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SSC Vocabulary > Idioms and Phrases > Flashcards

Idioms and Phrases Flashcards

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1
Q

BEAT ABOUT/AROUND THE BUSH

A

Avoiding the main topic // Speak in a round-about manner // speaking vaguely to avoid talking about it

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2
Q

SPILL THE BEANS

A

Disclose the secrets accidentally

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3
Q

COST AN ARM AND A LEG

A

Very expensive // A large amount of money

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4
Q

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

A

Rarely and infrequently // occasionally

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5
Q

FACE THE MUSIC

A

To accept punishment for mistake // Get reprimanded // to bear the consequences // Accept the blame

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6
Q

UNDER THE WEATHER

A

To not feel well // To feel sick or unhealthy // To be in low spirits

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7
Q

A BOLT FROM THE BLUE

A

Something unexpected and unpleasant // A complete surprise // A sudden calamity // An unexpected disaster

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8
Q

BURY THE HATCHET

A

To make peace // To end a quarrel

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9
Q

WILD GOOSE CHASE

A

A worthless hunt or chase // Futile search// Unprofitable adventure

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10
Q

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR

A

At the very last moment // Just before the deadline

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11
Q

BLOW ONE’S OWN TRUMPET

A

Praise oneself // Talk boastfully about oneself // to boast about their achievements

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12
Q

BREAK THE ICE

A

Initiate something // to start a conversation // To make someone comfortable // To break a painful silence

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13
Q

GET INTO HOT WATER

A

To get into trouble // To be in a difficult situation in which you can be criticised

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14
Q

HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

A

Say or do something exactly right // to find exactly the right answer

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15
Q

HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND

A

A private interest to serve // To have an ulterior motive

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16
Q

TO SMELL A RAT

A

Suspect a trick or deceit // detected something wrong

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17
Q

CALL IT A DAY

A

Decide or agree to stop doing something // to give up work and go back to home

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18
Q

GIFT OF THE GAB

A

Ability to speak eloquently // Talks well and persuasively // Ability to convince

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19
Q

SEE EYE TO EYE

A

Be in full agreement

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20
Q

SIT ON THE FENCE

A

To remain neutral, to refuse to take sides in a dispute // halting between two opinions

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21
Q

TO FLOG/BEAT A DEAD HORSE

A

To attempt to do the impossible // waste energy on an unalterable situation // a futile effort

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22
Q

A BLESSING/BOON IN DISGUISE

A

An apparent misfortune that eventually has good results // A hidden favour

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23
Q

A FISH OUT OF WATER

A

An uncomfortable, unfamiliar or unsuitable position or situation // A person out of accustomed

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24
Q

AT THE DROP OF A HAT/DIME

A

Without any hesitation // instantly // without having planned beforehand

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25
Q

HOLD YOUR HORSES

A

Be patient // Slow down // To restrain oneself

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26
Q

IT’S RAINING CATS AND DOGS

A

Raining extremely heavily // A very heavy downpour

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27
Q

LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED

A

Try every possible course of action in order to achieve something

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28
Q

LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG

A

Reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake

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29
Q

A HARD NUT TO CRACK

A

Difficult task // A tough challenge // A difficult person // An inflexible person who is hard to convince

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30
Q

A RED LETTER DAY

A

An important day // a day that is pleasantly noteworthy or memorable // happy and significant day

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31
Q

ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE/FLAMES

A

Make things worse // worsened the difficult situation

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32
Q

CRY OVER SPILT MILK

A

To complain about a loss from the past // Feeling sorry over a mistake that cannot be changed or rectified

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33
Q

THROUGH THICK AND THIN

A

Support under all circumstances // in times of good and bad fortune

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34
Q

TO END IN SMOKE

A

To come to nothing // end without any practical result

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35
Q

ALL AT SEA // FEEL AT SEA

A

Puzzled // state of confusion // lost and confused

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36
Q

BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW

A

Take on more responsibility than one can handle

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37
Q

BITE THE BULLET

A

To force yourself to do something unpleasant // To get something over with because it is inevitable

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38
Q

ON CLOUD NINE

A

Extremely happy and excited

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39
Q

SNAKE IN THE GRASS

A

An unreliable and deceitful person // A treacherous person // A secret enemy

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40
Q

TO MISS THE BOAT/BUS

A

To miss an opportunity // lose an opportunity

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41
Q

TO TURN A DEAF EAR

A

Disregard // refused to obey // to be indifferent // neglect

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42
Q

READ BETWEEN THE LINES

A

Understand the hidden meaning // find more meaning than the words appear to express

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43
Q

A PIECE OF CAKE

A

A very easy task

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44
Q

BY FITS AND STARTS

A

Unsteady // irregularly

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45
Q

BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS

A

Very quickly // rapidly // Swiftly

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46
Q

COCK AND BULL STORY

A

An unbelievable or absurd story

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47
Q

GIVE SOMEONE THE COLD SHOULDER

A

Deliberately ignore, avoid or be unfriendly towards someone

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48
Q

IN A NUTSHELL

A

Briefly and concisely // In a short, clear way // To describe in few words

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49
Q

IN THE SAME BOAT

A

In the same unpleasant or difficult situation

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50
Q

PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER

A

To calm oneself down and begin to think or act appropriately

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51
Q

A DARK HORSE

A

An unexpected winner // someone who unexpectedly succeeds // an unknown entry // a competitor of unknown capabilities

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52
Q

A DIME A DOZEN

A

Very common and of no particular value // Anything that is common and easy to get

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53
Q

A STONE’S THROW AWAY

A

A very short distance

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54
Q

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

A

An idea has been unsuccessful and that a new one must be devised // plan it all over again

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55
Q

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

A

Trying to do something in a way that will not work // accuse or denounce the wrong person

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56
Q

BE ALL EARS

A

Listening intently // To be ready and eager to listen

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57
Q

BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL

A

To work or study till very late in the night // To work very hard

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58
Q

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

A

Reminds them of one’s father // someone similar in character or behaviour to one’s father // Resembling parents

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59
Q

GET OUT OF HAND

A

To become uncontrollable // get out of control

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60
Q

PULL SOMEONE’S LEG

A

To make fool of // playing a joke with someone // To tease someone

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61
Q

TAKE WITH A PINCH/GRAIN OF SALT

A

Not believe completely something that you are told // To listen to something with considerable doubt

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62
Q

THE LION’S SHARE

A

The biggest and best part of a whole // The greatest and most desirable portion of something

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63
Q

TO FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL

A

To make every possible effort // To fight furiously and fiercely, with all one’s strength and effort

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64
Q

TO HIT THE SACK

A

To prepare for sleep // to go to bed

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65
Q

UNDER A CLOUD

A

Under suspicion

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66
Q

AS FIT AS A FIDDLE

A

Strong and healthy // In a perfectly healthy condition

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67
Q

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

A

A situation wherein someone has the privilege of enjoying two different opportunities // all the advantages // An ideal situation

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68
Q

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK

A

By any means, good or bad // Using whatever methods are necessary // In whatever way one can

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69
Q

BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH

A

By the narrowest margin // Having a narrow escape // To just barely manage to achieve something

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70
Q

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING

A

Every unpleasant situation has a positive side // Something promising is there in any difficult situation

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71
Q

GREASE THE PALM

A

To bribe discreetly // to bribe someone

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72
Q

HAND IN GLOVE // HAND AND GLOVE

A

In close association // in partnership for something dishonest // Very intimate terms

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73
Q

IN HIGH/GOOD SPIRITS

A

Full of hope and enthusiasm // Joyful // Cheerful and elated

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74
Q

KEEP AT ARM’S LENGTH

A

To be at a distance with someone // Avoid being friendly with someone

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75
Q

STRAIN EVERY NERVE

A

Work very hard // to make utmost efforts

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76
Q

THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND

A

To do something without worrying about the risk // To behave recklessly

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77
Q

TO EAT A HUMBLE PIE

A

To accept defeat // suffer humiliation // had to yield under pressure // To apologise humbly

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78
Q

AT ONE’S WIT’S END

A

Completely confused or perplexed

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79
Q

BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR

A

Daydream // Have unrealistic ideas // to create impossible dreams or hopes

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80
Q

BURN ONE’S BRIDGES/BOATS

A

To destroy all relations // to make it impossible to return to the previous situation later

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81
Q

CATCH RED-HANDED

A

To catch someone doing something illegal // Caught in the act of committing the crime

82
Q

CLOSE SHAVE

A

Narrow escape from danger or disaster

83
Q

DON’T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH

A

Don’t make plans based on events that have not yet happened

84
Q

FULL OF BEANS

A

Lively and energetic // Full of energy

85
Q

GO THE EXTRA MILE

A

Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand // To make an extra effort

86
Q

INS AND OUTS

A

Secrets the detailed or complicated facts of something // Full details

87
Q

SPICK AND SPAN

A

Very neat, clean, or tidy

88
Q

TO GET COLD FEET

A

To experience nervousness or anxiety before one attempts to do something

89
Q

TURN A BLIND EYE

A

To ignore a situation, facts or reality

90
Q

UP IN ARMS

A

to be angry // protesting vigorously about something // In rebellion

91
Q

WEARS HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE

A

Expresses his feelings openly // To show your true emotions

92
Q

WHITE ELEPHANT

A

Costly and troublesome possession useless to its owner

93
Q

A MAN OF LETTERS

A

Proficient in literary art // Scholar // A well educated and a wise person

94
Q

A STORM IN A TEACUP

A

Big fuss over a small matter // A lot of anger/excitement or worry about trivial things

95
Q

ADD INSULT TO INJURY

A

To further a loss with mockery to worsen an unfavourable situation // Make a bad situation even worse

96
Q

APPLE OF ONE’S EYE

A

Someone very precious or dear

97
Q

BACK TO SQUARE ONE

A

To return to the starting point // Having to start all over again

98
Q

BAD BLOOD

A

Angry feeling // enmity // ill feeling // Hostility between people

99
Q

BALL IS IN YOUR COURT

A

It is up to you to make the next decision or step // To be responsible for further action

100
Q

BLACK SHEEP

A

One who is not accepted as part of a family or group because of one’s bad conduct // Person with bad reputation

101
Q

CHICKEN- HEARTED

A

Timid // Cowardly // Easily frightened

102
Q

FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS

A

Friends in good times // supports only when easy and convenient

103
Q

FOR GOOD

A

Permanently // forever

104
Q

IN BLACK AND WHITE

A

In writing // written down or in print

105
Q

IN THE NICK OF TIME

A

Just in time // At the last possible moment

106
Q

LEAVES YOU IN THE LURCH

A

Leave someone in a helpless condition // desert someone in his difficulties

107
Q

OUT OF THE BLUE

A

Completely unexpectedly // Suddenly and without prior warning

108
Q

TAKE TO ONE’S HEELS

A

To run away // ran away in fear // ran off

109
Q

TO JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON

A

To follow popular trends // Get involved in an activity because it is likely to succeed

110
Q

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

A

A general view from above // Aerial view // Good and comprehensive idea // An overall view

111
Q

A CAKEWALK

A

An easy achievement // An easy task or victory

112
Q

A FOOL’S PARADISE

A

Being happy for foolish reasons // a state of happiness based on a person’s not knowing about potential trouble

113
Q

A LEOPARD CAN’T CHANGE ITS SPOTS

A

It is impossible for one to change one’s character

114
Q

A MAN OF STRAW

A

A man of no substance // A weak or cowardly person

115
Q

A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING

A

Hypocrite // a dangerous person pretending to be harmless

116
Q

CHILD’S PLAY

A

Something that is very easy to do // a very easy task

117
Q

COOL AS A CUCUMBER

A

Not nervous or emotional // to be calm and composed // cool as ice

118
Q

CUT CORNERS

A

To save money, time or effort when doing something by not including some parts // Do something perfunctorily so as to save time or money

119
Q

CUT THE MUSTARD

A

To perform well // To succeed

120
Q

DRAW A LINE

A

To fix a limit // Accept something up to a particular point // To stop before a point where something okay gets not okay

121
Q

FEATHER ONE’S OWN NEST

A

Make money in an improper way // to profit in a dishonest way // promote their own interest

122
Q

GET A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE

A

To be given the same treatment that you have given to others

123
Q

HAVE BIGGER/OTHER FISH TO FRY

A

Some more important work to attend to

124
Q

HERCULEAN TASK

A

Very difficult task

125
Q

KICK THE BUCKET

A

To die

126
Q

KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

A

To serve two purposes at one time // To achieve two results with a single effort

127
Q

NIP IN THE BUD

A

To stop something at the start // To stop something before it has an opportunity to develop

128
Q

SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES

A

To have a very good sale // To sell quickly

129
Q

SHED CROCODILE TEARS

A

To pretend to be sympathetic // to pretend grief // False tears

130
Q

TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS

A

To handle difficulties // To deal with a difficult or danger situation in a very direct or confident way

131
Q

THE LAST STRAW

A

Final problem in the series // A minor difficulty but coming on top of a series of difficulties, that makes a situation unbearable

132
Q

TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE

A

To be frank // Say the truth about something, even if it is not pleasant

133
Q

TO KEEP AN EYE ON

A

To watch someone or something carefully // To be cautions

134
Q

A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH

A

Having something for certain is better than the possibility of getting something better

135
Q

A BONE OF CONTENTION

A

Cause of dispute/quarrel // Point of an argument

136
Q

A GREEN HORN

A

An inexperienced man

137
Q

A MARE’S NEST

A

A difficult/complicated situation // A false invention

138
Q

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

A

What you do is more important than what you say // What you do reveals the real you // Intentions can be judged by people’s actions

139
Q

ALL AND SUNDRY

A

Everybody without distinction // All included

140
Q

AT A SNAIL’S PACE

A

Do something very slowly

141
Q

AT DAGGERS DRAWN

A

Enemies // To be bitterly hostile // Being at loggerheads

142
Q

BACKSEAT DRIVER

A

Interfering in affairs without having knowledge // A person who offers unsolicited advice

143
Q

BLAZE A TRAIL

A

To lead the way as a pioneer // to initiate something new // To start a movement

144
Q

BREAK A LEG

A

To wish good luck // Perform well

145
Q

CUT TO THE CHASE

A

To start talking about the important aspects of something // come to the point

146
Q

EATS LIKE A HORSE

A

Eats a lot of food

147
Q

EYE WASH

A

A deception // A pretence

148
Q

HAVE A CHIP ON ONE’S SHOULDER

A

To be upset for something that happened in the past // nurse a grudge // a feeling of relentless // To be easily angered

149
Q

HOBSON’S CHOICE

A

No real choice at all // An apparently free choice where there is no real alternative

150
Q

IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

A

Extremely happy // in delight

151
Q

IN THE LONG RUN

A

Eventually, after a long period of time/Ultimately // In the end

152
Q

IT’S GREEK TO ME

A

Incomprehensible // I cannot understand anything

153
Q

JUMP THE GUN

A

Start something too soon or act hastily // said it before it was the right time

154
Q

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE

A

Do not bring up an old controversial issue // To leave things as they are in order to avoid trouble

155
Q

LIVE FROM HAND TO MOUTH

A

To have enough money to live on and nothing extra // miserably // consuming daily what little is earned

156
Q

MAKE NO BONES ABOUT

A

Did not have any hesitation in // To state something clearly

157
Q

ON TENTERHOOKS

A

In suspense and anxiety // anxious

158
Q

PLAY IT BY EAR

A

To do something without special preparation // To improvise

159
Q

POUR/THROW COLD WATER

A

To discourage by showing indifference

160
Q

TO BURN ONE’S FINGERS

A

To suffer unpleasant consequences as a result of one’s actions

161
Q

TO CRY WOLF

A

To ask for help when you don’t need it // To raise a false alarm

162
Q

TO GO/RUN AROUND IN CIRCLES

A

To waste one’s time and energy doing trivial things // To keep doing something without achieving much // Make no progress in an argument or discussion

163
Q

TO KEEP THE WOLF AWAY FROM THE DOOR

A

To keep off starvation

164
Q

TO MAKE UP ONE’S MIND

A

To decide what to do // Decide firmly

165
Q

TO PUT A SPOKE IN ONE’S WHEEL

A

To put a difficulty in the way of progress // thwarted in the execution of the plan

166
Q

TO TAKE TO TASK

A

Punished // to rebuke // to scold someone // get an official reprimand

167
Q

TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

A

To change one’s behaviour for better // To begin again

168
Q

A CLOSE-FISTED PERSON

A

A miser

169
Q

A SEA CHANGE

A

A profound or notable transformation // Complete transformation

170
Q

A WET BLANKET

A

A person who discourages enjoyment or enthusiasm // someone who prevents other people from having fun

171
Q

ABOVE BOARD

A

Honest and frank // without any secret

172
Q

ACHILLES’ HEEL

A

A weakness or vulnerable point

173
Q

AGAINST THE CLOCK

A

Work very fast to complete something within a deadline // work in great hurry, as fast as possible

174
Q

BE IN THE RED

A

To be in a loss or debt // To owe money to a bank

175
Q

BED OF ROSES

A

A pleasant situation // An enjoyable state

176
Q

BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER

A

Persons of same character or interests // similar in many ways

177
Q

BITE THE DUST

A

Suffer a defeat // to die

178
Q

CARRY THE DAY

A

Win a victory // becomes the winner

179
Q

CATCH A TARTAR

A

To deal with someone or something that proves unexpectedly troublesome or powerful // To catch a dangerous person

180
Q

CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN YOU COME TO IT

A

Deal with something only when necessary // deal with a problem when and if it arises

181
Q

CROSS YOUR FINGERS

A

To hope that things will happen in the way that you want them to // To wish for good luck or success

182
Q

CRY FOR THE MOON

A

To make an impractical, unreasonable or unattainable request // To aspire to possess something beyond one’s reach

183
Q

DON’T (OR NEVER) JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

A

We should not judge something primarily by its outward appearance

184
Q

DONKEY’S YEARS

A

A very long time

185
Q

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

A

Be more easily talked about than put into practice // Not as easy as it appears to be

186
Q

FALL FLAT

A

To fail to produce intended effect // to have no effect // Unsuccessful

187
Q

FEATHER IN ONE’S CAP

A

A new and additional distinction // an accomplishment to be proud of

188
Q

FORTY WINKS

A

A short nap/sleep during the day

189
Q

FROM RAGS TO RICHES

A

To go from very poor to being very wealthy

190
Q

GET ON SOMEBODY’S NERVES

A

To be an irritant // annoys me

191
Q

GIVE A PIECE OF ONE’S MIND

A

To rebuke someone strongly // one’s mind speaking sharply // scolding // To reprimand

192
Q

GO DOWN LIKE A LEAD BALLOON

A

To be received badly by an audience

193
Q

GO TO THE DOGS

A

To be ruined // Deteriorate shockingly

194
Q

GREEN THUMB

A

To have a natural interest in gardening

195
Q

HUE AND CRY

A

A noisy expression of anger // Protest // loud clamour

196
Q

ILL AT EASE

A

To feel uncomfortable or worried in a situation

197
Q

LEARN/KNOW THE ROPES

A

Learn to do particular jobs // Be informed about the details // To know how to do a job or task properly

198
Q

LEND ME YOUR EAR

A

To politely ask for someone’s full attention // to pay attention to

199
Q

LOSE YOUR MARBLES

A

To become mentally deficient // Become insane

200
Q

ON THIN ICE

A

In a precarious/dangerous or risky situation

SSC Vocabulary (2 decks)

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