different idioms.doc

7/27/2019 different idioms.doc

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Resources-> Other Resources-> Idioms

Idioms

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of its constituent

words. Knowledge of idioms is an important part of comprehension of the English

language. Below is a list of some commonly used idioms in English with their meaningsand usage.

TURN OVER A NEW LEAF Changing for the better

After Ajit was released from prison, he decided to turn over a new leaf and become an

honest man.

PULL UP ONES SOCKS To make an effort to improve

Idioms Exercise 1

Rajesh scored only forty on his English mid-term exams. He needs to pull up his socks if

he wants to do well in his finals.
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BREAK THE ICE Overcome initial shyness

The teacher asked the students to introduce themselves to each other to break the ice.

MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A

MOLEHILL

To give great importance to minor

things

Manoj stopped talking to Rupa because she did not lend him her notebook. I think he

is making a mountain out of a molehill.

AT LOGGERHEADS To differ strongly

The two brothers can never work together. They are always at loggerheads.

MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN

SHINES

Make the best of a good situation

while it lasts

Mr. Sharma got the big contract to supply machine parts to a big Japanese company. He

should make hay while the sun shines.

LET BYGONES BE BYGONES Ignore the bad things of the past

We have not spoken to each other since the time we had a fight a few months back. We

should let bygones be bygones and become friends again.


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HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD Be exact or accurate

Ram is a genius. He hit the nail on the head when he said that the car was overheating

because of a leaking radiator.

THROW IN THE TOWEL To accept defeat

I am unable to solve this question. I am ready to throw in the towel.

NO STONE UNTURNED Make all possible efforts

Ramesh has joined two coaching classes. He is leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to

get into an engineering college.

BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON

IN ONES MOUTH

To be born in a very rich family

Priya was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her father gave her an expensive car on

her eighteenth birthday.

KEEP ONES FINGERS

CROSSED

Hope for a positive outcome

My results will come out day after tomorrow. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK Using any means, fair or foul


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There is a cricket match tomorrow. Raj will make sure he gets the day off from office by

hook or by crook.

BURN ONES FINGERS Suffer for something that one has

done

I will never bet again. Iburnt my fingers betting at the race course today.

much ado about

nothing

If people make much ado about nothing, they make a lot of fuss

about something which is not important.

A discussion took place about the colour of the receptionist's shoes

- much ado about nothing!

argue the toss If you argue the toss, you dispute a decision or choice which hasalready been made.

The final choice was made yesterday, so don't argue the toss now!

all hell broke loose If you say that all hell broke loose, you mean that there was a

sudden angry or noisy reaction to something.All hell broke loose when it was announced that the plant was

going to close down.

get off by back! If you tell someone toget off your back, you are annoyed and ask

them to stop finding faults or criticizing you.Liz, please, get off my back! You've been making comments about

my work all morning!

battle lines are drawn This expression is used to say that opposing groups are ready to

defend the reason behind the conflict.The battle lines have been drawn between those who accept the

changes and those who are against the proposed reforms.

battle of wills A conflict, argument or struggle where both sides are detemined to

win is described as a battle of wills.When they separated, neither party would make concessions - it

was a battle of wills.

blamestorming A discussion among a group of people who try to determine who


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or what is to blame for a particular mistake, failure or wrongdoing,

is called 'blamestorming'.

A blamestorming session took place following the unfavourablereviews in the press.

bone of contention A bone of contention is a matter or subject about which there is

a lot of disagreement.

The salaries have been agreed on, but opening on Sundays is still abone of contention.

bone to pick If you have a bone to pickwith someone, you are annoyed with

them and want to talk to them about it.

Mark wants to see the boss. He says he's got a bone to pick withhim.

in good/bad books If you are in somebody's good or bad books, you have their

approval or disapproval.

I'm in my wife's bad books at the moment because I forgot ourwedding anniversary.

bury the hatchet When people who have had a disagreement decide to forget their

quarrel and become friends aga

different idioms.doc

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