Senior Inter: Idioms and Phrases

 

1. Once in a blue moon: Happens very rarely

Eg: He attends the classes once in a blue moon

2. An arm and a leg: Very expensive

It cost me an arm and a leg to study in the USA

3. A piece of the cake:  Very easy

Batting is a piece of the cake for Virat these days.

4. a drop in the ocean: a very small part of something much bigger

The sapling we plant are just a drop in the ocean.

5. Bite one’s tongue: want to say something but stopping oneself

I have to bite my tongue. So I don’t talk what I really think of him.

 6. Go the extra mile: doing much more than required

My father always goes the extra mile to help the needy.

7. Let the cat out of the bag: reveal a secret accidentally

Ram let the cat out of the bag about my surprise birthday party.

8. Working against the clock: not having enough time to do something

I am really working against the clock now. I must hurry.

9. Make hay while the sun shines:

To take advantage of a good situation which may not last long

Our boss in in a good mood. Let’s make hay while the sun shines. Let’s ask for a hike.

 10. Beat black and blue: covered with bruise marks caused by being hit.

Kiran was beaten black and blue by the violent crowd.

11.donkey’s years: doing something for a long time

I have been teaching grammar for donkey’s years.

12. at the eleventh hour: something done in the last possible moment.

If you want to do your best, don’t do things at the eleventh hour.

13. Feather in one’s cap: the achievement of which one can be proud of

Bahubali’s recent success is a feather in Rajamouli’s cap.

14. Rags to riches: Start off being very poor and become very rich and successful

Education alone takes us from rags to riches

15. risk life and limb: in danger of death or serious injury

Don't ask your life and limb in reality shows.

16. Save one's neck/skin: escape from death, punishment, etc. especially by leaving others in an extremely difficult situation.

To save his skin, he would lie and get you into trouble.

17. Birds of a feather flock together: Similar in many ways, so spend time together

Arun and Varun are sports enthusiasts and are often found together. So, our friends usually speak of them as 'birds of feather flock together'.

18. Keep at arm's length: not to allow somebody to be friendly with you

I always keep cheats at arm's length.

19. Beyond wildest dreams: better than you imagined for

Last five year's rainfall was beyond our wildest dreams.

20. Give a tongue-lashing: scold someone severely

Vani gave Hari a tongue-lashing when he called her a lazy girl.