📚 English — English Language and Competitive English
8. Idioms Phrases
Exam-oriented Idioms Phrases notes, rules and revision facts
Quick Reference
Important Exam-Oriented Idioms with Meanings and Usage
8. Idioms Phrases
| Idiom/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
A blessing in disguise | उत्तर देखें Apparent misfortune bringing good result | उत्तर देखें Losing that job was a blessing. |
Bite the bullet | उत्तर देखें Face a difficult situation bravely | उत्तर देखें He had to bite the bullet. |
Break the ice | उत्तर देखें Initiate friendly conversation | उत्तर देखें His joke broke the ice. |
Burn the midnight oil | उत्तर देखें Work or study late into night | उत्तर देखें She burned the midnight oil. |
Call it a day | उत्तर देखें Stop working on something | उत्तर देखें Let us call it a day. |
Cry over spilt milk | उत्तर देखें Complain about past unalterable loss | उत्तर देखें Do not cry over spilt milk. |
Cut corners | उत्तर देखें Do something poorly to save money | उत्तर देखें Never cut corners on safety. |
Hit the nail on the head | उत्तर देखें State or do the exact truth | उत्तर देखें His assessment hit the nail. |
Jump on the bandwagon | उत्तर देखें Join a popular trend or activity | उत्तर देखें Many firms jumped on the bandwagon. |
Spill the beans | उत्तर देखें Disclose a secret prematurely | उत्तर देखें Who spilled the beans about party? |
Through thick and thin | उत्तर देखें Under all difficult circumstances | उत्तर देखें True friends support through thick and thin. |
Under the weather | उत्तर देखें Feeling slightly ill or unwell | उत्तर देखें He felt under the weather today. |
Once in a blue moon | उत्तर देखें Very rarely or infrequently | उत्तर देखें He visits once in a blue moon. |
Piece of cake | उत्तर देखें Something very easy to achieve | उत्तर देखें The exam was a piece of cake. |
Beat around the bush | उत्तर देखें Avoid addressing the main topic | उत्तर देखें Stop beating around the bush. |
Quick Reference
Frequently Confused Idioms and Distinction
8. Idioms Phrases
| Idiom/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
Beside the point | उत्तर देखें Irrelevant to the matter discussed | उत्तर देखें His argument was beside the point. |
Off the point | उत्तर देखें Straying away from central topic | उत्तर देखें Her remarks were off the point. |
In the long run | उत्तर देखें Over an extended future period | उत्तर देखें Hard work pays in the long run. |
At long last | उत्तर देखें After an unusually prolonged delay | उत्तर देखें At long last, the train arrived. |
Face the music | उत्तर देखें Accept punishment or consequences | उत्तर देखें He had to face the music. |
Music to one's ears | उत्तर देखें Extremely pleasant and welcome news | उत्तर देखें The victory was music to ears. |
Hit the ceiling | उत्तर देखें Become suddenly furious or enraged | उत्तर देखें Father hit the ceiling in anger. |
Hit the roof | उत्तर देखें React with explosive outrage | उत्तर देखें She hit the roof upon hearing. |
In black and white | उत्तर देखें In written or printed form | उत्तर देखें Put the agreement in black and white. |
Black and blue | उत्तर देखें Severely bruised or battered | उत्तर देखें He was beaten black and blue. |
Give a hand | उत्तर देखें Offer physical assistance to someone | उत्तर देखें Please give me a hand. |
Give the cold shoulder | उत्तर देखें Deliberately ignore or snub someone | उत्तर देखें She gave him the cold shoulder. |
Definitions, Core Concepts & Idiom Fundamentals
Definition of an idiom
Expression whose meaning is non-literal.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Definition of a grammatical phrase
Group of words functioning as unit.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Key difference between an idiom and ordinary phrase
Idiom meaning is non-compositional.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Concept of non-compositional semantic meaning
Whole meaning exceeds component words.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Definition of a figurative expression
Language departing from literal interpretation.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Primary historical sources of English idioms
Nautical, agrarian, Shakespearean, cultural traditions.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Communicative function of idioms in language
Add vividness, nuance, and expressiveness.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Can idioms generally be translated word-for-word?
No, literal translation alters meaning.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Can grammatical tense be modified in verbal idioms?
Yes, verb inflects appropriately.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Can individual words within fixed idioms be replaced?
No, wording is conventionally fixed.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Origin of the euphemistic idiom kick the bucket
Slaughterhouse or hanging origin.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Definition of a dead metaphor in idiomatic usage
Metaphor whose original imagery is lost.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Role of context in determining idiomatic intent
Clarifies literal versus figurative meaning.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Definition of an opaque idiom
Meaning impossible to deduce literally.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Definition of a transparent idiom
Literal components hint at meaning.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Example of a highly opaque idiom
Bite the dust.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Example of a semi-transparent idiom
See the light.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Four functional syntactic types of idioms
Verbal, nominal, adjectival, adverbial idioms.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Example of a nominal idiom
Couch potato.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Example of an adjectival idiom
Cool as a cucumber.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Example of an adverbial idiom
In the nick of time.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Definition of a prepositional phrasal idiom
Fixed multi-word prepositional structure.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Why rote memorization of definitions alone is insufficient
Sentential context determines application.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Primary formats of idiom questions in competitive exams
Direct meanings and sentence replacement.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Role of fixed collocations within idioms
Preserves idiomatic authenticity and grammaticality.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Idioms with Animals & Body Parts
Meaning of the idiom A dark horse
Unexpected or unforeseen winner.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom White elephant
Costly but useless possession.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Crocodile tears
Insincere or hypocritical grief.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Let the cat out of the bag
Reveal a secret inadvertently.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Smell a rat
Suspect deceit, fraud, or trickery.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Lion's share
The largest and best portion.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Barking up the wrong tree
Pursuing a mistaken line of thought.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Take the bull by the horns
Confront a difficult situation directly.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Wild goose chase
Futile and hopeless search.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Black sheep
Disreputable member of a family.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At a snail's pace
Moving extremely slowly.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Wolf in sheep's clothing
Dangerous person masquerading as harmless.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Cost an arm and a leg
Extremely exorbitant price.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Rule of thumb
Practical, roughly accurate guideline.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom See eye to eye
Agree fully with someone.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Cold feet
Sudden loss of courage.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Keep an eye on
Watch and monitor carefully.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Cry one's heart out
Weep bitterly and inconsolably.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Face the music
Accept unpleasant consequences bravely.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Turn a deaf ear
Refuse deliberately to listen.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At one's fingertips
Readily accessible thorough knowledge.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Bite one's tongue
Refrain from expressing opinion.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Pull someone's leg
Tease or deceive playfully.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Have one's hands full
Extremely occupied with tasks.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom An eye for an eye
Retaliation matching original injury.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Idioms with Colours, Emotions & States of Mind
Meaning of the idiom Once in a blue moon
Very rarely or infrequently.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Out of the blue
Completely unexpectedly or suddenly.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Catch someone red-handed
Apprehend someone during illicit act.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Red letter day
Memorable and auspicious day.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom See red
Become suddenly furious.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom In the red
Operating at a loss.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom In the black
Financially solvent and profitable.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Feel blue
Experience melancholy or sadness.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Green with envy
Extremely jealous or covetous.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Green thumb
Exceptional natural gardening talent.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom In black and white
In printed or written form.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Grey matter
Intelligence and intellect.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom On cloud nine
In extremely blissful happiness.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Down in the dumps
Depressed and sorrowful.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Beside oneself
Overwhelmed by intense emotion.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Hot under the collar
Agitated, angered, or embarrassed.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom In high spirits
Full of cheerful enthusiasm.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Make one's blood boil
Cause immense fury.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At one's wits' end
Completely perplexed and baffled.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Fly off the handle
Lose temper abruptly.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Have a chip on one's shoulder
Harboring persistent grudge.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Keep one's cool
Maintain calmness under pressure.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Butterflies in the stomach
Nervous anticipatory anxiety.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Wear one's heart on one's sleeve
Display feelings transparently.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom With a heavy heart
With sorrow and sorrowful reluctance.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Idioms of Success, Failure, Money & Time
Meaning of the idiom Hit the jackpot
Achieve sudden massive fortune.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Come off with flying colours
Succeed brilliantly and distinction.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Feather in one's cap
Distinguished personal accomplishment.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Turn the corner
Pass critical stage toward recovery.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Bite the dust
Suffer utter defeat or demise.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Go down in flames
Fail spectacularly and completely.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Throw in the towel
Surrender or admit defeat.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Flog a dead horse
Waste effort on hopeless situation.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom End in smoke
Yield no practical result.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Flash in the pan
Brief, unrepeatable sudden success.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Penny-wise and pound-foolish
Saving pennies but wasting pounds.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Make ends meet
Live within available income.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom A penny for your thoughts
Inquiring about another's thoughts.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Born with a silver spoon
Born into hereditary wealth.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Foot the bill
Pay the total expenses.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom From rags to riches
Ascending from poverty to wealth.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At the drop of a hat
Immediately without hesitation.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom In the nick of time
At the last possible moment.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Call it a day
Conclude work for current day.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Behind the times
Old-fashioned and outmoded.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Against the clock
Rushing under strict time limit.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the proverb Time and tide wait for no man
Time moves on inexorably.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Burn the candle at both ends
Overwork and exhaust one's vitality.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom For the time being
Temporarily for the present.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At the eleventh hour
At the very last moment.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Idioms of Actions, Relationships & Social Dynamics
Meaning of the idiom Break the ice
Overcome initial social stiffness.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Bury the hatchet
End feud and establish peace.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Burn one's bridges
Eliminate possibilities of retreat.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Spill the beans
Divulge confidential secrets prematurely.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Leave no stone unturned
Exert every possible effort.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Kill two birds with one stone
Achieve two goals simultaneously.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Jump out of the frying pan into the fire
Escape trouble into worse danger.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Sit on the fence
Remain undecided and neutral.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Add fuel to the fire
Exacerbate an existing crisis.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Bite the bullet
Endure necessary unpleasantness bravely.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Cut corners
Compromise standard to reduce cost.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Fair-weather friend
Companion present only during prosperity.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Apple of one's eye
Most cherished and loved person.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Kith and kin
Family relations and close friends.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Bad blood
Long-standing mutual bitterness.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At loggerheads
In stubborn direct conflict.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Build castles in the air
Create impractical daydream schemes.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Through thick and thin
Steadfast through all fortunes.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Lock horns
Clash in fierce confrontation.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Clear the air
Dispel tensions by frank discussion.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Give the cold shoulder
Deliberately disregard or dismiss someone.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Rub someone the wrong way
Irritate or antagonize someone persistently.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Keep at arm's length
Maintain aloof social distance.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the proverb Birds of a feather flock together
Similar individuals associate naturally.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Like two peas in a pod
Remarkably alike in appearance.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Classical Allusions, Confused Idioms & Exam Pitfalls
Distinction between Burn candle at both ends and Burn midnight oil
Physical exhaustion versus late-night study.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Distinction between At sea and At bay
Perplexed state versus cornered position.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At sea
Completely bewildered and confused.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom At bay
Preventing an enemy from advancing.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Distinction between Beside the point and Off the record
Irrelevant detail versus non-publishable comment.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the phrase Off the record
Confidential, unofficial communication.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Distinction between By and large and Hard and fast
Generally speaking versus strict rule.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Hard and fast
Strict, invariable, and binding.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom By and large
Considering everything on the whole.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom In a nutshell
Concise and brief summary.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Bolt from the blue
Sudden completely unexpected shock.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Gift of the gab
Talent for eloquent speaking.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Herculean task
Vast, demanding, strenuous endeavor.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Achilles' heel
Single decisive vulnerable weakness.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Pandora's box
Source of unexpected vast troubles.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Sword of Damocles
Imminent, constant impending peril.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Pyrrhic victory
Triumph won at devastating cost.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Gordian knot
Intricate, insoluble complex problem.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Meaning of the idiom Cut the Gordian knot
Solve problem by drastic measure.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Common error in spelling of Cry over spilt milk
Misspelling spilt as split.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Grammatical aspect of upper hand idiom
Have upper hand, not be having.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Exam trap involving minor word alterations in idioms
Changing prepositions, articles, or plurals.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Regional variance between beat about and beat around the bush
British English versus American English.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Technique for deciphering unfamiliar idioms in exams
Assess context, tone, and connotations.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
Recommended revision strategy for competitive exam idioms
Group by theme and origin.
उत्तर देखने के लिए टैप करें
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