Idioms and Phrases Flashcards
make no bones about
do not have any hesitation in anything
Get on nerves
Annoying
big fish/frog in a small pond
high rank in a small organisation
Fit like a glove
Perfectly
The genomes of Zurich
A slang term for Swiss bankers
be new to the game
lack of experience in a particular thing
Pull up
Reprimand
to chip on his soulder
holding a grudge or grievance that readily provokes a fight
roof over your head
a place to live
to go down like a lead baloon
a speech, proposal, or joke that is poorly received
over head and ears
completely
strikes a chord
it reminds you of something, it seems familiar to you or you are interested in it
bitter pill to swallow
something unpleasant that must be accepted
hammer and sickle
a symbolic representation of communism in general
sweep something under a rug/ carpet
to hide something because it is embarrassing
put on a brave face
to pretend that something is not affecting you when you are facing a problem
take a deep breath
to pause, to feel strong and confident
forbidden fruit
something desired which cannot be achieved
a little bird told me
when you do not want to reveal the source of information
at a loss
to be unable to decide
after the 11th hour
at the last moment
when it rains, it pours
bad things happen in bulk
Turn up
To appear
make merry
to enjoy yourself
have (too much) time on one’s hands
to have extra time
To mince matters
Moderate or restrain one’s language to be polite or avoid giving offense. Today these phrases are nearly always put negatively, as in Not to mince matters, I feel he should resign, or Don’t mince words—say what you mean.
old wife’s tales
a wrong traditional theory or belief, often about health
hard and fast
strict
save money for a rainy day
reserve money for a time which it might be needed unexpectedly
have too much on one’s plate
to be too busy
Straw in the wind
An indication of what might happen
bury the hatchet ( hatchet - sharp part of an axe)
to make peace
royal road
an easy or direct way of achieving a desired result
sail under false colour
to pretend to be something that you are not
read between the lines
to understand the hidden meaning
to show one’s teeth
to adopt a threatening attitude
you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar
it is easier to get what you want by being polite rather than rude
as gentle as a lamb
kind innocent people
low men on the totem pole
least important man in a hierarchy or organisation
bosom friend
a very close or intimate friend.
“we have been bosom friends for years”
1) took to heels
2) head over heels
3) Kicking heels
4) To show a clean pair of heels
1) run away in fear
2) to be madly in love
3) To be relaxed and enjoy / Waste time
4) To escape
with might and main
with full force
once in blue moon
not very often or very rarely
drive a wedge between
break relationship between two people
shrug one’s shoulder
to show indifference
Go Dutch
Divide the cost
lie like a rug
tell lie shamelessly
shoulder to cry on
a person whom you can tell your problems and except sympathy
hue and cry
any loud public outcry
better the devil you know
it is sometimes better to deal with someone or thing you know than to deal with a new person or thing who could be even worse
a nervous Nellie
someone whose personality and usual behavior are characterized by worry, insecurity and timidity
throw your hat into the ring
show intention to enter into a competition
gone down the drain
what is lost forever
fold like a cheap suit
to change one’s thought frequently
Null and void
Invalid/ Empty
beside the mark
not to the point
to draw a longbow
to exaggerate something or to overstate something
Take fancy
Be attracted to someone or something, as in They took a fancy to spicy foods after their Mexican vacation , or I’m hoping he’ll take a liking to the water, now that we have a cottage on a lake
lock stock and barrel
completely
to the letter
paying attention to every details/ doing or following exactly what somebody, something says
on the cuff
on credit
be glad to see the back of someone
be happy because somebody left
brown study
a state of deep thought
In the blues
Cheerless and depressed
slow coach
a person with lazy approach of working
method to my madness
there’s a reason for someone’s strange behaviour
As hard as nail
Emotionless / To show no sympathy, kindness or fear
be in the mire
be in difficulties
set one’s teeth on edge
to irritate or annoy someone
easy on the eye
pleasant to look at
to take to heart
to be greatly affected/ to grief over
To go to the whole hog
To do it completely
to sleep with the fishes
to be dead
barking up the wrong tree
looking in the wrong place
To spill the beans
To reveal a secret
stand the test of time
it lasts for a long time
In two minds
To be undecided
blast from the past
something or someone from your past that reappeared into your life again
took over
replaced something
sour as vinegar
disagreeable
put one’s foot in it
to say something that causes someone to be embarrassed, upset, or hurt especially when the speaker did not expect that reaction
to blunder
Leave in the lurch
To desert someone
cast pearls before swine
a right thing in the wrong hands
Keep a level head
To remain calm and sensible in a difficult situation
wet blanket
one who spoils the enjoyment
mare’s nest
a false invitation
In the loop
Informed regularly
play a second fiddle
to take a subordinate position or weaker position than someone else
take one at one’s word
to be convinced of one’s sincerity and act in accordance with his/her statement
by leaps and bounds
rapidly, hurriedly
to keep oneself to oneself
to restrain oneself
kith and kin
blood relation
put will over other people’s eyes
to deceive someone into thinking well of them
queer fish
strange person
pull a fast one
play a trick
fall back on somebody
To go to somebody for support
to go for broke
to risk everything in an all-out effort
curiosity killed a cat
not to ask too many questions because it can get you in trouble.
call someone names
to call someone by unpleasant, abusive or insulting namnes
blood ran cold
he was frightened
mad as a March hare
crazy and insane
chicken feed
of very little importance
come from behind
to win after being in a losing position in a game for a long time
A cut above
Rather superior to
keep one’s fingers crossed
to wait expectantly
Leave no stone unturned
To try every possible way
in this day and age
in present
from hand to mouth
providing only bare essentials
be in the driving seat
bearing all responsibilities
rack one’s brain
think very hard about something
to be on the apex
to be at the highest point
have finger in the pie
to be involved in something
keep your chin up
encourage someone who has to bear difficult circumstances
to rip up old sores
to revive a quarrel, which was almost forgotten
it has someone’s name on it
said about something that belongs to someone or meant for someone
Give someone stick
To criticise your mock someone
bear the brunt of
to bear the main part of something unpleasant
die a dog’s death
to die a shameful death
Run into
To meet someone accidently
turn the table
position from being the weaker one to a position of being strong
gala day
celebration day
To make one’s blood boil
To make somebody furious
hard nut to crack
a difficult problem to solve/ a person difficult to understand
face the music
get reprimanded
Throw up cards
To give in / To blow away the plan
on (or off) the wagon
abstaining (or not abstaining) from drinking alcohol.
“Monty was supposed to be on the wagon”
be in black and white
to be in written down/ in printed on written from
stick one’s neck out
invite trouble
rainy day
future time of need, especially financial need
snake in the shoes
to tremble with fear or apprehension
for pete’s sake
the phrase is used to express frustration, exasperation, annoyance
Floored
To surprise or confuse
wolf in sheep’s clothing
a malicious person in harmless or benevolent disguise
on one’s last legs
close to collapsing
bring a knife to the gun fight
to enter into a confrontation or other challenging situation without being adequately equipped or prepared
nurse a grudge
bear resentment for long period
in someone’s pocket
dependent on someone financially
raise eyebrows
to be surprised or show disapproval
pick up the gauntlet
to accept the challenge
talk big
to boast or brag
snake in the grass
a secret enemy
to get one’s walking papers
one can leave
in god’s name
used to add emphasis
on the table
being discussed
Pros and cons
For and against
turn tail
to run away because one is too frightened to attack
spin one’s wheels
It means wasting time and effort.
expel much effort for little or no gain
come of age
reach adulthood
1) to hang in balance
2) hang up
3) hang by a thread
1) to be uncertain
2) put something on hook or receiver/ an emotional problem or inhibition
3) be in a risky situation
fell foul of
got into trouble with
with one accord
in one voice/ unanimously
Horse sense
Basic common sense
run riot
act without restrain
golden age
period of prosperity
To pay off old scores
To refund old dues
jaundiced eyes
to look at something with a prejudiced view
to shoot the breeze
to have a casual conversation
to give oneself airs
behaving arrogantly
open question
a question which may have more than one answer
shoulder to shoulder
united effort
red flag
warning or alert
in full swing
at the height of activity
Gerrymandering way
In a manipulative and unfair way
Balloon goes up
The situation turns unpleasant or serious
cut no ice
to fail to make an impression
looked blank
was without any emotion
by fits and starts
irregularly
Watching grass grow
Very boring
between life and death
a situation involving the danger of dying or being killed
that makes the two of us
same is true for you
token strike
short strike held as warning
sail through something
to pass or progress quickly and easily
Big draw
Huge attraction
Vexed question
Controversial issue
Kick up a row
Make a great fuss / To complain loudly about something
At a snail’s pace
Slowly
tender age
young
quarrel with one’s bread and butter
to fight with the executive or employer, who is providing one’s means of living
To keep in abeyance
In a state of suspension
between the devil and deep blue sea
dilemma, a choice between two undesirable situation
the straw that broke camel’s back
small thing which causes failure
cork something up
to not allow yourself to express your anger, worry, or sadness. Controlling emotions
a bolt from the blue
an unpleasant event
easy on the ear
pleasant to listen
man in the street
an ordinary person
cock and bull story
an implausible story used as an excuse
Keep up with
Go at equal pace
Be down with
Suffering from
To explore every avenue
To try every opportunity
fish for compliments
induce someone to make a compliment
haul over the coals
to take to task, to reprimand
a red rag to a bull
something that will cause an angry or violent reaction
Keep your head
Remain calm
run the gauntlet
to go through an unpleasant experience
not all there
lack of one’s mental faculties
at sixes and seven
state of confusion, chaotic situation
donkey work
hard or boring work
steal a march
to obtain an advantage by secret means
feather in the cap
additional success
mother wit
common sense
cat’s paw
a person used by another as a dupe or tool
An open book
Straight forward and honest dealings
Throw a spanner in the works
An action that complicates a plan.
To do something that complicates a plan or even prevents it from succeeding
Giving a piece of one’s mind
Speak sharply / To disapprove /to rebuke or to scold
turn an honest living
make a legitimate living
one’s hand in the till
to steal from one’s employer (Till meaning - a place where shopkeepers keep their money in shop)
birds of the same feather
persons of same character
bed of thorns
a situation of extreme difficulty
Stir up a Hornet’s nest
To create a lot of trouble
donkey’s years
a long time
Lay it on thick
grossly exaggerate or overemplasize something
to doctor the account
to manipulate the accounts
to take to task
reprimanded him
in a split second
in very short time
Feel one’s pulse
To find what one is thinking on some point
Put your feet down
Take a firm stand / To be very strict in opposing what somebody wishes to do/ to act firmly
the printer’s devils
error in printing
Break off
Suddenly stop
Back to the drawing board
Plan it all over again
to beat a dead horse
to revive interest in hopeless issue
raw deal
when someone is ill treated
bull in a china shop
a person with no tack who upsets other
all cats are grey in the dark
in dark, the physical appearance does not matter
turned a deaf ear/ fall on deaf ears
paid no heed/ Refuse to obey/ to ignore a request or complaint
To flog a dead horse
Waste one’s efforts
kith one’s brow
to frown
to keep up
to keep intouch
At a stretch
Continuously
get on like a house on fire
two people like each other and become very close friends in a very short period
at one’s wit’s end
completely confused
by fair means or foul
in any way, honest or dishonest
in the good books
in favor with
blow one’s own trumpet
to praise oneself
to live out of suitcase
to stay very briefly in several places, with only the belonging in your suitcase
Average out
Balance
speak of the devil
someone who appears unexpectedly while being talked about
bad blood
unpleasant feeling between two people/ hatred between two families
jangle someone’s nerves
to annoy someone
to keep the professor’s fury at bay
successfully avoided the professor’s fury
Die hard
unwilling to change
keep wolf from door
to avert poverty /starvation
Eat like a horse
Eat a lot
fell short
had no effect/ fail to meet expectation
status quo
unchanged position
feel like a million/ feel like a million dollars
feel happy/ healthy
chicken hearted
lacking courage/ cowardly
take a stab at
means to attempt or try
in’s and outs
details and complexities
double-edged sword
a benefit that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk
a tooth for a tooth
an eye for an eye
blessing in disguise
boon/ hidden blessing
Out of wits
Greatly confused
out of the blue
totally unexpected
white lie
a minor lie
Rock the boat
to disturb a situation which was otherwise stable
To gather roses only
To seek all enjoyments of life
blue blood
having a high social class
at daggers drawn
If you say that two people are at daggers drawn, you mean they are having an argument and are still very angry with each other.
Seamy side
Unpleasant and immoral
cross swords
to quarrel or fight
took up
picked up, began to occupy, gather led from number of sources
hand and glove with
in close co-operation
a wee bit
to a very small degree
swelled head
grand opinion of oneself/ conceited
Ghamandi
in vogue
in the current fashions
Cold comfort
slight satisfaction
do not judge a book by its cover
appearance can be misleading
Knight in the shining armour
If anyone refers to someone as a knight in shining armour, it means that they are kind and brave, and likely to rescue someone from a difficult situation.
wild goose chase
pursuit of something unattainable
set a thief to catch a thief
the best person to catch a thief is another thief, because a thief knows how thieves think
be on cloud nine
extreme happiness
To die in harness
To die while in service
putting the card before the horse
tackling things in the wrong way
maiden name
a women’s surname before marriage
bite the dust
to die or break, to fail
pillar to post
one place to another
sow the dragon’s teeth
to create future troubles for yourself or others
a white elephant
a costly but useless possession
carrot and stick
reward and punishment policy
when pigs fly
something that will never happen
sail close to the wind
within limits of what is acceptable
cat and dog life
troublesome life
buy off
Pay someone to stop them from causing trouble
To strain every nerve
To make utmost efforts
don’t get me wrong
when you fear someone does not understand what you say
a fool and his money are soon parted
stupid people spend money without thinking
playing to the gallery
appeasing the masses
Black out
Lost consciousness
trumped up
concocted
turn turtle
to overturn
To bring to light
To reveal
to lose ground
becoming less acceptable
hand in
submit something ( assingment)
out of question
impossible
on the brink of disaster
at the point of
throw down the gauntlet
to challenge
all that glitters is not gold
appearance can be misleading
To take into account
To consider
go to dogs
to deteriorate/ degenerate
went to the winds
dissipated or wasted
Give way
Collapse
every man has his price
everyone can be bribed if you know how much or what to bribe him/ her with
To talk someone over
To convince over
In the running
Has good prospects in competition
count your blessings
you should be grateful for what you have
Cap in hand
In a respectful manner
throw in the towel
to admit defeat
against the clock
to do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a deadline
on the run
fleeing or running from the police
in a tight corner
in a difficult situation
hammer and tongs
with great effort or energy
you cannot please everyone
making everyone happy is impossible no matter what you do
you name it
anything you say or choose or whatever you think of
rags to riches
situation where a person rises from poverty to wealth
Has a bee in one’s bonnet
To be preoccupied or obsessed with something
in the nick of the time
at the last possible moment, just before its too late
hole and corner policy
secret policy
necessity is the mother inventions
when people really need to do something, they will find a way to do it
have to face the music
accept or face the unpleasant consequences of one’s action
fight shy of
to attempt to avoid a thing or person
weather and storm
survive by coming out of difficulties
dollars to donuts
something is very likely to be true/ happen
to pull strings
use personal influence
Around the clock
Day and night
wet blanket
person who spoils other people’s fun/ one who spoils the enjoyment
1) Down in the dumps
2) down in the mouth
1) Sad and depressed
2) very depressed
Pin money
Additional money
cost an arm and leg/ cost a bomb
extremely expensive
Cool one’s heel
To keep waiting
high handed
overbearing
a watched pot never boils
things appear to more slowly if one waits for it
Get on well
Have a friendly relationship
Wide off the mark
Irrelevant / Not accurate / Inadequate
Rub up the wrong way
To irk or irritate someone
Make believe
To pretend that something is true
cheek by jowl
very close together
Pot luck dinner
Dinner where somebody brings something to eat
smooth sailing
easy progress
make a clean breast
to confess especially something bad or illegal
eagle eyed
with keen eyesight
no dice
not accepting a deal
be sick and tired of
be angry or bored because something unpleasant has been happening for a long time
To cut one short
To criticize one
all at sea
puzzled
dead letter
a law or ordinance that is no longer enforced
struck several bad patches
had many professional difficulties
by putting two and two together
to deduce from given facts
shake a leg
to dance
Talking through hat
Talking nonsense
fair sex
women
In the red
Losing money/to owe money
charity begins at home
before taking care of other people, one’s family should be foremost concern
dead and buried
no longer in use or under consideration, irrelevant, forgotten
miss the beat
to lose an opportunity
meet their waterloo
defeated by someone who is stronger or by a problem that is very difficult to surmount
To pull a long face
Look sad
woe betide somebody
A phrase that is used to one somebody that there will be trouble for them if they do something or do not do something
Go a long way
help considerably
do over
repeat a job
under a cloud
under a suspicion
Second thoughts
Reconsidering the original idea
sitting on fence
avoids deciding/ refuse to take side in a dispute
put the cat among pigeons
create a disturbance and cause trouble
men in grey suit
powerful men in business
cut the mustard
to perform well
Chapter and verse
Providing minutes details
the squeaky wheel gets the grease
the most noticeable problems are the oness most likely to get attention
pull one’s legs
to make fun of or to tease
jail bird
a person who is or has been confined to jail
to turn over a new leaf
to change for the better
no love lost between
not on good terms
a bad egg
worthless
rise like a phoenix from its ashes
to make a miraculous comeback after a seemingly insurmountable setback
Put across
To communicate your ideas, feelings, etc. successfully.
it’s your funeral
if someone has to face the consequences of his or her actions
palmy days
prosperous/affluent days
green room
a lounge in a theatre or studio for the performers to get ready
as daft as a brush
extremely silly
big bucks
lots of money
draw the shortest straw
to be selected to do unpleasant task
maiden speech
first speech
chew the cud
to think about something carefully
sell ice to Eskimos
to persuade people to go against their best interest
1) Word for word
2) Word by word
1) In exact words
2) One word at a time
well-to-do
affluent ( wealthy person/ having lots of money)
going out on a limb
putting in a risky situation
lump in the throat
a tight or uncomfortable feeling in throat due to emotions
all Greek
incomprehensible
run its course
develop and then come to its usual end
thick as thieves
intimate, close-knit, sharing confidences
memory like a sieve
very poor memory
yellow journalism
sensational news whose accuracy is questionable
A dog’s breakfast
A total mess / A thing that has been done badly
Vote with your feet
Showing your disapproval
couch potato
lazy person/ a person who prefers to watch television
All moonshine
Concocted / Superficial/ far from reality
separate the wheat from the chaff
separate things of value from thing of no value
In Dutch
In trouble
i cannot put a name to someone
said when you can’t remember someone’s name
tread on someone’s toes
to offend someone
took out
obtained an official document or service
sweeping statement
thoughtless statement
Nail one’s colours to the mast
to refuse to admit defeat
-> If a ship nailed its colours to the mast, it would fight to the death and not surrender.
take by storm
to surprise unexpectedly
gave away
give something to someone else for free
he that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin
if you want to marry a woman, first try to win her mother on your side
Pandora’s box
a source of extensive but unforeseen troubles
word of mouth
informal oral communication
of the essence
necessary and very important
see pink elephants
Any visual hallucination arising due to intoxication
No hard and fast rules
Easy regulation
to stave off
postpone
- > like father like son
- > like mother like daughter
- > to be cut from the same cloth
- > to be a chip off the same block
son resembles father/ similar things
bell the cat
taking first step at personal risk
love someone to death
to love somebody very much
music to someone’s ears
some good news, a spoken expression or a sound which is pleasing
man cannot live by bread alone
he cannot survive on bread, he needs music, arts or some other activity
All might and main
With full force
run out of steam
to lose impetus or enthusiasm
to take with a grain of salt
to accept with misgiving,
not to take what someone says too seriously
give the game away
give the secret away
Cool about working
Not tense about working / Reading to work
Run in the same groove
Performing very well, excellent; also, in fashion, up-to-date./ moved in harmony
For example, The band was slowly getting in the groove, or To be in the groove this year you’ll have to get a fake fur coat. This idiom originally alluded to running accurately in a channel, or groove
look down upon
hate intensely
broken reed
a weak, unreliable person
Cordon off
Isolate / To stop people from getting into an area by surrounding it with
police
black sheep
dis-respectable member of the family/ a person who is regarded as the disgrace for his family/team
Salad days
Adolescence
cut short
interrupt
all that jazz
everything else related to something and other similar things
Ex: Party - music and dance
name is mud
they are in trouble, disgraced or discredited
Through thick and thin
Under all circumstances/ in good and bad times/ In spite of all difficulties
Give and take
Adjustment / Willingness in relationship to accept what somebody
else wants and gives up some of what you want
talk nineteen to dozen
speak quickly
up a blind alley
following a course of action that is certain to lead to an undesirable outcome
a damp squib
a disappointing result
Pay on the nail
Pay promptly / Payment without delay
out and out
totally
make or mar
to make or destroy
fancy price
at any cost/ at demanded price
From the bottom of one’s heart
To speak frankly
turn back the clock
(wind back the clock or roll back the clock) to return in time to an earlier period of history
play ducks and drakes
to waste money
an old flame
a person with whom one had a romantic relationship in the past
to lose one’s head
to become confused or overly emotional about someone or something
To hail from
To come from
Carry the ball
be in charge
get down to
to attend to work seriously
To give vent to
To express a feeling, especially anger, strongly
Red herrings
Clues intended to distract or mislead / An unimportant fact, idea, event,
etc. that takes people attention from the important ones
heads will roll
transfers will take place
give someone stick
to criticise, judge or disapprove of someone
an old head on young shoulders
a child or young person who thinks and talks like an older and experienced person
stand somebody in good stead
to be of great use and benefit to someone
evening in life
old age
join the club
said as a reply to someone to mean that they are in the same situation
good fences make good neighbors
people should respect other people’s property and privacy and mind their own business
eat humble pie
to apologize/ to yield under humiliating circumstances
go through fire and water
to brave any danger
seal the fate
end in failure
to keep up one’s appearances
to keep up an outward show of prosperity
grist to one’s mill
something that can be used for one’s advantage
hit a home run
to be successful
part and parcel
inseparable part
to chew someone out
reprimand someone severely
Get the sack
Be dismissed
Penelope’s web
An endless job
Let sleeping dogs lie
Not to bring up an old controversial issue
Gall and wormwood
Hateful
take for a ride
to deceive or cheat
bring up
mention a topic/ raise a children
hush money
money given to someone to keep something secret
to look down one’s nose
to regard with contempt
at a pinch
in a trouble
a breath of fresh air
new fresh approach, which feels good
pull the wool over somebody’s eyes
to mislead
Fall through
to not be completed or not happen
Wet one’s whistle
To have a drink / Moistens one’s throat
break the ice
to start a conversation
turn up like a bad penny
a person who is unpleasant and who repeatedly appears at inopportune times
ahead of time
in advance of concurrent commonly accepted idea
shot in the dark
hopeful attempt at something or a wild guess especially when you have no certain information or knowledge about the subject
look over
examine, check
to get his point across
make them understand
as clean as a whistle
perfectly clean
swan song
the last ceremony or farewell
to play to the gallery
To seek to win approval
burning question
hot issue
pale into insignificance
seemed less important
young at heart
youthful spirit in spite of old age
Cat-nap
Short sleep
Picking up holes in
Finding out faults with something
going against the grain
doing things in contrary to what is usually accepted
Catch time by the forelock
Seize opportunity
over my dead body
under no circumstances, absolutely not
experience is the mother of wisdom
people learn from their experiences, mistakes
A month of Sundays
A long time
make a man/woman of someone
to make a young person become more experienced or act like an adult and take responsibilities
Flea market
a street market selling second hand goods
Teething problems
Difficulties at the start
jack of all traits and master of none
a person who knows many different kinds of work but is the master of none
To shun evil company
To avoid or give up bad company
man of the world
an experienced person
duck in a thunderstorm
in a painful condition
a whole new ball game
a completely different situation
call on the carpet
to reprimand
every Tom, Dick and Harry
said about something that is common knowledge to everybody
1) fill out
2) fill up
1) complete a form
2) fill to capacity
the ball is in someone’s court
when the ball is in someone’s court they have to take action
1) wink at
2) wink out
1) to pretend that you have not noticed something
2) to come to an end
behind one’s back
in somebody’s absence
make a mountain out of mole hill
to make a lot of fuss about nothing/ to exaggerate a minor difficulty
ride roughshod
treat harshly or domineeringly
Turn up one’s nose at
To not accept something because you do not think it is good
enough for you / To treat with contempt
keep your head above water
just enough money to survive
nine days’ wonder
something that arouses great interest but for a very short period
Know the ropes
Learn the procedures
there is honor among thieves
even among criminals, there is honor and that they do not commit crimes against each other
enough rope
enough freedom for action
draw on fancy
use imagination
Slip off
Leave quietly
backing the wrong horse
to support something/ someone who will not be successful
grass widow
a woman who is separated, divorced or lives apart from her husband
For all intents and purposes
Practically
Rat race
Fierce competition for power`
like chalk and cheese
completely different
Close the book
Stop working on something
A closed book
A mystery
Any port in a storm
in adverse circumstances one welcomes any source of relief or escape.
“Dora’s eye fell on him—any port in a storm”
saved by the bell
saved at the last moment
cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth
to live with one’s means
a close save
narrow escape from danger
bear in mind
remember
pay through his nose
to pay dearly
whiter that white
totally fair and honest
dances to the tune
always act according to someone else
blue book
government report
high men on the totem pole
high important man in a hierarchy or organisation
Every inch a gentleman
Entirely
Pull together
Work harmoniously
hadn’t a leg to stand on
did not have much hope of getting it
man of letter
learned person
kangaroo court
an illegal court
an iron-will
Strong willpower
Tall tales
Boasting
a women’s work is never done
a women often work longer hours than man because the housework and raising children are jobs that never end
Out of sorts
to be slightly ill or slightly unhappy:
I’ve been feeling tired and headachy and generally out of sorts.
Alma mater
institution where one receives education
on the cards
anticipated
make a hash
to mess up
Take hat of
Encourage / To admire somebody very much for something he has done
Know the ropes
Sailors had to learn which rope raised which sail and also had to learn a myriad of knots. It referred to understand how to do something. To be acquainted with all the methods required.
break your back
work very hard for something
Live-wire
A person who is lively or energetic
Out of the question
Undesirable/ Not worth discussing
fair and square
in an honest way
cry over spoiled milk
regret in vain for what cannot be undone
off hand
without previous though
without having time to think; immediately
बिना तैयारी के; तुरंत
dance on someone’s grave
to celebrate a person’s death triumphantly
play it by year
to deal with a situation as it develops
keep the ball rolling
to maintain the progress of a project or plan
to drink life to the less
to have a life full of adventures
prick of conscience
a feeling of guilt
play hardball with someone
to act rough and ruthless with someone
Storm in a teacup
Commotion over a trivial matter
under one’s thumb
completely controlled by someone
all is fair in love and war
in love or in war, you are allowed to be deceitful in order to get what you want
to carry a tune
to sing a melody accurately
Cut coat according to one’s cloth
Live within your means
of the essence
necessary and very important
shivers down one’s spine
feeling of fear or excitement
feel at home
a place where you are at ease
talk of the town
to be the person or subject everyone is talking about
beat someone at their own game
outdo someone using their own strategy or expertise
set one’s heart on
to have one’s ambition to obtain something
fool’s paradise
a state of being happy for foolish or unfounded reasons
hobson’s choice
no alternative
meet one’s death/ end
to die
In the air
felt by a number of people to be happening or about to happen
worth its weight in gold
valuable
Follow one’s nose
To go straight ahead
home away from home
a place where you are at ease
make a fast buck
to earn money without effort
Cut the guardian knot
Remove difficulty / To solve problem
weak and woe
good times and bad times
dragging its feet
delaying in decision
mince matters
to moderate or restrain one’s language
fifth wheel
anything superfluous OR unnecessary
come down on somebody like a ton of bricks
to punish somebody
them and us
describing disagreement or differences especially between different social groups
to kick the bucket
to be killed
beef up
to make something more effective/ to make something stronger
stiff-necked person
stubborn or arrogant
halcyon days
peaceful days
fringe benefits
an additional benefit apart from salary
fair-weather friends
friends who desert you in difficulties
once bitten, twice shy
once hurt by something, they will be afraid to try that again
tighten your belt
spend less money
feeding frenzy
an episode of frantic competition for something
Take cue from
To copy what someone already did in past in order to be successful
keep one’s eye on the ball
to remain alert to the events occurring around oneself
the weed of crime bears bitter fruit
nothing good comes from criminal schemes
To pin one’s faith
to be sure of somebody’s favour
big gun
an influential person
set the Thames on fire
to achieve something amazing
Water under the bridge
Something that happened in the past and is now forgotten
or no longer important
once for all
for the last time/ conclusively
to blow hot and cold
to change one’s mind
hit the hay
go to bed or to sleep
bed of roses
pleasant situation of comfort
just what the doctor ordered
exactly what is required
a golden key can open any door
money has a telling influence
gift of the gab
talent for speaking
cannot stomach something
not able to tolerate something
to feather one’s nest
to enrich oneself by taking/ to profit in a dishonest way
body and soul
entirely
armed to the teeth
heavily armed with deadly weapons
beat around/about the bush
to talk in roundabout manner/circumlocution
set the ball rolling
start something specially a conversation or event
escape one’s lips
speak unintentionally or unexpectedly
put one’s shoulder to the wheel
to work or exert oneself heavily
Still waters run deep
A person who seems to be quite or shy me surprise you by knowing a lot of are having the feelings
sum and substance
main idea or gist
castles in the air
day dream/ a hope or desire unlikely to be realised
stick to his guns/ stick to guns
maintain his own opinion
too fond of her own voice
very talkative
take exception
object
set forth
stated
Burn your boats
Do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation
feel blue
to feel bad/ In trouble / depressed
ironn hand/iron fist
rigorous control
take the bull by horns
deal with the matter in direct way which is most dangerous one
Cut and dry method
Honest
To clip one’s wings
To deprive one of power
make hay while the sun shines
to take the benefit of an opportunity
Put something by
To save money for a particular purpose
Go out of one’s way
Do everything possible
show the white feather
show signs of cowardice
cool as a cucumber (poetic device called simile)
very calm/ not nervous or emotional
have a card up your sleeve
have a secret plan that can be used when needed
To make things done
To manage
patience of job
to have a great amount of patience
wear your heart on your sleeve
display feelings openly
always chasing rainbows
trying to achieve something you never will
put one’s heart into something
pull all your energy and effort into something
Go for the jugular
to attack a vital and vulnerable trait, feature, element, etc., in an attempt to overcome somebody or something swiftly and totally
at your mother’s knee
something you learn when you were a child
a dime’s worth
insignificant amount
To cut the Gordian knot
To perform a difficult task
go to Rack and ruin
Ransacked/ To fall into severe or total decay, degradation, or ruination/ to decay or to get destroyed
frighten someone off
to cause (someone or something) to go away or stay away because of fear
frighten the elephants off
wake up on wrong side of bed
to feel grumpy
Midas touch
a man with extraordinary power or capacity to make any venture profitable
dip your toe in water
when you start something carefully because you are unsure about it
back on one’s feet
recovering from something
carry the coal to newcastle
spending time and energy in doing something that is useless and wastage of energy
bird of passage
one who comes occasionally
up and doing
active work
hard of hearing
to be deaf
1) apple of one’s eye
2) apple-pie-order
3) apple of discord
1) very lovable/dearest one
2) in good condition /In perfect order
3) matter of dispute
on the spur of the moment
to act at once
Take a leap in the dark
To take risk
a dickens of a job
very difficult job, a back breaking task
run in the same group
maintaining a sweet relationship
quite the thing
very popular
tricks of the trade
clever or expert way of doing something
in a pickle
in an embarrassing and awkward situation
to take the cake
to be the best at something
Dropping names
Hitting at high connections
Gate crasher
Uninvited guest
bear one’s cross
enduring burden or difficulties
Beyond the pale
Unreasonable or unacceptable /
Outside commonly accepted standards
get off scot free
to escape without punishment
1) hold up
2) hold on
3) Not fit to hold candle
4) hold down
5) Hold water /does not hold water
6) Hold one’s horses
7) hold with
8) hold back
1) delay/ rob
2) to maintain one’s grip
3) Not so good as somebody or something else
4) to limit
5) Seem logical /cannot be believed
6) To keep waiting
7) to agree with
8) to retain one’s control
mecca for someone or something
it is a place that a lot of people visit because it is known for something that they want to see or do
Mecca - a very prestigious place for worship for Islam
1) to put up with
2) Put up the shutters
3) put off
4) put out
1) Bear patiently / To bear or endure
2) went out of business
3) postpone
4) extinguish
dirty work
unpleasant or dishonest work
green thumb
to have a natural interest
Sit in judgement
To pass judgement(or comment on someone ) especially when you
have no authority
low hanging fruit
easily achieved
Currying favour with
ingratiating itself with
to be pushing up diaries
to be dead and buried
to find one’s feet
to be comfortable doing something
eat one’s word
take a statement back
be above board
to be honest
under the wire
at the last minute before the deadline
age out of something
reach an age at which one is no longer eligible for any scheme
Other fish to fry
Some important work to attend to
dots the i’s and crosses the t’s
Be detailed and exact/ pay great attention to every small detail in a task
See eye to eye
To think in same way/ showing agreement/ to agree
call it a day
to declare the end of a task
over egg the pudding
add unnecessary details to make something seem better or worse
hale and hearty
in good health
To carve out a niche
To work harder in order to have successful career / Develop a
special position for oneself
at the drop of a hat
without delay
by the skin of one’s teeth
narrowly/ by a hair breadth
man/ woman of his word
someone whom you can trust because he does what he promises
Dropping like flies
Collapsing in large numbers
penny wise pound foolish
careful about trifles but wasteful in large ventures
broad daylight
in day light ( when crime cannot be hidden)
to wrangle over an ass’s shadow
to fight over trifles ( trifles- small matters, trivial)
jack of all trades
said about someone who is able to do many things
Bear up
To remain as cheerful as possible during difficult times
to have something on brain
to be obsessed with something
nip in the bud
to put an end to something in its initial stage
another nail in one’s coffin
one in a series of events which lead to downfall or inevitable failure
a heart to heart talk
frank talk
to give a cold shoulder
to ignore
gibble-gabble
foolish talk
off the beaten track
to a place or place not commonly visited (beaten track - commonly used track)
in a nutshell
in a brief form
Come to grief
To suffer
blind alley
a situation in which no further progress can be made
fight like cat and dog
fight violently
The jury is out
No decision has been reached
street Arabs
a homeless person (especially who survived by begging)
let the sleeping dogs lie
to avoid starting a fight
Achilles’s heel
weak point/ strong situation which contains an element of vulnerability
passed himself off
disguised himself
to carry the day
to win a victory
caught in the crossfire
to be trapped between two lines of enemy fire
war of words
argument between two people or group
Rome wasn’t built in a day
said to emphasize that great work takes time to do
Iron fist
To treat people in severe manner / strictly
Selling like hot cakes
To have a very good sale
variety is spice of life
change makes life interesting
dead serious
one is absolutely serious and is not joking
To be in a quandary
In a confusing situation
A golden mean
Middle course between two extremes
on tenterhooks
in a state of suspense and anxiety
wheels within wheels
a series of intricately connected events
An arm chair job
Good income job with high comfort
green with envy
consumed by envy, which is noticeable by others
throw/pour cold water over
discourage/ underestimate
at arm’s-length
avoid becoming too friendly
to get cold feet
fear
hit below the belt
to strike unfairly
For better or worse
If you say that something has happened or been done for better or worse, you mean that you are not sure whether the consequences will be good or bad, but they will have to be accepted because the action cannot be changed.
In the swim
Well informed and up-to-date
on cast aspersions
to make unpleasant remarks
itsy-bitsy
very small or tiny
come hell or high water
when you are determined to do something despite difficulties
Take after
To follow or resembles/ To take care of older members of family
Not to look a gift horse in the mouth
Not to find fault with the gift received/ Not to show a lack of appreciation or gratitude when receiving a gift
The proverb refers to the practice of evaluating the age of a horse by looking at its teeth.
put away
save or store
at one’s fingers’ tips
to have complete knowledge
Weal and woe
Good times and bad times/ Ups and downs
think on your feet
react quickly and efficiently
sweat of one’s brow
hard labour
Bad hats
People of bad character
A bee hive
A busy place
at loose ends
in an uncertain situation
who pays the piper call the tune
one who pays for something controls it
Pot calling the kettle black
Used to point out hypocrisy.
Dog in a manger
A selfish person/ a person who prevents others from enjoying what he cannot
clothes make the man
people are judged according to clothes
A sacred cow
an idea, custom, or institution held to be above criticism (with reference to the Hindus’ respect for the cow as a holy animal).
“the sacred cow of monetarism”
make a pig of oneself
who eats too much
fed up with ( preposition used with this is with)
annoyed
A shot in the dark
An attempt to guess something
To be in a fix
In a difficult situation
be a part of furniture
been somewhere so long that you feel like an integral part
Arm-chair critic
A person who give advice based on theory not on practice
from stem to stern
all the way from the front of a ship to the back
put money on somebody
to money or believe that someone will accomplish something
wait for other shoe to drop
wait for an inevitable event to happen which is undesirable
ripe old age
very old age
oily tongue
flattering words
if you want peace, prepare for war
if a country is well armed and is strong, its opponent will be less likely to attack it
under the table
something done secretly
blue eyed boy/ fair-haired boy
a person regarded highly and treated specially
At loggerheads
In strong disagreement
Fuddy-duddy
an old fashioned and foolish type of person
to starve off
to postpone
End in smoke
Come to nothing
find out
to discover
On cloud nine
Extremely happy
Give a wide berth to
To stay away from or avoid someone
Be taken aback
If you are taken aback by something, you are surprised or shocked by it and you cannot respond at once
For good
Permanently, for the last time
put word in somebody’s mouth
to claim inaccurately that somebody said something
1) beat black and blue
2) beat hollow
3) black and blue
1) beating mercilessly
2) to defeat thoroughly and convincingly
3) covered in bruises
in the long run
ultimately
have several irons in the fire
to be involved in many projects or activities at the same time
drastic times call for drastic measures
when you face extreme and undesirable situations, it is sometimes necessary to take extreme actions
burn candles at both ends
work very hard, day and night (burn midnight oil)
A close fisted man
Miser
as blind as a bat
unwilling to recognize problems
feast for the eyes
pleasing sight
bag and baggage
with all belongings
bent on/ upon something/ to be hell bent on doing something
to be determined to do something
paddle one’s own canoe
to act independently and decide your fate (canoe - paddle boat)
figure on
planning, expecting
a number cruncher
a person whose job is dealing with numbers and maths
Time and again
Always
make both ends meet
to live within one’s means
Look sharp
Pay attention
bring the curtain down/ raising the curtain
that something/ show has ended
starting something
man of parts
a man of qualities
will o’ the ship
elusive/ unreal
to take cognizance of
to notice or give attention to
nig-nag
a noun used to address someone ( with joke or frustration)
hit the ceiling
to become angry and start shouting
to play on a fiddle
to be busy over trifles
cut the ground from under the feet
to do something which weakens the position of someone
To cast a die
To take a decision
left me in the lurch
abandoned me when I needed help
food for thought
knowledge worthy of contemplation/ to come across something that will make you think and which is worth thinking about
Know beans about something
Well informed and intelligent
Point blank
Very definite and direct
Wipe the floor with someone
Defeat someone very easily
handle someone with kid gloves
be careful and polite because you don’t want to hurt somebody
love hate relationship
an interpersonal relationship involving simultaneous or alternating emotions of love and hate
brush/brushed aside
to ignore something
Jumping down one’s throat
To react very angrily to somebody
loaves and fishes
material benefit
hen-pecked husband
admirer of one’s own wife in servile manner
run of the mill
average /common
keep one’s cards close to one’s chest
hiding something
to be all at sea
lost and confused
to angle at(something)
to plan or scheme to get or achieve something/
to try to get something in an indirect or roundabout way.
an olive branch
an offer of reconciliation.
“the government is holding out an olive branch to the demonstrators”
Rolling Stone
a restless person
Made light of
Treated it lightly
throw up the sponge
to surrender
to play fast and loose
to be undependable
Challenged to be doubted
impugned
stop the music
stop everything
forty winks
a nap
play a joke
prank, to deceive someone for fun
man of straw
a weak person
Hit it off with
To get along well with someone right from the start
not have a snowball’s chance in hell
not to be able to achieve something
spick and span
in order/ neat and clean
back stairs gossip
talk about servants/unfair talks
much cry and little wool/ much ado about nothing
lot of fanfare for something which has very little importance
elbow room
sufficient scope to move or function
set the tone for something
to establish a particular mood or character
wait for a ball to drop
to wait in expectation of an occasion
sing the same tune
agree about a subject in public in spite of their disagreement in personal
Rise with the lark
Get up early / To get out of bed very early in the morning
man of means
wealthy person
put years on
feel older
cry wolf
raising a false alarm
French leave
a leave without information or permission
true to one’s salt
loyal person
breathe one’s last
to die
Sharp practises
Dishonest means
Fall flat
Fail to amuse people / Fail to produce intended effect
Salt of the earth
Good, honest and ideal
Plain sailing
Very easy
Batten down the hatches
Prepare for a difficult situation
left-handed compliment
an insult disguised as a compliment
Keep an open house
Welcome all members
off the shelf
ready-made for purchase
sine dine
indefinitely
turn the corner
to pass through a critical point in a process
burn a hole in the pocket
money spent quickly
off and on
occasionally
Took after
Similar to / to look or behave like an older member of your family
upon one’s sweet will
on self desire or wish
Flies off at a tangent
Start discussing something irrelevant
Butt in
Interrupt
lady’s man
a man who is fond of the company of women
sweat blood
work very hard
To latch on to
to stay close to someone or spend a lot of time with someone, usually when they do not want you near: She latched onto me as soon as she arrived, and I had to spend the rest of the evening talking to her.
Bone of contention
cause for quarrel
get into a soup
get into trouble
to take someone for a ride
to deceive someone
Cloak-and-dagger
An activity that involves mystery and secrecy
Drive home
Emphasise
grease anybody’s palm
bribe
put in cold storage
to keep a work pending
utopian scheme
a visionary scheme through impractical
nurse someone back to health
look after a sick person until he recovers
a hot potato
a controversial issue or situation which is awkward to deal with
Beggar description
Cannot be described/ Defy or outdo any possible description
hustle and bustle
busy activity in noisy surrounding
ruffle somebody’s feather
annoy somebody
a live wire
lively and active
blow one’s own horn/ to toot one’s own horn
to brag, to talk boastfully
yeoman’s service
excellent work
third degree
rigorous procedure
bad news travels fast
that news about misfortune and trouble circulates quickly
at a stone’s throw
at a short distance
safety on numbers
part of a large group, an individual is safer
Pull no punch
Speaks frankly
Shake off
Forget / To get away from somebody who is chasing or following you
Bare your soul
To tell somebody your deepest and most private feelings
its a jungle out there
threatening environment where it is difficult to survive
at the first blush
first sight
rest on one’s laurels
depending on the achievement made in the past, To be complacent
gave up the ghost
died
Lays out
1) Display, Exhibit
2) spend
Wet behind the ears
Young and without much experience/ Naive
strapped for cash
short on money
back to the salt mines
return back to the workplace
lion’s share
a majority large portion
Break in
the act of entering a building by force, especially in order to steal something
Bring about
Cause to happen
dog’s age/ coon’s age
long period of time
My neck of woods
The place where a person lives
Good Samaritan
a person who helps and pays sympathy to those in distress
Rides the high horse
Feel superior/ behave in a way that shows you are better than other people
poverty is not a crime/ poverty is no sin
it is not a crime to be poor and that we should not condemn people for their poverty
calm before the storm
a quiet period before a period of upheaval
work like a beaver/ work like a horse/ work like a slave
work very hard
serve time
in prison
play truant
to be absent from duty without permission
drop a dime
to make a phone call, generally the police to inform or betray someone
Shot in the arm
something that has a sudden, strong, positive effect on something:
Winning this award has been a big shot in the arm for the students.
all agog
amazed
A drop in a bucket
A very insignificant amount
1) Call for
2) beck and call
3) call in question
4) call on
5) call out
6) to call a spade a spade
1) To ask
2) ready to obey order instantly
3) challenge
4) formal invitation
5) call the name
6) to be frank
high and dry
in a deprived situation (alone)
To be down to earth
To be realistic
men make houses, women make homes
men build houses, but women make it into a home
cry for the moon
to desire the unattainable
white as a sheet
someone whose face is pale because of illness shock or fear
roll one’s sleeve up
prepare for hard work
at death’s door
about to die, in a life threatening state of health
a moot point
disputed subject, having no solution
baker’s dozen
13 in number
burn one’s finger
suffer the consequences of your actions/ to get oneself in trouble/ to suffer financial loss
past master
an expert
set one’s face against
to oppose with determination
drag one’s feet
to delay
to toe the line
to accept the authority or policies of a particular group, especially unwillingly
come about
to happen
Go about
Go around / To continue to do something
Eat anyone’s salt
To be anyone’s guest
fly in the ointment
a slight unpleasant thing that obstructs the enjoyment of something
draw a blank
find no favour
look through coloured glasses
to see with different/wrong views
Dark horse
someone who is little known to general public
go to hell in a hand basket
go to a bad state of affairs quickly
Pick on
to criticize, annoy, or punish someone repeatedly and unfairly:
He gets picked on because he’s small.
laugh about
to chuckle or giggle loudly about something or someone
up one’s sleeves
an item kept hidden and used whenever required
any minute soon now
very soon
played havoc
caused destruction
to mind one’s P’s and Q’s
taking care of one’s behaviour
poke one’s nose
to interfere
A house of cards
An insecure scheme
Backseat driver
A person who gives unwanted advice
tooth and nail/
to fight tooth and nails
violently/
to make every possible effort
dressed up to the nines
dressed in a fashionable way
into the bargain
in addition
stir a finger
making effort
a chip off the old block
reminds them of one’s father
Button one’s lips
Stop talking
Fabian policy
deliberate slow policy/ policy of delaying decision
count one’s chickens before they hatch
assume success too early before it is certain
Make a beeline
Rush / To go straight towards something as quick as you can
milk and water
lacking the will or ability
as hard as nails
unrelenting
cold turkey
suddenly
go in ear and out the other
something which is heard and then quickly forgotten
bring home the bacon
get a job and bring home money earned from the job
under the thumb of
under the power or influnce of
going places
talented and successful
rule the roost
to dominate
about as useful as a chocolate teapot
totally useless
dice with death
to do something which is very risky, or dangerous, and could even cause one’s death
Let the grass grow under the feet
Delay in getting things done
take the cloth
become a priest
cock of the wall
arrogant or narcissistic
Run amuck
mad with murderous frenzy
Spread like fire
Spread rapidly
set at naught
to disregard or to treat as of no importance
to cash in on
to make profit at something
democle’s sword
constant threat
an axe to grind
to have a selfish motive
look off colours
look ill or unhealthy
a red letter day
an important and joyful occasion in one’s life
to make good the loss
recover, compensate for the loss
I have made good the loss he had done me.
Finish with something
To finish, complete, or leave (something) at a successful, impressive, or climactic point
high living
living with comfort and ease
judas kiss
false love
breathe one’s last
to pass away/ to die
Catch a Tartar
To deal with a person who is more than one’s match
pass the buck
refuse to accept responsibility
turn upon one’s nose at
to take lightly with contempt
neecha samajna
ins and out
full details
to cut a sorry figure
created a wrong impression, to give poor show
by a whisker
narrowly/ by a hair breadth
ended in smoke
came to nothing
to give a false colouring
to misrepresent
Had better
to refer to the present or the future, to talk about actions we think people should do or which are desirable in a specific situation
The Alpha and Omega
Beginning and end
it takes two to tango
for something to work properly the cooperation of both the parties is needed
(Tango meaning - it is a type of dance form)
to bite the dust
to fail
fall from grace
loss of status, respect or prestige
nothing is certain but death and taxes
that everything in life is uncertain. There are only two things which you can be sure of - death and tax payments
Pore over
Go through something carefully/ to study carefully
in lieu of
in place of
Allow a free hand
Complete liberty
Foam at the mouth/ froths at the mouth
Angry/ Literally, to produce foam from one’s mouth, as due to a disease or other ailment
go home in a box
to die and be shipped home
bird’s eye view
brief survey of something/ an overview
act of god
something that occurred, such as an accident, for which no human is responsible
take up the hatchet
prepare for or go for war
long in the tooth
a very old person
marry money
marry a rich person
Measure up
Reach the level
pay the piper
to bear the cost of something/ some service rendered
Husband one’s resource
Save / Economical
to use something very carefully and make sure that you do not waste it
Curry favours
Seek favourable attention
dogs are barking
feet are hurting
-> on basis of this particular idiom, Hush Puppies brand kept their name
to fish in troubled waters
to make a profit out of disturbance
with bated breath
feeling very anxious or excited
on the horns of a dilemma
to face a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
Clean hands
innocent
bring down the house/ bring the house down
Amuse the audience greatly / To make everyone cheer/ Make the audience applaud enthusiastically
Hope against hope
Nurture an impossible hope
for a song
very cheaply
everything but the kitchen sink
almost everything whether needed or not
live in an ivory tower
living in comfort and being unaware of realities of other’s miseries
put a spoke in one’s wheel
to obstruct
sow wild oats
to waste time by doing foolish things
send him to Coventry
boycott him
for keeps
forever
Egg someone on
To encourage somebody to do something
bite your lip
make an effort to not reach to something
Dressing-down
give a scolding
all dressed up and nowhere to go
getting ready for something and then it never happened
A cuckoo in the nest
An unwelcomed intruder
a man/woman of few words
a man who does’t speak much/ ma/woman of action
have friends in high places
to know powerful people
cash cow
money maker
Out of the world
Extraordinary
draw a line
set a limit
cut both ways
argue in favour of both sides
have money to burn
to e very rich and spread lot of money on unnecessary things
a great deal of
lots of
Act one’s age
to be mature
itching palm
craving for bribe
call it a day
stop working for the rest of the day
Send packing
To tell somebody firmly or rudely to go away / Terminate service
to do something in cold blood
to do something without feeling or cruel intent
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
It is better to keep something that you already have them to risk losing it by trying to get much more
Boil the ocean
try to accomplish something too ambiguous
steal someone’s thunder
to take the credit for something someone else did
cook someone’s goose
spoil another person’s chances of success
to be thrown in at deep end
to prompt or force one to begin doing something very complex and/ or unfamiliar, especially suddenly and without guidance, assistance or preparations. i.e learn to do difficult things soon
to blaze a trail
to find a new path or method; begin a new undertaking; to initiate something new
heart skipped a beat
being excited
to keep body and soul together
to survive in difficult circumstances or manage to live
walk on eggshells
be careful out one’s word or actions around another person
to hold a brief for
to support or defend a position by argument/ to defend someone
God’s acre
burial ground
throw in at the deep end
prompted to start something new and challenging
Analogy - In a swimming pool where the deep end is the toughest spot and when thrown into the deep end, one has to put in extra effort in order to swim to safety.
wast dirty linen in public
make personal quarrels public
dog days
very hot days
Ex - here in Delhi, the dog days are not coming to an end.
fire and brimstone
the punishment that last forever
