Idioms and Phrases

Idioms and phrases refer to commonly used group of words in English. They carry a specific meaning and are used in specific situations. Phrases are usually made up of a few words and are used as a grammatical unit in a sentence; on the other hand idioms are full sentences. It is an important category in all competitive exams. Candidates preparing for competitive examinations must practice idioms and phrases in their writing as well as speech. By listening to native speakers one will get acquainted with the nuances of the language. It will make them proficient while practicing. For attempting the questions in this section the candidates should know the rules of grammar. They should also pay attention to various exceptions to the grammatical rules. Good command over grammar is necessary to solve these questions.

List of important Idioms and Phrases

1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
   Meaning: Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything
   
2. A bitter pill
   Meaning: A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted
   
3. A blessing in disguise
   Meaning: Something good that isn't recognized at first
   
4. A man of action
   Meaning: A man who is inclined to act first rather than think about things and discuss them.
   
5. Add fuel to the fire
   Meaning: To make a problem worse
   
6. Every cloud has a silver lining
   Meaning: Be optimistic
   
7. From scratch / to start from scratch
   Meaning: Start from the beginning with no prior preparation
   
8. Face the music
   Meaning: Said when someone accepts to confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
   
9. Gain ground
   Meaning: To become popular, to make progress, to advance.
   
10. Cross your fingers
    Meaning: To hope that something happens the way you want it to.
    
11. Couch potato
    Meaning: Lazy person.
    
12. Cost an arm and a leg
    Meaning: Extremely expensive.
    
13. Cry over spilt milk
    Meaning: When you complain about a loss from the past.
    
14. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
    Meaning: Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
    
15. Lend me your ear
    Meaning: To politely ask for someone's full attention.
    
16. Picture paints a thousand words
    Meaning: A picture will be far more descriptive of something than words can ever be.
    
17. Raw deal
    Meaning: Said when someone is ill treated.
    
18. Red handed
    Meaning: Be discovered in or just after the act of doing something wrong or illegal
    
19. Spill the beans
    Meaning: To reveal a secret.
    
20. Turn a blind eye
    Meaning: Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real.
    
21. Until one is blue in the face
    Meaning: Pointless efforts while trying to convince someone or change his mind.
    
22. Walk on air
    Meaning: Very excited or happy.
    
23. You can't judge a book by its cover
    Meaning: Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance.
    
24. Zero tolerance
    Meaning: No crime or law breaking big or small will be overlooked.

Directions: which of the phrases (a), (b), (c) and (d) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold type to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is, mark (e) i.e. No correction required as the answer.

1. Why do you wish to tread on the toes?
   a) To give offence to them
   b) To treat them indifferently
   c) To follow them grudgingly
   d) To be kicked by them
   e) No correction required
   
2. To keep one's temper
   a) To be in good mood
   b) To preserve ones energy
   c) To be angry
   d) To be aloof from
   e) No correction required
   
3. To play second fiddle
   a) To be happy
   b) To reduce importance of one's senior
   c) To support the role and view of another person
   d) To do back seat driving
   e) No correction required
   
4. Action is the glorious principle of life and the one that saves man from _____.
   a) The use of faculties, physical or mental
   b) Stagnation and unhappiness
   c) The sorrow of fellow beings
   d) The prerequisites of happiness
   e) No correction required
   
5. Being the head of a large family it difficult to keep his head above water.
   a) To take rest
   b) To work properly
   c) To avoid quarrel
   d) To keep out of debt
   e) No correction required
   
6. To leave someone in the lurch
   a) To come to compromise with someone
   b)Constant source of annoyance to someone
   c)To put someone at ease
   d)to leave someone at a time when they need you to stay and help them
   e) No correction required
   
7. And really the only reason you were there was because you had a bone to pick with him.
   a) You wanted to have a discussion with him
   b) You wanted to chat
   c) You wanted to talk
   d) You wanted to have an argument with him
   e) No correction required
   
8. He doesn't really go around with many people because he is a bit a lone wolf.
   a) Single person
   b) Lonely person
   c) Unhappy person
   d) Simple person
   e) No correction required
   
9. I don't honestly think he is capable of being polite as the leopard never changes his spots.
   a) Always complain
   b) Differ in opinion
   c) Never change
   d) Shout
   e) No correction required
   
10. The issue was taken before the Municipal Corporation meeting last week.
    a) Taking place at
    b) Taken after
    c) Being taken up
    d) Taken up at
    e) No correction required
    
11. As the maestro lifted his baton the theatre was so still you could hear _____.
    a) His heartbeat
    b) A pin drop
    c) Bird wings
    d) Drum beating
    e) No correction required
    
12. I don't agree with you, but your idea certainly gives me food _____.
    a) For fun
    b) For consideration
    c) For thought
    d) For thinking
    e) No correction required
    
13. Look, I will pay you back. Would you please call the _____.
    a) Hunters off
    b) Tigers off
    c) Dogs off
    d) Apes off
    e) No correction required
    
14. Just a moment... I've got the answer on the _____ of my tongue.
    a) Top
    b) back
    c) Tip
    d) Front
    e) No correction required
    
15. I'm afraid Chess isn't my cup of _____.
    a) Tea
    b) Coffee
    c) Wine
    d) Java
    e) Milk
    
16. I think I understand the nuts and _____ of the operation.
    a) Screws
    b) Hammer
    c) Nails
    d) Bolts
    e) No correction required
    
17. Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I guess I really put my_____ in my mouth.
    a) Foot
    b) Hand
    c) Elbow
    d) Knee
    e) No correction required
    
18. I'll be back in the twinkling of _____.
    a) An eye
    b) A Lighting bolt
    c) A smile
    d) A laugh
    e) No correction required
    
19. He is plain, simple and sincere man. He will always call a spade a spade.
    a) Find meaning or purpose in your action
    b)Avoid controversial situations
    c) Be outspoken
    d) Resist from making controversial statement
    e) No correction required
    
20. He has rejoined after a week and looks run down.
    a) Cheerful and bubbly
    b) Weak and tired
    c) Active and energetic
    d) Busy and preoccupied
    e) No correction required
    
21. To hit the nail on the head
    a) To do the right thing
    b) To destroy one's reputation
    c) Announce one's fixed views
    d) To teach someone a lesson
    e) None of these
    
22. All these promises these politicians make are just _____ in the sky.
    a) Pie
    b) Ocean
    c) Music
    d) Rags
    e) No correction required
    
23. The small amount of money donated is just a _____ in the ocean compared to the large sum of money needed.
    a) Spot
    b) Drop
    c) Speck
    d) Sea
    e) None of the above
    
24. They had had a dispute yesterday. That's why she gave him the cold _____.
    a) Arm
    b) Hand
    c) Shoulder
    d) Music
    e) None of the above
    
25. He has been successful in his life. He went from _____ to riches.
    a) Rags
    b) Shoulder
    c) Colours
    d) Poor
    e) None of the above
    

Answers:
1) a 2) a 3) c 4) b 5) d 6) d 7) d 8) b 9) c 10) d 11) b 12) c 13) c 14) c 15) a 16) d 17) a 18) a 19) c 20) b 21) a 22) a 23) b 24) c 25) a