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Vishal sir 2.5.2019 Idioms and phrases
A 1. Alpha and omega (the essence and most. important feature) -
Bargaining federalism
is seen as the alpha and omega of the Indian
political system today.
2. A bed of roses (a situation or position of comfort and contentment) -

Life is not a bed of roses.
3. A big cheese (an important or a powerful person) - My father can let

me meet the Prime Minister. He is a big cheese at the PMO
4. A bird's eye view (an overall assessment) – The columnist presents a

bird’s eye view of the widespread corruption in the country in the country
in this report.
5. A bold from the blue (unexpected happening) – The sudden death of

his father came as a bold from the blue for him.
6. Above all (chiefly or before anything else) – Mahatma Gandhi, the

architect of India’s freedom, was committed above all to speak the truth.
7. Above board (without any secret scheming) – Whatever the government

is doing is open and above board.
8. Achilles’ heel (A weak point or fault in someone or something otherwise

perfect or excellent): Lack of even working knowledge in native languages
of India was the Achilles’ heel of the mighty British during its colonial rule.
9. Acid test (real test to prove one’s ability or talent) – He is doing well in
monthly test but the acid test will come when he faces the final
examination.
10. Add a new feather to one’s cap (to acquire a new distinction) – The
national award added a new feather to the sportsman’s cap.
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English & Editorial by Vishal SIr
11. Add fuel to the fire (aggravate a situation or from the blue for him. The
sudden death of his father came as a bolt widespread corruption in the
country in this report.
12. After all (conclusively) - He is a dedicated social worker

after all.
13. Again and again (repeatedly) - The teacher has warned him against
the lapse again and again.
14. Against a rainy day (to meet emergency) - We must save something
against a rainy day.
15. Apple of discord (cause of conflict) -The plot in the town has become
the apple of discord between the two brothers.
16. Apple of one eye (very affectionate or fondly) -Her only son is the
apple of her eye.
17. Apple pie order ( excellent or perfect order) -The books in the
library are in apple pie order.
18. At a discount (not valuable or not in .worth) -Freedom fighters are at a

discount in the present politics.
19. At a loss (to be confused or unable to remember) -When he asked me

about the incidence, I was at a loss to explain it.
20. At an arm's length (to keep something unpleasant at a distance

or evil) - Anyone who aspires a virtuous life must keep vices at an
arm's length.
21. At daggers drawn (ready to fight) - The two neighbouring countries

have several times been at daggers drawn over extraction of the natural
resources from the ocean.

22. At hand (very near) - There are many opportunities at hand for
her now.
23. At logger heads (terms of hostility) - At one time the two friends were at
logger heads.
24. At one's beck and call (at one's command) -The peon is always at the
beck and call of the headmaster.
25. At one's wit's end ( a state of confusion) - The police was at their
wit's end to nab the culprit.
26. At random (haphazard, aimlessly) - He spoke at random on the

subject leaving the audience bored.
27. At stone's throw (at a little distance) - My uncle lives at stone's throw
from our house. 28. At the drop of a hat (immediately, without delay) -
Today, a popular government

is who that responds to people's need at the
tiny, of a hat especially during a calamity.
29. At the eleventh hour (at the last moment) - I was informed about the
newt at the eleventh hour.
1. Bag and baggage (with all belongings) - The boarders left the hostel
bag and baggage.
2. Be in bad books (out of favour) - Many non-democratic countries are

still in the bad books of the developed countries where democracy
20. prevails. 3. Be in the good books of (be favoured) -

There

21. are certain accepted principles to be adhered to in order to be in the

good books of one's boss.
4. Be on cloud nine (be very happy) - She was on cloud nine when she
heard the news of her success.
5. Bear the brunt of' (to endure some unpleasant outcome) - The father
bore the brunt of his son's offence.
6. Beat/flog a dead horse (sheer wastage of time/to revive interest at a

hopeless issue) - Manoj is beating a dead horse trying to get his
money reimbursed. The company has gone bankrupt!
7. Bear in mind (to remember) - The candidates must bear in mind that the
physical test is compulsory.
8. Beat about the bush (to stray from the main point/to avoid getting to the
point of issue) - He beat about the bush instead of coming to the topic.
9. Behind bars (in prison) - Many innocent persons were put behind the
bars during the communal riot
10. Bell the cat (attempt something formidable or dangerous) - Nobody is
sure who will bell the cat in this critical situation.
11. Beside oneself (lose self-control for being intensively emotional) -

He was beside himself with grief when he lost his son.
12. Beside the mark (irrelevant) - His views on empowerment of the

weaker section are beside the mark.
13. Best bet (safest or most reliable course of action) - Your best bet
would be trying at local companies for a job.
14. Beyond redemption (without hope of improvement or recovery) -

With his involvement in the crime, his reputation is now beyond
redemption.
15. Big cheese (a powerful and influential person) – His father is a big
cheese in the steel industry in the country.
16.Birds of the same feather (persons of same nature and taste) – Birds of
the same feather flock together.
17. Bite the dust (to get defeated or failed) – In spite of being a good
singer, he had to bite the dust at the national level competition.
18. Bitter pill to swallow (something or someone very unpleasant or difficult

to accept) – Not finding his name in the successful list was a bitter pill to
swallow for him.
19. Black and blue (full of bruises) – The teacher beat the boy black
and blue.
20. Black and white (in writing) - The officer asked him to submit his
grievance in black and white
21. Black sheep (an undesirable person) - He is considered a black sheep

within his party.
22. Black cheque (complete freedom of action) – Tanmaya was given

a blank cheque and told to negotiate the best deal possible in the
present situation.
23. Blessing in disguise (something good that is not recognized at first) -
His poor performance in Pre-Board Examination was a blessing in
disguise. He did very well in the Annual examination.
24. Blink of an eye (happen something instantaneously) - The storm

wreaked havoc in blink of an eye.
25. Blow away the cobwebs (to feel lively and refreshed) - A stroll

along the riverside will blow away the cobwebs.
26. Blow hot and cold (to be changeable and uncertain) - His
enthusiasm for the job blow hot and cold.
27. Blow off steam (to get rid of stress) - He had a fight with his
brother, so he went for a run to blow off his steam.
28. Blow one’s mind (to overwhelm one with wonder of bafflement) –
Continuous losses in business over the past few months blew his mind.
29. Blow one’s own trumpet (to praise oneself) – he who blows his own
trumpet need not be praised by others.
30. Blue blood (of noble and aristocratic origin) – Many leaders in
the pre- independent India belonged blue bloods.
31. Blue chip company (a company with solid reputation ) – It is safe to

invest in a blue chip company.
32. Bolt from the sky (occur suddenly) – The news of his death came
as a bold from the sky for his family members.
33. bone of contention ( the cause of conflict) – The piece of land is the
bone of contention between the two brothers.
34. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth (affluent, very rich) – He has
nothing to worry about money , he was born with a silver spoon in his
mouth.
35. Bread and butter ( livelihood) – he is frantically searching for a work

for bread and butter.
36. Break fresh ground (innovate or develop new method or system) -
Scientists have broken fresh ground in their exploration of outer space.
37. Break the ice (to be the first to do Annealing) - Naresh broke the ice
when he raised his voice against the builder's onslaught on the local
environment.
38. Breathe one's last (to die) - The old man breathed his last after a
prolonged suffering.
39. Bring home (to explain) - A teacher brought borne the topic of ecology
for the student.
40. Bring the house down (give a successful performance) - He brought

the house down at the concert last night.
41. Broad daylight (openly or in front of others) -Crimes are now

committed in broad daylight and police are turning a deaf ear to them.
42. Broken reed (a weak or unsuitable support) - The boss is a broken

reed, so everyone in the organization depends on the decision of the
manager.
43. Brown study (a state of deep thought) - She seldom talks to anyone
as she is always in brown study.
44. Build castles in the air (daydreaming or make unsuccessful plans) -

Instead of building castles in the air, you should start doing something
constructive.
45. Burn the candle at both ends (Extreme effort without time to rest) -
After he losing the job, he is burning the candle at both ends to earn his
livelihood.
46. Burn the midnight oil (to work very late into NW) - Students usually
stick to burning the midnight oil during examination.
47. Burn one's fingers (suffer loss often due to foolishness) - People
often bunt their fingers by investing in chit funds.

48.Burning question (something important that draws attention of one

and all) - Reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures is
a bunting question today.
49. Burry the hatchet ( to end old enmity/to make peace) – The two
leaders buried the hatchet and became friends.
50.Business as usual (restored to normalcy) – There is business as

usual in the super market the day after the clash.
51. By and by (at sometimes in future) - Don't lose your heart, the loss
will be compensated by and by.
52. By chance (accidentally) - I met an old friend by than, in the

market.
53. By far (to a great degree) - I-le is by far the best debater in our
school.
54.By hook or crook (by all means fair or foul) - Vijay always tries to
achieve his goal by hook or crook.
55. By leaps and bounds (very. rapidly) - Our country is progressing by

(caps and Wounds.
1. Calculated risk (planned with forethought) - The mass evacuation of

the people from the earthquake-hit area in few hours was a calculated
risk.
2. Call a spade a spade (to talk bluntly) - Swapna always calls a spade
a spade.
3. Call names (to abuse) - We should not call others names as it is

disrespectful.
4. Call the shots/ the tune (to take important decision and is in control of
situation) - Mr. Gupta is the managing director of the company but in fact it
is his wife who calls the tune every time.
5. Can't see the wood for the trees (ignore important thing while
concentrating on details) -The new manager found the situation so
complicated that he couldn't see the wood for the trees.
6. Capital punishment (death penalty) - Capital punishment is no longer

in vogue in many countries.
7. Carrot and stick policy (reward and punishment) - Some parents use
a carrot- and-stick approach to obtain good results from their children.
8. Carry the day (to win the contest or be triumphant) - The newly formed
political party carried the day in the last general election.
9. Carve out a niche (to make one's position durable or develop expertise)
- By dint of his courage and hard work he was able to carve out a niche for
himself in the film industry.
10. Cat and dog life (miserable and quarrelsome life) - The couple is
leading a rat and dog life. It is better for them to stay separated.
11. Catch red-handed (to catch a person in the act of doing something
wrong) - The burglar was about to leave the house when the police caught
him red-handed.
12. Change the face of something (complete alteration) - Internet has

changed the face of modern communication.
13. Chase rainbows (try for something hard to obtain) - She is trying to
get into IIM, but considering her talent I think she is chasing rainbows.
14. Chase one's tail (doing efforts and achieving lane) - He is very

unlucky. He is chasing his tail every time.
15. Cheesed off (annoyed) – Sahil is cheesed off with his

present job.
16. Chequered career or history (full of ups and downs, fluctuating) –

British rule finds a wide place in the chequered history of India.
17. Child’s play (An easy task) – It is not a child’s play to write a
novel.
18. Chink in someone’s armour (weak point / an area of vulnerability) –

His one’s involvement in the crime was chink in the leader’s armour.
19. Chip off the old block (of same origin and attributes) – He is very
good at painting like his father. He is the chip off the old block.
20. Chop and change (changing and confusing) – We should not chop
and change all the time. Instead we should make up our mind in most
cases.
21. Clinch a deal (reach and agreement) – The company has recently
clinched a deal to sell computer hardware in India.
22. Clip shave (a narrow escape) – I almost hit the child who ran out in
front of my car. It was a close shave.
24. Cocksure (perfectly sure and certain) – Rajendra was cocksure that he
was able to do the job better than anyone else.
25. cog in the machine (something or someone necessary or

insignificant) – The police quickly realized that the suspect was just a
cog in the machine.
26. Come in handy (to be useful and convenient) – The money will come
in handy at bad times.

27. Come off with flying colours ( to be victorious) – he came off with
flying colours at the last attempt.
28. come to grief ( suffer) – Swadhin is sure to come to grief if he does

not leave his present friends.
29. Cook the books ( to falsify financial accounts) – He was found

cooking the books of the company, therefore he was removed.
30. Crux of the matter ( the vital point of a discussion or matter) – The
crux of the matter in the Women’s Reservation Bill is that some leaders
want quota within quota.
31. Crocodile tea4rs (false show of grief) – Don’t shed crocodile tears
at others misery.
32. Cry in wilderness (a fruitless cry) – Government’s measures for the

welfare of the depressed class is a mere cry in wilderness.
33. Crying need (urgent need) – There is a crying need of skilled

persons in our country today.
34. Curry favour with (try to win favor from someone ) - He always tries to
curry favour with the boss for his personal gain.
35. Cut a sorry figure (to be ashamed) – He cut a sorry figure in his maiden
speech.
36. Cut and dried (clear and straightforward) - When the new principal
arrived, he didn’t find the situation as cut and dried as he had expected.
37. Cut and dried (decided and unchangeable) – We need a cut-and dried
decision by the end of the week.
38. Cutting edge ( the newest and most advanced areas of activity in
an art, science) – With the success in sending the Mars mission, India
is on the cutting edge of space technology.
1. Damp squib (unexpectedly failure) – After all that media attention, the
whole vent turned out to be a bit of a damp squib, with very few people
attending.
2. Daredevil (a recklessly daring person) – Racing car drivers

sometimes do daredevil stunts.
3. Dark Horse ( One who was previously unknown and is now prominent)
– Some political dark horse were elected to the Parliament last election.
4. Dead duck (abandoned or failed project ) – The plan for massive

afforestation has been a dead duck since beginning.
5. Dead end (ultimate point ) – In spite of scientists ‘ effort the mission

came to a dead end.
6. Dead loss (a person or project likely to produce no effect) – The

investment in the Chit Fund was a dead loss.
7. Devil’s advocate (Pretend to be against an idea to discover truth)

– Karna Thaper is well knows as devil’s advocate in media industry.
8. Die in harness (to die while in office or an duty) – Dr. Zakir Hussain
is only President of India who died in harness.
9. Die hard (take long time to be disappeared / destroyed) – Old customs

died hard.
10. Dig in one’s heels (refuse to submit) – My grandfather dug in his

heels and refused to moved to an apartment.
11. Drive home (to emphasize) – The social activist drove home the

need for vocational education at school level.

12. Dead wood ( of person or things that are useless or unnecessary) –
The party is knowingly overlooking the political dead woods in all important
matters.
13. Do the spadework (Preliminary or preparatory work) – The

engineers are doing the spadework for the construction of a bridge
over the river.
14. Dog in the manager (someone who stops others from enjoying
something he/she can not) – mr Sinha is dislike by one and all in the
company as he is always dog in the manger.
15. Double whammy (double blow or setback) – With the heat – wave and
the frequent electricity breakdown problems, Indians were hit with a
double whammy this summer.
16. Down and out (unlucky and penniless; incapacitated) – After losing his
job, he was completely down and out.
17. Down to earth ( very realistic and particular person ) – it’s time the
employees were brought down to earth concerning the budget.
18. Drag one’s feet ( to participate without enthusiasm ) – The

government is dragging its feet on measures to reduce pollution.
19. Draw a line in the sand (impose a limit) – The company has drawn a
line in the sand to control union activities of the employees.
20. Dry run (an attempt; a practice or rehearsal0 – We had better have a
dry run for the official ceremony tomorrow.
21. Dribs and drabs (in small quantity, bit by bit) – He started earning
money in dribs and drabs but now he is a successful businessman.

22. Drop of a hat ( to respond immediately) – Some of my friends are

ready to help me out at the drop of a hat.
23. Dumb as an oyster ( a talk about something for a lot of time ) – We

should never dwell on the past.
24. Dwell on something ( to talk about something for a lot of time) – We

should never dwell on the past.
1. Eat humble pie (act submissively and apologetically) – When the

police forced him, he had to eat humble pie and confessed his guilt.
2. Eat anyone’s slat (to be one’s guest) – She always likes to eat
anyone’s slat.
3. Eat one’s word (to break one’s promise) – WE should not eat our word
given toe others.
4. Eat one’s words (to react over what one has said) – They predicted
his failure, but he made them eat their words.
5. Eat / dip into one’s savings (t0 spend part of the savings) – Mr Sharma
had to eat into his savings to have the hose constructed.
6. Egg on (to encourage or urge ) – The team leader egged all the
volunteers to reach out to all victims.
7. Eke out 9to make by laborious and precarious means) – Some

people eke out their livelihoods by doing menial work.
8. Elbow room (need space) – We shared a small office where neither

of us had enough elbow rom.

9. Eleventh hour (last moment) – The team won after the batsman hit two
sixes at the eleventh hour.
10. Even keel ( remain calm, stable and untroubled in life on a even keel in
spite of the difficulties.
11. Every cloud has a silver lining (every bad situation has some good
aspect to it ) – We must smile against hazards in life. Every cloud has its
silver lining.
12. Every dog has its day (everyone is likely to have better fortune) –
Don’t get frustrated. You will get a good job because every dog has its
day.
13. Explore all avenues (try every possibility ) – World nations should
explore al avenues to check global warming.
14. Eye wash ( ineffective remedy) – His help for the old man was only
an eye wash.
15. Eyewash (nonsense, bunk) – All the programmes for the elderly
are mere eyewash.
1. Face the music (accept the unpleasant consequences of one’s

actions) _ He’s squandered his money and now he’s got to face the
music.
2. Face value (apparent value) – Do not accept promises at their

face value.
3. Fair and square ( Honest and straightforward) – he is always fair and

square in his dealing with other.
4. Fair – Weather friend (selfish friends) – Fair weather friends desert one
in one’s hard times.
5. Fait accompli ( an accomplished fact ) – The opponent’s defeat

was a fait accompli long before the formal surrender.
6. Fall flat (Become quite a failure) – All his plans to become rich
fell flat.
7. Fall from grace (lose status or prestige) – After he was found guilty of
misappropriation of funds, he was reduced to mere worker in the party. It
was fall from the grace.
8. Fall on deaf ears ( to go unheeded; be ignored completely) – Their

complaints fell on deaf years as nothing has been done to repair the
roads.
9. Far and near ( from all directions) – People far and near gathered the
ground to witness the funeral of the great leader.
10. Feel on top of world ( be ecstatic or successful) – He has been

feeling on the top of the world since he qualified the public examination.
11. Feather in one’s cap ( symbol of honour and achievement) – The

award added another feather in his cap.
12. Few and far between (very rare) – Apartments that are both
comfortable and reasonably priced are few and far between.
13. Fiddling while Rome burns (neglect priorities during crisis) – The
political masters should not keep to fiddling while Rome burns. Instead
they should be responsive to all kinds of situations.
14. Field day ( a time of great pleasure, activity, or opportunity) The

children had a field day with their new rackets.
15. Fight shy (avoid a person or doing something) – The old man had

money problems for years but he fought shy of asking his children for
help.
16. Fight tooth and nail ( fight with energy and determination) – Soldiers
fought tooth and nail to get back the lost territory.
17. Fine-tooth comb ( Examining something carefully to not miss out any
details) – The boss examined my report with a fine tooth comb before
submitting it to the senior management.
18. Fine tuning ( small changes ) – The government has made some fine
tuning in the existing law.
19. First and foremost (very important) – First and foremost, you have
to treat every customer with respect.
20. Fish in troubled waters ( to take undue advantages ) – He often buys

up stock in companies declaring bankruptcy; fishing in troubled waters
generally pays off.
21. Fish out of water ( a person out of his or her proper or

accustomed environment) – He felt like a fish out of water in an
academic atmosphere.
22. Fit as a fiddle (being in good health; in a sound condition ) – Let

every one of us be as fit as a fiddle.
23. Fits and starts (at irregular intervals) – Replies to the advertisement are
arriving in fits and starts.
24. Fit the bill ( appropriate situation or person) – They wanted a quiet
place to stay and the country inn fitted the bill.
25. Flogging a dead horse ( to make fruitless efforts) – Their attempt to
revive the old shrine is like flogging a dead horse.

26. Fly in the face of ( to be openly variance with) – There is an urgent

need to fly in the face of some customs present in our society.
27. Food for thought ( Stimulant for thinking) – Recent findings about
space provide the scientists with food for thought.
28. Fool’s errand ( a fruitless undertaking) – Asking the bank for yet
another loan was clearly a fool’s errand.
29. For good (permanently) – The refugees were rehabilitated by the

Government for good.
30. Foregone conclusion ( a result that is obvious) – The landslide

victory of the party in the last election was a foregone conclusion.
31. Fourth Estate (the press) – The newspapers are called the
Fourth Estate.
32. Foot the bill ( to pay all the costs for something) – We ended up
having to foot the bill for a new roof because our insurance didn’t cover
storm damage.
33. French leave ( remain absent without permission ) – He was sacked

as he was found guilty of taking French leave very often.
34. From pillar to post ( from extreme to another ) –He ran from pillar to
post to get a job.
1. Gather dust (to lose strength or stagnating) – The plan for providing free
laptops to meritorious students announced by the previous government is
gathering dust for several years.

2. Gather pace ( move faster) – The movement for conferring voting

rights to the third sex is gathering pace now a days.
3. Gentleman’s agreement ( agreement based on trust not on written
document) – It was gentleman’s agreement between he and me. I cannot
change my mind now.
4. Get a raw deal (very had or unfair treatment) – Many boarders in the
state- run hostels complain of getting a raw deal in terms of food and
amenities.
5. Get cold feet ( hesitating) – He was one of the founding members of

the green movement; now he is getting cold feet over all matters to run
the movement.
6. Get cold feet ( timid and frightened)- He usually gets cold feet
when has to speak in pu8blic.
7. Get on someone’s nerves ( to annoy someone) – I know that he’s

harmless, but he still gets on my nerves for some reason.
8. Get rid of ( to be free from) – We should get rid of the problems as

soon as possible.
9.Get the axe(lose job) - Senior staff are more likely to get the axe
because the company can't afford their high salaries.
10. Get the show on the road (putting up a plan or Idea into action) - Now
that we have completed all the legal formalities, let's get the show on the
road.
11. Gift of the gab (the skill of oratory) - Akshya Mohanty was endowed
with gift of gab. 12. Gird up one's loins (to get prepared flit hard work) -
Students need to gird up their

loins to achieve success at this juncture.

13. Give a wide berth (to keep a reasonable distance) - Youngsters need
to give a wide berth to bad company and concentrate on their goals.
14. Give currency (to make publicly known) - The scientist gave currency
to. his new discovery
15. Give the benefit of doubt (to believe in someone's innocence, honesty
as there is no evidence to the contrary) - He was given the benefit of
doubt although his explanation was not proper to believe.
16. Give the devil his due (give credit to an opponent's merits, grudgingly
or not) - I don't like what the new management has done, but fife the deVit
his due, sales have unproved.
17. Go against the grain (unnatural or abnormal) - Having to import rice in

a rice- growing country really goes against the grain.
18. Go at something hammer and tongs (to make forceful and argument)
- People went at the new programme hammer and tongs as it was to take
away their livelihoods.
19. Go hand in hand (happen at the same time) - In underdeveloped

countries poverty and violence go hand in hand.
20. Go haywire ( to get disorganized or uncontrolled )- the plan for

building a museum of artifacts has gone haywire.
21. go scot-free/get of scot-free ( to be acquitted of) – Many criminals get

off scot- free by the support from political leaders.
22. Got o rack and ruin ( to become ruined due to lack of car) – After the
factory was closed down, the building went to rack and ruin.
23. Golden handshake ( sum given at the time of early retirement)

– Many employees were given golden handshake fast year.

24. Good Samaritan ( a person who help others compassionately)

– In this neighborhood you can’t count on a good Samaritan if you
get in trouble.
25. Grease somebody’s palm ( to bribe) – In some countries, it has

become a practice of greasing the palms of the government officials
to get work done.
26. Green fingers ( good at gardening) – We need to have green fingers

as it will add to number of trees.
27. Grit one’s teeth ( to be bold enough ) – To reach safety I had to grit
my teeth and wade through the mud.
H
1. Halcyon days (happy and successful days) - Most of us feel ecstatic
when we recall the halcyon days of our childhood.
2. Hale and hearty (in excellent health) - Even at the age of eighty my
grandfather is found to be hale and hearty.
3. Hand in glove (very intonate) - After the match, it was discovered that
he was hand in glove with the referee.
4. Hang fire (to delay , or to be delayed) - Interstate river disputes

have been hanging fire in our country.
5. Happy-go-lucky (very cheerful and careless) - Naresh it happy-go-lucky

sort of guy - always in good humour.
6. Hard and fast (rigid) - There is no hard and fast rule to get admission
into the Open University.

7. Harp on/upon one string (dwell tediously and repeatedly upon a single
subject or topic) - The teacher advised him not to harp upon one string
while making his composition.
8. Haste makes wastes (unplanned work bearing no result) - Don't be in it

hurry to start up it business because haste Makes wastes.
9. Have second thoughts (reconsider decision) - Biranchi began to have

second though, about his decision to study Economics when he realised
that he could not even pay attention during the lectures.
10. Have something down pat (know/understand something

completely and thoroughly) - I know I did well on the test. I had all
the material down pat.
11. Head in the clouds (be unaware (be unaware of what is going on) -
Most of the time she is having her heart in the clouds. She must be in
some deep trouble.
12. Heart and soul (central part/wit(t devotion) - Anima has put heart and
soul into her dancing.
13. Heart in one's mouth (to get extremely anxious and anxious) - When
he saw a tiger in front of him he had his heart in his mouth.
14. Heavy hand (act with discipline and severity) - (hit police suppressed
the riot with a heavy land.
15. Hell-bent on something (to be recklessly determined) - Although he is

sick, he is hell-bent on taking the examination next week.
16. Helter-skelter (quickly and M all directions) -People were

screaming and running helter-skelter down the steps to escape the
flames.

17. Herculean task (very difficult task) -Eradicating poverty is a herculean

task for the plan makers in India.
18. High and dry (abandon) - Most of the members pulled out of the deal at
the last minute leaving it high and dry.
19. High and mighty (behaving as if more important than others) - He

always acts high and mighty much to the displeasure of his friends.
20. High time (appropriate and urgent) - It is high than that the
government brought forward an employment policy.
21. Himalayan blunder (a great mistake) - Partition of India was a

Himalayan blunder in the history of India.
22. Flit below the belt (an unfair attack) - Hitting below the enemy's
belt is uncalled for.
23. Hit somebody where it hurts (to hurt someone intentionally) - He's
always worrying about his weight, so if you want to hit him where it
hurts, tell hint he's looking a bit fat.
24. Hit the nail on the head (to describe exactly what is causing a
situation or problem) - I think Gautam hit the nail on the head when he
said that what's lacking in this company is a feeling of confidence.
25. Hive of activity (a place where many things are happening) - The
campus turned into a hive of activity on the day of annual function.
26. Hobson's choice (lack of alternative) - It's a case of Hobson's choice,

because if he does not agree to their terms, he will lose his job.
27. Hold good (valid and applicable) - Many old laws hold good even
today.
28. Hold in abeyance (to delay or suspend) - Many programmes have

been held in abeyance due to lack of hind.
29. Hold out/offer an olive branch (offer to have peace) - The

neighbouring country held out an olive branch to India by releasing
thirty prisoners.
30. Hold somebody to ransom (to force somebody to do something) -

The government says it is being held to ransom by the actions of
terrorist groups.
31. Hold the reins (to be in complete control) -He's been holding the wins
for over 20 years and intends to continue for as long as possible.
32. Hole and comer (clandestine, underhand) The radicals often took up
hole and corner method to destabilize the government.
33. Hope the against hope (to continue to hope even the Hope
result is very unlikely) - The old man is hoping against hope that his
lost son will return.
34.Hornet's nest (very difficult and unpleasant situation) - The monk's

remark against the minorities stirred up a hornet's nest.
35. Horns of a dilemma (to be unable to deicide) Suresh is on the horns

of a dilemma as he has to choose between a boring job with a good
salary and a more interesting job with a lower .
36. Household name (very popular) - After the world cup victory in 1983,
Kapil Dev became, household name in India. Hue and cry (loud
opposition) - There is a lot of hue and cry over the new law pertaining to
land acquisition by the government.
37. Hustle and bustle .(busy activities) - Many people dislike the hustle
and hustle of city life"
1. Icing on the cake (extra work to better a work, -He got a job and like
icing on the cake he way also allotted an office car.
2. Idiot box (often referred to television set) -Some youngsters spend their
time in front of the idiot box.
3. Ill at ease (uneasy .d anxious) - The stranger made the child feel ill
at ease.
4. In a dither (nervous; bothered) - Ayushman is in a dither about what to

wear for the interview.
5. In a nutshell (briefly or concisely stated) - I have been asked to put

the whole matter in a nutshell.
6. In a quandary (faced with a dilemma) - He is in a quandary to decide

whether he will start a business or join a job.
7. In a rut (set or established pattern) - Pranab wants to change his

present job because he has been stuck in a rut for several years.
8. In dire straits (in a very difficult situation) - Many steel companies are
in dire strait due to stringent mining policy.
9. In force (in use or practice) - Man!, laws are in force to protect women
against domestic violence.
10. In full swing (in full of glory) - In the summer months, things really
get into full swing around here.
11. In raptures (ecstatic or delighted) - He is in 'Pt"' about his new

house in the heart of the
12. In spades ( abundance) – Last year we harvested almost no

potatoes, but this year we’re getting them in spades.
13. In tatters ( ruined ) – The minster’s reputation is in tatters after he was

arrested for his involvement in the scandal.
. 14. In the black (profitable; not showing a financial joss) - The jute
industry has been in the black for several months.
15. In the dark (uninformed, to state of ignorance) - We’re Hill in the dark
about the company's layoff policy.
16. In the doldrums (gloomy and unproductive situation) - Her career
was in the doldrums during the past years.
17. In the long run (ultimately) - Learning Japanese will be fruitful in the
long run because it will help him to get a job.
18. In the lurch (in embarrassing situation) - After losing the job, he was
left in the lurch for a long time.
19. In the teeth of (in defiance of) - She stuck to her position in the
teeth of criticism by board members.
20. In the twinkling of an eye (very fast or instantaneousy) -

Microprocessors do the calculations in the twinkling of an eye.
21. In vain (without any result or effect) - I tried in vain to pacify the crying
child.
22. Ins and outs (details) - The committee visited the spot to know the ins
and outs of the liquor tragedy.
23. Iron fist/hand (rigorous control) - The government is checking

antinational activities with an iron hand.
24. Miry tower (live away from ordinary or practical life) - Planners sitting
in the ivory tower seldom understand the needs of the common man.
1. Jack of all trades (one who knows a little of many things) - A jack of all
trades is master of none.
2. Jaundiced eye or view (biased pessimistic view or opinion) - He looks

on all travel companies' claims with a jaundiced eye, having been
disappointed by them to often in the past.
3. Jet lag (extreme tiredness due to long flights across various time
zones) - Our CEO suffered from jet kg after his return from Europe.
4. Jump on the bandwagon (get involved in something that has recently

become very popular) - When organic food became popular, certain
stores were quick to jump on the bandwagon and Promote it.
5. Jump to conclusion (from an opinion or Judgement hastily) - Wait till the
reports regarding his health reach us. Don't jump to ' conclusion now.
6. Just deserts (to get what one deserves)- Everyone should get their
just deserts for their work.
1. Kangaroo court (a self-appointed or mob-operated tribunal that

disregards laws and human rights)- The rebels set up a kangaroo court an
condemned the prisoners to summary execution.
2. Keep an eye (watch) - The mother is keeping an eye at the child in the
garden.
3. Keep at arm's length (to avoid/keep a distance from) - She seldom

befriends others, rather she keeps everyone at arm’s length.

4. Keep at bay (prevent from happening) - He always tries to keep his

troubles at bay when he is on holiday.
5. Keep body and soul together (to support/ maintain) - Few writers
can Make enough to keep body and soul together without another
occupation.
6. Keep chin up (to be courageous and bold) - Don't let the difficulties
intimidate you; hey your chin up.
7. Keep fingers crossed (hope that things will happen as desired) -The
farmers are keeping their fingers crossed that the weather stays nice.
8. Keep the wolf from the door (ward off starvation or financial ruin) - In
many countries people are working simply to keep the wolf from the door
and owning a car or washing machine is just a dream.
9. Keep under wraps (to keep secret) - The project was kept under
wraps until it was approved by the core committee.
10. Keeps the ball rolling (to continue something that is in progress) - Their
father started the factory, now that he is gone they need to keep the ball
rolling.
11. Kick the bucket (to die) - The young player kicked the bucket
after long suffering from injury.
12. Kick one's heels (to be forced wait fir a period of time) - After the
injury she had to kick her heels for several months to make herself fit.
13. Kick up a row (to make a fuss) - The officer kicked up a row over
the issue.
14. Kith and kin (close relatives) - His kith and kin are well
settled.

1. Land on one’s feet / heel (make a quick recovery) – He is very

courageous. He landed on his heel after the mishap.
2. Landslide victory ( victory by overwhelming majority) – The political

party made a landslide victory in the last election by winning two third
seats.
3. Last but not least (the last mentioned is no less important than the
previous ones) - I would like to thank my publisher, my editor, and, last but
not least, my wife. 4. Last nail in someone's coffin (to add to ruin) -The
minister's Involvement in the mining

scam was the last nail in his coffin.
5. Last straw (the ultimate trial of patience) - She's always been rude to
me, but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother.
6. Laugh up one's sleeve (to secretly find something funny) - Baren felt
that his demonstration was confusing and that his colleague was
laughing up his sleet.
7. Laughing stock (an object of humiliating ridicule) - Continuous

sluggish performances have made the team a laughing stock
everywhere.
8. Law of the jungle (lawlessness) - Nowadays the whole system looks

run by Inn of jungle.
9. Leave no stone unturned (to do one's best for something).- Sangram left
no stone unturned to achieve his goal.
10. Leave no Stone unturned (to make every possible effort) - We will
leave no stone unturned to make die a developed country.

11.Lend someone a hand (to help) - He lent me a hand during my

difficult times.
12. Let (someone) off the hook (to excuse someone from a penalty or a
promise) - My boss let me off the hook and"! did not have to they after
work and help clean the office.
13. Let sleeping dogs lie (not to instigate trouble) - The minister let the
sleeping dogs lie by not disclosing the controversial report on the scam.
14. Let the cat out of the bag (to reveal a secret) –I was trying to keep the
party a secret, but Mihir went and let the cat out of the bag.
15. Live beyond means (spend more money than one exams) - In
cosmopolitan cities some people are 8. bound to live beyond means for
the cost of living in them is very high.
16. Live from hand to mouth (live a poor life) - Many people lived from
hand to mouth during the war.
17. Live in fool's paradise (unfounded hope) - He is living in fool's

paradise as he thinks that he , can be a rich man without doing any work.
18. Loaves and fishes (material gains) - The bureaucrats are more
concern for their loaves , and fishes.
19. Lock horns (to argue or fight) - The mayor and his deputies locked
horn over the plans for the , new roads.
20. Look down upon (to hate a person) - We should look dint upon
others.
21.Loose cannon (unpredictable and uncontrollable, person or thing) -

Some loose cannon in the department has been leaking stories to the
press.
22. Loose ends (uncertain or unsettled situation • position) - Ever since

leaving the company he?: been of loose ends.
23. Lose one's grip (to lose control of a situation), think that our boss is
losing it grip in his ability to control the workplace.
24. Lull before the storm (quietness before some (unpleasant) happening)
- Things seem quiet in the office right now, but this is just the lull before the
storm.
1. Maiden speed' (first speech) - Her maiden speech proved her to be a

great leader.
2. Make a beeline for (to hurry directly toward someone or something) -

We were so hot and thirsty we made it beeline for the cool drinks.
3. Make a break for (to move or run quickly to something or

somewhere) - The audience made a break fine the doors when the
concert was over.
4. Make a clean breast of something (to confess or tell the truth) - After
long hours of silence the woman made a clean breast of it and admitted
that she had stolen the child.
5. Make a dent in (to make progress doing something) - We worked hard

all day but we did not Make, a dent in the amount of work that we had to
do.
6. Make a face (to make it strange face to ridicule someone) - The little
girl made a face at the boy in her class.
7. Make a mountain out of a molehill (to make serious out of something

trivial) - He always makes a mountain out of a molehill by exaggerating

small issues.
8. Make a quick or fast buck (hr earn money., little effort) - Most of us
want to make quick buck without working hard.
9. Make amends for (to do something to compensate for an error or injury

or loss) - I had to do some extra work to make amends for my mistake in
last week.
10. Make blood boil ( to make someone angry) - It must makes my blood
boil to think of the amount of food that gets wasted around here.
11. Make ends meet ( manage to live with low income) – Menial
labourers find it difficult to make ends meet.
12. Make hay while the sun shines ( to take advantage of good situation)
– The players were advised to make hay while the sun shines in order to
win the series.
13. Make head or tail of something (to understand) - The message from
the Army's headquarters is confusing, few could make head or tail of it.
14. Make headway (to make progress) – Out country is making

headways in different sectors of economy.
15. Make light of something (to make less serious) -Don's make light of
the advice given by the elders.
16. Make the most of (to use something to one's greatest advantage) -
We must make the most of our time to achieve excellence in the short
span of life.
17. Man in the street (ordinary or average person) - Plan for nation's
growth must take into account the man in the street.

18. Man of letters (a learned num) - Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan was a
man of letters. 19. Man of straw (man of little importance) - The boss
was accused of being a man

of straw by his employees.
20. Matter of course (the usual way or habit or rule) - Everything was
done as a matter of course and nobody thought about the results.
21. Mend one's ways (to improve or change one's habits) - The woman
was forced to mend her ways in order to do better at work.
22. Mess up something (to cause trouble, to spoil something) - The

employee messed up his chance to get it promotion by not making any
effort during the year.
23. Miss by a mile (fail to do something by great amount) - He wanted to

do well in the examination bit actually he missed a mile.
24, Moot point (a debatable point or question ) its - Whether reservation

system sit relevance in India is moot point.
25. Move heaven and earth ( to make every effort) – He moved heaven
and earth to help the poor man get justice.
1. Neck and neck ( to be equal or nearly equal in a race or contest) –

The two teams were neck and neck in the race to win the national
championship.
2. Next to nothing (almost nothing) – Many people were made paupers

after the earthquake and there was next to nothing left for them.
3. Nine day/days wonder ( for a short time) – His popularity as an actor

was a nine day’s wonder. He is long forgotten by people.
4. Nip in the bud ( to destroy in the very beginning) – All his dreams were
hipped in the bud after the death of his father.
5. No love lost between ( enmity and animosity) – The is no love lost

between him and his neighbor.
6. Nook and corner (at every place ) – Gandhiji is known to all in the
nod and corner of India.
7. Null and void ( invalid) – The court declared the law null and
void.
8. Nuts and bolts ( the basic facts about something) – The nuts and
bolts of the housing loan were carefully discussed by the bank and
their client.
1. Odds and ends (trivial things) - My grandfather usually keeps the odds
and ends in this drawer.
2. Of late (recently) - He has bought a flat of

late.
3. Of one's own accord (by one's own choice) -The manager resigned
from the job of his own accord.
4. Off and on (occasionally) - He visits sty office off and

on.
5. Off the hook (out of difficult and dangerous situation) - After all his
loans were written off by the government he got himself off the hook.

6. On a fool's errand (useless journey or task) - He went on a fool's

errand to try for it job as he returned empty-handed.
7. On cloud nine (very liapp0 - When he got through the final and got a
job, he was on cloud nine.
8. On one's guard (to be cautious or watchful) - He was ort his guard when
he went inside the coal mines with the engineer.
9. On the air (being broadcast on the radio) - The television serial has
been on the air for three years.
10. On the carpet (to be under scrutiny) - He was called on the carpet
again for his carelessness.
11.On the horns of it dilemma (indecisive or confusing) - NGOs are often

caught on the horns of a dilemma - they have to satisfy their donors, but
at the same time, they need to attract new donors.
12. On the spur of the moment (suddenly) - He decided on the spur of the
moment to help the needy person with money.
13. On the verge of fat the last stage) - Many animal species are on the
verge of being extinct due to lack of proper habitats.
14. Once and for all (permanently) - The refugees left the settlement once
and for all.
15. Once in a blue moon (rarely) - His only son lives abroad, so he sees
hits once in a blue
16. Open Pandora's box (to Invite or uncover more problems) - When the
government ordered for the implementation of the commission's
recommendations, it opened Pandora's box.

17. Open secret (known to all) - His involvement 11. in the crime is now
an open secret.
18. Open-and-shut case (something (often a legal matter) that is simple
and clear) - It was an open- and-shut case when the judge decided the
case of the stolen computer.
19. Order of the day (hallmark events of the present time) - Going to bed
early was the order of the day when we were young.
20. Out and out (completely) - Mr. Vajpayee was out and out all
orator.
21. Out of sync (unsynchronized or uncoordinated) - His eyes and his

brain seem to be out of sync these days.
22. Out of the blue (happen suddenly or unexpectedly) - The invasion

came out of a clear Niue sky and caught everyone off guard.
23. Over and above (in addition to) - They receive extra money over and
above the usual welfare payments.
1. Paint the town red (to go out and celebrate) -After the team won the
match, the players went to paint the town red.
2. Pale as a ghost (extremely pale) - My grandfather was as pale as a

ghost when he entered the hospital.
3. Part and parcel (basic or essential) - Respecting all religions is a part

and parcel of our cultural obligations.
4. Pass on the baton (to give responsibility to someone) - The

chairman of the corporation is resigning this month passing on the
button to the senior most member of the governing body.
5. Pus the buck (to blame someone) - Politicians have the habit of
passing the buck on someone to keep them untarnished.
6. Pave the way for (to prepare someone or something for something) -
The new policy is designed to pave the way for more effective
communication in the company.
7. Pay dividends (to produce good result) - Plenty of practice daily
will pay dividends later on.
8. Pay lip service to something (lackadaisical approach or

support) - The government is accused of paying lip service to the
claims of the victims.
9. Pay the piper (to face the consequences) - The company had to pay the
piper for supply of inferior products for many years.
10. Pick and choose (choose with much care) - The commission will
pick and choose the best people for the strategic posts.
11. Pick holes ( to find fault with) – We should not pick holes in
suggestions tendered by the senior members of the organization.
12. Pie in the sky ( an empty wish or a plan not likely to be

materialized) – The party’s promise to provide jobs to all is just pie in
the sky.
13. Place in the sun ( a dominant or favourable position or situation) – He

finally found a place in the sun after the success of his latest book.
14. Play duck and drakes ( to use carelessly or behave recklessly) – The
prime minister is said to have played duck and drakes with the economy
of the country.
15. Play fast and loose ( to be unfaithful ) – The film is very

entertaining even though it plays fast and loose with the historical
facts.
16. Play havoc ( to make worse or destroy something) – The storm

played havoc with life and property.
17. Play second fiddle ( have lower position) – he resigned from the job
because he did not like to play second fiddle.
18. Play to the gallery ( to win cheap support or popularity) – Politicians

these days are more interested in playing to the gallery than exercising real
influence on world events.
19. Poke fun at (to joke or to tease)n – In the report the writer has poked
fun at the ways the government is handling the Maoist issue.
20. Poles apart ( completely opposite ) – The two brothers are poles
apart in their personal attributes.
21. Pour oil on troubled waters ( to calm down a quarrel) – The teachers
tried to pour oil on troubled waters when they saw the fight among the
students.
22. Powers that be ( people in authority) – The powers that be have

decided to put off the convocation ceremony in the university.
23. Pros and cons ( merits and demerits ) – We’ve been discussing the
pros and cons of buying a house in New Delhi.
24. Pull strings (to secretly use influence or power) – My father helped
the needy boy get admission into the college by pulling strings.
25. Pull the rug out from under ( to spoil plan or withdraw support from)
– The police pulled the rug out from under by nabbing the suspects.
26. Put a spoke in one’s wheel ( to put someone in difficulty or

embarrassment) – his withdrawal; from the membership of the newly

formed club has put a spoke in our wheel.
27. Put heads together ( consult together) The team members put heads
together to chalk out a plan for winning the trophy.
28. Put the cart before the horse ( to do something in wrong order) – After
the death of the father his eleven years old daughter is running the large
grocery shop. It is like putting the cart before the horse.
29. Put the damper ( discourage or dishearten something) – The recent

infiltration by Pakistani soldiers into India has put a damper on the
ongoing peace talk between India and Pakistan.
1. Queer fish (strange person) - It is difficult to make out Prasant's

behaviour; he is a queer fish.
2. Queer for something (to desire for) - They have queer for getting
admission into the royal club.
3, Quick as a wink (very quickly) - The thief made away with all the
belongings as quick as a wink.
4. Quick on the uptake (quick to understand) -The student is quick on

the uptake and understands most scientific theories quickly.
5. Quick temper (to get angry easily) - People with quick temper are not
liked by many.
6. Quiet as a mouse (silent) - The burglar moved in the hose quiet as

a mouse.

1. Rack and ruin (completely destroyed) - The old house is going to go to

rack and ruin due to lack of proper care.
2. Rain cats and dogs (rain heavily) - It often rains cats and dogs in
Mumbai.
3. Rank and file (common people) - Nelson Mandela is very much popular
among the rank and file in the world.
4. Rant and rave (to demand or protest noisily and forcefully) - Jay
always rants and raves about anything that displeases him.
5. Read between lines (to understand clearly) - The students need to

read between lines in order to grasp their subjects of study.
‘6. Red herring (something that distract attention from main issue) - All
the dues discovered by the police proved to be red herrings.
7. Red letter day (an auspicious day) - Independence Day is a red letter
day in the history of India. The
8. Red rag to a bull (provocation) - government's refusal to summon a

joint sitting on the controversial reservation issue w. like a red rag to a
bull for the opposition.
9. Red tapism ( official formalities) –Many developmental projects are
long held up on account of red tapism.
10. Rest on one's laurels (to be complacent with past achievements) -

Successful persons never rest on their laurels because they have
natural flair for achieving success.
11. Ride roughshod over (to act callously)- The opposition accused the
government of riding roughshod over parliamentary procedure.

12. Rides the high horse (to feel proud or superior) - She always rides
the high horse over her colleagues because of her family background.
13. Ripple of protest (quiet protest) - There was a ripple of protest

when the government raised the price of petrol last month.
14. Rise to the occasion (to act as the situation demands)- We must
rise to the occasion to make India a developed country.
15. Rock the boat (upset people or situation) - The party is in good stead
to win the election so it does not want anyone to rock the boat.
16. Roll out the red carpet (to give special treatment) - The organization is
going to roll out the red carpet for the visit of the Nobel laureate.
17. Rolling in money (very wealthy) - All his relatives are rolling in money
but he never goes to them with a begging bowl.
18. Rub elbows/shoulders with (to mix with important people) - I had
the rare opportunity of rubbing shoulders with many dignitaries in the
conference.
19. Rule the roost (to be in overall control) - Although he holds a junior
post in the company, he rules the roost for his close link with the managing
director.
20. Run-of-the-mill (ordinary or average)- The film did not make

expected business as the plot was based on a run of no null love
story.
S
1. Sail under false colors (to function deceptively) - Some non-banking
financial companies are sailing under false colours to persuade the

people.
2. Salt of the earth (worthy and kind person) - Try to be the salt of the
earth; you will make your life worth-living. 3. Scarlet woman (nu immoral
lady) - Everyone keeps a safe distance from the scarlet woman who
happens to be their neighbour.
4. Scratch one's head (at a loss for a solution) - Students may be

sometimes seen scratching their heads trying to find the answer to an
exam question.
5. Scratch the surface (examine superficially) - Some countries are only

scratching the surface of their environment problems.
6. Scrimp and save (to become parsimonious) -The parents scrimped and
saved for years so that these children could have a better education.
7. Seamy side of life (the most unpleasant or roughest aspect of life) -

Mahesh saw the sea, side of life when he worked as a volunteer in the
homeless shelter.
8. Send a shiver down one's spine (to make anxious or frightened) - The
outcome of the climate change conference has sent a shiver down the
people's spine.
9. Send someone packing (terminate one's service) - The landlord sent

his servant pricking after he found hint stealing.
10. Set a thief to catch a thief (to choose or appoint right person)- The
government seta thief to catch a thief by hiring a stockbroker convicted of
fraudulent practices to entrap the stockbroker they were investigating for
fraud.
11. Set an example (to break new ground or avenues) - The

Russians set an example by sending up the first manned-satellite

into space exploration.
12. Set the ball rolling (to start something) - The hospital appeal
received a donation of rupees one lakh to set the ball rolling.
13. Set the world on fire (to bring out a big change) - Young people
always have the flair for setting the world on .fire.
14. Settle a score (to take revenge for a past wrong) -He filed a case in
the lower court against him as he had to settle a score with him.
15. Shed crocodile tears (to pretend to be unhappy) - He is shedding

crocodile tears on his brother's plight.
16. Shoot the breeze (to chat casually and without purpose) - We spent
the entire afternoon just shooting the breeze.
17. Shot in the arm (a boost or unexpected happening) - His

success in the examination was a shot in the arm in his sluggish
career.
18. Shotgun approach (haphazard approach) -Identifying a specific

segment of the market as our target will be more effective than a shotgun
approach.
19. Silver-tongued (smooth talker) - Most of the successful salesmen

are silver- tongued personnel.
20. Simmer down (to decrease in intensity) - The furor over the rape
case has simmered down when the suspects were arrested.
21. Since the time immemorial (from the hoary past) - The tall iron pillar
has been standing there untarnished since time immemorial.
22. Sine die (for an indefinite time) - The University was closed sine die
due to post election riot.

23. Sing a different tune ( to change one’s manners) – When she learned
that I was a police inspector, she began to sing a different tune.
24. Sit on the fence (delay in making a decision) – Everybody put

pressure on him to decide his course of action, so he cannot sit on the
fence anymore.
25. Slice of the cake ( share in the profit) – Since profits are higher this
year, the workers feel they deserve a bigger slice of the cake.
26. snake in the grass ( treacherous or deceitful person) – Swadesh

believed in his friend very much but he turned out to be snake in the
grass.
27. Sound the death knell ( to cause an organization, activity or a system
top fail or dead) – Recent changes of software in cell phones sound the
death knell for several popular models.
28. Spill the beans ( to tell the secret) – I told Ravi my biggest secret,
he then spilled the beans to the whole class.
29. Spread like wildfire (to become widely known) – The imprisonment of
popular actor Salman Khan spread like wildfire across the country.
30. Stand one’s ground (to prove beneficial) – A working knowledge on

computer will stand you in good stead when you look for a job.
31. Stand one’s ground ( unyielding or not to give up) – The office
stood his ground despite repeated accusations.
32. State of the art ( latest technology) – The company has applied the
state of the art in designing its corporate office in the city.
33. Steal someone’s thunder ( to lessen someone’s force/to do a job

before another person can do it and take the credit) – He stole her thunder

when he wrote her essay and won the prize.
34. Steal the show (to become the centre of attraction) – The
five-year-old girl stole the show in the concert last night.
35. Steer clear of ( to avoid) – youngsters should steer clear of bad

companies.
36. Step into someone’s shoe ( to take over one’s job or work) – Aman
has been trained to step into his father’s shoe when he retires.
37. Storm in a tea-cup (much hue and cry over a little matter) – My brother
and sister had a big argument about he television yesterday, buy it was
just a storm in a teacup.
38. Strike the chord in those who are the victims of dislocation due to
unplanned industrialization.
39.b Strike while the iron is hot ( to act at the appropriate time) – He
bought the property when the price was dropped. He stroke while the
iron was hot.
40. Sum and substance ( the gist) – The sum and substance of the
report is that poverty is not declined from our state.
41. Sweat of one’s brow (achieve through hard work) – he has become
rich by the sweat of his brow.
42. Sweep under the rug ( to hide something embarrassing) – Many of

the leaders tired unsuccessfully to sweep the scandal under the rug.
43. Swim against the tide ( go against the common trend) – It is

because she always swims against the tide that he novels are
successful.
1. Take a fancy to (like or favour something or someone) = Young

people today are taking fancy to fast food nowadays.
2. Take exception to (become offensive) - The opposition took strong

exception to the minister's remark in the House.
3. Take heart (to be encouraged) - The young boys took heart from the
words of the visiting faculty.
4. Take heed of (to be cautious) - The residents took heed of the hole in
the dike and repaired it in time.
5. Take quite a toll (to bring severe damage) - Drug abuse takes quit,. a
toll on the lives of people.
6. Take someone by storm (to be suddenly extremely successful in a

place or popular with someone) - The new technology has taken
everyone be storm.
7. Take stock of the situation (to assess and form an opinion) - The
district collector went to the drought-hit area and took stock of the
situation.
8.Take the bull by the horns (to be in complete control of a situation) -

The police took the bull by the short by putting the known criminal behind
the bar two days before the election.
9. Take the edge off (reduce the effect of) - Do some meditation and yoga
this will take the edge of the stress.
10. Take the floor (to give speech) - When the chief guest took the
floor the audience clapped thunderously.
11. Take the plunge (venture into something risky) - It was indeed he who
took the plunge and directly protested against antisocial persons in his
locality.

12. Take to task ( reprimand or criticize) The secretary was taken to

task for his providing , the department with biased information.
13.Take up the cudgels (argue strongly in support Or against

somebody or something) - Environmental activists have taken up
the cudgels against multinational companies.
14. Take wind out of sails ( to make someone feel less confident and
determined ) – The manager’s rejection of our marketing strategy really
took the wind out of our sails.
15. Tech savvy ( persons who keep pace with the changing
technological developments) – Young professionals are more
tech savvy than their old counterparts.
16. Teething problems ( problems encountered in the beginning) – my

friend’s marriage went through some teething problems in the first few
months.
17. The sword of Damocles (imminent danger in the midst of prosperity) -

internal bickering leading to threat of war hangs like the sword of
Damocles over the heads of the South-Asian nations.
18. Think outside the box (be innovative) - Young personnel always
think out of the box to bring changes in the status quo.
19. Thorn in flesh (a constant botheration) - Kashmir issue has been a

thorn in flesh for India for long years.
20. Through thick and thin (under all circa instances) - We have been
together through thick and thin and we won't stay apart now.
21. Throw dust in eyes (to deceive or mislead) - The chit fund company
fled away by throwing dust in eyes of the investors.

22. Throw a tantrum (to become angry and unreasonable) - Young boys
have the habit of throwing tantrum if something offends them.
23. Throw caution to the winds (behave recklessly or dangerously) -

Throwing caution to the winds, she ran an the highway road to board
the truck.
24. Tighten one's belt (to become thrifty) - The company needs to tighten
its belt to avoid over-drafting.
25. Till doomsday (forever) - They promise to remain close friends till
doomsday.
26. To meet one's Waterloo (meet one's final defeat) - The militants made
another attempt to attack the parliament but they met their Waterloo, as
they all lost their lives when they encountered the security personnel.
27. Tip of the iceberg (a small, noticeable part of a problem) - These

small protests are just hp of the iceberg as the government is going
to face serious consequences
28. To pocket an insult (to bear an insult) - He pocketed the insult as it was
offered by a man in power.
29. To take heart (to have courage) - The small boy took hard to trace
the culprit.
30. To take time by forelock (seize an opportunity or act decisively) - He

rose to prominence in a very short time by taking time by forelock.
31. To the core (completely) - The old woman loves her only child to the
core of her heart.
32. To turn a deaf year (to be indifferent to something) - The

superintendent fumed a deaf year to the complaints of the boarders.

33. Tooth and nail (contending with all force) -They fought tooth and nail
against the prevalent revenue system.
34. Treat like dirt (to treat badly without respect) -The boss who
treats his employees like dirt is apt to fail the organization.
35. Turn a blind eye (deliberately overlook, ignore) - We should not nun
a blind eye to antisocial activities crop up in and around our locality.
36. Turn over a new leaf (make a fresh start) - He promised his
parents that he would turn over a new leaf and become a good boy.
1. Under a cloud (render suspicion or in trouble) -The luxury hotel is under

a cloud after the newspaper revealed that it involved in illegal activities.
2. Up and doing (to act) -Ina developing country like India, all the
men and women should be up and doing in the lager interest of the
country.
3. Up for grabs (available for those who can compete) - Many prizes
are up for grabs for the students.
4. Up in arms (rebellious) - The employees were up in arms

over the management's plan to discontinue five-day week
policy.
5. Ups and downs (changeable) - Life is full of ups and

downs.
6. Up in the air (undecided or unsettled) - Nothing can be said of the new

project because it is still up in the air.
7. Up to the mark (up to the required standard) – Many experts have

viewed that recent economic forecasts are not up to the mark.
8. Uphill battle ( unfavourable circumstances) – After the terrible

accident, his recovery was an uphill battle all the way.
9. Upper hand ( be in control ) – The company increased our market

share and gained the upper hand over our competitors.
10. Utopian scheme (fanciful and impracticable) – Uniform civil code for
all in India seems to be a utopian scheme.
1. Vanish into thin air (disappear without leaving trace) - When the police
chased the criminal he ran away as if vanishing into thin air.
2. Vicious circle (be in recurring problems) - ma, people get

caught/trapped in a vicious circle); dieting and weight gain.
3. Voice in the wilderness la lone opponent) – For many years she was a
voice in the wilderness protesting against child labour.
4. Volts face (a turnabout) - Many loyal par, members of the opposition

party made a voile face by joining the ruling party.
5. Vouch for (attest to or confirm) - The writer said that he could vouch
for the veracity of the story.
1. Walk a tightrope (to face difficult or delicate situation) - The

management is walking a tightrope in their efforts both to keep the cogs
down and satisfy the trade unions.
2. Walk into lion's den (to fall into a very difficult situation) - Having
vituperated against the party leadership, the young member walked into

the lion's den.
3. Walk of life (a profession or position in society, -People from all walks

of life condemned the Delhi rape incidence.
4. Walk on eggshells (become very cautious) -While dealing with her you
have to walk on eggshells as she is very sensitive.
5. Wash dirty linen in public (to make something public) - The victim's
family decided not to take the matter to court as it would lead to a lot of
washing dirty linen in public.
6. Wax and wane (increase then decrease) - Voter sentiment about the
insurance scheme wares and wanes with each passing day.
7. Weal and woe ( joys and sorrows) – Everyone has to bear with weal
and woe of life.
8. Wear and tear (damage) – The warranty covers accidental damage

but not the ordinary wear and tear.
9. Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve ( to express emotion freely) – Sumitra

is a kind of person who wears her heart on her sleeve.
10. Weather the storm ( survive difficult and grave situation) – He is such
an iron- hearted person that he weathers the storm.
11. Wee hours ( at dawn) – The monk set off his journey in the
wee hours.
12. Wet behind the ears fresh fmexperaenceii1 - Being a h pass-out,

Rajen found it difficult to a job as he was wet behind the ears.
13. Wet blanket (one who discourages others) - Whatever schemes we

propose are sure to be turned down by the chairman; he is always a wet
blanket.

14. White elephant. (expensive but useless) - The planning commission

was often termed as a white elephant.
15. Wild goose chase (useless efforts) - Arnab was angry because he
was sent out on a wild goose Masc.
16. Win the day (become victorious) - The opposition won the day over the
content of the land acquisition bill.
17. Window shopping (to look at displayed goods and not buying
them) - The woman in our neighbourhood always goes for window
shopping.
18. Wipe the slate clean (to make a fresh start) - The two neighbours
wiped the slate clean and forgot the old disputes.
19. Wishful thinking (erroneous or baseless belief or dream) - He

nurtures a wishful thinking when he says that he will be an
astronaut.
20. With a bang (exciting and noticeable) - The singer had been off for
two years, now he is back with a bang for his new album.
21. Wolf in sheep's clothing (a deceitful persons or plans that appear

gentle and kind) - During British rule in India, all the acts and awards
made by the government were wolfs in the sheep's clothing.
22. Work one's fingers to the bone (very industrious) - He deserves

success because he has worked his fingers to the bone during his
study.
23. Worth one's salt (deserves respect) - Most of the leaders during India's
freedom struggle Worth their salt.
24. Wrap in cotton wool (to provide undue protection) - One should not

wrap awls children in cotton wool which will make them weak and
backward.
25. With a vengeance (with great force or extreme energy) - He's been
working with a vengeance over the past few weeks to make up for lost
time.
26. Will-o'-the-wisp (a person or thing that is difficult or impossible to

reach or catch) - Uprooting poverty is the will-o'-the-wisp planner have
chasing for decades.
27. Writing on the wall (premonition for failure and disaster) - The
company ignored the writing on the wall and fell into bankruptcy.
X -Y- Z
1. Xerox subsidy (photocopiers at work place used for personal use) -

The new manager is up in the arm against Xerox subsidy.
2. Yeoman's Service (long and loyal service) - During natural

disasters organizations like Red Cross Society render yeoman
service.
3. Yoke around neck (a trouble for someone) - Try to stop the fighting
of two people was a yoke around his neck; they both hurt him badly,
for coming in between.
4. Zero in on something (concentrate or focus) - The whole regiment

zeroed in on the narrow pass to check infiltration.
5. Zero tolerance (strict and uncompromising application of the law) - The

central bank is exercising a new policy of zero tolerance, against fake
non-banking financial organization.


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Vishal sir 2.5.2019 Idioms and phrases

2. A bed of roses (a situation or position of comfort and contentment) -

3. A big cheese (an important or a powerful person) - My father can let

4. A bird's eye view (an overall assessment) – The columnist presents a

5. A bold from the blue (unexpected happening) – The sudden death of

6. Above all (chiefly or before anything else) – Mahatma Gandhi, the

7. Above board (without any secret scheming) – Whatever the government

8. Achilles’ heel (A weak point or fault in someone or something otherwise

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12. After all (conclusively) - He is a dedicated social worker

18. At a discount (not valuable or not in .worth) -Freedom fighters are at a

19. At a loss (to be confused or unable to remember) -When he asked me

20. At an arm's length (to keep something unpleasant at a distance

21. At daggers drawn (ready to fight) - The two neighbouring countries

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26. At random (haphazard, aimlessly) - He spoke at random on the

Today, a popular government

2. Be in bad books (out of favour) - Many non-democratic countries are

20. prevails. 3. Be in the good books of (be favoured) -

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21. are certain accepted principles to be adhered to in order to be in the

6. Beat/flog a dead horse (sheer wastage of time/to revive interest at a

11. Beside oneself (lose self-control for being intensively emotional) -

12. Beside the mark (irrelevant) - His views on empowerment of the

14. Beyond redemption (without hope of improvement or recovery) -

18. Bitter pill to swallow (something or someone very unpleasant or difficult

21. Black sheep (an undesirable person) - He is considered a black sheep

22. Black cheque (complete freedom of action) – Tanmaya was given

24. Blink of an eye (happen something instantaneously) - The storm

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along the riverside will blow away the cobwebs.

31. Blue chip company (a company with solid reputation ) – It is safe to

35. Bread and butter ( livelihood) – he is frantically searching for a work

40. Bring the house down (give a successful performance) - He brought

41. Broad daylight (openly or in front of others) -Crimes are now

42. Broken reed (a weak or unsuitable support) - The boss is a broken

44. Build castles in the air (daydreaming or make unsuccessful plans) -

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48.Burning question (something important that draws attention of one

50.Business as usual (restored to normalcy) – There is business as

52. By chance (accidentally) - I met an old friend by than, in the

55. By leaps and bounds (very. rapidly) - Our country is progressing by

1. Calculated risk (planned with forethought) - The mass evacuation of

3. Call names (to abuse) - We should not call others names as it is

6. Capital punishment (death penalty) - Capital punishment is no longer

12. Change the face of something (complete alteration) - Internet has

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unlucky. He is chasing his tail every time.

15. Cheesed off (annoyed) – Sahil is cheesed off with his

16. Chequered career or history (full of ups and downs, fluctuating) –

18. Chink in someone’s armour (weak point / an area of vulnerability) –

25. cog in the machine (something or someone necessary or

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28. come to grief ( suffer) – Swadhin is sure to come to grief if he does

29. Cook the books ( to falsify financial accounts) – He was found

32. Cry in wilderness (a fruitless cry) – Government’s measures for the

33. Crying need (urgent need) – There is a crying need of skilled

is on the cutting edge of space technology.

2. Daredevil (a recklessly daring person) – Racing car drivers

4. Dead duck (abandoned or failed project ) – The plan for massive

5. Dead end (ultimate point ) – In spite of scientists ‘ effort the mission

6. Dead loss (a person or project likely to produce no effect) – The