Idioms and Phrases Flashcards
1
Q
make no bones about
A
do not have any hesitation in anything
2
Q
Get on nerves
A
Annoying
3
Q
big fish/frog in a small pond
A
high rank in a small organisation
4
Q
Fit like a glove
A
Perfectly
5
Q
The genomes of Zurich
A
A slang term for Swiss bankers
6
Q
be new to the game
A
lack of experience in a particular thing
7
Q
Pull up
A
Reprimand
8
Q
to chip on his soulder
A
holding a grudge or grievance that readily provokes a fight
9
Q
roof over your head
A
a place to live
10
Q
to go down like a lead baloon
A
a speech, proposal, or joke that is poorly received
11
Q
over head and ears
A
completely
12
Q
strikes a chord
A
it reminds you of something, it seems familiar to you or you are interested in it
13
Q
bitter pill to swallow
A
something unpleasant that must be accepted
14
Q
hammer and sickle
A
a symbolic representation of communism in general
15
Q
sweep something under a rug/ carpet
A
to hide something because it is embarrassing
16
Q
put on a brave face
A
to pretend that something is not affecting you when you are facing a problem
17
Q
take a deep breath
A
to pause, to feel strong and confident
18
Q
forbidden fruit
A
something desired which cannot be achieved
19
Q
a little bird told me
A
when you do not want to reveal the source of information
20
Q
at a loss
A
to be unable to decide
21
Q
after the 11th hour
A
at the last moment
22
Q
when it rains, it pours
A
bad things happen in bulk
23
Q
Turn up
A
To appear
24
Q
make merry
A
to enjoy yourself
25
have (too much) time on one's hands
to have extra time
26
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.
27
old wife's tales
a wrong traditional theory or belief, often about health
28
hard and fast
strict
29
save money for a rainy day
reserve money for a time which it might be needed unexpectedly
30
have too much on one's plate
to be too busy
31
Straw in the wind
An indication of what might happen
32
bury the hatchet ( hatchet - sharp part of an axe)
to make peace
33
royal road
an easy or direct way of achieving a desired result
34
sail under false colour
to pretend to be something that you are not
35
read between the lines
to understand the hidden meaning
36
to show one’s teeth
to adopt a threatening attitude
37
you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar
it is easier to get what you want by being polite rather than rude
38
as gentle as a lamb
kind innocent people
39
low men on the totem pole
least important man in a hierarchy or organisation
40
bosom friend
a very close or intimate friend.
| "we have been bosom friends for years"
41
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
42
with might and main
with full force
43
once in blue moon
not very often or very rarely
44
drive a wedge between
break relationship between two people
45
shrug one's shoulder
to show indifference
46
Go Dutch
Divide the cost
47
lie like a rug
tell lie shamelessly
48
shoulder to cry on
a person whom you can tell your problems and except sympathy
49
hue and cry
any loud public outcry
50
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
51
a nervous Nellie
someone whose personality and usual behavior are characterized by worry, insecurity and timidity
52
throw your hat into the ring
show intention to enter into a competition
53
gone down the drain
what is lost forever
54
fold like a cheap suit
to change one’s thought frequently
55
Null and void
Invalid/ Empty
56
beside the mark
not to the point
57
to draw a longbow
to exaggerate something or to overstate something
58
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
59
lock stock and barrel
completely
60
to the letter
paying attention to every details/ doing or following exactly what somebody, something says
61
on the cuff
on credit
62
be glad to see the back of someone
be happy because somebody left
63
brown study
a state of deep thought
64
In the blues
Cheerless and depressed
65
slow coach
a person with lazy approach of working
66
method to my madness
there's a reason for someone's strange behaviour
67
As hard as nail
Emotionless / To show no sympathy, kindness or fear
68
be in the mire
be in difficulties
69
set one's teeth on edge
to irritate or annoy someone
70
easy on the eye
pleasant to look at
71
to take to heart
to be greatly affected/ to grief over
72
To go to the whole hog
To do it completely
73
to sleep with the fishes
to be dead
74
barking up the wrong tree
looking in the wrong place
75
To spill the beans
To reveal a secret
76
stand the test of time
it lasts for a long time
77
In two minds
To be undecided
78
blast from the past
something or someone from your past that reappeared into your life again
79
took over
replaced something
80
sour as vinegar
disagreeable
81
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
82
Leave in the lurch
To desert someone
83
cast pearls before swine
a right thing in the wrong hands
84
Keep a level head
To remain calm and sensible in a difficult situation
85
wet blanket
one who spoils the enjoyment
86
mare’s nest
a false invitation
87
In the loop
Informed regularly
88
play a second fiddle
to take a subordinate position or weaker position than someone else
89
take one at one's word
to be convinced of one's sincerity and act in accordance with his/her statement
90
by leaps and bounds
rapidly, hurriedly
91
to keep oneself to oneself
to restrain oneself
92
kith and kin
blood relation
93
put will over other people’s eyes
to deceive someone into thinking well of them
94
queer fish
strange person
95
pull a fast one
play a trick
96
fall back on somebody
To go to somebody for support
97
to go for broke
to risk everything in an all-out effort
98
curiosity killed a cat
not to ask too many questions because it can get you in trouble.
99
call someone names
to call someone by unpleasant, abusive or insulting namnes
100
blood ran cold
he was frightened
101
mad as a March hare
crazy and insane
102
chicken feed
of very little importance
103
come from behind
to win after being in a losing position in a game for a long time
104
A cut above
Rather superior to
105
keep one’s fingers crossed
to wait expectantly
106
Leave no stone unturned
To try every possible way
107
in this day and age
in present
108
from hand to mouth
providing only bare essentials
109
be in the driving seat
bearing all responsibilities
110
rack one's brain
think very hard about something
111
to be on the apex
to be at the highest point
112
have finger in the pie
to be involved in something
113
keep your chin up
encourage someone who has to bear difficult circumstances
114
to rip up old sores
to revive a quarrel, which was almost forgotten
115
it has someone's name on it
said about something that belongs to someone or meant for someone
116
Give someone stick
To criticise your mock someone
117
bear the brunt of
to bear the main part of something unpleasant
118
die a dog’s death
to die a shameful death
119
Run into
To meet someone accidently
120
turn the table
position from being the weaker one to a position of being strong
121
gala day
celebration day
122
To make one’s blood boil
To make somebody furious
123
hard nut to crack
a difficult problem to solve/ a person difficult to understand
124
face the music
get reprimanded
125
Throw up cards
To give in / To blow away the plan
126
on (or off) the wagon
abstaining (or not abstaining) from drinking alcohol.
| "Monty was supposed to be on the wagon"
127
be in black and white
to be in written down/ in printed on written from
128
stick one's neck out
invite trouble
129
rainy day
future time of need, especially financial need
130
snake in the shoes
to tremble with fear or apprehension
131
for pete's sake
the phrase is used to express frustration, exasperation, annoyance
132
Floored
To surprise or confuse
133
wolf in sheep's clothing
a malicious person in harmless or benevolent disguise
134
on one’s last legs
close to collapsing
135
bring a knife to the gun fight
to enter into a confrontation or other challenging situation without being adequately equipped or prepared
136
nurse a grudge
bear resentment for long period
137
in someone's pocket
dependent on someone financially
138
raise eyebrows
to be surprised or show disapproval
139
pick up the gauntlet
to accept the challenge
140
talk big
to boast or brag
141
snake in the grass
a secret enemy
142
to get one's walking papers
one can leave
143
in god's name
used to add emphasis
144
on the table
being discussed
145
Pros and cons
For and against
146
turn tail
to run away because one is too frightened to attack
147
spin one’s wheels
It means wasting time and effort.
| expel much effort for little or no gain
148
come of age
reach adulthood
149
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
150
fell foul of
got into trouble with
151
with one accord
in one voice/ unanimously
152
Horse sense
Basic common sense
153
run riot
act without restrain
154
golden age
period of prosperity
155
To pay off old scores
To refund old dues
156
jaundiced eyes
to look at something with a prejudiced view
157
to shoot the breeze
to have a casual conversation
158
to give oneself airs
behaving arrogantly
159
open question
a question which may have more than one answer
160
shoulder to shoulder
united effort
161
red flag
warning or alert
162
in full swing
at the height of activity
163
Gerrymandering way
In a manipulative and unfair way
164
Balloon goes up
The situation turns unpleasant or serious
165
cut no ice
to fail to make an impression
166
looked blank
was without any emotion
167
by fits and starts
irregularly
168
Watching grass grow
Very boring
169
between life and death
a situation involving the danger of dying or being killed
170
that makes the two of us
same is true for you
171
token strike
short strike held as warning
172
sail through something
to pass or progress quickly and easily
173
Big draw
Huge attraction
174
Vexed question
Controversial issue
175
Kick up a row
Make a great fuss / To complain loudly about something
176
At a snail’s pace
Slowly
177
tender age
young
178
quarrel with one’s bread and butter
to fight with the executive or employer, who is providing one’s means of living
179
To keep in abeyance
In a state of suspension
180
between the devil and deep blue sea
dilemma, a choice between two undesirable situation
181
the straw that broke camel's back
small thing which causes failure
182
cork something up
to not allow yourself to express your anger, worry, or sadness. Controlling emotions
183
a bolt from the blue
an unpleasant event
184
easy on the ear
pleasant to listen
185
man in the street
an ordinary person
186
cock and bull story
an implausible story used as an excuse
187
Keep up with
Go at equal pace
188
Be down with
Suffering from
189
To explore every avenue
To try every opportunity
190
fish for compliments
induce someone to make a compliment
191
haul over the coals
to take to task, to reprimand
192
a red rag to a bull
something that will cause an angry or violent reaction
193
Keep your head
Remain calm
194
run the gauntlet
to go through an unpleasant experience
195
not all there
lack of one’s mental faculties
196
at sixes and seven
state of confusion, chaotic situation
197
donkey work
hard or boring work
198
steal a march
to obtain an advantage by secret means
199
feather in the cap
additional success
200
mother wit
common sense
201
cat’s paw
a person used by another as a dupe or tool
202
An open book
Straight forward and honest dealings
203
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
204
Giving a piece of one’s mind
Speak sharply / To disapprove /to rebuke or to scold
205
turn an honest living
make a legitimate living
206
one's hand in the till
to steal from one's employer (Till meaning - a place where shopkeepers keep their money in shop)
207
birds of the same feather
persons of same character
208
bed of thorns
a situation of extreme difficulty
209
Stir up a Hornet’s nest
To create a lot of trouble
210
donkey’s years
a long time
211
Lay it on thick
grossly exaggerate or overemplasize something
212
to doctor the account
to manipulate the accounts
213
to take to task
reprimanded him
214
in a split second
in very short time
215
Feel one’s pulse
To find what one is thinking on some point
216
Put your feet down
Take a firm stand / To be very strict in opposing what somebody wishes to do/ to act firmly
217
the printer's devils
error in printing
218
Break off
Suddenly stop
219
Back to the drawing board
Plan it all over again
220
to beat a dead horse
to revive interest in hopeless issue
221
raw deal
when someone is ill treated
222
bull in a china shop
a person with no tack who upsets other
223
all cats are grey in the dark
in dark, the physical appearance does not matter
224
turned a deaf ear/ fall on deaf ears
paid no heed/ Refuse to obey/ to ignore a request or complaint
225
To flog a dead horse
Waste one’s efforts
226
kith one’s brow
to frown
227
to keep up
to keep intouch
228
At a stretch
Continuously
229
get on like a house on fire
two people like each other and become very close friends in a very short period
230
at one's wit's end
completely confused
231
by fair means or foul
in any way, honest or dishonest
232
in the good books
in favor with
233
blow one’s own trumpet
to praise oneself
234
to live out of suitcase
to stay very briefly in several places, with only the belonging in your suitcase
235
Average out
Balance
236
speak of the devil
someone who appears unexpectedly while being talked about
237
bad blood
unpleasant feeling between two people/ hatred between two families
238
jangle someone's nerves
to annoy someone
239
to keep the professor’s fury at bay
successfully avoided the professor’s fury
240
Die hard
unwilling to change
241
keep wolf from door
to avert poverty /starvation
242
Eat like a horse
Eat a lot
243
fell short
had no effect/ fail to meet expectation
244
status quo
unchanged position
245
feel like a million/ feel like a million dollars
feel happy/ healthy
246
chicken hearted
lacking courage/ cowardly
247
take a stab at
means to attempt or try
248
in’s and outs
details and complexities
249
double-edged sword
a benefit that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk
250
a tooth for a tooth
an eye for an eye
251
blessing in disguise
boon/ hidden blessing
252
Out of wits
Greatly confused
253
out of the blue
totally unexpected
254
white lie
a minor lie
255
Rock the boat
to disturb a situation which was otherwise stable
256
To gather roses only
To seek all enjoyments of life
257
blue blood
having a high social class
258
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.
259
Seamy side
Unpleasant and immoral
260
cross swords
to quarrel or fight
261
took up
picked up, began to occupy, gather led from number of sources
262
hand and glove with
in close co-operation
263
a wee bit
to a very small degree
264
swelled head
grand opinion of oneself/ conceited
Ghamandi
265
in vogue
in the current fashions
266
Cold comfort
slight satisfaction
267
do not judge a book by its cover
appearance can be misleading
268
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.
269
wild goose chase
pursuit of something unattainable
270
set a thief to catch a thief
the best person to catch a thief is another thief, because a thief knows how thieves think
271
be on cloud nine
extreme happiness
272
To die in harness
To die while in service
273
putting the card before the horse
tackling things in the wrong way
274
maiden name
a women’s surname before marriage
275
bite the dust
to die or break, to fail
276
pillar to post
one place to another
277
sow the dragon's teeth
to create future troubles for yourself or others
278
a white elephant
a costly but useless possession
279
carrot and stick
reward and punishment policy
280
when pigs fly
something that will never happen
281
sail close to the wind
within limits of what is acceptable
282
cat and dog life
troublesome life
283
buy off
Pay someone to stop them from causing trouble
284
To strain every nerve
To make utmost efforts
285
don't get me wrong
when you fear someone does not understand what you say
286
a fool and his money are soon parted
stupid people spend money without thinking
287
playing to the gallery
appeasing the masses
288
Black out
Lost consciousness
289
trumped up
concocted
290
turn turtle
to overturn
291
To bring to light
To reveal
292
to lose ground
becoming less acceptable
293
hand in
submit something ( assingment)
294
out of question
impossible
295
on the brink of disaster
at the point of
296
throw down the gauntlet
to challenge
297
all that glitters is not gold
appearance can be misleading
298
To take into account
To consider
299
go to dogs
to deteriorate/ degenerate
300
went to the winds
dissipated or wasted
301
Give way
Collapse
302
every man has his price
everyone can be bribed if you know how much or what to bribe him/ her with
303
To talk someone over
To convince over
304
In the running
Has good prospects in competition
305
count your blessings
you should be grateful for what you have
306
Cap in hand
In a respectful manner
307
throw in the towel
to admit defeat
308
against the clock
to do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a deadline
309
on the run
fleeing or running from the police
310
in a tight corner
in a difficult situation
311
hammer and tongs
with great effort or energy
312
you cannot please everyone
making everyone happy is impossible no matter what you do
313
you name it
anything you say or choose or whatever you think of
314
rags to riches
situation where a person rises from poverty to wealth
315
Has a bee in one’s bonnet
To be preoccupied or obsessed with something
316
in the nick of the time
at the last possible moment, just before its too late
317
hole and corner policy
secret policy
318
necessity is the mother inventions
when people really need to do something, they will find a way to do it
319
have to face the music
accept or face the unpleasant consequences of one's action
320
fight shy of
to attempt to avoid a thing or person
321
weather and storm
survive by coming out of difficulties
322
dollars to donuts
something is very likely to be true/ happen
323
to pull strings
use personal influence
324
Around the clock
Day and night
325
wet blanket
person who spoils other people's fun/ one who spoils the enjoyment
326
1) Down in the dumps
| 2) down in the mouth
1) Sad and depressed
| 2) very depressed
327
Pin money
Additional money
328
cost an arm and leg/ cost a bomb
extremely expensive
329
Cool one’s heel
To keep waiting
330
high handed
overbearing
331
a watched pot never boils
things appear to more slowly if one waits for it
332
Get on well
Have a friendly relationship
333
Wide off the mark
Irrelevant / Not accurate / Inadequate
334
Rub up the wrong way
To irk or irritate someone
335
Make believe
To pretend that something is true
336
cheek by jowl
very close together
337
Pot luck dinner
Dinner where somebody brings something to eat
338
smooth sailing
easy progress
339
make a clean breast
to confess especially something bad or illegal
340
eagle eyed
with keen eyesight
341
no dice
not accepting a deal
342
be sick and tired of
be angry or bored because something unpleasant has been happening for a long time
343
To cut one short
To criticize one
344
all at sea
puzzled
345
dead letter
a law or ordinance that is no longer enforced
346
struck several bad patches
had many professional difficulties
347
by putting two and two together
to deduce from given facts
348
shake a leg
to dance
349
Talking through hat
Talking nonsense
350
fair sex
women
351
In the red
Losing money/to owe money
352
charity begins at home
before taking care of other people, one's family should be foremost concern
353
dead and buried
no longer in use or under consideration, irrelevant, forgotten
354
miss the beat
to lose an opportunity
355
meet their waterloo
defeated by someone who is stronger or by a problem that is very difficult to surmount
356
To pull a long face
Look sad
357
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
358
Go a long way
help considerably
359
do over
repeat a job
360
under a cloud
under a suspicion
361
Second thoughts
Reconsidering the original idea
362
sitting on fence
avoids deciding/ refuse to take side in a dispute
363
put the cat among pigeons
create a disturbance and cause trouble
364
men in grey suit
powerful men in business
365
cut the mustard
to perform well
366
Chapter and verse
Providing minutes details
367
the squeaky wheel gets the grease
the most noticeable problems are the oness most likely to get attention
368
pull one’s legs
to make fun of or to tease
369
jail bird
a person who is or has been confined to jail
370
to turn over a new leaf
to change for the better
371
no love lost between
not on good terms
372
a bad egg
worthless
373
rise like a phoenix from its ashes
to make a miraculous comeback after a seemingly insurmountable setback
374
Put across
To communicate your ideas, feelings, etc. successfully.
375
it's your funeral
if someone has to face the consequences of his or her actions
376
palmy days
prosperous/affluent days
377
green room
a lounge in a theatre or studio for the performers to get ready
378
as daft as a brush
extremely silly
379
big bucks
lots of money
380
draw the shortest straw
to be selected to do unpleasant task
381
maiden speech
first speech
382
chew the cud
to think about something carefully
383
sell ice to Eskimos
to persuade people to go against their best interest
384
1) Word for word
| 2) Word by word
1) In exact words
| 2) One word at a time
385
well-to-do
affluent ( wealthy person/ having lots of money)
386
going out on a limb
putting in a risky situation
387
lump in the throat
a tight or uncomfortable feeling in throat due to emotions
388
all Greek
incomprehensible
389
run its course
develop and then come to its usual end
390
thick as thieves
intimate, close-knit, sharing confidences
391
memory like a sieve
very poor memory
392
yellow journalism
sensational news whose accuracy is questionable
393
A dog’s breakfast
A total mess / A thing that has been done badly
394
Vote with your feet
Showing your disapproval
395
couch potato
lazy person/ a person who prefers to watch television
396
All moonshine
Concocted / Superficial/ far from reality
397
separate the wheat from the chaff
separate things of value from thing of no value
398
In Dutch
In trouble
399
i cannot put a name to someone
said when you can't remember someone's name
400
tread on someone’s toes
to offend someone
401
took out
obtained an official document or service
402
sweeping statement
thoughtless statement
403
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.
404
take by storm
to surprise unexpectedly
405
gave away
give something to someone else for free
406
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
407
Pandora’s box
a source of extensive but unforeseen troubles
408
word of mouth
informal oral communication
409
of the essence
necessary and very important
410
see pink elephants
Any visual hallucination arising due to intoxication
411
No hard and fast rules
Easy regulation
412
to stave off
postpone
413
- > 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
414
bell the cat
taking first step at personal risk
415
love someone to death
to love somebody very much
416
music to someone's ears
some good news, a spoken expression or a sound which is pleasing
417
man cannot live by bread alone
he cannot survive on bread, he needs music, arts or some other activity
418
All might and main
With full force
419
run out of steam
to lose impetus or enthusiasm
420
to take with a grain of salt
to accept with misgiving,
not to take what someone says too seriously
421
give the game away
give the secret away
422
Cool about working
Not tense about working / Reading to work
423
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
424
look down upon
hate intensely
425
broken reed
a weak, unreliable person
426
Cordon off
Isolate / To stop people from getting into an area by surrounding it with
police
427
black sheep
dis-respectable member of the family/ a person who is regarded as the disgrace for his family/team
428
Salad days
Adolescence
429
cut short
interrupt
430
all that jazz
everything else related to something and other similar things
Ex: Party - music and dance
431
name is mud
they are in trouble, disgraced or discredited
432
Through thick and thin
Under all circumstances/ in good and bad times/ In spite of all difficulties
433
Give and take
Adjustment / Willingness in relationship to accept what somebody
else wants and gives up some of what you want
434
talk nineteen to dozen
speak quickly
435
up a blind alley
following a course of action that is certain to lead to an undesirable outcome
436
a damp squib
a disappointing result
437
Pay on the nail
Pay promptly / Payment without delay
438
out and out
totally
439
make or mar
to make or destroy
440
fancy price
at any cost/ at demanded price
441
From the bottom of one’s heart
To speak frankly
442
turn back the clock
(wind back the clock or roll back the clock) to return in time to an earlier period of history
443
play ducks and drakes
to waste money
444
an old flame
a person with whom one had a romantic relationship in the past
445
to lose one's head
to become confused or overly emotional about someone or something
446
To hail from
To come from
447
Carry the ball
be in charge
448
get down to
to attend to work seriously
449
To give vent to
To express a feeling, especially anger, strongly
450
Red herrings
Clues intended to distract or mislead / An unimportant fact, idea, event,
etc. that takes people attention from the important ones
451
heads will roll
transfers will take place
452
give someone stick
to criticise, judge or disapprove of someone
453
an old head on young shoulders
a child or young person who thinks and talks like an older and experienced person
454
stand somebody in good stead
to be of great use and benefit to someone
455
evening in life
old age
456
join the club
said as a reply to someone to mean that they are in the same situation
457
good fences make good neighbors
people should respect other people's property and privacy and mind their own business
458
eat humble pie
to apologize/ to yield under humiliating circumstances
459
go through fire and water
to brave any danger
460
seal the fate
end in failure
461
to keep up one’s appearances
to keep up an outward show of prosperity
462
grist to one’s mill
something that can be used for one’s advantage
463
hit a home run
to be successful
464
part and parcel
inseparable part
465
to chew someone out
reprimand someone severely
466
Get the sack
Be dismissed
467
Penelope’s web
An endless job
468
Let sleeping dogs lie
Not to bring up an old controversial issue
469
Gall and wormwood
Hateful
470
take for a ride
to deceive or cheat
471
bring up
mention a topic/ raise a children
472
hush money
money given to someone to keep something secret
473
to look down one’s nose
to regard with contempt
474
at a pinch
in a trouble
475
a breath of fresh air
new fresh approach, which feels good
476
pull the wool over somebody’s eyes
to mislead
477
Fall through
to not be completed or not happen
478
Wet one’s whistle
To have a drink / Moistens one’s throat
479
break the ice
to start a conversation
480
turn up like a bad penny
a person who is unpleasant and who repeatedly appears at inopportune times
481
ahead of time
in advance of concurrent commonly accepted idea
482
shot in the dark
hopeful attempt at something or a wild guess especially when you have no certain information or knowledge about the subject
483
look over
examine, check
484
to get his point across
make them understand
485
as clean as a whistle
perfectly clean
486
swan song
the last ceremony or farewell
487
to play to the gallery
To seek to win approval
488
burning question
hot issue
489
pale into insignificance
seemed less important
490
young at heart
youthful spirit in spite of old age
491
Cat-nap
Short sleep
492
Picking up holes in
Finding out faults with something
493
going against the grain
doing things in contrary to what is usually accepted
494
Catch time by the forelock
Seize opportunity
495
over my dead body
under no circumstances, absolutely not
496
experience is the mother of wisdom
people learn from their experiences, mistakes
497
A month of Sundays
A long time
498
make a man/woman of someone
to make a young person become more experienced or act like an adult and take responsibilities
499
Flea market
a street market selling second hand goods
500
Teething problems
Difficulties at the start
501
jack of all traits and master of none
a person who knows many different kinds of work but is the master of none
502
To shun evil company
To avoid or give up bad company
503
man of the world
an experienced person
504
duck in a thunderstorm
in a painful condition
505
a whole new ball game
a completely different situation
506
call on the carpet
to reprimand
507
every Tom, Dick and Harry
said about something that is common knowledge to everybody
508
1) fill out
| 2) fill up
1) complete a form
| 2) fill to capacity
509
the ball is in someone's court
when the ball is in someone's court they have to take action
510
1) wink at
| 2) wink out
1) to pretend that you have not noticed something
| 2) to come to an end
511
behind one's back
in somebody's absence
512
make a mountain out of mole hill
to make a lot of fuss about nothing/ to exaggerate a minor difficulty
513
ride roughshod
treat harshly or domineeringly
514
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
515
keep your head above water
just enough money to survive
516
nine days’ wonder
something that arouses great interest but for a very short period
517
Know the ropes
Learn the procedures
518
there is honor among thieves
even among criminals, there is honor and that they do not commit crimes against each other
519
enough rope
enough freedom for action
520
draw on fancy
use imagination
521
Slip off
Leave quietly
522
backing the wrong horse
to support something/ someone who will not be successful
523
grass widow
a woman who is separated, divorced or lives apart from her husband
524
For all intents and purposes
Practically
525
Rat race
Fierce competition for power`
526
like chalk and cheese
completely different
527
Close the book
Stop working on something
528
A closed book
A mystery
529
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"
530
saved by the bell
saved at the last moment
531
cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth
to live with one’s means
532
a close save
narrow escape from danger
533
bear in mind
remember
534
pay through his nose
to pay dearly
535
whiter that white
totally fair and honest
536
dances to the tune
always act according to someone else
537
blue book
government report
538
high men on the totem pole
high important man in a hierarchy or organisation
539
Every inch a gentleman
Entirely
540
Pull together
Work harmoniously
541
hadn’t a leg to stand on
did not have much hope of getting it
542
man of letter
learned person
543
kangaroo court
an illegal court
544
an iron-will
Strong willpower
545
Tall tales
Boasting
546
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
547
Out of sorts
to be slightly ill or slightly unhappy:
| I've been feeling tired and headachy and generally out of sorts.
548
Alma mater
institution where one receives education
549
on the cards
anticipated
550
make a hash
to mess up
551
Take hat of
Encourage / To admire somebody very much for something he has done
552
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.
553
break your back
work very hard for something
554
Live-wire
A person who is lively or energetic
555
Out of the question
Undesirable/ Not worth discussing
556
fair and square
in an honest way
557
cry over spoiled milk
regret in vain for what cannot be undone
558
off hand
without previous though
without having time to think; immediately
बिना तैयारी के; तुरंत
559
dance on someone's grave
to celebrate a person's death triumphantly
560
play it by year
to deal with a situation as it develops
561
keep the ball rolling
to maintain the progress of a project or plan
562
to drink life to the less
to have a life full of adventures
563
prick of conscience
a feeling of guilt
564
play hardball with someone
to act rough and ruthless with someone
565
Storm in a teacup
Commotion over a trivial matter
566
under one's thumb
completely controlled by someone
567
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
568
to carry a tune
to sing a melody accurately
569
Cut coat according to one’s cloth
Live within your means
570
of the essence
necessary and very important
571
shivers down one's spine
feeling of fear or excitement
572
feel at home
a place where you are at ease
573
talk of the town
to be the person or subject everyone is talking about
574
beat someone at their own game
outdo someone using their own strategy or expertise
575
set one's heart on
to have one's ambition to obtain something
576
fool’s paradise
a state of being happy for foolish or unfounded reasons
577
hobson’s choice
no alternative
578
meet one's death/ end
to die
579
In the air
felt by a number of people to be happening or about to happen
580
worth its weight in gold
valuable
581
Follow one’s nose
To go straight ahead
582
home away from home
a place where you are at ease
583
make a fast buck
to earn money without effort
584
Cut the guardian knot
Remove difficulty / To solve problem
585
weak and woe
good times and bad times
586
dragging its feet
delaying in decision
587
mince matters
to moderate or restrain one’s language
588
fifth wheel
anything superfluous OR unnecessary
589
come down on somebody like a ton of bricks
to punish somebody
590
them and us
describing disagreement or differences especially between different social groups
591
to kick the bucket
to be killed
592
beef up
to make something more effective/ to make something stronger
593
stiff-necked person
stubborn or arrogant
594
halcyon days
peaceful days
595
fringe benefits
an additional benefit apart from salary
596
fair-weather friends
friends who desert you in difficulties
597
once bitten, twice shy
once hurt by something, they will be afraid to try that again
598
tighten your belt
spend less money
599
feeding frenzy
an episode of frantic competition for something
600
Take cue from
To copy what someone already did in past in order to be successful
601
keep one's eye on the ball
to remain alert to the events occurring around oneself
602
the weed of crime bears bitter fruit
nothing good comes from criminal schemes
603
To pin one's faith
to be sure of somebody's favour
604
big gun
an influential person
605
set the Thames on fire
to achieve something amazing
606
Water under the bridge
Something that happened in the past and is now forgotten
| or no longer important
607
once for all
for the last time/ conclusively
608
to blow hot and cold
to change one’s mind
609
hit the hay
go to bed or to sleep
610
bed of roses
pleasant situation of comfort
611
just what the doctor ordered
exactly what is required
612
a golden key can open any door
money has a telling influence
613
gift of the gab
talent for speaking
614
cannot stomach something
not able to tolerate something
615
to feather one’s nest
to enrich oneself by taking/ to profit in a dishonest way
616
body and soul
entirely
617
armed to the teeth
heavily armed with deadly weapons
618
beat around/about the bush
to talk in roundabout manner/circumlocution
619
set the ball rolling
start something specially a conversation or event
620
escape one’s lips
speak unintentionally or unexpectedly
621
put one’s shoulder to the wheel
to work or exert oneself heavily
622
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
623
sum and substance
main idea or gist
624
castles in the air
day dream/ a hope or desire unlikely to be realised
625
stick to his guns/ stick to guns
maintain his own opinion
626
too fond of her own voice
very talkative
627
take exception
object
628
set forth
stated
629
Burn your boats
Do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation
630
feel blue
to feel bad/ In trouble / depressed
631
ironn hand/iron fist
rigorous control
632
take the bull by horns
deal with the matter in direct way which is most dangerous one
633
Cut and dry method
Honest
634
To clip one’s wings
To deprive one of power
635
make hay while the sun shines
to take the benefit of an opportunity
636
Put something by
To save money for a particular purpose
637
Go out of one’s way
Do everything possible
638
show the white feather
show signs of cowardice
639
cool as a cucumber (poetic device called simile)
very calm/ not nervous or emotional
640
have a card up your sleeve
have a secret plan that can be used when needed
641
To make things done
To manage
642
patience of job
to have a great amount of patience
643
wear your heart on your sleeve
display feelings openly
644
always chasing rainbows
trying to achieve something you never will
645
put one's heart into something
pull all your energy and effort into something
646
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
647
at your mother's knee
something you learn when you were a child
648
a dime's worth
insignificant amount
649
To cut the Gordian knot
To perform a difficult task
650
go to Rack and ruin
Ransacked/ To fall into severe or total decay, degradation, or ruination/ to decay or to get destroyed
651
frighten someone off
to cause (someone or something) to go away or stay away because of fear
frighten the elephants off
652
wake up on wrong side of bed
to feel grumpy
653
Midas touch
a man with extraordinary power or capacity to make any venture profitable
654
dip your toe in water
when you start something carefully because you are unsure about it
655
back on one's feet
recovering from something
656
carry the coal to newcastle
spending time and energy in doing something that is useless and wastage of energy
657
bird of passage
one who comes occasionally
658
up and doing
active work
659
hard of hearing
to be deaf
660
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
661
on the spur of the moment
to act at once
662
Take a leap in the dark
To take risk
663
a dickens of a job
very difficult job, a back breaking task
664
run in the same group
maintaining a sweet relationship
665
quite the thing
very popular
666
tricks of the trade
clever or expert way of doing something
667
in a pickle
in an embarrassing and awkward situation
668
to take the cake
to be the best at something
669
Dropping names
Hitting at high connections
670
Gate crasher
Uninvited guest
671
bear one's cross
enduring burden or difficulties
672
Beyond the pale
Unreasonable or unacceptable /
| Outside commonly accepted standards
673
get off scot free
to escape without punishment
674
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
675
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
676
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
677
dirty work
unpleasant or dishonest work
678
green thumb
to have a natural interest
679
Sit in judgement
To pass judgement(or comment on someone ) especially when you
have no authority
680
low hanging fruit
easily achieved
681
Currying favour with
ingratiating itself with
682
to be pushing up diaries
to be dead and buried
683
to find one’s feet
to be comfortable doing something
684
eat one’s word
take a statement back
685
be above board
to be honest
686
under the wire
at the last minute before the deadline
687
age out of something
reach an age at which one is no longer eligible for any scheme
688
Other fish to fry
Some important work to attend to
689
dots the i's and crosses the t's
Be detailed and exact/ pay great attention to every small detail in a task
690
See eye to eye
To think in same way/ showing agreement/ to agree
691
call it a day
to declare the end of a task
692
over egg the pudding
add unnecessary details to make something seem better or worse
693
hale and hearty
in good health
694
To carve out a niche
To work harder in order to have successful career / Develop a
special position for oneself
695
at the drop of a hat
without delay
696
by the skin of one’s teeth
narrowly/ by a hair breadth
697
man/ woman of his word
someone whom you can trust because he does what he promises
698
Dropping like flies
Collapsing in large numbers
699
penny wise pound foolish
careful about trifles but wasteful in large ventures
700
broad daylight
in day light ( when crime cannot be hidden)
701
to wrangle over an ass's shadow
to fight over trifles ( trifles- small matters, trivial)
702
jack of all trades
said about someone who is able to do many things
703
Bear up
To remain as cheerful as possible during difficult times
704
to have something on brain
to be obsessed with something
705
nip in the bud
to put an end to something in its initial stage
706
another nail in one's coffin
one in a series of events which lead to downfall or inevitable failure
707
a heart to heart talk
frank talk
708
to give a cold shoulder
to ignore
709
gibble-gabble
foolish talk
710
off the beaten track
to a place or place not commonly visited (beaten track - commonly used track)
711
in a nutshell
in a brief form
712
Come to grief
To suffer
713
blind alley
a situation in which no further progress can be made
714
fight like cat and dog
fight violently
715
The jury is out
No decision has been reached
716
street Arabs
a homeless person (especially who survived by begging)
717
let the sleeping dogs lie
to avoid starting a fight
718
Achilles's heel
weak point/ strong situation which contains an element of vulnerability
719
passed himself off
disguised himself
720
to carry the day
to win a victory
721
caught in the crossfire
to be trapped between two lines of enemy fire
722
war of words
argument between two people or group
723
Rome wasn't built in a day
said to emphasize that great work takes time to do
724
Iron fist
To treat people in severe manner / strictly
725
Selling like hot cakes
To have a very good sale
726
variety is spice of life
change makes life interesting
727
dead serious
one is absolutely serious and is not joking
728
To be in a quandary
In a confusing situation
729
A golden mean
Middle course between two extremes
730
on tenterhooks
in a state of suspense and anxiety
731
wheels within wheels
a series of intricately connected events
732
An arm chair job
Good income job with high comfort
733
green with envy
consumed by envy, which is noticeable by others
734
throw/pour cold water over
discourage/ underestimate
735
at arm’s-length
avoid becoming too friendly
736
to get cold feet
fear
737
hit below the belt
to strike unfairly
738
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.
739
In the swim
Well informed and up-to-date
740
on cast aspersions
to make unpleasant remarks
741
itsy-bitsy
very small or tiny
742
come hell or high water
when you are determined to do something despite difficulties
743
Take after
To follow or resembles/ To take care of older members of family
744
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.
745
put away
save or store
746
at one’s fingers’ tips
to have complete knowledge
747
Weal and woe
Good times and bad times/ Ups and downs
748
think on your feet
react quickly and efficiently
749
sweat of one’s brow
hard labour
750
Bad hats
People of bad character
751
A bee hive
A busy place
752
at loose ends
in an uncertain situation
753
who pays the piper call the tune
one who pays for something controls it
754
Pot calling the kettle black
Used to point out hypocrisy.
755
Dog in a manger
A selfish person/ a person who prevents others from enjoying what he cannot
756
clothes make the man
people are judged according to clothes
757
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"
758
make a pig of oneself
who eats too much
759
fed up with ( preposition used with this is with)
annoyed
760
A shot in the dark
An attempt to guess something
761
To be in a fix
In a difficult situation
762
be a part of furniture
been somewhere so long that you feel like an integral part
763
Arm-chair critic
A person who give advice based on theory not on practice
764
from stem to stern
all the way from the front of a ship to the back
765
put money on somebody
to money or believe that someone will accomplish something
766
wait for other shoe to drop
wait for an inevitable event to happen which is undesirable
767
ripe old age
very old age
768
oily tongue
flattering words
769
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
770
under the table
something done secretly
771
blue eyed boy/ fair-haired boy
a person regarded highly and treated specially
772
At loggerheads
In strong disagreement
773
Fuddy-duddy
an old fashioned and foolish type of person
774
to starve off
to postpone
775
End in smoke
Come to nothing
776
find out
to discover
777
On cloud nine
Extremely happy
778
Give a wide berth to
To stay away from or avoid someone
779
Be taken aback
If you are taken aback by something, you are surprised or shocked by it and you cannot respond at once
780
For good
Permanently, for the last time
781
put word in somebody's mouth
to claim inaccurately that somebody said something
782
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
783
in the long run
ultimately
784
have several irons in the fire
to be involved in many projects or activities at the same time
785
drastic times call for drastic measures
when you face extreme and undesirable situations, it is sometimes necessary to take extreme actions
786
burn candles at both ends
work very hard, day and night (burn midnight oil)
787
A close fisted man
Miser
788
as blind as a bat
unwilling to recognize problems
789
feast for the eyes
pleasing sight
790
bag and baggage
with all belongings
791
bent on/ upon something/ to be hell bent on doing something
to be determined to do something
792
paddle one's own canoe
to act independently and decide your fate (canoe - paddle boat)
793
figure on
planning, expecting
794
a number cruncher
a person whose job is dealing with numbers and maths
795
Time and again
Always
796
make both ends meet
to live within one’s means
797
Look sharp
Pay attention
798
bring the curtain down/ raising the curtain
that something/ show has ended
| starting something
799
man of parts
a man of qualities
800
will o' the ship
elusive/ unreal
801
to take cognizance of
to notice or give attention to
802
nig-nag
a noun used to address someone ( with joke or frustration)
803
hit the ceiling
to become angry and start shouting
804
to play on a fiddle
to be busy over trifles
805
cut the ground from under the feet
to do something which weakens the position of someone
806
To cast a die
To take a decision
807
left me in the lurch
abandoned me when I needed help
808
food for thought
knowledge worthy of contemplation/ to come across something that will make you think and which is worth thinking about
809
Know beans about something
Well informed and intelligent
810
Point blank
Very definite and direct
811
Wipe the floor with someone
Defeat someone very easily
812
handle someone with kid gloves
be careful and polite because you don't want to hurt somebody
813
love hate relationship
an interpersonal relationship involving simultaneous or alternating emotions of love and hate
814
brush/brushed aside
to ignore something
815
Jumping down one’s throat
To react very angrily to somebody
816
loaves and fishes
material benefit
817
hen-pecked husband
admirer of one’s own wife in servile manner
818
run of the mill
average /common
819
keep one’s cards close to one’s chest
hiding something
820
to be all at sea
lost and confused
821
to angle at(something)
to plan or scheme to get or achieve something/
| to try to get something in an indirect or roundabout way.
822
an olive branch
an offer of reconciliation.
| "the government is holding out an olive branch to the demonstrators"
823
Rolling Stone
a restless person
824
Made light of
Treated it lightly
825
throw up the sponge
to surrender
826
to play fast and loose
to be undependable
827
Challenged to be doubted
impugned
828
stop the music
stop everything
829
forty winks
a nap
830
play a joke
prank, to deceive someone for fun
831
man of straw
a weak person
832
Hit it off with
To get along well with someone right from the start
833
not have a snowball's chance in hell
not to be able to achieve something
834
spick and span
in order/ neat and clean
835
back stairs gossip
talk about servants/unfair talks
836
much cry and little wool/ much ado about nothing
lot of fanfare for something which has very little importance
837
elbow room
sufficient scope to move or function
838
set the tone for something
to establish a particular mood or character
839
wait for a ball to drop
to wait in expectation of an occasion
840
sing the same tune
agree about a subject in public in spite of their disagreement in personal
841
Rise with the lark
Get up early / To get out of bed very early in the morning
842
man of means
wealthy person
843
put years on
feel older
844
cry wolf
raising a false alarm
845
French leave
a leave without information or permission
846
true to one's salt
loyal person
847
breathe one's last
to die
848
Sharp practises
Dishonest means
849
Fall flat
Fail to amuse people / Fail to produce intended effect
850
Salt of the earth
Good, honest and ideal
851
Plain sailing
Very easy
852
Batten down the hatches
Prepare for a difficult situation
853
left-handed compliment
an insult disguised as a compliment
854
Keep an open house
Welcome all members
855
off the shelf
ready-made for purchase
856
sine dine
indefinitely
857
turn the corner
to pass through a critical point in a process
858
burn a hole in the pocket
money spent quickly
859
off and on
occasionally
860
Took after
Similar to / to look or behave like an older member of your family
861
upon one's sweet will
on self desire or wish
862
Flies off at a tangent
Start discussing something irrelevant
863
Butt in
Interrupt
864
lady’s man
a man who is fond of the company of women
865
sweat blood
work very hard
866
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.
867
Bone of contention
cause for quarrel
868
get into a soup
get into trouble
869
to take someone for a ride
to deceive someone
870
Cloak-and-dagger
An activity that involves mystery and secrecy
871
Drive home
Emphasise
872
grease anybody’s palm
bribe
873
put in cold storage
to keep a work pending
874
utopian scheme
a visionary scheme through impractical
875
nurse someone back to health
look after a sick person until he recovers
876
a hot potato
a controversial issue or situation which is awkward to deal with
877
Beggar description
Cannot be described/ Defy or outdo any possible description
878
hustle and bustle
busy activity in noisy surrounding
879
ruffle somebody’s feather
annoy somebody
880
a live wire
lively and active
881
blow one's own horn/ to toot one's own horn
to brag, to talk boastfully
882
yeoman's service
excellent work
883
third degree
rigorous procedure
884
bad news travels fast
that news about misfortune and trouble circulates quickly
885
at a stone's throw
at a short distance
886
safety on numbers
part of a large group, an individual is safer
887
Pull no punch
Speaks frankly
888
Shake off
Forget / To get away from somebody who is chasing or following you
889
Bare your soul
To tell somebody your deepest and most private feelings
890
its a jungle out there
threatening environment where it is difficult to survive
891
at the first blush
first sight
892
rest on one’s laurels
depending on the achievement made in the past, To be complacent
893
gave up the ghost
died
894
Lays out
1) Display, Exhibit
| 2) spend
895
Wet behind the ears
Young and without much experience/ Naive
896
strapped for cash
short on money
897
back to the salt mines
return back to the workplace
898
lion's share
a majority large portion
899
Break in
the act of entering a building by force, especially in order to steal something
900
Bring about
Cause to happen
901
dog's age/ coon's age
long period of time
902
My neck of woods
The place where a person lives
903
Good Samaritan
a person who helps and pays sympathy to those in distress
904
Rides the high horse
Feel superior/ behave in a way that shows you are better than other people
905
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
906
calm before the storm
a quiet period before a period of upheaval
907
work like a beaver/ work like a horse/ work like a slave
work very hard
908
serve time
in prison
909
play truant
to be absent from duty without permission
910
drop a dime
to make a phone call, generally the police to inform or betray someone
911
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.
912
all agog
amazed
913
A drop in a bucket
A very insignificant amount
914
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
915
high and dry
in a deprived situation (alone)
916
To be down to earth
To be realistic
917
men make houses, women make homes
men build houses, but women make it into a home
918
cry for the moon
to desire the unattainable
919
white as a sheet
someone whose face is pale because of illness shock or fear
920
roll one's sleeve up
prepare for hard work
921
at death's door
about to die, in a life threatening state of health
922
a moot point
disputed subject, having no solution
923
baker’s dozen
13 in number
924
burn one's finger
suffer the consequences of your actions/ to get oneself in trouble/ to suffer financial loss
925
past master
an expert
926
set one's face against
to oppose with determination
927
drag one's feet
to delay
928
to toe the line
to accept the authority or policies of a particular group, especially unwillingly
929
come about
to happen
930
Go about
Go around / To continue to do something
931
Eat anyone’s salt
To be anyone’s guest
932
fly in the ointment
a slight unpleasant thing that obstructs the enjoyment of something
933
draw a blank
find no favour
934
look through coloured glasses
to see with different/wrong views
935
Dark horse
someone who is little known to general public
936
go to hell in a hand basket
go to a bad state of affairs quickly
937
Pick on
to criticize, annoy, or punish someone repeatedly and unfairly:
He gets picked on because he's small.
938
laugh about
to chuckle or giggle loudly about something or someone
939
up one's sleeves
an item kept hidden and used whenever required
940
any minute soon now
very soon
941
played havoc
caused destruction
942
to mind one’s P’s and Q’s
taking care of one’s behaviour
943
poke one’s nose
to interfere
944
A house of cards
An insecure scheme
945
Backseat driver
A person who gives unwanted advice
946
tooth and nail/
| to fight tooth and nails
violently/
| to make every possible effort
947
dressed up to the nines
dressed in a fashionable way
948
into the bargain
in addition
949
stir a finger
making effort
950
a chip off the old block
reminds them of one's father
951
Button one’s lips
Stop talking
952
Fabian policy
deliberate slow policy/ policy of delaying decision
953
count one's chickens before they hatch
assume success too early before it is certain
954
Make a beeline
Rush / To go straight towards something as quick as you can
955
milk and water
lacking the will or ability
956
as hard as nails
unrelenting
957
cold turkey
suddenly
958
go in ear and out the other
something which is heard and then quickly forgotten
959
bring home the bacon
get a job and bring home money earned from the job
960
under the thumb of
under the power or influnce of
961
going places
talented and successful
962
rule the roost
to dominate
963
about as useful as a chocolate teapot
totally useless
964
dice with death
to do something which is very risky, or dangerous, and could even cause one's death
965
Let the grass grow under the feet
Delay in getting things done
966
take the cloth
become a priest
967
cock of the wall
arrogant or narcissistic
968
Run amuck
mad with murderous frenzy
969
Spread like fire
Spread rapidly
970
set at naught
to disregard or to treat as of no importance
971
to cash in on
to make profit at something
972
democle’s sword
constant threat
973
an axe to grind
to have a selfish motive
974
look off colours
look ill or unhealthy
975
a red letter day
an important and joyful occasion in one’s life
976
to make good the loss
recover, compensate for the loss
I have made good the loss he had done me.
977
Finish with something
To finish, complete, or leave (something) at a successful, impressive, or climactic point
978
high living
living with comfort and ease
979
judas kiss
false love
980
breathe one’s last
to pass away/ to die
981
Catch a Tartar
To deal with a person who is more than one’s match
982
pass the buck
refuse to accept responsibility
983
turn upon one's nose at
to take lightly with contempt
neecha samajna
984
ins and out
full details
985
to cut a sorry figure
created a wrong impression, to give poor show
986
by a whisker
narrowly/ by a hair breadth
987
ended in smoke
came to nothing
988
to give a false colouring
to misrepresent
989
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
990
The Alpha and Omega
Beginning and end
991
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)
992
to bite the dust
to fail
993
fall from grace
loss of status, respect or prestige
994
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
995
Pore over
Go through something carefully/ to study carefully
996
in lieu of
in place of
997
Allow a free hand
Complete liberty
998
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
999
go home in a box
to die and be shipped home
1000
bird's eye view
brief survey of something/ an overview
1001
act of god
something that occurred, such as an accident, for which no human is responsible
1002
take up the hatchet
prepare for or go for war
1003
long in the tooth
a very old person
1004
marry money
marry a rich person
1005
Measure up
Reach the level
1006
pay the piper
to bear the cost of something/ some service rendered
1007
Husband one’s resource
Save / Economical
| to use something very carefully and make sure that you do not waste it
1008
Curry favours
Seek favourable attention
1009
dogs are barking
feet are hurting
| -> on basis of this particular idiom, Hush Puppies brand kept their name
1010
to fish in troubled waters
to make a profit out of disturbance
1011
with bated breath
feeling very anxious or excited
1012
on the horns of a dilemma
to face a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
1013
Clean hands
innocent
1014
bring down the house/ bring the house down
Amuse the audience greatly / To make everyone cheer/ Make the audience applaud enthusiastically
1015
Hope against hope
Nurture an impossible hope
1016
for a song
very cheaply
1017
everything but the kitchen sink
almost everything whether needed or not
1018
live in an ivory tower
living in comfort and being unaware of realities of other’s miseries
1019
put a spoke in one’s wheel
to obstruct
1020
sow wild oats
to waste time by doing foolish things
1021
send him to Coventry
boycott him
1022
for keeps
forever
1023
Egg someone on
To encourage somebody to do something
1024
bite your lip
make an effort to not reach to something
1025
Dressing-down
give a scolding
1026
all dressed up and nowhere to go
getting ready for something and then it never happened
1027
A cuckoo in the nest
An unwelcomed intruder
1028
a man/woman of few words
a man who does't speak much/ ma/woman of action
1029
have friends in high places
to know powerful people
1030
cash cow
money maker
1031
Out of the world
Extraordinary
1032
draw a line
set a limit
1033
cut both ways
argue in favour of both sides
1034
have money to burn
to e very rich and spread lot of money on unnecessary things
1035
a great deal of
lots of
1036
Act one's age
to be mature
1037
itching palm
craving for bribe
1038
call it a day
stop working for the rest of the day
1039
Send packing
To tell somebody firmly or rudely to go away / Terminate service
1040
to do something in cold blood
to do something without feeling or cruel intent
1041
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
1042
Boil the ocean
try to accomplish something too ambiguous
1043
steal someone’s thunder
to take the credit for something someone else did
1044
cook someone’s goose
spoil another person’s chances of success
1045
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
1046
to blaze a trail
to find a new path or method; begin a new undertaking; to initiate something new
1047
heart skipped a beat
being excited
1048
to keep body and soul together
to survive in difficult circumstances or manage to live
1049
walk on eggshells
be careful out one’s word or actions around another person
1050
to hold a brief for
to support or defend a position by argument/ to defend someone
1051
God’s acre
burial ground
1052
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.
1053
wast dirty linen in public
make personal quarrels public
1054
dog days
very hot days
| Ex - here in Delhi, the dog days are not coming to an end.
1055
fire and brimstone
the punishment that last forever
