IDIOMS ABOUT DEALING WITH PROBLEMS

TO BE UP IN THE AIR – to be undecided/unsolved/unsettled.

“We can’t keep leaving this problem up in the air anymore,” said Marty, humorlessly. “We need to do something about it.”

TO CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN ONE COMES TO IT – to solve a problem when it comes.

“Common, Marty, relax; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Dick answered, calmly.

TO PLAY IT BY EAR – to settle problems as they arise, without a plan.

“I know you are used to playing it by ear, Dick.” Marty sighed.

TO STAND / SIT IDLY BY– to let smth happen without trying to interfere.

“You just stand idly by, observe how the situation unfolds, and interfere at the last second. But you know what? It’s not going to turn out well for us this time.”

TO GET TO THE BOTTOM – to solve a problem by finding its true cause.

“Oh, are you saying your way of doing things is better than mine? All this “investigate and get to the bottom of it” nonsense?” Dick mocked.

THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG – a small, visible/known part of a much bigger problem.

“You care too much, Marty.” Dick continued. “You see a little complication and immediately decide that it’s just the tip of the iceberg and worse is yet to come.“

TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL – to see a problem as a much bigger issue than it actually is.

“But the bottom line is that you always make a mountain out of a molehill.”

THE ICING / FROSTING ON THE CAKE – smth that makes a pleasant situation/activity even nicer.

“Well, if I see a problem as the tip of the iceberg, you see it as the icing on the cake. Everything just amuses you!” Marty started shouting. Dick simply rolled his eyes and said nothing in response.

TO PUT SMTH ON THE BACK BURNER – to decide to deal with smth later.

Marty continued “Are you suggesting we put all this on the back burner and wait for half of the world to be destroyed right in front of us?”

TO TAKE A BACK SEAT – to let other people assume the responsibility and deal with smth.

“Why not? Let’s just take a back seat and watch how they manage without us.” Dick shrugged his shoulders.

TO SAVE THE DAY – to solve a difficult problem, to do smth that prevents a failure.

“You are acting like we’re just arguing about our groceries or something! The world is ending, Dick!”

“Common, Marty, it’s more like half of the world is ending...”

“Oh my god, you’re impossible… Fine, sit here and do nothing and I’m going to save the day!”

TO DODGE A BULLET – to narrowly escape a dangerous situation, avoid a serious problem.

Marty rushed to his and Dick’s space cruiser and at that moment everything stopped. The aliens who were destroying the city a second ago simply vanished.

“See, I told you everything was going to be ok,” said Dick with a smug smile.

“I guess we dodged a bullet this time,” muttered Marty. “But that doesn’t mean you were right!”