Idioms and Phrases
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the separate words. In the exam, an idiom is given alone or used in a sentence; choose its figurative meaning, not the literal one.
How to solve
- Reject the literal option first (e.g., "to whip a dead horse", "in the middle of the ocean").
- When a sentence is given, use the context: "He was down in the mouth as he lost the election" → very depressed.
Most asked idioms
| A bolt from the blue – a sudden, unexpected event | Once in a blue moon – rarely |
| A white elephant – costly but useless possession | Bone of contention – cause of dispute |
| At the eleventh hour – at the last moment | In the nick of time – just in time |
| Turn a deaf ear – pay no attention | Turn a blind eye – pretend not to notice |
| By hook or by crook – by any means | By leaps and bounds – very rapidly |
| Hand and glove – very intimate | Bury the hatchet – make peace |
| Call a spade a spade – speak frankly | Spick and span – neat and clean |
| Red-handed – while committing a crime | Red-letter day – memorable, happy day |
| Crocodile tears – false grief | Castles in the air – day-dreams |
| Make both ends meet – live within one's income | Leave in the lurch – desert in difficulty |
| Smell a rat – suspect something | Take to one's heels – run away |
| Off the cuff – without preparation | All Greek to me – not understandable |
| Break the ice – start a conversation | Face the music – bear the consequences |
| Cool as a cucumber – calm | Fair-weather friend – deserts you in trouble |
| Go scot-free – escape unpunished | French leave – absence without permission |
| Hobson's choice – no real choice | Achilles' heel – weak point |
| Pros and cons – for and against | Rank and file – common people |
| Within a stone's throw – very near | Status quo – unchanged position |