IDIOMS & PHRASES

S.No. IDIOM & PHRASE Meaning

1 SWEEPING STATEMENT Thoughtless
statement
2 ALL AT SEA Puzzled

3 ENOUGH ROPE Enough

freedom for
action
4 BY FITS AND START Irregularly
5 FELL FOUL OF Got into trouble
with
6 TOKEN STRIKE Short strike
held as warning

7 FACE THE MUSIC Get

reprimanded
8 LOOK DOWN UPON Hate intensely
9 FLOGGING A DEAD HORSE Wasting time in
useless effort

### UNDER A CLOUD Under suspicion

### PLAYED HAVOC Caused

destruction
###NO LOVE LOST BETWEEN Not on good
terms
### FAIR AND SQUARE Honest

### A WHITE ELEPHANT Costly or

troublesome
possession
### OUT AND OUT Totally

### ON THE CUFF On credit

###DOES NOT HOLD WATER Cannot be
believed
### A WILD GOOSE CHASE Futile search
### IN A TIGHT CORNER In a difficult
situation
 ### GREEN THUMB To have a
natural interest
### GOING PLACES Talented and
successful
### IN COLD BLOOD A murder done
with intention
and planning
### OFF AND ON Occasionally

### HARD AND FAST Strict

### TOOK TO HEELS Run away in
fear
### TO KEEP UP To keep in
touch
###MAKE A CLEAN BREAST Confess without
reserve

IDIOMS & PHRASES

28 HEADS WILL ROLL Transfers will
take place

29 MAKE NO BONES ABOUT Do not have any

hesitation in

anything
30 TAKE AFTER Resembles

31 TO STAVE OFF Postpone

32 TO GIVE A PIECE OF MIND To reprimand
33 REST ON LAURELS To be
complacent
34 PAY THROUGH NOSE Pay an
extremely high
price
35 DRAW ON FANCY Use imagination

36 TURN AN HONEST LIVING Make an

legitimate living
37 GIVE THE GAME AWAY Give out the
secret
38 CHEEK BY JOWL Very near
39 GIVE IN Yield
40 RUN RIOT Act without
restraint
41 GO THROUGH FIRE AND Undergo any
WATER risk
42 TALKING THROUGH HAT Talking
nonsense
43 PUT UP WITH Tolerate

44 BY FITS AND STARTS Irregularly

45 READING BETWEEN THE Understanding
LINES the hidden
meaning
46 GET THE SACK Dismissed from

47 PROS AND CONS Considering all

the facts
48 BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS Very Quickly
49 IN THE GOOD BOOKS In favour with
boss
50 IN THE LONG RUN Ultimately
51 TO BE ALWAYS ONE’S At one’s
BECK AND CALL disposal (ready
to serve one’s
master)

52 TURN A DEAF EAR Disregard /

Ignore / Refuse
53 AT ONE’S WIT’S END Puzzled /
Confused /
Perplexed
54 TO FIGHT TOOTH AND To fight in a
determined way
for what you
want

NAIL
55 THE GREEN-EYED Used as a way
of talking about
 MONSTER jealousy

56 SET THE RECORD Give a correct

STRAIGHT account
57 GOOD SAMARITAN Helpful person

58 BAD BLOOD Angry feeling

59 TO GO TO THE WHOLE To do it
HOG completely
60 LAY OUT Spend

61 LAYING OFF Dismissal from

jobs
62 BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS At rapid pace
63 SPILLING THE BEANS Revealing the
information
indiscreetly
64 CARRY OUT Execute

65 WENT TO THE WINDS Dissipated/ To

be utterly lost
66 INS AND OUTS Full details
67 A WHITE ELEPHANT A costly but
useless
possession
68 FED UP Annoyed

69 IN THE GOOD BOOKS In favour with

70 SHARP PRACTICES Dishonest
means
71 IN HIGH SPIRITS Full of hope and
enthusiasm

72 SHAKE IN SHOES Tremble with

fear
73 FITS AND STARTS Not regularly
74 CLOSE SHAVE Narrow escape
75 TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF Salt To listen to
something with
considerable
doubt
76 HOBSON’S CHOICE No real choice
at all
77 TO EAT A HUMBLE PIE To apologize
78 TO GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE To give
encouragement
even to the
enemy
79 READING BETWEEN THE Looking for
meanings that
are not actually
expressed

LINES
80 AN OPEN BOOK One that hold
no secrets
81 AN AXE TO GRIND A private
interest to serve

82 TO BLOW ONE’S OWN Praise one’s

own abilities
and
achievements

TRUMPET
83 STAND-OFFISH Indifferent
84 SOWING WILD OATS Irresponsible
pleasure
seeking
in young age
85 BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS Rapidly
86 OF NO AVAIL Useless
87 A BOLT FROM THE BLUE Something
unexpected and

unpleasant
88 ON THE VERGE OF On the brink of
89 A SORE POINT Something
which hurts
90 RISE LIKE A PHOENIX FROM With a new
THE ASHES life/rebirth/reinc
arnation
91 TO KEEP UNDER WRAPS Secret
92 DIE IN HARNESS To die at one’s
work
93 FAIR- WEATHER FRIEND A friend that
deserts in
difficulties
94 EMERGE OUT OF THIN AIR Appear
Suddenly
95 CUT NO ICE Have no
influence
96 BRING TO LIGHT Introduce for
discussion
97 CANNOT HOLD A CANDLE Cannot be
TO compared to
98 BURN ONE’S BOAT Leave no means
of return

MAKE ONE’S FLESH CREEP Horrify

PROS AND CONS For and

against /
Analysis of all
the given facts
TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT To consider
BLOW OVER Pass off

RUN INTO Incurred / To

experience
### difficulties
BLUE-EYED BOYS
### Favorites
###
DROPPING NAMES Hinting at high
connections/ To
mention famous
people you
know or have
met in
### order to
impress others
###
A RED LETTER DAY An important
day
BONE TO PICK Cause of
### quarrel/ Bone of
contention
AT STONE’S THROW
### Very near
STRUCK A CHILL TO THE Arouse fear/to
HEART make somebody
afraid

END IN A FIASCO A total or utter

failure
FALL BACK To turn or move
back
TURN UP ONE’S NOSE AT To reject /
Despises
TURN ONE’S HEAD To feel proud in
a way that
other people
find it annoying

HIGH AND DRY Neglected / To

leave someone

helpless
TAKE FOR GRANTED To accept
readily / To pre-
suppose as
certainly true
MINCE MATTERS To confuse
issues/ to mix
facts
CURRYING FAVOUR WITH Ingratiating /
Trying too hard
to get please
somebody
SET ONE’S FACE AGAINST Oppose
strongly
STROM IN A TEA CUP Commotion
(angry/worry)
over a trivial
matter
PUTTING ONE’S FOOT Take a firm
stand /
Asserting one’s
DOWN authority
THE MAN IN THE STREET An ordinary
man (common
TO CATCH UP WITH To compete
with
FIGHT TO THE BITTER END To fight a losing
battle
THROW DOWN A GLOVE To accept
defeat
READ BETWEEN THE Understanding
the hidden
LINES meaning
LET THE CAT OUT OF THE To utter a secret
carelessly or by
mistake
BAG
TO HAVE TOO MANY IRON To get engage
IN THE FIRE in too many
enterprises at
the same time
FALL THROUGH To fail
CUT ONE OFF, WITHOUT Disinheriting /
To expel from
fraternal
A SHILLING property
TO SMELL A RAT To suspect a
trick
TURN A DEAF EAR Disobey
HAVE THE LAST LAUGH To be victorious
at the end of an
argument / To
succeed when
others thought
you

would not
RED LETTER DAY Happy and
significant day
(Gala day)
TO BLAZE A TRAIL To lead the way
as a pioneer

TO BEAT A RETREAT – To run away

in fear from a
dangerous or
unpleasant
situation
TO STEER CLEAR OF Avoid
TO GET ONE’S OWN BACK To get one’s
revenge
TO RUN ACROSS To meet by
chance
A DARK HORSE An unforeseen
competitor
PUT UP WITH Endure
GOT THE SACK Dismissed from
service
HERCULEAN TASK A work
requiring very
great
effort
BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS Rapidly
HELTER-SKELTER In disorderly
haste
GO TO THE WINDS Disappear
MAKE DUCKS AND DRAKES Squander
OF
ON THE LEVEL Honest and
sincere
DONE FOR Ruined
MAKE A CLEAN BREAST Confess
TO END IN SMOKE To come to
nothing, no
outcome
TO HAVE SOMETHING UP Having a secret
ONE’S SLEEVE plan or solution
TO TAKE TO ONE’S HEEL To run away
TO TURN A DEAF EAR To be
indifferent
AT SNAIL’S PACE To do things
very slowly
TO RUN ONE DOWN To disparage
someone
TO BLOW ONE’S OWN To praise
TRUMPET oneself
TO FACE THE MUSIC To bear the
consequences
TO TAKE SOMEONE TO To scold
TASK someone
AT ONE’S WIT Puzzled/Confus
ed/Perplexed
AT STAKE In danger/ that
can be lost or
won depending
on the success

of a particular
action
TO PLAY TO THE GALLERY To behave in an
exaggerated
way to attract
people’s
attention

READ BETWEEN THE Understand the

hidden
SITTING ON THE FENCE Hesitating
which side to
take
NO LOVE LOST BETWEEN Not on good
terms
A MAN IN THE STREET An ordinary
person /
Common
man
BLOOD RUNNING COLD Become very
frightened
PLAYING TO THE GALLERY Befooling the
common man
COME OUT OF ONE’S To appear
SHELL suddenly
TO HAVE NOT A LEG TO Unable to prove
or explain why
something is
reasonable
STAND ON
LAY DOWN ARMS To surrender
MAKING HAY WHILE THE Taking
advantage of a
favorable
SUN SHINES opportunity
BLOW ONE’S OWN To praise
TRUMPET oneself
BEAR WITH Support / To be
patient with
some body or
something
(especially
through
difficulties)
GIVE VENT TO To emphasize
or to express
TURN A DEAF EAR Pay no attention

BONE OF CONTENTION Matter of

dispute
STAND ON OWN FEET To be
independent
BY FITS AND STARTS Irregularly
OVER HEAD AND EARS Completely
TO CALL IT A DAY To conclude
proceedings
TO PUT UP WITH To tolerate
TO FACE THE MUSIC To bear the
consequences
YEOMAN’S SERVICE Social work
TO TAKE TO HEARTS Deeply affected
by something

TO SMELL A RAT To be
suspicious
TO MOVE HEAVEN AND To try
Earth everything
possible

TO TAKE SOMEONE FOR A To deceive

(cheat)
someone
RIDE
IN COLD BLOOD Intentional /
Excitedly
A DAMP SQUIB A disappointing
result

TO BITE THE DUST To be defeated

TO TAKE TO ONE’S HEEL To run away
TO BE ALL AT SEA Lost and
confused
COLD COMFORT Slight
satisfaction
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE An unexpected
and
unpleasant
event
TO FEATHER ONE’S NEST To make oneself
rich (in position
or in monetary

terms)
TO DIE IN HARNESS To die while in
service
TO SHOW A CLEAN PAIR To escape / Run
OF HEELS away
TO FLOG A DEAD HORSE To waste one’s
efforts
TO STRAIN EVERY NERVE To make utmost
efforts
A BOLT FORM THE BLUE Unexpected
problem
SAILING IN THE SAME BOAT Being in the
same difficult
situation
GIFT OF THE GAB Ability to speak
well
TO KEEP THE WOLF FROM Escape
THE DOOR starvation
SOFT OPTION Easy and
agreeable
option
 Sentence
One cannot make a sweeping statement for the country as a whole

1.     For the moment, we are all at sea.

We don't need to give him enough rope

The radio works by fits and starts.

 I don’t want to fall foul of the police.

They called a 24 hour token strike.

Success face the music, failure scared by taking consequence.

 We shall never look down upon manual labour.

They seem to be flogging a dead horse.

She was always under a cloud at the office.

The fog played havoc with flight schedules.

There's no love lost between them.

I try to be fair and square.

This radio is really a white elephant to me.

 The news report is out and out bollocks.

 He enjoyed his meal because it was on the cuff.

The argument does not hold water

Each shopping trip is a wild goose chase.

He found himself in a tight corner looking for a way to get out.

 She can help just about anyone grow a green thumb.

This company is clearly one that is going places.

He murdered her in cold blood.

She cried off and on all day.

You can't lay down hard and fast rules.

The little boy said hello and then took to his heels.

He had to run to keep up.

He made a clean breast of his crime to the police.

I rather think heads will roll.

He made no bones about his extreme left-wing views.

Your daughter doesn't take after you at all.

 I will do my best to stave off his participation.

She deserves to know, if only for her peace of mind.

They cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

Who pay through the nose?

I shall have to draw on my savings.

He's out there trying to make an honest living.

 I don't want to give the game away,"

they lived cheek by jowl in a one-room flat"

I always have to give in to him.

It's difficult to see run riot in a sentence .

It's difficult to see go through fire and water in a sentence

He was talking thorugh hat in discussion.

I'm too tired to put up with any nonsense"

The radio works by fits and starts.

Reading between the lines, I think Clare needs money.

 Unless you work harder you will get the sack.

We should hear all the pros and cons of the matter before we make a decision.

Her health is improving by leaps and bounds.

Mum, I want to be in the good books of my teacher. Source: theidioms.com

To make this project successful in the long run, they will need more partners. Source: theidioms.com

No matter what time of day it is, she is always at his beck and call. Source: theidioms.com

Please do not just turn a deaf ear to their cries for help. Source: theidioms.com

I've tried every possible source without success, and now I'm at my wit's end.

I want this job so I'm going to fight tooth and nail for it.

I do not like those green-eyed guys.

 The monster roared and gnashed its teeth.

I must set the record straight.

He was a good Samaritan.

Bad blood continues today.

We need to go the whole hog more often".

Lay out your defense.

We're desperately trying to avoid laying off people.

He makes progress in English by leaps and bounds.

If I spill the beans will you promise not to tell anyone else?

You must carry out my orders.

all his ventures went to the winds

He quickly learned the ins and outs of the job.

A car is a white elephant forr me.

I'm fed up with being broke all the time.

Mum, I want to be in the good books of my teacher.

He's been guilty of sharp practice in the past.

I'm always in high spirits.

That poor kid is shaking in his shoes up there on stage.

He spoke in fits and starts.

A new razor gives a close shave.

I have read the article, but I take it with a grain of salt.

One of these expressions is Hobson's choice.

When he realized his mistake, he had to eat humble pie

To give the devil his due , the enemy are quite brave.

Reading between the lines, I think Clare needs money.

I have no secrets ; my life is an open book.

I hate people who are always blowing their own trumpet. Source: theidioms.com

He can be quite stand-offish and rude, even to his friends.

He's sown all his wild oats.

The women's confidence increased by leaps and bounds.

Empty talk is of no avail.

The news of his death was a bolt from the blue.

I was on the verge of accepting.

He's still a sore point about his sister's death.

We can learn to rise like a phoenix from the ashes, arising as part of a better world and a better life for one and all.’
They tried to keep the report under wraps.

 I felt glad to be back in harness.

It is not easy to see a fair-weather friend.

The little man appeared out of thin air.

The teacher's demand cut no ice with these naughty boys.

I will bring to light the truth.

Her latest book is readable enough, but it can't hold a candle to her earlier work.

He has already burn his boat; I can not help him now.

The mere mention of cockroaches makes her flesh creep

1. Internet has a lot of pros and cons.

I hope they take her age into account when they judge her work. Source: theidioms.com

if he would simply cool off, the whole matter would soon blow over’

the bank ran into financial difficulties’

She gets the charge of all the assignment except the finance, which is kept for the blue-eyed boy. Source: theidioms.com

 Mary always tries to impress people by dropping the name of some big-time executives she claims to know

This was a red-letter day indeed.

boy. Source: theidioms.com