Idiomatic Expressions and Their Meanings - C2 Vocabulary

Front

A set back

Back

A problem that stops your progress or sends you backwards.

Front

Hit a snag

Back

Find an unexpected problem that you expect to overcome. Confront a small problem you'll probably get over.

Front

A drawback

Back

Something disadvantageous or negative. Example: 'The drawback to living in my village is there is no nightlife.'

Front

Shortsighted

Back

A solution that may solve the immediate problem, but might not be positive in the long term or consider all the factors.

Front

A double edged sword

Back

An action or situation that has equally balanced pros and cons.

Front

Stuck/Caught between a rock and a hard place

Back

Facing two equally unpleasant possibilities/outcomes.

Front

Between the devil and the deep blue sea

Back

Facing two equally unpleasant possibilities/outcomes.

Front

Be in hot water

Back

To be in an unpleasant or dangerous situation.

Front

Red tape

Back

Delays caused by bureaucracy. Example: 'Whenever you try to set up a new business there's a lot of red tape.'

Front

(Put) it on the back burner

Back

Temporarily stop a project to focus on something else.