the extra mile
In this industry, you have to be willing to go the extra mile to stand out.

Important Differences & Confusing Expressions

Literal vs Figurative Meaning

One of the most important skills at B2 level is recognising when language is being used literally (the actual, dictionary meaning) or figuratively (a symbolic or implied meaning). Consider these pairs:

"She was burning."
Literal: She was on fire, or very hot.
Figurative: She was burning with anger / embarrassment / excitement.

"He threw in the towel."
Literal: He physically threw a towel (e.g. in a boxing match or laundry context).
Figurative (idiomatic): He gave up and admitted defeat.

Context is everything. If someone says, "I was drowning in work last week," they do not mean they were literally underwater — they mean they were overwhelmed. Learning to interpret figurative language from context is a key B2 skill.

"Throw in the Towel" vs "Give Up" vs "Quit"

These three expressions all mean to stop doing something, but they carry different register and connotation:

Throw in the towel — idiomatic, slightly informal; suggests a dramatic or significant defeat after struggle.
Give up — neutral; the most common and versatile option in speech and writing.
Quit — can be informal or formal depending on context; in American English, it is used more broadly; in British English, it often implies resigning from a job.

"Beat Around the Bush" vs "Be Diplomatic"

Both expressions describe indirect communication, but the connotation is very different:

Beat around the bush — negative connotation; implies someone is being evasive, wasting time, or avoiding an uncomfortable truth.
Be diplomatic — positive or neutral connotation; implies someone is choosing words carefully to avoid offence or maintain good relations.

Example: "Stop beating around the bush and just say it." (frustration)
Example: "She was very diplomatic when she gave him the feedback." (approval)

Metaphor vs Simile

Students often confuse these two figures of speech. The difference is simple:

Metaphor — states that something is something else (no like or as). "Life is a rollercoaster."
Simile — makes a comparison using like or as. "She handled the situation like a professional." / "As cool as a cucumber."

Both are figurative — neither is meant to be taken literally.

Common Mistakes

❌ He was barking the wrong tree.
✅ He was barking up the wrong tree. — The preposition up is essential and cannot be omitted.

❌ She hit on the nail on the head.
✅ She hit the nail on the head. — Do not add an extra preposition. The correct form is hit the nail on the head.

❌ They were burning the midnight candle.
✅ They were burning the midnight oil. — The idiom is always midnight oil, not midnight candle or midnight lamp.

❌ We need to be on the same book before the meeting.
✅ We need to be on the same page before the meeting. — The idiom uses page, not book, sheet, or chapter.

❌ She is like a fish in the wrong water.
✅ She feels like a fish out of water. — The fixed form is a fish out of water. Do not alter the structure.

❌ He literally moved mountains to finish the project. (when used to mean figuratively)
✅ He moved mountains to finish the project. — In figurative contexts, adding literally to a metaphor creates a contradiction. Avoid using literally with non-literal expressions unless speaking informally for dramatic emphasis.

❌ She beat around the tree during the negotiation.
✅ She beat around the bush during the negotiation. — The idiom is always bush, not tree, hedge, or garden.

❌ The company started to bear fruits after the rebranding.
✅ The company started to bear fruit after the rebranding. — Bear fruit is always singular — never bear fruits.

Idioms, Expressions and Figurative Language: Quick Summary & Review

In this lesson, you have explored a rich range of idioms, expressions, and figurative language used in everyday and professional English. Here is a summary of the key takeaways:

Idioms are fixed phrases whose meanings cannot be understood word by word — they must be learned as a whole unit. Examples: burn the midnight oil, hit the nail on the head, throw in the towel.
Metaphors describe one thing as if it were another, without using like or as. Examples: time is money, a storm is brewing, bear fruit.
Similes make comparisons using like or as. Examples: as cool as a cucumber, like a fish out of water.
Hyperbole uses deliberate exaggeration for emotional effect. Examples: I've told you a million times, move mountains.
Register matters — some idioms (e.g. on the same page) are common in business English, while others (e.g. I've told you a million times) belong to informal speech.
Collocations are key — idioms have fixed partners. Do not change the words: it's always midnight oil, the same page, and the bush.
Always consider context to decide whether language is being used literally or figuratively.

Now practise idioms, expressions and figurative language vocabulary in the exercises below.

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