Facing problems, finding solutions: Practical strategies and useful language

Problems are part of everyday life. They can be small (like a broken phone charger) or large (such as a conflict at work). Understanding how to recognise problems and choose practical solutions helps you act calmly and effectively.

Practical advice: treat problems as opportunities to learn. A calm, methodical approach reduces stress and leads to better outcomes.

Before jumping to solutions, it helps to categorise what you’re facing. Different problems require different mindsets:

• Practical/Technical: Broken equipment, software glitches, time management. Often resolved with systematic troubleshooting
• Interpersonal: Misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, team conflicts. Require empathy, active listening, and clear dialogue
• Strategic: Long-term planning, resource allocation, career decisions. Benefit from data, foresight, and scenario analysis
• Emotional/psychological: Stress, burnout, loss of motivation. These often require self-care, setting boundaries or professional support

Steps to solve a problem

1. Define the problem clearly. Describe what is happening and why it matters

2. Break the problem into smaller parts. Tackle simpler tasks first

3. Brainstorm possible solutions. Include creative and conventional options

4. Evaluate pros and cons for each solution. Consider resources, time, and risks

5. Choose a solution and make a plan. Set clear steps and deadlines

6. Implement the solution and monitor progress. Be ready to adapt

7. Review the outcome and learn from it. Note what worked and what didn’t

In practice: example sentences

Diagnosis: “I realised the issue was a software bug after reviewing the error logs.”

Breaking it down: “To solve the scheduling conflict, we divided the project into weekly milestones.”

Adapting: “She suggested a temporary workaround while we develop a permanent fix.”

Mindset: “If one approach fails, pivot to another rather than getting stuck.”

Useful vocabulary

- issue, obstacle, challenge, setback

- cause, consequence, impact, effect

- solution, fix, workaround, remedy

- evaluate, prioritise, implement, resolve

- short-term, long-term, temporary, permanent

Idioms about problems

- a sticking point: a specific difficulty that prevents progress.
Example: "The budget was a sticking point in negotiations; without extra funding, the project can’t move forward."

- to hit a snag: to encounter an unexpected minor problem or delay.
Example: "We hit a snag with the delivery schedule, but the supplier promised a solution by Friday."

- a fix is in: an unfair or dishonest arrangement that ensures a specific outcome (use cautiously).
Example:  "After the suspicious votes, many believed a fix was in and called for an investigation."

- to sweep (something) under the rug: to hide or ignore a problem instead of dealing with it.
Example:  "Don’t sweep the issue under the rug; addressing it now will prevent bigger problems later."

- to nip (something) in the bud: to stop a problem at an early stage before it grows.
Example:  "We should nip the misunderstanding in the bud with a clear team discussion."

- back to the drawing board / to start from scratch: to abandon the current plan and start again after a failure.
Example:  "The prototype failed stress tests, so it’s back to the drawing board for the engineers."
Example: ‘The prototype failed the stress tests, so the engineers will have to start from scratch.’

- to bite the bullet: to accept an unpleasant action or decision that is necessary to solve a problem.
Example: "We decided to bite the bullet and reduce spending to save the company."

- to weather the storm: to survive a difficult period without being ruined.
Example:  "The small business managed to weather the storm during the slow season."

- to throw in the towel: to give up or concede defeat.
Example: "After months of setbacks, she refused to throw in the towel and hired a consultant."

- to plug the leak: to stop the source of a recurring problem (often used for information leaks or financial losses).
Example: "First, plug the leak in our budget reporting before we consider expansion."

- to smooth things over: to reduce tension or repair a strained relationship.
Example: "He apologised and offered a compromise to smooth things over with his colleague."

- to draw a line in the sand: to set a clear limit or boundary that must not be crossed.
Example: "Management drew a line in the sand about missed deadlines after repeated delays."

Practical tips for everyday problem-solving

• Prioritise issues by impact and urgency; not all problems need immediate attention
• Communicate early and clearly; silence breeds assumptions and escalates conflicts
• Use deadlines to create momentum, but avoid rushing critical decisions
• Pilot small-scale solutions before full implementation
• Keep a “problem log” to track decisions, outcomes, and recurring pattern

Useful resources 

• 150 Examples of Difficult Problems
• 100 Idioms About Problems and Solutions 
• EngXam — downloadable “List of 200 Idioms and Phrases” for C1 (PDF/XLS) and CAE practice 
  
  

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A writing on English idioms and proverbs, and their correspondence in Spanish

Well, "just in the nick of time", I have "to bite the bullet" and write a short post about English idioms, sayings and their equivalence in Spanish. Though nearly "lost at sea" I will explain, or at least try to, the real meanings in their own language and how to use them. But that, probably, will be in another writing, another post.

But, what's an idiom? What's a saying or proverb? 

An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal one, like “kick the bucket” meaning to die, while a saying is a short, well-known expression that conveys a general truth or advice, such as “a stitch in time saves nine,” which means addressing a problem early can prevent it from becoming bigger.

Let's see some examples of Spanish sayings or proverbs and their equivalences in English (idioms will come later...):

1.- Más vale tarde que nunca - “Better late than never”
It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.

2.- A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda - “The early bird catches the worm”
Those who start early or put in effort early are more likely to succeed.

3.- No hay mal que por bien no venga - “Every cloud has a silver lining”
Every bad situation has some positive aspect to it.

4.- En boca cerrada no entran moscas - “Silence is golden”
Sometimes it’s better to keep quiet to avoid trouble.

5.- Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando - “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”
It’s better to have a sure thing than to risk it for something better that you might not get.

6.- Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente - “Out of sight, out of mind”
If you’re not aware of something, it won’t affect you emotionally.

7.- El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta - “Jack of all trades, master of none”
Trying to do too many things at once often means not doing any of them well.

8.- Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres - “You are known by the company you keep”
The people you associate with reflect your character.

9.- A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente - “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”
Don’t criticize or question something you received as a gift.

10.- No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver - “None so blind as those who will not see”
The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore the truth.

Despite those examples are not "straight from the horse's mouth" (I have used the Web, sorry), I hope they can give you an idea of the richness of both languages.

To be continued (perhaps)...

P.S. I recommend you reading the book "Red Herrings and White Elephants" by Albert Jack

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English idioms: "The ball is in your court"

This idiom, "The ball is in your court",  is used to indicate that it's now someone else's move or turn to take action or make a decision. It's often used in situations where one person has done all they can, and now it's time for the other person to do something.

Examples: 

- After I submitted my job application, the recruiter said, "The ball is in our court now. We will review your application and get back to you."

- During a negotiation, one party might say to the other, "We've made our offer, so the ball is in your court."

- After sending my friend a text message, I thought to myself, "The ball is in her court now. I'll wait for her to reply."

- During a tennis match, after a good serve, the player might think, "The ball is in his court now. Let's see how he returns it."

- After proposing a business idea to my boss, I said, "The ball is in your court now. It's up to you whether we proceed with this project or not."

- In a legal dispute, a lawyer might say to the opposing counsel, "We've presented our case. The ball is in your court now."

- After asking someone on a date, you might think, "The ball is in their court now. I'll wait for them to respond."

- During a political debate, a candidate might say to their opponent, "I've stated my position on the issue. The ball is in your court now."

- After submitting a college application, a student might say, "The ball is in the college's court now. I'll wait for their decision."

- In a negotiation, after making an offer, a seller might say to the buyer, "The ball is in your court now. It's your turn to make a counteroffer."

- After sending a manuscript to a publisher, an author might say, "The ball is in the publisher's court now. I'll wait for their feedback."

- During a game of chess, after making a move, a player might say to their opponent, "The ball is in your court now. It's your turn to move."

The Tennis Origins of "The Ball is in Your Court"

The familiar phrase "The ball is in your court" actually started on the tennis court! Back in the 1800s, it was clear whose turn it was: whoever had the ball on their side needed to hit it back. This simple idea became a handy metaphor for responsibility and action.

By the 1960s, the phrase wasn't just for sports anymore. People started using it in everyday life to say: "It's up to you now! Your turn to make a move!" The original image of the ball being hit back and forth stayed with the phrase, even though it wasn't always about a literal ball and court.

Here's a more concise version:
"The ball is in your court" originated in tennis, symbolizing the shift in responsibility when the ball lands on someone's side. By the 1960s, it became a common phrase for indicating whose turn it is to act.

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Expressions to remember (I) - Idioms

There’s an exciting new series in Focus on Learning English that’s all about idioms. What makes this series particularly interesting is that it draws its content from the beloved ‘Asterix and Obelix’ comics.

As a fan of these comics myself, I find this approach to learning both engaging and enjoyable. The series cleverly uses the humorous and adventurous tales of Asterix and Obelix to introduce and explain various idioms, making the learning process much more fun and memorable. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their understanding of idioms in a unique and entertaining way.

Here come the first idiomatic expressions, corresponding to the comic ‘The Mansions of the Gods’:

To go about one's business.
Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.
To meet one's match.
To bring to heel.
Not to see the wood for the trees.
One ship has come home.
To lay it on a bit thick.

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To go about one’s business: “Seguir con lo suyo”

Despite the rain, people kept going about their business.
A pesar de la lluvia, la gente seguía con lo suyo.

Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched: “No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo”

You shouldn't spend the lottery prize money yet. Remember, don't sell the bear's skin before hunting it.
No deberías gastar el dinero del premio de la lotería todavía. Recuerda, no vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo.

To meet one’s match: “Encontrar a su igual”

Juan always won at chess, but when he played against Maria, he met his match.
Juan siempre ganaba en el ajedrez, pero cuando jugó contra María, encontró a su igual.

To bring to heel: “Poner en su sitio”

The teacher put the disobedient student in his place.
El profesor puso en su sitio al estudiante desobediente.

Not to see the wood for the trees: “No ver el bosque por los árboles”

You're so focused on the details that you can't see the forest for the trees.
Estás tan concentrado en los detalles que no ves el bosque por los árboles.

One ship has come home: “Llegó el barco”

After months of waiting, the ship finally arrived when I received the job offer.
Después de meses de espera, finalmente llegó el barco cuando recibí la oferta de trabajo.

To lay it on a bit thick: “Exagerar”

I think you're laying it on a bit thick with your compliments towards her.
Creo que exageras un poco con tus elogios hacia ella.

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32 Common Idioms in English and what they mean, with examples

Idioms are expressions that have a different meaning from the literal words they use. They are often used to make a point, add color, or create humor in speech and writing. Learning idioms can help you understand English better and communicate more naturally. Here are 32 common idioms in English and what they mean, with examples and explanations for intermediate Spanish students.

1. A piece of cake: something that is very easy to do. Example: The test was a piece of cake for me. I finished it in 10 minutes. Explanation: This idiom compares something to a delicious dessert that is easy to eat and enjoy.

2. Break a leg: a way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance. Example: You're going on stage soon. Break a leg! Explanation: This idiom may seem strange, but it is actually a way of avoiding saying "good luck" directly, which some people believe is bad luck. It may also come from the idea that breaking a leg means getting applause from the audience.

3. Call it a day: to stop working on something, especially after making some progress or achieving something. Example: We've finished the report, so let's call it a day and go home. Explanation: This idiom suggests that the work is done for the day and it is time to relax or do something else.

4. Cut someone some slack: to give someone more freedom or leniency, especially when they are having difficulties or making mistakes. Example: He's new to the job, so cut him some slack if he doesn't know everything yet. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of loosening a rope or cord that is holding someone or something tight.

5. Down to earth: someone who is practical, realistic, and easy to get along with. Example: She's very down to earth and always gives good advice. Explanation: This idiom implies that someone is not too proud, arrogant, or dreamy, but rather grounded and humble.

6. Every cloud has a silver lining: a way of saying that there is something positive or hopeful in every bad situation. Example: I know you're sad about losing your job, but every cloud has a silver lining. Maybe you'll find a better one soon. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of seeing the bright edge of a dark cloud as the sun shines behind it.

7. Feel under the weather: to feel sick or unwell. Example: I'm feeling under the weather today, so I'm going to stay in bed. Explanation: This idiom may come from the idea that bad weather can affect one's mood or health.

8. Get out of hand: to become uncontrollable or chaotic. Example: The party got out of hand when too many people showed up and started breaking things. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of losing one's grip or hold on something.

9. Hit the books: to study hard, especially for an exam or test. Example: I have a big exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight. Explanation: This idiom may come from the idea of hitting or opening books to read them.

10. In hot water: in trouble or difficulty, especially with someone in authority. Example: He's in hot water with his boss for missing the deadline. Explanation: This idiom may come from the idea of being boiled or scalded by hot water as a punishment.

11. Jump the gun: to act too soon or before the right time. Example: Don't jump the gun and buy that car without checking its history first. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of starting a race before the signal or gun is fired.

12. Keep an eye on something/someone: to watch something or someone carefully or attentively. Example: Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the bathroom? Explanation: This idiom uses the eye as a symbol of attention or vigilance.

13. Let someone off the hook: to free someone from responsibility, blame, or punishment. Example: He let me off the hook and didn't tell my parents that I broke his window. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of releasing a fish from a hook after catching it.

14. Make up one's mind: to decide or choose something after thinking about it for a while. Example: I can't make up my mind whether to go to college or start working right away. Explanation: This idiom suggests that one's mind is divided or confused before making a decision.

15. No pain, no gain: a way of saying that one has to work hard or suffer in order to achieve something worthwhile. Example: You have to exercise regularly if you want to lose weight. No pain, no gain! Explanation: This idiom implies that pain or effort is necessary for success or improvement.

16. On the fence: undecided or unsure about something. Example: I'm on the fence about whether to go to the party or not. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of sitting on a fence between two sides or options.

17. Out of the blue: unexpectedly or suddenly. Example: He called me out of the blue after not talking to me for years. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of something appearing from the blue sky without warning.

18. Pull someone's leg: to tease or joke with someone, especially by telling a lie or exaggeration. Example: I'm just pulling your leg. I didn't really win the lottery. Explanation: This idiom may come from the idea of tripping or making someone fall by pulling their leg.

19. Put something on ice: to delay or postpone something for later. Example: We decided to put our wedding on ice until we save enough money. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of preserving something by freezing it.

20. Rain on someone's parade: to spoil someone's plans or happiness. Example: Don't rain on my parade. I'm really excited about going on vacation. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of ruining a festive event by raining on it.

21. See eye to eye: to agree or have the same opinion as someone else. Example: We don't see eye to eye on politics, but we're still good friends. Explanation: This idiom suggests that two people look at each other in the eye when they agree or understand each other.

22. Take something with a grain of salt: to be skeptical or doubtful about something, especially a rumor or claim. Example: Take what he says with a grain of salt. He likes to exaggerate a lot. Explanation: This idiom may come from the idea of making something easier to swallow by adding salt to it.

23. The elephant in the room: a big or obvious problem or issue that no one wants to talk about or address. Example: We need to talk about the elephant in the room. How are we going to pay our debts? Explanation: This idiom uses the elephant as a metaphor for something large and noticeable that is ignored or avoided.

24. The icing on the cake: something extra that makes a good situation even better. Example: Winning the lottery was great, but getting a promotion was the icing on the cake. Explanation: This idiom compares something to a sweet and delicious topping on a cake.

25. The last straw: the final problem, annoyance, or insult that makes someone lose their patience or tolerance. Example: He was rude to me all day, but when he spilled coffee on my laptop, that was the last straw. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of breaking a camel's back by adding one more straw to its load.

26. The tip of the iceberg: a small or visible part of a much larger problem or issue. Example: The corruption scandal was just the tip of the iceberg. There were many more crimes that were not exposed. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of seeing only a small part of an iceberg above water, while most of it is hidden below.

27. Throw in the towel: to give up or admit defeat. Example: He threw in the towel and quit his job after his boss yelled at him again. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of throwing a towel into a boxing ring to signal surrender.

28. To be in someone's shoes: to be in someone else's situation or position, especially a difficult one. Example: I wouldn't want to be in your shoes right now. You have a lot of work to do. Explanation: This idiom uses shoes as a symbol of someone's life or circumstances.

29. Turn over a new leaf: to change one's behavior or attitude for the better. Example: He decided to turn over a new leaf and stop drinking after his accident. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of turning a page in a book to start a new chapter.

30. Under someone's thumb: under someone's control or influence, especially in a negative way. Example: She's under his thumb and does whatever he tells her to do. Explanation: This idiom suggests that someone is pressed down or oppressed by someone else's thumb.

31. Up in the air: uncertain or undecided; not yet settled or resolved. Example: Our plans for the weekend are still up in the air. We haven't decided where to go yet. Explanation: This idiom comes from the idea of something being floating or flying in the air without direction or destination.

32. Walk on eggshells: to be very careful or cautious about what one says or does, especially around someone who is easily offended or angry. Example: I have to walk on eggshells around my boss. He gets mad at me for every little mistake.

Some reasons for learning idioms

From an English student’s perspective, idioms are a vital part of language learning for several reasons:

Understanding Culture: Idioms often reflect cultural nuances and historical contexts that are unique to native speakers. By learning idioms, students can gain insights into the culture and mindset of English-speaking societies.

Enhancing Communication Skills: Idioms are frequently used in everyday conversations, literature, movies, and TV shows. Knowing idioms can help students understand and engage in these contexts more effectively.

Enriching Vocabulary: Each idiom is a creative expression that encapsulates a larger meaning in a few words. Learning idioms can help students expand their vocabulary and express themselves more eloquently and succinctly.

Improving Fluency: Using idioms correctly can make a non-native speaker sound more like a native speaker. It adds a level of fluency and naturalness to their language skills.

Remember, while idioms can enrich your language, they should be used appropriately and in the right context. Misused idioms can lead to confusion or miscommunication. Happy learning! 

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An article on idiomatic expressions or 'idioms' and some resources related to them

Well, while I am preparing the return of the Focus on Learning English, I want to leave a link that my teacher Rachel (thank you very much from here!) sent me about idioms in English. 

I've found it very interesting. Here it is: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/english-idioms-6/

And what are idioms in English?

Idioms are colourful phrases or expressions in a language that convey meaning beyond the literal meaning of the individual words. In other words, you cannot understand the true meaning of an idiom simply by looking up the definitions of the words that make it up. Idioms are fixed expressions that have a unique meaning as a whole, rather than the sum of their parts.

Here are some examples of common English idioms, along with their Spanish equivalents (only in some cases, sorry!):

"No big deal" - "No es para tanto".

"Take it easy" - "Tomar las cosas con calma".

"Long time no see!" 

"Call it a day!"

"Hold your horses" - "Calm down!"

"Long story short" - "To sum it up, in a nutshell"

"Make someone's day"

And here are some more examples of idiomatic expressions from ThoughtCo:

"24/7" - Twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; all the time; constantly. Example: "My little sister irritates me 24/7!"

"A short fuse" - A quick temper. Example: "Jamie is known for his short fuse; just a few days ago he yelled at his coach for not letting him play".

"A taste of your own medicine" - Bad treatment deserved for treating other people badly.
Example: "After being constantly teased, Julian decided to give John a taste of his own medicine and ordered twenty-seven pizzas to be delivered to John's house".

"Butterflies in my stomach" - To be nervous. Example: "Liam had butterflies in his stomach before he went on stage to play the violin".

Mastering the most common English idioms enriches your understanding of the language and improves your conversational skills. Idioms allow us to express nuances that would be difficult to convey in literal language. For native English speakers, these phrases are part of everyday communication, but for non-native speakers, mastering them can be a challenge. Incorporating these expressions into your use of English will give you that extra edge that will make you sound more like a native speaker.

Sources

• www.otosection.com/common-expressions-in-everyday-english-phrases-spoken/
• quizlet.com/512105795/elementary-common-idioms-flash-cards/

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