What did they say again?
English is rich in idiomatic expressions — and using them can make your language sound authentic and up to date.
First, the idiomatic way
Amy: They cut corners. That’s why we’re in a fix.
Raj: I thought we just had a few teething problems.
Amy: No, the whole system is out of whack. It won’t start.
Now, more simply
Amy: They didn’t do the work properly so they could save time and money. That’s why we’re in a difficult situation.
Raj: I thought we just had a few minor problems at the start. Amy: No, the whole system is not working normally. It won’t start.
First, the idiomatic way
Raj: We’ve let things slide.
Amy: I’ll drop everything and work on it now.
Raj: How long do you need to straighten things out?
Amy: As long as it takes.
Now, more simply
Raj: We’ve allowed things to get worse.
Amy: I’ll stop work on everything and work on it now.
Raj: How long do you need to deal with everything?
Amy: As long as necessary.
First, the idiomatic way
Amy: We’ve been racking our brains all day. I don’t have a silver bullet.
Raj: We go live Friday! Find a quick fix!
Amy: I can give you a band-aid solution, but you won’t want that!
Now, more simply
Amy: We’ve been trying very hard to find a solution all day. I don’t have an easy, long-lasting solution to a complex situation. Raj: We introduce the computer system Friday! Find a temporary solution fast.
Amy: I can give you a temporary solution that won’t solve the real problem, but you won’t want that!
First, the idiomatic way
Raj: Please tell me that you’ve
made headway.
Amy: At first, I couldn’t make head or tail of it, but this should
do the trick.
Raj: It works! Well done! That’s a
stroke of genius.
Now, more simply
Raj: Please tell me that you’ve made progress.
Amy: At first, I couldn’t understand anything about it, but this should achieve the result we want.
Raj: It works! Well done! That’s a very intelligent solution.