In at the deep end

Objectives: To explore the real meanings of English sayings which are commonly used in business.
Fold the sheet so that only the first two columns are visible. Discuss the possible meanings of
each idiom. Now unfold the sheet and match the meanings in the third column to the idioms.

The boss needs to come down on one

side or the other and stop sitting on
the fence.

A: So youre saying that we need to

cut costs?

improvise

be open about your intentions

B: Youve hit the nail on the head.

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I think we should put our cards on the

table and tell them exactly what we
want from this deal.

get it exactly right

Theres no agenda for the meeting, so

well just have to play it by ear.

not wanting to take sides

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In at the deep end

Again, fold the sheet so that only the first two columns are visible. Try to guess the idiom
from the picture and its meaning. Then match the idioms in the third column to the pictures.

put someone in a difficult

situation

spend less money

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Theres a recession on and

weve all got to tighten our
belts.

When we came back late from

lunch, the boss just turned a
blind eye.

immediately, without thinking

Head offices decision has put us

in a really tight corner.

pretend not to notice

She expects us to change all our

plans at the drop of a hat.

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In at the deep end

Read and discuss the idioms and their true meanings.
Then illustrate the idioms in the boxes provided.
A: So what was said at the meeting?
B: In a nutshell, we need to cut costs.
in brief

A: I think thats a ridiculous idea!

B: But if you want to keep your job youll
just have to toe the line.
do want the company says you should do

A: Whats the conversion rate from pounds to

dollars?
B: One to one point five, as a rule of thumb.
rough calculation

A: Hows Tom getting on in his new job?

B: Well, theyve really thrown him in at the
deep end.
make someone do something difficult
without any preparation

A: Have you heard of Semco?

B: The name rings a bell.
sounds familiar

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In at the deep end

Can you match each idiom with its real meaning?
The first one has been done for you.
not wanting to take sides

toe the line

spend less money

throw in at the deep end

pretend not to notice

rule of thumb

in brief

hit the nail on the head

rough calculation

rings a bell

sounds familiar

put your cards on the table

put someone in a difficult

situation

play it by ear

be open about your intentions

sitting on the fence

get it exactly right

tighten your belt

improvise

at the drop of a hat

immediately, without thinking

put someone in a tight

corner

make someone do something

difficult without any preparation

in a nutshell

do what the company says you

should do

turn a blind eye

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In at the deep end

Answers
not wanting to take sides

sitting on the fence

spend less money

tighten your belt

pretend not to notice

turn a blind eye

in brief

in a nutshell

rough calculation

rule of thumb

sounds familiar

rings a bell

put someone in a difficult

situation

put someone in a tight

corner

be open about your intentions

put your cards on the table

get it exactly right

hit the nail on the head

improvise

play it by ear

immediately, without thinking

at the drop of a hat

be made to do something difficult

without any preparation

thrown in at the deep end

do what the company says you

should do

toe the line

www.teachitworld.com 2010

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