Idioms: bureaucracy

This ESL worksheet deals with the topic of idioms used when talking about bureaucracy, paperwork, and efficient and inefficient processes. Students will learn and practice 14 idioms and will talk about their experiences with bureaucracy.

First students read a dialogue that contains 8 idioms (e.g. red tape, get the runaround, pass the buck, go in circles, by the book). Students match the idioms to their definitions. To practise, they paraphrase 6 sentences, using a suitable idiom. Next, they discuss 4 conversation questions and use the idioms:

Next, students read the experiences of 5 people. First, they fill the gaps and then match the idioms given (e.g., go through channels, bureaucratic nightmare, fall through the cracks).

The rest of the activities are focused on speaking: First, students identify the incorrect word in 4 questions, and then discuss the questions. Then they discuss their experiences with bureaucracy (when dealing the the government, at work, and as customers). Finally, they are asked to debate 4 questions.

For more speaking practice, and to review these idioms related to bureaucracy, you can use the conversation cards.