Idioms and other expressions used for talking about work

Choose the best definition, (a) or (b), to explain the idiom or other expression in

bold in the sentence.

Sue has always been a high-flier.

• Someone who has achieved a lot and is determined to continue being successful.

• Someone in a company who thinks they are more important than other people.

I hate carrying the can for people in my department.

• Taking instructions from people and doing what they tell you to do.

• Being the person who is considered responsible for something that has gone wrong.

Answer explanation

to carry the can (нести ответственность)

My boss is such a slave driver!

• Someone who never has his / her own ideas, and so steals other people's.

• Someone who makes his / her employees work very hard for long hours.

This job can be difficult at times, but just go with the flow.

• Work as hard as you can for as long as you can.

• Do what seems like the easiest thing in a particular situation.

You want 2000 items delivered by Monday? That's a tall order.

• Something very difficult that someone expects you to do.

• Something which happens very suddenly, especially when you don't expect it.

Answer explanation

a tall order (непростая задача)

This company has a long history of employing movers and shakers.

• People who are powerful or have a lot of influence.

• People who work for a company for a very short time, then leave.

Answer explanation

movers and shakers (влиятельные люди)

Friday is dress down day in our department.

• A day when employees wear what they like to work.

• A day when each employee's work and performance during the week is assessed by his / her

  boss.

Answer explanation

dress down day (день свободной одежды)

It's time we cut out the dead wood in this company.

• Dismiss the employees who do not work very well or efficiently.

• Reduce the number of unnecessary meetings and discussions.

Answer explanation

cut out the dead wood (избавляться от бесполезных непроизводительных работников)

He's an industrious member of staff, but his work really isn't up to the mark.

• Good enough.

• Fast enough.

Answer explanation

up to the mark (на высоте, на должном уровне)

Our line manager is always picking holes in my work.

• Giving someone more work than they can do in the time allowed.

• Finding faults or mistakes with someone's work.

Answer explanation

picking holes in work (критиковать, выискивать недостатки)