1. All and sundry : All without exception.

He gave sweet to All and sundry.

2. At a low ebb : Decreasing
His popularity is at a low ebb.
3. To be at one : Agree
He was at one with me on all points.
4. To be at the end of : At the end of resources.
One’s tether : He was at the end of his tether by spending foolishly.
5. Read between the line : Find out the secret meaning.
Read the letter between the lines to know his real intention.

gh
6. Look black at somebody : Look angrily.
He looked black at me when I disobeyed him.

in
7. Black tidings : Sad news, causing despair.
He was informed of black tidings when he woke up. S
8. Down in the mouth : Out of spirits.
p
He is looking down in the mouth today.
ee

9. In abeyance : In a state of suspension.

The other has been kept in abeyance.
id

10. Ins and outs : Full details.

Ja

I know the inns and outs of the matter.

11. In black and white : In writing
Put it down in black and white.
y

12. In round numbers : Roughly

B

The cost will be Rs. 500 in round unumbers.

h

13. On the cards : Likely.

lis

A change of the ministry is on the cards.

14. On the dot : In time
ng

He is never marked late in his office, he reaches office on the dot.

15. Out of spirits : Out of zest.
E

You seem out of the wood yet.

16. Out of the wood : Free from difficulties.
I am not out of the wood yet.
17. Sum and substance : The purpose.
The Sum and substance of the story is this
18. All the crow flies : Straight.
My house is 5 Km. from the station as the crow flies.
19. A better pill to swallow : Something unpleasant to accept.

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 The new posting to him was a better pill to swallow but he had no choice.
20. Cog in the machine : An unimportant person of a big enterprise.

He is just a cog in the machine.

21. Herculean task : A difficult task.
Solving this problem is a herculean task.
22. Hush money : Bribe for silence.
He offered me hush-money not to give out the secret but I refused it.
23. Itching palm : Habits of taking bribe.
I abhore him for he has an itching palm.
24. On the carpet: Under consideration

gh
He wanted to know what on the carpet in the meeting.
25. Point blank : directly.

in
I told him point blank that I cannot support him.
26. Salt of the earth : Ideal man.
Men like Gandhiji are salt of the earth. S
p
27. Straight from the : Information direct from a reliable person.
ee

horse’s mouth : I got the news straight from the horse’s mouth.
28. Storm in a tea-cup : Great excitement over a small matter.
id

You have raised a storm in a tea -cup.

29. Wolf’s in sheep’s : Enemy posing as a friend.
Ja

clothing : You must not trust him, he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

30. Bury the hatchet : End quarrel
y

Let us burry the hatch and make friendship again.

B

31. Cross one’s mind : Flash across the mind.

h

The idea did not cross my mind.

lis

32. Join issue with : Differ with

I join issue with you on the point.
ng

33. Keep the world from : Keep away from poverty

the door : I have to work hard to keep the world from the door.
E

34. Suppress querry : Hide facts.

None can suppress querry.
35. Under the sun : Anywhere.
Even a beggar has some place under the sun.
36. Nigger in a wood pile : Which means something.
Her bad temper is a nigger in a wood pile in her personality.
37. An old flame : Lover,
Paromita is my old flame.
38. Tax one’s patience : Very hard test of patience.

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 Gandhiji was severely taxed patience because he believed in non-violence.
39. Save one’s skin : Save oneself.
Students use unfair means to save their skin in examination.
40. Keep a good table : Give luxurious meal.
She keeps a good table for the guest whoever visits her.
41. In many pin : Jokingly.
She said this in merry pin that you were a joker.
42. At enmity with : Hostility, hatred.
To be at enmity with any body is a sin.
43. At stake : In danger.
Behave humanely, otherwise your own prestige will be at stake.

gh
44. At ease: free.
After the work was over, I was really at ease

in
45. At a standstill : Not moving at all.

S
I saw that Dr. khan was in his clinic. To see me he stood at a standstill for while
but soon he recognized me.
p
46. Aghast at : Filled with fear.
ee

Mrs. Praveen , my wife, stood aghast at the sight.

47. Ask after somebody: Ask for information about.
id

She was asking me after you. perhaps , she still feels your absence after the
divorce.
Ja

48. Catch at a straw: A small help.

A drowning man will catch at a straw.
y

49. Do’s and don’ts : Customs

B

Some persons have too many do’s and don’ts.

50. Diddle somebody : Cheat.
h

None can diddle me.

lis

51. Die in harness : Die at work.

She died in harness.
ng

52. Don’t mind someone : Don’t bother about someone

I have the ability to manage my own affairs, don’t mind me.
E

53. Drive somebody in : Neglecting.

A corner : He drove me in a corner while she was talking and arguing with him.
54. To be drawn: To be attracted.
She was the cause of to be drawn in the whole party.
55. The early bird gets : One who stands early is more successful
The warm : Be the early bird and get the warm.
56. Keep early hours : Rise and go to bed early.
To keep early hour is a good habit.

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57. To show white feather : To show fear.
He has to show white feather in the performance of the circus.
58. A Feather in the cap: A very good achievement.
His scholarship for USA is a feather in a cap.
59. A good Samaritan : A really kind man.
60. To raise a dust : To crcate confusion.
Present govt, has raised a dust due to its policies.
61. To bring home the bacon : To be successful.
Ram has brought home the bacon.
62. To slick to one’s gun : To maintain one’s point against all opposition.

gh
Mr. Atal Bihari Bajpai was sticked to his gun always.
63. Man of letters : Scholar.

in
The Mahatma Gandhi ji was the man of letters.
64. At a low key : At reducing.
The popularity of congress party is at a low key.
S
p
65. To die a dog’s death : Unheroic death.
ee

Some people in India die a dog’s death.

66. To fire on all : To exert with all force.
id

All political parties make fire on all against parties during the election.
Ja

67. To Break the duck : To begin.

Hari has broken the duck pertaining to garmentes.
68. A big shot : Important person.
y

Mr. Narander Modi is a big shot in BJP

B

69. Rise from ashes : To rise high from low.

h

Many successful business men in india have rised from ashes

lis

70. Cut the Gordian knot : To perform a difficult task.

Mr Anna Hajare has cut the Gordian knot by lok pal bill.
ng

71. To talk shop : To talk nonsense.

My friend talk shop of only with me.
E

72. To have finger in the pie : To do something in an affair.

I have finger in the pie recently.
73. To have one’s heart in the right place : To be kind.
He has his heart in the right place.
74. My hands are full : I am busy.
He told me that his hands are full.
75. To give someone a place of mind : To scold.
Ram’s father gave his a place of mind to him.
76. To bury the hatchet : To make peace.

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 America wants to bury the hatchet with other countries
77. To be at the end of one’s tether : To have no resources no.
78. Out of the woods : Out of difficulties
At last India came out of the woods and got independence.
79. A hot line : Direct telephone line between heads of states.
There is a hot line between India and America.
80. To black-ball : Prevent from doing something.
He has made me a black-ball in the general life.
81. To make no bones about something : To do or say a thing openly if it is
unpleasant.
He makes no bones about anything.

gh
82. To have several irons in the fire : To have many tasks or many pieces of work.

in
Mr. Mukesh Ambani has several irons in the fire
83. A red letter day : An important day. Independence day of India
is a red letter day. S
p
84. To work like a dog : To work very hard.
ee

Director of my company works like a dog.

85. To foot the bill : To make payment (payment )
id

He has foot the bill after taking the meal in the restaurant.
86. Cut no ice : To make no effect.
Ja

His speech has cut no ice on the people.

87. Hand in glove : Close friendship.
y

Ram and Shyam have hand in glove.

B

88. Far and wide : All around.

There was water at far and wide in Kedarnath during the flood.
h

89. Face value : Superficially.

lis

The president of America having a great face value.

90. Brown study : In reverie.
ng

He is always in a state of brown study.

E

91. Moot point : Controversial point.

Kashmir is a moot point between India and Pakistan.
92. Rank and file : Common man.
Mr. Arvind Kejriwal is a rank and file of the
93. Talk through one’s hat : Talk nonsense.
Some media channel talk through one’s hat.
94. To explore every avenue : To try every method.
Scientist has explored every avenue during this experiment.
95. At the drop of a hat : For no reason at all.

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 Recent intrusion by Chinese army in the Indian borders is the drop of a hat.
96. To kick one’s heels : Waste time.
Some students kick their heals unnecessary.
97. To get away with :To escape.
Present govt, tried to get away with the controversy of Coalgate.
98. Adam’s ale : Ordinary water.
Some water containers have Adam’s ale in delhi.
99. In a further : [In a state of nervous excitement.
He was in a futher regarding to his interview.
100. A bull in the china shop : An awkward, tactless or clumsy person.
Mr. Sinha is a bull in the china shop as he does not have any work.

gh
101. Out of tune: Not having the same pitch as other instruments or voices.
Harmonium is out of tune with the modem music instruments.

in
102. To put one’s foot down : To reject with determination.
When everybody else had agreed to the proposed agreement, the CMD put his foot
down. S
103. At sixes and sevens : In disorder I entered his drawing room, everything there
p
was lying at sixes and sevens
ee

104. Through thick and thin: Under all circumstances the old soldier stood by his
master through thick and thin.
id

105. To put something up : To present Please put up the case file immediately.
106. Turn down : To reject
Ja

The boss turned down my request for promotion.

107. Get over : Surmount
y

He soon got over all his difficulties.

B

108. Take off : Growing

The project is at the take off stage at present.
h

109. Put out : Extinguish

lis

He puts out the fire before retiring for the night.

110. Stand up to : Meet face to face
ng

He was able to stand up all the criticism from his adversaries.

111. Come about : To arise
E

With the rejection of Government proposal by the President a new situation has
come about in Indian polity.
112. Hang up : Informal emotional or psychological problems
While introducing liberalisation, the Government has no ideological hang-ups from
the past policy.
113. Hang on : To continue clinging to somebody
Ticket seekers are hanging on to the political bosses to curry favour with them.
114. Look up to : Expecting help
Whenever we are in difficulty we look up to our parents.
115. Look down upon : Treat contemptuously
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 People of certain castes in India are of other castes.
116. To fall flat : To have no effect
My advice fell flat on him.
117. In the teeth of : In the face of
She won the elections in the teeth of stiff opposition from the sitting member.
118. A fish out of water : In an uncomfortable position
When his children are away, he is like a fish out of water.
119. To bury the hatchet : To forget a quarrel
The old enemies have since buried the hatchet and become friends.
120. In full swing : In great progress
The election compaign is in full swing these days.
121. Hue and cry : A great stir

gh
When the thieves entered her house, she raised a hue and cry.
122. By and large : Generally

in
By and large India is now an industrialised country.
123. Below the mark : Sub-standard
The quality of three guns is much below the mark. S
p
124. A black sheep : A disgraceful person
ee

Beware of him, being a foreign agent, he is nothing short of a black sheep.

125. At hand : Very near
id

The final examination is at hand.

126. To have a flying start : To meet success from the very beginning
Ja

Indira Gandhi had a flying start in her political career.

127. To turn the table on : To frustrate the plans of one’s adversary
The rival candidate had made thorough preparation, but our nominee turned the
y

tables on him.
B

128. A queer fish : A strange fellow

h

He is a queer fish, nobody can anticipate his reaction to this issue.

lis

129. To lock horns with : To give a tough fight

The wrestler locked horns with his rival and won the bout.
ng

130. To read between the lines (to read carefully): to understand the hidden
meaning
The spy had written the message very carefully to avoid detection, but our
E

intelligence people were able to read between the lines. If you read the statement
between the lines you will understand its meaning.
131. Give rise to : Create
Her letter to the young man has given rise to wild rumours.
132. Hang fire : Linger on
Delhi Rent Control Act has been hanging fire for many years now.
133. Pass away : To die
The old king passed away peacefully last night.
134. Put up with : To tolerate

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 I cannot put up with your insulting remarks any more.
135. Tone down : To reduce in harshness
The reporting officer had recorded certain adverse remarks about him but the
reviewing officer toned these down considerably.
136. Give way : To break
The bridge gave way under the weight of heavy traffic.
137. All being well : If everything remains in order
All being well, we shall go to Mussoorie next month.
138. Get cold feet : To hesitate
In the beginning he was enthusiastic about reaching the summit, but when he
reached the base he got cold feet.
139. As of now : Presently

gh
As of now, there is no information about the where about of my friend.
140. Face the music : To face trouble

in
The robber, who robbed me, is now facing the music in jail.
141. Against one’s grain : Against one’s nature
He will never apologise, as it is against his grain. S
p
142. Drop names : Show acquaintance with big people
ee

When the policeman insisted on taking him to the police station, he started
drop-ping names.
143. After all : Nevertheless
id

After all, he is my first cousin and he will surely help me.

Ja

144. Work wonders : To have a magical effect

His election speech worked wonders and won the hearts of the electorate.
144. Flare up : To erupt
y

The minor altercation between the two youngsters flared up into a big communal
B

riot.
145. Carry conviction : to have the force to convince
h

He is not a trustworthy person and his words do not carry conviction with the
lis

electorate.
146. Draw a blank : Cut a sorry figure
ng

He had done very well at the written test, but drew a blank before the interview
board.
E

147. Set at naught : Made meaningless

Our counter-attacks set at naught the initial gains of the army.
148. Put up with : Tolerate
He resigned his job on the ground that he could not put up with the humiliation any
more.
149. Look into : Examine in detail
The boss has kindly agreed to look into our grievances.
150. See through : To understand the real intention
He tried to hoodwink me, but I was able to see through his game and did not fall
into his trap.
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151. Get over : Surmount or master something
He was disappointed at not getting the job, but he will get over it.
152. Make a mess : Create a confusion
He was appointed General Manager of the company to streamline the working, but
he has made a mess of the whole thing.
153. Break out : To appear all of a sudden
In September 1994, plague broke out in Surat.
154. Call off : To withdraw
Municipal Corporation employees have called off their strike.
154. Come by : To get
He will never tell you how he came by such huge wealth.
155. Fall out : Repercussion

gh
The scandal is bound to create a serious fall out for the politicians.
156. Go in for : To bury

in
If I get good money for this car, I shall go in for a Maruti Van.
157. Give away : To distribute
Prizes were given away by the President. S
p
158. Let off : Let go without punishment
ee

The kind-hearted judge let him off with a simple warning.

159. Make out : Understand
id

I could not make out anything from his talk.

160. Make off with : Take away
Ja

The thieves made off with the booty.

161. Run down : To enfeeble
The battery of my car has run down; it needs recharging.
y

162. Send for : To call

B

Send for the doctor at once.

h

163. Set up : To start a business; to establish

lis

He has set up a printing press in Delhi.

164. Take to : To become addicted to
ng

He took to opium-eating in his old age.

165. Turnout : To expel
E

He was turned out of the house unceremoniously.

166. Turn up : To reappear
He has turned up in the class after a very long time.
167. Wear out : To depreciate by wear and tear
The machinery of the factory is completely worn out. It has to be replaced.
168. Wind up : To close
He wounded up his business and left Delhi for good.
169. Work out : To prepair details etc.
Let us work out the scheme.
170. Write off : To delete

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 It is a bad debt. Let us write it off.
171. Write out : To reduce to writing
We should write out the claims and counter-claims of the two parties.
172. To live in an ivory tower : To be unaware of the realities
He lives in an ivory tower unmindful of the harsh realities of the world.
173. A white -collar job : Clerical work
There is a widespread unemployment among our educated youth today because
young persons are only after white collar jobs.
174. To lose heart : To give up courage
Napolean was not the man to lose heart after facing the defeat.
175. To break out : To spread as an epidemic
Gastroenteritis has broken out in the old city.

gh
176. To differ with : Not to agree
I beg to differ with you on this issue.

in
177. To bring in : To yield
My books bring in a good profit.
178. To take after : Resemble S
p
The young child takes after his grandfather.
ee

179. To draw up : To prepare a draft of a document

He has drawn up a very good draft of friendship treaty with China.
id

180. To make for : To move towards

He is making for the Parliament.
Ja

181. Out of question : Impossible

My father told me that giving me permission to marry the girl of my choice is out of
question.
y

182. Bad blood : Enmity

B

The division of property after the rich man’s death created bad blood between the
two brothers.
h

183. Cat’s paw : To make somebody a tool

lis

The foreigners were held as cat’s paw in the Middle East conflict.
184. To bring up : To care for and train a child
ng

To bring up a child properly is a very difficult job.

185. To run down : To become weak in health
E

The death of his father has given him such a rude shock that he is very much run
down.
186. To break into : To enter a house etc. illegally
Some thieves broke into his house last night.
187. To run about : To move busily from place to place
Yesterday, It was a very busy day for me. I had to do a lot of running about.
188. To go in for : To enter as a competitor or contestant
I have decided to go in for the IAS Examination.
189. Blow up : To explode or cause to explode

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 After the bomb blast, the building blew up.
190. To come round : To accept one’s opinion.
After some persuasion he came round to my views.
191. Sit down : To assume sitting position
The farmers sat down for dinner at the Boat Club.
192. To speak out : To state one’s beliefs, objections etc.
After some initial hesitation, he stood up and spoke out his mind.
193. In deep water : Faced with problems
In spite of his best efforts to overcome his difficulties, he is still in deep water.
194. By fair means or foul : By all means
He will certainly get his work done by fair means or foul.
195. Get away with : To escape

gh
After having done this you cannot get away without punishment.
196. Split hair : To go into minute details

in
Pleaders and philosophers are in the habit of splitting hair.
197. By all means :Certainly
You can take my pen by all means. S
p
198. In cold blood : Cruelly
ee

Yesterday, a money lender was murdered in cold blood.

199. Let the cat out of the bag : To leak out the secrets
id

The three friends hatched a conspiracy to kill Hemu. But one of them let the cat out
of the bag.
Ja

200. To make both ends meet : To live within one’s income

Today, the cost of living is so high that people find it difficult to make both ends
meet.
y

201. To cry over the spilt milk : to waste time in vain; regret
B

It is no use crying over the spilt milk.

h

202. Put out : To extinguish

lis

Please, put out your light.

203. Put up : To stay
ng

We put up at clark’s hotel in Shimla.

204. Set out : To start on a travel
When do you intend to set out on your journey abroad.
E

205. Set in : To begin

The winter season has set in.
206 Done with : Discurded
Now-a-days many old customs have been done away with.
207. Done for : Served the purpose
This box has done for a table.
208. Hold up : Delay
We should reach home in half an hour, barring hold ups.
209. Hold on : To continue; to proceed in

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 The trade held on for many years after the Bishops became Protestants.
210. Run out : To come to an end
The present year has run out.
211. Run down : To speak ill of
He is always running down his elder brother.
212. To bury the hatchet : To give up hostilities
Let us bury the hatchet and be friends again.
213. The lion’s share : More than one’s legitimate share
Garry, being the eldest son of the family always claims the lion’s share of everything.
214. A good Samaritan : a considerate person, who does something to help others.
215. As fit as a fiddle : In best of health and spirits
The patient has now recovered and he is as fit as a fiddle.

gh
216. To hold out the Olive branch : To make an offer of peace
At last Hitler’s army was forced to hold out the olive branch.

in
217. Pyrrhic victory : A victory won at a very heavy cost to the victor
The Kalinga war was a Pyrrhic victory for Emperor Ashoka.
218. To win the rubber : To win a cricket test series S
p
India won the rubber at Melbourne.
ee

219. Out of the woods : Out of the difficulties

Thank God! My ordeal is over and I am out of the woods now.
id

220. To rest on one’s to depend on reputation already built

laurels:I do not want to rest on my laurels.
Ja

221. Null and void : Cancel

If you do not pay me an advance, the bargain will be treated as null and void.
222. Off and on : Now and then
y
B

I do not go to him daily, but off and on.

223. The power that be : The ruling authority
h

We have to fear the power that be, otherwise we shall face difficulty.
lis

224. Ad hoc : Made for the purpose

He has got only ad hoc appointment as lecturer in English in this college.
ng

225. On the horns of dilemma : In a state of indecision

I had two great offers for my marriage. I was on the horns of dilemma and could not
E

decide for a pretty long time which offer to accept.

226. Account for : Explain
You will have to account for your negligence.
227. back out : To break one’s commitment
A gentleman never backs out of his promise
228. Bring round : Restore to consciousness
She finally succeeded in bringing him round to her own way of thinking.
229. Call off : To abandon
The Delhi University teachers have called off their strike.
230. Fall back : Retreat or have recourse to

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 In the absence of sugar, we had to fall back on jaggery.
231. Hang about : To roam about aimlessly
Some idlers keep hanging about the VIP houses throughout the day.
232. Pass over : Omit; to make no remark over
His name is not included in the select list. He has been passed over.
233. Cheek by jowl : Hand in hand
They toiled hard cheek by jowl and always succeeded in a big way.
233. See through : To find out the reality hidden behind the tricks
Soon I was able to seed through the whole conspiracy.
234. Set off : Started; moved out
The expedition set off for Antarctica in November last.
235. Take after : Resemble

gh
The son takes after his father.
236. A red letter day : Auspicious day of rejoicing

in
The day when India became free was a red letter day in our history.
237. To play second fiddle: To be in a subordinate position
S
A modern girl refuses to play a second fiddle to the husband.
p
238. To show the white feather: To show signs of cowardice
ee

I thought you were a brave man I never expected you to show the white feather.
239. To burn candle at both ends : To waste one’s energy, time and money uselessly
id

After the death of his rich father, Tony began to burn candle at both ends and soon
he was ruined.
Ja

240. An apple of discord : A cause of quarrel

Their father’s property became an apple of discord between the two brothers.
241. White elephant : An expensive but burdensome and useless thing
y

A European wife is a white elephant for an Indian of average means.

B

242. To lick the dust : To be defeated

h

The Pakistan army had to lick the dust at the hands of the brave Indian army.
lis

243. Sword of Damocles : An impending danger

The Third World War hangs like the sword of Damocles over our heads.
ng

244. Make a virtue of necessity : To pretend to do willingly which cannot be avoided

He knew that he would be dismissed, but making a virtue of necessity he tendered
his resignation.
E

245. Eye for eye : Tit for tat

I do not believe in eye for eye, as it leads to bitterness.
246. At a discount : below par
I had to sell my car at a discount, even though I had purchased it for much higher
price.
247. Bee in one’s bonnet : to be crazy about something
Without a bee in one’s bonnet, no man in public life can attract any notice.
248. Blow hot and cold : To be irresolute

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 You will expose yourself to the carge of vacillator if you blow hot and cold in the
same breadth.
249. Creature comforts : Luxuries
Being the son of a rich man, he can afford creature comforts of life.
250. Dark horse : A competitor of unknown capabilities.
The prize went to a dark horse.

gh
in
S
p
ee
id
Ja
y
B
h
lis
ng
E

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1. To settle one’s account with : To pay what one owes to someone

She has settled her account with me.

2. God’s ape : A born fool
She is a God’s ape.
3. On the block : Available for sale especially at an auction
This old bus is on the block.
4. Blaze of light : Dazzling of light
The President of the U.S.A. was welcomed in the blaze of light.
5. A foul bill of health : A written statement certifying that there is some disease

gh
The assistant had been absent from the office for three weeks and he
produced a foul of health when he came to join again.

in
6. Between the devil and the deep sea : In a dilemma

S
Having help a criminal like him, Mrs. Sinha has fallen between the devil and the
deep sea.
p
7. To lose one’s bearings : Deviate from the right path
ee

Teenagers often lose their bearings.

8. Bed and board : Food and lodging
id

Students should be given proper bed and board in the hostel.

Ja

9. To beat about the bush : To approach a subject without coming to the point
y

The Finance Minister beat about the bush and did not give any answer to the
B

question of the leader of the opposition.

10. Have an axe to grind : To have a selfish motive
h

Our leader has an axe to grind in helping these children.

lis

11. To on one’s back : To be ill bed

Mr. Raj an, who used to work for more than twelve hours a day, is on his back
ng

now-a-days.
12. With open arms : Cordially
E

The Chief Minister welcomed the advice of the leader of the opposition with open
arms.
13. To back spear : To question in order to bring out some information

The police officer backed spear the criminal to know about the stolen valuables.
14. No vice like avarice : Greed is greater than any other vice
When the greedy dog dropped the piece of bread in the water, he learnt that there is
no vice like avarice.

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15. To play the ape : To mimic, to imitate
Nobody can achieve his goal by playing the ape.
16. Ever and anon : Now and then, occasionally
He visits my house ever and anon.
17. On/Upon the anvil : In the state of formation or preparation
All his projects are on/upon the anvil.
18. Rolling in the aisles : Much amused, helpless with laughter
This comedian will have the audience rolling in the aisles.
19. To add fuel to fire : To say something that makes people react more strongly or
fiercely
The leader added fuel to fire by provoking the angry mob to attack the police van.

gh
20. With a bad grace : Unwillingly
They agreed to help me with a bad grace.

in
21. Between whiles : Now and then

S
You visit my house between whiles.
22. Daggers drawn : At great enmity p
The brethren of this community always remain at daggers drawn.
ee
23. To have the ball at One’s feet : To be on the way of success
" These days you have the ball at your feet in business.
id

24. To forbid the banns : To object to a marriage

Ja

25. To strike a bargain : To make a bargain, to agree to terms

The officer struck a bargain to promote his clerks.
y

26. To call someone’s bluff : To expose a person’s deception

B

He has cheated lots of unemployed persons but today somebody has called his bluff.
27. To beat one’s brains out : To try one’s utmost
h

He beat his brains out to settle this dispute but failed.

lis

28. To prick the bubble : To destroy somebody’s illusion about something

ng

Her failure in the examination pricked the bubble of her brilliance.

29. Cakes and adle : The good things of life, enjoyments
E

We have cakes and adle in working with honesty.

30. Like hot cakes : Very rapidly
The luxurious items sell like hot cakes.
31. The call in question : To express doubt about the correctness of a statement

The witness’s statement was called in question by the judge.

32. Not worth the candle : Not worth the trouble or effort involved
Teaching him music is not worth the candle.
33. Cap in hand : Humbly

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 The students talked to the Principal cap in hand.
34. To cap the climax : To cross the highest point
Her innocence has really capped the climax.
35. The carrot and the stick : The hope of rewards and the threat of punishment

A criminal is always ready for the carrot and the stick.

36. To carry modesty to excess : To be highly modest
The newly wedded bride carried modesty to excess.
37. Rolling in cash : Have a large quantity of cash/money
Now-a-days he is rolling in cash.
38. To cast a slur upon someone’s reputation : To attack someone’s reputation, to

gh
defame someone

in
She cast a slur upon her family’s reputation by eloping with her lover.

S
39. A cast of the eye : A squint
A gentleman tries to escape from a policeman’s cast of the eye.
p
40. To cast a spell upon : To enchant a person and keep him/her under the spell for
ee
some time
Her beauty cast a spell upon the minister.
id

41. Like a cat on hot bricks : Very nervous

Ja

You are leading a life like a cat on hot bricks.

42. No room to swing a cat :
There was no room to swing a cat in the crowded bus.
y

43. To make choice of : To select anything

B

She was asked to make choice of the watch

h

44. A cat’s paw : a person who is used as a tool by another

lis

She is a cat’s paw of her boss.

45. By a long chalk : By a wide margin
ng

She defeated her opponent by a long chalk.

46. To separate the wheat from the chaff : To distinguish valuable person or things
E

from worth less ones

We should separate the wheat from the chaff in our society.
47. Hobson’s choice : No choice at all because there is only one thing to take or do

The poet of peon was his Hobson’s choice.

48. To pull someone’s chestnuts out of : To rescue someone from a difficulty

The fire My villagers pulled my chestnuts out of the fire when the dacoits
attacked my house.

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49. To stand a good chance : To have a reasonable possibility of success

He will have stood a good chance in the examination.

50. Under a cloud : In disgrace
She is under a cloud after being charged with corruption.
51. To show the cloven hoof : To show wickedness
He conspired against his friend and thus showed the cloven hoof.
52. To turn one’s coat : To change one’s party
Many a political leader turns out his coat for his political and personal benefit.
53. Cock of the walk : The leader in a group
This old man is the cock of the walk in this village.

gh
54. To cock one’s eyes : To wink
A modest girl not cock her eyes.

in
55. A cock and bull story : An incredible story or imaginary story (as an excuse)

S
Mohan’s killing in an encounter with the police is a cock and bull story.
p
56. To get cold feet : To be terrified
ee
Seeing a tiger, he got cold feet.
57. To throw cold : To discourage
id

He threw cold water on his wife’s ambition.

Ja

58. To come off with flying colours : To get victory, to triumph

She came off with flying colours in a Miss India beauty contest.
59. To fear no colours : To be fearless
y
B

The brave fears no colours.

60. To come to blows : Start fighting
h

She came to blows with her neighbour who teased her.

lis

61. Pros and cons : Arguments for and against something

The pros and cons of the strike were discussed in detail.
ng

62. To come to anchor : To come to stay in water

The ship came to anchor in the harbour.
E

63. A child in the cradle : A baby; an innocent person

The terrorist killed even a child in the cradle.
64. To commit oneself to : To make oneself responsible, undertake to do something

He committed himself to look after the children of his deceased friend.

65. To come amiss : To come wrong, to come at an inconvenient time

Success seldom comes amiss to any body.

66. To come to a pretty pass :

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 He came to a pretty pass when his enemies stopped him on the way and forced
him to withdraw the case against them.
67. Dutch courage : Courage that comes from drinking
He committed this crime because of his Dutch courage.
68. To die in a ditch : To die a cowardly death
A brave soldier hates dying in a ditch.
69. To give the devil his due : To give deserved credit even to a person one dislikes

It is the demand of justice to give the devil his due.

70. Sword of Damocles : Imminent danger
He failed to see the sword of Damocles and met with his destruction.

gh
71. To cut a dash : To make a conspicuous impression
The professor of English cut a dash upon the students in his first lecture.

in
72. To cut off with a shilling : To disinherit by naming one in a will and leaving to him

S
the merest trifle
The eldest son was cut off with a shilling.
73. Cut throat competition : Very tough competition
p
ee
There is a cut throat competition in every kind of business.
74. To leave to one’s own devices : To leave someone alone to do as one pleases
id
Ja

A child should not be left to its own devices.

75. To keep the ball rolling : To continue work
The workers’ leader requested the workers to keep the ball rolling.
y

76. To jump down somebody’s throat : To speak to somebody in anger

B
h

The prisoners jumped down the jailor’s throat for the inferior quality of food being
served to them.
lis

77. At the instance of At the instance of At the request of; at the suggestions of
ng

his brother; he applied for this job.

78. Not harm/ hurt a fly Not harm any body
E

My dog looks fierce but he does not harm/ hurt a fly.

79. To keep (somebody) within bounds : To restrain oneself or another to due
limit
Every father should keep his children within bounds.
80. To take issue I took issue : To be in disagreement with him on this
matter.
81. To keep regular hours To do all the work on time
Good students keep regular hours.
82. Under lock and key : Under great safety
The prisoners were brought to the district court under lock and key.

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83. To receive more kicks than half pence: To get more contempt than love

She received more kicks than half pence in her husband’s family.
84. An educated guess : A guess based on experience
Prof. Sinha made an educated guess that Rashmi might become an I.A.S
85. To blow hot and cold : To keep changing one’s opinions; to beat and fondle

Miss Roma blows hot and cold about getting married.

86. Hare and hounds : Paper chase
Children enjoy playing hare and hounds.
87. To keep a sharp look out : To maintain a keen watch

gh
The police should keep a sharp look out for the town.
88. On the job : Alert

in
She remain on the job wherever he goes.

S
89. From the horse’s mouth : From a reliable source
I have got this information from the horse’s mouth. p
90. To greese somebody’s palm: To bribe
ee
The accused of murder greesed the judge’s palm to win the case.
91. To keep watch and ward : to keep a watchful eye
id

The mighty guard of this building keeps watch and ward at night.
Ja

92. To jump out of one’s skin : To be extremely surprised

She jumped out of his skin to see the police at her door.
y

93. To hold one’s horses : To restrain oneself

B

Even in anger a reasonable man holds his horses.

94. High and mighty : Arrogant
h

The high and mighty are not honoured in society.

lis

95. To grind for an examination : To study much for an examination

ng

She is grinding for the U.P.S.C examination.

96. To keep a good table : To entertain one’s guests sumptuously
E

John does not know how to keep a good table.

97. To write home about : To remark on particular interest
This school has nothing to write home about.
98. Hen-pecked : (a man) ruled by his wife

My friend is hen-pecked.
99. To haul down one’s flags : To surrender
The terrorists should be forced to haul down their flags.

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100. Green with envy : Very envious
We should not be green with envy.
101. The inns and outs : the details and complexities
I know the inns and outs of the problem.
102. To go through the hoop : To be subjected to an ordeal
This so called smart girl in going through the hoop these days.
103. Heavy tidings : Bad news
She was shocked to hear the heavy tidings of her dismissal.
104. To scratch one’s head : To think hard in a puzzled way about what to do or
say
She as missed the train, so she is scratching her head.

gh
105. To stand one’s ground To be firm
Our pleader stood his ground in this case.

in
106. To cook one’s goose : To ruin one’s chances or plans completely

S
I disclosed my secrets and cooked my goose myself. p
107. To make one’s blood : To fill one with terror
ee
freeze Don’t make a child’s blood freeze.
108. A sight for sore eyes : A welcome sight; a pleasant surprise
id

The sudden improvement of the economics condition of the villagers is a sight for
Ja

sore eyes.
109. To eat humble pie : To be very apologetic
When you exposed her wrong doings, she ate humble pie.
y

110. To hold one’s head high : To be very proud

B

She held her head high over her friends.

h

111. To lose one’s : To lose patience

lis

He lose his head when he saw five criminals coming towards him
112. Like grim death : Very firmly
ng

He climed the tree like grim death.

113. With a free head : Generously
E

I help the needy person with a free hand.

114. The fortunes of war : What may happen in war
Soldiers are prepared to accept the fortunes of war.
115. To live in fool’s : To live in a state of carefree happiness that cannot paradise last

She is living in a fool’s paradise these days.

116. To set one’s face against : To oppose
His wife set her face against his friendship with a widow.
117. To bid fair fair : To seem likely
If you work hard, your success is to bid
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118. To have one’s heart in one’s mouth : To be badly frightened

Seeing a Tiger, he had his heart in his mouth.

119. Off the top of one’s head: Without previous thought
He started a business off the top of his head and suffered a great loss.
120. To get into scrape : To get into trouble
After being deserted by her husband, she got into scrape.
121. To fly into a rage : To become suddenly angry
The officer flew into a rage to see the peon coming late.
122. To go rack and ruin : To be completely ruined
The building went rack and ruin in the last earthquake.

gh
123. To let one’s lair down : To behave informally
My father lets his hair down about my studies.

in
124. To go hard with : To cause pain or difficulty to (someone)

S
He often goes hard with his employees.
125. To have a good mind (to do something) : To feel a strong desire (to do
p
something)
ee
He has a good mind to solve numericals.
126. To throw overboard : To reject or abondon
id

After failing in the first match, he was thrown overboard by the team.
Ja

127. To come into the open : To come into public view

The leader’s statement came into the open.
128. To pay through the nose : To pay an excessive price
y
B

We have to pay through the nose even for the onion.

129. Music to one’s ears : Good news
h

She was overjoyed to hear Music to her ears.

lis

130. To stain every nerve (to do something) : To make one’s best efforts
ng

She stained every nerve to save her father.

131. Out of the woods : Out of danger
E

The Patient is out of the woods.

132. Many a time and oft : Very often
He visits me many a time and oft.
133. To go through the motions : To work carelessly
My teacher goes through the motions in the class.
134. To flog a dead horse : To waste one’s efforts
It is foolish to flog a dead horse.
135. To foam at the : To be extremely angry
The headmaster foamed at the mouth to see Mohan teasing a girl.

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136. To blow the gaff : To reveal a secret
The servant blew the gaff of his master’s dishonesty.
137. Hard on some body’s heels : Closely following somebody
The police were hard on the thief’s heels.
138. Out-of-bounds : Beyond the designated or established boundaries
My dog doesn’t move out-of-bounds.
139. In a muck muck : In an untidy state
You should not leave your books in a
140. To meet one’s eyes : To look in one’s eyes
She met my eyes.
141. In the last half : In the second half

gh
India scored two goals in the last half and won the hockey match.
142. The devil’s own luck very good luck

in
She was born with the devil’s own luck.

S
143. To throw a monkey wrench into : To interfere with the functioning of
Don’t throw a monkey wrench into my personal matter. p
144. Many moons ago : A long time ago
ee
This incident took place many moons ago.
id

145. To get on one’s nerves : To irritate or provoke one

The quarrelling of my neighbours gets on my nerves.
Ja

146. To make no odds : To make slight difference

It makes no odds whether I live in village or town.
y

147. To come into one’s own : To get due credit, fame, recognition
B

He came into his own for his service to the nation.

148. The man into the street : Common man
h

The man into the street should not be looked down upon.
lis

149. To mind the door : To be alert

We should mind the door of the anti-party.
ng

150. To measure one’s length : To fall flat on the ground

The criminal measured his length to see the price.
E

151. Over and above : besides

I have a shirt over and above two T-Shirts.
152. To throw overboard : To reject or abandon
After failing in the first match, he was thrown overboard by the team.
153. To put one’s head in the nose : To allow oneself to be caught
He himself put his head in the nose.
154. To be the dead spit of (somebody) : Exact counterpart or likeness of
Your son is the dead spit of you.
155. To split one’s slides : To laugh uncontrollably

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 Having heard the joke, she split her slides.
156. To throw up the sponge :To admit defeat
Pakistan threw up the sponge in the Kargil war.
157. To spring from : To come from
She springs from a well- to-do family.
158. To spring a mine upon : To give a shocking surprise to
Such an incident sprang a mine upon me.
159. To win one’s spurs : To gain honour
The wrestler won his spurs by winning the competition.
160. On the spur of the moment : Suddenly
The teacher punished the student on the spur of the moment.

gh
161. A spy hole : A peep hole
There is a spy hole in my room.

in
162. Fairly and squarely : Honestly

S
The headmaster deals with his staffs fairly and squarely.
163. To square accounts with somebody/ square one’s : To pay or to be paid what
p
is owed
ee
He made a large profit this year and squared accounts accounts with his debtors.
164. A narrow squeak : A narrow escape
id

The passengers escaped a narrow squeak in a bus accident.

Ja

165. A stab in the back : An act of treachery

Such a vicious lie in nothing but a stab in the back.
166. A flight of stairs : A set of stairs in a continuous line
y
B

This place has a flight of stairs.

167. To pull up stakes : Leave one’s job, place or residence, etc.
h
lis

Because of the fear of terrorism, his family pulled up stakes and settled in an
unknown ilace.
ng

168. To make a stand : To be ready to resist or flight

The villagers made a stand against the dacoits.
E

169. To take one’s stand : To declare one’s opinion or position

I took my stand in this case.

170. To stand to one’s guns : To persevere when hardships press
Though he is weak, he stand to his guns for livelihood.
171. To have one’s hand full : To have as much work as one can do

She has her hand full for the festival.

172. To laugh up one’s sleeve : To be secretly amused
She laughed up her sleeve to see her husband looking for his purse.
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173. To make much ado about nothing : To make a great fuss about a triffle

She has developed a tendency to make much ado about nothing.

174. To pull a good oar : To be an efficient oarsman
He should pull a good oar.
175. To get one’s back : To take one’s revenge
Sumit is afraid lest his friend should get his own back on him.
176. To go on a fool’s errand : To go on an expedition such as a fool might go on

Some showy people go on a fool’s errand.

177. To make a person’s blood creep : To frighten or horrify him

gh
The terrorists made my blood creep.
178. Fit as fiddle : In a very good physical condition

in
This child is fit as a fiddle.

S
179. To see with half an eye : To realize soon
She saw with half an eye the cause of her downfall. p
180. To chew the fat : To chat
ee
A fool wastes his time chewing the fat.
181. To put on a bold face : To give the appearance of confidence
id

In spite of all his weaknesses, he put on a bold face.

Ja

182. A hard nut to crack : A difficult task, problem

To become an I.A.S is a hard nut to crack.
183. By ones and twos : One or two at a time
y
B

Audience began to leave the meeting by ones and twos.

184. Not for nuts : Under no circumstances
h

I will marry her not for nuts.

lis

185. To bring odium upon someone : To have strong feeling of hatred against
ng

I brought odium upon her for her bad character.

186. Odd and even : Game of chance
E

She won one thousand rupees in odd and even.

187. On the nails : On the spot, at once
Objective questions have been solved on the nails.
188. As drunk as lord : Excessively drunk
His father is as drunk as lord today.
189. To live upto one’s promise : To keep word
Everybody should live upto his promise.
190. To lead a woman to the altar : To marry a woman
John led Mary to the altar last week.

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191. To have hollow legs : To have a large appetite
This beggar has hollow legs, so give him some food.
192. To lear somebody limb from limb : To attack somebody very violently

He tore his enemy limb from limb and killed him.

193. To live off the land : To use agricultural products for food

My family lives off the land.

194. To be down on one’s luck : To be unlucky
He is down on his luck to lose his job.
195. To take the long view : To have foresight

gh
We should take the long view of our lives.
196. To haul down one’s flags : To surrender

in
The terrorists should be forced to haul down one’s flags.

S
197. As hard as nails : Strong and muscular
His physique is as hard as nails. p
198. To stand one’s ground : To be firm
ee
Our pleader stood his ground in this case.
199. To pack one’s bags : Prepare to leave
id

He packed his bags to go on tour.

Ja

200. To paddle one’s own canoe : To depend on oneself alone

He wasted much money to find service but now
y

he is padding his own canoe.

B
h
lis
ng
E

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201. On the quiet : Secretly
Many ISI agents have entered India on the quiet .
202. At a snail’s place : Very slowly
He is sick these days and moves at a snail’s place.
203. To mind one’s p’sandq’s : To be careful to use polite or suitable language

You should mind your p’s and q’s while talking to others.
204. To hold out the olive branch : To be ready to have a peace-talk

Pakistan should hold out the olive branch.

205. To rise to the occasion : To prove oneself able to deal with an unexpected
situation, problem, etc.

gh
My friend rose to the occasion when I needed his help.
206. To strike the right note : To speak or act in the right manner

in
We should always strike the right note.

S
207. In the still of night: In the calmness or silence of the night
The thief escaped from the custody of the police in the still of night.
p
208. To look for a needle in a haystack : To look for something among many others,
ee

without hope of finding it

Searching for him in this crowd is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
id

209. Millstone round one’s neck : Heavy burden of responsibility

I have a Millstone round my neck since I became the head of my family.
Ja

210. To made one’s Waterloo : To lose a decisive contest

Our leader made his Waterloo in the parliamentary election.
211. To hit or miss the mark : To succeed or fail in an attempt
y
B

She has no courage to hit or miss the mark.

h

212. At loose ends : Without an occupation; unsettled

lis

She has been at loose ends since she passed the M.A examination.
213. To make a long arm for : To reach out for (something), e.g at table
ng

He made a long arm for bread.

214. Smack one’s lips : To indicate one’s keen enjoyment of
E

They smacked their lips over the delicious food.

215. To make a lion of (someone) : To hold someone in high esteem

She makes a lion of her old teacher.

216. To follow the line of least resistance : To adopt the easiest way
He followed the line of least resistance to earn money.
217. The limb of the devil/Satan : Mischievous child
His youngest son is the limb of the devil/Satan.

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218. The life and soul of the party : The most powerful person of the party

The president is the life and soul of the party.

219. To flip one’s lid : To lose one’s self control especially to laugh

The judge flipped his lid to see the advocate’s folly.

220. To lick one’s wounds : To try to recover after a defeat
Pakistan licked its wounds after the Kargil war.
221. A blot on the landscape : Object specially an ugly building that spoils the beauty
of a place
This slaughter-house is a blot on the landscape of this region.
222. To receive more kicks than half pence : To get more contempt than love

gh
She received more kicks than half pence in her husband’s family.
223. To jump down somebody’s throat : To speak to somebody in anger

in
S
The prisoners jumped down the jailor’s throat for the inferior quality of food being
served to them.

p
224. Off the top of one’s head : Without previous thought
ee
He started a business off the top of one’s head and suffered a great loss.
225. Not let the grass grow under one’s feet : To waste no time in doing something
id

A sincere man does not let the grass grow under his feet.
226. To give countenance to : To support, to approve something
Ja

We should not give countenance to anti-social elements.

227. To have a finger in the pie : To have an interest or share
y

Amit has a finger in the pie in music.

B

228. To feel in one’s bones : To know or sense something intuitively

h

He felt in his bones that he would be killed.

lis

229. To play first fiddle : To play the prominent role

He has played first fiddle in your marriage.
ng

230. Pain in the neck : Annoying or boring person or thing

Your friend is idle, he is actually pain in the neck.
231. To handle some body with kid gloves : To treat with extreme tact or gentleness
E

We should handle our children with kid gloves.

232. To play a second fiddle : To play a second role
My friend has played a second fiddle in this flim.
233. At a lose end : Unoccupied, having nothing important or interesting to do

After retirement he is at a lose end.

234. Fortune hunter : Man seeking a rich woman to marry

Mainy a man is a fortune hunter here.

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235. For one’s pains : as a response to one’s efforts or troubles
He earned Rs. 100 for all his pains.
236. As pretty as paint : Extremely beautiful
This young lady is as pretty as paint.
237. To be quick off the mark : Making a prompt start
I f you want to participate in the quiz contest, you will have to be quick off the
mark.
238. To have an itching palm : To be greedy for money
He has an itching palm for money.
239. To put pen to paper : To begin to write
The press reporter put pen to paper when the chief guest started speaking.
240. A parcel of land : A part of an estate

gh
He is the owner of a parcel of land.
241. For the most part : Mostly
For the most part women don’t take interest in politics.

in
242. To pay one in one’s own coin : To retaliate

S
The policy of paying one in one’s own coin is bad.
243. To go into particulars : To give details of

p
The teacher went into particulars while teaching the poem.
ee
245. As easy as pie : Very easy
The question is as easy as pie.
id

246. One’s pigeon : One’s responsibility or business

It is not my pigeon to manage money for her marriage.
Ja

247. The quick and the dead : All people alive or dead
The country is thankful to the jawans, the quick and the dead, for the devotion to
the nation.
y

248. Beyond the pale : Beyond the limits of propriety, courtesy, protection, safety
B

His pleading was beyond the pale.

h

249. To paper something over : To cover the fault with paper

lis

The erotic pictures on the wall were soon papered over.

ng

250. To cross somebody’s palm with silver : To give somebody esp. a fortune teller a
coin
E

She crossed the saint’s palm with silver.

251. To put one through one’s : To test the ability or skill of somebody
paces
Every teacher should put the students through their paces weekly.
252. To look the part : To wear clothes suitable for a job, role, position

He played the role of a king, and really looked the part.

253. To take something in good part : To react against something in a good- natured
way
She took taunt in good part.
254. To pay the debt of nature : To die

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 The patient is serious and it seems that he will soon pay the debt of nature.
256. A square peg in a round hole : A person unsuitable to the position he fills

As a principal, he is a square peg in a round hole.

257. To take somebody down a peg : To make a proud man more humble
The chief minister often takes his ministers down a peg.
258 The swing of the pendulum : The movement of public opinion from one extreme to
the other Candidates have to face the swing
of the pendulum in the election.
259. A pretty penny : A lot of money
To lead a luxurious life requires a pretty penny.
260. To turn up like a bad penny : To appear when one is unwanted or unwelcome

gh
He turns up like a bad penny in every meeting.
261. To pick somebody’s pocket : To steal something from it

in
A pick pocket attempted to pick my pocket in the fair but was caught.
262. To pick and steal : To pilfer

S
They have picked and stole all my luggage in my absence.

p
263. To pick holes in another’s coat : To seek out faults in him or in his conduct
ee
Good people don’t pick holes in another’s coat.
264. Out of the picture : Out of question
id

Her agreement is out of the picture.

Ja

265. To be in the picture : To be familiar with the matter

She is in the picture in this crime.
266. To be the picture of health, happiness, etc. : To look very healthy, happy etc.
y
B

He is the picture of health, after joining the service.

267. To have a finger in the pie : To have interest in some matter
h

He has a finger in the pie of village politics.

lis

268. To pipe one’s eye : To weep bitterly

He is piping his eye at his father’s death.
ng

269. Pie in the sky : The illusory aspects of future benefits

We should not depend on pie in the sky.
270. Pitch and toss : A game of chance
E

Two captains played pitch and toss in the field.

271. To be plain with someone : To be frank
She is plain with me.
272. Thick as two planks : Very stupid
Your friend is thick as two planks.
273. As pleased as punch : Very pleased
She is as pleased as punch to know that her parents have allowed to go on tour
with her friends.
274. To plough a lonely furrow : To work without help or support

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 He is brave enough to plough a lonely furrow himself.
275. With one’s hand in one’s pocket : Ready to spend or give money

I am always ready with my hand in my pocket to help you.

276. From pillar to post : From one person or thing to another
Rama was wondering for money from pillar to post but nobody helped her.
277. To miss the post : To be late for the clearance of mail
She hurried but missed the post.
278. To pop the question : To propose marriage
He popped the question to her and she accepted it.
279. Poor as Job’s Turkey : extremely poor, impoverished
She is poor as Job’s Turkey.

gh
280. To be poles apart : To be widely separated
The government and its employees are poles apart on the issue of demands.
281. Poisonous pen letter : Malicious letter sent deliberately to upset or offend the

in
receiver

S
She wrote a poisonous pen letter to me.
282. To pocket one’s -anger : To control one’s angerd

p
His father pocketed his anger when he disobeyed him.
ee
283. Off the point : Not relevant to the matter under consideration
His argument was quite off the point.
id
284. To stretch a point : To make an exception
She was unfit for the post but the chairman stretched a point in her case.
Ja

285. To pip somebody at the post : To defeat somebody narrowly

I was about to win the race but was pipped at the post.
286. To be left at the : post To be left far behind from the start
y

The Ex- M.L.A was left at the post in this election.

B

287. To go to pot : To be destroyed

No one cared for the crop, so it went to pot.
h

288. To pour cold water on : To discourage

lis

Don’t pour cold water on his plan.

289. To pour oil on the flames : To make anger more intense, make a quarrel more
ng

bitter
You should not pour oil on the flames.
E

290. Prisoner of state : State prisoner

The court released the prisoner of state on bail.
291. To keep one’s power dry : To be ready to face a possible emergency

We should keep our power dry to face any unexpected difficulties.

292. Not worth power and shot : Not worth-fighting for
They are fighting not worth power and shot.
293. To pick up one’s ears : To became very alert; to listen attentively

His wife picked up her ears when he was talking to a girl.

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294. To prick the bubble : To destroy/somebody’s illusion about something of the
government.
The new economic policy will prick the bubble of the government.
295. Printer’s devil The youngest apprentice in a printing office

The boy is a printer’s devil.

296. Pudding face : Large fat face
Your grandfather has a pudding face.
297. To huff and puff : To breathe heavily or rapidly because one is exhausted

He was huffing and puffing when he reached the school running.

298. To pull a fast one : To deceive somebody

gh
They tried to pull a fast one on me but I was alert.
299. To pull the trigger : To press the trigger

in
He pulled the trigger by mistake.
300. To pull one’s weight : To do one’s fair share in a job, project, etc.

S
Everyone should pull his weight in the family.

p
301. To push to rights : To put in good order ee
The mechanic put the motor-cycle to rights.
302. To push the boat out : To celebrate unmindful of the expenditure
id

At his victory, he pushed the boat out.

Ja

303. To put (somebody) to sword : To slay with the sword

Our soldiers put the enemies to sword.
304. To pull a face : To make an unusual expression with face
y

If you have failed, don’t pull a face.

B

305. To get purple with rage To become very angry

My father got purple with rage when I came late from school.
h

306. To push one’s luck : To take ever increasing risks and chances
lis

Everyone should push his luck.

ng

307. To put in black and white : To write

The employees put their demands in black and white.
E

308. Purple passage or patch : (of literature)- elaborate in style; overwritten

We find purple passages in Eilot’s poetry.

309. To put out feelers : Cautiously check the views of others

The S.P put out feelers to know the reality of the face.
310. To prick the bubble : To destroy/somebody’s illusion about something

The new economic policy will prick the bubble of the Government.
311. To put one on the right scent : To put one on the right track
The new information put the police on the right scent to arrest the thief.
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312. To put (something) on the shelf : To lay aside as no longer fit for use

My uncle put the old bicycle on the shelf.

313. To hold the purse strings : To have power to control expense

Her father holds the purse strings.

314. To put a good face : To regard something in the most favourable way

The director of the industry put a good face on the demands of the employees.
315. To come to such a pass/a : To reach a sad or critical stage
pretty pass His economic condition come to such a pretty pass this year.
316. On the rack : In severe pain or mental distress

gh
His failure in the examination has put the whole family on the rack.
317. To go off the rails : To become disorganized or go out of control

in
Her mind has gone off the rails these days.

S
318. To go to rack and ruin : To fall into a ruined or disorganized state through
neglect

p
This private firm went to rack and ruin. ee
319. A red rag to a bull : Something likely to cause strong resentment, anger, violence,
etc.
His rude remarks were like a red rag to a bull for her.
id

320. To rake over old ashes : To revive unpleasant memories of the past
Ja

It is useless to rake over old ashes.

321. To rant and rave (at somebody/something) : To condemn or censure
y

(somebody/something) loudly or forcefully

B

The accused man ranted and raved at an honest person.

322. A red letter day : An/auspicious day
h

15th August is a red letter day in the history of India.

lis

323. Without rhyme and reason : Without any reason

The police arrested him without rhyme and reason.
ng

324. To ride for a fall : To take a risk

I will ride for a fall to swim across the Ganga.
325. Right to the bottom : Up to the bottom
E

I know him right to the bottom.

326. To ring down the curtain on : To bring to an end
India rang down the curtain on the hijack-issue releasing three terrorists.
327. To rise to the bait : To succumb to a temptation
As soon as I offered money, the clerk rose to the bait and did my work.
328. To kiss the rod : To accept punishment gladly
The culprit kissed the rod.
329. To rise to one’s feet : To stand up
As the commandant ordered, the soldiers rose to their feet.
330. To give someone a good roasting : To ridicule or criticize severely

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 The leaders of opposition gave the government a good roasting.
331. To make a rod for one’s own luck : To do something likely to cause oneself
difficulties later
Deciding to support a criminal like him, you are making a rod for own back.
332. To rule with a rod of iron : To govern very harshly
Our government rules with a rod of iron.
333. Root and branch : Thoroughly, completely
The charm of music spread root and branch in the hall.
334. At the end of one’s rope : At the end of one’s endurance or means

The ornaments came to my help when I was at the end of my rope.

335. Under the rose Privately

gh
Their marriage was arranged under the rose.
336. To gather life’s roses : To seek the pleasures of life
Do something good, stop the habit of gathering life’s roses in misdeeds.

in
337. A rough diamond : A person who is good-natured, but lacking polish manners,
education, etc.

S
Your elder brother is a rough diamond.

p
338. To take the rough with the smooth : To accept what is unpleasant with what is
pleasant
ee
An ideal person takes the rough with the smooth.
339. A hard row to the hoe : A difficult task or assignment
id

Being a lazy student, he finds study a hard row to the hoe.

Ja

340. Run-of-the mill Ordinary

He lives in a run-of-the mill house.
341. To take a run to : To make a trip
y

The students will take a run to Rajgir this year.

B

342. A run in music : A succession of notes rapidly played or sung

h

Everyone praised a run in music.

lis

343. Beyond the common run : Beyond the approach of common people
ng

These topics are beyond the common run.

344. A run for one’s money : A close or keen competition
Sri lanka gave India a run for its money.
E

345. To run the gauntlet : To undergo severe criticism or attack

The Finance Minister has to run the gauntlet of the leaders of opposition.
346. To run in the same groove : To advance in harmony
The government and the opposition should run in the same groove for the
prosperity of the country.
347. To be (stuck) in -a rut : having a fixed and boring way of life
She had no other member in her family, so she was stuck in a rut.
348. Sadder but wiser : Having learnt something from a mistake or failure

His failures have made him sadder but wiser.

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349. The sail close to -the wind : To sail in the direction of the wind

The sailor sailed close to the wind.

350. The salt of the -earth : Very decent, honest person
The salt of the earth is honoured everywhere.
351. With a pinch of -salt : With reservations
The employer signed the agreement with a pinch of salt.
352. Above the salt : Respectable guest
They are above the salt.
353. Worth one’s salt : deserving what one earns, doing one’s job completely
A man worth his salt is rare today.
354. To save one’s bacon : To prevent somebody from falling, losing, being harmed

gh
She was nearly bankrupt, but her loan saved her bacon.
355. To pinch and saves-crape : To live in a very miserly way

in
Her parents pinched and saved scrape to send her abroad for higher education.

S
356. To scrimp and save : To manage to live on very little money
He had to scrimp and save to pay off his debts.

p
357. A saving grace : A thing that makes up for the poor qualities in somebody /
ee
something
She may be rude and stupid but her honesty is a saving grace.
358. To have the say : To have final authority
id

The lady of the house has the say on the household budget.
Ja

359. To tip the scales : To be the deciding factor for or against something

Miss Rashmi’s greater experience tipped the scales for her appointment to this
y

post.
B

360. To make oneself-scarce : To stay away, avoid

He makes himself scarce in this class.
h

361. To put somebody-on a false scent : To mislead

lis

He has put my brother on a false scent.

362. To be on the right-scent : To be on the right way
ng

I advised him to be on the right scent.

363. On more scores -than one : For several reasons
E

His case was dismissed on more scores than one.

364. To put the screw -on : To use coercion or force
He put the screw on his debtor for the recoveiy of the money.
365. A sea of troubles : An overwhelming mass of troubles
Politics is a sea of troubles.
366. A sea of the blood : A great bloodshed
It was a sea of the blood in the communal riot.
367. To sell somebody down the river : To betray somebody

You sold me down the river.

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368. To sell one’s life dearly : To kill or wound a number of one’s enemies before
being killed
The brave soldier sold his life dearly.
369. On active service : Performing duties required of the members of the fighting
forces during war time
Every soldier and every officer is on active service.
370. To set at defiance : To disregard
As he is an atheist, he sets worship at defiance.
371. To set one’s cap at somebody : To try to attract as a suitor

Mamta is setting her cap at me talking freely.

372. To set one’s face like a flint : To be very resolute and determined either for or
against something

gh
The director of the industry set his face like a flint against the employees.
373. A settled conviction : A fixed, permanent impression or belief

in
I have a settled conviction in my heart that I must be a doctor.
374. A settled weather : Clear, calm weather

S
They visited my house in a settled weather.

p
375. To be afraid of one’s own shadow : To be very timid
ee
She is afraid of her own shadow.
376. Worn to a shadow : (of a person) weakened
He has become worn to a shadow because of illness.
id

377. To separate the sheep from the goats : To separate good persons from bad ones
Ja

You should be wise enough to separate the sheep from the goats.
y

378. White as a sheet : Very pale, esp. as a result of fear or shock

B

He became white as a sheet when he heard about his bad result.

379. To shift one’s ground : To take up a new position
h

The case in the court has shifted its ground.

lis

380. Ship of the desert : The camel

The camel is the ship of the desert
ng

381. To keep one’s shirt on : Not lose one’s temper

Your brother keeps his shirt on even in a critical situation.
382. To die in one’s shoes : To die in harness
E

Some soldiers died in their shoes at the border.

383. A shooting box : A small house or lodge for use during the shooting season

The hunter takes rest in a shooting box.

384. To rub shoulders with : To mingle with
He lives peacefully rubbing his shoulders with others in society.
385. To have a good head on one’s shoulders : To have practical ability,
commonsense etc.
My principal has a good head on his shoulders.
386. To put up the shutters : To stop doing business

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 Her uncle has got a government job and so he has decided to put up the shutters.
387. A sitting duck A person of thing that is an easy target to attack

The poor villagers are the sitting ducks for the terrorists.
388. To put the skids under : to cause to fail
overty put the skids under her study.
389. By the skin of one’s teeth : By an extremely narrow margin
India lost the match by the skin of its teeth.
390. To get under one’s skin : To anger or irritate
Her rough behaviour got under my skin.
391. To keep one’s eyes skinned : To be observant
The thieves keep their eyes skinned.

gh
392. Slip through one’s fingers : Fail to grasp an opportunity
The chance slipped through my fingers.
393. A snake in the grass : A secret enemy

in
Your friend is a snake in the grass.

S
394. To snap one’s fingers at : To show contempt for
He snapped his fingers at me.

p
395. Pull one’s socks up : To prepare oneself for a big effort
ee
I am always ready to pull my socks up.
396. Sons of a gun : Rogue, rascal
id

Avoid the company of the sons of a gun.

397. To speak the same languag : To have similar tastes and ideas
Ja

When die elections comes, many political parties start speaking the same
language.
398. More in sorrow than in anger : With more regret than anger for what was done,
y

etc.
B

She went with her boss more in sorrow than in anger.

399. In a flate spin : In a state of panic
h

The police came when the villagers were flate spin

lis

400. In good spirits : In pleasant mood

My friend has obtained good marks in the examination, so he is in good spirits
ng

today the
401. To rise with the sun : To get up early in the morning
E

Everyone should rise with the sun.

402. A month of Sundays : A long period of time
It passed a month of Sundays and my work remained incomplete.
403. Babes and sucklings : Innocent children
Babes and sucklings should be given proper care and love.
404. Between sun and sun From sunrise-to sunset
He works hard between sun and sun.
405. Under the sun : On earth
He canie under the sun last year.
406. To see the sun : To be born
She saw the sun in 1992.
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407. To hold a candle to the sun : To do totally useless work
He wastes his time holding a candle to sun.
408. All and sundry : Everyone without distinction
Grains and clothes were disturbed to all and sundry.
409. To take a fort by surprise : To make a sudden attack or capture a fort

Alexander took a fort by surprise.

410. To sweep the board : To win all the prizes
Being a shrewd gambler, he swept the board.
411. At one fell swoop : In a single, deadly action
The robbers snatched the money bag at one fell swoop and fled.
412. To swim with the stream side : To do as the majority do

gh
She is wise enough to swim with the stream.
413. To sweep somebody off his feet : especially with love

in
She swept him off his feet.
414. To go with a swing : To have a strong rhythm

S
The singer went with a swing in the party last night.
415. To draw the sword : To began a war

p
She has drawn the sword with her in-laws against exploitation
ee
416. To put (somebody) to the sword : To kill
The soldiers put the enemies to the sword.
id

417. To tables of the law : To win all the prizes

The auditor is examining the tables of the law.
Ja

418. To get down to brass tacks : To start consider the basic facts or practical details
of something
The got down to brass tracks.
y

419. To take (somebody) heeed : To be careful

B

Take heed lest you should fail.

420. To take one’s mind off (something) : To distract from
h
lis

The son took his father’s mind off the time gone by.
421. To take one’s own part : To do one’s particular share of work
ng

I took my own part in the function.

E

422. To breast the tape : To win a race

I breasted the tape of 400 metres in annual sports.
423. Tarred with the same brush : Processing the same shortcomings
All the students in this section are tarred with the same brush.
424. To tear something to tatters : To tear something into pieces
The pet dog tore his clothes to tatters.
425. Not for all the tea in China : No matter how great the reward

I won’t let the convict free for all the tea in China.
426. Wear and tear : Damage caused by ordinary use
The carpet could not stand up to the wear and tear of continued use.
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427. To get one’s teeth into To become engrossed in
There are many industries in this town; here is an opportunity to get your teeth
into.
428. Long in the tooth : Elderly
He is a man long in the tooth.
429. A contradiciton in terms : A statement containing two words which contradict
each other’s meaning
The chief Minister’s statements create a contradiction in terms.
430. To stand the test of time : To prove to be durable, reliable or of lasting value
over a long period
Her faithfulness stood the test of time.
431. At the end of one’s tether : At the end of one’s strength or resources or patience

gh
A succession of failures has brought her at the end of one’s thether
432. Through thick : Under favourable and unfavourable conditions, steadfastly

in
They will help her through thick and thin.

S
433. Thick and fast Rapidly and in great number
The volunteers were coming thick and fast in the flood affected areas.

p
434. To hang by a single thread : To depend on something small
ee
The orphan hangs by a single thread.
435. The lie in one’s throat : To lie grossly and shamelessly
id

The witness lied in his throat in court.

436. Two throw something off : To get rid of something
Ja

The boy threw off his bad company.

437. Have a tile loose : To be whimsical
y

Having been in debt, he has a tile loose.

B

438. In times gone by : In times indefinitely past

Things were very cheap in times gone by.
h

439. To take time by the forelock : To seize an opportunity before it is too late
lis

The teacher advised the student to take time by the forelock least he should fail.
ng

440. To take one’s hat off to : To express high regard for

The principal and teachers took their hats off to the CHief guest.
441. By the skin of one’s teeth : Only just
E

She escaped an accident by the skin of her teeth.

442. Armed to the teeth : Fully armed, having many weapons

Terrorists were armed to the teeth.

443. To set somebody’s : To annoy or displease somebody
Pushpa set my teeth on edge, telling a lie.
444. To grit one’s teeth : To keep one’s jaws tight together
Children grit their teeth when they see medicines.
445. Tooth and nail : With all one’s resources or energy; fiercely
India played tooth and nail but lost the match.

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446. On the top of the world : Successful; elated
The spectators were on the top of the world when Sachin made two centuries.
447. Touch and go : Risky
After the snow began to fall, the mountain climbers had a touch-and-go descent.
448. To throw in the : To admit that one is defeated
The congress party threw in the towel in the Bihar Assembly elections.
449. A man about : A man who spends much time at fashionable parties, clubs,
theatres
After the snow began to fall, the mountain climbers had a touch-and-go descent.
450. Bark up the wrong tree : Be mistaken about something
I barked up the wrong tree about you.
451. In fear and trembling : In a frightened or cowed manner

gh
The villagers came to the police in fear and trembling.
452. To lay someone under tribute : To impose tax on somebody
The government should not lay students under tribute.

in
453. The tricks of the trade : The clever way of doing things, known to and used by

S
experts.
The new shopkeeper is earning much money now by using the tricks of the trade.

p
454. To swear like a trooper : to use very obscene or blasphemous language
ee
His swearing like a trooper has made him an object of ridicule.
455. To turn the corner : To pass throught a crisis safety
id

When doctor’s report came, I knew the had turned the corner.
Ja

456. To turn one’s brain : To upset one mentally

That beautiful girl has turned his brain.
457. To turn one’s hand to : (to be able) to undertake
y

She has turned her hand to sewing.

B

458. To turn the fortunes of the day : To change radically the good luck of
The deterioration in the performance of Raman has turned the fortunes of the
h

day.
lis

459. To turn an honest penny : To earn one’s living honestly and make money by fair
means
ng

I am content with turning an honest penny.

460. To turn one’s back : To flee, to run away with fear
The solidier turned his back from the battlefied.
E

461. To turn something inside out : To cause the inner side to reverse to face the
outside
The storm has turned the hut inside out.
462. To twiddle one’s thumbs : To be idle
You have twiddled your thumbs, so you can’t earn your livelihood.
463. In the twinkling of an eye : Very quickly
The fire burnt the cottage to ashes in the twinkling of an eye.
464. To throw the veil off : To appear in one’s form
The kidnappers threw the veil off after releasing the child.
465. Beyond the veil : In the world high above

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 God lives beyond the veil.
466. To make a virtue of necessity : To do something with a good grace
The servant made a virtue of necessity and improved his economic status.
467. To shout at top of one’s voice : To shout as loudly as one can

The drowning boy shouted at the top of his voice.

468. Nulla dn void : Not legally binding, invalid
The dowry system is null and void.
469. To go through fire and water : To undergo severe hardships and trials

Prisoners go through fire and water.

470. To muddy the waters : To make a situation confused and unclear

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The magistrate has muddied the waters in our case.
471. To go the wat of all flesh : To die as other people do, suffer the same changes,
dangers, etc as other people

in
A leader goes the way of all flesh.

S
472. To go one’s own way : To act independently or as one choose
He always goes his own way.

p
473. Weal and woe : Prosperity and adversity ee
My father has an experience of weal and woe.
474. To take a weight off one’s mind : To cause one great relief
id
The son took a weight off his father’s mind.
475. To pull one’s weight : To contribute one’s rightful share of work to a project or
Ja

job
I will pull my weight honestly.
476. A wet blanket : A person who spoils other people’s pleasures because he is
y

gloomy dull, pessimistic, et.c

B

I don’t like to go with him to the cinema because he is a wet blanket.

477. The whys and the wherefores : The reasons
h

The magistrate took the decision hearing the whys and the wherefores of the
lis

communal riot.
478. Beyond one’s wildest dream : For more than one could ever have imagined or
hoped for
ng

During the Kargil war big businessmen earned beyond their wildest dreams in
mustard oil.
E

479. To win something hand down : To get an easy win by a large margin

Our leader won the election hands down.

480. To get one’s second wind : To feel strong again after getting very tired

I got the second wind after having some fruit juice.

481. Sound in wind and limb : Physically fit
All the players in teh team are felling sound in wind and limb.
482. To raise the wind : To raise the money when hard pressed
The storm has destroyed her house completely, so she is raising the wind.

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483. To clip person’s windgs : To restricts somebody’s movements

The new police officer has clipped the thieves’ wings.

484. To take someone under one’s wings : To give shelters or protection to someone

India took the refugees under its wings.

485. As easy as winking : Very easy
The took the responsibility as easy as winking.
486. Under the wire : Just within the limit or deadline
The application reached the convenor under the wire.
487. To have it out with (somebody) : To reach an understanding about something by
frank discussion
India wants to have the Kashmir problem out with pakistan.

gh
488. To have a wolf in the stomach : To be very hungry
The poor beggar has a wolf in the stomach.

in
489. To bark up worng tree : To be mistaken about something

S
You don’t know the facts, so you are barking up the wrong tree.

p
490. To pull a wry face : To ridicule ee
She pulled a wry face at him.
491. To get out of bed on the Wrong side : To start the day in a bad mood
id

She pulled a wry face at him.

Ja

492. To have a bee in one’s bonnet : To be obsessed with ne idea, to have fanciful
ideas or schemes
The principal has a bee in his bonnet for discipline.
y

493. To go behind one’s word : To deny

B

The criminal admitted before the police his involvement in the murder of Dr. Rajan
but he went behind his word in court.
h

494. To carry off the bell : To win

lis

The Indian Cricket team carried off the bell in the last match with Pakistan.
495. To tighten one’s belt : To undergo hardship patiently
ng

The soldiers should tighten their belts while fighting their enemies.
496. To bend the crow : To scold
The teacher bent the crow on Sita because she had not done her homework.
E

497. Between two stools : In a state of uncertainity

When the question of supporting the R.J.D was raised, the Congress party found
itself between two stools.
498. Born on the wrong side of : Born out of wedlock the blanket
A man born on the wrong side of the blanket is often insulted in the society.
499. One’s own flesh and blood : One’s near relatives
A politician favours his own flesh and blood in modern politics.
500. To blow one’s own trumpet : To boast
Our M.L. A blows his own trumpet but we know the reality.

Page | 16
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