Essential English Idioms and Advanced Vocabulary for Professionals

Posted on Nov 2, 2025 in English

Idioms and Character Descriptions

  • Couch Potato: Persona que no hace nada.
  • Early Bird: Madrugador.
  • Fair-Weather Friend: Falsos amigos.
  • Jack of All Trades: Maestro de todos los palos (todoterreno).
  • Night Owl: Persona nocturna.
  • Crybaby: Llorón.
  • As Old as the Hills: De los tiempos antiguos.
  • Pain in the Neck: Mosca cojonera (persona molesta).
  • As Good as Gold: Muy bueno/a.
  • Chatterbox: Charlatán.
  • Fat Cat: Pez gordo.
  • Black Sheep: Oveja negra.
  • Copycat: Copión.
  • Armchair Critic: No tiene idea de nada.
  • Big Cheese: Persona importante en un cargo.
  • Bread and Butter: Lo esencial, lo más importante.
  • Cool as a Cucumber: Estar muy relajado, fresco como una lechuga.
  • Cup of Tea: Plato fuerte, algo que disfrutas.
  • Use Your Noodle: Usar tu cerebro.
  • A Smart Cookie: Persona muy inteligente.
  • A Lemon: Algo inútil, como una patata.
  • A Chicken: Gallina, cobarde.
  • Be Full of Beans: Estar lleno de energía.

Academic and Professional Vocabulary

  • Fees: Tasas universitarias, matrícula.
  • Gap Year: Año sabático.
  • Public and Private School: Escuela pública y privada.
  • Sponsorship: Patrocinio.
  • Living Expenses: Costes de manutención.
  • Loan / Loans: Préstamo, créditos.
  • Wage / Salary: Salario.
  • Vocational Training: Formación profesional.
  • Career: Carrera profesional.
  • Hire: Renta, alquiler.
  • Job Vacancies: Puestos de trabajo.
  • Employer: Empleador.
  • Employee: Empleado.
  • Sick Pay: Baja por enfermedad.
  • Labor Reform: Reforma laboral.
  • Stock Market: La bolsa.
  • Mark: Nota.
  • Retire: Jubilarse.
  • Signature: Firma.
  • Be Promoted: Ascendido, promocionado.
  • VAT: IVA.
  • Bricklayer: Albañil.
  • Red Brick University: Universidades de ladrillo rojo.
  • Feel Pity: Sentir pena.
  • Bring Up: Criar.
  • Leisure: Ocio.
  • Liaising: Trabajando en colaboración.
  • A Flair (for business): Tener olfato para los negocios.
  • Rather: Más bien.
  • Flock: Ir en multitud.
  • Asset: Un valor.
  • Strengths: Fortalezas.
  • Weaknesses: Debilidades.
  • Opportunities: Oportunidades.
  • Retailer: Minorista.
  • Scholarship: Beca.
  • Boarding School: Internado.
  • Lecturer: Profesor universitario.
  • Student Union: Unión de estudiantes.
  • Accommodation: Alojamiento.
  • Student Hall: Residencia de estudiantes.
  • A-Level: Selectividad.
  • ICT: TIC.
  • Brainstorm: Lluvia de ideas.
  • Degree: Carrera universitaria.
  • Kindergarten: Jardín de infancia.
  • Budget: Presupuesto.

Practice Exam Examples

1. Translate Academic Terms

Translate the following terms (reviewing key vocabulary):

  • Scholarship: Beca.
  • Boarding School: Internado.
  • Lecturer: Profesor universitario.
  • Student Union: Unión de estudiantes.
  • Accommodation: Alojamiento.
  • Student Hall: Residencia de estudiantes.
  • Fees: Tasa universitaria.
  • Gap Year: Año sabático.
  • A-Level: Selectividad.
  • ICT: TIC.

2. Complete the Character Idioms

Complete the list of character idioms:

  • Night Owl
  • Crybaby
  • Armchair Critic
  • Couch Potato
  • Fat Cat

3. Choose the Correct Idiom

Match the description to the correct idiom:

  • VERY IMPORTANT PERSON: Big Cheese.
  • NECESSITIES / THE MAIN THING: Bread and Butter.
  • VERY RELAXED: Cool as a Cucumber.
  • USE YOUR BRAIN: Use Your Noodle.
  • A VERY INTELLIGENT PERSON: A Smart Cookie.

4. Fill in the Gaps (Connectors and Adverbs)

Complete the sentences using appropriate connectors or adverbs:

  1. Alice wasn’t very clever; HOWEVER, she used to pass all the subjects.
  2. I knew she didn’t feel very well, SO I tried to cheer her up.
  3. I was absolutely exhausted BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I had been walking all day.
  4. Our flight was delayed DUE TO the airline strike.
  5. I spent all Saturday night cooking IN ORDER TO have everything ready for Sunday dinner.

Review of English Connectors

Review the usage and correction of common English connectors:

  1. Despite the parents’ opposition, they got married.
  2. We’ll leave the note on the table SO THAT you can see it.
  3. Although I have great respect for him, I don’t particularly like him.
  4. Tom isn’t suitable for the job BECAUSE he isn’t interested.
  5. Since there are no more questions to discuss, we can finish the meeting.
  6. Brian is leaving the company DUE TO his age.
  7. The storm was SO severe THAT I couldn’t go out.
  8. Idioms are quite difficult to learn; HOWEVER, they are worth studying.