UNIT-1

TOPIC 1: List of idioms and Phrases

An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from
the dictionary definitions of the individual words.
A
A Bird in The Hand Is Worth Two in The Bush:
Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because
chances are you might lose everything.
A Blessing in Disguise:
Something good that isn't recognized at first.
A Chip on Your Shoulder:
Being upset for something that happened in the past.
A Dime A Dozen:
Anything that is common and easy to get.
A Doubting Thomas:
A sceptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something.
A Drop in the Bucket:
A very small part of something big or whole.
A Fool and His Money Are Easily Parted:
It's easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money.
A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand:
Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out.
A Leopard Can't Change His Spots:
You cannot change who you are.
A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned:
By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little).
A Picture Paints a Thousand Words:
A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.
A Piece of Cake:
A task that can be accomplished very easily.
A Slap on the Wrist:
A very mild punishment.
A Taste of Your Own Medicine:
When you are mistreated the same way, you mistreat others.
A Toss-Up:
A result that is still unclear and can go either way.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words:
It's better to actually do something than just talk about it.
Add Fuel to The Fire:
Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is.
Against the Clock:
Rushed and short on time.
All Bark and No Bite:
When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight.
All Greek to me:
Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read, speak, or
understand any of the Greek language would be.
All in The Same Boat:
When everyone is facing the same challenges.
An Arm and A Leg:
Very expensive. A large amount of money.
An Axe to Grind:
To have a dispute with someone.
Apple of My Eye:
Someone who is cherished above all others.
As High as A Kite:
Anything that is high up in the sky.
At the Drop of a Hat:
Willing to do something immediately.
B
Back Seat Driver:
People who criticize from the side-lines, much like someone giving unwanted advice
from the back seat of a vehicle to the driver.
Back to Square One:
Having to start all over again.
Back to The Drawing Board:
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
Baker's Dozen:
Thirteen.
Barking Up The Wrong Tree:
A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve.
Beat A Dead Horse:
To force an issue that has already ended.
Beating Around The Bush:
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
Bend Over Backwards:
Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.
Between A Rock And A Hard Place:
Stuck between two very bad options.
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
To take on a task that is way to big.
Bite Your Tongue:
To avoid talking.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water:
The family bond is closer than anything else.
Blue Moon:
A rare event or occurrence.
Break A Leg:
A superstitious way to say 'good luck' without saying 'good luck', but rather the
opposite.
Buy A Lemon:
To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it
away.
C
Can't Cut The Mustard:
Someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate.
Cast Iron Stomach:
Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything or
drinking anything.
Charley Horse:
Stiffness in the leg / A leg cramp.
Chew someone out:
Verbally scold someone.
Chip on his Shoulder:
Angry today about something that occured in the past.
Chow Down:
To eat.
Close but no Cigar:
To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short.
Cock and Bull Story:
An unbelievable tale.
Come Hell Or High Water:
Any difficult situation or obstacle.
Crack Someone Up:
To make someone laugh.
Cross Your Fingers:
To hope that something happens the way you want it to.
Cry Over Spilt Milk:
When you complain about a loss from the past.
Cry Wolf:
Intentionally raise a false alarm.
Cup Of Joe:
A cup of coffee.
Curiosity Killed The Cat:
Being Inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.
Cut to the Chase:
Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point.
D
Dark Horse:
One who was previously unknown and is now prominent.
Dead Ringer:
100% identical. A duplicate.
Devil's Advocate:
Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that
particular side of the argument. It can also mean one who presents a counter
argument for a position they do believe in, to another debater.
Dog Days of Summer:
The hottest days of the summer season.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch:
Don't rely on it until you’re sure of it.
Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth:
When someone gives you a gift, don't be ungrateful.
Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket:
Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
Doozy:
Something outstanding.
Down To The Wire:
Something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds.
Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures:
When you are extremely desperate you need to take extremely desperate actions.
Drink like a fish:
To drink very heavily.
Drive someone up the wall:
To irritate and/or annoy very much.
Dropping Like Flies:
A large number of people either falling ill or dying.
Dry Run:
Rehearsal.
E
Eighty Six:
A certain item is no longer available. Or this idiom can also mean, to throw away.
Elvis has left the building:
The show has come to an end. It's all over.
Ethnic Cleansing:
Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale.
Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining:
Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
Everything But The Kitchen Sink:
Almost everything and anything has been included.
Excuse my French:
Please forgive me for cussing.
Cock and Bull Story:
An unbelievable tale.
Cock and Bull Story:
An unbelievable tale.
F
Feeding Frenzy:
An aggressive attack on someone by a group.
Field Day:
An enjoyable day or circumstance.
Finding Your Feet:
To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing.
Finger lickin' good:
A very tasty food or meal.
Fixed In Your Ways:
Not willing or wanting to change from your normal way of doing something.
Flash In The Pan:
Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning but fails to deliver
anything in the end.
Flea Market:
A swap meet. A place where people gather to buy and sell inexpensive goods.
Flesh and Blood:
This idiom can mean living material of which people are made of, or it can refer to
someone's family.
Flip The Bird:
To raise your middle finger at someone.
Foam at the Mouth:
To be enraged and show it.
Fools' Gold:
Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold.
French Kiss:
An open mouth kiss where tongues touch.
From Rags To Riches:
To go from being very poor to being very wealthy.
Fuddy-duddy:
An old-fashioned and foolish type of person.
Full Monty:
This idiom can mean either, "the whole thing" or "completely nude".
Funny Farm:
A mental institutional facility.
G
Get Down to Brass Tacks:
To become serious about something.
Get Over It:
To move beyond something that is bothering you.
Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed:
Someone who is having a horrible day.
Get Your Walking Papers:
Get fired from a job.
Give Him The Slip:
To get away from. To escape.
Go Down Like A Lead Balloon:
To be received badly by an audience.
Go For Broke:
To gamble everything you have.
Go Out On A Limb:
Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/something.
Go The Extra Mile:
Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand.
Good Samaritan:
Someone who helps others when they are in need, with no discussion for
compensation, and no thought of a reward.
Graveyard Shift:
Working hours from about 12:00 am to 8:00 am. The time of the day when most other
people are sleeping.
Great Minds Think Alike:
Intelligent people think like each other.
Green Room:
The waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a tv or radio show.
Gut Feeling:
A personal intuition you get, especially when feel something may not be right.
H
Haste Makes Waste:
Quickly doing things results in a poor ending.
Hat Trick:
When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game. This idiom can also mean
three scores in any other sport, such as 3 homeruns, 3 touchdowns, 3 soccer goals, etc.
Have an Axe to Grind:
To have a dispute with someone.
He Lost His Head:
Angry and overcome by emotions.
Head Over Heels:
Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love.
Hell in a Handbasket:
Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.
High Five:
Slapping palms above each others heads as celebration gesture.
High on the Hog:
Living in Luxury.
Hit The Books:
To study, especially for a test or exam.
Hit The Hay:
Go to bed or go to sleep.
Hit The Nail on the Head:
Do something exactly right or say something exactly right.
Hit The Sack:
Go to bed or go to sleep.
Hocus Pocus:
In general, a term used in magic or trickery.
Hold Your Horses:
Be patient.
I
Icing On The Cake:
When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have.
Idle Hands Are The Devil's Tools:
You are more likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do.
If It's Not One Thing, It's Another:
When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another...
In Like Flynn:
To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic.
In The Bag:
To have something secured.
In The Buff:
Nude.
In The Heat Of The Moment:
Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
In Your Face:
An aggressive and bold confrontation.
It Takes Two To Tango:
A two person conflict where both people are at fault.
It's A Small World:
You frequently see the same people in different places.
Its Anyone's Call:
A competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict.
Ivy League:
Since 1954 the Ivy League has been the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell,
Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Harvard.
J
Jaywalk:
Crossing the street (from the middle) without using the crosswalk.
Joshing Me:
Tricking me.
K
Keep An Eye On Him:
You should carefully watch him.
Keep body and soul together:
To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive .
Keep your chin up:
To remain joyful in a tough situation.
Kick The Bucket:
Die.
Kitty-corner:
Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
A quick and automatic response.
Knock On Wood:
Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck.
Know the Ropes:
To understand the details.
L
Last but not least:
An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is no
less important than those introduced before him/her.
Lend Me Your Ear:
To politely ask for someone's full attention.
Let Bygones Be Bygones:
To forget about a disagreement or argument.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie:
To avoid restarting a conflict.
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:
To share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared.
Level playing field:
A fair competition where no side has an advantage.
Like a chicken with its head cut off:
To act in a frenzied manner.
Liquor someone up:
To get someone drunk.
Long in the Tooth:
Old people (or horses).
Loose Cannon:
Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check.
M
Make No Bones About:
To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections.
Method To My Madness:
Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good
reason.
Mumbo Jumbo:
Nonsense or meaningless speech.
Mum's the word:
To keep quiet. To say nothing.
N
Nest Egg:
Savings set aside for future use.
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You:
Don't hurt anyone that helps you.
New kid on the block:
Someone new to the group or area.
New York Minute:
A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast paced environment.
No Dice:
To not agree. To not accept a proposition.
No Room to Swing a Cat:
An unsually small or confined space.
Not Playing With a Full Deck:
Someone who lacks intelligence.
O
Off On The Wrong Foot:
Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.
Off The Hook:
No longer have to deal with a tough situation.
Off the Record:
Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn't want attributed to him/her.
On Pins And Needles:
Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.
On The Fence:
Undecided.
On The Same Page:
When multiple people all agree on the same thing.
Out Of The Blue:
Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.
Out On A Limb:
When someone puts themself in a risky situation.
Out On The Town:
To enjoy yourself by going out.
Over My Dead Body:
When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.
Over the Top:
Very excessive.
P
Pass The Buck:
Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.
Pedal to the metal:
To go full speed, especially while driving a vehicle.
Peeping Tom:
Someone who observes people in the nude or sexually active people, mainly for his own
gratification.
Pick up your ears:
To listen very carefully.
Pig In A Poke:
A deal that is made without first examining it.
Pig Out :
To eat alot and eat it quickly.
Pipe Down:
To shut-up or be quiet.
Practice Makes Perfect:
By constantly practicing, you will become better.
Pull the plug:
To stop something. To bring something to an end.
Pulling Your Leg:
Tricking someone as a joke.
Put a sock in it:
To tell noisy person or a group to be quiet.
Q
Queer the pitch:
Destroy or ruin a plan.
R
Raincheck:
An offer or deal that is declined right now but willing to accept later.
Raining Cats and Dogs:
A very loud and noisy rain storm.
Ring Fencing:
Seperated usual judgement to guarantee protection, especially project funds.
Rise and Shine:
Time to get out of bed and get ready for work/school.
Rome Was Not Built In One Day:
If you want something to be completely properly, then its going to take time.
Rule Of Thumb:
A rough estimate.
Run out of steam:
To be completely out of energy.
S
Saved By The Bell:
Saved at the last possible moment.
Scapegoat:
Someone else who takes the blame.
Scot-free:
To escape and not have to pay.
Sick As A Dog:
To be very sick (with the flu or a cold).
Sitting Shotgun:
Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.
Sixth Sense:
A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead.
Skid Row:
The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live.
Smell A Rat:
To detect somone in the group is betraying the others.
Smell Something Fishy:
Detecting that something isn't right and there might be a reason for it.
Son of a Gun:
A scamp.
Southpaw:
Someone who is left-handed.
Spitting Image:
The exact likeness or kind.
Start From Scratch:
To do it all over again from the beginning.
T
The Ball Is In Your Court:
It is your decision this time.
The Best Of Both Worlds:
There are two choices and you have them both.
The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall:
While the bigger and stronger opponent might be alot more difficult to beat, when you
do they suffer a much bigger loss.
The Last Straw:
When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is
the last small burden that one can take.
The Whole Nine Yards:
Everything. All of it.
Third times a charm:
After no success the first two times, the third try is a lucky one.
Tie the knot:
To get married.
Til the cows come home:
A long time.
To Make A Long Story Short:
Something someone would say during a long and boring story in order to keep his/her
audience from losing attention. Usually the story isn't shortened.
To Steal Someone's Thunder:
To take the credit for something someone else did.
Tongue And Cheek:
humor, not to be taken serious.
Turn A Blind Eye:
Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit.
Twenty three skidoo:
To be turned away.
U
Under the weather:
Feeling ill or sick.
Up a blind alley:
Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome.
Use Your Loaf:
Use your head. Think smart.
V
Van Gogh's ear for music:
Tone deaf.
Variety Is The Spice Of Life:
The more experiences you try the more exciting life can be.
W
Wag the Dog:
A diversion away from something of greater importance.
Water Under The Bridge:
Anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore.
Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve:
To openly and freely express your emotions.
When It Rains, It Pours:
Since it rarely rains, when it does it will be a huge storm.
When Pigs Fly :
Something that will never ever happen.
Wild and Woolly:
Uncultured and without laws.
Wine and Dine:
When somebody is treated to an expensive meal.
Without A Doubt:
For certain.
X
X marks the spot:
A phrase that is said when someone finds something, he/she has been looking for.
Y
You Are What You Eat:
In order to stay healthy, you must eat healthy foods.
You Can't Judge A Book by Its Cover:
Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance.
You Can't Take It With You:
Enjoy what you have and not what you don't have, since when you die you cannot take
things (such as money) with you.
Your Guess Is As Good As Mine:
TOPIC 2: Homophones ,Homonyms

Homophones
:
Homophones are words that sound the same and may be spelled differently but have different
meanings.
heal – I hope the cut will heal quickly.
heel -The heel of Jane’s shoe was worn.

Other common homophones:

cent, scent cell, sell be, bee hear, hear mail, male pair, pear
sew, so to, two, too

Homonyms
Homonyms are words that sound the same and are spelled the same, but have different
meanings. They are also known as multiple meaning words.

shed - Please put the shovel in the shed.

shed - Snakes shed their skin as they get bigger.

Other common homonyms:

fair, scale, suit, left, band, fine, pound, row, well, band

Homographs
Homographs are words that are spelled alike but may have different pronunciations and
different meanings. Some are pronounced the same, while others have different
pronunciations.

present - Anna will present the award to the winner.

present – Jake bought a present for his friend
.
Other common homographs:
conduct, project, desert, minute, content, subject, produce
TOPIC 3: Prefixes and Suffixes

Prefixes
A prefix is a group of letters placed before the root of a word. For example, the word
“unhappy” consists of the prefix “un-” [which means “not”] combined with the root (or stem)
word “happy”; the word “unhappy” means “not happy.”

A short list of prefixes:

Prefix Meaning Examples

de- from, down, away, reverse, decode, decrease
opposite
dis- not, opposite, reverse, away disagree, disappear
ex- out of, away from, lacking, exhale, explosion
former
il- Not illegal, illogical
im- not, without impossible, improper
in- not, without inaction, invisible
mis- bad, wrong mislead, misplace
non- Not nonfiction, nonsense
pre- Before prefix, prehistory
pro- for, forward, before proactive, profess, program
re- again, back react, reappear
un- against, not, opposite undo, unequal, unusual
Suffixes
A suffix is a group of letters placed after the root of a word. For example, the word
flavourless consists of the root word “flavour” combined with the suffix “-less” [which
means “without”]; the word “flavourless” means “having no flavour.”

A short list of suffixes:

Suffix Meaning Examples

-able able to, having the quality of comfortable, portable
-al relating to annual comical
-er Comparative bigger, stronger
-est Superlative strongest, tiniest
-ful full of beautiful, grateful
-ible forming an adjective reversible, terrible
-ily forming an adverb eerily, happily, lazily
-ing denoting an action, a acting, showing
material, or a gerund
-less without, not affected by friendless, tireless
-ly forming an adjective clearly, hourly
-ness denoting a state or condition kindness, wilderness
-y full of, denoting a condition, glory, messy, victory
or a diminutive
TOPIC 4: SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS
Synonyms:
Definition

A synonym is a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or a phrase.
Antonyms are words which have the opposite (or nearly opposite) meaning. For example: new and
old.

Words that are synonyms are referred to as being synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is
called synonymy.

• Come — advance, approach, arrive, near, reach

• Go — depart, disappear, fade, move, proceed, recede, travel

• Run — dash, escape, elope, flee, hasten, hurry, race, rush, speed, sprint

• Hurry — rush, run, speed, race, hasten, urge, accelerate, bustle

• Hide — conceal, cover, mask, cloak, camouflage, screen, shroud, veil

• Use — employ, utilize, exhaust, spend, expend, consume, exercise

• Get — acquire, obtain, secure, procure, gain, fetch, find, score, accumulate, win, earn, rep,
catch, net, bag, derive, collect, gather, glean, pick up, accept, come by, regain, salvage

• Keep — hold, retain, withhold, preserve, maintain, sustain, support

• Put — place, set, attach, establish, assign, keep, save, set aside, effect, achieve, do, build

• Take — hold, catch, seize, grasp, win, capture, acquire, pick, choose, select, prefer, remove,
steal, lift, rob, engage, bewitch, purchase, buy, retract, recall, assume, occupy, consume

• Make — create, originate, invent, beget, form, construct, design, fabricate, manufacture,
produce, build, develop, do, effect, execute, compose, perform, accomplish, earn, gain, obtain,
acquire, get

• Break — fracture, rupture, shatter, smash, wreck, crash, demolish, atomize

• Destroy — ruin, demolish, raze, waste, kill, slay, end, extinguish

Antonyms:
Definition

An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. For instance, the antonym of 'hot'
may be 'cold.' The root words for the word 'antonym' are the words 'anti,' meaning 'against' or
'opposite,' and 'onym,' meaning 'name.'

Common Opposites - Antonyms Vocabulary Word List

A
absent - present
abundant - scarce
accept - decline, refuse
accurate - inaccurate
admit - deny
advantage - disadvantage
against - for
agree - disagree
alive - dead
all - none, nothing
ally - enemy
always - never
ancient - modern
answer - question
antonym - synonym
apart - together
appear - disappear, vanish
approve - disapprove
arrive - depart
artificial - natural
ascend - descend
attic - cellar
attractive - repulsive
awake - asleep
B
backward - forward
bad - good
beautiful - ugly
before - after
begin - end
below - above
bent - straight
best - worst
better - worse, worst
big - little, small
bitter - sweet
black - white
blame - praise
bless - curse
bold - meek, timid
borrow - lend
bottom - top
bound - unbound, free
boundless - limited
boy - girl
brave - cowardly
bright - dim, dull
brighten - fade
broad - narrow
build - destroy
C
calm - windy, troubled
capable - incapable
captive - free
careful - careless
cheap - expensive
cheerful - sad, discouraged, dreary
clear - cloudy, opaque
clever - stupid
clockwise - counterclockwise
close - far, distant
closed - ajar, open
clumsy - graceful
cold - hot
combine - separate
come - go
comfort - discomfort
common - rare
compulsory - voluntary
conceal - reveal
contract - expand
cool - warm
correct - incorrect, wrong
courage - cowardice courteous
- discourteous, rude create -
destroy
crooked - straight
cruel - kind
D
dangerous - safe
dark - light
day - night
daytime - night-time
dead - alive
decline - accept, increase
decrease - increase
deep - shallow
definite - indefinite
demand - supply
despair - hope
dim - bright
disappear - appear
discourage - encourage
down - up
downwards - upwards
dreary - cheerful
dry - moist, wet
dull - bright, shiny
dusk - dawn
E
early - late
east - west
easy - hard, difficult
empty - full
encourage - discourage
end - begin, start
enter - exit
even - odd
expand - contract
export - import
exterior - interior
external - internal
F
fade - brighten
fail - succeed
false - true
famous - unknown
far - near
fast - slow
fat - thin
feeble - strong, powerful
few - many
find - lose
first - last
float - sink
fold - unfold
foolish - wise
for - against
fore - aft
forget - remember
fortunate - unfortunate
found - lost
free - bound, captive
frequent - seldom
fresh - stale
friend - enemy
full - empty
G
generous - stingy
gentle - rough
get - give
giant - tiny, small, dwarf
girl - boy
give - receive, take
glad - sad, sorry
gloomy - cheerful
go - stop
good - bad, evil
grant - refuse
great - tiny, small, unimportant
grow - shrink
guest - host
guilty - innocent
H
happy - sad
hard - easy
hard - soft
harmful - harmless
harsh - mild
hate - love
haves - have-nots
heaven - hell
heavy - light
help - hinder
here - there
hero - coward
high - low
hill - valley
hinder - help
honest - dishonest
horizontal - vertical
hot - cold
humble - proud
I
ill - healthy, well
immense - tiny, small
important - trivial
in - out
include - exclude
increase - decrease
inferior - superior
inhale - exhale
inner - outer
inside - outside
intelligent - stupid, unintelligent
intentional - accidental
interesting - boring
interesting - dull, uninteresting
interior - exterior
internal - external
J
join - separate
junior - senior
just - unjust
justice - injustice
K
knowledge - ignorance
known - unknown
L
landlord - tenant
large - small
last - first
laugh - cry
lawful - unlawful, illegal
lazy - industrious
leader - follower
left - right
lend -borrow
lengthen - shorten
lenient - strict
less - more
light - dark, heavy
like - dislike, hate
likely - unlikely
limited - boundless
little - big
long - short
loose - tight
lose - find
loss - win
loud - quiet
love - hate
low - high
loyal - disloyal
M
mad -, sane
major - minor
many - few
mature - immature
maximum - minimum
melt - freeze
merry - sad
messy - neat
minor - major
minority - majority
miser - spendthrift
misunderstand - understand
more - less
N
narrow - wide
near - far, distant
neat - messy, untidy
never - always
new - old
night - day
night-time - daytime
no - yes
noisy - quiet
none - some
north - south
O
obedient - disobedient
odd - even
offer - refuse
old - new
old - young
on - off
open - closed, shut
opposite- same, similar
optimist - pessimist
out - in
outer - inner
over - under
P
past - present
patient - impatient
peace - war
permanent - temporary
plentiful - scarce
plural - singular
poetry - prose
polite - rude, impolite
possible - impossible
poverty - wealth, riches
powerful - weak
pretty - ugly
private - public
prudent - imprudent
pure - impure, contaminated
push - pull
Q
qualified - unqualified
question - answer
quiet - loud, noisy
R
raise - lower
rapid - slow
rare - common
real - fake
regular - irregular
rich - poor
right - left, wrong
right-side-up - upside-down
rough - smooth
rude - courteous
S
safe - unsafe
same - opposite
satisfactory - unsatisfactory
scatter - collect
second-hand - new
secure - insecure
separate - join, together
serious - trivial
shallow - deep
shrink - grow
sick - healthy, ill
simple - complex, hard
singular - plural
sink - float
slim - fat, thick
slow - fast
sober - drunk
soft - hard
some - none
sorrow - joy
sour - sweet
sow -reap
start - finish
stop - go
straight - crooked
strict - lenient
strong - weak
success - failure
sunny - cloudy
sweet - sour
synonym - antonym
T
take - give
tall - short
tame - wild
them - us
there - here
thick - thin
tight - loose, slack
tiny - big, huge
together - apart
top - bottom
tough - easy, tender
transparent - opaque
true - false
truth - falsehood, lie, untruth
U
under - over
unfold - fold
unknown - known
unqualified - qualified
unsafe - safe
up - down
upside-down - right-side-up
upstairs - downstairs
us - them
useful - useless
V
vacant - occupied
vanish - appear
vast - tiny
victory - defeat
virtue - vice
visible - invisible
voluntary - compulsory
W
war - peace
wax - wane
weak - strong
wet - dry
white - black
wide - narrow
win - lose
wisdom - folly, stupidity
within - outside
wrong - right
Y
yes - no yin
- yang
young - old
Z
zip – unzip

INDIANISM
Indianism refers to a word or phrase which is a characteristic of Indian English. Indianism
may also refer to the way a sentence has been structured as if it was literally translated from
an Indian language to English. The English language spoken in India is largely imperfect. It’s
forgiven because “we are like this only”. But correct usage of grammar is important, more so,
in formal conversations. Here are some common examples of Indianisms.
Indianism: I live here only.
Correct usage: I live here.
Logic: You must have also heard “I eat this only” and “I am like this only” zillion times. The
problem is it’s incorrect and ‘only’ is unnecessary and wasted here.

Indianism: I will revert back.

Correct usage: I will revert.
Logic: Reverting in itself means that you will ‘get back’ to the respective person. The word
‘back’ is vestigial (an organ that is useless and has no function like the appendix in the
human body is vestigial).

Indianism: He is my most favourite actor.

Correct usage: He is my favourite actor.
Logic: The dictionary meaning of favourite is “preferred to all others of the same kind.”
When you have made your preference obvious by saying favourite, you really don’t have to
add ‘most’.

Indianism: She is very proudy.

Correct usage: She is very proud/She is arrogant.
Logic: All of us have ranted at some point about a certain someone who is ‘proudy’. The
problem? This word just does not exist in the English dictionary and is clearly an Indian
invention. Do not use.

Indianism: Carry more extra food with you.

Correct usage: Carry extra food with you.
Logic: ‘More’ and ‘extra’, even if you are famished, should not be used in a single sentence.
It’s either more or extra – don’t club them together.

Indianism: They spent five lakhs for the wedding.

Correct usage: They spent five lakh for the wedding.
Logic: Whether it is one lakh or more than one, the word ‘lakh’ is written as singular, not
plural. You can say ‘five lakh rupees’, not ‘five lakhs rupees’ or ‘five lakhs’.

Indianism: My maths is very weak.

Correct usage: I am weak in maths.
Logic: “Maths is weak” sounds like the poor subject has become weak and you had nothing
to do with it. On the other hand, saying that you are weak in a particular subject/skill is
correct.

Indianism: I passed out from Modern School.

Correct usage: I did my schooling from Modern School.
Logic: Okay, “passed out” means losing consciousness. While this is another commonly-
used Indianism, it is wrong English and even changes the complete meaning of the sentence.
Indianism: Let’s order for burgers.
Correct usage: Let’s order burgers.
Logic: When you order something, you order it, you don’t ‘order for it’. So there you go –
just order one or many burgers.

Indianism: I gave my history exam yesterday.

Correct: I took the history exam yesterday.
Logic: “Giving exam” is direct and literal translation, from Hindi to English: it’s wrong More
examples of Indianism English. When you answer the exam paper, you are clearly “taking”
an exam.

Indian English Standard English

Please do the needful. Please attend to this matter.
As per my last letter … As mentioned in my last letter …
Your earliest response is requested. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
This has reference to your invoice … With reference to your invoice …
a reputed company a reputable company
I am agreed with you/ I am agree I agree with you
Please don’t hesitate to contact me./Please get back to
Please revert to me. me.
from your side/from my side from you/from me
I am in good spirits and I hope the same
for you. I hope you are well.
Myself Rajeev. I stay in Delhi. My name’s Rajeev. I live in Delhi.
A market is there. There’s a market.
The pollution is very less here. There is much less/far less pollution here.
go to shopping/go for shopping go shopping
Where are you putting up? Where do you live?
I am not getting you. I don’t understand.
departmental store department store
My father is/has expired. My father is dead/has died/died.
The thief decamped with the loot. The thief ran away/escaped with the money/jewels etc.
I’ve completed my graduation. I’m a graduate.
I’m doing my post-graduation. I’m doing a Masters/PhD.
I was topper in my year. I came first/top in my year.
I want to get admission to IIT. I’m applying for a place at IIT.
I passed out of college. I’m a graduate. /I graduated. /I graduated in …
I’m giving my final year exams next
month. I’m doing/sitting my finals. I’ve got my finals.
I’m appearing for interview tomorrow. I have/I’ve got an interview. /I’m doing an interview.
I am pursuing my studies in
Engineering. I’m doing Engineering.
today morning this morning
These days I used to walk every day. These days I walk every day.
each and every every or each (but not both)
I want to take advantage of/I want to avail myself of this
I want to avail this opportunity opportunity.
I belong to Delhi. I come from Delhi.
I stay in Delhi only. I live in Delhi. I actually live in Delhi.
last to last week/next to next month the week before last/the month after next
three days back three days ago,
Even I am working at the bank. I work at the bank, too.
This book is too interesting. This book is really interesting.
My father is in service. My father is working.