English Idioms and Phrases: Check Their Meaning and Learn How to Use Them With Solved Examples

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An idiom is a common word or a phrase that means something different but can be understood because of its popular use. Idioms embellish the language. Idioms are made of normal language words that have a special meaning known to almost everyone. They are tools of the English language that help us describe a particular situation in a more creative way. They have a cultural and historical etymology behind them. Often, there are stories. English Idioms and phrases are significant because they can convey more meaning in fewer words and broaden the understanding of the examiner.

For details on the Para Jumbles, refer to the linked article.

Importance of Idioms and Phrases:

When it comes to IBPS PO, CLERK SO, SSC, CDS, RRB, and Defence Exams there are direct questions based on idioms and phrases. Candidates are supposed to choose the correct meaning of a particular idiom from the options. Since the options can be very similar, a good understanding and practice is a must. On the other hand, when it comes to written papers like UPSC Mains, the use of idioms make a good impression on the examiner. It will showcase that the candidate is not only fluent in the language but also has the required amount of creativity in him or her. In addition, it saves your space and time with fewer words to write.

For details on the Cloze Test, refer to the linked article.

Example:

  • If we see and analyze the current situation collectively from a higher perspective, we will realize the following:

This statement can be replaced with:

  • The current scenario will tell us the following:

It makes the text and the writer or sayer more impactful.

To get details on Idioms and Phrases, candidates can visit the linked article.

Commonly Used English Idioms and Phrases: Learn How to Use Them

A lot of students try to learn all the idioms and phrases out there. However, there are thousands of them and you don’t need all of them. So here are the idioms and phrases that are asked commonly in the competitive exams.

Idiom / PhraseMeaningExample Sentence
sweet toothlove sweet thingsShe has a sweet tooth. She always eats ice cream after dinner.
take a rain checkTo reschedule at another timeCan I take a rain check? I don’t have time to go out tonight.
take my hat off to someonehonour someoneI take my hat off to Rahul. He was the best singer at the party.
take no prisonersruthlessly aggressiveTo be successful in business, you need to take no prisoners and beat the competition.
take the bull by the hornsbe brave and face a challengeIf you want to be the CEO of the company, take the bull by the horns and work harder.
take the cakeespecially good or outstandingHis slap shot definitely takes the cake. It’s the best in the league!
take the wind out of my sailsto feel deflatedYour comment took the wind out of my sails when you laughed at my new invention.
take with a grain of saltdon’t believe it is completely accurateI always take whatever I read in the news with a grain of salt.
talk a blue streaktalk a lotWomen who are close friends can talk a blue streak on the phone.
the big timea situation involving fame or successThe actress was ready for the big time when she was nominated for the award.
the birds and the beessex educationI remember learning about the birds and the bees in middle school.
the eleventh-hourlast chance to do somethingJust before the deadline, the student submitted the assignment at the eleventh hour.
the home stretchnear the endWe’re on the home stretch now. We’ll be there in a few minutes.
the lion’s sharethe majorityShe was upset because her sister got the lion’s share of the inheritance.
the tip of the iceberga small part of a bigger problemTax evasion was just the tip of the iceberg. The company has committed countless other crimes.
the whole nine yardseverythingWe covered the whole nine yards in the meeting. There’s nothing left to do.
thick in the headstupid or foolishTommy is so thick in the head. He keeps licking the wall.
third time’s a charmthe third time is usually successfulI tried unlocking the door twice already. I hope the third time’s a charm.
through thick and thinin good and bad timesHe loved his wife through thick and thin.
throw caution to the windto let go of all responsibilities and have funLet’s throw caution to the wind, quit our jobs, and go on vacation!
throw in the towelgive upRocky never threw in the towel during his fighting career.
throw the baby out with the bathwaterremoving something good while trying to remove something badKeep writing your novel. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Most of what you have written is great.
throw under the bussacrifice someone as a scapegoatThe player threw the goaltender under the bus saying he was the reason they lost the game.
tick for tackretaliationThe team lost the first game but won the second. Tick for tack.
tie the knotget marriedAre you ever going to tie the knot? You aren’t getting any younger.
time fliestime goes very fastOur vacation is over already? Time flies!
time is moneytime is valuableWe can’t wait here all day. Time is money!
time of your lifean enjoyable time of your lifeDid you have the time of your life when you were a teenager?
time to runtime to leaveIt’s time to run. I need to go and pick up my kids from school.
time will tellthe outcome will soon be knownOnly time will tell what happens to the human race.
to be off basenot making a fair statementMandy was off base when she said that I needed a hair transplant to get the acting role.
to fancy someoneto think someone is very attractiveDo you fancy Molly? She likes you too.
tongue in cheeknot meaning what one is sayingWhen I said to fly to Hawaii, I was speaking tongue in cheek. I didn’t think you would book a ticket!
true coloursactual character or personalityI saw her true colours when she donated to the local charity.
two-timecheat or betrayHis girlfriend was two-timing him by sleeping with the plumber.
under my thumbunder my controlMick said the girl was under his thumb. She was the sweetest pet in the world.
under the tableconcealed or by secretWe should keep this under the table until we know it’s safe to tell everyone.
under the weatherfeel sickSorry, I can’t come to work today. I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
until the cows come homefor a long timeShe can watch Netflix until the cows come home.
up the creekin troubleIf I don’t wash the dishes tonight, I’ll be up the creek. Mom said to wash them two days ago.
walk out on someoneto end a relationshipMy girlfriend walked out on me, so I was depressed.
wash my hands of somethingstop dealing with a problemI’m washing my hands of his troubled past and moving on with life.
water off a duck’s backa harmful remark that does not affect someoneShe insulted me but I didn’t care. It was like water off a duck’s back.
water under the bridgea past problem that no longer affects the presentHe cheated on her 10 years ago, but that is water under the bridge now.
wear the pantsbe in chargeShe wears the pants in the family. Her husband stays home and sleeps all day.
wear your heart on your sleeveshow emotions openlyYou always wear your heart on your sleeve and give annual donations to charity.
when it rains, it poursmany misfortunes often occur all at onceLast week, my dog died and I broke my leg. When it rains, it pours.
whisper sweet nothingsto say romantic things to someoneSue likes it when I whisper sweet nothings to her.
white elephantuseless possessionMy old DVD player is a white elephant. I only watch Netflix now.
a hot potatoa controversial issue or situationThe voting ballot has become a hot potato in the country.
A piece of cakeAn easy taskBeing a good teacher, handling students was a piece of cake for him.
Once in a blue moonA very rare eventA referendum occurs once in a blue moon.
A bed of rosesAn easy option or wayLife isn’t a bed of roses.
Raining cats and dogsHeavy rainsIt rained cats and dogs during the cyclone
When pigs flyAn impossible task or eventThe time machine will be invented when pigs fly.
Devil’s advocateone who presents a counter-argumentJohn always plays the devil’s advocate in every plan we make.
Miss the boatMiss an opportunity or chanceIf you won’t study you will miss the boat to your dream college.
Apple of the eyesomeone very precious or dearA child is an apple of the parents’ eyes
zip your lipShut up or stop talkingThe angry teacher asked the students to zip their lips
Second windA second burst of energy after being tiredHe felt a second wind surging through his body. He grabbed the shovel and started digging again.
dog’s lifeA miserable life.In the 1800s, slaves led a dog’s life

Also, check out Reading Comprehension

Idioms And Phrases– Sample Questions For Verbal Ability

Statements given below have a few words or phrases highlighted in bold. Choose the correct option that is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as the highlighted word/phrase.

Q1. Can I take a rain check on your offer? Options:

  1. think on it
  2. check the weather
  3. Predict the weather
  4. Buy an umbrella.

Ans. Option A is correct.

For details on the Types and Rules of Tenses, refer to the linked article.

Q2. The manager asked me to wear the pants while he was on leave. Options:

  1. Change clothes
  2. Wear a pair of pants
  3. Be in charge
  4. Work hard

Ans. Option C is correct.

Q3. The broken car was a white elephant in the garage. Options:

  1. Costly possession
  2. Unnecessary item
  3. A big white object
  4. A burden

Ans. Option D is correct. Did you understand the use of different idioms and phrases? Then it’s time to practice.

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English Idioms and Phrases FAQs

Q.1  What are idioms?
Ans.1 Idioms are sentences that are used to convey a different meaning than their literal meaning.

Q.2 Why are idioms used?
Ans.2 Idioms are used to convey more meaning in fewer words effectively.

Q.3 What is the difference between idioms and phrases?
Ans.3 Idioms are well-established words with a historical or cultural background to them. Phrases are a group of words that act as one unit.

Q.4 What is an example of a phrase?
Ans.4 “A taste of your own medicine” – This is a phrase and it means “When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others”

Q.5 What are the different types of phrases?
Ans.5 The different types of phrases are noun, verb, gerund, infinitive, appositive, participial, prepositional, and absolute.