Idioms and Phrases in English
These important Idioms and Phrases in English are very important from the exam point of view. These Idioms and Phrases in English often comes in the exams like SSC, Banking and other Government and Non-Government Exams. So, Just mug up these Idioms and Phrases with their meanings.
Note: If you remember these Idioms and Phrases in English with their sentences it will be remember for a long time and you can actually use in your day to day conversation too.
Idioms and Phrases Definition
Before we look into the list of Idioms and Phrases in English, let’s understand the meaning of Idioms and Phrases.
- An expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
- A style or form of artistic expression that is characteristic of an individual, a period or movement.
List of Idioms and Phrases in English
Here is the list of 50+Idioms and Phrases in English. We have provided the meaning and sentence of each Idioms and Phrases. Hope you will like it.
Note: We will soon update with more Idioms and Phrases in English in the coming future.
To cry over spilled milk
Meaning – To regret vainly over an irretrievable loss
Sentence – It is useless to cry over spilled milk when one has failed in the examination.
To take to one’s heels
Meaning – To run away, being afraid
Sentence – On seeing the Policeman, the thief took to his heels.
To show a clean pair of heels
Meaning – to flee away, usually from a battlefield
Sentence – The enemy showed a clean pair of heels when our soldiers started fusillade. (firing a large number of shots very quickly or simultaneously).
To have too many irons in the fire
Meaning – To be involved in many activities at a time
Sentence – He is extremely busy because he has too many irons in the fire.
A broken reed
[TPLink1]
Meaning – An unreliable person
Sentence – Don’t depend on him because he is a broken reed.
Every inch
Meaning – In all respects
Sentence – He is every inch a lovable man.
A lame excuse
Meaning – A pretension
Sentence – It is a lame excuse to say that hard work does not pay.
A French leave
Meaning – Leave without permission
Sentence – Ram is on French leave.
An apple of one’s eye
Meaning – A most lovable person
Sentence – He being the only child, is an apple of his parents’ eye.
By fits and starts
Meaning – Irregularly
Sentence – Those who work by fits and starts can hardly succeed in life.
In a fit of anger
Meaning – In a paroxysm of rage
Sentence – He hit his mother in a fit of anger
Hard and fast
Meaning – Strict, fixed
Sentence – There is no hard and fast reason as to what causes diabetes.
To follow suit
Meaning – To follow immediately after
Sentence – When one student left the class, others followed suit.
To blow and cold
Meaning – To say contrary things at the same time
Sentence – I could not understand him as he was blowing hot and cold
A snake in the grass
Meaning – A hidden enemy
Sentence – Beware of him, he is a snake in the grass.
Chase your tail
Meaning – Spending a lot of time and energy doing things but achieving too little
Sentence – He has been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still not ready.
Fine-tooth comb
Meaning – Examining something carefully so that nothing is missed out
Sentence – I examined my report with a fine tooth comb before submitting it to the senior management.
Young blood
Meaning – a young member, or group of members who are brave and more inclined to taking risks and bringing reform; provide various new schemes and ideas
Sentence – We need some young blood in this company.
You have made your bed
Meaning – To make a decision and to accept the consequences of those decisions
Sentence – The mistakes you made are all yours. You’ve made your bed and now lie in it.
Rags to Riches
Meaning – Go from being very poor to being very wealthy
Sentence – He was inspired after reading the rags-to-riches story of his favorite film star.
- Read More- Latest SSC CGL Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Ducks and Drakes
Meaning – to waste money
Sentence – My mother cannot allow me to play ducks and drakes with her hard-earned money.
Dog’s Life
Meaning – Very miserable life
Sentence – The poor people of developing nations live a dog’s life.
In the limelight
Meaning – at the center of attention
Sentence – Film stars are habitual of remaining in the limelight
[TPLink1]Heart to Heart
Meaning – Very Frankly
Sentence – I always have a heart to heart with my dad.
In a tight corner
Meaning – In a difficult situation
Sentence –
White lie
Meaning – A lie spoke for someone’s good or good intention.
Beat about/around the bush
Meaning – Not coming to the point straight away or circumlocution.
Poker face
Meaning – Expressionless Person.
Bite the bullet
Meaning – Unpleasant Work.
Devil’s advocate
Meaning – to present a counter-argument
From the horse mouth
Meaning – From the genuine or authentic source.
Nine-day wonder
Meaning – Something that arouses interest for some time.
Blow the fuse/gasket
Meaning – Loose temper
Judas Kiss
Meaning – Hypocritical affection.
Itsy bitsy
Meaning – Very small or tiny
High and Dry
Meaning – In a deprived situation
Black Sheep
Meaning – A person who brings dishonor to the family.
Blue Blood
Meaning – Royal Family.
Play a double game
Meaning – to act dubiously.
Sentence – Raju was playing a double game.
Out of one’s element
Meaning – Out of one’s preferred surroundings
[TPLink1]Have an axe to grind
Meaning – to have a private reason for doing something
Hue and cry
Meaning – Any loud public outcry
Past Master
Meaning – An Expert
An old flame
Meaning – Long-time love
Word for word
Meaning – In exactly the same word
Go Broke
Meaning – Become bankrupt
Sentence- He went broke after his start-up was failed.