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C1 — Advanced

Expressions for advanced English learners

daily-life C1

live beyond your means

Learn the common idiom 'live beyond your means.' Discover how to describe spending more money than you earn with examples, common mistakes, and practice.
travel C1

local watering hole

Find out what 'local watering hole' means in English. Learn how to use this casual idiom to describe a favorite neighborhood bar or pub.
food-cooking C1

locally sourced

Learn the meaning of 'locally sourced' and see how to use it to describe fresh, sustainable ingredients in culinary contexts.
daily-life C1

make a mountain out of a molehill

Master the common English idiom "make a mountain out of a molehill" to describe when someone dramatically exaggerates a minor, trivial issue into a major crisis.
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daily-life C1

matter of life and death

Learn how to use the idiom 'matter of life and death' to describe extremely urgent or critical situations in everyday English.
daily-life C1

olive branch

Learn how to use the idiom 'olive branch' to describe a gesture of peace or reconciliation. See natural examples, pronunciation, and common mistakes.
academic C1

on the basis of

Master the formal academic transition 'on the basis of' to justify arguments and decisions with evidence.
academic C1

pave the way

Learn how to use 'pave the way' to describe how early achievements make future developments possible.
daily-life C1

pay dividends

Learn how to use the idiom 'pay dividends' to describe efforts that bring great benefits in the future.
relationships C1

play hard to get

Learn what 'play hard to get' means in dating contexts and how to use this common English idiom to describe pretending to be uninterested in someone.
daily-life C1

point of no return

Discover how to use 'point of no return' to describe a critical moment where a decision or action cannot be undone.
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daily-life C1

practice austerity

Understand 'practice austerity,' a formal term for living simply and cutting back on spending, especially during tough financial times.
daily-life C1

pressing issue

Understand the formal expression 'pressing issue' to describe urgent problems that need immediate attention.
travel C1

puddle jumper

Discover the meaning of 'puddle jumper' in English. Learn how to use this casual travel term for small airplanes and short flights.
business C1

reap the benefits

Master the business English idiom 'reap the benefits' to describe enjoying the positive results or rewards of hard work, investments, or smart decisions.
daily-life C1

recipe for disaster

Learn how to use 'recipe for disaster' to describe a combination of factors that will inevitably lead to a bad outcome.
daily-life C1

saving grace

Learn how to use the C1 expression 'saving grace' to highlight the one redeeming quality in an otherwise bad situation.
daily-life C1

sever ties

Learn how to use the formal English phrase 'sever ties' to describe ending a relationship or association completely.
daily-life C1

severance pay

Learn the formal term 'severance pay,' the compensation given to laid-off employees. Explore real examples and correct usage for C1 English learners.
daily-life C1

sit on the fence

Master the casual idiom 'sit on the fence' to describe someone who avoids choosing a side in an argument or decision.