Idioms-Nafees Ahmad

IDIOMS
1. Take over: assume responsibility for, or control of, in succession to somebody else
We stop work at ten o’clock, and the night shift takes over until the following
morning.
Miss Najma is leaving to get married, and Miss Shazma will take over the class.
The prime minister advised the new minister to take over the charge immediately
from the outgoing minister.
Akbar has taken over the running of the family business from his father.
Takeover
The consortium won a fierce takeover battle for the engineering group.
The political leadership attempted to prevent the takeover of the Republic by the
military
2. Can’t take somebody anywhere: used to say that you cannot trust somebody to
behave well in public
You haven’t spilled your coffee again! I can’t take you anywhere!
3. Take something as it comes / take somebody as they come: to accept

something/somebody without wishing it to be different or without thinking about it/them
very much in advance
She takes life as it comes. Therefore, she is leading a contented life.
4. Take it (that…): to suppose; to assume

I take it you won't be coming to the party.
5. Take it from me (that…): used to emphasize that what you are going to say is the truth
Take it from me - he'll be a millionaire before he's 30.
6. Take it/a lot out of somebody: to make somebody physically or mentally tired
Looking after small children really takes it out of you.
7. Take aback: to shock or surprise somebody very much

He was taken aback by her sudden question.
8. Take after: to look or behave like an older member of your family, especially your
mother or father
Why does your daughter not take after you at all?
9. Bring about: to make something happen; cause

What brought about the change in his attitude?
10. Bring it: to make a great effort and perform well

We'll show you how our team brings it in the final match.
11. Bring it on: used to express confidence about a challenge

We've trained hard and we're ready. Bring it on!
12. Fall back on/upon something: to go to somebody for support; to have something to
use when you are in difficulty
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By courtesy of NOA Publications
I have a little money in the bank to fall back on.
She fell back on her usual excuse of having no time.
13. Fall through: not be completed, or not happen

Our plans fell through because of lack of money.
14. Break somebody’s fall: to stop somebody from falling onto something hard
Luckily, a bush broke his fall.
We can break his fall by making him aware of his errors.
15. Pride comes/goes before a fall: if you have too high an opinion of yourself or your
abilities, something will happen to make you look stupid
16. Take the fall (for somebody/something): to accept responsibility or punishment for
something that you did not do, or did not do alone
He took the fall for his boss and resigned.
Who will take the fall for the scandal?
17. Be / fall prey to something: to be killed and eaten by another animal or bird; to be
harmed or affected by something bad
Many small birds and rodents fall prey to the domestic cat.
Since the attack, she had fallen prey to irrational fears.
She knew she must not fall prey to his charm.
The new government has fallen prey to corruption and fraud.
18. In earnest / on right earnest: more seriously and with more force or effort than before
The work on the house will begin in earnest on Monday.
I could tell she spoke in earnest.
Authorities should take up the sensitive matter of up-gradation on right earnest.
19. Vested interest: an interest in or connection with some enterprise that involves personal
gain
They have a vested interest in keeping the club as exclusive as possible.
She thinks that lawyers have a vested interest in making the legal process move
slowly.
Protectionism often simply supports narrow vested interests.
20. Conflict of interest(s): a situation in which somebody has two jobs, aims, roles, etc.
and cannot treat both of them equally and fairly at the same time
There was a conflict of interest between his business dealings and his political
activities.
One member of the planning committee had a conflict of interest as he lived near
the proposed road.
There is often a conflict of interests between farmers and conservationists.
21. Have somebody’s interests at heart: to want somebody to be happy and successful
even though your actions may not show this
Although he was sometimes too strict with his children, he had their best interests at
heart.
22. In the interest(s) of something: in order to help or achieve something

New work practices were introduced in the interests of efficiency.
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23. A blow-by-blow account, description, etc. (of something): a description of an event
that gives you all the details in the order in which they happen
He insisted on giving us a blow-by-blow account of what had happened.
24. By/from all accounts: according to what other people say

I've never been there, but it's a lovely place, by all accounts.
25. By your own account: according to what you say yourself

By his own account he had an unhappy childhood.
26. Call somebody to account (for/over something): to make somebody explain a

mistake, etc. because they are responsible for it
27. Give a good account of yourself: to do something or perform well, especially in a

contest
The team gave a good account of themselves in the match.
28. Of no/little account: not important

Emotional matters were of no account to them during the war.
29. On account: if you buy something or pay on account, you pay nothing or only a small
amount immediately and the rest later
Call a cab on account.
Ring for a cab on account.
She bought the furniture she wanted on account.
30. On somebody’s account: because of what you think somebody wants

Please don't change your plans on my account.
31. On account of somebody / something: because of somebody / something

She retired early on account of ill health.
The marsh is an area of great scientific interest on account of its wild flowers.
32. On no account/not on any account: (used to emphasize something) not for any
reason
On no account should the house be left unlocked.
33. On this/that account: because of the particular thing that has been mentioned
Weather conditions were poor, but he did not delay his departure on that account.
34. Put/turn something to good account: to use something in a good or helpful way
He turned his artistic talents to good account by becoming a sculptor.
35. Settle a score/accounts (with somebody) / settle an old score: to hurt or punish
somebody who has harmed or cheated you in the past
‘Who would do such a thing?’ ‘Maybe someone with an old score to settle.’
36. Take account of something/take something into account: to consider particular

facts, circumstances, etc. when making a decision about something
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The company takes account of environmental issues wherever possible.
Coursework is taken into account as well as exam results.
37. Account for something: to be the explanation or cause of something; explain

The differences in achievement between the pupils are partly accounted for by
differences in age.
38. Beat about the bush / Beat around the bush: to talk about something for a long time
without coming to the main point
Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want.
39. Beat the air / wind: make useless effort

Your hard work will not produce any result because you are beating the air. Please
first understand the problem, then work hard.
40. Beat your brains out: to think very hard about something for a long time
I’ve been beating my brains out all weekend to get this script written.
41. Beat your breast: to show that you feel sorry about something that you have done,
especially in public and in an exaggerated way
The politicians of the third world countries never beat their breasts for their corrupt
practices.
42. Beat the clock: to finish a task, race, etc. before a particular time
The player beat the clock and set a new record.
43. Beat/knock the (living) daylights out of somebody: to hit somebody very hard several
times and hurt them very much
Get out or I’ll beat the living daylights out of you!
44. Beat a dead horse/flog a dead horse: to waste your effort by trying to do something
that is no longer possible
The effort to eradicate corruption in Pakistan is to beat a dead horse. Unfortunately,
corruption is increasing in Pakistan day by day.
45. Beat/bang the drum (for somebody/something): to speak with enthusiasm in support
of somebody/something
She’s really banging the drum for the new system.
46. Beat/kick/knock (the) hell out of somebody/something: to hit somebody/something

very hard
He was a dirty player and loved to kick hell out of the opposition.
47. Beat it: to go away immediately

This is private land, so beat it!
48. Beat a path to somebody’s door: if a lot of people beat a path to somebody’s door,
they are all interested in something that person has to sell, or can do or tell them
Top theatrical agents are beating a path to the teenager's door.
49. Beat a (hasty) retreat: to go away or back quickly, especially to avoid something
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unpleasant
I decided to beat a hasty retreat because I was not able to compete them.
50. Beat time (to something): to mark or follow the rhythm of music, by waving a
stick, tapping your foot (= hitting it against the floor), etc.
She beat time with her fingers.
51. Beat somebody black and blue: to hit somebody until they are covered with bruises (=
blue, brown or purple marks on the body)
He beat the opponent in the ring to win the fight.
52. Beat out: to put a fire out by beating; to remove something by hitting it with a hammer,
etc.
We beat the flames out.
They can beat out the dent in the car's wing.
53. To browbeat: discourage or frighten with threats or domineering manner,

intimidate
His boss usually browbeats the workers to make them efficient.
54. Foul play: unscrupulous dealings; murder or violent crime

At first the girl’s death looked like suicide, but later the police began to suspect foul
play.
The police have ruled out foul play in the case of his death.
55. Fair play: used to express approval when somebody has done something that you think
is right or reasonable
He handled it really well—fair play to him.
56. The state of play: the stage that has been reached in a process, etc. which has not yet
been completed
What is the current state of play in the peace talks?
57. Child’s play: to be very easy to do, so not even a child would find it difficult
58. Play hookey / play truant: to stay away from school/office without permission
Those students who played truant were marked as absent and issued warning.
59. Play (a game of) cat and mouse with somebody | play a cat-and-mouse game with
somebody: to play a cruel game with somebody in your power by changing your
behaviour very often, so that they become nervous and do not know what to expect
He thought the police were playing some game of cat and mouse and waiting to trap
him.
Young car thieves enjoy playing cat and mouse with the police.
60. To play fast and loose with: To behave irresponsibly or immorally

Every religion teaches not to play fast and loose with anyone.
61. Play an underhand game: to do something secret or dishonest

Wearing a mask of friendship, he played an underhand game with me.
62. Have money, time, etc. to play with: to have plenty of money, time, etc. for doing
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something
63. Play something down: to try to make something seem less important than it really is
64. Act of God: (law) an event caused by natural forces beyond human control
Religious leaders regard COVID-19 as an act of God.
65. Play God: to behave as if you control events or other people’s lives
It is unfair to ask doctors to play God and end someone's life.
66. God/God almighty/God in heaven/good God/my God/oh (dear) God: used to

emphasize what you are saying when you are surprised, shocked or annoyed
God, what a stupid thing to do!
67. God/Heaven forbid (that…): used to say that you hope that something will not happen
‘Maybe you'll end up as a lawyer, like me.’ ‘God forbid!’
68. God/Heaven help somebody: used to say that you are afraid somebody will be in
danger or that something bad will happen to them
God help us if this doesn't work.
69. God/goodness/Heaven knows: used to emphasize that you do not know something:
used to emphasize the truth of what you are saying
God knows what else they might find.
‘Where are they?’ ‘Goodness knows.’
She ought to pass the exam—goodness knows she's been working hard enough.
70. Heaven/God forfend (that): used to say that you are frightened of the idea of
something happening
Heaven forfend that students are encouraged to think!
71. Good Heavens / Heavens above: used to show that you are surprised or annoyed
Good heavens, what are you doing?
72. The heavens open: it begins to rain heavily

All at once the heavens opened and everyone rushed for cover.
73. In God’s/Heaven’s name / in the name of God / Heaven: used especially in questions
to show that you are angry, surprised or shocked
What in God's name was that noise?
Where in the name of Heaven have you been?
74. In seventh heaven: extremely happy

Now that he's been promoted he's in seventh heaven.
75. Made in heaven: (especially of a marriage or other relationship) seeming to be perfect

Everyone thought that theirs was a marriage made in heaven.
76. Move heaven and earth: to do everything you possibly can in order to achieve
something
I moved heaven and earth to get her as life partner, but she was making me a fool.
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77. To God/goodness/Heaven: used after a verb to emphasize a particular hope, wish, etc.
I wish to God you'd learn to pay attention!
78. All hell broke loose: suddenly there was a lot of noise, arguing, fighting, etc.
There was a loud bang and then all hell broke loose.
79. Beat/kick (the) hell out of somebody/something | knock hell out of

somebody/something: to hit somebody/something very hard
He was a dirty player and loved to kick hell out of the opposition.
80. Catch hell: to be punished or spoken to angrily about something
If your dad finds out, you'll really catch hell!
81. The devil/hell to pay: a lot of trouble

There'll be hell to pay when he finds out.
82. (just) For the hell of it: just for fun; for no real reason
They stole the car just for the hell of it.
83. From hell: used to describe a very unpleasant person or thing; the worst that you can
imagine
They are the neighbours from hell.
84. Get the hell out of : to leave a place very quickly

Let's get the hell out of here.
85. Give somebody hell: to make life unpleasant for somebody; to shout at or speak angrily
to somebody
He used to give his mother hell when he was a teenager.
My new shoes are giving me hell (= are hurting me).
Dad will give us hell when he sees that mess.
86. Go to hell in a handbasket / go to the dogs: to get into a very bad state
This firm's gone to hell in a handbasket since the new management took over.
87. Come hell or high water: despite any difficulties

I was determined to go, come hell or high water.
88. Hell’s teeth: used to express anger or surprise

Hell’s teeth, I promised I’d be back by two.
89. Like a bat out of hell: very fast

She was driving like a bat out of hell.
90. Not have a snowball’s chance in hell: to have no chance at all

There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that I'll wear that thing!
91. Play (merry) hell with something/somebody: to affect something/somebody badly

Driving on these rough roads has played hell with my tyres.
92. The road to hell is paved with good intentions: (saying) it is not enough to intend to
do good things; you must actually do them
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93. To hell and back: used to say that somebody has been through a difficult situation
We'd been to hell and back together and we were still good friends.
94. Keep open house: welcome visitors at any time without previous invitation
Jill and Brian keep open house. I am sure they would not mind letting you stay the
night when you are in London.
95. Bring the house down: to make everyone laugh or cheer, especially at a performance
in the theatre
Moin Akhtar was the actor who brought down the house by his hilarious
performances.
96. Eat somebody out of house and home: to eat a lot of somebody else’s food
How much longer is he staying? He’s eating us out of house and home.
97. Go all round the houses: to do something or ask a question in a very complicated way
instead of in a simple, direct way
You did go all round the houses, didn’t you? Why not get straight to the point?
98. Keep house: to cook, clean and do all the other jobs around the house
She kept house for her elderly parents.
99. Not a dry eye in the house:) used to say that everyone was very emotional about
something
There wasn't a dry eye in the house when they announced their engagement.
100. People (who live) in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones: (saying) you should not
criticize other people, because they will easily find ways of criticizing you
101. Put/set your (own) house in order: to organize your own business or improve your
own behaviour before you try to criticize somebody else
102. Lay/put your cards on the table: to tell somebody honestly what your plans, ideas, etc.
are
Please put your cards on the table for what you want to do.
103. On the cards / in the cards: likely to happen

The merger has been on the cards for some time now.
104. Play the… card: to mention a particular subject, idea or quality in order to gain an
advantage
He accused his opponent of playing the immigration card during the campaign.
105. Play your cards right: to deal successfully with a particular situation so that you
achieve some advantage or something that you want
If you play your cards right, the job could be yours when she leaves.
106. House of cards: structure or arrangement built on shaky foundations

Any organization is just like a house of cards if the policy makers are weak.
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107. As easy as anything/as pie/as ABC/as falling off a log: very easy or very easily
The whole procedure is as easy as ABC.
Fooling him was as easy as falling off a log.
108. Eat humble pie / eat crow: to say and show that you are sorry for a mistake that you
made
Some parents think that their kids are smarter than others but when the kids fail,
their parents eat the humble pie.
109. Have a finger in every pie: to be involved in a lot of different activities and have
influence over them, especially when other people think that this is annoying
His unwanted involvement irritated the boss who thought the former should not have
a finger in the pie.
110. A piece/slice/share of the pie: slice/share of the cake: a share of the available money
or benefits that you believe you have a right to
The company is demanding a larger slice of the corporate pie.
111. Pie in the sky: an event that somebody talks about that seems very unlikely to happen
This talk of moving to Australia is all just pie in the sky.
112. And all that (jazz, rubbish, stuff, etc.): and other similar things
I'm bored by history—dates and battles and all that stuff.
113. For all: despite; used to say that something is not important or of no interest or value to
you/somebody
For all its clarity of style, the book is not easy reading.
114. Not all that good, well, etc.: not particularly good, well, etc.
He doesn't sing all that well.
115. When all is said and done / After all is said and done: when all the facts, details,
aspects of a matter/ situation have been considered.
When all is said and done, I revealed the facts and enlightened everyone.
116. Be easier said than done: (saying) to be much more difficult to do than to talk about
‘Why don't you get yourself a job?’ ‘That's easier said than done.’
117. Enough said: used to say that you understand a situation and there is no need to say
any more
‘He's a politician, remember.’ ‘Enough said.’
118. Go without saying: to be very obvious or easy to predict

Of course I'll help you. That goes without saying.
119. I dare say / I daresay: used when you are saying that something is likely
I dare say you know about it already.
120. If you don’t mind me/my saying so…: used when you are going to criticize somebody
or say something that might upset them
That colour doesn't really suit you, if you don't mind my saying so.
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121. Not have a good word to say for somebody/something: to never say anything good
about somebody/something
Nobody had a good word to say about him.
122. Not say boo to a goose / not say boo to anyone: to be very shy or gentle
He's so nervous he wouldn't say boo to a goose.
123. Say a mouthful: to say something important

You said a mouthful there, buddy.
124. Suffice (it) to say (that)…: used to suggest that although you could say more, what you
do say will be enough to explain what you mean
I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete
disaster.
125. You can’t say fairer (than that): used to say that you think the offer you are making is
reasonable or generous
Look, I'll give you £100 for it. You can't say fairer than that.
126. Grind to a halt / come to a grinding halt: to go slower gradually and then stop
completely
Production ground to a halt during the strike.
Her career ground to a halt when the twins were born.
127. Have an axe to grind: to have private reasons for being involved in something or for
arguing for a particular cause
She had no axe to grind and was only acting out of concern for their safety.
These criticisms are commonly voiced by those who have some political axe to
grind.
Political axe to grind.
128. Take a leaf from/out of somebody’s book: to copy somebody’s behavior and do things
in the same way that they do, because they are successful
129. As it/things turned out: as was shown or proved by later events

I didn't need my umbrella, as it turned out (= because it didn't rain).
130. Turn over a new leaf: completely change one’s behaviour or views for the better;
improve oneself and start again.
Since he came out of prison, he has turned over a new leaf. He’s determined to lead
a better life.
131. Turn in his/her grave | roll (over) in his/her grave: likely to be very shocked or angry
My father would turn in his grave if he knew.
132. Turn round/around and do something: used to report what somebody says or does,
when this is surprising or annoying
How could she turn round and say that, after all I've done for her?
133. At every turn: everywhere or every time you try and do something
At every turn I met with disappointment.
Her ideas were blocked at every turn.
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134. Give somebody a turn: to frighten or shock somebody
You gave me quite a turn, creeping up on me like that!
135. A good turn: something that helps somebody

Well, that's my good turn for the day.
136. Not do a hand’s turn: (old-fashioned) to do no work

She hasn't done a hand's turn all week.
137. The turn of the century/year: the time when a new century/year starts
It was built at the turn of the century.
The team are unbeaten since the turn of the year.
138. A turn of phrase: a particular way of describing something

He is meticulous in his choice of words and turns of phrase.
139. A turn of the screw: an extra amount of pressure, cruelty, etc. added to a situation that
is already difficult to bear or understand
The new corruption scandal of the prime minister has proved a turn of the screw on
the government.
140. Turn turtle: to turn over completely

The boat turned turtle in deep water, and not one survived.
141. Turn the corner: to pass a very important point in an illness or a difficult situation and
begin to improve
The country's economy has finally turned the corner.
142. Burn your bridges/ burn your boats: to do something that makes it impossible to
return to the previous situation later
Think carefully before you resign—you don't want to burn your bridges.
143. Burn the candle at both ends: to become very tired by trying to do too many things and
going to bed late and getting up early
The Quaid-e-Azam burned the candles at both ends to get separate homeland for
the Muslims.
144. Burn your fingers | get your fingers burnt: to suffer as a result of doing something
without realizing the possible bad results, especially in business
He got his fingers badly burnt dabbling in the stock market.
145. Get one’s fingers burnt: suffer harm, especially financially, by being too rash, careless
or trusting
David is going into partnership with a man he hardly knows. If he's not careful, he's
likely to get his fingers burnt!
146. Burn the midnight oil: to study or work until late at night
Students have to burn midnight oil to secure good marks in the final exam.
147. Burn (something) to a cinder/crisp: to become completely burnt, especially because it

has been cooked for too long
By the time I got home, the cake was burnt to a cinder.
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148. Crash and burn: to go wrong or to fail badly and suddenly
His career crashed and burned after he threatened a journalist.
The stock markets are getting ready to crash and burn.
She continued to crash and burn through personal controversies that included
driving drunk.
149. Somebody’s ears are burning: a person thinks that other people are talking about
them, especially in an unkind way
‘I bumped into your ex-wife last night.’ ‘I thought I could feel my ears burning!’
150. Cannot hold a candle to somebody/something: is not as good as somebody or

something else
His singing can't hold a candle to Ali's.
151. The game is not worth the candle: the advantages to be gained from doing something
are not great enough, considering the effort or cost involved
If the price goes up again, he may decide that the game’s not worth the candle.
152. Leave somebody in the lurch: to fail to help somebody when they are relying on you
to do so
I’m sorry to leave you in the lurch, but I can’t do the presentation with you this
afternoon.
She felt she had been left in the lurch by all her colleagues.
153. In rags: wearing very old torn clothes

The children were dressed in rags.
I saw people dressed in rags begging on the street.
154. Lose your rag: to get angry

She lost her rag when she was criticized.
155. From rags to riches: from being extremely poor to being very rich
Hers was a classic tale of rags to riches.
156. A red rag to a bull / waving a red flag in front of a bull? Be like a red rag to a bull:
something that is likely to make somebody very angry
Corruption allegations on the prime minister proved a red rag to a bull, as he got
extremely angry on the allegations.
When you mention the word unions to Jack, it is like a red rag to a bull! He thinks
they are ruining the country’s economy.
157. A bull in a china shop: a person who is careless, or who moves or acts in a rough way,
in a place or situation where skill and care are needed
You’re not going to go storming in there like a bull in a china shop, are you?
158. Shoot the breeze/bull: to have a conversation in an informal way

We sat around in the bar, shooting the breeze.
159. Take the bull by the horns: to face a difficult or dangerous situation directly and with
courage
Nora decided to take the bull by the horns and organize things for herself.
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160. Be on your/its last legs: to be going to die or stop functioning very soon; to be very
weak or in bad condition
161. Not have a leg to stand on: to be in a position where you are unable to prove
something or explain why something is reasonable
Without written evidence, we don't have a leg to stand on.
162. Stretch your legs: to go for a short walk after sitting for some time
It was good to get out of the car and stretch our legs.
163. With your tail between your legs: feeling ashamed or unhappy because you have
been defeated or punished
164. To give a leg up: To help someone to be more successful

It must give you a leg up if you want to be a doctor and your parents are both in
profession.
165. Not a leg to stand on: to have no support

My lawyer said I didn't have a leg to stand on, so I shouldn't sue the company.
166. Stand tall: to show that you are proud and able to deal with anything
Suddenly he seemed to stand taller.
167. With all/both guns blazing: with a lot of energy and determination
The champions came out (with) all guns blazing.
168. Be going great guns: to be doing something quickly and successfully

Work is going great guns now.
169. Hold/put a gun to somebody’s head: to force somebody to do something that they do
not want to do, by making threats
The boss put a gun to his junior’s head to following his illegal orders.
170. Jump the gun: to do something too soon, before the right time
Please don’t jump the gun; wait for the right time to respond to the query.
171. Stick to your guns: to refuse to change your mind about something even when other
people are trying to persuade you that you are wrong
Pakistan tried to make peace, but India stuck to its guns.
172. Under the gun: experiencing a lot of pressure

I'm really under the gun today.
173. Hold thumbs: to hope that your plans will be successful or that something will take
place in the way that you want it to
Let's hold thumbs that you get the job.
174. A rule of thumb: a practical method of doing or measuring something, usually based on
past experience rather than on exact measurement
As a rule of thumb, you should cook a chicken for 20 minutes for each pound of
weight.
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175. Stand/stick out like a sore thumb: to be very easy to notice in an unpleasant way
The blue building stood out like a sore thumb among the whitewashed villas.
If you wear a suit to the party, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb.
176. Thumbs up/down: used to show that something has been accepted/rejected or that it
is/is not a success
Their proposals were given the thumbs down.
It looks like it's thumbs up for their latest album.
He made a thumbs-up sign through the window to tell us everything was fine.
177. Twiddle your thumbs: to move your thumbs around each other with your fingers joined
together; to do nothing while you are waiting for something to happen
We can't just sit here twiddling our thumbs and hoping everything will be all right.
178. Under somebody’s thumb: completely controlled by somebody

You can't keep your kids under your thumb all their lives.
She’s got him under her thumb.
179. The handwriting on the wall / writing on the wall / the writing is on the wall / see
the writing on the wall: indication which points to impending dangers, misfortune or
difficulty; a warning of bad things to come
It is amazing that not one of them saw the handwriting on the wall.
The steep drop in sales orders was recognized as the writing on the wall. The
firm immediately began to diversify.
180. In writing: in the form of a letter, document, etc. (that gives proof of something)
All telephone reservations must be confirmed in writing.
Could you put your complaint in writing?
You must get it in writing.
181. Be banging, etc. your head against a brick wall: to keep trying to do something that
will never be successful
Trying to reason with them was like banging my head against a brick wall.
182. Be bouncing off the walls: to be so full of energy or so excited that you cannot keep
still
The kids have been bouncing off the walls all day.
183. A fly on the wall: a person who watches others without being noticed
I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he tells her the news.
184. Go to the wall: to fail because of lack of money

Many firms have gone to the wall in this recession.
185. Have your back to the wall: to be in a difficult situation in which you are forced to do
something but are unable to make the choices that you would like
We had our backs to the wall with no choice but to sell.
186. Hit a/the wall: to reach a point when you cannot continue or make any more progress
We hit a wall and we weren't scoring.
What do you do when you hit the wall at work?
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187. Off the wall: unusual or slightly crazy
Some of his ideas are really off the wall.
188. These four walls: used when you are talking about keeping something secret
Don't let this go further than these four walls (= Don't tell anyone else who is not
in the room now).
189. Up the wall: crazy or angry
That noise is driving me up the wall.
I mustn't be late or Dad will go up the wall.
190. Walls have ears: used to warn people to be careful what they say because other people
may be listening
You should be careful of talking about your secrets, even wall have ears.
191. Sow the seeds of something: to start the process that leads to a particular situation or
result
In this way he sowed the seeds of his own success.
192. Sow (your) wild oats: (of young men) to go through a period of wild behaviour while
young, especially having a lot of romantic or sexual relationships
He wants to leave home, sow his wild oats and learn about life.
193. You reap what you sow: you have to deal with the bad effects or results of something
that you originally
He did not give attention to his studies and failed in the exam. It is rightly said that one
reaps what one sows.
194. Cook, dance, etc. up a storm: to do something with great energy and enthusiasm
Leonie was in the kitchen, cooking up a storm for her friends.
195. A storm in a teacup / a tempest in a teapot: a lot of anger or worry about something
that is not important
The papers are full of some incident that took place at the Russian Embassy -
probably just another storm in a teacup.
196. Take something/somebody by storm: to be extremely successful very quickly in a

particular place or among particular people
These ideas are taking my spirit by storm and I cannot resist them.
The play took London by storm.
197. In your cups: having drunk too much alcohol

He gets very maudlin when he's in his cups.
198. Not somebody’s cup of tea: not what somebody likes or is interested in
An evening at the opera isn't everyone's cup of tea.
He's nice enough but not really my cup of tea.
199. There’s many a slip ’twixt cup and lip: (saying) nothing is completely certain until it
really happens because things can easily go wrong
200. All hours: any time, especially a time that is not usual or suitable
He's started staying out till all hours (= until very late at night).
____________________________ 15
She thinks she can call me at all hours of the day and night.
201. At the eleventh hour: at the last possible moment; just in time
202. At an unearthly hour: very early, especially when this is annoying

The job involved getting up at some unearthly hour to catch the first train.
203. At an ungodly hour: very early or very late and therefore annoying
I apologize for calling you at this ungodly hour.
204. The evil hour/day: the time when you have to do something difficult or unpleasant
I’d better go and see the dentist—I can’t put off the evil hour any longer.
If you keep on borrowing, you are only postponing the evil day when you have to
pay it all back.
205. Keep late hours: to stay up or stay out until very late at night
If I didn't keep late hours, I wouldn't sleep so late in the morning.
206. Zero hour: the time when an important event, an attack, etc. is planned to start
The Military commander announced to get ready for the attack; it is zero hour for
him.
207. Kill time | kill an hour, a couple of hours, etc.: to spend time doing something that is
not important while you are waiting for something else to happen
We killed time playing cards.
208. The small/early hours / the wee small hours / the wee hours: the period of time very
early in the morning, soon after midnight
We worked well into the small hours.
The fighting began in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The party continued well into the early hours.
209. Blow hot and cold (about something): to change your opinion about something often
To start a business with him is inappropriate as he blows hot and cold all the
time.
210. A cold fish: a person who seems unfriendly and without strong emotions
He is a cold fish; don’t make friends with him.
211. Get/have cold feet: to suddenly become nervous about doing something that you had
planned to do
He was going to ask her but he got cold feet and said nothing.
212. Give somebody the cold shoulder: to treat somebody in a way that is not friendly
Don’t give your friends the cold shoulder.
213. Go hot and cold: to experience a sudden feeling of fear or worry

When the phone rang I just went hot and cold.
214. In cold blood: acting in a way that is deliberately cruel

He killed her in cold blood.
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215. In the cold light of day: when you have had time to think calmly about something; in
the morning when things are clearer
These things always look different in the cold light of day.
216. Leave somebody cold: to fail to affect or interest somebody

Most modern art leaves me cold.
217. Make somebody’s blood run cold: to make somebody very frightened or fill them with
horror
The sound of laughter in the empty house made my blood run cold.
Our blood ran cold at the thought of how easily we could have been killed.
218. Pour/throw cold water on something: to give reasons for not being in favour of
something; to criticize something
She immediately poured cold water on his plans to expand the business.
219. Be in/get into hot water: to be in or get into trouble

You’ll be in hot water when your father finds out what you've done to his car!
220. Blood is thicker than water: family relationships are stronger than any others
No one else but his brother helped him in the crisis. It is rightly said that blood is
thicker than water.
221. Blow somebody/something out of the water: to destroy somebody/something

completely; to show that somebody/something is not good by being very much better
than it
I like my old phone, but this new model blows it out of the water.
222. By water: using a boat or ship

They reached Naples by water.
Goods were often transported by water in the 19th century.
223. Clear blue water (between A and B): a complete difference or division between two
people or groups
Voters want to see clear blue water between the main parties.
They failed to put clear blue water between themselves and their competitors.
224. Dead in the water: a person or plan that is dead in the water has failed and has little
hope of succeeding in the future
His leadership campaign is dead in the water.
225. Dip a toe in/into something | dip a toe in/into the water: to start doing something very
carefully to see if it will be successful or not
We decided to dip a toe in the computer games market.
226. A fish out of water: a person who feels uncomfortable because he or she is in an
environment that is not familiar
227. Come hell or high water: despite any difficulties

I was determined to go, come hell or high water.
____________________________ 17
228. In deep water(s): in trouble or difficulty
The opposition parties in Pakistan are in deep waters because of corruption cases
against them.
229. Keep your head above water: to deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which
you have financial problems, and just manage to survive
I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to keep our heads above water.
230. Take to something like a duck to water: (to become used to something) very easily,
without any problems or fears
She has taken to teaching like a duck to water.
231. Like water: in large quantities

He spends money like water.
232. Not hold water: if an argument, an excuse, a theory, etc. does not hold water, you
cannot believe it
Most of the arguments put forward by our opponents simply do not hold water
233. Pour/throw cold water on something: to give reasons for not being in favour of
something; to criticize something
She immediately poured cold water on his plans to expand the business.
234. Pour oil on troubled water(s): to try to settle an argument

She was furious, so I tried to pour oil on troubled waters by pacifying her.
235. Tread water: to keep yourself in the same place in deep water by moving your arms and
legs; to make no progress while you are waiting for something to happen
I decided to tread water until a better job came along.
236. Like water off a duck’s back: used to say that something, especially criticism, has no
effect on somebody/something
I can't tell my son what to do; it's water off a duck's back with him.
237. You can lead/take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink: (saying) you can
give somebody the opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it if
they do not want to
S. No. Idioms
238. A bad lot: A bad and unpleasant person
His unpleasant manners make him a bad lot.
239. A bottleneck: A narrow section of road or a junction that slows down traffic flow
The construction work is causing bottlenecks in the city centre.
240. A blue collar worker: a manual industrial worker

The blue collar workers in manufacturing industries are underpaid.
241. A Don Juan: A legendary Spaniard proverbial for his seduction of women
____________________________ 18
S. No. Idioms
He is a Don Juan and always tries to seduce ladies.
242. A Freudian slip: Any action, such as a slip of the tongue, that may reveal an
unconscious thought
He meant to say “I’m glad you're here,” but what came out was a Freudian
slip: “I'm mad you're here.”
243. A hard core: Dedicated, committed

His hard core fans gathered around him to take autographs.
244. A man of letters: A learned man

John Milton is a man of letters and famous for his scholarly concerns
245. A pretty kettle of fish: An awkward state of affairs

You should organize your business; there is a pretty cattle of fish around.
246. A sit in: (of a group of people) occupy a place as a form of protest.
The factory workers are sitting in to press their demands.
247. Achilles’ heel: Chief weakness, deficiency

He is a sharp-minded person, but his indecisiveness is his Achilles’ heel.
248. Tooth and nail: To use a lot of effort to oppose someone or achieve something
The soldiers fought tooth and nail to restores their lost territory.
249. Under one’s nose: Directly in front of someone

Smugglers transport the illegal goods under boarder security forces’ nose.
250. Under petty coat government: Government by women, whether in politics or

domestic affairs
Old Greeks did not even think to be ruled under petticoat government; only
male could be the monarchs.
251. A blue eyed boy: A man who is liked and admired by someone in authority.
He is a blue eyed boy in the office as his boss likes him a lot.
252. A bolt from the blue: A sudden crisis or difficulty

Two years back dengue attack was a bolt from the blue, but now the danger
has alleviated.
253. A broken reed: A weak or ineffectual person.

The boss in this office seems to be a broken reed as no one pays heed to
him.
254. A brown study: Absent-mindedness, Absorbed in one's thoughts.

Lost in a brown study, she was oblivious to the noise.
____________________________ 19
S. No. Idioms
255. A drug on the market: Something that is on the market in great abundance.
Small computers are a drug on the market these days, but ten years back
they were rare.
256. A far cry: Very different from

India and Pakistan are a far cry, having different customs and traditions.
257. Against the grain: Opposite to the natural inclination or feeling of someone or
something
It goes against the grain to tell outright lies.
258. An Amazon: (1) A member of a legendary race of female warriors believed by

the ancient Greeks (2) A large, strong, & aggressive woman
His six feet tall bride was looking like an Amazon in her red dress.
259. Animal spirits: Natural liveliness

The children romped on the lawn, full of animal spirits.
260. At a stretch: At one time, during one period.

Working quickly, she hoped to finish all her assignment at a stretch.
261. At loggerheads: Disagree strongly about something

Previously, they were friends, but now they are at loggerheads.
262. Beer and skittles: All fun and pleasure; easy and pleasant
For Amjad, college was beer and skittles. He wasted there a lot of time and
money.
263. By dint of: By means of, by virtue of, on account of

He got success by dint of sheer hard work.
264. By fits and starts: Intermittently, sporadically, erratically, irregularly

His staggering business is not taking momentum gradually but by fits and
starts.
265. Hatches matches and dispatches: Used to refer to the births, marriages, and
deaths columns in a newspaper.
I am searching for the dead soldiers in the news paper column of hatches,
matches and dispatches to know about their births, marriages and deaths.
266. Hobson’s Choice: A situation in which it seems that you can choose between
different things or actions, but there is really only one thing that you can take or
do
It’s a case of Hobson’s choice, because if I don’t agree to their terms, I’ll lose
my job.
____________________________ 20
S. No. Idioms
267. In black and white: in writing or print
Don’t justify orally, I need your explanation in black and white.
268. Out of the wood: Out of danger

The heart attack was serious, but he is finally out of the woods.
269. Worth One’s Salt: Good or competent at the job or profession specified
Any doctor worth his salt can diagnose this disease.
270. Odds and ends: Miscellaneous articles or remnants

We bought batteries for the radio and a few other odds and ends.
271. Out and out: completely, absolute, thorough

Mother Teresa was out and out a humanitarian.
272. Out of sorts: In low spirits; irritable

The unpleasant events of the day put him out of sorts.
273. Sitting on the fence: to delay making a decision

You cannot sit on the fence any longer: you have to decide whose side you
are on.
274. The underdog: a person or group of people with less power, money, etc. than
the rest of the society
An underdog cannot win elections; only rich and influential people swallow it.
275. Tom, Dick and Harry: Used to refer to ordinary people in general
He did not want every Tom, Dick and Harry to know their secret.
276. The gift of the gab: Natural ability to talk entertaining

All good salesmen have the gift of the gab to persuade the customers.
277. A puffed pipe: Very old and useless

This poor old man is now a puffed pipe after his retirement.
278. A stalking horse: Something that is used to hide someone's real purpose
It is feared that the talks are just a stalking horse for a much wider deal
between the two parties.
279. A red-letter day: Very important day

Yom-e-Takbeer is a red letter day for Pakistan, as Pakistan became the first
Muslim atomic power on that day.
280. At one’s finger tips or ends: To be expert in/ ready at hand, immediately
available
All the important topics of history are on my fingertips, and you can ask
____________________________ 21
S. No. Idioms
anything.
281. At the end of one’s tether: Having no strength or patience left

After leaving the office, I am at end of my tether, so I lay down on my bed and
slept.
282. Bluestocking: Intellectual literary women

Banu Qudsiya is a bluestocking woman of Pakistan and appreciated in
literary circles.
283. Sword of Damocles / Damocles’ Sword: Something that is always present as a

danger or a threat
Terrorism has become a sword of Damocles for the peace and prosperity of
Pakistan.
284. A Turncoat: A politician who changes sides

A political turncoat is not respected in political circle as he changes loyalty
time to time.
285. Above Board: Without any trick, honourable

His part in the affair was quite open and above board.
286. Against Time: With a quickly approaching time limit

Ali worked against time to deliver the manuscript before the deadline.
287. All moonshine: Mere show, deceit

He talks much of his riches, but it is all moonshine.
288. At one’s beck and call: Ready to obey someone

She was confined to a wheelchair but had a private nurse at her beck and
call.
289. Hand in glove with: Very close to someone

The teachers and the principal should work hand in glove for the betterment
of the institution.
290. Head over heels: Mad in love

Romeo fell head over heels for Juliet, but they could not marry.
291. To be in doldrums: Unsuccessful or showing no activity or development

After Najma underwent a painful divorce, she was in the doldrums for quite a
while.
292. Be on the tenterhooks / be on pins and needles: Worried or nervous about

something that is going to happen
I've been on tenterhooks all week waiting for the results.
____________________________ 22
S. No. Idioms
293. To beggar description: To defy description; to be unable to be described

There are some scenes that beggar description, and the beautiful opening
ceremony of Olympic Games was one.
294. To blow one’s own trumpet/below one's own horn: To tell everyone proudly
about your achievements
Although he has a lot of qualities, he never blows his own trumpet.
295. Break the ice: To relieve shyness or reserve especially between strangers
He told few jokes in boring situation to break the ice.
296. Bring home: To make perfectly clear to make something more clearly
understood
The sensitive analysis of the history brings home that our ancestors scarified
a lot.
297. To call spade a spade: To speak plainly, to describe something as it really is

To call a spade a spade is usually difficult, but an honest man never gets
frightened to speak the truth.
298. To curry favour: To flatter someone to get his favour

The little lieutenant rushed forward, eager to curry favour with his superior.
299. To cast pearls before the swine: To waste something good on someone who
doesn't care about it.
To serve villager pasta is like casting pearls before the swine.
300. To come down on/upon: To criticize, To rebuke

We did not take the test, and our teacher came down upon us in anger.
301. To come off with colours: To be successful

He worked hard and came out with colours.
302. To die in a harness: Die before retirement or to die actively engaged in work or
duty
Soldiers like to die in a harness rather than having a natural death after
retirement.
303. To eat one’s word: To take back one's statement, to confess that one's
predictions were wrong
After telling the student that he was going to fail in the class, the professor ate
his words when the student got 100% marks in the final exam.
304. To face the music: To accept the unpleasant results of one's actions, to receive
punishment
____________________________ 23
S. No. Idioms
Marry broke the mirror and had to face the music when her father got angry.
305. To feather one’s nest: To look after one's own interests

A selfish person tries to feather his nest by making friends with rich people.
306. To give a wide berth: To keep for away from something

He believes that his neighbours give him a wide berth because he is black.
307. To go great lengths: To face a lot of trouble in order to achieve something

A poor man usually goes to great lengths to earn money.
308. To go on a spree: To visit; if you go on a spree, you go a little wild, indulging in

some activity in an unrestrained way
He is going out on a spree to enjoy the summer vacation.
309. To hold one’s own: Retain a position of strength in a challenging situation.

Nobody could hold his own in a boxing match against Muhammad Ali.
310. Keep a stiff upper lip: Act in a way that doesn’t show any emotions / don’t let
unpleasant things upset you
Although America has possessed a status of super power, she is fearsome
and keeps the stiff upper lip.
311. To laugh up one’s sleeve: To laugh secretly; to laugh quietly to oneself/to

secretly find something funny
They are very polite in your presence, yet you get the feeling they are
laughing up their sleeves.
312. Let the cat out of the bag/to spill the beans: Disclose a secret/ to reveal the
secret or a surprise unintentionally
My nervousness let the cat out of the bag, and everyone observed my
confusion.
313. Don’t / to look a gift horse in the mouth: To question the value of a gift / to be
ungrateful to someone who give you something
I know this prize does not match to your status, but don’t look a gift horse in
the mouth; it hurts.
314. To look daggers at: To give someone dirty look / to look angrily at some
When I let the cat out of the bag, I stiffed my upper lip after my father looked
daggers at me.
315. To mince matters: Polite disapproval, polite verbal disagreement

Not to mince matters, I may as well explain what I mean at once.
____________________________ 24
S. No. Idioms
316. To pay through the nose: To pay too much/more than usual
I know I pay through the nose for my dental work, but the dentist I see is
supposed to be the best, so I don't mind paying more than usual.
317. To play ducks and drakes: To misuse one’s wealth, to behave recklessly, to
waste
Ali played ducks and drakes with the financial system of company as the
company is in financial crises now.
318. To play the second fiddle: To support, minor role

Ali decided not to play the second fiddle and demanded the main role in the
company.
319. To pull a long face: To look sad, glum, disapproving

On a student’s irrelevant question in the class, the teacher pulled a long face
instead of giving him the answer.
320. To read between lines: To find a hidden meaning in something said or written
The report does not criticize the research directly, but you can read between
the lines that the review committee wasn't impressed.
321. To rest on one’s laurels: To be so satisfied with achievement

You did well in all your exams, but you can’t simply rest on your laurels;
improve to get more.
322. To rest on one’s oars: To relax after achieving a goal or doing a physically
strenuous activity
Once he became president, he was content to rest on his oars.
323. To ran rampant: To go unchecked or without control; to be wild or excessive

The mob ran rampant, and authorities seem helpless.
324. To split hairs: To quibble; to try to make petty distinctions

They don’t have any serious differences; they just split hairs
325. To steer clear of: To avoid something or someone because they are dangerous
or bad for you
They warned their children to steer clear of drugs.
326. To stick to one’s colours: To adhere to one’s party or opinions

In his political career, he always stuck to single party’s colours.
327. A man of his word: A man who tells the truth and keeps promises
He is always been a man of his word, so I trust him blindly.
____________________________ 25
S. No. Idioms
328. French leave: Leave secretly
The French leaves of the workers annoyed the boss a lot, and he circulated a
notice that no one can be absent without permission.
329. To take bull by the horns: To deal with a difficult situation in a very direct way
I took the bull by the horns and confronted him about his mistreatment with
the workers.
330. To take time by the forelock: Act quickly

To stop corruption, we should take time by the forelock; otherwise, it will be
too late.
331. To throw up the sponge/throw in the towel: To accept defeat/acknowledge

defeat
The enemy threw up the sponge when Pak army surrounded them from all
sides.
332. To tide over: To supply someone with something they need for a short period of
time
I asked my brother for ten thousand rupees to tide me over until I get a job.
333. Abide by: To act in accord with

If you make a promise, abide by it.
334. Within an ace of: Very close to doing something, about to happen
I came within an ace of getting into an accident, but I escaped.
335. To be green with envy: To be very unhappy because someone has something
that you want
Alia was green with envy to see the husband of her younger sister earning
much more than hers.
336. Yeoman’s service: Religious service, useful or efficient help

The people who know nothing about religion try give a yeoman’s service to
all.
337. Find one’s feet: To be confident, become adjusted; become established

In the beginning of his speech, he was diffident, but gradually he found his
feet.
338. To bury the hatchet: To make peace, end a quarrel or conflict and become
friendly
Pakistan and India should forget the bitter past and bury the hatchet.
339. To carry the day: To be successful; to win a competition, argument

____________________________ 26
S. No. Idioms
Our team played well and carried the day.
340. To cut the Gordian knot: Act quickly and decisively in a difficult situation; solve
a problem boldly
Our government should cut the Gordian knot on Kashmir issue, so that the
victims take a sigh of relief.
341. To cut to the quick: To injure someone emotionally, to upset someone by

criticizing them
I was cut to the quick by her harsh remarks.
342. To draw the long bow: To lie; to exaggerate.

News channels mostly try to draw the long bow over minor issues.
343. To eat out of someone’s hands/ have in the palm of hand: To do exactly as
someone says; to be manipulated or dominated
He eats out of his wife’s hands and seldom makes decisions on his own.
344. To eat one’s cake and have it too: To have or do two good things at the same
time that are impossible to have or do at the same time
He worked hard and earned a handsome money but at the cost of his health.
It is truly said that a person can’t eat his cake and have it too.
345. Fiddle about: Waste time doing silly things, or doing things unsuccessfully
We tried to fix the computer all day, but it seemed that we were fiddling
about.
346. To get in with: To be or become popular or friendly with someone

Get in with the public if you want to win the election.
347. A swan song: A farewell or final appearance, action, or work.

The project was the manger’s swan song as he retired afterwards.
348. To break a lance with: To engage in a competition, fight, confrontation

To maintain global peace, countries should not break a lance with their
neighbours.
349. To put out of countenance: humiliate

His bad result put his parents out of countenance before the relatives.
350. Move in for the kill: To prepare to defeat someone completely

In the final round, his opponent was already bleeding, so he moved in for the
kill.
351. To make a cat’s-paw: a person used by another as a tool; fool

He was merely a cat's paw of older and cleverer men.
____________________________ 27
S. No. Idioms
352. Make a clean breast of: To tell the truth about something
After months of lying, I decided to make a clean breast of it and tell the truth.
353. Make amends: To compensate, as for an injury, loss, or insult

I tried to make amends for the misunderstanding by sending her flowers.
354. Make eyes at: To flirt with someone

Ross makes eyes at girls by giving them toy hearts.
355. Meet someone halfway: To compromise with someone

They settled the argument by agreeing to meet each other halfway.
356. To ring the curtain down: To bring something to an end

The quarrel was furious, but I rang the curtain down by pacifying them.
357. To see eye to eye: To agree with someone

China and Pakistan see eye to eye on most of the matters.
358. To see how the wind blows: How a certain course or situation is likely to
develop
It looks like I might be considered for the job, but I am waiting to see which
way the wind blows.
359. To see with half an eye: Notice the obvious, tell at a glance
I could see with half an eye that he was sleeping through the entire concert.
360. To show a clean pair of heels: To run away quickly; to make an escape quickly;
to go faster than someone else in a race
Imran showed them all a clean pair of heels as he raced for the finishing line.
361. To monkey with someone/mess with someone or something: To touch,

change, or treat something in a careless or harmful way.
Don’t monkey with my camera; it is too expensive.
362. To make head against: To resist successfully/to oppose successfully

Although Pakistan is a sovereign state, it is unable to make head against
America’s instructions.
363. To nail a lie: To prove that something really is lie

The war of 1857 nailed a lie about East India Company that they did not
come for trading.
364. To pass the buck: To pass the blame (to someone else); to give the
____________________________ 28
S. No. Idioms
responsibility (to someone else)
In Pakistan, every ruler passes the buck to the previous government for the
problem of energy crisis.
365. To pay back in the same coin: To behave in the same manner/ to treat
somebody back in the bad way that they have treated you.
I decided to pay her back in her own coin and refused to help her.
366. To plough the sands: to do something that seems futile

Investing in infrastructure is ploughing the sands unless we invest in
education and health.
367. Pull the wool over someone’s eyes: To deceive or delude someone
Politicians cannot pull the wool over public’s eyes for a long time; reality
exposes.
368. A cock and Bull story: a story or explanation which is obviously not true
She told me some cock-and-bull story about her failure, and I didn’t believe it.
369. Tied to apron strings of: Wholly dependent on or controlled by a woman,

especially one’s mother or wife
At 25, he was still tied to his mother’s apron strings to fulfill his daily needs.
370. Point-Blank: Blunt, direct, straight foreword

The celebrity refused point-black that he will not give any autograph.
371. Dole out/on the hole: To distribute something to someone.

The cook doled the meal out to each camper who held out a bowl.
372. In the doldrums: Depressed; dull and listless

I had some bad news yesterday, which put me into the doldrums.
373. Be plain sailing: To be easy and without problems

The roads were busy as we drove out of town, but after that it was plain
sailing.
374. Grist to the mill: Useful experience, material, or knowledge

A doctor’s visit to the endemic stricken area can prove to be grist to the mill
as he get a lot of useful experience.
375. Send somebody to Coventry: To cut off with someone

The other workers sent him to Coventry for not supporting the strike.
376. Where the shoe pinches: Core of problem

Ultimately mechanic found where the show was pinched and replaced the
spark plug.
____________________________ 29
S. No. Idioms
377. By and by: With the passage of time

Ali recovered his loss by and by, and stabilized again.
378. From pillar to post: Aimless movement from one place to another, from one
problem to another
Several transfers of my father made our family pillar to post and also affected
my studies.
379. Below par: Below the original value, not at the same level of understanding
(matter), unaware of real situation
The jury was below par, so it kept the decision pending till consensus.
380. Call it a night: To go to sleep, to go to bed

After a long chat, Ali called it a night because he had to wake up early in the
morning.
381. Compassion fatigue: Inability to react sympathetically

The nurse suffered through compassion fatigue, looking after so many
patients in the hospital.
382. To hang fire: Delay, hold back

India and Pakistan are hanging fire for things to cool off between them and
then resume peace talks.
383. To pig out: Eat hungrily, to eat large amounts of food

The kids pigged out on the cake with their hands and faces coated with
cream.
384. To put the lid on / keep the lid on: Suppress, to control the level of something
to stop increasing.
We should keep the lid on our doubts to climb the ladder of success.
385. Besetting sin: A bad habit that often visits a person, a constant problem or fault
My besetting sin is a fondness for sweet which I cannot resist.
386. Loom large: To have great importance or influence

Rising tuition costs loom large in the minds of many parents.
387. Give someone the bum’s rush: Forcibly eject someone, abruptly dismiss
someone
The miserly directors gave me the bum's rush when I demanded increase in
my salary.
388. Winkle out: To use a lot of effort to get (information) from a person
____________________________ 30
S. No. Idioms
Though it was not easy to investigate, the officers winkled out the minute
detail.
389. Vamp up: To make something more attractive and exciting

The exotic fountains vamped up the beauty of the garden.
390. Take someone to the cleaners: Take someone's money or possessions in a

dishonest or unfair way
Ali had dishonest partners who took him to the cleaners and put his company
in financial crises.
391. Salt something away: To store something; to place something in reserve

I need to salt some money away for my retirement.
392. Out to lunch: Not giving your attention to what you are doing/ lacking good
mental judgment
You remain out to lunch when you study, which is the reason for your failure.
393. Throw someone for a loop/throw for a loop: To upset someone unexpectedly
and severely
The failure of his intelligent student threw the teacher for a loop.
394. On right earnest: Seriously, determined

Authorities should take up the sensitive matter of up-gradation on right
earnest.
395. Out of the woods: To no longer be in danger or difficultly

Pakistan will completely be out of the woods if we get rid of corruption
396. Hard and fast: Fixed and definite

I have some hard and fast rules in my company; no one is allowed to break
them.
397. Bag people: Street person / homeless person

Inflation is creating bag people who are extremely poor.
398. The tip of the iceberg: A small, noticeable part of a problem, the total size of
which I really much greater
These small local protests are just the tip of the ice berg as they can instigate
complete boycott.
399. Hang up: Usually refer to end a call / to quit something / end phone conversation
He started shouting during the phone call, so I hanged up.
400. Gloom and doom: Feeling or behaving in a manner of pessimism or despair

Political workers were all doom and gloom after the defeat of their candidate.
____________________________ 31
S. No. Idioms
401. Flavour of the month: Thing or person becomes popular but won't remain
popular for long time.
Pop music is flavour of the month, but its popularity will decrease soon.
402. Letter perfect: Used to describe event or text from memory as it is

Tanveer practiced his tenses at night, so that he would be a letter perfect in
the class.
403. Keep one’s nose to the grindstone: Work hard, or focus heavily on work
He kept his nose to the grindstone and dealt with work burden.
404. To discover a mare's nest: Something imagined being an extraordinary

discovery but proving to be a fantasy or a trick
His work on atomic physics looks promising, but later exposed that he
discovered a mare's nest.
405. A skeleton in the cupboard: A secret in past which can damage your reputation
if it get exposed
Her previous four marriages could be as a skeleton in the cupboard at her
work place as she pretended to be a bachelor.
406. A casting vote: decisive vote

The Chief Justice’ vote proved to be a casting vote as the judicial bench
came up with tie.
407. The acid test: A test which will really prove the value, quality, or truth of
something.
The acid test for the product will be whether people actually buy it.
408. Set one’s cap at: Pursue someone romantically

We all thought Anne had set her cap for Joe, but we were wrong as she did
not like him.
409. Give me five : Slap my hand! (As a greeting or to show joy, etc.)
“Give me five!” shouted Alan after he scored a goal.
410. Cheek by jowl: Side by side; close together

The two families lived cheek by jowl in one house.
411. All ears: Listening very carefully and eagerly

The lecture was so interesting that every student was all ears.
412. Down the drain: Wasted or lost

I'm scared I’m going to be out of a job, and my twelve years of experience will
be down the drain.
____________________________ 32
S. No. Idioms
413. Put your foot down: To assert something strongly

The boss put her foot down and refused to accept any more changes to the
plan.
414. Eager beaver: A person who is extremely zealous about performing duties and
volunteering for more
She is an eager beaver because she performs her duties zealously and
completes her task timely.
415. Ring the bell: To evoke a memory, especially a vague or partial recollection
His name rings a bell, but I can’t remember him.
416. Be left holding a baby: To suddenly have to deal with a difficult situation
because others have decided that they do not want the responsibility
When my business sank, my partner left me holding a baby and separated.
417. Over the moon: Extremely happy; delighted

He felt himself over the moon when he heard about his good result.
418. Murphy’s Law: A supposed belief if anything can go wrong; no one can escape
bad time
The bus is always late, but today when I was late, it came on time – that’s
Murphy’s Law!
419. Place in the sun: A good, lucky or favourable position

His place in the sun is because of his committed struggle.
420. Go bananas: To become very excited

The crowd went bananas when the concert began.
421. Beard the lion in his den: To confront someone powerful or dangerous on his or
her own territory
The journalist met the terrorists in their training centre which is like beard the
lion in his den.
422. Chicken out: To decide not to do something because you are too frightened
I was going to ride roller coaster bravely, but he chickened out.
423. Groan inwardly: Feel disappointed by something but remain silent

Women don’t mention their tortured life but groan inwardly.
424. Itching palm: Greed, avarice

The corrupt officers have itching palms; the more bribe they get, the more
____________________________ 33
S. No. Idioms
they want.
425. Wages of sin: The results or consequences of evildoing

Lungs cancer is the wages of sin for those who smoke.
426. Separate sheep from goats: Examining a group of people and deciding their
suitability
Audition test was conducted by the director to separate sheep from goats.
427. Waiting in the wings: Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace
someone else in their job
When the clerk made a mistake, the superintendent who was waiting in the
wings, dismissed him at once.
428. Dead wood: People or things which are no longer useful or necessary.
Nokia mobiles are dead wood as no one uses them.
429. To rob Peter to pay Paul: To solve one problem and create another
To kill terrorists is to rob Peter to pay Paul; we should eradicate the roots of
terrorism.
430. Playing to the gallery: To behave in a way intended to make people admire or
support you
Politicians these days are more interested in playing to the gallery than
exercising real influence on world events.
431. Holding out the olive branch: To end disagreement; to make peace
He held out an olive branch to the opposition by releasing political prisoners.
432. In a blue funk: Very frightened

The hunter was in blue funk when he was surrounded by lions.
433. Dead as doornail / dead as a dodo or herring: Dead; devoid of life

The bus trampled the little puppy that was lying dead as doornail.
434. To raise Cain: To make a lot of trouble; to make severe complaints

He said he would raise Cain if they would not pay his debt.
435. To strike one’s colours: To surrender; no longer to support or defend a course

of action
She was forced to strike her colours after I had defeated her in a friendly
argument.
436. Taken down at peg: To lower someone's inflated ego or self-image; to humiliate
He was sure about himself, but my arguments took him down at peg.
____________________________ 34
S. No. Idioms
437. To rise from the ranks / come up through the ranks: To achieve position or
office, having worked up from the masses
With continuous hard work, he rose from the ranks and became the
chairman.
438. To rub shoulders with: To meet or be with someone socially, to mix with
someone socially or associate with
He claims that he rubbed shoulders with poets but he had no poetic sense.
439. Pocket the affront: To submit to someone

The Kashmiris will never pocket the affront; they will fight for their freedom.
440. Thin end of the wedge: Something that is not important by itself but will have
serious, usually bad effects in the future
Smoking fantasizes in the beginning but proves thin end of the wedge
afterwards.
441. Flash in the pan: Something that happened only once or for a short time and
was not repeated
Pakistani cricket team’s victory in 1992 world cup was a flash in the pan as it
never won the championship again.
442. Chase your tail: To be busy doing a lot of things but achieving very little
When the investigation officer could get nothing after a lot of effort, he felt that
he was just chasing his tail.
443. Fine-tooth comb: Examining something very carefully

The boss examined my report with a fine tooth comb before submitting it to
the senior management.
444. Fast track something: Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve
the desired result
As far as Panama case is concerned, people want a fast track decision from
the court.
445. Get the show on the road: Putting up a plan or idea into action
Now that we have completed all the legal formalities, let us get the show on
the road.
446. Sail through something: Being successful in doing something without difficulty
It was expected that the exam will prove tough but he sailed through.
447. Back-room boys: People who perform important work but have no contact with
the public.
The speakers are praised, but no one values the back room boys who write
____________________________ 35
S. No. Idioms
the speeches.
448. Plum job: Desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy
This looks like a plum job but has many complications.
449. Golden handshake: Big sum of money given to a person when they leave a
company or retire.
The bosses wanted to reduce the man power, so they offered a golden hand
shake to many of their aged employees.
450. To cost an arm and a leg: Very expensive

Food these days costs an arm and a leg; a poor man cannot afford it.
451. To cut corners: To do something badly or cheaply

They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.
452. Bend over backwards: Try very hard

He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed
satisfied.
453. Bite off more than one can chew: Take responsibility for more than one can
manage
John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and
works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew.
454. Hit the hay: Go to bed

He was tired and it was 11 p.m., so he switched off the lights and hit the hay.
455. To get the ball rolling: To start something, especially something big
We need to get this project started, and I hope you will help me get the ball
rolling.
456. Up to the minute: The most recent information

This is an old information, but I need up to the minute news.
457. Rat race: An exhausting and repetitive routine, a hectic struggle for success
I am so tired of the rat race. I’d love to retire and move to the country.
458. Cash cow: A dependable source of income; a product or service that makes
money
Our company’s cash cow is the sales department, which makes enough
income to finance the developers.
____________________________ 36
S. No. Idioms
459. A month of Sundays: A very long period of time
It has been a month of Sundays since I last went to the theatre, and the
reason is my tough routine.
460. Call time: When you call time on something, you decide it is time to end it.
I think we should call time on this project because it is draining our resources,
exhausting our manpower, and isn’t making any progress.
461. Better late than never: It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
To build a dream house even after ones’ retirement is fine as it is better late
than never.
462. Crack of dawn: Very early in the morning

I wake up at the crack of dawn and go for a run every day.
463. Five O’clock Shadow: This is the term for the facial hair that a man gets if he
doesn’t shave for a day or two.
You can’t go for your interview with a five ‘o’clock shadow! Go and have a
shave!
464. A bad hat: A disrespected and immoral person; trouble maker

A few bad hats can contaminate the environment of a peaceful society.
465. To be on the carpet: To be in trouble with someone in authority

He is going to be on the carpet for his laziness because his boss wanted to
finish the task in time.
466. A gentleman at large: A person with no serious occupation

After the dismissal from his job, he is a gentleman at large these days and
has no occupation.
467. To bring to book: To punish someone or to make someone explain their

behavior publicly when they have done something wrong
If the politicians are found to be involved in illegal activities, they must be
brought to book to make the public aware.
468. Bang into: To bump loudly or squarely someone or something

The fast car banged into the shop and destroyed the facade.
469. As cool as cucumber: Very calm

During the argument, he remained as cool as cucumber and made the
settlement.
470. Count one's chickens (before they are hatched): Usually used in negative
statements to mean that someone should not depend on something
____________________________ 37
S. No. Idioms
To depend on wealthy friends is to count on one’s chickens; almost every one
departs in crisis.
471. Learn to live with: Accustom oneself to something that is painful, annoying or
unpleasant
The prisoners learnt to live with the tortuous conditions in the jail.
472. Iron out: To resolve a dispute; to solve a problem.

Pakistan and India should sit on dialogue table and iron out their issues.
473. To clip one’s wings: Restrain or reduce someone's freedom

Your father would clip her wings if he knew you had a secret mobile.
474. To cross the Rubicon: To make a decision that cannot be changed later
Find another job before you cross the Rubicon and resign from the present
one.
475. To fly in the face of: To be or act in a clear opposition to someone else
Suicide bombers fly in the face of morality.
476. To rise like a Phoenix from its ashes: Rebirth; renewal

Japan rose like a Phoenix from its ashes after the atomic attack.
477. The last ditch: Done in desperation, as a last option, as a last resort
He offered bribe as the last ditch as officer was not willing to do his work.
478. A square meal: A nutritious meal

A square meal and exercise will delay your old age.
479. A jaundiced eye: A biased view

A jaundiced eye triggers partiality and sectarianism.
480. Like two peas in a pod: Similar or alike

No one can distinguish between these twins; they are like peas in the pod.
481. Carry weight / carry authority or conviction: Exert influence, authority or

persuasion
Old norms don’t carry weight over the young generation.
482. Cleanse the Augean stable: Perform a large and unpleasant task
To eradicate corruption from our country is to cleanse the Augean stable.
483. Palm Off: To sell or dispose of (something) with intent to deceive

These days, mobile sellers palm off substandard China mobiles and earn a
lot of profit.
____________________________ 38
S. No. Idioms
484. Over head and ears: Completely trapped

Pakistan has debt over head and ears.
485. Play truant: To stay away from school or office without permission
To shirkers play truant from their offices and their work suffers.
486. Horse trading: Discussions to make agreements for mutual benefits

The political horse trading benefits the opportunists who sell their support and
services.
____________________________ 39

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IDIOMS

3. Take something as it comes / take somebody as they come: to accept

4. Take it (that…): to suppose; to assume

7. Take aback: to shock or surprise somebody very much

9. Bring about: to make something happen; cause

10. Bring it: to make a great effort and perform well

11. Bring it on: used to express confidence about a challenge

13. Fall through: not be completed, or not happen

22. In the interest(s) of something: in order to help or achieve something

24. By/from all accounts: according to what other people say

25. By your own account: according to what you say yourself

26. Call somebody to account (for/over something): to make somebody explain a

27. Give a good account of yourself: to do something or perform well, especially in a

28. Of no/little account: not important

30. On somebody’s account: because of what you think somebody wants

31. On account of somebody / something: because of somebody / something

36. Take account of something/take something into account: to consider particular

37. Account for something: to be the explanation or cause of something; explain

39. Beat the air / wind: make useless effort

46. Beat/kick/knock (the) hell out of somebody/something: to hit somebody/something

47. Beat it: to go away immediately

53. To browbeat: discourage or frighten with threats or domineering manner,

54. Foul play: unscrupulous dealings; murder or violent crime

60. To play fast and loose with: To behave irresponsibly or immorally

61. Play an underhand game: to do something secret or dishonest

66. God/God almighty/God in heaven/good God/my God/oh (dear) God: used to

72. The heavens open: it begins to rain heavily

74. In seventh heaven: extremely happy

75. Made in heaven: (especially of a marriage or other relationship) seeming to be perfect

79. Beat/kick (the) hell out of somebody/something | knock hell out of

81. The devil/hell to pay: a lot of trouble

84. Get the hell out of : to leave a place very quickly

87. Come hell or high water: despite any difficulties

88. Hell’s teeth: used to express anger or surprise

89. Like a bat out of hell: very fast

90. Not have a snowball’s chance in hell: to have no chance at all

91. Play (merry) hell with something/somebody: to affect something/somebody badly

103. On the cards / in the cards: likely to happen

106. House of cards: structure or arrangement built on shaky foundations

118. Go without saying: to be very obvious or easy to predict

123. Say a mouthful: to say something important

129. As it/things turned out: as was shown or proved by later events

135. A good turn: something that helps somebody

136. Not do a hand’s turn: (old-fashioned) to do no work

138. A turn of phrase: a particular way of describing something

140. Turn turtle: to turn over completely

147. Burn (something) to a cinder/crisp: to become completely burnt, especially because it

150. Cannot hold a candle to somebody/something: is not as good as somebody or

153. In rags: wearing very old torn clothes

154. Lose your rag: to get angry

158. Shoot the breeze/bull: to have a conversation in an informal way

164. To give a leg up: To help someone to be more successful

165. Not a leg to stand on: to have no support

168. Be going great guns: to be doing something quickly and successfully

172. Under the gun: experiencing a lot of pressure

178. Under somebody’s thumb: completely controlled by somebody

184. Go to the wall: to fail because of lack of money

196. Take something/somebody by storm: to be extremely successful very quickly in a

197. In your cups: having drunk too much alcohol

202. At an unearthly hour: very early, especially when this is annoying

213. Go hot and cold: to experience a sudden feeling of fear or worry

214. In cold blood: acting in a way that is deliberately cruel

216. Leave somebody cold: to fail to affect or interest somebody