Idioms and phrases ( Previous Years exam)

IDIOMS AND PHRASES

A wakeup call–  an event done to warn someone.

USE- Harold’s sudden chest pain was the wake-up call he needed to finally see his doctor

 

A worm’s eye view– having very little knowledge about something

USE- He had a worm eye view in the computer’s but now he became a software engineer.

 

A witch hunt– an attempt to find and punish those who have options that are believed to be dangerous

USE-  The ruling party’s witch hunt against itsdetractors sparked a civil war.

 

At the heels of– to follow someone

USE- Sheela was at the heels of Priyanka’s husband at reception party

 

A dish fit for Gods– something of very high quality

USE- All the Dishes made by my wife are fit for gods.

 

A game of two equal halves– a sudden change in circumstances

USE-  This football (soccer) commentator’s cliche refers to games which have a different character in the two halves.

 

Afraid of one’s own shadow- to become easily frightened.

USE- After Tom was robbed, he was even afraid of his own shadow.

 

Against the clock– to be in a hurry to do something before a particular time

USE- We left later than we were supposed to, so it was a race against the clock to get to the airport on time.

 

Air one’s dirty laundry- to make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret.

USE-  Let’s not air our dirty laundry in public.

 

All systems go– everything is ready.

USE- Once the new software is installed, it’s allsystems go.

An arm and a leg- a large amount of money

USE- I’m sick of paying an arm and a leg for rentin this town.

 

Appear out of nowhere– to appear suddenly without warning.

USE- A huge bear appeared out of nowhere androared and threatened us.

Apple of someone’s eye– someone loved very much.

USE- My cousin is an apple of her parent’s eye.

 

Ask for the moon– to ask for too much.

USE- Shopkeeper asks the moon for my new dress so I left it.

 

Asleep at the switch– not to be alert on opportunity

USE- I was asleep at the switch when I got that recruitment letter.

101. To take into account—To consider
102. Blow over — Pass off
103. Run Into — Incurred/to experience difficulties
104. Blue-eyed boys — Favorites
105. Dropping names — Hinting at high connections/To mention famous people you know or have met in order to impress others.
106. A Red letter day — An important day
107. Bone to pick — Cause of quarrel/ Bone of contention
108. At stone’s throw — Very near
109. Struck a chill to the heart—Arouse fear/to make somebody afraid
110. End in a fiasco —A Total/Utter failure
111. Fall back—To turn or move back

112. Turn up one’s nose at —To reject/despises
113. Turn one’s head — To feel proud in a way that other people find it annoying )
114. High and dry — Neglected! To leave someone helpless
115. Take for granted — To accept readily/To pre-suppose as certainly true .
116. Mince matters — To confuse issues/ to mix facts
117. Currying favour with — Ingratiating / trying too hard to get please somebody.
118. Set one’s face against —Oppose strongly
119. Storm in a tea cup — Commotion (angry/worry) over a trivial matter
120. Putting one’s foot down — Asserting one’s authority/ take a firm stand
121. The man in the Street —An ordinary man (common man)
122. To catch up with —To compete with
123. Fight to the bitter end — To fight a losing battle
124. Throw down a glove —To accept defeat
125. Read between the lines — Understanding the hidden meaning
126. Let the cat out of the bag —To utter a secret carelessly or by mistake
127. To have Too many iron in the fire — To get engage in too many enterprises at the same time
128. Fall through —To fail
129. Cut one off, without a shilling — Disinheriting! To expel from fraternal property )
130. To smell a rat — To suspect a trick

131. Turn a deaf ear — Disobey
132. Have the last laugh —To be victorious at the end of an argument
133. Red letter day — Happy and significant day (Gala day)
134. To blaze a trail — To lead the way as a pioneer
135. To beat a retreat — To run away in fear
136. To steer clear of — Avoid
137. To get one’s own back —To get one’s revenge
138. To run across — To meet by chance
139. A dark horse — An unforeseen competitor
140. Put up with — Endure
141. Got the sack — Dismissed from
142. Herculean task —A work requiring very great effort
143. By leaps and bounds — Rapidly
144. Helter-Skelter — In disorderly haste
145. Go to the winds – Disappear
146. Make ducks and drakes of — Squander

147. On the level — Honest and sincere
148. Done for — Ruined
149. Make a clean breast — Confess
150. To end In smoke —To come to nothing; no outcome

151. To have something up one’s sleeve — Having a secret plan

152. To take to one’s heel — To run away

153. To turn a deaf ear —To be indifferent

154. At snail’s pace — To do things very slowly

155. To run one down —To disparage someone

156. To blow one’s own trumpet —To praise oneself

157. To face the music — To bear the consequences

158. To take someone to task — To scold someone

159. At one’s wit — Puzzled/Confused/Perplexed

160. At stake — In danger! that can be lost or won depending on the success of a particular action

161. To play to the gallery —To behave in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention

162. Read between the lines — Understand the hidden meaning

163. Sitting on the fence — Hesitating which side to take

164. No love lost between — Not on good terms

165. To have not a leg to stand on — Unable to prove or explain why something is reasonable

166. A man in the street —An ordinary person/common man

167. Blood running cold — Become very frightened

168. Playing to the gallery — Befooling the common man

169. Come out of one’s shell — To appear suddenly

170. Lay down arms — To surrender

171. Making hay while the sun shines — Taking advantage of a favorable opportunity.

172. Blow one’s own trumpet — To praise oneself

173. Bear with — Support / To be patient with some body or something.

174. Give vent to — To emphasize

175. Turn a deaf ear — Pay no attention

176. Bone of contention — Matter of dispute

177. Stand on own feet — To be independent

178. By fits and starts — Irregularly

179. Over head and ears — Completely

180. To call it a day —To conclude proceedings

181. To put up with — To tolerate

182. To face the music—To bear the consequences

183. Yeoman’s service — Social work

184. To take to hearts — To grieve over

185. To smell a rat —To be Suspicious

186. To move heaven and earth — to try everything possible

187. To take someone for a ride — to deceive (cheat) someone

188. In cold blood — Not intentional / Excitedly

189. A damp squib — A disappointing result

190. To bite the dust — To be defeated

191. To take to one’s heel — To run away

192. To be all at sea — Lost and confused

193. Cold Comfort — Slight satisfaction

194. A bolt from the blue — An unexpected and unpleasant event

195. To feather one’s nest — To make oneself rich (in position or in monetary terms)

196. To die In harness — To die while in service

197. To show a clean pair of heels —to escape/run away

198. To flog a dead horse —to waste one’s efforts

199. To strain every nerve—To make utmost efforts

200. A bolt form the blue — Unexpected problem

201. SaIling in the same boat — Being in the same difficult situation (CPO, 2011)

202. Gift of the gab — Ability to speak well (CPO, 2011)

203. To keep the wolf from the door — Escape starvation (CPO, 2011)

204. Soft option — Easy and agreeable option (CPO, 2011)

205. A little gush of gratItude — Excessive enthusiasm (FCI, 2012)

206. To lose ground — To become less popular(FCI, 2012)

207. To fall back on — to fail to do something important in time (FCI,2012)

208. To make one’s blood boll —To make somebody furious (FCI, 2012)

209. Wear and tear – Damage (FCI, 2012)

210. To add fuel to the fire — To cause additional anger (FCI, 2012)

211. Hand in glove — In close relationship ( FCI, 2O12)

212. To make a mountain of a molehill — To give great importance to little things(FCI, 2012)

213. To speak one’s mind — To be frank and honest (FCI, 2012)

214. Maiden speech — First speech (DEO, 2008)

215. At the eleventh hour — At the very last moment (DEO, 2008)

216. Cope with – compromise (DEO, 2008)

217. Go a long way — help considerably (DEO, 2008)
218. GIft of the gab — talent of speaking(DEO,2008

219. Standstill — Complete halt (DEO, 2008)

220. Cross swords – Disagree (DEO, 2008)

221. Pore over — Go through (DEO,2008)

222. Make both ends meet — To live a lavish life(DEO, 2008)

223. Run down – Criticise (DEO. 2008)

224. Grease anybody’s palm — To give bribe(STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

225. Leave in the lurch — Abandon in the midway/difficult situation(STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

226. Caught red handed — At the time of committing crime (STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

227. On the brink of — On the point of (STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

228. Face the music — Face the unpleasant consequences (STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

229. GIft of the gab — Ability to speak impressively (STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

230. Go down the drain — Lose forever (STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

231. A close shave — Narrow escape from danger (STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

232. Cool as cucumber — Not nervous or emotional (STENOGRAPHER, 2010)

233. In high spirits – Cheerful (STENOGRAPHER,2010)

234. Scapegoats – A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings with arrogant reactions (CHSL,2010)

235. A red letter day — A day memorable for joyful event )CHSL, 2010)

236. Wears heart on sleeves — Express feelings openly (CHSL,2010)

237. To pay off old scores — To refund old dues (CHSL, 2010)

238. Man of letters — Proficient in literary arts (CHSL, 2010)

239. Turn down – Refuse (CHSL, 2010)

240. On good terms — Agree with someone(CHSL,  2010)

241. Stole the show — Win everyone’s praise(CHSL, 2010)

242. Measure up — Reach the level (CHSL, 2010)

243. Doctor the accounts —To manipulate the accounts CHSL, 2010)

244. Dark horse — An unexpected winner (CHSL,2010)

245. Face the music —To bear the criticism (CHSL, 2010)

246. In the red — Losing money/to owe money (CHSL, 2010)

247. In lieu of— Despite of(CHSL, 2010)

248. Beat about the bush —Speak in a round about manner (CHSL, 2010)

249. Bring about – Cause (STENOGRAPHER, 2011)

250. Pull up – Reprimand (STENOGRAPHER, 2011)

251. At sixes and seven — In disorder or confusion (STENOGRAPHER, 2011)

252. Lose head — Panic (STENOGRAPHER, 2011)

253. Take to task — To criticize severely/ to punish (STENOGRAPHER, 2011)

254. Sit in judgement — To pass judgement(or comment on someone) especially when you have no authority(STENOGRAPHER, 2011)

255. Leave In the lurch —To desert someone (stenographer,2011)
256. Cry or spilt milk —Cry over irreparable loss (stenographer,2011) 257. Bad blood —Active enmity stenovapher.2ou)

257. Bad blood —Active enmity ( stenographer,2011)
258. Close shave —A narrow escape (stenographer, 2011)
259. Grease palms —To bribe someone (MT(NT),2011)
260. Carrot and stick — Reward and punishment policy (MT)NT),2011)
261. To cut teeth — To gain experience of something for the first time (MT(NT), 2011)
262. Cut no ice — Had no influence (MT(NT). 2011)
263. Close the book – Stop working on something (MT(NT), 2011)
264. In fits and starts – Irregularly (MT(NT). 2011)
265. Bird’s eye view — An overview (MT(NT), 2011)
266. Run in the same groove — Clash with each other MT(NT) 2011)
267. Keep your head — Remain calm (MT(NT),2011)
268. Pull strings — Use personal influence (MT(NT). 2011)
269. Potluck dinner — Dinner where somebody brings something to eat (Stenographer, 2011)
270. To hit below the belt —To attack unfairly (stenographer,2011)
271. All at sea – Puzzled (Stenographer, 2011)
272. Sought after — Wanted by many people because it’s of good quality or difficult to find/Pursued by (stenographer, 2011)
273. Build Castle In the Air – Daydreaming (stenographer, 2011)
274. On the spur of the moment —To act suddenly, without planning (CHSL,2011)
275. To have something up one’s sleeve—To have a secret plan (CHSL, 2o11)
276. A red letter day — An important or joyful occasion in one’s life (CHSL, 2011)
277. To explore every avenue —To try every opportunity (CHSL,2011)
278. At one’s beck and call — Ready to follow orders/ To be dominated by someone (CHSL,2011)
279. By fair or foul means — In honest or dishonest way (CHSL,2011)

280. Status quo —As it is, unchanged position (CHSL, 2011)
281. To burn candle at both ends —To be extravagant/ Spend without any worry (CHSL, 2011)
282. To hit the jackpot — To make money quickly (CHSL, 2011)
283. To bring to light — to reveal (CHSL, 2011)
284. At the eleventh hour — At the last possible moment (CHSL, 2011)
285. Go scot-free — To escape without punishment (CHSL 2011)
286. To shed crocodile tears — To pretend grief (CHSL. 2o11)
287. To look down one’s nose —To regard with contempt (CHSL,2011)
288. To miss the bus —To miss an opportunity (CHSL, 2011)
289. A white elephant — Costly and troublesome possession, with much use to its owner (CHSL. 2011)
290. To call spade a spade —To be frank (CHSL, 2011)

291. To fight tooth and nail -To fight heroically, in very determined way(CHSL,2011)

292. Birds of same feather — Persons of same character (CHSL,2011)
293. Take exception —To object over something (CHSL,2011)
294. High handed — Using authority in an unreasonable way, overbearing (CHSL, 2011)
295. Too fond of one’s own voice — To like talking without wanting to listen to other people/Very selfish (CHSL. 2011)
296. By leaps and bounds — Rapidly (CHSL, 2011)
297. An open book—Straightforward and honest dealings CHSL, 2011)
298. Fall short — Fail to meet expectation? have no effect (CHSL,2011)
299. Heart to heart talk — Frank talk (CHSL,2011)
300. Give the game away — Give Out the secret(unintentionally) (CHSL, 2011)
301. Take cue from — To copy what someone already did in past in order to be successful (CHSL,2011)
302. Call for—To ask (CHSL,2011)
303. Out of the question — Undesirable? Not worth discussing (CHSL,2011)
304. Run into —To meet someone accidentally (CHSL, 2011)
305. End up in something — Come to nothing /Useless (CHSL, 2011)
306. Spread like fire — Spread rapidly (CHSL, 2011)
307. Ins and outs—Full details (CHSL,2011)
308. Dropping like flies — Collapsing in large numbers (CHSL,2011)
309. Rat race — Fierce competition for power (CHSL,2011)
310. Hard nut to crack — Difficult task (CHSL,2011)
311. See eye to eye — To think in same way (CHSL,2011)
312. Put across —To communicate your ideas, feelings, etc. successfully. (CHSL, 2011)
313. To have second thoughts — To reconsider (Constable,2012)
314. Not my cup of tea — Not what somebody likes or interested in (Constable, 2012)
315. To break the ice—To start a conversation (constable, 2012