Answer these questions. Listen to some model answers. Read the transcript or report back what you heard.

From the lecturer/student complaints

bone idle
If someone is “bone idle,” it means they are extremely lazy — so lazy it’s as if the laziness goes right down to their bones! It’s stronger than simply saying “lazy.” You might hear this in Britain to describe someone who avoids work at all costs, like the colleague who never lifts a finger but still gets paid.

have an attitude problem
To “have an attitude problem” is to behave in a rude, negative, or uncooperative way. Think of someone rolling their eyes at the teacher or boss, or snapping back whenever corrected. The phrase became popular in schools and workplaces to describe people who don’t respect authority and make life harder for everyone around them.

slippery customer
A “slippery customer” is someone who is tricky and untrustworthy — like trying to hold a slippery fish, they always wriggle away. It’s often used in Britain to describe people who dodge responsibility, avoid direct answers, or twist situations to their advantage. You never quite know what they’re up to.

mindless violence
“Mindless violence” refers to aggression that has no reason or purpose. The word “mindless” shows that it’s done without thinking, like hooligans smashing things for fun. It paints a picture of violence that is both senseless and shocking, often used by newspapers reporting on riots or street fights.

pick a fight
To “pick a fight” means to deliberately try to start an argument or confrontation. The image is of someone choosing trouble the way you might pick fruit — actively looking for it. You might hear it if someone keeps making provocative remarks just to get a reaction.

have no respect (for authority)
If someone “has no respect for authority,” they ignore rules, laws, or those in charge. Picture a teenager rolling through red lights on their bike, or an employee constantly ignoring their manager’s instructions. It’s a critical way to highlight rebellious, disrespectful behaviour.

hold (someone) in contempt
To “hold someone in contempt” is to despise or strongly disrespect them. It sounds very formal, often legal (“held in contempt of court”), but it can also describe everyday situations where you secretly or openly look down on someone. It carries a very strong sense of disapproval.

take the flak
“Flak” originally comes from anti-aircraft fire in World War II. To “take the flak” now means to receive heavy criticism or blame. If a project fails, the manager often “takes the flak” from the board, even if it wasn’t all their fault. It paints a picture of standing in the line of fire.

disruptive influence
A “disruptive influence” is someone who disturbs the peace and causes trouble in a group. Teachers often use it about students who distract others in class. The word “influence” suggests they don’t just misbehave themselves, but encourage others to do the same — poisoning the group dynamic.

poisons the atmosphere
If someone “poisons the atmosphere,” they make a situation tense or unpleasant for everyone. The phrase creates a vivid picture — as if the air itself has been made toxic. It’s often used at work when one person’s constant negativity drags down the whole team.

the blame rests (with someone)
When “the blame rests with someone,” it means that person is responsible for what went wrong. The expression feels formal, like something you’d hear in an investigation or official report. It emphasises that responsibility ultimately belongs to one person or group.

shirk their responsibilities
To “shirk responsibilities” means to deliberately avoid duties. “Shirk” is quite an old-fashioned verb, but still common in this phrase. It suggests someone slipping away quietly instead of doing what they should — like the colleague who always disappears when there’s extra work to do.

From critical exclamations

stoop to that level
If someone “stoops to that level,” it means they lower their standards and behave as badly as someone else. The verb “stoop” literally means to bend down, so it paints a picture of lowering yourself morally. You might hear it in arguments: “I won’t stoop to that level!”

dirty trick (to play)
A “dirty trick” is an unfair or dishonest action, often designed to embarrass or harm someone. It can be used in sport, politics, or daily life. The phrase paints the idea of “playing” a trick — but not in a fun way, in a nasty, sneaky way.

nasty piece of work
Calling someone a “nasty piece of work” is a very British way of saying they are an unpleasant or mean person. It’s not about their work, but their character. The phrase sounds almost casual, but it’s a very strong criticism of someone’s personality.

totally out of order
If something is “totally out of order,” it means it’s completely unacceptable. It comes from the idea of a machine being “out of order” when broken, but in this sense it applies to behaviour. You might hear it in British English when someone is shocked by rudeness: “That comment was totally out of order!”

downright disgrace
A “downright disgrace” is something completely shameful. “Downright” adds emphasis, making the judgement stronger. It’s often used in angry speeches, newspaper articles, or by authority figures who want to express strong disapproval.

wouldn’t trust (someone) an inch
If you “wouldn’t trust someone an inch,” it means you don’t trust them at all. The image is of giving them not even a tiny bit of trust — not even an inch. It’s a very vivid way to show total distrust.

Other collocations relating to criticising people

betrayed my trust
If someone “betrayed your trust,” they broke your confidence in them. “Betray” is a strong word, often used in history about traitors, but here it’s personal — a friend sharing your secret, for example. It highlights the pain of having your faith in someone destroyed.

belittle his achievements
To “belittle” someone’s achievements is to make them sound smaller or less important than they are. The word “belittle” itself was first used by Thomas Jefferson in the 18th century! Today, it’s often used for people who can’t celebrate others’ success.

cloud your judgement
When something “clouds your judgement,” it makes it harder to think clearly. The image is of a cloud covering the sun — your mind can’t see clearly. Strong emotions like anger or love are often said to “cloud your judgement.”

minor niggles
“Minor niggles” are small complaints or problems. “Niggle” is a very British word, often used for little irritations that aren’t serious but still annoying. For example, a shoe that doesn’t quite fit, or a small bug in a computer program.

glaring error
A “glaring error” is an obvious mistake that stands out clearly. The word “glaring” comes from “to glare,” meaning to shine very brightly or to stare. So it suggests a mistake so big that it almost shines in your face.

constant nagging
“Constant nagging” describes repeated complaining or reminding, usually in a negative way. The word “nagging” comes from the sound of a horse’s repetitive movements, so it carries that sense of something happening again and again until it becomes irritating.

How to Deal with Difficult Colleagues (The Totally Wrong Way)

Every office has one: the slippery customer who smiles sweetly at the boss while secretly trying to shirk all responsibilities. Or the colleague with a permanent attitude problem, who loves to pick a fight about the colour of the stapler. What should you do? Here are some absolutely not-to-be-taken-seriously strategies.

First, when your colleague is clearly trying to poison the atmosphere, why not fight fire with fire? Bring in a fog machine, switch it on during the team meeting, and explain that you are just “setting the mood.” If nothing else, they will be too confused to argue.

Second, if someone plays a dirty trick on you, such as taking credit for your report, respond with an even dirtier one. Put their office chair on roller skates. When they sit down, they’ll glide gracefully across the room. Problem solved.

Third, when a colleague makes a glaring error, don’t correct them politely. Instead, print their mistake in size 72 font and hang it in the canteen under the title: “Today’s Special.” Subtle, yet effective.

Finally, when somebody behaves in a totally out of order way, such as stealing your lunch, don’t complain. Simply replace your sandwich with a slice of raw onion and wait for them to learn the hard way.

Of course, none of these methods will make you Employee of the Year. But hey, at least you’ll have stories to tell—unless your boss decides to take the flak for your creative problem-solving.

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