Important Idioms For Competitive Exams
1. A hot
potato
Meaning:
Something that is difficult or dangerous to deal with.
Example:
Terrorism is a political hot potato in Afghanistan.
2. A penny
for your thoughts
Meaning:
Way of asking what someone is thinking.
Example:
After several minutes of silence he finally looked at her and said, “A penny
for your
thoughts, Lily.”
3. Actions
speak louder than words
Meaning:
What you do is more significant than what you say.
Example:
He: I am sorry. I’ll try to be a better person henceforth.
She: Actions speak louder than words.
4. Add
insult to injury
Meaning: To
make a bad situation worse.
Example: Their basement was flooded, and then, to add insult to injury, a pipe burst in the kitchen.
5. An arm
and a leg
Meaning: A
lot of money.
Example:
It’s the best cruise in the world, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.
6. At the
drop of a hat
Meaning:
Immediately; without any hesitation
Example:
Ellie was always ready to go shopping at the drop of a hat.
7. Back to
the drawing board
Meaning:
Start something all over again.
Example: I failed this semester, but now I am back to the drawing board.
8. Ball is
in your court.
Meaning: It
is up to you to take the next step
Example:
I’ve made my decision, now the ball is in your court.
9. Barking
up the wrong tree
Meaning:
Looking in the wrong place; accusing the wrong person.
Example: He
did not commit the crime, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
10. Be glad
to see the back of
Meaning: Be
glad to see someone leave.
Example: I
never liked her. I’ll be glad to see the back of her.
11. Beat
around the bush
Meaning:
Avoid answering a question; not speaking directly about the issue.
Example: Tell me what the problem is, stop beating around the bush.
12. Best of
both the worlds
Meaning:
Situation wherein one can enjoy two different opportunities.
Example:
She had the privilege of a professor and freedom of a student. She had the
best of
both worlds.
13. Best
thing since sliced bread
Meaning: A
good idea or plan; an excellent new invention.
Example: I
love your idea. It’s the best thing since sliced bread.
14. Bite
off more than you can chew
Meaning: To
take on a task that is way too big.
Example:
Our boss bit off more than she could chew when she promised the client
we’d have the project ready by next week.
15.
Blessing in disguise
Meaning:
Something good that isn’t recognized at first.
Example: Ashok’s losing his job was a blessing in disguise; it gave him an opportunity to pursue higher studies.
16. Burn
the midnight oil
Meaning: To
stay up working, especially studying, late at night.
Example:
She’s been burning the midnight oil for the last few months; her hard work
will
definitely pay off in the coming exams.
17. Don’t
judge a book by its cover
Meaning:
Don’t judge something primarily by its appearance.
Example: She: He doesn’t look intelligent.
He: You can’t judge a book by its cover.
18. Caught
between two stools.
Meaning:
When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
Example: He
had committed to both and now he’s caught between two stools.
19. Cross
that bridge when you come to it.
Meaning:
Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary.
Example:
He: I think I need to hire a lawyer.
She: Cross that bridge when you come to it.
20. Cry
over spilled milk
Meaning: To
be unhappy about something that cannot be undone.
Example: It
can’t he helped, don’t cry over spilled milk.
21.
Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning:
Being too curious can get you into trouble.
Example:
Don’t ask about his divorce-curiosity killed the cat!
22. Cut
corners
Meaning: To
take shortcuts; when something is done badly to save money.
Example:
They always put quality first; they won’t cut corners just to save money.
23. Cut the
mustard
Meaning:
Perform satisfactorily; to succeed.
Example: We
need a better catcher; this one just doesn’t cut the mustard.
24. Devil’s
advocate
Meaning: To
present a counter argument
Example:
The teacher always played devil’s advocate to provoke discussion in the
classroom.
25. Don’t
count your chickens before the eggs have hatched.
Meaning:
Don’t make plans for something that might not happen.
Example:
You might not win the prize and you’ve already spent the money? Don’t
count your
chickens before the eggs have hatched.
26. Don’t
give up the day job
Meaning:
You’re not very good at something. You could definitely not do it
professionally.
Example: Why did you invest in business even after failing in it in the past? Don’t give up the day job!
27. Don’t
put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning:
Don’t focus all of your attention on one thing or one area.
Example: I know you love Harvard, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to other colleges too.
28. Drastic
times call for drastic measures
Meaning:
When you’re extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
Example:
Yes we had to let go of five of our workers! Drastic times call for drastic
measures.
29. Elvis
has left the building
Meaning:
The show has come to an end. It’s all over.
Example: We waited for another performance by the band but it looked like Elvis had left the building.
30. Every
cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: Be
optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
Example: I’m sorry your business is going badly, but remember every cloud has a silver lining.
Check out
our other articles and pages
https://www.thecreativesciences.com/2020/04/integration-of-art-in-studies.html
https://www.thecreativesciences.com/2020/04/art-therapy-to-combat-stress-and-relax-yourself.html
https://www.thecreativesciences.com/p/knowledge-corner.html
Registration
Form For Online Art, Design & English Workshops for Competitive exams
https://forms.gle/eWjgLib4c9GgyYmG6
.jpg)
