Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: Constraints and Consequences
Explore constraints and consequences with eight useful expressions, including a double-edged sword, a poisoned chalice, a law of diminishing returns. Read the meanings and examples, then use the language in eight C2 discussion questions.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Eight expressions with meanings and example sentences
- Eight matching discussion questions
- One printable page
- Open-ended speaking practice
Use eight C2 expressions to analyse constraints and delayed consequences. The page distinguishes a double-edged sword, a poisoned chalice and a catch-22 while questioning claims about precedents and floodgates.
Worksheet preview
Open PDF ↗
Page 1 of 1 · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Prepare the single discussion sheet; there is no fixed answer key. Learners can use fictional institutions rather than real disputes.
- Read the examples and identify which expressions describe mixed effects, concealed difficulties and mutually blocking requirements.
- Discuss the eight questions with reasons and counterexamples. Separate setting a precedent from proving that many similar requests will follow.
- Redesign an imagined catch-22 for newcomers. Explain how the change removes one blocking requirement rather than merely renaming the problem.
Support and extension
Support with the experience-before-employment example. Extend by assessing a claim about diminishing returns without using it to excuse essential unfinished work.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
