Idiom Explanation + Example

1) Don't give up the day job.

You are not very good at that. You
could definitely not do it
professionally.
"I really like the way you sing, but
don't give up your day job.
2) Cash cow.
An easy way to earn money
regularly.
"Income tax is a real cash cow for
the government."
3)
Bite off more than you can
chew.
Trying to do something that is too
difficult or time consuming to finish.
"I'm glad you want to prepare the
report by yourself. Just be sure that
you don't bite off more than you can
chew."
4) Clear the air
Discuss something that was causing
people to feel upset.
"There seems to have been a
misunderstanding. I'd like to explain
what happened, just to clear the air."
5) Turn your back on
Give up on, or abandon.
"I needed your help but you just
turned your back on me"
6) Not cut out for
Not suitable for something.
"He tried mountain climbing, but he
simply was not cut out for it."
7)
Scrape the bottom of the
barrel
The very last, or the very worst.
"These are the last volunteers we
could find. We really had to scrape
the bottom of the barrel to find
them."
8) A class act
Sophisticated, above average.
"He offered to help, even though he
doesn't know me. He's a real class
act."
9) Clean up your act Improve your behavior.
"If you are ever going to improve
your English skills, you must start
getting in to class on time and doing
your homework. Why don't you clean
up your act?"
10) Get your act together
Get more organized.
"You have been late for work every
day this week. If you want to keep
this job, you must get your act
together."
11) A piece of the action
Participation in an activity.
"I heard that you are looking for
partners in your new investment. If
you don't mind, I would like to get in
on a piece of the action."
12)
Actions speak louder than
words.
People's intentions can be judged
better by what they do than what
they say.
"Why don't you give her a hug
instead of saying you are sorry,
actions speak louder than words."
13) In the air
Being discussed, generally obvious.
"The days are getting longer and the
flowers are blooming. Spring is in the
air."
14) Go ape
Go crazy.
"Jack was really angry. I thought he
was going to go ape."
15) A grey area
Something that is difficult to define.
"I researched your case, but there
are not any black and white answers.
Your situation seems to fall into a
grey area."
16) Up in arms
Angry.
"The crows was agitated. Everyone
was up in arms over the government
decision."
17) Be glad to see the back of
Be happy when a person leaves.
"That guy bothers me, I'll be glad to
see the back of him."
18) Give him/her credit
Acknowledge an achievement or
contribution of a person.
"Although he is not easy to work for,
you have to give him credit for
managing the company well."
19) Go behind someone's back
Do something without telling
someone.
"Don't trust Jane. She acts friendly
but she's always going behind
someone's back."
20) Each to his own
Everyone is entitled to his own
individual opinion.
"I can't say that I like George's new
furniture. It seems very plain and
uncomfortable. Oh well, each to his
own."
21) Eager beaver
Enthusiastic person.
"John did all of his homework before
supper. He sure is an eager beaver."
22) Early bird
A person who is early, or gets up
early.
"Dave was in class 30 minutes before
anyone else. What an early bird."
23) Scratch the surface
Examine only a part of something.
Uncover only a few facts about
something
"Cancer research is a very long-term
process. So far, we have just begun
to scratch the surface."
24) Give him the slip
Leave him. Hide from him.
"I think that man is following us.
Let's give him the slip."
25) Cold shoulder
To treat someone in an unfriendly
manner.
"I don't think Jim likes me. I tried to
speak with him but he gave me the
cold shoulder."
26) Get the ball rolling
Start something.
"All right everyone, we spent a lot of
time planning this project. Now, it's
time to get the ball rolling."
27) Jump on the bandwagon
Join a popular trend or activity.
"I like that new procedure and I've
decided to jump on the bandwagon."
28) A losing battle
Something that cannot be
accomplished.
"I've tried fixing this phone many
times, I just can't do it by myself. It's
a losing battle."
29) Keep something at bay
Keep something away.
"Sarah found it difficult to keep the
salesperson at bay."
30) Spill the beans
Tell a secret.
"I won't be the one to spill the
beans."
31) Beggars can't be choosers
People cannot complain about
something they get for free.
"I don't like the color of the sweater
she gave me, but beggars can't be
choosers."
32) Flesh and blood
A relative.
"I must help him. After all, he's my
own flesh and blood."
33)
Give the benefit of the
doubt
Believe someone's statement,
without proof.
"The teacher's explanation did not
seem logical, but I gave her the
benefit of the doubt."
34) A safe bet
Probably true. Will probably happen.
"It's a safe bet that your English
skills improve quickly if you study at
Elanguest."
35) Fit the bill
Seems correct.
"That seems to fit the bill. I'll take it."
36) Black and blue
Bruised.
"He was beaten until he was black
and blue."
37) In cold blood
With no compassion or mercy.
Usually associated with ruthless
murder.
"The assassin was evil. He killed him
in cold blood."
38) Out of the blue
Unexpected.
"A great idea just came to me out of
the blue."
39) Call someone's bluff
Make someone prove what they say.
"He implied that he would terminate
my contract, but I called his bluff."
40) Rock the boat
Create problems for other people.
Everyone likes Anthony. He doesn't
rock the boat."
41) By the book
Doing something according to rules.
"He's a good cop. He does everything
by the book."
42) Give someone the boot
Dismiss or get rid of someone.
"Mr. Smith is an easy boss to work
for. He doesn't like to give someone
the boot."
43) Get to the bottom of
Learn about and understand fully.
"We are not sure what happened, but
we intend to get to the bottom of
this."
44) Out of bounds
Not permitted.
"Hans wanted to ask Mary out on a
date, but I explained that she is out
of bounds. Mary is engaged to Jack."
45) Bread and butter
Regular income.
"We are very dependent on our
advertising revenue. It's our bread
and butter."
46)
The best thing since sliced
bread
A good invention or innovation.
"I love this paper folding machine.
It's the best thing since sliced bread."
47) Give me a break
Don't expect me to believe or agree
with that.
"You think the teacher is joking? Give
me a break."
48) Don't hold your breath
Don't wait too long because it might
not happen.
"Yes, it's possible that they will lower
taxes, but don't hold your breath."
49)
Cross that bridge when you
come to it
Deal with a problem if and when it
becomes necessary, not before.
"I'm not too wirried about a possible
downturn in the economy. Anyway,
let's cross that bridge when we come
to it."
50) The bubble has burst
A previously positive situation has
encountered a serious problem.
"Last year, the stock market was
doing very well. Unfortunately, it
seems that the bubble has burst."
51) The buck stops here
Problems are resloved here.
"A lot of people try to pass problems
to other people. At my desk,
however, the buck stops here."
52) Burn your bridges
make it impossible to return.
"Be polite when you hand in your
resignation. After all, you don't want
to burn your bridges."
53) My ears are burning
I think someone is saying something
about me.
"Pierre is talking again. My ears are
burning."
54) Put on the back burner Leave it for later.
"I don't think we'll have time to
complete it this year. Let's put it on
the back burner."
55) Someone means business
Someone is serious
"Watch out for Harry. He's someone
who means business."
56) At the touch of a button
Quickly and easily.
"No problem. I can change your
account information at the touch a
button."
57) Have your cake and eat it
Enjoy something without paying for
it.
"He expected to pass without
studying. Unfortunately, you cannot
have your cake and eat it, too."
58) A close call
Something (usually bad) almost
happening.
"That car almost hit us. That was a
close call."
59) Enough is enough
This should stop.
"I have listened to his complaints for
years but enough is enough."
60) A fat cat
A wealthy person.
"He has everything he needs. He's a
real fat cat."
61) My two cents worth
My humble opinion.
"He seems like a corrupt politician.
That's just my two cent's worth."
62) Hang out
Be together, spend time with each
other.
"Hey Lauren, let's get together
tonight, we can just hang out and
practice our English."
63) A change of heart
A changed opinion.
"At one time, I supported George
Bush. As time went on, however, I
had a change of heart."
64)
Get something off your
chest
Explain something that is bothering
you.
"Gary, you don't seem happy. Is
there something you would like to
get off your chest?"
65)
Don't count your chickens
before the eggs have
hatched
Don't make plans for something that
might not happen.
"Yes, I think we will probably get a
raise in pay this year. Remember,
though, don't count your chickens
before the eggs have hatched."
66) A chip on his shoulder
He is angry about something.
"I don't know why he's so unhappy.
He seems to have a chip on his
shoulder."
67) Come full circle
A process has been completed.
"The salmon has returned to the
place where it originally hatched. Its
life cycle has come full circle."
68) Squeaky clean
Legitimate and proper.
"We checked all of her references.
She's squeaky clean."
69) In the clear
Out of trouble.
"His innocence has been proven. He's
in the clear."
70) Steer clear of
Avoid.
"She's not very nice. I think we
should steer clear of her."
71) Round the clock
All day.
"She's a very hard worker. She
usually works around the clock."
72) Turn back the clock
Go back in time.
"I feel old. I wish I could turn back
the clock."
73) Like clockwork
With mechanical efficiency.
"He's very predictable. He always
eats at the same time, like
clockwork."
74)
Wake up and smell the
coffee
Think more realistically.
"He doesn not respect you as much
as you think. Wake up and smell the
coffee."
75) The other side of the coin
Another version of a story or event.
"The global summit will encourage
meaningfull dialogue. On the other
side of the coin, it might result in
violent protests."
76) Left out in the cold
Left unaided or unprotected.
"They don't include me in their
group. I feel left out in the cold."
77) With flying colors
With enthusiasm and exuberance.
"I can't wait to see you all. I'll be
there with flying colors."
78) Scrape by
Have just enough but not more.
"Our budget is not satisfactory but
we will find a way to scrape by."
79) A tough cookie
A stubborn, strong person.
"Don't get Shirley upset. She's a
tough cookie."
80) Keep your cool
Don't become upset.
"Relax, keep your cool."
81) Lose your cool
Become upset.
"Don't get upset. If you lose your
cool, it will make matters worse."
82) In a tight corner
Without any good options.
"Milo has run out of options. If he
takes any more chance, he might find
himself in a tight corner."
83) A couch potato
A lazy person.
"Luis just watches tv all day. He
really is a couch potato."
84) Takes its course
A situation develops naturally.
"There is nothing we can do to
relieve the effects of her disease. We
can only wait and let the illness take
its course."
85) Up the creek
In trouble.
"I warned Bill but he would not listen.
Now, he's up the creek."
86) Crocodile tears
Exaggerated or faked sympathy.
"She told me she was sorry but she
was not, it was just crocodile tears."
87)
When it comes to the
crunch
When there are no more possibilities.
"Victor seems to have a casual point
of view. When it comes to the
crunch, though, he is a real
professional."
88) A far cry from
Very different from.
"His personality is a far cry from his
father's."
89) Off-the-cuff
Without research, planning, or
considering.
"I haven't had the time to think
about it. My off-the-cuff impression,
however, is that it is a good idea."
90) Can't cut it
Cannot do it.
"Kim shouldn't be working here. She
just can't cut it."
91) In the dark
Ignorant.
"They didn't tell me anything. I felt
like they had left me in the dark."
92) A shot in the dark
A guess.
"I'm not sure but I could take a shot
in the dark."
93) Call it a day
Stop.
"I'm tired. Let's call it a day."
94) Late in the day
(Almost) too late.
"The government just decided to buy
new helicopters, but it seems a little
late in the day to make such a
decision."
95) In broad daylight
Without trying to hide it.
"They robbed the bank in broad
daylight."
96) Makes someone's day
Make someone happy.
"Your letter made my day!"
97) Wouldn't be caught dead
Would never.
"I hate that dress. I wouldn't be
caught dead wearing it."
98) Get a raw deal
Receives less than what is deserved.
"Be sure to read the contract
carefully before you sign it. You don't
want to get a raw deal."
99) Runs deep
Entrenched, or ingrained.
"He loves his country. Patriotism runs
deep in his veins."
100) Out of your depth
Beyond your existing knowledge or
ability.
"You don't seem to have much
experience in this subject. Are you
sure you're not out of your depth?"

Let's begin:
1. Acid Test:
Meaning - Acid test proves the
effectiveness of something.

Example - I practiced hard at the dance sessions but the acid test will come
when the master will assess our solo performances.
2. Cut the ground from under feet :
Meaning - When you cut the ground from under someone's feet, you do
something which weakens their position.
Example - When team India hit more than 350 runs in the ODI, they cut
the ground from under the opponent's feet.
3. Chase your tail:
Meaning - Spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but
actually achieving too little.
Example - He's been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report
is still not ready
4. Whole bag of tricks -
Meaning - Means trying all the clever means to achieve something.
Example - It was really difficult to find the information even after applying
the whole bag of tricks.
5. Deliver the goods -
Meaning - Do what is expected or promised.
Example - I have given my car to a new mechanic for repair, hope he
delivers the goods.
6. Fine-tooth comb -
Meaning - Examining something carefully to not miss out any details.
Example - The boss examined my report with a fine tooth comb before
submitting it to the senior management.
7. Explore all avenues
Meaning - Trying out every possibility to get a result.
Example - It is a difficult thing to do but if we really want it done, we must
explore all avenues.
8. Fast track something -
Meaning - Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the
desired result.
Example - In view of the seriousness of the crime, the civil society is
pressing up on a fast track decision from the court.
9 . Get ducks in a row -
Meaning - Getting your things well organized.
Example - To ensure a successful product launch, we must get our ducks in
a row.
10. Get the show on the road -
Meaning - Putting up a plan or idea into action.
Example - Now that we have compeleted all the legal formalities, let's get
the show on the road.
11. Keep your fingers on the pulse -
Meaning - Being constantly aware of the most recent developments.
Example - An entrepreneur must keep his fingers on the pulse of the
market to be successful.
12. Mean business -
Meaning - Being serious about what you announce.
Example - Now that all our policies about work are put up on intranet, we
mean business.
13. Think on your feet -
Meaning - Adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions.
Example - A good sales man must be able to think on his feet to close the
deal.
14. Sail through something -
Meaning - Being successful in doing something without difficulty.
Example - The presentation at the national conference was extremely
important for the company. We sailed through it.
15. Tricks of the trade :
Meaning - Clever or expert way of doing something.
Example - Being into the construction business for last 10 years, I know all
tricks of the trade.
16. Not let grass grow under feet -
Meaning - Don't delay in getting something done.
Example - As soon as he finished all the registration formalities, he put the
house on sale. He doesn't let the grass grow under his feet.
17. Work like a charm -
Meaning - Works very well or has the desired effect.
Example - I had cloves from my sore throat and they worked like a charm.
18. Back-room boys -
Meaning - People who perform important work but have no contact with
the public.
Example - Our back room boys deserve an applause for the success of this
advertisement.
19. Dead wood -
Meaning - People or things which are no longer useful or necessary.
Example - The company bought in a lot of new computers. They no longer
want the dead woods.
20. Get the axe -
Meaning - lose the job.
Example - The projects team was undergoing a major restructuring,
recruitment executives were the first to get the axe.
21. Plum job -
Meaning - Desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively
easy .
Example - This looks like a plum job but it has its own bunch of
complications.
22. Shape up or ship out -
Meaning - This expression is used to warn someone that if they do not
improvetheir ways, they will have to leave their job.
Example - When Tom started neglecting the customers, he was told to
shape up or ship out.
23. Golden handshake -
Meaning - Big sum of money given to a person when they leave a company
or retire.
Example - The management of various PSUs wanted to cut down on the
man power. They offered a golden hand shake to many of their aged
employees.
24. Separate sheep from goats -
Meaning - Examining a group of people and deciding their suitability
Example - Audition test was conducted by the director to separate sheep
from goats.
25. Waiting in the wings -
Meaning - Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace
someone else in their job.
Example - The senior manager is going to retire in next 2 months. Two of
his juniors who are waiting in the wings will have a fierce competition.