IDIOMS AND PHRASES

Idioms and phrases are important from the scoring point of view. If a candidate has ample number of idioms and
phrases to himself then he can score better in the exam. Moreover, a constant practice will enable the candidate to
master this topic.
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a culturally understood meaning that differs from what its composite
words definitions would suggest. e.g. ‘kick the bucket’ means ‘to die’ and also to actually kick a bucket. Here are
some frequently used
Phrasal verbs (phrases) with the following verbs-‘break, carry, cast, catch, come, cut, do, fall, get, give, go, have,
hold, keep, lay, make, play, put, set, stand, take, throw, turn.

IDIOMS
Break
 To break cover is used when you leave a place where you have been hiding or sheltering to save yourself from
attack, usually in order to run to another place.
 To break the heart means to afflict grievously, to cause to suffer seriously from grief.
 To break the ice means to start conversations by getting over the feeling of restraint.
Carry
 To carry one's point means to achieve the desired goal, to overcome obstacles placed in the way to defeat the
opposition in a public debate.
 To carry away captive means to take away into captivity, as prisoners of war.
 To carry a thing too far means to continue it beyond what is logical or safe.
Cast
 To cast or throw light upon means to illuminate or to describe in detail.
 To cast into the shade means to separate the earlier effect of something on someone.
Catch
 To catch one's eye means to attract one's notice by being seen or to come under one's notice.
 To catch it means to achieve the most continued goal.
 To catch a Tartar means to seize or encounter an adversary who proves too strong for him.
Come
 To come to close quarters means to tackle an enemy closely.
 To come to grief is said of a person who meets with disaster or a scheme that proves abortive.
 To come to hand is idiomatic for, to reach one.
 To come to be means generally, to become important.
 To come to no good means to come to a bad end
 To come to age means to become adult.
Cut
 To cut short means to shorten or abridge what is likely to lengthen out.
 To cut or sting, to the quick. The quick is the sensitive flesh, that which is susceptible of keen feeling. The phrase
means to cause acute pain.
 To cut off in its prime means to destroy a fair thing when in its prime.
Do
 To do good means to act in a manner that others are benefited.
 To do well out of something means to derive profit from the activity.
Fall
 To fall foul of means to come into collision with.
 To fall out means to quarrel.
 To fall into abeyance means to cease to be exerted or used.
 To fall to work or set to work means to begin to do work.
 To fall a prey to means to be the victim of.
 To fall for something means to yield to charms.
Get
 To get clear of means to become free from difficulty or annoyance.
 To get one's back up means to become irritated.
 To get rid of; to be deprived of means quitting of a thing or to get free from a thing.
 To get into a scrape means to find oneself in an awkward position.
Give
 To be given to understand means to be led to believe.
 To give or show a person cold shoulder means to treat him coldly, to receive him in cold manner.
 To give someone the slip means to avoid someone who is looking for you.
 To give a thing a wide berth means to keep at a distance from it.
 To give good measure means to give rather more than full, correct measure.
 To give chapter and verse for a thing means to produce the proof of it.
Go
 To go a long way means to go far, to go to a great length.
 To go to law means to litigate, to seek redressal through a court of law.
 To go hard with means to press heavily upon.
 To go on a fool's errand means to go on an expedition which leads to a foolish end.
Have
 To have clean hands means to be perfectly innocent, to be a person of honesty and integrity.
 To have to do a thing means to be forced to do it.
 To have a difference with a person means have mild quarrel (or difference of opinion) with him.
Hold
 To hold one's tongue means to be silent not to speak.
 To hold oneself ready or in readiness means to be ready to be in a state of preparedness.
 To hold up one's head means to be able to look at every man in the face.
 To hold one's head high means to bear oneself proudly.
 To hold true means to regard as true, to continue to be true.
Keep
 To keep within bounds means to keep within due limits.
 To keep a thing dark means to keep it hidden or concealed, not to disclose it or make it known to others.
 To keep company with a person means to associate with him as a companion.
 To keep house means to manage the business of a household.
 To keep open house means to be ready to entertain all guests.
 To keep a sharp look-out means to maintain a keen watch.
 To keep pace with means to keep abreast of the development, to advance or progress equally fast with.
Lay
 To lay waste means to make desolate.
 To lay bare, lay open means to disclose or reveal a secret thing.
 To lay someone under an obligation means to do a favour so that he feels indebted.
 To lay oneself open to means to expose oneself to.
 To lay down the law means to speak in tones of authority.
Make
 To make a will means to make a testamentary disposal of his property.
 To make love to means to make love with a woman.
 He makes a good soldier means he possesses qualities of a good soldier.
 To make a point of means doing a thing, to set it before you as a thing to be certainly done.
 To make a clean breast of something means to disclose fully and without reserve.
 To make (both) ends meet means to be able to supply the necessaries of life while keeping expenditure within
income.
Play
 To play a truant means to stay away without permission.
 To play into the hands of other means to act as to be of advantage to another.
 To play fast and loose with means to disregard one's promises or engagements.
 To play a double game or act as a double part means to do one thing openly and a different thing in secrecy.
Put
 To put to the sword means to slay with the sword.
 To put to shame means to make someone ashamed or to disgrace.
 To put a thing to the vote means to take a vote upon a proposal.
 To put (or get) things ship-shape means to settle them in an appropriate order.
 To put to sea means to start on a voyage.
 To put one's oar in means to interfere in something.
Set
 To set a scheme on foot is to start it, to set it going.
 To set store by is to value highly.
Stand
 To stand in another man's shoes means to occupy another man's place.
 To stand in good stead means to be of great advantage to one in a time of difficulty.
 To stand one's ground means to maintain one's position.
Take
 To take into account means to regard, to consider.
 To take to task, call to account means to reprove and require explanation.
 To take advantage of means to use any benefit offered by; also, to get benefit by cunning means.
 To take a thing in hand means to undertake to do it, to attempt to accomplish it.
 To take a city by storm means to capture it through a fierce and surprised attack.
 To take people by storm means to captivate them unexpectedly.
 To take to one's heels means to run away.
Throw
 To throw cold water upon a project means to discourage it, to disparage the project,.
 To throw dust in one's eyes means to deceive one.
 To throw off the mask is said of one who, having acted a deceitful part for a time, suddenly declares his real
intentions.
 To throw up the sponge means to give up a contest, to surrender.
Turn
 To turn one's back upon means to abandon, to reject or refuse unceremoniously, to change to a directly
opposite course.
 To turn a matter over in one's mind means to consider it carefully and look at it from all sides.
 To turn one's hand to means to engage oneself in.
 To turn tail means to retreat ignominiously. It is said when a person behaves like a coward.
PHRASES
To read between the lines (to understand the hidden meaning)
If her essay is read between the lines, we will find that she has made comments against the government.
To see eye to eye (to agree)
Neema could never see eye to eye with her elder brother.
To have blue blood (aristocratic blood)
Though my friend has blue blood yet her conduct is very mean and vulgar.
The halcyon days (peaceful days)
The days we spend in our school are the halcyon days of our life.
The swan song (last creation)
‘Lament’ was the swan song of Shelley.
Uphill task (difficult task)
The problem of holding exams on time is an uphill task for the VC of CCS University.
A wet blanket (any person that dampens enthusiasm)
The Principal proved to be a wet blanket while the students were on picnic.
A wild goose chase (unprofitable)
All the efforts of the government to remove illiteracy in India is like a wild goose chase.
Bird’s eye view (concise view)
We had a bird's eye view of the whole fair from top of the giant-wheel.
To live a fool's paradise (false hope)
My brother is living in a fool's paradise, if he thinks that he can be a rich man without working hard.
To have feet of clay (full of faults)
The CBI enquiry has revealed that many ministers have feet of clay.
Over and above (moreover, besides)
I shall lend you books over and above what I have promised to give you in cash.
Apple-pie order (in perfect order)
On the eve of inspection, everything was kept in apple-pie order.
A fair weather friend (selfish friend)
A fair weather friend will never stand by you in difficulty.
To take up arms (to fight)
The tribes of this region have taken up arms against the government.
To bite the dust (to be defeated)
Pakistan had to bite the dust in the finals of the World Cup.
Off colour (not in usual form)
Once a glamorous actress, she is off colour these days.
A dare devil (a fearless person)
Only a dare devil can challenge the city mafia and bring to their knees.
A die-hard (persistent in struggle)
He is a die-hard person and will not easily surrender.
To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth (to be born in a rich family)
My friend does not have to worry about spending any amount of money as she is born with a silver spoon in her
mouth.
Snake in the grass (a secret enemy)
The country is always betrayed by the snakes in the grass.
By fits and starts (irregularly)
If we study by fits and starts, we can never be successful in our exams.
The ins and outs (secrets)
The servants are generally familiar with the ins and outs of the family.
Tooth and nail (violently)
All the students revolted tooth and nail for the partiality of the teachers towards some students.
Hard and fast (strict)
No hard and fast rule is laid down about being regular in the college.
To meet one's Waterloo (to face final defeat)
Tipu Sultan met his Waterloo in the fourth battle of Mysore.
To hang fire (remain unsolved)
Kashmir problem has been hanging fire for the last fifty years.
An eye-wash (a pretence) My friend’s promise to help me proved just an eye-wash.
Out of question (not possible)
His success is out of question because he is not studying these days.
Herculean task (very difficult)
It is a Herculean task to root out corruption in India.
To throw cold water (to discourage)
Instead of encouraging me, my business partner threw cold water on my plans.
Practice Exercise
Exercise 1
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-37) In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrases. Choose the
one which best expresses the meaning of the given idioms/phrases.
1. Take exception to
(a) different (b) to take with difficulty (c) object to (d) difficult
2. Through thick and thin
(a) big and small (b) large object
(c) under all conditions (d) thin and lat
3. Sitting on the fence
(a) unbalanced (b) uncomfortable (c) coward (d) between two opinions
4. An axe to grind
(a) difficult job (b) hard labour (c) private ends to serve (d) punishment
5. His wit's end
(a) finished (b) confused (c) comedy (d) very intelligent
6. To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
(a) to be born in a rich home (b) to be born in a jeweller's home
(c) to be fed milk with a silver spoon (d) to be a first born child
7. A hard nut to crack
(a) difficult things require extra effort (b) a difficult problem to solve
(c) a difficult problem solved effortlessly (d) costly things need careful handling
8. From hand to mouth
(a) something repeated often (b) consuming food
(c) to survive without saving (d) hitting someone by hand on the mouth
9. To beat about the bush
(a) not to come to the point (b) vigorous search for the spirit
(c) easily achieved success without much effort (d) working hard to achieve the goal
10. To burn one's fingers
(a) to get injured in an accident (b) to pay a heavy price
(c) to suffer from meddling in something (d) to get a burn injury on the hands
11. To make mince meat
(a) copy the appearance of somebody (b) take care of something
(c) refute utterly (d) have the same opinion
12. To carry all before one
(a) finish quickly (b) make a promise
(c) be free from danger (d) be completely successful
13. To run riot
(a) befool other (b) be violent in action
(c) criticise other (d) behave in an undisciplined way
14. To carry the conviction
(a) be extremely fond of anything (b) bear the proof of the truth
(c) feel displeasure (d) make overtures of reconciliation
15. To hold
(a) show unwillingness (b) keep at a distance
(c) stop by threats of violence (d) endure hardship or danger
16. To come round
(a) to get well (b) to reach a roundabout (c) to succeed (d) to complete a circle
17. A white elephant
(a) an elephant with white skin (b) a costly thing
(c) a costly and useful thing (d) a costly but useless thing
18. Merry as a cricket
(a) to enjoy a game of cricket (b) to be carefree
(c) to dance and sing (d) to be good al sports
19. To show white feather
(a) meet a strong adversary (b) to run away
(c) to show cowardice (d) to die an ignoble death
20. To set the Thames on fire
(a) to wreak evil on something (b) to destroy with fire
(c) to do a heroic deed (d) to try to do the impossible
21. To smell a rat
(a) to see hidden meaning (b) to smell bad odour
(c) to misunderstand (d) to suspect a trick or deceit
22. On the spur of the moment
(a) at once or without any kind of deliberation (b) in accordance with the prevailing style
(c) open to blame (d) on the side of something undesirable
23. To go hard with one
(a) to remain neutral (b) to be busy over trifles
(c) to be unreliable (d) to prove a serious matter
24. To keep house
(a) to keep pace with (b) to be silent about one's own purpose
(c) to waste time (d) to manage the business of the household
25. To talk over
(a) to consider (b) to discuss (c) to understand (d) to think over
26. To rule the roost
(a) to domineer (b) to surrender (c) to run away (d) to fight
27. To turn down
(a) give up (b) reject (c) follow (d) throw
28. The term ‘sine die’ means
(a) indefinitely (b) Inadequate
(c) signature by a person on death bed (d) continuously
29. Modus operandi
 (a) way of doing something (b) manner of theft
(c) way of doing theft (d) way of worship
30. ‘To play second fiddle’ means
(a) to support the role and view of another person (b) to act like a minor criminal
(c) to deceive your superior (d) to play the second musical instrument
31. ‘Hanging fire’ means
(a) going to be sacrificed (b) going on slowly
(c) being hotly debated (d) going to be burnt soon
32. ‘Go out on a limb’ means
(a) being at two places at the same time
(b) put oneself in an isolated or disadvantageous position
(c) going somewhere without being noticed
(d) fracturing one's limb
33. Ab initio
(a) from the very beginning (b) high initiative
(c) thing done later (d) without initiative
34. Pell-mell
(a) in hurried disorder (b) gaiety and excitement
(c) extremely worried (d) None of these
35. To have one's heart in one's boots
(a) to get angry (b) to be deeply depressed
(c) to be frightened (d) to keep a secret
36. To give one's ears
(a) to listen carefully (b) to act in a foolish way
(c) to make a guess (d) to make almost any sacrifice
37. To fight tooth and nail
(a) making every possible effort to win (b) to fight fiercely with great effort
(c) to fight heroically (d) to fight a losing battle
Exercise 2
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-40) In each of the following questions, some alternatives are given or suggested for the
idiom/phrase in italics in the sentence. Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase in
italics.
1. The girls hit it off right away.
(a) got along very well (b) clobbered (c) became agitated (d) cracked the plan
2. You have a hustle to get there on time.
(a) Jostle (b) catch a bus (c) get ready (d) get a move on
3. At Christmas, eve the elderly fathers paint the town red.
(a) indulge in rioting (b) paint the house red
(c) spill red wine (d) have a lively time
4. The members of the group were at odds over the selection procedure.
(a) acting foolishly (b) in dispute
(c) unanimous (d) behaving childishly
5. There is no love lost between the two neighbours.
(a) close friendship (b) intense dislike
(c) a love-hate relationship (d) cool indifference
6. I did not mind what he was saying, he was only talking through his hat.
(a) talking insultingly (b) talking irresponsibly
(c) talking ignorantly (d) talking nonsense
7. If you pass this difficult examination, it will be a feather in your cap.
(a) you will get a very good job (b) additional achievement
(c) your parents will be very happy (d) you will get a scholarship for higher studies
8. He is in the habit of chewing the cuds.
(a) accusing others (b) crying over spit milk
(c) forgetting things (d) to muse on
9. If you rub him he wrong way, he is bound to react.
(a) annoy him (b) abuse him
(c) flatter him (d) encourage
10. There was opposition to the new policy by the rank and file of the government.
(a) the majority (b) the ordinary members
(c) the cabinet members (d) the official machinery
11. Dowry is a burning question of the day.
(a) a dying issue (b) a relevant problem
(c) an irrelevant problem (d) a widely debated issue
12. His voice gets on my nerves.
(a) makes me sad (b) irritates me
(c) makes me ill (d) pierces my eardrums
13. The hero of Naipaul’s novel ‘A House for Mr. Biswas', like modern young men, wishes to paddle his own canoe.
(a) lead an independent life (b) depend on others
(c) make the best of his life (d) have his own means of livelihood
14. Our school is within a stone's throw of the railway station.
(a) within a certain radius (b) at a short distance
(c) within a definite circumference (d) very far off
15. Some people have a habit of wearing their heart on their sleeve.
(a) avoiding being friendly with others (b) saying something which is not to be taken seriously
(c) exposing their innermost feelings to (d) wasting their time on unnecessary dete
16. The sight of the accident made my flesh creep.
(a) worried me (b) frightened me (c) confused me (d) drew my attention
17. Komal was left high and dry by her friends when she lost all her money.
(a) isolated (b) rejected (c) wounded (d) depressed
18. I just paid him a left handed compliment.
(a) an honest (b) a well deserved (c) an insincere (d) a flattering
19. The party stalwarts have advised the President to take it lying down for a while.
(a) to show no reaction (b) to take rest
(c) to be on the defensive (d) lo be cautious
20. A movement for the world unity is in the offing.
(a) at the end (b) about to start
(c) on decline (d) in the air
21. He is a queer fish, I have failed to understand him.
(a) funny person (b) sensitive person
(c) strange person (d) quarrelsome person
22. No caring for the family, Devendra wanted to gather roses only.
(a) wanted to paint a rosy picture of pest (b) wanted to start business of roses
(c) wanted to make safe investment (d) wanted to seek all the enjoyment of life
23. His most trusted friend proved to be a snake in the grass.
(a) cowardly and brutal (b) an unreliable and deceitful person
(c) a hidden enemy (d) low and mean
24. The new CM stuck his neck out today and promised 10 kg free wheat a month for all rural families.
(a) extended help (b) took an oath
(c) caused embarrassment (d) took a risk
25. The involvement of teachers in the scheme of education proves to be a mare's nest.
(a) a false invention (b) a noble thing
(c) a successful idea (d) a timely step
26. Pt Nehru was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
(a) a born in a royal family (b) born in a middle class family
(c) born in a family of nationalists (d) born in a wealthy family
27. He burnt his fingers by interfering in his neighbour's affairs.
(a) got rebuked (b)got himself insulted
(c) burnt himself (d) got himself into trouble
28. When the police came, the thieves took to their heels.
(a) were taken by surprise (b) took to flight
(c) took shelter in a .all building (d) unconditionally surrendered
29. He is a strange fellow. It is very difficult to deal with him; it seems that he has a bee in his bonnet.
(a) an achievement to be proud of (b) an obsession about something
(c) to face problems as a result of his senseless actions (d) peculiar habit of confusing others
30. The politician was able to sway the mob with his gift of the gab.
(a) fluency of speech (b) flattering words
(c) abundance of promises (d) political foresight
31. The speaker gave a bird's eye view of the political conditions in the country.
(a) a detailed presentation (b) a biased view
(c) a general view (d) a personal view
32. The detective left no stone unturned to trace the culprit.
(a) did very irrelevant things (b) used all available means
(c) took no pains (d) resorted to illegitimate practices
33. They sold their house because it was a real white elephant.
(a) an expensive one (b) a big one
(c) a useless one (d) a rare find
34. It will be wise on your part to let the bygones be bygones.
(a) resist the past (b) ignore the past
(c) recollect the past (d) revive the past
35. She was in a brown study and did not notice any entrance.
(a) reverie (b) sleep (c) fear (d) dream
36. Prohibition is gall and wormwood to distillers.
(a) opportunity (b) mayhem (c) abominable (d) heaven
37. The co-operation and esprit de corps between the soldiers and the officer was directly responsible for their
victory.
(a) bravery (b) loyalty (c) subordination (d) unity
38. She exhibited remarkable sang froid during the crisis.
(a) temper (b) irritation (c) composure (d) anger
39. Professor Giri said, “We will have to cover a lot of ground in this course”. What did he men by “cover a lot of
ground”?
(a) We have to skip a large of syllabus (b) We have to complete a lot of material
(c) We have to start from basics (d) We have to travel a lot
40. Ramesh said to me, You have the floor. What does this mean?
(a) You have practically won
(b) You have full right to disagree
(c) You have full permission to speak your mind now
(d) You have tenancy rights over the property's floor
Previous Year Questions
Directions (Q. Nos. 41-45) Select the correct meaning of the italicized idioms and phrases out of the four choices
given. [CLAT 2012]
41. He burnt his fingers by interfering in his neighbour's affair.
(a) got himself into trouble (b) burnt himself
(c) got himself insulted (d) got rebuked
42. Mr. Gupta, who is one of the trustees of a big charity, is suspected of feathering his own nest:
(a) being lazy in doing his work (b) being too generous
(c) neglecting his job (d) making money unfairly
43. Mrs. Hashmi has been in the blues for the last several weeks.
(a) abroad (b) unwell (c) depressed (d) penniless
44. For the first week, the apprentice felt like a fish out of water.
(a) frustrated (b) homeless (c) disappointed (d) uncomfortable
45. His friends failed to see why he should ride the high horse just because he had won an election.
(a) become abnormal (b) appear arrogant
(c) indulge in dreams (d) hate others
Directions (Q. No. 46-50) Choose the explanation that catches the spirit of the idiom given in each question.
[CLAT 2013]
46. To blaze a trail
(a) to set on fire (b) to blow the trumpet
(c) to initiate work in a movement (d) to be hopeful
47. A snake in the grass
(a) a secret or hidden enemy (b) an unreliable person
(c) unforeseen happening (d) a dangerous enemy
48. Have too many irons in the fire
(a) engaged in too many enterprises at the same time
(b) facing too many problems at the same time
(c) said or done too many things at the same time
(d) to incite the feeling amongst the people
49. A fair weather friend
(a) a friend who is fair to us at all the times (b) a friend who deserts us in difficulties
(c) a friend whom we love the most (d) a friend who loves us the most
50. A panacea
(a) an injection that serves as a lifeline (b) a lecture full of precepts
(c) a strong drug that induces sleep (d) a single cure for all diseases or troubles
Directions (Q. Nos. 51-55) Choose the explanation that best reflects the spirit of the idiom/proverb phrase given in
each question. [CLAT 2014]
51. To make clean breast of
(a) to tell the truth about something (b) to gain prominence
(c) to destroy before it blooms (d) to praise oneself
52. A man of straw
(a) a creditable man (b) a very active man
(c) a man of no or little substance (d) an unreasonable man
53. A wild-goose chase
(a) a wise search (b) a fruitful search
(c) a worthwhile hunt (d) a futile pursuit
54. Put on the market
(a) to offer for sale (b) alongside the market
(c) already purchased (d) None of the above
55. To meet someone halfway
(a) to show that you are prepared to strain you relationship with someone
(b) to compromise with someone
(c) confrontation
(d) incongruity
Directions (Q. Nos. 56-58) Complete the proverb in the following questions. [CLAT 2016]
56. ‘To bury the hatchet’ means
(a) to end a feud with an enemy (b) to hide some treasure
(c) to plant grass in the field (d) to cremate carcass of an animal
57. When ......... is bliss, it is .... to be wise.
(a) romance; boring (b) bachelorhood; single
(c) knowledge: better (d) ignorance; folly
58. ...............waters run........................
(a) Muddy: slow (b) Still; deep
(c) Hot; fast (d) Stagnant: leisurely
Answer
Exercise 1

1. C 2. C 3. D 4. C 5. B 6. A 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. C
11. C 12. D 13. D 14. B 15. D 16. D 17. D 18. B 19. C 20. C
21. D 22. A 23. D 24. D 25. B 26. A 27. B 28. A 29. A 30. A
31. B 32. B 33. A 34. A 35. B 36. A 37. A

Exercise 2

1. A 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. B 6. D 7. B 8. D 9. A 10. B
11. D 12. C 13. A 14. B 15. C 16. B 17. B 18. C 19. A 20. B
21. C 22. D 23. C 24. D 25. A 26. D 27. D 28. B 29. B 30. A
31. A 32. B 33. C 34. B 35. A 36. C 37. D 38. C 39. B 40. C
41. A 42. D 43. C 44. D 45. B 46. D 47. A 48. C 49. B 50. D
51. A 52. C 53. D 54. A 55. B 56. A 57. D 58. B