English B2/C1: Work-Life Balance Vocabulary
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TRANSITION: LEARNING 1/4 — Managing workload and pressure
Next: Managing workload and pressure. Eight expressions, each with meaning, grammar and 3 examples.
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take on too much
Meaning: Accept more responsibilities than you can manage. Pattern: take on + taskole; take on too much
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EXAMPLES 1–2: take on too much
1) I've taken on too much this semester. 2) Our team took on two new projects.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: take on too much
3) Before taking on a role, check your workload. Usage: Taking on means accepting work, not just being busy.
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be stretched thin
Meaning: Lack time or resources for current demands. Pattern: be stretched thin; stretch yourself too thin
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EXAMPLES 1–2: be stretched thin
1) Our team is stretched thin this month. 2) Don't stretch yourself too thin.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: be stretched thin
3) Resources are stretched thin across the labs. Usage: Can describe individuals, teams or resources.
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have a lot on your plate
Meaning: Have many responsibilities to deal with. Pattern: have a lot/too much on your plate
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EXAMPLES 1–2: have a lot on your plate
1) I've got a lot on my plate this week. 2) She has a lot on her plate at work.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: have a lot on your plate
3) With a new job and a move, he has plenty on his plate. Usage: Conversational; less suited to formal reports.
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juggle competing priorities
Meaning: Manage multiple demands that compete for attention. Pattern: juggle + priorities/tasks; juggle A and B
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EXAMPLES 1–2: juggle competing priorities
1) I'm juggling competing priorities at work. 2) Parents often juggle work and childcare.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: juggle competing priorities
3) It's hard to juggle deadlines and study. Usage: Competing implies the demands cannot all come first.
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be at risk of burnout
Meaning: Risk exhaustion from prolonged stress. Pattern: at risk of burnout; burn out (v.); burned out (adj.)
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EXAMPLES 1–2: be at risk of burnout
1) Long hours can put staff at risk of burnout. 2) She felt burned out after months of overtime.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: be at risk of burnout
3) Without breaks, even motivated people burn out. Usage: Burnout is more serious than temporary tiredness.
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work under pressure
Meaning: Work in demanding or time-sensitive conditions. Pattern: work under pressure; under pressure to + verb
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EXAMPLES 1–2: work under pressure
1) I work well under pressure when priorities are clear. 2) The team was under pressure to deliver on time.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: work under pressure
3) Some people perform better under pressure. Usage: Pressure may be stressful or motivating.
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maintain a sustainable pace
Meaning: Keep a manageable workload over time. Pattern: maintain/keep a sustainable pace; an unsustainable pace
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EXAMPLES 1–2: maintain a sustainable pace
1) I want to maintain a sustainable pace. 2) The current pace is unsustainable for the team.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: maintain a sustainable pace
3) Short breaks help us keep a steady pace. Usage: Sustainable means manageable in the long term.
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take a toll on something
Meaning: Gradually harm or exhaust someone or something. Pattern: take a toll on + health/moraleelationships
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EXAMPLES 1–2: take a toll on something
1) Long working hours take a toll on health. 2) The delays took a toll on team morale.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: take a toll on something
3) The commute took a toll on family life. Usage: Usually a cumulative, negative effect.
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TRANSITION: LEARNING 2/4 — Planning time and attention
Next: Planning time and attention. Eight expressions, each with meaning, grammar and 3 examples.
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prioritize A over B
Meaning: Treat A as more important than B. Pattern: prioritize + A + over + B; prioritize + noun/-ing
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EXAMPLES 1–2: prioritize A over B
1) We must prioritize experiments over paperwork. 2) I try to prioritize sleep during busy weeks.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: prioritize A over B
3) They prioritized safety over lower costs. Usage: Say prioritize a task, not prioritize on a task.
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stay on top of something
Meaning: Keep tasks and information under control. Pattern: stay/keep on top of + deadlines/news/finances
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EXAMPLES 1–2: stay on top of something
1) Weekly reviews help me stay on top of deadlines. 2) It is hard to stay on top of new research.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: stay on top of something
3) She stays on top of her expenses. Usage: Useful for managing tasks and staying informed.
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get sidetracked by something
Meaning: Be distracted from your main task or topic. Pattern: get sidetracked by + noun; while + -ing
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EXAMPLES 1–2: get sidetracked by something
1) I got sidetracked by emails. 2) The meeting got sidetracked by minor issues.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: get sidetracked by something
3) I get sidetracked while reading related papers. Usage: Applies to tasks and conversations.
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put something on hold
Meaning: Pause a plan or activity temporarily. Pattern: put + a project/plan + on hold; be on hold
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EXAMPLES 1–2: put something on hold
1) We put the redesign on hold. 2) The hiring process is on hold for now.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: put something on hold
3) My travel plans are on hold until Friday. Usage: Unlike abandon, on hold suggests you may resume.
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put off doing something
Meaning: Delay an action, often an unpleasant one. Pattern: put off + noun/-ing; put off until + time
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EXAMPLES 1–2: put off doing something
1) I've been putting off writing the report. 2) We put off the meeting until Thursday.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: put off doing something
3) Don't put off asking questions. Usage: Use put off writing, NOT put off to write.
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carve out time for something
Meaning: Deliberately make time in a busy schedule. Pattern: carve out time for + noun/-ing; time to + verb
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EXAMPLES 1–2: carve out time for something
1) I carve out time for English each morning. 2) We carved out an hour to review the results.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: carve out time for something
3) She carves out time for her family. Usage: More deliberate than simply having free time.
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block out time for something
Meaning: Reserve a defined slot in your schedule. Pattern: block out/off + time + for + noun/-ing
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EXAMPLES 1–2: block out time for something
1) I block out an hour for focused writing. 2) Could you block out Friday afternoon?
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: block out time for something
3) She blocked off time for preparation. Usage: Often refers to a calendar; more specific than carve out.
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focus on high-impact tasks
Meaning: Prioritize work that produces substantial results. Pattern: focus on + high-impact tasks/activities
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EXAMPLES 1–2: focus on high-impact tasks
1) I focus on high-impact tasks in the morning. 2) We chose a few high-impact improvements.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: focus on high-impact tasks
3) We focus on high-impact changes, not minor fixes. Usage: Useful in professional contexts.
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TRANSITION: LEARNING 3/4 — Progress and delivery
Next: Progress and delivery. Eight expressions, each with meaning, grammar and 3 examples.
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meet a deadline
Meaning: Finish a task by its agreed due date. Pattern: meet/miss/extend + a deadline
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EXAMPLES 1–2: meet a deadline
1) We worked together to meet the deadline. 2) The team missed the deadline after a breakdown.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: meet a deadline
3) Could we extend the deadline by two days? Usage: Meet = on time; miss = late; extend = shift date.
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fall behind schedule
Meaning: Make slower progress than planned. Pattern: fallete behind schedule; run two weeks behind
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EXAMPLES 1–2: fall behind schedule
1) We're falling behind schedule. 2) The project is running two weeks behind.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: fall behind schedule
3) We may fall further behind without extra staff. Usage: Say behind schedule, NOT behind the schedule.
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get back on track
Meaning: Return to good progress after a setback. Pattern: get back on track; get + project + back on track
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EXAMPLES 1–2: get back on track
1) A revised plan got us back on track. 2) I'm getting back on track with French.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: get back on track
3) A short meeting helped get the work back on track. Usage: Applies to projects, habits and personal goals.
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streamline a process
Meaning: Simplify a procedure to improve efficiency. Pattern: streamline + a process/workflow/procedure
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EXAMPLES 1–2: streamline a process
1) We streamlined our data-analysis workflow. 2) The tool streamlined how we handle reports.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: streamline a process
3) Could we streamline the approval process? Usage: Improve efficiency without sacrificing quality.
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make steady progress on something
Meaning: Continue advancing consistently over time. Pattern: make + steadyood progress on + task
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EXAMPLES 1–2: make steady progress on something
1) We're making steady progress on the project. 2) She made good progress toward fluency.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: make steady progress on something
3) We've made progress despite the setbacks. Usage: Progress is uncountable: NOT a progress.
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follow through on something
Meaning: Carry out a promise or plan completely. Pattern: follow through on + plan/promise/commitment
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EXAMPLES 1–2: follow through on something
1) We must follow through on the agreed changes. 2) She always follows through on her promises.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: follow through on something
3) Follow through with concrete actions. Usage: Not the same as follow up on an email.
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set realistic expectations
Meaning: Clarify what can reasonably be achieved. Pattern: set/manage expectations about + results/time
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EXAMPLES 1–2: set realistic expectations
1) We should set realistic expectations early. 2) Manage expectations when results are uncertain.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: set realistic expectations
3) I set expectations about what we could deliver. Usage: Useful for deadlines and uncertain outcomes.
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reach a point of diminishing returns
Meaning: Reach a stage when more effort yields less benefit. Pattern: reach a point of diminishing returns
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EXAMPLES 1–2: reach a point of diminishing returns
1) I reached a point of diminishing returns. 2) Extra meetings may yield diminishing returns.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: reach a point of diminishing returns
3) More studying is not always more productive. Usage: More input still helps, but progressively less.
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TRANSITION: LEARNING 4/4 — Boundaries and collaboration
Next: Boundaries and collaboration. Eight expressions, each with meaning, grammar and 3 examples.
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set boundaries
Meaning: Establish limits on availability or time. Pattern: set boundaries with + person; around + activity
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EXAMPLES 1–2: set boundaries
1) I set boundaries around evening emails. 2) She sets clear boundaries with clients.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: set boundaries
3) Setting boundaries protects family time. Usage: Communicate clear limits, not just refusals.
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draw the line at something
Meaning: Set a firm limit on what you will accept. Pattern: draw the line at + noun/-ing; between A and B
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EXAMPLES 1–2: draw the line at something
1) I draw the line at working every Sunday. 2) They draw the line at sharing private data.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: draw the line at something
3) We draw a line between urgent and routine work. Usage: Stronger than set boundaries; between = distinguish.
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push back on something
Meaning: Respectfully challenge a request or proposal. Pattern: push back on/against + planequest/deadline
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EXAMPLES 1–2: push back on something
1) I pushed back on the unrealistic deadline. 2) Staff pushed back against the budget cuts.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: push back on something
3) You can push back when quality is at risk. Usage: Challenge the proposal, not the person.
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switch off from work
Meaning: Stop thinking about work after hours. Pattern: switch off from work; find it hard to switch off
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EXAMPLES 1–2: switch off from work
1) I find it hard to switch off after work. 2) A walk helps me switch off in the evening.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: switch off from work
3) She struggles to switch off on holiday. Usage: Common in British English; means relax mentally.
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unwind by doing something
Meaning: Relax after a demanding activity. Pattern: unwind by + -ing; unwind after + noun
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EXAMPLES 1–2: unwind by doing something
1) I unwind by reading after work. 2) A walk helps me unwind after meetings.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: unwind by doing something
3) She needed a quiet evening to unwind. Usage: About relaxing, not necessarily sleeping.
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strike a balance between A and B
Meaning: Find a workable compromise between two needs. Pattern: strike/find a balance between + A + and + B
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EXAMPLES 1–2: strike a balance between A and B
1) I strike a balance between work and rest. 2) The policy strikes a balance between cost and quality.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: strike a balance between A and B
3) We need to find the right balance. Usage: Strike a balance is natural in formal discussion.
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delegate a task to someone
Meaning: Assign a task to a person responsible for doing it. Pattern: delegate + a task + to + person
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EXAMPLES 1–2: delegate a task to someone
1) I delegated scheduling to a colleague. 2) Managers should delegate routine tasks.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: delegate a task to someone
3) She delegated slide preparation to the team. Usage: A task is delegated TO a person.
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keep someone in the loop
Meaning: Keep someone informed about developments. Pattern: keep + person + in the loop about/on + topic
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EXAMPLES 1–2: keep someone in the loop
1) I'll keep you in the loop about any changes. 2) Please keep me in the loop as work progresses.
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EXAMPLE 3 + USAGE: keep someone in the loop
3) The team was kept in the loop all week. Usage: Natural workplace speech; less formal than inform.
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TRANSITION: ACTIVE RECALL
Next: 32 situations. Before flipping, say a complete sentence using the expression you learned.
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TRANSITION: RECALL 1/4 — Managing workload and pressure
Review the eight expressions in Managing workload and pressure. Speak first, then flip to check your wording.
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RECALL: You have voluntarily agreed to several projects and now realize your workload is excessive. Say this naturally.
Phrase: take on too much. Example: I've taken on too much and need to reconsider some commitments.
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RECALL: Your team has several deadlines but too few people to handle them comfortably. Describe the situation.
Phrase: be stretched thin. Example: We're stretched thin at the moment, so the timeline may need adjusting.
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RECALL: A colleague asks you to take on more work, but you are dealing with many commitments already. Respond naturally.
Phrase: have a lot on your plate. Example: I've already got a lot on my plate this week.
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RECALL: You are simultaneously managing teaching, experiments and study. Express this in a natural B2–C1 phrase.
Phrase: juggle competing priorities. Example: I'm juggling several competing priorities at the moment.
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RECALL: Someone has worked excessively for months, with little recovery time. State the potential long-term danger.
Phrase: be at risk of burnout. Example: They may be at risk of burnout if this pace continues.
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RECALL: You want to say you remain effective even when deadlines are tight. Use a natural collocation.
Example: I tend to work well under pressure, especially when priorities are clear.
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RECALL: You are making progress but do not want to exhaust yourself over the next six months. Describe your preferred approach.
Phrase: maintain a sustainable pace. Example: I want to maintain a sustainable pace throughout the project.
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RECALL: Months of overtime have negatively affected your sleep and well-being. State the impact naturally.
Phrase: take a toll on something. Example: The long hours are starting to take a toll on my health.
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TRANSITION: RECALL 2/4 — Planning time and attention
Review the eight expressions in Planning time and attention. Speak first, then flip to check your wording.
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RECALL: Today, finishing an important experiment matters more than answering nonurgent emails. Express the choice.
Phrase: prioritize A over B. Example: I need to prioritize the experiment over nonurgent emails.
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RECALL: You regularly review your task list so nothing urgent is overlooked. Describe what this helps you do.
Phrase: stay on top of something. Example: It helps me stay on top of my deadlines and commitments.
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RECALL: A meeting was supposed to cover the budget, but the discussion moved to unrelated problems. Describe what happened.
Phrase: get sidetracked by something. Example: We got sidetracked and never reached the budget discussion.
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RECALL: A project is not cancelled, but the team will pause it until next month. Describe the decision.
Phrase: put something on hold. Example: We've decided to put the project on hold until next month.
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RECALL: You keep delaying a difficult task that you know you should start. Express this using a phrasal verb.
Phrase: put off doing something. Example: I've been putting off starting the report.
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RECALL: Your days are busy, but you deliberately find 30 minutes to practise speaking. Express this naturally.
Phrase: carve out time for something. Example: I carve out half an hour for speaking practice each day.
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RECALL: You reserve two uninterrupted hours in your calendar for preparing a presentation. Describe the action.
Phrase: block out time for something. Example: I blocked out two hours for presentation preparation.
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RECALL: You want to spend your limited work time on the tasks that make the biggest difference. Express the approach.
Phrase: focus on high-impact tasks. Example: I try to focus on high-impact tasks first.
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TRANSITION: RECALL 3/4 — Progress and delivery
Review the eight expressions in Progress and delivery. Speak first, then flip to check your wording.
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RECALL: Your team finished the report on the required date. State this with a common collocation.
Phrase: meet a deadline. Example: We managed to meet the deadline.
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RECALL: Equipment delays mean the project is progressing more slowly than planned. Describe the situation.
Phrase: fall behind schedule. Example: We're falling behind schedule due to the equipment delays.
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RECALL: Your study routine was disrupted, but you have resumed consistent practice. Use an idiom with “track”.
Phrase: get back on track. Example: I'm getting back on track with my English practice.
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RECALL: You eliminate unnecessary steps from a procedure to make it faster. Describe what you did.
Phrase: streamline a process. Example: We streamlined the procedure to reduce delays.
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RECALL: Your research is advancing consistently, even though there has been no major breakthrough. Describe it.
Phrase: make steady progress on something. Example: We're making steady progress on the project.
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RECALL: Your group agreed on several actions, and you want to ensure they actually happen. Use a natural phrasal verb.
Phrase: follow through on something. Example: We need to follow through on the actions we agreed to.
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RECALL: Before starting a collaboration, you want everyone to know what can reasonably be delivered. Express this.
Phrase: set realistic expectations. Example: We should set realistic expectations from the outset.
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RECALL: After six hours of studying, another hour produces very little improvement. Name the idea.
Phrase: reach a point of diminishing returns. Example: I have reached a point of diminishing returns.
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TRANSITION: RECALL 4/4 — Boundaries and collaboration
Review the eight expressions in Boundaries and collaboration. Speak first, then flip to check your wording.
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RECALL: You want colleagues to know you do not answer routine emails late at night. Describe this approach.
Phrase: set boundaries. Example: I need to set clearer boundaries around after-hours messages.
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RECALL: You can occasionally work late, but you refuse to work every Sunday. State your limit naturally.
Phrase: draw the line at something. Example: I draw the line at working every Sunday.
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RECALL: A proposed deadline is unrealistic, and you want to challenge it respectfully. Express your response.
Phrase: push back on something. Example: I pushed back on the proposed deadline and suggested an alternative.
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RECALL: You leave the office but continue thinking about unfinished tasks all evening. Describe the difficulty.
Phrase: switch off from work. Example: I find it hard to switch off from work after hours.
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RECALL: A short walk helps you relax after a stressful day. Express this using a natural verb.
Phrase: unwind by doing something. Example: I unwind by going for a walk after work.
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RECALL: You want to give enough attention to both career development and family life. Express the aim.
Phrase: strike a balance between A and B. Example: I try to strike a balance between work and family.
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RECALL: You ask a colleague to handle scheduling so you can focus on data analysis. Describe the action.
Phrase: delegate a task to someone. Example: I delegated the scheduling to a colleague.
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RECALL: You promise to update a colleague whenever there are changes to the project plan. Express this naturally.
Phrase: keep someone in the loop. Example: I'll keep you in the loop about any changes to the project plan.
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