IDIOMS COMPLETE

PDF WITH PHOTOS

(A-Z)
FOR VIDEO YOU CAN CLICK ON THIS LINK : https://youtu.be/DwiZLWSV0i0
 THIS PDF IS AS PER
ALPHABETICAL
SEQUENCE GIVEN IN
BOOK. AFTER
WATCHING VIDEO,
THIS PDF WILL BE
HELPFUL IN REVISION
1. At one’s wit’s end
(perplexed)
EX- By looking at difficult question in exam
he was at his wit’s end..
2. At one’s fingertips
(complete knowledge)
Ex- All idioms will be at your
fingertips after watching this class.
3. At the spur of moment
(without delay)

Ex - When teacher asked he gave

reply at the spur of moment.
4. All in all
(most important)
Ex – As he is single son to his
parents, so he is all in all at home.
5. At close quarters
(close examinations)

Some of her friends proved

selfish at close quarters.
6. Apple pie order
(in perfect order)
At the time of CM visit everything was in apple
pie order.
7. Above board
(honest & straight forward)
He is known for his above-board
personality.
8. ABOVE ALL
(BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE)
Above all, I really liked his sales experience but his
language skills are great too.
•Above all, get there by 7 a.m. or you
won't get a seat on the bus.
9. As fit as a fiddle
(strong and healthy)
He has recovered from illness and now as fit as
fiddle.
10. At random
(aimlessly)
The militants fired at random and
killed 10 people in market.
11. At a loose end
(unoccupied , idle)
EX- 1. Many boys in villages remain
at a loose end.

2. Now a days he is at a loose end

because he has wound up his
business.
12. At logger heads
(to be at strife)
Ex- The partners of our firm are at
logger heads these days.
13. An odds
(in dispute)

Ex – The members of the group were at odds

over the selection procedure.
14. An apple of discord
(cause of quarrel)

Ex – Paternal property is an apple

of discord between two brothers.
15. At cross purposes
(have conflicting
intentions)

How can be peace in family

when husband and wife are at
cross purposes.
16. After one’s own heart
(to one’s liking)

When deepa met a men after

her own heart she got
married to him.
17. At the bottom of
(to be mainly responsible for)

It was later found that

ramesh was at the bottom
of whole trouble.
18. At a loss
(to be unable to decide)

Do not know what to do

I am at a loss to know what to do

19. At dagger’s drawn
(to have bitter enmity)
Both brothers are at dagger’s
drawn now a days.
20. At large
(to keep unchained)
People keep their dogs at large at
night.
21. At Sea
(Applied to a person confused)
MY SISTER IS QUITE AT SEA IN MATHS
22. Add fuel to the flame or
fire
To make matter worse
EX-MINISTER’S PROVOCATIVE SPEECH DURING
VIOLENCE ADDED FUEL TO THE FIRE.
23. At sixes and sevens
(In disorder)
After robbery everything in the house was at sixes and sevens
24. Assume Airs
(to pretend superiority)
Ex – The rich are in the habit of assuming airs
in the presence of poor people.
25. Argus Eyed
(careful, observant)
Ex – As a politician he is Argus
eyed and never overlooks even a
small matter.
26. At a stone’s throw
(very close)
Ex – My friend’s house is at a
stone’s throw from mine.
1. By hook or by crook
(by one means or another)
Ex – He is determined to obtain first
division by hook or crook
2. Bear the brunt of
(to bear the main shock of)

Ex – The poor have to bear the brunt of

increasing prices.

The company had to bear the brunt of

mistake which employee made.
3. Bell the cat
(to take first step at personal risk)
Many people can boast of their bravery
,but very few can bell the cat.
4. Bid defiance
(to ignore)

Mohan bade defiance to his

father’s wish of becoming a doctor
and instead became an engineer.
5. Blow One’s Trumpet
(To praise oneself)
No one like to talk to those who blows their own
trumpet.
6. Break the news
To give bad news
He broke the news of her husband’s death very
gently so as to lessen the intensity of shock.
7. Burn a hole in one’s pocket
(money spent quickly)

My allowance is burning a hole in my pocket!

Don't let that bonus burn a hole in your pocket—
save it up for something you really want.
8. Bury the hatchet
(to make peace)

Ex – Priti zinta’s boyfriend asked

her to bury the hatchet and move
on.
9. Beside oneself
(to feel shocked/excessively)

Due to accidental death of his wife

he was beside himself with grief.
I was beside
Honestly, myselfall
we've when I found
been out I'dourselves
beside been rejected
from my first-choice school.
since the funeral.
10. Bad blood
(bitter relations)
The riots have created bad blood
between the two communities in
India.
11. Black and Blue
(To beat mercilessly)
Ex – The thief was beaten black and
blue by police.
12. Beat about the bush
(to talk in a round
about manner)
Ex – When police did interrogation he was
beating about the bush.
13. Beat the air
(to make useless effort)
To argue with him is like beating the air.
14. Build castles in the air
(To make visionary scheme/to create
dreams or plans that are
impossible/daydreaming)
Don't build castles in the air when you
design this important project.
15. Break the ice
To start the conversation
16. Bring to book

TO PUNISH ,TO CALL TO

ACCOUNT
The manager was brought to
book for his negligence.
17. Breath one’s last

To die
Rakesh took his last breath in ganga hospital
yesterday.
18. Back stairs influence
By unfair means
He got govt. job by back stairs
influence.
19.
Bird’s eye view
Concise view

CM had a bird’s eye view of flood

affected area.
20. Bolt from the blue

Sudden or unexpected
shock/A complete surprise
The news of his friend’s death
came to him as a bolt from blue
21. Burn one’s boats/bridges

Point of no return

You have burned your boats by

insulting boss.
22. By the by

By the way

By the by what is your age

23. Be upto

To be equal to

You are not upto required

standards of company.
24.
Bated breath
In anxiety /expectancy
He was waiting for result with
bated breath.
25. Bandy words
To argue
Obedient children don’t bandy words with
parents when they are advised .
26. Bee in one’s bonnet
To keep talking about
something again and again

She seems to have a bee in her

bonnet because she is always
finding fault with others
27. Bite the dust

To be defeated
Abrahim lodhi bite the dust in
first battle of panipat.
28. Blue stocking
Educated but pedantic lady

No body like to mix with her

because she is blue stocking.
29. Book worm

A person in the habit of

pouring over books
He has no time for social activities
because he is book worm.
 30.
Bring down the house
Receive applause

Though it was his maiden speech but he brought

down the house due to his oratory skills
31. Brow beat

To bully

Prez of college union always tries

to brow beat the students
opposed to him.
32. Bad egg

a worthless

He comes of a noble family but he

himself is a bad egg.
33. Beside the mark

Irrelevant

No body agreed with him because

his arguments were beside the
mark
34. Burn one’s fingers
To get into trouble

Those who interfere in the affairs

of others ,often burn their fingers.
35.
Brown study
Day dreaming

He could not follow the significance of

my offer as he was in brown study.
36.
Bank on
Depend on

The rich always bank on money to get things

done.
37. Blaze the trail
To start a movement
Gandhi ji blazed the trail of quit India
movement in 1942.
38. Bull in a china shop
One who causes damage
The 5 year old boy was like bull in a china
shop.
39. By the rule of thumb
According to practical experience
In older times business was run by the rule of
thumb.
40. Big draw
A huge attraction
The match between India & Pakistan is always a
big draw.
41.
Broken reed
Support that failed
When he needed help , his friend proved a broken
reed
42. By the skin of teeth
Narrowly
He escaped death in accident by the skin of
teeth.
43. Bone of contention
cause of quarrel
Kashmir is a bone of contention between
India & Pak.
44. Bit/piece of one’s mind
To express one’s opinion
strongly/dissatisfaction/to
scold
That is the fourth time this week my
neighbour's barking dog has woken me
up. I'm going to give her a piece of my
mind about it.
45. Born with silver spoon
To be born in a rich family
My friend born with a silver spoon in his
mouth.
46. Burn candle at both ends
Exhaust someone’s energies or resources by
leading a hectic life
47.
By fits and starts
Irregularly

If we study by fits and starts we

can never be successful in our
exams.
48. By dint of

By force of
He achieved success in life by dint of
hard work.
49. Blow hot and cold
To speak in favour and against
at the same time
Don’t trust those who blow hot and
cold in the same breath.
50. By and by

Gradually
He is recovering by and by.
51. Blue blood
Aristocratic blood
Though my friend has blue blood yet
her conduct is very mean and vulgar.
1. Carry matters with a high hand
To deal with person strictly
The policemen deals with high
hand during remand.
2. Clip one’s wings
To weaken the power
My elder sister is very ambitious
but my mother will surely clip her
wings.
3. Come home to
To understand
A solution finally came home to me as
I was falling asleep last night.
4. Come to a standstill

Come to a sudden stop

Our car came to a standstill right

in the middle of the journey
5. Come off with flying colours
To come out successfully
The final football match was very crucial
but finally we came off with flying colors.
6.
Cross one’s mind
To occur to oneself
In examination hall it crossed my
mind that I have left pen outside.
7. Cry for the moon
To wish for something
impossible
Thinking of getting an IAS post
without preparation is like crying
for the moon.
8. Curry favour with
Win favour of somebody
Neena gave a lot of costly presents to
curry favour of teacher.
9. Call a spade a spade
To speak plainly
Parents are often reluctant to see any
faults in their children. It is always
better to call a spade a spade rather
than spoiling the children with this.
10.
Carry the day
To win a victory
After initial setback India carried the
day in the test match.
11. Cut a sorry figure
To give a poor show

The speaker cut a sorry figure in

the meeting.
12. Cry over spilt milk
Repent /Regret
Careless students often have to cry over spilt
milk.
13. Cut one’s coat according to
one’s cloth
To live within one’s means
A wise man always cuts his coat according to his cloth if
he wants to be successful in his life.
14. Call names

To abuse/insult someone
Neeta called me names ,so she was
severely punished by the teacher.
15. Chip of the old block
Resembling one’s parents in habits
My friend is quite helpful like her father , so
she is a chip of the old block.
16. Curtain lecture
A reproof by wife to her husband
My brother never pays any attention to curtain
lecture and does what he thinks.
17. Cut throat

Tough
It is difficult for indian
industry to survive in the
teeth of international cut
throat competition
18. Cloven hoof
The evil intention
The chinese showed cloven hoof in 1962.
19. Cave in
To fall for Something/To Succumb/
To Collapse/Admit defeat
1. The building caved in by itself after erected for 70 years.

2. Today buildings caved in before completion.

20.
Call in question
Doubt
1. You should not call in question my honesty.

2. How you can call her character into question.

21. Cheek by jowl
Close together
In metropolitan cities it is common that
affluence and poverty exist cheek by jowl.
22. Come to a pass
▪ To happen
▪ To take place
▪ To occur
▪ To realise or understand
It came to pass that the respect that I hold
for my parents shallhave
The things nevercome
decrease
to such a
pretty pass that he is financially
ruined.
23. Close shave
A narrow escape

As he was driving recklessly in a

crowded street he had a close
shave.
24. Cut and dried
Ready made form
There is no cut and dried formula for success
in life.
25. Clinch the issue
Decide the matter
The minister clinched the issue by accepting
genuine demand of students.
26. Carry one’s point

Win approval

After heated discussion he was

able to carry his point .
27. Chequered/Checkered career

Full of Ups and downs

Politicians have generally

chequered career.
28. Cut both ends
Argue in favour of both sides

He is ambiguous because he
always cuts both ends.
29. Cock sure
Very sure and certain

1. He was so cock sure of his success that he

applied for the job before declaration of result.

2. He is cock sure about his selection after

interview.
30.
Cock a snook
To show contempt

She is so proud of her wealth she always cocks

a snook at the acts of her husband.
31. Chapter and verse
In full details/to give proof
He has such a sharp memory that
he can narrate the story chapter
and verse.
32. Cool one’s heels
To be kept waiting

He had to cool his heels before he

could meet the president of party.
33. Carrot and stick policy

Reward and punishment

A successful businessman
follows the carrot and stick policy
towards his employees.
34. Come in handy

To be useful
Take some woolen clothes. They
may come in handy in Shimla.
1.
Dig the grave
• To destroy
• Do something stupid that will
seriously harm someone
1. By taking side of culprit he dug the grave of his
reputation.
2. If she continues to behave like this to her
senior , she’ll be digging her own grave.
2. Draw the long bow

To exaggerate

In calling him best politician ,his

followers draw long bow
 3. DIE IN HARNESS
DIE WHILE WORKING/
DIE BEFORE RETIREMENT

1. Our principal died in harness.

2. I want to retire now because I don’t
want to die in harness.
4. Dutch courage
Bravery under alcoholic
influence

I was afraid to tell my wife what

had happened , so I went to bar
to have dutch courage.
5. Dare Devil

Fearless person
Only a dare devil can face land
mafia.
6.
Dead broke
Penniless

I was cheated on business and I am

dead broke now.
7. Down and out

Poor and ruined

After a slump in share market he

is down and out these days.
8.
Draconian law
Extremely severe law

During emergency in 1975 ,the govt

imposed Draconian laws to subdue
opposition
9. Die hard

Persistent in struggle

He is a die hard person and will

not easily surrender.
10. Days of reckoning

Time for answer one’s actions

You may commit crime after

crime, but days of reckoning are
never far off.
11.
Down in the mouth

Unhappy /sad

Now a days he is down in the mouth

because he has suffered heavy loss.
12. Dog in the manger

A person who prevent others from

enjoying what he himself can not
Our teacher was like a dog in the
manger during picnic.
13. DAMP SQUIB

COMPLETE FAILURE
1. The visit of our foreign minister to china
proved a damp squib on border issue.
2. The event was a bit of damp squib, only
20 people turned up.
1. EAT HUMBLE PIE
TO APOLOGIZE

In spite of his constant bragging

he lost the match and had to eat
humble pie.
2. EAT ONE’S WORDS
TAKE A STATEMENT BACK

I warned my friend to be very careful in

her speech otherwise she would have
to eat her own words.
3. END IN SMOKE/FIASCO
COME TO NOTHING

He spoke a lot about his new film but it all ended

in smoke and it flopped on box office.
4. EGG ON
TO URGE/ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY TO DO
WRONG THING
1. The captain egged the players on to continue to play foul till
the end of match.
2. I will egg them on to say something which they will soon
regret.
5.
Eke Out
Supplement income
To eke out his income he also works
as a part time accountant in the
evening.
6. Every dog has his day
हर कुत्ते का दिन आता ह

Good fortune comes

sooner or later
Don’t be disappointed it is truly
said that every dog has his day.
7. Ever and Anon
Now and then/Sometimes
He visits his parents ever and anon.
8.
Eye wash
A pretence
My friend’s promise to help me just
proved an eye-wash.
1. Flesh and blood
Human nature

People in some villages are so

poor that their sufferings are
more than a flesh and blood can
endure.
2. Fish in troubled waters
To take advantage of trouble
of others

1. We should not fish in troubled

waters and make money.
3. Follow suit
To act in a like manner

If you do not obey your parents, your

children will follow suit.
4. Fall flat
To have no effect

The ministers speech fall flat on

audience.
5. Fight shy of

To attempt to avoid a thing or

a person

Children often fight shy of dentists.

6. Fabian policy
Policy of delaying decision
1. Politicians generally follow a Fabian policy in
order to keep everyone satisfied.
7.
For no rhyme or reason
An absence of common sense or
reason

Seema did not appear for her final

examinations for no rhyme or reason.
8. Fight to the finish
Fight to the end
Army has vowed to fight to the
finish and turn every intruder out
of indian territory.
9. Few and far between

Very rare
1. His visits to his hometown are
few and far between because of
his expanding business.
2. The buses to our village are few
and far between.
10.
Flog a dead horse

To waste effort by trying to do

something which is no longer possible
You keep trying to convince him to join
your company, but I think
you're flogging a dead horse.
11. Fool’s errand

Useless undertaking
1. His visit to other state to earn money
proved to be a fool’s errand.

2. It seems that someone has sent you

on a fool's errand, Colonel.
12. Fall Foul of
• To quarrel
• Get into trouble by doing
something illegal
1. They were once good friends but
now they have fallen foul of each
other.
13. Fly off the handle
Loose self control
To loose temper
1. He flew of the handle at
slightest things.
2. He is extremely irritable-he flies
off the handle at slightest
things.
14. French leave
To be absent without
permission
Did she take French leave at the
party last Saturday?
15. Fair and square

Correctly/In an honest way

1. My father advised me to be fair and

square in business dealings.
2. He ran the race fair and square.
16. Feather one’s own nest
Make money for oneself

Our leaders are busy feathering their own nests

and have no concern for the poor.
17.
From Pillar to Post
Rush in all direction & suffer much
harassment
Failing to get a satisfactory answer from
her doctor, Mary went from pillar to
post searching for a cure for her illness.
18. Foot the bill
Bear expenses
Although he hosted the feast but
his elder brother had to foot the
bill.
19. Fair weather friend
Selfish friend
1. A fair-weather friend will
never stand by you in
difficulty.
2. He is just a fair-weather
friend.
20.
Flash in the pan

Sudden success

His initial good performances were a

mere flash in the pan. Nowadays, he
delivers only mediocre work.
21. Fit to hold a candle to
Match For/Equal in quality

He is son of a famous writer but he is not

fit to hold a candle to his father.
22. The Fourth Estate
• The press

The newspaper is regarded as the

fourth estate of the democracy.
23. Feather in one’s cap

Additional success
By completing computer course he
has added new feather in the cap.
24. Fly in the face of
To defy

It is disobedience on their part to

fly in the face of the orders of the
principal.
 1. Gain ground
To succeed slowly & steadily
1. The belief in the abolition of dowry
system is gaining ground.
2. Our new product is gaining ground
against competitor
2.
Get off scot free
To escape without punishment

A murderer can also very

easily get off scot free due
lack of evidence.
3. Grease the palm
To bribe
Now a days if you want to get your
work done, you will have to grease
the palm of someone or other.
4. Gird up the loins
To prepare for hard work
He already girded up his loins for
final exams.
5. Go to the dogs
To be ruined

The rich business man will go to the

dogs because of his son’s bad habits.
6. Get oneself into a mess
To drift into trouble
Due to ignorance, Vijay seems to have got
himself into a mess in his office.
7. GIVE A WIDE BERTH
TO AVOID
We should always give a wide berth to all selfish
and mean persons.
8. Gentleman at large
An unreliable person
We must not believe a gentlemen at large.
9. Good samaritan
One who help stranger
A good Samaritan offered us a room
in the house.
10. Give a good account of oneself
POOR
Perform well (often in challenging
situation)
As the eldest son in his family he gave a good
account of himself when any problem came
on family.
11. Give the devil his due
Give credit to a worthless person for his good qualities
1. The new car mechanic is very angry, rude person, also give the
devil his due he is a good mechanic.
2. Their service is awfully expensive but there is none other like
them so I have to give the devil his due.
12.
Green horn
Unexperienced
1. Though he is a green horn in political field he appears to have
a bright future.

2. Don't underestimate Sudha. She is no greenhorn.

13. Give up the ghost

Pass Away/Die
After long illness he gave up the ghost last week.
14. Go the whole hog
To do something thoroughly
Many families go the whole hog during
Christmas and have lot of enjoyment.
15.
Get into a scrape
Awkward situation
He got into a scrape when his wife refused
to let him help his sister.
16. Go broke
Become Bankrupt
As a result of heavy gambling he had to go
broke in the long run.
17. Get into hot waters
Get into trouble
He got into hot waters by marrying a girl
of other caste .
18. GIVE CURRENCY
TO MAKE PUBLICLY KNOWN
The govt. has refused to give currency
to a number of scams.
19.
Great hands
Expert
He has great hand in organising parties.
20. Get down to brass tacks
To deal with matter straight
Instead of wasting time get down
to brass tacks.
21. Give a long rope
To let someone commit mistakes
He never gives his employees a long rope.
22.
Good turn
An act of kindness
He did me a good turn by recommending me for the post of vice
president.
1. Hold water
Appear to be valid /sound/reasonable
His statement will not hold water as it
is not based on facts.
2. Hang together
Support one another
The two statements delivered by
party leader do not hang together.
3.
Hope against hope
• Hope in spite of disappointment
• To hope even when a situation is
hopeless
I rang my parents hoping against hope that
they hadn’t left yet.
4. Have an axe to grind
To have a selfish interest
Reema is very rude but the way she is being polite with
everyone gives expression that she is having an axe to grind.
5. Have the gift of gab
Art of speaking
Meena is not highly qualified but she has
gift of the gab
6. HIT BELOW THE BELT
• TO STRIKE UNFAIRLY
• CRUEL/UNFAIR/HURTFUL
1. Saying he was not good in math just because he got 99 in the test is really hitting below
the belt.
2. Rekha was hitting below the belt when she called ram as an unfit father.
7. HOLD ONE’S TONGUE
TO KEEP QUIET
We should always hold our tongue
before our elders.
8. HERCULEAN TASK
VERY DIFFICULT/REQUIRING GREAT STRENGTH
9. Haul over the coals
To take to task
1. She was hauled over the coals by her parents for
misconduct.
2. Seetu hauled her husband over the coals for
forgetting her birthday .
10. HAVE ONE’S FINGERS IN EVERY PIE
INVOLVED IN MANY THINGS

My best friend likes to have her finger in

everyone’s pie as she is in the habit of
meddling with the affairs of others.
11. HALCYON DAYS
PEACEFUL DAYS
The days we spend to our school life
are the halcyon days of our life.
12. Have an iron will
Strong will
He cleared exam after failing three times in
written exam , he is really a person of iron will.
13. Hold out an olive branch
Offer of peace
1.The terrorist are not prepared to hold out an olive
branch to the govt of India.
2. He hold out an olive branch to the opposition by
releasing 42 political prisoner.
14. Hanky panky
Jugglery
None of this hanky panky , tell me the truth.
15. HAVE FEET OF CLAY
FULL OF FAULTS
The CBI inquiry has revealed that many
ministers have feet of clay.
16. HEART AND SOUL
• WHOLE HEARTEDLY
• DEVOTEDLY
1. He took part in the annual function
heart and soul.
2. He did preparation heart and soul to
qualify exam.
17.
HARD AND FAST
STRICT
No hard and fast rule laid down for
uniform in the college .
18. HANG FIRE
REMAIN UNSOLVED
Reservation problem has been
hanging fire for many years.
19. HIGH & DRY
A DIFFICULT SITUATION
20. HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD
TO DO THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME
1. He hit the nail on the head by resigning his job.
2. When my car didn’t start, my friend took one
look and said that its due to a dead battery.
Seems like he hit the nail on the head.
21. HOBSON’S CHOICE
NO CHOICE
1. It's a case of Hobson's choice, because if I
don't agree to their terms, I'll lose my job.
2. They must take this . It is Hobson's choice.
22. HAVE TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
DOING MANY THINGS AT A TIME
He is fickle minded and has too many
irons in the fire.
23. HOLD IN ABEYANCE ठं डे बस्ते
• POSTPONE
For lack of funds the district administration has held the
construction of road in abeyance.
24. HIGH AND MIGHTY
PROUD PERSONS
The high and mighty forget that
everything in the world is transient.
25. HARD NOSED ATTITUDE
AGGRESSIVE
1. I don’t know why my teacher always has a hard nosed
attitude towards me.
2. Mr. Howe was known to be very hard-
nosed, but he could really be friendly if you got to
know him.
26. HOLD IN LEASH
TO RESTRAIN
As a responsible person of the party you must
hold criticism of party workers in leash.
27. HEAD AND SHOULDERS
SUPERIOR
1. Mr. Atal bihari vajpayee was head and shoulders above his
predecessors.
2. There’s no competition, our team is simply head and
shoulders above the rest.
28. HOLD A BRIEF
TO DEFEND SOMEONE
1. It is very improper for parents to hold a brief for their
children who are doing wrong things.
2. Gandhi ji hold a brief for the poor and fought for their
rights.
29. Hush Money
Bribe
(Money given to keep someone silent)
CM gave hush money to his accomplice.
30. Hold at Bay
To prevent enemy from coming
1. Maharana partap could not hold the Mughal army at bay for
long.
2. The area was hit by a serious epidemic, but luckily he
could keep himself at bay.
31. Hit the jackpot
UNEXPECTED SUCCESS
He hit the jackpot by investing his money in shares.
32. Helter Skelter
HERE AND THERE
When police arrived ,the rioters ran
helter skelter.
33.
Have a brush with
To have encounter
I had a brush with death when I was in that car
accident.
34. Hornet’s nest
• Raise controversy
• Arising many problems
His remarks about the lack of good women badminton
players stirred up a hornet's nest.
35. Hold somebody to ransom
To demand concession by making someone captive
It is unfortunate that a handful of militants are
holding the nation to ransom.
36. Hole and corner
To do something Secretly

She is not frank ; she believes in hole and corner policy.

1. ILL AT EASE
UNCOMFORTABLE
1. A student is often ill at ease when he has to see
the principal after doing something wrong.
2. Students were ill at ease when roll numbers were
not released.
2. IN A FIX
In a dilemma
1. The whole police department is in a fix about the
threatening letters written by the kidnappers.
2. We are going to be in a real fix if we miss that bus.
3. IN A FAIR WAY
Hopeful
The doctor feels that patient is in a fair way
on to recovery.
4. In the good books of
To be in favour with a person
Sunita’s brilliant success in her final examination
has led her to be in the good books of her teachers.
5. In tune
In a mood
The teacher asked the students if they were in tune
for study.
6. In the lurch
To leave a friend in difficulty
He left his friend in the lurch during stampede.
 7. Ins and outs
Secrets
The servants are generally familiar with the ins and
outs of the family.
8.
In the blues
Depressed
After his failure in the examination he is
in the blues.
9. In the red
Suffer a loss
Most of our public sector undertakings are
in the red for lack of efficient administration.
10. In the limelight
▪ To be in the centre of attention
▪ Prominent
The actor tweeted controversially just to come in the
limelight.

He found that introducing a small chunk of lime (the

stone, not the fruit) to the flame resulted in a
blinding white light that could be visible for miles.
11. IN THE TEETH OF
INSPITE OF BITTER OPPOSITION
GST bill was passed in the teeth of various parties.
12. IN A TIGHT CORNER
In difficult situation
After loosing in gambling heavily he is in a
tight corner.
13. IN COLD BLOOD
TO DO SOMETHING DELIBERATELY
One young lady was shot dead in cold
blood inside the premises of shopping
complex.
14. IN DOLDRUMS
TO BE INACTIVE/DULL/DEPRESSED
After his failure in the examination he is in doldrums
these days.
15. IN THE FAMILY WAY
PREGNANT
1. She has been advised complete rest because she is in the
family way.
2. I was most concerned for my dear wife, who was in the
family way
16. IVORY TOWER
IMAGINARY WORLD
Those who talk of violence as a useful tool in
international politics live in ivory tower.
17. IN THE DUMPS
In low spirits
Her visit cheered me up as I was in the
dumps before her visit.
18. IN A FLUTTER
EXCITED
My sister is in a flutter today because she is going for
the interview.
 1.
Jaundice eye
Prejudice
You must not evaluate the success of your
rivals with a jaundiced eye.
“All seems infected that the infected
spy, As all looks yellow to
the jaundiced eye.”
1. KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER

TO MAINTAIN LIFE
These days because of rising prices it is difficult to
keep body and soul together.
2. KEEP AT ARM’S LENGTH
TO KEEP AT A DISTANCE
Selfish people should always be kept at an arm’s length.
3. KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR
TO AVOID STARVATION
In India millions of people struggle hard to keep wolf
from the door.
4.
KITH AND KIN
BLOOD RELATION
If we have no love for our kith and kin , we
cannot be expected to love humanity.
 5. KNIT THE BROW
To frown
Her mother in law always knits the brow at everything
she does.
6. KICK THE BUCKET
TO DIE
He kicked the bucket after long illness in the
hospital.
 7. KEEP UP APPEARANCES
TO MAINTAIN OUTWARD SHOW
Though he is in financial crisis, he is able to keep up
appearances.
8. KEEP ONE’S FINGERS CROSSED
TO WAIT EXPECTANTLY

We kept our fingers crossed till the last ball was

bowled.
9. KEEP THE POT BOILING
EARN HARDLY ENOUGH FOR LIVING
He is earning just to keep the pot boiling.
10.
KICK ONE’S HEELS
To waste time in waiting
As the train was late we had to kick our heels
at the station.
11.
KEEP ABREAST
To have knowledge /to keep oneself updated

NOT TO FALL BEHIND

She keeps herself abreast for exam.

1. LOST IN THE CLOUDS
CONFUSED
My teacher often lost in clouds as she sometime
is unable to explain the questions clearly.
2. LOSE GROUND

FAIL TO KEEP POSITION

The belief in horoscope is losing ground
these days.
3. LAUGH IN ONE’S SLEEVES
TO LAUGH SECRETLY
The students laughed in their sleeves at the
teacher’s ignorance of the subject.
4. LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED
To make all possible efforts

Ramesh left no stone unturned to get a

govt. job.
5. LEAP IN THE DARK
TO TAKE A RISK DELIBERATELY
You must not leap in the dark by entering the
business without experience.
6. LOOK SHARP
TO PAY ATTENTION
BE VIGILANT
The coach told the team they would have to look
sharp if they wanted to win
7. LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
TO DISCLOSE A SECRET
Amit let the cat out of the bag about my surprise birthday
party.
8. LIVE IN A FOOL’S PARADISE
FALSE HOPE
My brother is living in a fool’s paradise, if he
thinks that he can be rich without working
hard.
9.
LION’S SHARE
LARGE PART
The lion’s share of the medals have gone to
china in Olympic.
10. LOAVES AND FISHES
MATERIAL BENEFIT
MORE MININSTERS ARE CONCERNED WITH
LOAVES AND FISHES OF OFFICE THAN THE SERVICE
OF MAN
11. LIVE WIRE
ACTIVE / ENERGETIC
1. India needs live wire political leaders who can put
the country on right track.
2. She is a wonderful girl, a real live wire and full of
fun.
12. LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH
CRITICIZE A GIFT
One should not look a gift horse in the mouth because it
is given with love .
13. LOSE ONE’S HEAD
LOSE SELF CONTROL/PANIC
1. He is usually very calm and does not lose his head in stressful
situations
2. Parents should not lose their head and have patience while
handling their young kids .
14. LONG AND SHORT
1. The GIST OF SOMETHING
2. IN BRIEF
1.The long and short of it is that Seema is quitting, so we
need to fill her position fast.
2. The long and short of principal’s speech was that exams
would be held at time.
15. LATIN AND GREEK
Something that you can not
understand
The speech of literary persons is always Latin And
Greek to illiterate persons.
16. LAST NAIL IN THE COFFIN
• To put an end of something/ruined
• An event that causes the failure of something that had
already started to fail
The latest evidence is final nail in the coffin of corrupt Minister.
17. LEAD UP THE GARDEN PATH
TO CHEAT
The traders lead the credulous customers up
the garden path by assuring them of warranty.
18. LEAPS AND BOUNDS
RAPIDLY
India is progressing by leaps and bounds in
science and technology.
19. LAST STRAW
THE FINAL TRIAL OF PATIENCE
The rowlet act was the last straw on the
camel’s back and the whole india rose in
protest against the british rule.
20. LET THE GRASS GROW UNDER FEET
TO DELAY THE MATTERS
We are bound to suffer if we let the grass grow
under feet by postponing action.
1. MAKE BOTH ENDS MEET
To live within one’s means
To earn and spend equal amount
of money
As vikash has to bring up five children, he finds it
difficult to make both ends meet.
2. MEND ONE’S FENCES
To make peace

It is high time for two brothers to bury the hatchet

and mend their fences.
3. MAKE A CLEAN BREAST
TO CONFESS

When asked by magistrate sternly, thief made a clean

breast of the whole crime.
4. MAKE AMENDS
To give compensation

The govt. made amends to flood victims of Kerala.

5. MAKE THE MOST OF
• To utilize time
• To use or enjoy something as much as
possible.
Students should make the most of their time if they
want to get good marks.
6. MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH

To try utmost
I will move heaven and earth to build up your vocab.
7. MAKE SURE

To ascertain
We went to the office to make sure if our exams
would start in the next week.
8. MAKE NEITHER HEAD NOR TAIL

Not to understand
The students can make neither head nor tail of what
Mr. Dev teaches them.
9. MOOT POINT
Debatable point

The question of abolition of reservation is a moot point

these days.
10. MEET ONE’S WATERLOO

To face final defeat

Tipu sultan met his waterloo in the fourth battle of

mysore.
11. MAN OF LETTERS
LITERARY PERSON

Dr. APJ Abdul kalam was a man of letters.

12. MAKE LIGHT OF
NOT TO CARE
He is in the habit of making light of the advice of his
parents.
13. MIDAS TOUCH
A TOUCH WHICH TURNS ANYTHING INTO GOLD

Our manager seems to be gifted with midas touch

because he is capable of selling every product .
14. MAN OF PARTS
A MAN OF QUALITIES/TALENTED

Our principal is a man of parts and respected by all.

15. MEALY MOUTHED
SOFT SPOKEN
Politicians are generally mealy mouthed.
16. MAN OF STRAW
A WEAK PERSON
The king being a man of straw, his orders
were often disobeyed.
17. MINCE MATTERS
बनाकर बोलना

HIDE THE TRUTH AND PRETEND

Tell the truth to your parents because it does not pay

to mince matters
18. MARE’S NEST
A FALSE INVENTION
He made a discovery after number of years but it proved
mare’s nest.
1. NULL AND VOID
INEFFECTIVE

Strangely, the laws made by british in India are not yet

null and void.
2. NEXT TO NOTHING
ALMOST NOTHING

The thieves made off with everything from the

kitchen and there was next to nothing left.
3. NECK AND CROP
COMPLETELY
The dacoits finished him off neck and crop beyond
recognition.
4. NO LOVE LOST
INTENSE DISLIKE
There is no love lost between the two neighbors.
5. NIP IN THE BUD
To destroy in the very beginning
The evils of the society must be nipped in the bud .
6. NOT WORTH ONE’S SALT
NOT DESERVING

They decided that he is not worth of his salt and

ousted him from office.
1. OFF HAND
WITHOUT PREPARATION
1. He is very poor in English and can’t answer all the
questions off hand.
2. She went for examination off hand and failed.
2. OVER HEAD AND EARS
• COMPLETELY TRAPPED
• EXCESSIVE
He was over head and ears in the debt of SBI.
3. OUT OF QUESTION
CERTAIN
His success is out of question because he is working
hard these days.
4. OUT OF THE QUESTION
UNCERTAIN
His success is out of the question because he is not
working hard these days.
5. OUT OF WOODS
Out of danger
The patient is not out of the woods yet.
6. ORDER OF THE DAY
IN FASHION

These days reality shows & their repetition is

order of the day.
7. ON THE SCORE OF
ON THE GROUNDS OF
He was debarred from appearing in the examination on
the score of indiscipline.
8. ON THAT SCORE
FOR THE REASON

You need not worry on that score.

9. OVER AND ABOVE
MOREOVER, BESIDES

I shall lend you books over and above what I have

promised to give you in cash.
10. OUT AND OUT
Completely
Bhagat Singh was a patriot out and out.
11. OFF AND ON

OCCASIONALLY
Since she is over busy these days, she visits me off
and on .
12. ONE’S ACHILLES HEEL
A WEAK POINT
1. Though he is a good person but short temper is his Achilles
heel.
2. He is a good student but English is his Achilles heel.
13. OFF COLOUR
NOT IN USUAL FORM

Once a famous actor ,she is off colour these days.

14. ODDS AND ENDS
AT ODDS

SCATTERED THINGS
The thief made away with the odds and ends lying
about the drawing room .
15. OFF THE HOOK
OUT OF TROUBLE
He is still not off the hook because income tax
department is making a thorough inquiry into his
financial status . BY HOOK OR CROOK
16. OILY TONGUE
FLATTERING WORDS
SMOOTHE TALKER
1. She has an oily tongue but bad heart.

HOLD ONE’S TONGUE

17. ON THE HORNS OF DILEMMA
CONFUSION TO CHOOSE TWO EQUALLY UNDESIRABLE SITUATION

Many students, when final exams are coming, are on the horns of a
dilemma. If they study all night, the lack of sleep may hamper their thinking
during the exam, but if they go to sleep early, they may not be prepared.
18. ONE’S CUP OF TEA
TO ONE’S LIKING
Some people like to play cricket but it’s not my cup of tea.
19. OUT OF SORTS
TO BE UNWELL
Sohan had been out of sorts the whole day and
could not do his office work properly.
20. ON ITS LAST LEG
ABOUT TO COLLAPSE/DIE
In many sections of Indian society the system of
child marriage is on its last leg .
21. ON THE CARPET
TO BE UNDER CONSIDERATION

What is on the carpet these days is in the newspapers .

1. PAST MASTER
AN EXPERT
He is a past master in befooling the people by his
oily tongue.
GREAT HAND
2. PALMY DAYS
PROSPEROUS
AFFLUENT DAYS

She has topped in university , these are her palmy

days.

HALCYON DAYS
3. PART AND PARCEL
INSEPARABLE PART
INTEGRAL PART
Discipline is part and parcel of defence services .
4. PASS THE BUCK
PASS RESPONSIBILITIES TO OTHER PERSON
EVADE RESPONSIBILITY BY PASSING IT TO OTHER
1.You forgot to pay electricity bill , so don’t pass the buck to me now.
2. Political parties are expert in passing the buck to each other.
5. PAY OFF OLD SCORES
TO TAKE REVENGE

The way he is treating his younger brother makes

it quite obvious that he is paying off old scores.
6. PAY THROUGH ONE’S NOSE
PAID LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY
1. I paid through the nose for my computer but it broke
in first week.
7. PAY LIP SERVICE
PRETEND TO REGARD
1. Most of political parties pay lip services to poor people .
2. Politicians pay lip services to crime.
8. PAY ONE BACK IN THE SAME COIN
TIT FOR TAT
We should not hesitate in paying china and pakistan
back in their own coins.
9. PIN MONEY
ALLOWANCE GIVEN TO HOUSEWIFE FOR PERSONAL USE

She is frugal and saves even out of pin money.

10. PELL MELL HELTER SKELTER

A confused or disorderly manner

After thieves had ransacked the house, every thing

was pell mell.
11. PLAY FAST AND LOOSE

BEHAVE IRRESPONSIBLY AND IMMORALLY

No one can trust rohit as he plays fast and

loose..
12. PLAY SECOND FIDDLE TO
TO PLAY A SUBORDINATE PART
Sheila was determined to be the star of the show and
she was not going to play second fiddle to anyone.
AS FIT AS A FIDDLE
13. PLAY TRUANT
To be absent from duty without permission
It is bad habit of employees to play truant from office .
14. PLAY TO THE GALLERY
PLAY TO THE CROWD
To gain cheap popularity
to behave in a way intended to make people admire or support you

The speeches of our leader are not sincere , they are intended to
play to the gallery..
15. PLAY DUCKS AND DRAKES
TO SQUANDER MONEY
After death of his father he got into heavy
debt by playing ducks and drakes.
16. PLAY FOUL

TO DO SOMETHING WRONG

Don’t play foul with your well wishers.

17. PLOUGH THE SANDS
FUTILE LABOUR
I know that I'm just ploughing the sands by telling you to
stay away from that boy, but I'm your
father, and I don't want to see you get hurt.
18. POUR OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS
TO PACIFY THE MATTERS
The two good friends exchanged hot words but the
intervention of their teacher poured oil on troubled
water.
19. PULL A LONG FACE
Seema pull a long face when she was
scolded by her teacher.
20. PULL ONE’S SOCKS UP
WORK HARD
You must pull your socks up for board
exams.
21. PULL STRINGS
TO EXERCISE INFLUENCE SECRETLY
He managed his promotion by pulling strings.
22. PUT HEADS TOGETHER
CONSULT SERIOUSLY
Our leaders should put their heads together to
solve national problems.
23. PUT A SPOKE IN A WHEEL
TO OBSTRUCT
We planned a picnic but continuous rain put spoke
in a wheel.
24. PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE
TO DO THINGS IN WRONG ORDER

I think you are putting the cart before the horse by

leaving your permanent job before getting new one.
25. PROS AND CONS
FOR AND AGAINST A THING

We must always consider the pros and

cons of a new project that we take in hand.
26. PYRRHIC VICTORY
VICTORY AT A HIGH COST
Greek victory over trojans proved to be a pyrrhic victory.
27. PICK HOLES
TO FIND FAULT WITH
He is always picking holes in every project.
1. QUEER FISH
STRANGE PERSON
One cannot make anything out of Sohan’s
attitude as he is such a queer fish.
2. QUIXOTIC PROJECT
FOOLISHLY /
IMPRACTICAL
Being not worldly wise he wasted his money in quixotic
projects.
1. RISE TO THE OCCASSION
TO ACT AS THE OCCASION DEMANDS
To face critical situations boldly you should
rise to the occasion.
2. RUN SHORT OF
SHORTAGE
These days due to some financial crisis my friend
is running short of money.
3. RANK AND FILE
COMMON MAN
If we want our country to progress in every field we
must improve economic status of rank and file.
4. RED TAPISM
OFFICIAL DELAY
Red tapism is a big problem in government
related works.
5. REST ON ONE’S LAURELS
COMPLACENT / SELF SATISFIED

Ambitious persons never rest on their laurels because

they dream of unending achievements.
6. ROCK THE BOAT
UPSET THE BALANCE
If your party withdraws support from government , it
may rock the boat.
7. RED HERRING
SOMETHING TO DISTRACT ATTENTION
The demand of inquiry into his conduct is just a red herring
as there is no truth in it.
8. RIP UP OLD SORES
TO REVIVE FRGOTTON QUARREL

Rahul & his wife can’t leave in peace, they are

always ripping up old scores.
9. READ BETWEEN THE LINES

TO UNDERSTAND THE HIDDEN MEANING

By Reading between the lines,

it was obvious that he was feeling lonely.
10. RULE THE ROOST
TO DOMINATE

It’s his wife who rule the roost in their house.

11. RED RAG TO A BULL
ANYTHING THAT PROVOKE
The law against the dowry system is like
red rag to a bull for greedy persons.
12. RIDE ROUGH SHOD OVER
TO TREAT IN A HIGH HANDED FASHION
They accused the government of riding roughshod
over parliamentary procedure. Disregard
13. RUB ONE THE WRONG WAY
TO ANNOY
If you rub him in the wrong way he is bound to react.
1. SIT ON THE FENCE
NOT TO DO SOMETHING
When the party split ramesh was accused of sitting
on the fence.
2. SMELL A RAT
TO BE SUSPICIOUS
I smelt a rat when I found some items missing from
my desk.
3. SPLIT HAIR
To argue or worry about small details
We should not try to split hair with our elders.
4. SHED CROCODILE TEARS
TO SHOW FALSE SORROW

The mother shed crocodile tears on the death of her

step daughter.
 5. STAND IN A GOOD STEAD
TO BE HELPFUL IN NEED

During the time of distress the advice of elders always stands in

good stead.
6. SHOW WHITE FEATHER
TO SHOW COWARDICE
Brave people never show white feather in
the face of difficulties.
FEATHER YOUR OWN NEST
ADD FEATHER IN YOUR CAP
7. SEE EYE TO EYE
TO AGREE

Neema could never see eye to eye with her elder

brother. APPLE OF ONE’S EYE
TURN A BLIND EYE
8. SET STORE BY
TO VALUE
TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING IS VERY
IMPORTANT
I have always set store by my father’s opinion.
9. SNAP ONE’S FINGER AT
TO SHOW CONTEMPT
The industry owner feels that he may snap his fingers at
the demands of his workers, but he is greatly mistaken.
POINT THE FINGER AT SOMEONE ?
10. SPEAK VOLUMES FOR
A SITUATION VERY CLEAR WITHOUT USE OF WORDS
TO HAVE ABUNDANT PROOF

1. She said very little but her face spoke volumes.

2. The company's decision to ignore the problem speaks
volumes about its lack of leadership.
11. STEAL A MARCH
TO GET AHEAD SECRETLY
GAIN AN ADVANTAGE OVER OPPONENT

Our rival company managed to steal a march on us by

bringing out their software ahead of ours.
12. STEER CLEAR OF
TO AVOID
Everyone if possible , should steer clear of selfish
people.
13. SWAN SONG
LAST ACTIVITY
FINAL PERFORMANCE
He has decided to make this tour as swan song.
14. SNAKE IN THE GRASS
A SECRET ENEMY
The country is always betrayed by the snakes in the grass.
15. SWORD OF DAMOCLES
FACING IMMINENT DANGER
A sword of Damocles is always hanging over the head of a
soldier in the event of war.
16. SAIL UNDER FALSE COLOURS
A HYPOCRITE
Disguise one’s true nature or intentions
We should not believe our political leaders as they sail
under false colours.
WITH FLYING COLOURS
17. SPARTAN LIFE
LIFE OF ASCETIC
Simple ,strict with no luxuries
Swami vivekananda led a spartan life for promoting health of mind and body.
18. SAVE ONE’S FACE
TO AVOID DISGRACE
He is making lame excuses to save his face as he could
not qualify the exam.
19. A SCARLET WOMEN
A WOMEN WITH LOOSE MORALS

Being a scarlet women she is looked down upon by her

neighbours.
20. SET PEOPLE BY EARS
TO INCITE/PROVOKE PEOPLE

The communal speeches set people by ears.

21. TO SET THAMES ON FIRE
TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING IMPOSSIBLE
These days Qualifying civil services exam is like setting
Thames on fire
22. SWEAT OF THE BROW
HARD LABOUR
The honest persons live by sweat of the brow.
23. STEAL SOMEONE’S THUNDER
Take credit for someone else’s work
They all did project together but while submitting it one of
them stole the thunder.
24. STRAIGHT FROM THE SHOULDERS
CANDIDLY
My lawyer told me straight from the shoulders that my
case was weak.
25. SHOP LIFTER
ONE WHO STEALS FROM THE SHOP

A shop lifter often visits a shop as a customer .

26. SPICK AND SPAN
IN ORDER

His house looked spick and span because everything was

in its place.
27. SHOT IN THE ARM
ENCOURAGING
Winning this award has been a big shot in the arm for
the students.
28. SOMETHING UP ONE’S SLEEVE
A SECRET PLAN
She is quite a mischievous lady. There is always something
up her sleeves.
LAUGH IN ONE’S SLEEVE
29. SEND ABOUT ONE’S BUSINESS
TO DISMISS
TO SEND SOMEONE AWAY
His manager sent him about his business when he behaved rudely.
30. STAND ONE’S GROUND
REMAIN FIRM
He did not melt down to pressure and stood his ground till the end.
31. SMALL FRY
PERSONS /THINGS OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE
INSIGNIFICANT PERSON

The police have only caught the small fry.

The leader of the gang is still free..
32. SEAMY SIDE OF LIFE

IMMORAL SIDE OF SOCIETY

1. The picture depicts realism and presents the seamy side of life
in modern india.
2. It’s well known that the world of entertainment has its seamy si
de: drug abuse, corruption, alcoholism.
33. SOW WILD OATS जंगली जई
IRRESPONSIBLE PLEASURE SEEKING
You can't sow your wild oats forever! Soon, you'll want a wife an
d you'll regret the things you're doing now.
34. SPILL THE BEANS
TO GIVE INFORMATION
Continuous interrogation finally made the man spill the
beans and true story came out .
35. A STALKING HORSE
PRETENCE
It is feared that talks are just a stalking horse for a much wider
deal between two parties.
1. TURN UP ONE’S NOSE
TO REFUSE TO ACCEPT SOMETHING
TO TAKE SOMETHING LIGHTLY
Meena has failed twice in her class and yet she turns up her
nose at my advice.
2. TURN THE TABLES

TO REVERSE THE CONDITION

A Batsman often turns the table on the opposite

team by his good batting.
3. TURN COAT
ONE WHO CHANGES POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS
A successful politician knows when to turn his coat .
4. TAKE UP THE CUDGELS
TO SUPPORT OR DEFEND
Marie and her friends are willing to take up the
cudgels for women’s rights.
5. TURN THE CORNER
TO PASS A CRITICAL STAGE AND STARTS IMPROVEMENT

After a lengthy fight with cancer, Tim has turned the corner and is
starting to become healthy again .
6. TALL TALK
EXAGGERATE THE MATTERS
No one likes to be in the company of neema as she always indulges
in tall talk.
7. TOOTH AND NAIL
VIOLENTLY
All the students revolted tooth and nail against the
partiality of the teachers towards some students.
8. THROW IN THE TOWEL
TO QUIT, TO ADMIT DEFEAT
My brother was so fed up of his manager that he threw in the towel.

THROW THE SPONGE

9. TAKE WITH A PINCH OF SALT
TO ACCEPT WITH DOUBT

Everybody takes rahul’s problems with a pinch of salt

because he is an unreliable person.
10. TURN A HAIR
SHOW ANY REACTION

Although his friends provoked him against rohit, he did

not turn a hair and remained calm.
11. TALL STORIES
EXAGGERATED STORIES
What she says about her grandfather being a Foreign
prince sounds like a tall story to me.
12. TAKE THE FLOOR
MAKE A SPEECH
When the prime minister took the floor in the cabinet meeting
there was a pin drop silence.
13. TAKE LYING DOWN
ACCEPT INSULT

It is impossible for me to take his remarks lying down.

14. TURN TO ACCOUNT
TURN TO ADVANTAGE

The brave turn their failures to account.

15. TAKE HEART
FEEL BOLD

You must take heart and face life boldly.

TAKE TO HEART

FROM DEPTH OF MY HEART

16. TAKE TO HEART
FEEL EXCESSIVELY

TO TAKE SOMETHING SERIOUSLY

He took his failure to heart and lost interest in worldly

affairs.
17. TAKE BULL BY HORNS
TO MEET THE DANGER BOLDLY
TO CONFRONT A DIFFICULT SITUATION
The government will have to take the bull by the horns and tackle
the inflation.
18. THROUGH AND THROUGH
ENTIRELY
He was drenched in the rain through and through.
19. THE BACK BONE OF SOMETHING

MOST IMPORTANT

Farmers are backbone of India.

20. TAKE WIND OUT OF ANOTHER’S SAILS
TO CAUSE SOMEONE TO LOOSE CONFIDENCE OR ENERGY
TO DISCOURAGE
Farsighted generals can win war by taking wind out of
enemy’s sails..
21. TURN A DEAF EAR
NOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO

REFUSE TO LISTEN

All the party members turned a deaf ear to their

leader.
22. TAKE LEAF OUT OF SOMEBODY’S
BOOK
TO EMULATE
FOLLOW SOMEONE
Some countries that took a leaf out of American industry's book are now
doing very well for themselves.

-IN SOMEONE’S GOOD BOOK

-AN OPEN BOOK
-BRING TO BOOK
-DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
23. TAKE PEOPLE BY STORM
TO SURPRISE UNEXPECTEDLY
(THAT MAY BE SUCCESS,OR ATTACK ON SOMEONE)

The invaders took the castle by storm

24. TALL ORDER
SOMETHING DIFFICULT
To finish that work was a tall order but we did it by
working day and night.

HERCULEAN TASK
25. THROW A SPANNER IN THE WORKS
TO DO SOMETHING THAT PREVENTS A
PLAN FROM SUCCEDING
TO SABOTAGE A PLAN
We will complete the project this week if
somebody will not throw a spanner in this.
26. TAKE TO TASK
PUNISH /TO SCOLD
He took his younger sister to task for not obeying her elders.
27. THROW DOWN THE
GLOVE/GAUNTLET
TO CHALLENGE
READY FOR FIGHT

They have thrown down the gauntlet to

the PM by demanding a referendum.
28. THROW OUT OF GEAR
NOT WORKING PROPERLY
Many of our small scale industries have been
thrown out of gear due to lack of finance
29. TAKE TO HEELS
TO RUN AWAY
Thieves took to their heels when they saw the police approaching.

Cool one’s heels

30. THROW COLD WATER
TO DISCOURAGE
NEGATIVE ABOUT SOMETHING
Instead of encouraging me, my business partner threw cold
water on my plans.
31. TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
TO BE ENTIRELY CHANGED
A MAJOR CHANGE
After drifting from one job to another rahul turned over a new leaf
and started his own work.
32. TAKE SOMEBODY FOR A RIDE
TO DECEIVE / TRICK / CHEAT SOMEONE
The traders took the customers for a ride by selling fake foreign
goods to them.
33. TAKE UP ARMS
TO FIGHT
The tribals of this region have taken up arms against the
government.
34. TO AND FRO
FORWARD AND BACKWARD
He was strolling in the garden to and fro.
35. THROW UP THE SPONGE
SURRENDER

He never threw up the sponge and at last got a good job.

1. UPHILL TASK
DIFFICULT TASK
To eradicate corruption is an uphill task.
2. UPS AND DOWNS
GOOD AND BAD EXPERIENCES

My uncle has experienced many ups and downs in his

furniture business.
3. UNDER THE ROSE
SECRETLY
They used to meet each other under the rose.

BED OF ROSES
(COMFORTABLE SITUATION)
4. UP AND DOING
ACTIVE
You should be up and doing in life otherwise you cannot succeed.
5. UNDER A CLOUD
TO BE UNDER SUSPICION
His secret connection with smugglers have brought him
under a cloud.
6. UPTO THE MARK
AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE
Your speech was upto the mark.
1. WITH OPEN ARMS
CORDIALLY (WITH FULL RESPECT)
IN A FRIENDLY WAY
When my cousin came back from england after ten years he
was welcomed with open arms by all relatives.
2. WIN LAURELS

TO WIN DISTINCTION
Dr. Tagore won laurels in the world of literature.
TO REST ON ONE’S LAURELS ?
3. WHITE ELEPHANT
ANYTHING WITH LESS UTILITY AND MORE EXPENDITURE
My old car is a white elephant for me now.
4. WELL DISPOSED TO
FRIENDLY OR HELPFUL TO SOMEBODY

One is always well disposed to those who are

honest and hard working.
 5. WRITING ON THE WALL
SIGNAL / WARNING THAT SOMETHING BAD GOING TO HAPPEN

The factory owner read the writing on the wall and closed down the
factory.
6. WHEN THE CRUNCH COMES
THE MOMENT OF DECISION

Brave persons never give up when the crunch comes.

7. WILLY NILLY
WHETHER ONE WISHES OR NOT

Willy-Nilly , she has to agree to the views of her

husband all the time.
8. WINDOW SHOPPING
TO LOOK AT GOODS DISPLAYED
BUT NOT FOR BUYING
Though I did not have any mind to make purchases, I
just went out for window shopping in the evening.
 9. WEAR AND TEAR
DAMAGE CAUSED BY USE
Wear and tear of machinery is known as depreciation in accountancy.
10. WEAL AND WOE
JOY AND SORROW
We must learn to bear weal and woe of life with patience.
11. WASH HANDS OF
TO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH
TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY
I have washed hands of your affairs because you do not take
me seriously.
12. WIDE BERTH
KEEP AWAY
We should give a wide berth to bad company.
13. WILL O’ THE WISP
UNREAL
Full employment is the will-o'-the-wisp that politicians
have been chasing for decades.
14. WRY FACE
DISAPPOINTED LOOK
He made a wry face when he was refused admission to
the college of his choice.
15. WIN HANDS DOWN
WIN EASILY
Australia won hands down in the Davis cup finals.
16. WITHIN AN ACE OF
VERY CLOSE TO SOMETHING

In the first battle of panipat Ibrahim lodhi was within an

ace of victory but couldn’t win.
17. WEAR THE TROUSERS
DOMINANT

It is neha who wears the trousers and her husband

simply obeys her.
18. WEE HOURS
AT DAWN
The Car accident took place in wee hours of the day.
19. WITH A HIGH HAND
OPPRESSIVELY
He was a king who ruled his subjects with a high hand.
20. WET BLANKET
ANY PERSON THAT DAMPENS ENTHUSIASM

The principal proved a wet blanket while the students were on picnic.
21. WILD GOOSE CHASE
FRUITLESS
UNPROFITABLE

All the efforts of the government to remove

illiteracy in India is like a wild goose chase.
22. WIND FALL
SUDDEN GAIN/WEALTH

The money given by minister was really a windfall for

the poor.
23. WIDE BERTH
KEEP AWAY
We should give a wide berth to bad characters.
23. WRANGLE OVER AN ASS’S SHADOW
TO QUARREL OVER TRIFLES
Their long friendship ended because they wrangled over an
ass’s shadow.
1. YELLOW PRESS/
YELLOW JOURNALISM
NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING SENSATIONAL NEWS
Role of Riya in Sushant’s death was yellow journalism.
2. YEOMAN’S SERVICE

EXCELLENT WORK

Sardar patel did a yeoman’s service by welding many states

into one strong nation.
SOME OTHER IMPORTANT IDIOMS
1. BETWEEN DEVIL & DEEP SEA
FACING TWO EQUALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION
The police knew with certainty he had drugs in his car, so he became
trapped between the devil and the deep sea: either lie to the police,
or admit that the drugs belonged to him.
2. CATCH A TARTAR
To deal with someone or something that proves
unexpectedly troublesome or powerful.
While fighting with Indian army, enemy realised they
had caught a tartar.
3. CAT’S PAW
A PERSON USED BY ANOTHER CLEVERLY TO ACCOMPLISH HIS OWN PURPOSE

Poor people easily becomes a cat’s paw in the hands of

politician.
4. JUDAS KISS
A TRAITOROUS ACTION DISGUISED AS A SHOW OF AFFECTION
FALSE LOVE
Rohan don’t try to be my friend now , it’s a Judas kiss
,because i know you have complained to principal
yesterday.
5. PANDORA’S BOX
LOT OF NEW PROBLEMS
Rahul who was trying to fix the bug opened a Pandora's
box of other issues with the computer.
 6. WOLF IN THE SHEEP’S CLOTHING
A DANGEROUS PERSON WHO IS PRETENDING TO BE
HARMLESS AND DISGUISED AS A FRIEND
My former best friend was a real wolf in sheep's clothing. He was
always saying the worst things about my girlfriend and helped us to
break up—but guess who he's dating now?
7. CAST PEARL BEFORE SWINE
To offer a good thing to someone
who doesn’t know its value
Most of the time, playing classical music for high
School students is like casting your pearls before swine.
8. ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
VERY RARELY
HE IS NOT A ALCOHOLIC BUT HE TAKES ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.
9. KEEP THE BALL ROLLING
MAINTAIN / CONTINUE THE ACTIVITY
Tom started the project, and we kept the ball rolling.
10. POISON SOMEONE’S EAR
TO BACKBITE

She poisoned the ears of her friend against me.