C1 Idioms list: In this lesson, I am going to give you useful C1-level idiomatic expressions. Learning these advanced and common C1 idioms will help you do two things: you will build your vocabulary, as well as improve your overall fluency by having a more natural way of speaking.
C1 Idioms List: 12 Useful C1 Level English Idioms
- To set the record straight
- To strike a balance
- (Not) think twice
- At/on short notice
- Wait and see
- Take (something) at face value
- The best of both words
- To be in the public eye
- Get a grip (on yourself)
- Off the record
- Up to speed
- Rule of thumb
1. To set the record straight
Meaning: This means to write or say something in order to make the true facts known.
So it’s really a great way to emphasize the fact that you want to explain the truth or at least tell someone what you believe is the truth. Now, you may also use this idiom with the verb “put” to put the record straight, but as you can see, it’s overwhelmingly more common to use the verb “set” to set the record straight.
Example: This may be your last chance to set the record straight.
2. To strike a balance
- Meaning: This means to achieve a state in which two things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance.
- Example: So you have to strike a balance between volume and expressiveness.
Often we follow this idiom with the preposition “between” to strike a balance between two things. So you may need to strike a balance between work and family, you may need to strike a balance between screen time and social activities, you may need to strike a balance between how much you make and how much you spend.
So this is really a great idiom to tell someone that you’re trying to satisfy the need for both things instead of just satisfying the need for one thing.
3. (Not) think twice
Meaning: This means to do something immediately without considering whether or not it’s a good idea.
- Often used to talk about the past:
- ….did not think twice (The first thing is that you’re often going to use this to talk about something in the past that you did without thinking about it)
- often follow this idiom with the preposition “about”:
- you did not think twice about something (you may often follow this idiom with the preposition “about”)
Example: 1. They didn’t think twice about laying off hundreds of employees. 2. we should always think twice before we fly. 2. you should think twice before you decide to smuggle drugs. [C1 Idioms list]
4. At/on short notice
Meaning: This idiom is used to say there is only a short time before something happens, and you may use it when talking about something in which generally you need a little more time to plan, but it’s coming soon.
Example:
- So if I asked you to write a 20-page essay and give it to me tomorrow, you may say, “Look, I can’t do that on such short notice; I need more time.”
- If I tell you they were engaged but then got married on such short notice.
- It’s also used to say that you did something immediately after someone asks. So I could tell you, “Thank you for coming at such short notice.”
One thing I want to point out is that you may often use this idiom with “such”: “
- at such short notice
- on such short notice
5. Wait and see
Meaning: to wait and discover what will happen
How to use “wait and see”
- Be patient: The first one would just be to be patient, that you need to wait and let’s find out what the results are. For example: We don’t know how your body is going to react to the medication; we’ll just have to wait and see.
- Express Certainly: We could use it in the context of really expressing confidence that I’m right, and I’m telling you, “Like, look, just wait; you will eventually see that I was correct. For example: The United States is going to win the next World Cup; you just wait and see. And I just have that confidence that my prediction, whatever it is that I’m saying, is going to be true.
Student also read: C1 Verb List: 20 Advanced Verbs in English
6. Take (something) at face value
Meaning: This means to accept something as it appears rather than studying it more closely. (you would be accepting something as true even though you don’t really know if it’s true)
How to use “to take (something) at face value”
Words as promise: Perhaps you don’t come to work, and you tell me that you’re sick; well, I may not know if that’s true or not, but I will take your word at face value. And in this case, your word just means whatever it is that you’re saying.
Example: This guy seems very sweet but be careful of taking people at face value. [C1 Idioms list]
7. The best of both words
Meaning: this idiomatic expression refers to a situation in which enjoy the benefits or two different opportunities.
Synonyms: a win-win situation
Example: I find working from home amazing because you can stay at home with comfort and enjoy the benefits of having a job; it’s the best of both worlds.
8. To be in the public eye
Meaning: to a state of being known especially through the media
Example: This is why so many people in the public eye are afraid to speak out.
9. Get a grip (on yourself)
Meaning: When someone attains mastery, expertise, or control over someone or something, they gain the ability to handle situations effectively. When you gain control over yourself, you understand how to deal with something or manage your emotions
Example: my friend told me firmly that I must get a grip on myself.
10. Off the record
Meaning: confidential, unofficial, on the background, if you say something off the record, it means you don’t want it to be publicly reported.
Example: Instead, the speech was watered down and made off the record at the last minute. [C1 Idioms list]
11. Up to speed
Meaning: This means all the latest information about an activity or subject.
How to use “up to speed”
- You may use this idiom with the verb “get” such as “to get (someone) up to speed“
- You can also use this idiom with the verb “bring” such as “to bring (someone) up to speed”
Example:
- We hired a math tutor to work with your daughter so we can get her up to speed.
- He missed the meeting because his flight was delayed; could you please bring him up to speed?
12. Rule of thumb
Meaning: This refers to a practical approach and way of doing something based on experience
Example:
- As a rule of thumb, we meet on Fridays.
- Accurate knowledge is a good thing, but rule-of-thumb experience is often thought to be better.
Conclusion
I hope that I was able to strike a balance between giving you helpful information as well as making it easy to follow and understand. Because of building vocabulary, I think a general rule of thumb is that you don’t want to overwhelm people with too many words. And of course, it’s always good to review, just like we’re doing right now. I believe that you will take my word at face value.
And of course, when it comes to using idioms, I think people often worry that they’re going to make a mistake, and what I would recommend is that you don’t think twice about using these idioms and practice using them in casual conversation. I think it’s always going to help, and if you make a mistake, just don’t worry about it; over time, it’s all going to come together. You just wait and see. [C1 Idioms list]
Now, I need to start wrapping up the lesson. I know that may be upsetting to hear, so I would just tell you, “You know, gotta get a grip on yourself.” But if you want to continue building your vocabulary and just bring yourself up to speed, feel free to read other amazing articles on our website.
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