How to criticise people
Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.
Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂
Zespół The Blue Tree
back to HOME > Learning English > Everyday English >
THE BLUE TREE
Everyday English
CEFR B2
Upper
Intermediate
warm up
Answer these questions. Listen to some model answers. Read the transcript or report back what you heard.
| What are some behaviours of your colleagues that annoy or irritate you? |
TRANSCRIPT
At work, I really dislike colleagues who constantly shirk their responsibilities and then expect others to cover for them. There’s one person in particular who often tries to poison the atmosphere with negative comments about every project. Sometimes she even attempts to pick a fight over small issues. It’s frustrating, because such behaviour distracts the whole team and makes cooperation much harder than it should be.
| Have you ever had any neighbours or school mates who drove you up the wall? |
TRANSCRIPT
Yes, I had a schoolmate who was a real slippery customer. He often played a dirty trick on others, like hiding their things or spreading rumours. On top of that, he was bone idle in class, never doing any homework and copying from everyone else. People lost patience with him quickly, and most of us held him in contempt for the way he treated others.
| What is your strategy for dealing with people who want to pick a fight? |
TRANSCRIPT
I’ve learned not to react immediately when someone tries to pick a fight. My strategy is to stay calm and avoid letting anger cloud my judgement. If I lose control, it’s easy to make a glaring error that I’ll regret later. Instead, I try to listen carefully, and if the conversation becomes too heated, I walk away. This helps me keep my dignity and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
part one
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards in this set. How many of the expressions for criticising people do you know already?
DIVE DEEPER
Go through the flashcards and the notes below to learn more about the language of criticising people.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Read the notes on the new or most interesting expressions below.
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.
part two
Dialogue 1: at work
First, complete these dialogues with the missing words.
Second, read or role-play this dialogue with your classmate or your teacher.
DIALOGUE 2: AT THE CINEMA
Now do the same with this dialogue.
DIALOGUE 3: AT THE RESTAURANT
Read or role play another dialogue. This time it is set in a restaurant.
OVER TO YOU
Write your own dialogue that uses the language from the lesson. Role play it with the teacher or another student.
part three
READING
Read a humorous article on how to deal with anoying people in the office.
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.
OVER TO YOU
Discuss the questions below.
 | Why do you think some people at work try to shirk their responsibilities? What excuses might they use? |
| Imagine you join a new team and someone is poisoning the atmosphere with constant complaints. What strategies could you use to stay positive? |
| Why do some people enjoy picking a fight even over small issues? Is it ever useful to pick a fight on purpose? |
| If you had to describe a politician, a celebrity, or even a character from a film as a “slippery customer,” who would it be and why? |
| In your opinion, should managers always take the flak when something goes wrong, or should the blame rest with individual employees? |
FINAL CHALLENGE
Do the test below.
Check how your score compares with other players.
OVER TO YOU
Discuss these questions.
| 1. Can disappointment ever be a good thing? Why or why not? |
| 2. Do you think it’s better to expect a lot and risk disappointment or expect little and avoid it? |
| 3. How do you usually react when something doesn’t meet your expectations? |
| 4. Is it possible to prepare yourself for disappointment? If yes, how? |
| 5. Can disappointment in a person change a relationship forever? Why do you think so? |
COMMENTS
Share your writing task below.