English grammar
Idioms of power: come out on top, rule the roost, beat about the bush…
Use idioms about winning, dodging and being in charge.
From the scene Coming out on top
In short
Power idioms: come out on top, rule the roost, beat about the bush, hit the nail on the head.
Your turn
Which one goes with to be the one in charge?
Options: they come out on top · no beating about the bush · Montse rules the roost
Show answer
to be the one in charge → Montse rules the roost
How it works
English has vivid idioms for who wins, who dodges and who is in charge.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
The weather's nice in Barcelona? Don't (blank) the question.
Options: dodge · escape · hide
Show answer
The weather's nice in Barcelona? Don't dodge the question.
¿Que hace buen tiempo en Barcelona? No te salgas por la tangente.
Good to know
To come out on top is to win in the end. Whoever rules the roost is the one in charge, like the cockerel in a henhouse.
Good to know
To beat about the bush is to avoid saying something directly, and to hit the nail on the head is to say exactly the right thing.
to win in the end they come out on top
Ramón
Typical of the posh lot: they come out on top without lifting a finger.
Típico de pijos: se llevan el gato al agua sin mover un dedo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Typical of the posh lot: (blank) without lifting a finger.
Options: Montse rules the roost · no beating about the bush · they come out on top
Show answer
Ramón
Typical of the posh lot: they come out on top without lifting a finger.
Típico de pijos: se llevan el gato al agua sin mover un dedo.
to be the one in charge Montse rules the roost
Nuria
Yes, but Montse rules the roost. And Montse believes him.
Ya, pero el bacalao lo corta Montse. Y Montse le cree a él.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, but (blank). And Montse believes him.
Options: They come out on top · No beating about the bush · Montse rules the roost
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, but Montse rules the roost. And Montse believes him.
Ya, pero el bacalao lo corta Montse. Y Montse le cree a él.
to avoid saying it directly no beating about the bush
Elena
Right, my dear, no beating about the bush: what's happened?
A ver, cariño, sin andarte por las ramas: ¿qué ha pasado?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Right, my dear, (blank): what's happened?
Options: Montse rules the roost · no beating about the bush · they come out on top
Show answer
Elena
Right, my dear, no beating about the bush: what's happened?
A ver, cariño, sin andarte por las ramas: ¿qué ha pasado?
to say exactly the right thing you've hit the nail on the head
Ramón
You've hit the nail on the head. If he hangs up, he has no answer.
Has dado en el clavo. Si cuelga, es que no tiene respuesta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). If he hangs up, he has no answer.
Options: Montse rules the roost · You've hit the nail on the head · They come out on top
Show answer
Ramón
You've hit the nail on the head. If he hangs up, he has no answer.
Has dado en el clavo. Si cuelga, es que no tiene respuesta.
to make no effort at all without lifting a finger
Ramón
Typical of the posh lot: they come out on top without lifting a finger.
Típico de pijos: se llevan el gato al agua sin mover un dedo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Typical of the posh lot: they come out on top (blank).
Options: Montse rules the roost · no beating about the bush · without lifting a finger
Show answer
Ramón
Typical of the posh lot: they come out on top without lifting a finger.
Típico de pijos: se llevan el gato al agua sin mover un dedo.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| to win in the end | they come out on top |
|---|---|
| to be the one in charge | Montse rules the roost |
| to avoid saying it directly | no beating about the bush |
| to say exactly the right thing | you've hit the nail on the head |
| to make no effort at all | without lifting a finger |
More lines from the story
- NuriaThe weather's nice in Barcelona? Don't dodge the question.¿Que hace buen tiempo en Barcelona? No te salgas por la tangente.
- NuriaHe's hung up on me.Me ha colgado.