The Jargon Is Strong With This One
Grammar: Idioms
A Level 6 English lesson exploring work.
What's in this lesson
A Level 6 (proficiency) ESL lesson on work, practising idioms. The worksheet has a reading, target vocabulary, a grammar reference with practice and discussion questions.
From the reading: The Jargon Is Strong With This One
Somewhere between 2010 and now, the English language suffered a workplace incident. Meetings that once lasted thirty minutes began requiring participants to circle back, move the needle, and boil the ocean — all before lunch. LinkedIn, the professional network that occasionally resembles a motivational poster left in the rain, became the spiritual home of the thought leader: a figure who does not so much think or lead as leverage synergies across cross-functional stakeholder ecosystems. Nobody planned this. It simply scaled.
Vocabulary
- across
- between
- through
- within
- back to the drawing board
- cut corners
- hit the ground running
- on the same page
- think outside the box
Grammar: Idioms
- Idiom — literal vs
- The plan boiled the ocean — no one finished it. — figurative meaning only; literal reading signals you missed it
- Idiom — double-edged
- Jargon is a double-edged sword: it impresses and confuses. — two opposing consequences from one thing
Discussion questions
- Do you ever use jargon at work — and do you actually know what it means?
- Should business language be simple or technical?
- Have you ever been impressed by someone just because of the words they used?
The Jargon Is Strong With This One
Grammar: Idioms
What's in this lesson:
Full lesson plan with reading, grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
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