Idioms & Phrases

Asked in various SSC exams (updated till CGL T1, 2016)

Useful for CGL T-1 & T-2, CPO Pre and Mains, CHSL, etc.

*Error free

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In this document we have compiled Idioms & Phrases asked in

various examination held by SSC.
Some Idioms & Phrases are repeated, focus on them because they
were asked multiple times, so they have been included them multiple
times too.

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Idioms & Phrases

1. Sweeping Statement Thoughtless statement (SO(Audit), 1997)
2. All at sea Puzzled (SO(Audit), 1997)
3. Enough rope Enough freedom for action (SO(Audit), 1997)
4. By fits and start Irregularly (SO(Audit), 1997)
5. Fell foul of Got into trouble with (SO(Audit), 1997)
6. Token strike Short strike held as warning (SO(Audit), 1997)
7. Face the music Get reprimanded (SO(Audit), 1997)
8. Look down upon Hate intensely (SO(Audit), 1997)
9. Flogging a dead horse Wasting time in useless effort (SO(Audit), 1997)
10. Under a cloud Under suspicion (SO(Audit), 1997)
11. Green thumb To have a natural interest (SO(Audit), 2001)
12. Played havoc Caused destruction (SO(Audit), 2001)
13. No love lost between Not on good terms (SO(Audit), 2001)
14. Fair and square Honest (SO(Audit), 2001)
15. A white elephant Costly or troublesome possession (SO(Audit), 2001)
16. Out and out Totally (SO(Audit), 2001)
17. On the cuff On credit (SO(Audit), 2001)
18. Does not hold water Cannot be believed (SO(Audit), 2001)
19. A wild goose chase Futile search (SO(Audit), 2001)
20. In a tight corner In a difficult situation (SO(Audit), 2001)
21. Going places Talented and successful (SO(Audit), 2003)
22. In cold blood A murder done without intention (SO(Audit), 2003)
23. Off and on Occasionally (SO(Audit), 2003)
24. Hard and fast Strict (SO(Audit), 2003)
25. Took to heels Run away in fear (SO(Audit), 2003)
26. To keep up To keep in touch (SO(Audit), 2003)
27. Make a clean breast Confess without reserve

(SO(Audit), 2003)

28. Heads will roll Transfers will take place (SO(Audit), 2003)
29. Make no bones about Do not have any hesitation in anything

(SO(Audit), 2003)

30. Take after Resembles (SO(Audit), 2003)

31. To starve off Postpone (SO(Audit), 2003)
32. To give a piece of mind To reprimand (SO(Audit), 2003)
33. Rest on laurels To be complacent (SO(Audit), 2003)
34. Pay through nose Pay an extremely high price (SO(Audit), 2003)
35. Draw on fancy Use imagination (SO(Audit), 2003)
36. Turn an honest living Make an legitimate living (SO(Audit), 2005)
37. Give the game away Give out the secret (SO(Audit), 2005)
38. Cheek by jowl Very near (SO(Audit), 2005)
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Idioms & Phrases

39. Give in Yield (SO(Audit), 2005)
40. Run riot Act without restraint (SO(Audit), 2005)
41. Go through fire and water Undergo any risk (SO(Audit), 2005)
42. Talking through hat Talking nonsense (SO(Audit), 2005)
43. Put up with Tolerate (SO(Audit), 2005)
44. By fits and starts Irregularly (SO(Audit), 2005)
45. Reading between the lines Understanding the hidden meaning (SO(Audit), 2005)
46. Get the sack dismissed from (SO(Audit), 2006)
47. Pros and cons Considering all the facts (SO(Audit), 2006)
48. By leaps and bounds Very Quickly (SO(Audit), 2006)
49. In the good books In favour with boss (SO(Audit), 2006)
50. In the long run Ultimately (SO(Audit), 2006)
51. To be always ones beck and call At ones disposal (ready to serve ones master)

(SO(Audit),

2006)

52. Turn a deaf year Disregard/ignore/refuse (SO(Audit), 2006)

53. At ones wits end Puzzled/confused/perplexed (SO(Audit), 2006)
54. To fight tooth and nail To fight in a determined way for what you want (SO(Audit), 2006)
55. The green-eyed monster Used as a way of talking about jealousy (SO(Audit), 2006)
56. Set the record straight Give a correct account (SO(Audit), 2007)
57. Good Samaritan Helpful person (SO(Audit), 2007)
58. Bad blood Angry feeling (SO(Audit), 2007)
59. To go to the whole hog To do it completely (SO(Audit), 2007)
60. Lay out Spend (SO(Audit), 2007)
61. Laying off Dismissal from jobs (SO(Audit), 2007)
62. Leaps and bounds At rapid pace (SO(Audit), 2007)
63. Spilling the beans Revealing the information indiscreetly (SO(Audit), 2007)
64. Carry out Execute (SO(Audit), 2007)
65. Went to the winds Dissipated/ To be utterly lost (SO(Audit), 2008)
66. Ins and outs Full details (SO(Audit), 2008)
67. A white elephant A costly but useless possession (SO(Audit), 2008)
68. Fed up Annoyed (SO(Audit), 2008)
69. In the good books In favour with (SO(Audit), 2008)
70. Sharp practices Dishonest means (SO(Audit), 2008)
71. In high spirits Full of hope and enthusiasm (SO(Audit), 2008)
72. Shake in shoes Tremble with fear (SO(Audit), 2008)
73. Fits and starts Not regularly (SO(Audit), 2008)
74. Close shave Narrow shave (SO(Audit), 2008)
75. Take with a grain of salt To listen to something with considerable doubt (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
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Idioms & Phrases

76. Hobsons choice No real choice at all (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
77. To eat a humble pie To apologize (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
78. To give the devil his due to give encouragement even to the enemy (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
79. Reading between the lines looking for meanings that are not actually expressed

(TA(IT & CE),

2004)

80. An open book One that hold no secrets (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
81. An axe to grind A private interest to serve (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
82. To blow ones own trumpet Praise ones own abilities and achievements (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
83. Stand-offish Indifferent (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
84. Sowing wild oats Irresponsible pleasure seeking in young age (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
85. A bolt from the blue Something unexpected and unpleasant (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
86. By leaps and bounds Rapidly (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
87. Of no avail Useless (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
88. On the verge of On the brink of

(TA(IT & CE), 2006)

89. A sore point Something which hurts (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
90. Like a phoenix With a new life/rebirth/reincarnation (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
91. To keep under wraps Secret (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
92. Die in harness To die at ones work (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
93. Fair- weather friend A friend that deserts in difficulties (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
94. Emerge out of thin air Appear Suddenly (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
95. Cut no ice Had no influence (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
96. Brought up Introduce for discussion (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
97. Cannot hold a candle to Cannot be compared to

(TA(IT & CE), 2006)

98. Burn ones boat Leave no means of return (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
99. Make ones flesh creep Horrify (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
100.
101.
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104.

Pros and cons For and against/ analysis of all the given facts (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
To take into account To consider (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Blow over Pass off (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Run into Incurred/to experience difficulties (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Blue-eyed boys Favorites (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Dropping names Hinting at high connections/To mention famous people you know

105.
or have met in order to impress others. (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
106.
A Red letter day An important day (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
107.
108.
109.
110.
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Bone to pick Cause of quarrel/ Bone of contention (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
At stones throw Very near (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Struck a chill to the heart Arouse fear/to make somebody afraid (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
End in a fiasco A Total/Utter failure (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Fall back To turn or move back (TA(IT & CE), 2008)

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Idioms & Phrases

112.
113.

Turn up ones nose at To reject/despises (TA(IT & CE), 2008)

Turn ones head To feel proud in a way that other people find it annoying

(TA(IT & CE),

2008)

114.
115.
116.
117.

High and dry Neglected/ To leave someone helpless (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Take for granted To accept readily/ To pre-suppose as certainly true (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Mince matters To confuse issues/ to mix facts (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Currying favour with Ingratiating / trying too hard to get please somebody (TA(IT & CE),

2008)

118.
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Set ones face against Oppose strongly (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Strom in a tea cup Commotion (angry/worry) over a trivial matter (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Putting ones foot down Asserting ones authority/ take a firm stand (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
The man in the street An ordinary man (common man) (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
To catch up with To compete with (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Fight to the bitter end To fight a losing battle (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Throw down a glove To accept defeat (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Read between the lines Understanding the hidden meaning (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Let the cat out of the bag To utter a secret carelessly or by mistake (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
To have Too many iron in the fire To get engage in too many enterprises at the

127.
same time (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
128.
Fall through To fail (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
129.

Cut one off, without a shilling Disinheriting / To expel from fraternal property (TA(IT &

CE), 2009)

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To smell a rat To suspect a trick (Statistical Investigator, 2005)

Turn a deaf ear Disobey (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
Have the last laugh To be victorious at the end of an argument (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
Red letter day Happy and significant day (Gala day) (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To blaze a trail To lead the way as a pioneer (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To beat a retreat To run away in fear (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To steer clear of Avoid (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To get ones own back To get ones revenge (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To run across To meet by chance (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
A dark horse An unforeseen competitor (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
Put up with Endure (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
Got the sack Dismissed from (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
Herculean task A work requiring very great effort (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
By leaps and bounds Rapidly (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
Helter-Skelter In disorderly haste (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
Go to the winds - Disappear (SO(CA), 2005)
Make ducks and drakes of Squander (SO(CA), 2005)

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Idioms & Phrases

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On the level Honest and sincere (SO(CA), 2005)

Done for Ruined (SO(CA), 2005)
Make a clean breast Confess (SO(CA), 2005)
To end in smoke To come to nothing; no outcome (SO(CA), 2005)
To have something up ones sleeve Having a secret plan (SO(CA), 2005)
To take to ones heel To run away (SO(CA), 2005)
To turn a deaf ear To be indifferent (SO(CA), 2005)
At snails pace To do things very slowly (SO(CA), 2005)
To run one down To disparage someone (SO(CA), 2005)
To blow ones own trumpet To praise oneself (SO(CA), 2005)
To face the music To bear the consequences (SO(CA), 2005)
To take someone to task To scold someone (SO(CA), 2005)
At ones wit Puzzled/Confused/Perplexed (SO(CA), 2005)
At stake In danger/ that can be lost or won depending on the success of a particular

160.
action (SO(CA), 2007)
161.
To play to the gallery To behave in an exaggerated way to attract peoples attention
(SO(CA), 2007)

162.
163.
164.

Read between the lines Understand the hidden meaning (SO(CA), 2007)
Sitting on the fence Hesitating which side to take (SO(CA), 2007)
No love lost between Not on good terms (SO(CA), 2007)
To have not a leg to stand on Unable to prove or explain why something is

165.
reasonable (SAS, 2005)
166.
A man in the street An ordinary person / common man (SAS, 2005)
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168.
169.
170.
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Blood running cold Become very frightened (SAS, 2005)

Playing to the gallery Befooling the common man (SAS, 2005)
Come out of ones shell To appear suddenly (SAS, 2005)
Lay down arms To surrender (CPO, 2010)
Making hay while the sun shines Taking advantage of a favorable opportunity (CPO,

2010)

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Blow ones own trumpet To praise oneself (CPO, 2010)

Bear with Support / To be patient with some body or something (CPO, 2010)
Give vent to To emphasize (CPO, 2010)
Turn a deaf ear Pay no attention (CPO, 2010)
Bone of contention Matter of dispute (CPO, 2010)
Stand on own feet To be independent (CPO, 2010)
By fits and starts Irregularly (CPO, 2010)
Over head and ears Completely (CPO, 2010)
To call it a day To conclude proceedings (CGL T-1, 2011)
To put up with To tolerate (CGL T-1, 2011)

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Idioms & Phrases

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To face the music To bear the consequences (CGL T-1, 2011)

Yeomans service Social work (CGL T-1, 2011)
To take to hearts To grieve over (CGL T-1, 2011)
To smell a rat To be suspicious (CGL T-1, 2011)
To move heaven and earth to try everything possible (CGL T-1, 2011)
To take someone for a ride to deceive (cheat) someone (CGL T-1, 2011)
In cold blood Not intentional / Excitedly (CGL T-1, 2011)
A damp squib A disappointing result (CGL T-1, 2011)
To bite the dust To be defeated (CGL T-1, 2011)
To take to ones heel To run away (CGL T-1, 2011)
To be all at sea Lost and confused (CGL T-1, 2011)
Cold Comfort Slight satisfaction (CGL T-1, 2011)
A bolt from the blue An unexpected and unpleasant event (CGL T-1, 2011)
To feather ones nest To make oneself rich (in position or in monetary terms) (CGL T-1,

2011)

196.
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To die in harness To die while in service (CGL T-1, 2011)

To show a clean pair of heels to escape/run away (CGL T-1, 2011)
To flog a dead horse to waste ones efforts (CGL T-1, 2011)
To strain every nerve To make utmost efforts (CGL T-1, 2011)
A bolt form the blue Unexpected problem (CPO, 2011)
Sailing in the same boat Being in the same difficult situation (CPO, 2011)
Gift of the gab Ability to speak well (CPO, 2011)
To keep the wolf from the door Escape starvation (CPO, 2011)
Soft option Easy and agreeable option (CPO, 2011)
A little gush of gratitude Excessive enthusiasm (FCI, 2012)
To lose ground To become less popular (FCI, 2012)
To fall back on to fail to do something important in time (FCI, 2012)
To make ones blood boil To make somebody furious (FCI, 2012)
Wear and tear - Damage (FCI, 2012)
To add fuel to the fire To cause additional anger (FCI, 2012)
Hand in glove In close relationship (FCI, 2012)
To make a mountain of a molehill To give great importance to little things (FCI, 2012)
To speak ones mind To be frank and honest (FCI, 2012)
Maiden speech First speech (DEO, 2008)
At the eleventh hour At the very last moment (DEO, 2008)
Cope with - compromise (DEO, 2008)
Go a long way help considerably (DEO, 2008)
Gift of the gab talent of speaking (DEO, 2008)

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Idioms & Phrases

219.
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Standstill Complete halt (DEO, 2008)

Cross swords - Disagree (DEO, 2008)
Pore over Go through (DEO, 2008)
Make both ends meet To live a lavish life (DEO, 2008)
Run down - Criticise (DEO, 2008)
Grease anybodys palm To give bribe (Stenographer, 2010)
Leave in the lurch Abandon in the midway/difficult situation (Stenographer, 2010)
Caught red handed At the time of committing crime (Stenographer, 2010)
On the brink of On the point of (Stenographer, 2010)
Face the music Face the unpleasant consequences (Stenographer, 2010)
Gift of the gab Ability to speak impressively (Stenographer, 2010)
Go down the drain Lose forever (Stenographer, 2010)
A close shave Narrow escape from danger (Stenographer, 2010)
Cool as cucumber Not nervous or emotional (Stenographer, 2010)
In high spirits - Cheerful (Stenographer, 2010)
Scapegoats - A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings with arrogant reactions (CHSL,

2010)

235.
236.
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A red letter day A day memorable for joyful event (CHSL, 2010)
Wears heart on sleeves Express feelings openly (CHSL, 2010)
To pay off old scores To refund old dues (CHSL, 2010)
Man of letters Proficient in literary arts (CHSL, 2010)
Turn down - Refuse (CHSL, 2010)
On good terms Agree with someone (CHSL, 2010)
Stole the show Win everyones praise (CHSL, 2010)
Measure up Reach the level (CHSL, 2010)
Doctor the accounts To manipulate the accounts (CHSL, 2010)
Dark horse An unexpected winner (CHSL, 2010)
Face the music To bear the criticism (CHSL, 2010)
In the red Losing money/to owe money (CHSL, 2010)
In lieu of Despite of (CHSL, 2010)
Beat about the bush Speak in a round about manner (CHSL, 2010)
Bring about - Cause (Stenographer, 2011)
Pull up - Reprimand (Stenographer, 2011)
At sixes and seven In disorder or confusion (Stenographer, 2011)
Lose head Panic (Stenographer, 2011)
Take to task To criticize severely/ to punish (Stenographer, 2011)
Sit in judgement To pass judgement(or comment on someone ) especially when you

254.
have no authority (Stenographer, 2011)

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Idioms & Phrases

255.
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Leave in the lurch To desert someone (Stenographer, 2011)

Cry over spilt milk Cry over irreparable loss (Stenographer, 2011)
Bad blood Active enmity (Stenographer, 2011)
Close shave A narrow escape (Stenographer, 2011)
Grease palms To bribe someone (MT(NT), 2011)
Carrot and stick Reward and punishment policy (MT(NT), 2011)
To cut teeth To gain experience of something for the first time (MT(NT), 2011)
Cut no ice Had no influence (MT(NT), 2011)
Close the book - Stop working on something (MT(NT), 2011)
In fits and starts - Irregularly (MT(NT), 2011)
Birds eye view An overview (MT(NT), 2011)
Run in the same groove Clash with each other (MT(NT), 2011)
Keep your head Remain calm (MT(NT), 2011)
Pull strings Use personal influence (MT(NT), 2011)
Pot luck dinner Dinner where somebody brings something to eat (Stenographer, 2011)
To hit below the belt To attack unfairly (Stenographer, 2011)
All at sea - Puzzled (Stenographer, 2011)
Sought after Wanted by many people because its of good quality or difficult to

272.
find/Pursued by (Stenographer, 2011)
273.
Build castle in the air - Daydreaming (Stenographer, 2011)
274.
275.
276.
277.
278.

On the spur of the moment To act suddenly, without planning (CHSL, 2011)
To have something up ones sleeve To have a secret plan (CHSL, 2011)
A red letter day An important or joyful occasion in ones life (CHSL, 2011)
To explore every avenue To try every opportunity (CHSL, 2011)
At ones beck and call Ready to follow orders/ To be dominated by someone

(CHSL,

2011)

279.
280.
281.
282.
283.
284.
285.
286.
287.
288.
289.

By fair or foul means In honest or dishonest way (CHSL, 2011)

Status quo As it is/ unchanged position (CHSL, 2011)
To burn candle at both ends To be extravagant/ Spend without any worry (CHSL, 2011)
To hit the jackpot To make money quickly (CHSL, 2011)
To bring to light to reveal (CHSL, 2011)
At the eleventh hour At the last possible moment (CHSL, 2011)
Go scot-free To escape without punishment (CHSL, 2011)
To shed crocodile tears To pretend grief (CHSL, 2011)
To look down ones nose To regard with contempt (CHSL, 2011)
To miss the bus To miss an opportunity (CHSL, 2011)
A white elephant Costly and troublesome possession, with much use to its owner

(CHSL, 2011)

290.

To call spade a spade To be frank (CHSL, 2011)

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Idioms & Phrases

291.
292.
293.
294.

To fight tooth and nail To fight heroically, in very determined way (CHSL, 2011)
Birds of same feather Persons of same character (CHSL, 2011)
Take exception To object over something (CHSL, 2011)
High handed Using authority in an unreasonable way, overbearing (CHSL, 2011)
Too fond of ones own voice To like talking without wanting to listen to other

295.
people/Very selfish (CHSL, 2011)
296.
By leaps and bounds Rapidly (CHSL, 2011)
297.
298.
299.
300.
301.

An open book Straight forward and honest dealings (CHSL, 2011)

Fall short Fail to meet expectation/ have no effect (CHSL, 2011)
Heart to heart talk Frank talk (CHSL, 2011)
Give the game away Give out the secret(unintentionally) (CHSL, 2011)
Take cue from To copy what someone already did in past in order to be successful

(CHSL, 2011)

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Call for To ask (CHSL, 2011)

Out of the question Undesirable/ Not worth discussing (CHSL, 2011)
Run into To meet someone accidently (CHSL, 2011)
End up in something Come to nothing/ Useless (CHSL, 2011)
Spread like fire Spread rapidly (CHSL, 2011)
Ins and outs Full details (CHSL, 2011)
Dropping like flies Collapsing in large numbers (CHSL, 2011)
Rat race Fierce competition for power (CHSL, 2011)
Hard nut to crack Difficult task (CHSL, 2011)
See eye to eye To think in same way (CHSL, 2011)
Put across To communicate your ideas, feelings, etc. successfully. (CHSL, 2011)
To have second thoughts To reconsider (Constable, 2012)
Not my cup of tea Not what somebody likes or interested in (Constable, 2012)
To break the ice To start a conversation (Constable, 2012)
To eat a humble pie To say or show sorry for a mistake that one made (Constable, 2012)
To add fuel to fire To worsen the matter / To incite (CPO, 2012)
To burn ones fingers To get physically hurt (CPO, 2012)
At the eleventh hour At the last moment (CPO, 2012)
To feel like a fish out of water Uncomfortable situation (CPO, 2012)
To foam at ones mouth To be very angry (CPO, 2012)
Send packing To tell somebody firmly or rudely to go away / Terminate service (CGL T-2,

2012)

323.
324.
325.
326.

Kick up a row - Make a great fuss / To complain loudly about something (CGL T-2, 2012)
Wet behind the ears Young and without experience / Nave (CGL T-2, 2012)
To talk someone over To convince over (CGL T-2, 2012)
Wear heart on sleeves Express emotions freely (CGL T-2, 2012)

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Idioms & Phrases

327.
Bury the hatchet To make peace / To stop being unfriendly and become friends
again (CGL T-2, 2012)
328.
Once in a blue moon - Rarely (CGL T-2, 2012)
329.
330.
331.
332.
333.

Through thick and thin Under all circumstances (CGL T-2, 2012)
Come to grief To suffer (CGL T-2, 2012)
Eat anyones salt To be anyones guest (CGL T-2, 2012)
Give a hand with To help with (CPO, 2012)
Take to heart To be very upset by something that somebody says or does / Serious

(CPO, 2012)

334.
335.
336.

Had better used for telling somebody what you think he should do (CPO, 2012)
Strike a bargain To negotiate a deal (CPO, 2012)
Point blank Very definite and direct (CPO, 2012)
Scapegoat - A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others,

337.
especially for reasons of expediency / Fall guy (CPO, 2012)
338.
Kicking heels To be relaxed and enjoy / Waste time (CPO, 2012)
339.
340.

End in smoke Come to nothing (CPO, 2012)

Die in harness Die in service/ Die while working (CPO, 2012)
On the horns of dilemma In a situation where you have to make choice between

341.
things that are equally unpleasant (CPO, 2012)
342.
Hold your tongue To be silent (CHSL, 2012)
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No hard and fast rules Easy regulation (CHSL, 2012)

Live from hand to mouth - Miserably (CHSL, 2012)
Turn a deaf ear Refuse to obey (CHSL, 2012)
Take exception To object (CHSL, 2012)
To hail from To come from (CHSL, 2012)
To put an end to - Stop (CHSL, 2012)
By fits and starts - Irregularly (CHSL, 2012)
Bad blood Feeling of hatred (CHSL, 2012)
Turn up To appear (CHSL, 2012)
Die hard unwilling to change (CHSL, 2012)
Turn down - Reject (CHSL, 2012)
To pass away - Die (CHSL, 2012)
Carry weight Be important / Important influence (CHSL, 2012)
Fall flat Fail to amuse people / Fail to produce intended effect (CHSL, 2012)
Under the thumb of Under the control of (CHSL, 2012)
To get wind Come to know about something secret or private (CHSL, 2012)
Part and parcel An essential part of something (CHSL, 2012)
To give vent to To express a feeling, especially anger, strongly (CHSL, 2012)
Stand by To help/support somebody or be friend, even in difficult times (CHSL, 2012)

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Idioms & Phrases

362.
363.
364.
365.
366.
367.
368.
369.
370.
371.

In black and white In writing (CHSL, 2012)

At a loss Unable / Not knowing about what to do or say (CHSL, 2012)
Lame excuse Unsatisfactory explanation (CHSL, 2012)
Hand in glove Working closely with someone / Very intimate (CHSL, 2012)
A hard nut to crack A difficult problem or situation to solve or deal with (CHSL, 2012)
For better or worse - Always (CHSL, 2012)
From the bottom of ones heart To speak frankly (CHSL, 2012)
In a nutshell - Brief (CHSL, 2012)
A shot in the dark An attempt to guess something (CHSL, 2012)
At the eleventh hour At a last moment (CHSL, 2012)
Water under the bridge Something that happened in the past and is now forgotten

372.
or no longer important (CHSL, 2012)
373.
Stick to guns Hold on to original decisions (CHSL, 2012)
374.
375.
376.
377.
378.
379.
380.
381.
382.
383.
384.
385.

Out of hand Out of control, at once, immediately (CHSL, 2012)

The salt of the earth Very good and honest/ Kind (CHSL, 2012)
Talking through hat Talking nonsense (CHSL, 2012)
Looking forward to To expect something or someone (FCI, 2012)
Slip off Leave quietly (FCI, 2012)
Get on well Have a friendly relationship (FCI, 2012)
In a pickle In an embarrassing or awkward situation (FCI, 2012)
Under a cloud Being subject to suspicion (FCI, 2012)
As hard as nail Emotionless / To show no sympathy, kindness or fear (CGL, 2012)
Allow a free hand Complete liberty (CGL, 2012)
Lays out To spend money (CGL, 2012)
Break down To lose control of your feelings and start crying / Could not proceed

(CGL,

2012)

386.
387.
388.
389.
390.
391.
392.
393.
394.
395.

Cut coat according to ones cloth Live within your means (CGL, 2012)
Weal and woe Ups and downs (CPO, 2012)
Iron will Strong determination (CPO, 2012)
To take to task - Punish (CPO, 2012)
Rack and ruin - Ransacked (CPO, 2012)
Rides the high horse Feel superior (CPO, 2012)
By fits and starts Irregularly (MTS, 2013)
Has a bee in ones bonnet To be preoccupied or obsessed with something (MTS, 2013)
See through Detect / To realize the truth about someone or somebody (MTS, 2013)
Take after To follow / To take care of older members of family (MTS, 2013)
Break up Disband itself / The breaking up of relationship or association / The division

396.
of larger group in smaller fragments (MTS, 2013)
397.
Stand by - Support (MTS, 2013)
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Idioms & Phrases

398.
399.
400.
401.
402.
403.
404.
405.
406.
407.
408.
409.

Bull in a China shop A clumsy person (MTS, 2013)

Change colours To turn pale (MTS, 2013)
Spick and span Neat and clean / Tidy (MTS, 2013)
Give in To agree to do something that you dont want to do (MTS, 2013)
Leaps and bounds - Irregularly (MTS, 2013)
Wide off the mark - Irrelevant / Not accurate / Inadequate (MTS, 2013)
Out of the world Extraordinary (MTS, 2013)
Sweep under the carpet Keep hidden (MTS, 2013)
By leaps and bound Very rapidly (MTS, 2013)
To toe the line To follow the lead / To follow bosss orders (MTS, 2013)
Stick to guns Maintain opinion (MTS, 2013)
Take hat off Encourage / To admire somebody very much for something he has done

(MTS, 2013)

410.
411.
412.
413.
414.
415.
416.
417.
418.
419.
420.
421.
422.
423.
424.
425.
426.
427.
428.
429.
430.
431.
432.
433.
434.

Null and void Empty (FCI, 2013)

Break the ice Initiate a talk (FCI, 2013)
Keep the wolf from the door Avoid starvation (FCI, 2013)
Fish in troubled water To make a profit out of troubled situation (FCI, 2013)
Look into To investigate (FCI, 2013)
Smell the rat Suspect that something is fishy (CGL T-1, 2013)
Let the grass grow under the feet Delay in getting things done (CGL T-1, 2013)
Apple of discord Cause of animosity (CGL T-1, 2013)
A fish out of water In uncomfortable situation (CGL T-1, 2013)
In the long run Over a period of time (CGL T-1, 2013)
Jumping down ones throat To react very angrily to somebody (CGL T-1, 2013)
Out of wits Greatly confused (CGL T-1, 2013)
Call spade a spade To speak in a straightforward manner (frankly) (CGL T-1, 2013)
Face the music Accept the punishment (CGL T-1, 2013)
To play second fiddle Take a subordinate role (CGL T-1, 2013)
Casting pearl before swine Offering good things to undeserving people (CGL T-1, 2013)
Putting the cart before the horse Doing things in the wrong way (CGL T-1, 2013)
Not fit to hold candle Not so good as somebody or something else (CGL T-1, 2013)
Egg someone on TO encourage somebody to do something (CGL T-1, 2013)
For good - Permanently (CGL T-1, 2013)
Achilless heel Weak spot (CGL T-1, 2013)
Take a leap in the dark To take risk (CGL T-1, 2013)
Cut the guardian knot Remove difficulty / To solve problem (CGL T-1, 2013)
Blow ones own trumpet Self boasting (CGL T-1, 2013)
A cakewalk An easy achievement (CGL T-1, 2013)

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Idioms & Phrases

435.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth Not to find fault with the gift received (CGL T-1,

2013)

436.
437.
438.
439.
440.
441.
442.
443.
444.
445.
446.
447.
448.
449.
450.
451.
452.
453.

Man of straw A man of no substance (CGL T-1, 2013)

Born with a silver spoon Born in a rich family (CGL T-1, 2013)
Let sleeping dogs lie Not to bring up an old controversial issue (CGL T-1, 2013)
A month of Sundays A long time (CGL T-1, 2013)
A closed book A mystery (CGL T-1, 2013)
In apple pie order In perfect order (CGL T-1, 2013)
Thick and thin In spite of all difficulties (CGL T-1, 2013)
Wet ones whistle To have a drink / Moistens ones throat (CGL T-1, 2013)
Bury the hatchet Make peace (CGL T-1, 2013)
Cool ones heel To keep waiting (CGL T-1, 2013)
Live-wire A person who is lively or energetic (CGL T-1, 2013)
Feel blue In trouble / depressed (Constable, 2013)
Above board Legal and honest (Constable, 2013)
Pour cats and dogs Rain heavily (Constable, 2013)
For good - Permanently (Constable, 2013)
Iron fist To treat people in severe manner / strictly (Constable, 2013)
Time and again - Always (Constable, 2013)
Eat humble pie To say or show that you are sorry for the mistakes committed by you

(CPO, 2013)

454.

Rule the roost Exercise authority / To be the most powerful member in the group

(CPO, 2013)

455.
456.
457.
458.
459.
460.

Have something up your sleeve Have an alternate plan (CPO, 2013)

Take to task Punished / Reprimanded (CPO, 2013)
Feel ones pulse To find what one is thinking on some point (CPO, 2013)
Donkeys year A long time (CGL T-2, 2013)
To make things done To manage (CGL T-2, 2013)
Chicken out Withdraw / To decide not to do something because you are

afraid (CGL T-2,

2013)

461.
462.

Ice braking Starting a conversation (CGL T-2, 2013)

Bad hats People of bad character (CGL T-2, 2013)
Give and take Adjustment / Willingness in relationship to accept what somebody

463.
else wants and gives up some of what you want (CGL T-2, 2013)
464.
465.
466.
467.
468.
469.

Off and on Irregularly (CGL T-2, 2013)

Man of straw A man of no substance (CGL T-2, 2013)
Break down Weep bitterly (CGL T-2, 2013)
Get down to business To begin work seriously (CHSL, 2013)
Giving a piece of ones mind Speak sharply / To disapprove (CHSL, 2013)
Go about Go around / TO continue to do something (CHSL, 2013)

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Idioms & Phrases

470.
471.
472.
473.
474.
475.

Take exception - To object at something (CHSL, 2013)

Picking up holes in Finding out faults with something (CHSL, 2013)
To cast a die To take a decision (CHSL, 2013)
Put up with Bear patiently / To bear or endure (CHSL, 2013)
The gift of the gab Ability to speak well (CHSL, 2013)
See through Detect / To realize the truth (CHSL, 2013)
Cordon off Isolate / To stop people from getting into an area by surrounding it with

476.
police (CHSL, 2013)
477.
478.
479.
480.
481.
482.
483.
484.
485.
486.
487.
488.
489.
490.
491.

Keep an open house Welcome all members (CHSL, 2013)

Wet behind ears Young and inexperienced / Naive (CHSL, 2013)
Pick on - Warn severely (MT(NT), 2014)
Fight tooth and nail Fight with strength and fury (MT(NT), 2014)
Teething problems Difficulties at the start (MT(NT), 2014)
A wild goose chase Fruitless pursuit (MT(NT), 2014)
To get into hot water To get into trouble (MT(NT), 2014)
A bolt from the blue A complete surprise (MTS, 2014)
Plain sailing Very easy (MTS, 2014)
Take to ones heel Run off (MTS, 2014)
To cut one short To criticize one (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Show the white flag T o surrender (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
A cut above Rather superior to (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
To throw dust in ones eye To deceive (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Read between the lines Know what the writer thinks / Know hidden meaning (CGL T-1,

RE-2013)

492.
493.
494.
495.
496.
497.
498.
499.
500.
501.
502.
503.

Give vent to - Express (CGL T-1, RE-2013)

Bring about Cause to happen (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Husband ones resource Save / Economical (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Foam at the mouth - Angry (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Keep wolf away from the door Keep away extreme poverty (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Pin money Additional money (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
The Alpha and Omega Beginning and end (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Salt of the earth Good, honest and ideal (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Bring the house down Make the audience applaud enthusiastically (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Gerrymandering way In a manipulative and unfair way (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Strain every nerve Make all efforts / Try all tricks (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Hard and fast That cannot be altered / fixed (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Turn up ones nose at - To not accept something because you do not think it is good

504.
enough for you / To treat with contempt (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
505.
Down in the dumps Sad and depressed (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
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Idioms & Phrases

Dot ones Is and cross one Ts Be detailed and exact (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
507.
All moonshine Superficial (CPO, 2014)
508.
Wild goose chase A foolish and useless enterprise (CPO, 2014)
509.
Swan song Last prayer (at funeral or farewell) (CPO, 2014)
510.
By the skin of teeth By the narrowest margin (CPO, 2014)
511.
Bury the hatchet Make peace / Forget the quarrels (CPO, 2014)
512.
Keep up with Go at equal pace (CPO, 2014)
513. Flies off at a tangent Start discussing something irrelevant (CPO, 2014)
514.
Batten down the hatches Prepare for a difficult situation (CPO, 2014)
515.
Nail ones colours to the mast Refuse to climb down (CPO, 2014)
516.
All might and main With full force (CPO, 2014)
517.
Red herrings Clues intended to distract or mislead / An unimportant fact, idea, event,
506.

etc. that takes people attention from the important ones (CPO, 2014)
518.
519.
520.
521.

To cut ones coat according to ones cloth To live within ones means (CPO, 2014)
White elephant A costly but useless possession (CPO, 2014)
Look sharp Pay attention (CPO, 2014)
Big draw Huge attraction (CPO, 2014)
Bear down To move quickly towards something/someone in a determined or

522.
threatening way (CPO, 2014)
523.
To put a spoke in someones wheel Destroy the plan / Cause hindrance / To
prevent somebody from putting their plan into action (CPO, 2014)
524.
At a stretch - Continuously (CPO, 2014)
525.
526.
527.
528.
529.
530.
531.
532.
533.
534.
535.
536.

Know beans about something Well informed and intelligent (CPO, 2014)
To get into hot water To get into troubles (CPO, 2014)
Know the ropes Learn the procedures (CGL T-1, 2014)
Barking up the wrong tree Trying to find someone ay wrong place (CGL T-1, 2014)
In the swim Well informed and up-to-date (CGL T-1, 2014)
Rub up the wrong way To irk or irritate someone (CGL T-1, 2014)
Add fuel to the fire Worsen the situation (CGL T-1, 2014)
In the loop Informed regularly (CGL T-1, 2014)
Hold ones horses To keep waiting (CGL T-1, 2014)
Black out Lost consciousness (CGL T-1, 2014)
Cut and dry method - Honest (CGL T-1, 2014)
Back to the drawing board Plan it all over again (CGL T-1, 2014)
In the air Certain / Able to be firmly relied on to happen or be the case / Specific but

537.
not explicitly named or stated (CGL T-1, 2014)
538.
On the same page Thinks in a similar way (CGL T-1, 2014)
539.

Pull no punch Speaks frankly (CGL T-1, 2014)

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Page 15

Idioms & Phrases

540.

Going places Talented and successful (CGL T-1, 2014)

Stand/Hold your ground Refuse to yield / To continue with your opinions or

541.
intentions when someone is opposing you (CGL T-1, 2014)

542.
Put your feet down Take a firm stand / To be very strict in opposing what somebody
wishes to do (CGL T-1, 2014)
543.
Read between the line To understand the inner meaning (CGL T-1, 2014)
544.
To the letter Paying attention to every detail / Doing or following exactly what
somebody something says (CGL T-1, 2014)
545.
To carve out a niche To work harder in order to have successful career / Develop a
special position for oneself (CGL T-2, 2014)
546.
Wild goose chase Useless search / Unprofitable adventure (CHSL, 2014)
547.
548.
549.
550.
551.
552.
553.
554.
555.
556.
557.
558.
559.
560.
561.
562.
563.
564.
565.
566.
567.
568.
569.
570.
571.
572.

In Dutch In trouble (CHSL, 2014)

See eye to eye To have the same opinion (CHSL, 2014)
Come to light Been revealed / To become known to people (CHSL, 2014)
Around the clock Day and night (CHSL, 2014)
Balloon goes up The situation turns unpleasant or serious (CHSL, 2014)
Watching grass grow Very boring (CHSL, 2014)
Nine days wonder A dazzling short-lived spectacle of no real value (CHSL, 2014)
Beyond the pale Outside commonly accepted standards (CHSL, 2014)
Took after Similar to / to look or behave like an older member of your family (CHSL, 2014)
Throw dust into ones eye To deceive (CHSL, 2014)
Cool about working Not tense about working / Reading to work (CHSL, 2014)
Salad days - Adolescence (CHSL, 2014)
All ears - Attentive (CHSL, 2014)
Maiden speech First speech (CHSL, 2014)
Hold water With logical backing / To stand up to critical examination (CHSL, 2014)
Other fish to fry Some important work to attend to (CHSL, 2014)
A close shave A narrow escape from danger (CHSL, 2014)
To tell in a nut shell In a brief manner / Summarize(CHSL, 2014)
Within a stones throw At a short distance (CHSL, 2014)
To feather ones nest To enrich oneself when opportunity occurs (CHSL, 2014)
A close-fisted person A miser (CHSL, 2014)
To gather roses only To seek all enjoyments of life (CHSL, 2014)
A black sheep A person with bad reputation (CHSL, 2014)
To grease the palm To bribe (CHSL, 2014)
For good Permanently(CHSL, 2014)
An about turn Complete change of opinion or situation (CHSL, 2014)

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Page 16

Idioms & Phrases

573.
Make a mockery to make something seem ridiculous or useless / No serious
outcome (CHSL, 2014)
574.
Eat like a horse Eat a lot (CHSL, 2014)

Go to the dogs To be ruined (CHSL, 2014)

576.
Pay on the nail Pay promptly / Payment without delay (CHSL, 2014)
577.
Penelopes web An endless job (CHSL, 2014)
578.
At draggers drawn - Enmity (CHSL, 2014)
579.
Bury the hatchet Make peace (CGL T-2, 2014)
580.
Null and void Not binding / Having no legal force / Not binding (CGL T-2, 2014)
581.
Break in - To train somebody or something in something (CGL T-2, 2014)
582.
Stir up a Hornets nest - To create a lot of trouble (CGL T-2, 2014)
583.
Second thoughts Reconsidering the original idea (CGL T-2, 2014)
584.
Average out - Balance (CGL T-2, 2014)
585.
Go to the dogs Ruin / to go to in very bad situation (CGL T-2, 2014)
586.
Floored To surprise or confuse (CGL T-2, 2014)
587.
Give way - Collapse (CGL T-2, 2014)
588.
Tall tales - Boasting (CGL T-2, 2014)
589.
Backseat driver A person who gives unwanted advice (CGL T-2, 2014)
590.
At random - Without any aim or target (CGL T-2, 2014)
591.
Break off Suddenly stop (CGL T-2, 2014)
592.
Go haywire Become out of control (CGL T-2, 2014)
593.
Above board Honest / Without any secret (CGL T-2, 2014)
594. Feather in ones cap An achievement (CGL T-2, 2014)
595.
Follow ones nose To go straight ahead (CGL T-2, 2014)
596.
To latch onto To promote (CGL T-2, 2014)
597.
Fight shy of To avoid someone/ something (CGL T-2, 2014)
598.
Add fuel to the fire Worsen the matter (CGL T-2, 2014)
599.
Cock and bull story Absurd an unbelievable story (CHSL, 2015)
600.
Hold water Seem logical (CHSL, 2015)
601.
To be down to earth To be realistic (CHSL, 2015)
602.
In the nick of time Just in time (CHSL, 2015)
603.
To shun evil company To avoid or give up bad company (CHSL, 2015)
604.
Seamy side Unpleasant and immoral (CHSL, 2015)
605.
A sacred cow A person never to be criticised (CHSL, 2015)
606.
A dogs breakfast A total mess / A thing that has been done badly (CHSL, 2015)
607.
Sail in the same boat To be in same situation (CHSL, 2015)
608.
Take the bull by the horns to face a difficulty courageously (CHSL, 2015)
609.
Shed crocodile tears To pretend to be sympathetic (CHSL, 2015)
575.

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Page 17

Idioms & Phrases

610.
611.
612.
613.
614.
615.
616.
617.
618.
619.

To be in a quandary In a confusing situation (CHSL, 2015)

Take French leave Absenting oneself without permission (CHSL, 2015)
To put in a nutshell To state something very concisely (CHSL, 2015)
The genomes of Zurich A slang term for Swiss bankers (CHSL, 2015)
To make up ones mind To decide what to do (CHSL, 2015)
To call it a day Decide to finish working of the day (CHSL, 2015)
In two minds To be undecided (CHSL, 2015)
Put something by To save money for a particular purpose (CHSL, 2015)
On cloud nine Extremely happy (CHSL, 2015)
The jury is out - No decision has been reached (CHSL, 2015)
Have a finger in every pie To be meddlesome / To involved in a lot of different

620.
activities and having influence over them (CHSL, 2015)
621.
To take after To resemble an older member of family (CHSL, 2015)
622.
623.
624.
625.
626.
627.
628.
629.
630.
631.
632.

Flying visit Very short visit (CHSL, 2015)

Telling upon Showing effectively / Having strong effect (Constable, 2015)
Kith and kin - Relatives (Constable, 2015)
Part and parcel Important part (Constable, 2015)
Beat about the bush Circumlocution / Does not talk specifically (Constable, 2015)
Carry out Complete something (Constable, 2015)
Take fancy To attract or please somebody (Constable, 2015)
Snake in the grass A hidden enemy (CGL T-1, 2015)
Make a mountain of a mole hill Exaggerate a minor problem (CGL T-1, 2015)
Spill the beans Reveal the secret information (CGL T-1, 2015)
Make amends for Compensate the loss (CGL T-1, 2015)
Leave high and dry In a difficult situation without help or money / Leave alone to

633.
work / A boat in a position out of water (CGL T-1, 2015)
634. Make believe To pretend that something is true (CGL T-1, 2015)

635.
Go for the jugular Attack all out / To attack somebodys weaker point during a
discussion (CGL T-1, 2015)
636.
Keep a level head To remain calm and sensible in a difficult situation (CGL T-1, 2015)

Under the weather - Sick (CGL T-1, 2015)

638.
At loggerheads In strong disagreement (CGL T-1, 2015)
639.
Go Dutch Divide the cost (CGL T-1, 2015)
640.
Alma mater Institution where one got education (CGL T-1, 2015)
641.
A closefisted man A miser (CGL T-1, 2015)
642.
As draft as a brush Very silly (CGL T-1, 2015)
643. Rise with the lark Get up early / To get out of bed very early in the morning (CGL T-1, 2015)
637.

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Page 18

Idioms & Phrases

644.
At ones wits end To be so worried by a problem that you dont know what to do
next (CGL T-1, 2015)
645.
Make a beeline Rush / To go straight towards something as quick as you can (CGL T-1,
2015)

646.
647.
648.
649.
650.
651.
652.
653.
654.
655.
656.

Wild goose chase Useless search (CGL T-1, 2015)

A man of letters A literary person (CGL T-1,RE 2015)
Horse sense Basic common sense (CGL T-1,RE 2015)
Shot in the arm Something that gives encouragement (CGL T-1,RE 2015)
Catch time by the forelock Seize opportunity (CGL T-1,RE 2015)
Get on nerves - Annoying (CGL T-1,RE 2015)
Clean hands innocent (CPO, 2015)
A golden mean Middle course between two extremes (CPO, 2015)
Vexed question Controversial issue (CPO, 2015)
Keep the wolf away from the door To keep off starvation (CPO, 2015)
Out of sorts Ill or sick / Upset (CPO, 2015)
Gut feeling Strong instinct (based on feelings and emotions rather than thought and

657.
reason) (CPO, 2015)
658.
Finish with something Be through / To have something at the end / To stop doin
something (CPO, 2015)
659.
Red-letter day An important day (CPO, 2015)
660.

A close fisted man - Miser (CPO, 2015)

To set the Thames on fire Do a heroic deed / To do such a work that needs a

661.
strenuous effort (CPO, 2015)
662.
Eat humble pie To say sorry for mistakes / Suffer humiliation (CPO, 2015)

Play ducks and drakes Spend lavishly / To waste or squander (CPO, 2015)
664.
Be taken aback Shocked or surprised (CPO, 2015)
665. Lay it on thick An exaggeration / To talk about somebody or something in a way than they
663.

really are (CPO, 2015)

666.
Birds eye view A overview / A general view from above (CPO, 2015)
667.
668.
669.
670.
671.
672.
673.
674.

To win laurels to earn great prestige (CPO, 2015)

In the soup To be in trouble (CPO, 2015)
Draw the line To set a limit (CPO, 2015)
A bee hive A busy place (CPO, 2015)
To cut the Gordian knot To perform a difficult task (CPO, 2015)
Take a French leave Being absent without permission (CGL T-2, 2015)
Arm-chair critic A person who give advice based on theory not on practice (CGL T-2, 2015)
A chip of the old block An experienced old man (CGL T-2, 2015)
Feather your nest To make yourself richer, especially by spending money on yourself

675.
that should be spent on something else (CGL T-2, 2015)
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Idioms & Phrases

676.
677.
678.
679.
680.

Throw up cards To give in / To blow away the plan (CGL T-2, 2015)
Vote with your feet Showing your disapproval (CGL T-2, 2015)
Dog in a manger A selfish person (CGL T-2, 2015)
Chapter and verse Providing minutes details (CGL T-2, 2015)
Bring down the house Amuse the audience greatly / To make everyone cheer (CGL T-2,

2015)

681.
682.
683.
684.

Give a wide berth to To stay away from or avoid someone (CGL T-2, 2015)
A hard nut to crack A difficult problem to solve (CGL T-2, 2015)
In black and white In writing (CGL T-2, 2015)
Beside the mark Irrelevant / Not to be accurate (CGL T-2, 2015)
To give a piece of mind Scolding / To tell someone that you are angry with them or

685.
you disapprove of their behaviour (CGL T-2, 2015)
686.
Give away - To distribute something(CGL T-2, 2015)
687.
688.
689.
690.
691.
692.

Fight tooth and nail Fight with all strengths (CGL T-2, 2015)
Show a clean a pair of heels To run away fast / To flee swiftly (CGL T-2, 2015)
All moonshine Concocted / Superficial (CGL T-2, 2015)
Up to the mark According to the required standard (CGL T-2, 2015)
A red letter day An important day (CGL T-2, 2015)
Sit on the fence To avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing something

(Stenographer, 2016)

693.

Shake off Forget / To get away from somebody who is chasing or following you

(Stenographer, 2016)

694.
695.

Cock and bull story A concocted or absurd story (Stenographer, 2016)

Pull a long face Look dejected / An unhappy or disappointed expression

(Stenographer,

2016)

696.
697.
698.
699.
700.
701.
702.
703.
704.
705.
706.
707.
708.
709.
710.

Under a cloud Under suspicion (Stenographer, 2016)

Cat-nap Short sleep (CGL T-1, 2016)
To pull a long face Look sad (CGL T-1, 2016)
Fit like a glove - Perfectly (CGL T-1, 2016)
Caught red-handed Discovered in the act of doing (CGL T-1, 2016)
Gate crasher Uninvited guest (CGL T-1, 2016)
To angle To fish (CGL T-1, 2016)
For all intents and purposes - Practically (CGL T-1, 2016)
Go out of ones way Do everything possible (CGL T-1, 2016)
In the running Has good prospects in competition (CGL T-1, 2016)
Beat about the bush To say everything except the main topic
Make room Make space (CGL T-1, 2016)
Mend your ways Improve ones behaviour (CGL T-1, 2016)
Beggar description Cannot be described (CGL T-1, 2016)
Drag ones feet Be reluctant to act (CGL T-1, 2016)

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(CGL T-1, 2016)

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Idioms & Phrases

711.
712.
713.
714.
715.
716.
717.
718.
719.
720.
721.
722.
723.
724.
725.
726.
727.
728.
729.
730.
731.
732.
733.
734.
735.
736.
737.
738.
739.
740.
741.
742.
743.
744.
745.
746.
747.
748.

Hope against hope Nurture an impossible hope (CGL T-1, 2016)

For keeps - Forever (CGL T-1, 2016)
Paled into insignificance Seemed less important (CGL T-1, 2016)
With one voice - Unanimously (CGL T-1, 2016)
Make it light Treat lightly (CGL T-1, 2016)
Every inch a gentleman - Entirely (CGL T-1, 2016)
A rough, violent, troublesome person - Tartar (CGL T-1, 2016)
To add fuel to the fire Make thing worse (CGL T-1, 2016)
To take to heart TO be greatly affected (CGL T-1, 2016)
To bring to light TO reveal (CGL T-1, 2016)
All moon shine Far from reality (CGL T-1, 2016)
At a snails pace - Slowly (CGL T-1, 2016)
Call on Pay a visit (CGL T-1, 2016)
Pros and cons Advantages and disadvantage (CGL T-1, 2016)
Once in a blue moon Very rarely (CGL T-1, 2016)
Fish out of water An uncomfortable position (CGL T-1, 2016)
Be down with Suffering from (CGL T-1, 2016)
Fair-weather friend Supports only when easy and convenient (CGL T-1, 2016)
Pull together Work harmoniously (CGL T-1, 2016)
To bury the hatchet to make peace (CGL T-1, 2016)
Selling like hot cakes To have a very good sale (CGL T-1, 2016)
Scot free - Unpunished (CGL T-1, 2016)
To give oneself airs Behave arrogantly (CGL T-1, 2016)
At a stones throw At short distance (CGL T-1, 2016)
Bone of contention Matter of dispute (CGL T-1, 2016)
To eat humble pie To yield under humiliating circumstances (CGL T-1, 2016)
To end in smoke To fail/ To end without any practical results (CGL T-1, 2016)
To spill the beans To reveal a secret (CGL T-1, 2016)
Drive home - Emphasise (CGL T-1, 2016)
A left hand compliment An ambiguous compliment (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cut a sorry figure Make a poor impression (CGL T-1, 2016)
To take to task - Reprimand (CGL T-1, 2016)
Bad blood - Enmity (CGL T-1, 2016)
Maiden speech First speech (CGL T-1, 2016)
To get cold feet - Fear (CGL T-1, 2016)
Beside the mark Not to the point (CGL T-1, 2016)
On tenterhooks In suspense and anxiety (CGL T-1, 2016)
A cuckoo in the nest An unwelcomed intruder (CGL T-1, 2016)

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Idioms & Phrases

749.
750.
751.
752.
753.

A house of cards An insecure scheme (CGL T-1, 2016)

To smell a rat To suspect foul dealings (CGL T-1, 2016)
Old head on young shoulder To be wise beyond ones age (CGL T-1, 2016)
A wild-goose chase Pointless search (CGL T-1, 2016)
Hard of hearing To be deaf (CGL T-1, 2016)
Burn your boats Do something that makes it impossible to return ro the previous

754.
situation (CGL T-1, 2016)
755.
756.
757.
758.
759.
760.
761.
762.
763.
764.
765.
766.
767.
768.
769.
770.
771.
772.
773.
774.
775.
776.
777.
778.
779.
780.
781.
782.

Dressing-down To give scolding (CGL T-1, 2016)

Null and void - Invalid (CGL T-1, 2016)
A dark horse Unexpected winner (CGL T-1, 2016)
Throw cold water - Discourage (CGL T-1, 2016)
Butt in Interrupt (CGL T-1, 2016)
Couch potato A person who prefers to watch television (CGL T-1, 2016)
Carry the ball Be in charge (CGL T-1, 2016)
Turn down - Reject (CGL T-1, 2016)
Catch a tartar to deal with a person who is more than ones match (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cap in hand In a respectful manner (CGL T-1, 2016)
In the blues Cheerless and depressed (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cheek by jowl Very close together (CGL T-1, 2016)
Beyond the pale Unreasonable or unacceptable (CGL T-1, 2016)
Blow ones own trumpet Praise oneself (CGL T-1, 2016)
Stick to guns Maintain own opinion (CGL T-1, 2016)
At sea At a loss (CGL T-1, 2016)
Straw in the wind An indication of what might happen (CGL T-1, 2016)
Face the music Be punished (CGL T-1, 2016)
Curry favours Seek favourable attention (CGL T-1, 2016)
Weal and woe Good times and bad times (CGL T-1, 2016)
Call in question - Challenge (CGL T-1, 2016)
Make both ends mean Live within means (CGL T-1, 2016)
Put up the shutters Go out of business (CGL T-1, 2016)
A drop in a bucket A very insignificant amount (CGL T-1, 2016)
Draw a blank Find no favour (CGL T-1, 2016)
To keep in abeyance In a state of suspension (CGL T-1, 2016)
To be in a fix In a difficult situation (CGL T-1, 2016)
To break the ice Make people comfortable and relaxed / Start conversation

(CGL T-1,

2016)

783.
784.

As daft as a brush Extremely silly (CGL T-1, 2016)

In a nutshell Briefly and concisely (CGL T-1, 2016)

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Page 22

Idioms & Phrases

785.
786.
787.
788.
789.
790.
791.
792.
793.
794.
795.
796.
797.
798.
799.
800.
801.
802.
803.
804.
805.
806.
807.
808.

Strain every nerve Work very hard (CGL T-1, 2016)

Evening of life Old age (CGL T-1, 2016)
Button ones lips Stop talking (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cock and bull stories Absurd and unlikely stories (CGL T-1, 2016)
A live wire Lively and active (CGL T-1, 2016)
Capital punishment Death sentence (CGL T-1, 2016)
Leaps and bounds - Rapidly (CGL T-1, 2016)
Wet behind the ears Young and without much experience (CGL T-1, 2016)
Under a cloud Under suspicion (CGL T-1, 2016)
Get the sack Be dismissed (CGL T-1, 2016)
Feather in ones cap A new and additional distinction (CGL T-1, 2016)
Donkeys year A long time (CGL T-1, 2016)
Leave no stone unturned To try every possible way (CGL T-1, 2016)
A man of letters - Scholar (CGL T-1, 2016)
Bear in mind - Remember (CGL T-1, 2016)
To nip in the bud To stop something in the starting (CGL T-1, 2016)
To put a spoke in ones wheel To hinder (CGL T-1, 2016)
To clip ones wings To deprive one of power (CGL T-1, 2016)
Hold up Delay (CGL T-1, 2016)
To play fast and loose To act in an unreliable way (CGL T-1, 2016)
Feather ones own nest Make money in an improper way (CGL T-1, 2016)
Pull a fast one Play a trick (CGL T-1, 2016)
Grease the palm To bribe (CGL T-1, 2016)
Turn-turtle Complete over-turn of a situation (CGL T-1, 2016)

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