Spot the idioms 2 ~ answers

How did you do? Did you spot all of the idioms? (they weren’t all easy to spot). The idioms are marked in bold in the text below, and their meanings logged in the table below it.

 

To: Jackson Tyler – Customer Services Manager

From: Sam Johnstone – Sales Director

Re: Customer complaint from T Anders

 

Following my telephone call with Mr Anders on Thursday, I felt that I should contact you with the latest developments re his complaint.

As you can imagine, this customer is at the end of his tether with this issue, and if we do not resolve the matter, it will only escalate. I don’t want us to get it in the neck for a matter that can be avoided, so rather than argue the toss any further with Mr Anders I want us to accept his views and work to close the matter. Three people in your department have spoken to the customer so far, but to no avail. I think that you have had a fair crack of the whip on this one, and if we don’t box clever now then this matter could end up in the Press. I am, therefore, suggesting that you hand this case over to me to sort out. It seems that, although your staff are as keen as mustard to put things right, Mr Anders simply does not wish to communicate with them further. Although this means that I am left holding the baby, I think we both know that more trouble is on the cards with this customer if we do not placate him. Word is getting around. I even had somebody from Human Resources trying to quiz me over the matter yesterday – how did they find out?? I want to stop the Chinese Whispers from making things worse, and especially if word gets out to the Board! A.H. is already like a bear with a sore head over customer service issues, so let’s not add to his burden.

You can contact me on my ext 2259 until 6pm today if you wish to discuss things. My PA will contact Mr Anders tomorrow morning to start the resolution process!

Cheers

Sam

 

Meanings:

at the end of your tether	at the limit of your patience or endurance
get it in the neck	to be punished or criticised for something
argue the toss	to refuse to accept a decision and argue about it
a fair crack of the whip	having an equal opportunity to do something
box clever	use intelligence to get what you want (this can mean even if you cheat a bit!)
as keen as mustard	very enthusiastic
left holding the baby	to be left with the responsibility for something
on the cards	almost certain to happen
Chinese Whispers	gossip or scandal that becomes distorted or exaggerated as it told from person to person
like a bear with a sore head	to complain a lot and be unhappy about something

Take a look at more idoms, and lots more vocabulary exercises, in the Index.