Advanced Details: Four problem-solving idioms we use at work

Are you confident that you can use these frequently used work-related idioms in your conversations?:

• Put out fires
• A can of worms                                           
• An uphill battle
• Cross that bridge when we come to it

Put out fires = to spend time on problems that need to be dealt with quickly, instead of working in a calm, planned way

A can of worms = If you say that someone is opening a can of worms, you are warning them that they are planning to do or talk about something which is much more complicated, unpleasant, or difficult that they realize and which might be better keft alone.

An uphill battle = If you refer to something as an uphill struggle or an uphill battle, you mean that it requires a great deal of effort and determination, but it should be possible to achieve it.

Cross that bridge when we come to it = to not worry about a potential problem until it actually happens.

Advanced English users at PTTEP need to pay attention to such idioms as they work and negotiate with expats.