65

Adead-head:(ApersonwhoobtainsentranceintoarLentertain,nentb,ithoutpaying;Spongef)_PooI,
featurcs'
;p.1";il;il";ed loafers, wearing plainly the stamp of dead-head on their shameless
victor) He was up in a moment; but he was
a, dead-heat: (A contest where it is rmpossible to decrde who is
it dead-heat' and they were in neck-and-
and although he -ad. ,p tht difference, was a
"i*"Ay
neck.
"""rf"pp.O,
'n.{dog in the manager:
A (A selfish mon, who refttses ro allow -his neighbour to enJo)'even what he-hins.elf
i" i" fO - fluid., .tti niltt., enloys Park faciliry unto himselfnor allows his cousin' he really a
dog

in manager.
A double entendre: (A renrark covering a concealed meaning, which has generally a .questionable
'*r"rril_ old gentiemanlwho did not believe in anything particular, and had a certain
an ugr."uur"
E
,:: procliviry toward double entendres.
Each of thxee
A fair ciack of the whip: (A fair antl suffcient period of importance. domtnqnce e/c.) -
speakers was given a fair crack ofthe whip
as I liked it so much'
A fancy price: (A very high Price) - I paid a fancy price for this watch'
A far cry: (a long distance)Lahore is far cry fiom Karachi'
t I feather in one;s cap: (An honour or a distinction) - My brother's recent victory in the tennis
match is

yet another feather in his caP.

i feather in one,s c apez (an honour) _The new citizen of this book is feather in Publisher's cap.
Afigmentofone,simagination:(Sonethingonehasimaginedantlwhichhasnoreality)-Tltatrichuncle
in A-merica he talks about is just a figment ofhis imagination'
A fish out of w?rlerz (a person who is placed in a position which is strange and distasteful to him) - Mt'
Dance stood there, as he said, "like a fish out of water'"
Afool,speradise:(Dreamworld)_Forlongllivedinafool'sparadise,andthenthehardrealitiesoflife
made me return to earth to face facts.
the ghost of a chance'
A ghost of e chanc e2 (No chance al sll) She can't win She hasn't
100 steps was a Herculean task'
A i{erculean task: (Great work)Fot a weakling like her' climbing
ofjail over six
i 1ri, uira, (One who is iailed again antl agaii) - Saurd rs a jailbird; he has been in and out
times.
A iailbird: h ropue who is oftener in prison than o of :a hardened offenderl Thejailbirds who piped
;i:;;;;J;, wi'thout a sing-le exception the desperate cases of this moral hospital'
laughing stock in her class'
A laughing stock: (An object offun and ridicule) - Rabia was a
given at one lime lo cover several smaller
turr,'p srr-rn: (,q ,i^.iirn
I';;;;';;;-T;; includes many smoll items; a-sum
asked for should be granted in a lump sum to the imperial Govemment'
^ "unts
A man of letters: (A scholar) - Our university has produced many
great men of letters'
unli,ke the real person" on unreal person
A man of straw: lA crearure evolt'ed ft'om the /ancy' arul, wholly
';;;;;j_ih";"of fumished the money by rhose who stimulated the outrage.
straw who ofiers balt i;
I n"aaow escape or shave: (l hair-bresdth escape, escape by a verl' narrow morgin) -
It was a narrow
taken cover'
escape; the bomb exploded only seconds after I had
ex.citement lor a short tine and then is heard of
greal no
A nine dayC rvonder: (Sometiin g v'hrch causes
,o*i- c6t.--.nt accountability drive is nothing but nine days' uonder'
did you find Crawley' uncle Tom?" "Such a
A queer fish: (An eccentric perso,; 'And *htt -'on of fellow
queer hsh - so unlike anybody else in the world!"
give away all the earnings' and never be uneasy
A rainy oay: (Tine of trouble and clifJiculty) - Thou'lt
because thou hast nothing against a rainy day'
I feel as if I had none' as they do in
A red letter day': (An auspiciou, o' nippy a'v1All being holidays'
heaven, where 'tis all redJetter days.
 66

A red rag to a b\ll; (what especially prouokes and irrilarej)

- George II hated books, and the sight ofor
in a drawing room was as a red rag to a bull.
A red-letter day: (A memorable day) Our Republic Day is a redJetter day for us.
A rough diamond: (A person v'ith an unaftractive exterior *ho possesses gootr qualities of mind aa/
Iteart) - As for warrington, that rough diamond had not had rhe poiish of a da"ncing
know how to waltz. -urt", und h" did J
A.shooting pain: (sharp pain cominT a d going quickly, or constanr
[allen from the high walt. I felr a shooting piin in my rigit leg.
for q certain duration) After r h,d.
A square deal: (a fair agreement) - My old car prus 5,000 for your new car? I think
that,s a square deal.
A stick-in-the-mud: (A slow person who is wholry ta,ithout the spirit of enterprise or odvenrurel
rusty-coloured one is that respectable old stick-in-the_mud. - Thi
A thorn in. the f1esh. (A cause of trouble or irritation) struggle of independence
India's flesh.
- in Kashmir is thone a

A wet bfanket: (one who discourages, who causes others to become (risheartened,
also, tliscouragemertl
- At home, in the family circle, ambition is too often fteated with the wet blanket
A rvhite lie: (An unacceptable lie) when I said I thought his poems were good, it
was a white lie.
A wild goose chase: rA foolish, proftress dtrem\r - By te ing hrs sons
field, the old man put them on a wild goose chase.
. - rhat rhere was a treasure in ther

A wolf in sheep's clothing: (,, hypocrite)

-l stror,gly feel Professor Faisal is a wolf in sheep,s clothing.
(,1r" B C d uny xbject . i^ t uJinents; its elenennry
1; _B. S:t ro f knowletlge\ _ Many larmers seem not I
aI Incllneo observe the very A B C of morality as regards the payment ofjust
debts.
Above all: (More than anything else) _ His is above all an honest \a.orker.
Above board: (Open, beyond suspiciba) His dealings are always fair
- and above board.
Across the board: (Applying in all casas) They were awarded wage
- rncreases across the board.
Act the fool: (Deliberatery act in a
foorish manner, oftet with th; idea of entertaifli g or showing ofs -
For goodness' sake stop acting the fool; it annoys peopie.
After all, Balfour," said Mr. Jewsbury with philosophic resignation, "there
are compensations in life.,,
L'L:,1! lO:,: \To.provide he.lp and encouragement in sonrc bad or illegat acrivr.ry) His wife aids and
aDers nrm In hrs dlshonest deeds. -
AIf's.fish that comes to his net: (Not very particurar or scrupulous)
Frev's ner - Everyhing is fish that comes to Mr-

urcxpected natural happening \ehich couttt not have been

1ll:f:":::;lll not?t!lt!
insured against acts of God such as flooding and earthquakes.
foreseen or preventetl
;:::"1,"-r:. ::: lor wluch one can expect no
roenurylng events lstrictty a iegal tera
legal compensation.l
(A.percon who.appe.ars.when they are particulart_v needed.
*.:::^1:.l^tl"r:
Just wnen we were begiming ro feel rcally thi$ty, Mrc.
bringing help, comfot etc.)_
Jamil appeared, an angel of rieriy, with a pot of tea-
rsono,l pecunia.ry interest in a mauer)
1,L::,:_*^t::ll,,l"t:
gnno an axe lor hrs lellow, the Neapolitan is no less convinced
-if the American politician is always ready' o
ofthe value ofmutual accommodation.
An old.thestnut: lAn otd joke, o/en no longer
funny: a ctichd) - I did not find that comedian funny. l,d
heard allrhose old chesrnurs befoie.

terepnone drrectory, please?'

- 'Fetch it yourselfl' He answered his elder brother back.
Apple of discord: lsonething whtch causes strife) The letter
-
and much her hand trembled is she handed the jocunreni
was her-' long contemprated appre ofdiscord-
,pi" fri-.'
Apple of one's eye: (A much-prized tt easure; sotnething very
dericate and tender) poor Richard was to
me as an eldest son the apple of my eye.
 67

ofone
As bold as brass: (impuclent; without modesty or shame) Though Asif knows nothing about new policy
method but he is as bold as brass.
As bold as brass: (lery bold antl usually impertinent) - She walked in late as bold as brass.
and
As diiferent as chalk from cheese: (Very different) -T"he two brothers are as different as chalk from cheese.
not
As mad as a hatteri (dangerously insane) - I ktow him very well. He's a very good fellow but as mad as a
haner.
I had
At a losst (Unable lo understun - l am at a loss why my brother has not come as yet.
deal.
At a stretch: (Continuously) -He cannot work for four hours at a stretch.
At all events: (llhatever nay happer,) - I must reach my destination before eyening at all events-
- This
At arm's length: (,4 t a distance) - We must keep dishonest people at arm's length.
tn At bay: (Ox the defensive) - Our dog kept the thieves at bay till we got up.
At dagger's drawni (4t en itv) - Tt1e two brothers are nowadays at dagger's drawn with each other.
At death's doort (On the point of tlying) - I'm surprised she recovered because the last time I saw her I
thought she was at death's door.
At home: (Confortable) - I felt quite at home in my nerv surroundings.
their At length: He explained the case to me at length.
At sixes and sevens: (ll disorder) - When I found everything in my room at sixes and se\c,ts, I was sure
my little sister had been there.
not at At the eleventh hour: (",4s, ill tinte and no more) - Sir, have you no shame to come her.' ar the eleventh
hour among those who have bome the heat and burden ofthe day?
Bad shot: (Wrong guess) - We had expected that Rehan will reach the semi-finals of the Tennis
championship this year, but it was a bad shot.
Bag and Baggage: (With all one's belongings) - He has left Karachi with bag and baggage, as he intends
to senle dorn in Islamabad.
ofi-
Be at the bottom of; To be the cause of (usuo,l/y romething bad) - What's at the bottom of these nasty
rumours?
and
Bear the Brunt: (Bear the main stress or burden of a lask, conlest, etc.) - The Prime Minister will have to
bear the brunt ofthe Opposition attack on the policy ofthe Government.
Bear the grudge: (feel a grutige over a long period, and be unwilling to forget it) - | always have a feeling
to Mr.
that for some reason she bears a grudge against me. (or sometimes bears me a grudge)
Beat about the bush: (Talk around the point, instead of coming direct to s subject) - Wc should
ifyou said exactly what you meant, instead ofbeating about the bush.
understand you better
terrl
Beck and callz (Always ready and v,aiting to carry oul (so eone's) order or wrsires) - She always has
plenty ofmen at her beck and call.
etc.) - Behind one's backi (Without someone's knowledge or permission) - He sometimes bullies lris sister
tea
behind his mother's back.
yto
Behind the scene: (Not in public) -Much was done behind the scene before an agreement could be signed
between the two parties.
I'd
Belorv the belt: (Of a method ollighting, attacking, competing etc. unfair: not fr-'llowitg the accepted rule:
o1'behaviour) - | krrtow Faraz is jealous of Jamil, but I think it was a hit below the belt to embarrass him in
the front of his girlfriend.
Better Half: (A nan's wife; a complementary lerm for a married won cr) - "Polly heard it." said Toodle,
ord, jerking his hat over his shoulder in the dilection of the door, with an air of perfect confidence in his better
half.
!r'as to Bird-Eye viervr (A general viel,') ofa city from
- The statue ofthe happy prince was fixed on a tall column
where he had a bird-cye view ofhis city.
 68

Bite one's time: (llait for a favourable opportuniry) - We mustn't get impatient; if we bide our time the
chance will come.
Bfack and btrrle:. (Black qnd blue merl{s on the body resulting from beating or l,i/rirg) - The thief was
caught by the people and beaten black and blue.
Black and while: (lltritten defnitely on paper in ink) - | have found it all out! Here is his name in black
and rvhite.
Black and rvhite: (ln writing) - Rohail gave his statement in black and white.
Blaze the trial: (Il/ork hard for the propagation of certain beliefs or principles, or for lhe promotion of a
cause)
Blessing in disguise: (sonret}in g which oppears bad at frst but tums oal welf - His missing the plane was
a blessing in disguise because it was hijacked.
-

Blind allay: (An enterprise with no future) - You're in a blind allay looking for a job here.
Blink the fact: (lgnore the fact) He is one of those people who choose to blink unpleasant facts.
Blood and iro (military compulsion; the force ofarzies) - The blood and iron policy of Hitler give new
life to Germany.
Blood is thicker than water: (One should have more loyalty to people who are related to one than to other
people) - | wo.tld prefer to give the money to my fiiend rather than to my brother but blood is thicker than
water.
Blow one's own trumpet: (Boast of one's own achievements or meits; praise onesev) - He spent almost
half an hour telling us about himself, and what he had done. - Yes, he's pretty good at blowing his owa
trumpet.
Bread and bttter: (Material welfare; what sustains life) - Former pride was.too strong for present
prudence, and the question of bread and butter was thown to the winds in revolt at the shape ofthe platter
in which it was offered.
Break the icel. (overcome reserve: pul people ot ease with each other) - ^nrere was an embarrassing
silence, until one ofthe men broke the ice by offering the other a cigarette.
Bring home: (Make one realise something) - A visit to the slum areas of the town brought home to me T
what poverty really means.
Burn midnight oil: (To work or study until lote at night) -You must have been burning the midnight oil to
get the essay finished.
Burn the candle at both ends: (lhrk all day and far into the night) I am not suqrrised that he has had a
breakdown. What can you expect if you bum the candle at both ends?
By and by: (Soon, ofter a short wlule) - By and by the situation was normal again.
By the order of the day: (Something vhich happens frequen y or commonl) - There is no job security
any more; suspension on flimsiest grounds is the order ofthe day.
Call to account: (Take to task, demand explanation) - The cashier was called to account for the shortage in
the cash balance.
Carry weight: (Have inluence with) - What he says carries weight with the rnanagement.
Cast pearls before swine: (olfer or etpress something valuable before an unappreciative audience) lt
didn't take me long to note that they were not the lovers of poetry, and my talk about poetry was like
casting pearls b€fore swine.
Chcek by jowl: (In close proximity) - Here they lay, check byjowl with life.
Child's play: (Sozetlting very eosy: work demanding no efort) - lt's r.ot a child's play to pass competitive
cxaminatrons.
Chips of the old block: (Of like nature) - Mr. Ibrahim and his wife are ill-natured al their children are
chips ofthe old block.
Close shave: (natow escape from danger or misforllre) - She had a close shave today. She stepped into
 69

the road and was nearly killed by a truck.

Come into line: (agree) - Just affer a waming ftom the boss, he came iato line with the rest.
Come to close quaraers: (Get iflto immediate contact) - you will realise the corplexity of our financial
dilliculties only when you came to close quarters with us.
Come to light: (De drscovered) - On scrutiny many curious facts came to light.
Cupboard love: (alfection springing from an interested motive) - A cupboard love is seldom tue, a love
sincere is fouad in few,
Curtain lectures: Qrivale admonitions given by a *ife to her husband) - The cwtain lecture makes a
mournful bed.
Cut one's own throat: (act so as to ruin oneselJ) W]rtrjn she signed the agreement, she didn't how she
-
was cuttilg her own thloat,
Cut lhe Gordian knott (Solve a difrcuk problem by disregarding conditions) - She sought a divorce &om
her husband, and thus cut fte Gordiar krot.
Damocles' sword: (,4 sword szspended by a siagle thread, and ready lo descend and kill the person siltilg
6elol" ir) - Foreign debt is a Damocles' sword on Pakistan's economy.
Discretion is the better part of valour: (lt is wise not to take unnecessary risks) - I thought ofjoining ia
the fight to help him but decided that discretion was the better part ofa valour and yedtway.
Do yeoman's service: (Help in time of dire need) - He has been doing yeoman's servicc by giving leprosy
patients treatment alld work.
Dot one's i's and cross one's t'sz (To mke great care over denik) - She rakes a good organiser because
she is always careful to dot her i's and cross her t's.
Every dog has his d8y: (The period of enjoynent allowed to any creature is a srror, one) - Fornure was
ever accounted inconstant, and each dog has but his day.
Every now end then: (frequently, afier the lapse ofshort intervals) - Every n6w and then a countrymal
would burst into tears.
Eye-opener: (Circumsunces, etc. that bings enlightenment and sr?rue) - Appointment of army offrcers
with district Nazim is an eye opener to politicians.
Face the music: (Face trouble, punishment, reprimand, or rte unpleasant consequences of one's anducl)
- There is no need for you to worry; ifanlhing goes wrong it is I who will have to face the music.
Fer from: (Not at all; by no means) "Mr. Dickson, you say, is not strictly speakiag, handsorr?"
-
"Handsome! Oh no; far from it - certainly plain."
Flesh and Blood: (human naure) -He is no exception in love he is flesh and blood after all.
Flog e dead horset (ll'aste one's efort's on something that is already decided) - Those who are rying to
persuade him to change his mind are actually flogging a dead horse.
Follow in someone's footsteps: (Do as someone else did before\ He has resigned ftom his job to follow itr
his father's footsteps and beconre a politician.
For the sake of: (For someone) - A dog will sacrifice his life for the sake of its master.
Get (something) ecrossz (To be or make (something) undersrood) - The plan seems quite clear to me, but I
just can't get it across to anyone else.
Gct hold of the wrong end of the stick: (misunderstand) - It appears you have got hold ofthe wrong end
ofthe stick. You should have filled in Form A, and Form B.
Get off th€ track: (Be divefied Aom the main subject of discussion) Let's not get off the track. Wc're
talking about films, and not TV programmes.
Get on on€'s newesl. (Annoy one ,o the exlenl ol causing nenous irritation) - Thc constant howling of
that dog gets on my nerves.
Get the better of: (Oyercome, defeat, win) -My wifc always gets the better ofour quarrels.
 70

Gct to ihe bottom of: (To discover explanatio of the real facts of (a n,,sien, ttc.) _
botlom this affair ifit .the I,ll get to the
Jump the qut
takes me a year!
GiYe devil his due: (a//ow even the $)ot'st nrun zoods, before
-the
straightforu'ard andjust young fellow; no respecter ofpercon;, and
crecrit for. trhat he croes wer) Arthur Brooke was
a Jbrained them
arlrays anxious to give the devil his due,
Go by the bookt (Follow or a(lmitister rures stticlr) The excise Kith and kin:
never broke a rule even once.
- inspector always went by the bcok and
Lay one's ca
Go Iike a bhdt (Llsually usecl of mac-h.ines, especiall.y motorcars) _ To run very fast and -.anagement c
car is ten years old but she goes like a bird.
smoothly My LaY the corn(
Go with the crowd: (Follow the populor opin.ioi s:one ofall yot
independent tastes, but most of them tend to go with _or
fashion) - There are some teenagers 1,ho have
the crowd. L€ad by the n
Good wine needs no bush: (A gootr thing requires no advertisement: ry the nose.
it cornmends itself) -Ifit be 1,ue that
good rvine needs no bush, ,tis true that a goojplay Leaye someon
needs no epilogue.
Gunboat diplornacri lDiplotnaq bucker! by nilitary threatsl rould help me
- ilury ,,n-l. smaller counrries have br.n
forced b1'the gunboat diplomacy ofbigger countries io " ,na economic interesrs.
serv. rt.,.poiii,.ul Let sleeping d
Have a face like a fiddre: rNor to rook theerfur or happy) Having erc. x'ho might
''- lunch with her wasn't much fun .he
jusr sat rhere u rth a face like a fiddle, sayng :o the neighboL
norhing.
Ilave butterllies (in o[e's stomach): (To L€t slip throu
feel ,a futtering sensarion i]t one's insitles as a result of lim slip throug
nen oastess) - She always gets butterflies before she goes onltage.
Haye one's back to the war: (To be in a very dtfficurr or desperare Let the cat our
tothewallashehaslosrhisjobandcannotfindanotheron".' -'---sttuation) - He certainly has his back :t s no wonder
Haye the adyantage of (someone):.(Io recog ise (someonel Lick one's rvc
*,ithout being recognised oneselJ) _ She recovered) - \
her ana suia ,tlo, t ure tlle advantage ofme,.
started blankly at the young man rvho had addreised
Ilead or ta il: (A ny sense) - I could not make head or tail of his account overhaul its orp
of the accident.
Heare in sight: (fo co e into sight: to appear) _ After we Like a ton of t
had been waiking for about an hour, the lown on the idr
farmhouse ha! e into sight.
Hold out a (To encourage s.ont.eone ro cro sonte,thing b) pro Like one's bre
lising a rcv,ard) -'l'he parents held out
tlre crrror of-carrot:
a n:w bicycle to make their son srudy harder.
rr'ould have thc
Hue and cry: (Norse) ., The government wakes up only after people \1as giv€n too r
raise grc.; a hue and cry. Loaves and fis
Hush money: (Money paitl to hush up ro.n ro ,o tt,it ii ,1o", not become public) _ Most black ibr the loaves a
malketers pay hush money to goyemmett seryants. ",i
In.a nutshell; (ltt brief; in a lror'.0 To put it in a nutshell, the Look blue: (Be
- film was about two chil,lren who helped the Look on the b
police in arresting a gang ofsmugglers.
In conscquence of: (As a result ofl He suffered much in consequence You must look
- ofhis youthful follies. Lose one's tou
In deep water: (rn trtflicurties or ttoubre) He found himseir
management ofthe firm.
- in deep water when he took over the iate he has lost
]Iake a clean
I In due course: (At the proper time) _ When the boys got promotion,
u,hich came in due course. clean sweep of
In lull srving: (At its busiest, busy antl thronged)- The street
rnarket was in full swing. \Iake a hit: (&
In no time: (Itery qrickly) -He was able to finish his homework
in no time. llake a mounl
In quest of: (ln search oJ) - Many American hippies have
come here in quest ofspidtual peace. small blister or
rn the air: (Being talkecl obout) The possibility ofthe railwaymen
- going on stnkes is in the air. mountain ofa n
In the long run: (ht the enttl Truthwill be victorious in the llake eyes at: (
lone ru-n.
In the nick of timei (Just itl tine) He reached the station in ]Iake neither I
the"nick of time.
In.thc rlrke ot: lFollowitg close upott) Shonage ofall
railrravmen's strike
- types ofdaily needs occurred in the wake ofthe of his write-up i
\Iake someonr
lron curtain; (An-kteorogical ba*ier betu'een cqpitarist an(r sociarist made her blood
cuftain is supposed ro be very different from life in ihe
countries)- Life behind the Iron
West. llake u ay for:
llare's nest: (l
 77

Jump the queu€: (Pus, oneself in front of a queue, in order to get on to s vehicle, or to get served with
goods, before one's /urn) - With such a long waiting-list or houses, it was suspected that some who had
obtained them had only done so by jumping the queue.
Kith and kin: (Friends and relatiozs) - He invited all his kith and kin to his wedding.
Lay one's cards on the lzblez (Reveal one's true intentions) - The talks between the union and the
management could make no progress because each side was reluctant to lay its cards on the table.
Lay the corner stonet (To make regular beginning) - lf you succeed in this you will be laying the comer
stone ofall your futue fortune.
Lead by the nose: (Dominate or conlrol a person) -Thongh he is a very high official, gold often leads him
by the nose.
Leave someone in the lurch: (f,eave someone when someone needs help) - I had expected tbat my friend
would help me but when all my money had exhausted, he left me in the lurch.
Let sleeping dogs lier (A saying, meqning thqt one should not lry to r{om or improve a situation, people
etc. who might cause lrouble but are flot doing so at presen ) - I don't think you should mention the fence
to the neighbours - I think you should let sleeping dogs lie.
Let slip through one's fingers: (lose an opportunity) - The police guarded all the doors and did not let
him slip through their fingers this time.
Let the cat out of the brgz (The secret is known; the mystery is etplained) -T},€ cat's out of the bag now;
it's no wonder they don't go ahead, for they know nothing'.
Lick one's wounds: (Feel very sore and crestfallen afrer a severe defeat fron which one has slill not
recovered) - When the party has recovered ftom its overwhelming defeat in the last election it will have to
overhaul is organisation. But rhat is something for future; at person it is still licking its wounds.
Like a ton ofbrickst (Immediqtely and heaily) -Madame wanted to com€ with us, buther husband came
down on the ideal like a ton ofbricks.
Like one's breed butter€d on both sides: (To want to live etc. in greot comfort or luxury) - Anyone else
would have thought it was a good job, but he likes his bread buttered on both sides and he considered he
was giYen too much work to do.
Loaves and lishes: (N{aterial gains) People suffer while ministers and leaders quarrel among themselves
for the loaves and fishes ofoffice.
Look blue: (Be sad or depressecl) - He looked blue when he received the letter from his sister.
Look on the bright side: (To be optimktic; a be hopeful and consider the best features of something) -
You must look on the bright side - after atl, you still have ajob.
Lose one's touch: (ro be unable to do somerhing as well as before) - He used to be good at cricket but of
late he has lost his touch-
Make a clean sweep: (7o get rid of everylhing unnecessary or unwqtted) - The new manager made a
clean sweep of all the lazy people in the department.
Make a hit: (Score, make a success) - The song made a hit everywhere.
Mrke a mountair out of a mole.hill: (to blow an issue or cvent oul of proportion) - You have only a
small blister on your heel, but you complain as though you broke your leg. Why are you rnaking a
mountain of a molehill?
Make eyes at: (Look lovingly at) - She saw her husband making eyes at another girl.
Make neither head nor tail of something: (Fail to grasp lhe meaning) - | can make neither head nor tail
ofhis write-up about the Chief Minister's press conference last Saturday.
Make someone's blood run coldt (To fighten or horrify (someone) very much) - The terrible scream
made her blood run cold.
Make way for: (,4//ow to pass) -T"be party workers made way for their President.
Mare's nest: (A false alarm, an unfounded suspicroz) - The lnterpol followed up the clrre, but it proved to
 72

be a mare's nest.
swords with
Measure swords agaircti (Try out one's stt'ength agaiut somebotly) - lt's useless to measure
him in politics; he is verY clever.
I\Ieet halfuay: (Comprontise) - The employees *anted all their demands to be met The management
evennrally met halfway by accepting three fourths oftheir denrands'
Mute as a fisht (llholly sitent)- Miss might have screarred; but, I presume, hel shrieks were stopped by
the
which ofher charpions produced, who said, "No harm is iltended yo.'
,igit ofun horse-pisiol one
mi'am; but"no..ors
ifyou cry out we must gag you," on which she suddeoly b€came as mute as a fish'
Neck and teck (keen antl close: close logether of ttlo competilors in a contest) - If newcomen were to
bring in the system ofneck-and-neck trading.
Now and then: (occasionally; from time lo time) - Now and then a car passed; otherwisE the two of us
were all by ourselves walking the moonlight.
Null and void: (/reftctlve) - The Supreme Court has declared our state's law on land holding null and void.
Ot late; (Recently) - He has been rather cheerful of late.
Of one's own aceord': (Of one's ox'n free willl - Hel:Es resigned his job ofhis own accord'
ofthefirstwaler:(ofthehighestquality)_Shewasabeauryofthefirstwate,;Heisatelevision
joumalist ofthe first thing about cars.
ontheeveof:(Thetlaybefore,justbefore)-Theunrillingbrideescapedfromhelhouseontheeveof
her wedding.
On the horns of a dilemma: (ln q critical situation) - He was on the homs of a dilemma; if he renrmed
into the house he must die in the flames, and ifhe came out tbe soldiers would shoot him dead.
On the spur of the moment: (Dore without Previous Planaizg) - My fiiend made some clever remarks on
the spur ofthe moment during the extempore debate.
ontlrevergeol,;(onthepointof:verynearly)_Shewasonthevelgeofmentalbreakdownwhenshe
leamt about the death ofher husband.
once for allr (Finally) - My father has told me once for all, tlEl if I fail in my class, he will not allow me
to continue to mY studies.
out of bounds: (outside the permined area or limits) -The cinema was out of bounds for the boys from
the local boarding school.
Out of order: (Not in a working condition) - O]ut cetling fan is out oforder'
Out of sorts: (t-lnwell) - 1 am ofi of sorts today and intcnd staying at home '
job because it was
Out of the frying pan into the [ire: (From a bacl position into worse) - I changed my
not tucrative but soon I realised that I hadjumped out ofthe Aying pan into the fire'
out of the wood: (out of difrcutties) - our defence production has improved but we are not yet out ofthe
wood.
Over and above: (,Resrrles) - Over and above his cterical duty, Manzoor's father does some odd jobs to
make an extra permY.
pass the buckr (Transfer responsibility (to someone elsel - The head clerk made a wrong entry in the
register and tried to pass the buck to a junior clerk.
has
Pave the rryay: (make conditions easy) - By acceding to the errployees' demands, the management
paved the way for a cordiat enployer-employee relatiomhip.
iay through the n ose; (pay very dearly) I am paying rhrough the nose for my sin of leaving the birthplace.
Plain sailing: (A trouble-free course of action) - I have passed the most difficult tests. From now on, it
should be ptain sailing throughout.
PIay havoc with (something): (To cause a lot of damage to (something); to ruin (something) - The rain
played havoc with our garden parry a[angements.
 Pluck up courage: (Become brave) -He frnally plucked up courage and went to the Surgeon"
point biank lituntly; at close range) - l. He asked me point blant if I was thinking of gettiag rnarried
secretty. 2. He fued at point blank range.
Pull one,s legst (impose upon; try lor a joke, to make one believe something ,hat is untrue)
He is an -
irurocent t)?e ofman. don't pull his leg.
put an end to: (stop or abolish) -T'lte government should put an end to the Practice of child labour.
would put one
Put one across on (someon€): To deceive or play a trick cn (someone) - He thought he
across on his friends by Pretending he was going to get married'
Rank rnd flle: (|he iiportant well as the humble peopte) -T\e Prin€ Minister has appealed to the rank
unJ frt" i" ttt" to strengthen the nation's economy in every possible way'
"orotty retircd to the county'
F(at rscez (Co petitive straggle in worq - He &opP€d out of th€ rat race and
Ring a beli: (rimind something vaguely: awaken a me-mory) 'Dr' Zain? The name rings a bell ls he not
the s-ame nran who gaYe a talk in Lions' Club last Monday'
Roundtheclock(Ilrewholedayandwholenight).lfwealetogetthisbookpublishedwe'llhaveto
work round the clock.
Rub shoulders (wi th): (Be associated wirrl) - Mr' Nax'az has rubbed shoulders with the great'
lon
Run riot: (lc, wirrr out rcstrsint) -He to let his iragination run riot'
seems
(Io work as an apprentice for on agreed number of years) - The boy was served only
cve of Serve one's time:
halfhis tme.
Set measure to: (/irr,r) - I adYised him to set measures to his ambitions'
s€t the besther on lire: (ro cause a great deal of general inlerest and excitement - His book
is ra,her
dulI) - I don't think its publication will set the heather on ftre'
on
Sickatheart:(Yerysorrowfulandunhappy)-Byeveningtheylnewthattherewasnomorehopeof
she finding the men alive and, sick at hcart, they gave up the search'
Sleeoins oartner: (A person who provides a share of capilal of a business but does not share in rte
;;;;;"7;;i---;i;.li*, *r," haj invested g.o million rupees in the firD, is a sleeping parurer; she is
me
now too old to attend any business matter.
ftom Slipone'smind:(Forget)-Heaskedmetopostaletterforhimbutitcorrpletelyslippedmymind.
seemed to smell a rat'
Smelt e rat: (Suspect iomethinglrlry) - I could not bclieve his story' I
snake in the goss.
Snake in r grassr (,{ treocherous person) - Don't reveal your seclets to her, she's a
speakdaggers:(ErPresshatredorangerinwordsorfacialexpression)-Hesatthere,lookingdaggersat
everybody.
speat<one'smind.,(revealsone'sviewsfranHy)-K;ranisveryfrankandalwaysspeakshismindevenif
it upses people.
strong testimony to) - tl speaks volumes for his laboul ttrat he has built so lalge a
Split hairs: (ser1,e as a
conpany without anYbodY's helP.
- My fathel started this business ftom smatch.
Stert from scretch: (startfrom the beginn irg)
Step into someone's sboes: (succeed so meone) Aftet the Head Librarian retired ftom service the deputy
Librarian stepped into his shoes.
Storminrtercupi(Angageraledincident)TheallegedscandalwasjustastolrrinateacuP.
out of one's mind' or to hide
Sweep (something) under the csrpet: (To try to p-u.t (something unPleasant)
of others:) treri *ai tro;ble a
iiiriii, few years ago abour someone stealing our office
t,ii-ii" - much about it'
equipment, but it was all swept under the carpet atrd we n€Yer knew
Tak€ a teaf out of someone's bookz (Follow someone's example) - | took a leaf out of my father's book
when I startcd taking moming walk every day.
Takeaback(To''urpriseoraslonish)MadameMushtaqstillsaidno,andsaidit,too,withsuch
 74

detemined and resolute ill-temper that Mr. Mushtaq was clearly raken aback. To beat t
Take one's time: (,4 ct leisurely) - yo\ can take your time to conplete rhis job. To bid o
Take your tim€: (co at the speed yor.r /ire) please take your time to do this
- work; I am not in a haste. take his n
Tell apart: (To recognise the diference between; to distinguisb _l cz,,,,or tell To bite
the twins apart.
Thank one's stars: (be luclE) -He sbould thank his stars thar he escaped uninjured. alterrntel
The aftermath: (The situation etc. resulting-flou on impona especially To blow
, unpleasant, event) _ Tlrc
counhy is still recovering from the aftermath olthe war. constantl:
The curtain falls: (The petformance closes; the scene comes to an etd) _ Here To breal
the conyenation ought to
have ended; the curtain ought to fall at this point. What followed _ nzs rr.eak _ To brerl
very weak.
The game is worth the catrdre: (A rork is not worth the efon it re4uaes) (hnish thr
too much on repairs, he decided that the game was not wo;h rt"
- As hrs old bicvcre was costinp
-"iL si, n u"rgi; ;;;;;y.r;*--"t To breal
The ins and outs of something: ets whote worktng, the deraits of orythag) _ broke hc
Now so ,nuny ,hing, .o.," r

cross and across and contrary in the countless ins anrr outs that tbe To bring
ta*i of rf, cr.ipp"". f"id.;;;;i,r; i;
somejot or title. would be
The,lion's share: (The mojor part) - T'lte strong boy ofthe class took 6c lion's direction
plcnlc.
share ofthe sweets at the
To burn
The long and the short: (,4 briefac.count; summary) _ The long aod cardboard
6c sbo( of this rnafter is that we must
elect the office bearers ofour association afresh. (cenainly
The man in the street: (person looked upon a: representing *e interests To bury
of ordinary people) _ What has r

the man in the steet got in 54 yearc ofindipendence in this Jounw? To c.ll ir
The olive-branch: (offer of peacel - The Israelis revolutiornries are To call t(
uot prepared to hold out the olive
branch to Palestine. accoutrt; (
The wings of Azrael: (The approoch of deyh) _ Always, rn atr hos?ital, To crrry
there is tife returning and life
departing -
always may be heard the. rong and peacefur uieatrring or tn6se who drarBtic
sreep and ihe srgfi r

tr,6.r'igr,t,"iilr";.
who sleep while health returns, and the sighs oithose frho listen"in the To carry
hushed w"t rr* i"i,rr.
wings ofAzrael. "r Speaker's
Tip of the iceberg: (l smarl eidert pan or aspect of something rcrgety hidden) crrry
few reponed cases of the disease mighi only Ue tle tip of the i."Uirg. ' - I am afraid that these To
To cerry
To add-fuel to the fire: (To mqke.mqtters-worse) _ My father *zs argry *ith carries dx
me about my result. My
request for pocket money added fuel to the fire ofhis anger.
To carry
To be.caught red-handed: (caught whire doing something h,rong) one
handed as he was tying to escape through a window.
- of the lhieves was caught red- To chop r

thern"
To be ill at ease: (ln an unquiet state:resrless) _ But the general is ill at
ease; he cannot get that infemal To come
ancnymous letter out ofhis head.
longer leg
To be in thecrouds:-(to dream ofwhat is impracticable; to bu d cq.stres i,t fie arr) - since his retum from To come
America, Arthur has been in the clouds.
To be und€r a cloud: (?b be in disgrace, or out ofthe pubric
- She rvar
'
ever since he was c.rughr manufacnrring spurious drugs.
-fovour) - Mr. Elahi has been under a cloud old Talber
To come
To be up in arms: (7o rke in revolt) - worken everywhere are rp in arms against the management for decided t<
higher wages and bener service conditions.
To come
To be worth while: (wonh the time or troubre invorvetl
seem to be worthwlile.
- B,yng or buirding a house nowadays does not customers
To cry fo
To bear in mi'nd: (Remember) - He did dot bear in mind my waming about his bad company. So he in a demo
g came
to ef.
To cry fr
To.bear with: (agree, support) -l nEde a truthful statement; so I *.as heard nod
sure my fiiend would bear with me
at the time ofthe inquiry into the incident.
To cry or
 75

So fight I' not as one that beateth the air' - St' Paul
To beat th- iirl (7o struggle invor') - is only birling his time' and then hc
will
To bid one's timet (waiting for ak"""i'iT''ii"*nity) -He

and mortilication)- - The advocates on both sides are

III;'";113e[0.
j,[,ll"rr'ir,*t -tnii of dissust
z (To show sisns
and sophisms exposed'
ir.ir'iip.-,o r't"' lonni?ting
'oistrat"ments he is
To blow one's own trr*p"t' (r' p'oo nWt' in pubti) - ow tJruon president is boastfull
" "'"*i
constantly blowing his o\4'n trumpet'
ftiends broke down'
To break down: (To begin to cry) After Socrates had drunk poison' his
- back of
ot n*d"rt p*t if a taskl I arwavs try to break the
fririii" -
To break the back or n""u rro
f,.O.t, part of) my day's work before breakfast'
if,tt'f, tfr-.
sat together for a long time before one
of them
To break the ice: (7o nt" a*""'i"'i- -i*o 'ou"""
There are many who rleclare that they
iTf".f*'"i"r,, (To cause to hapPen; to assist it accomplrriing) -
un'ileil-ffi;;;;;; t"""
of giving Russia her head in the
woul<i be willing to u.i,,g uuo't "Poo1i"
direction o f ConstantinoPle'
ol retreat: to act irrevocably) - Then he took
the Perf-orated
To burn one's boats: (To leave no means *t'to* I have bumed my boats with a vengeance
cardboard and tore that i"ntt'tt"fi pietes
f*t*ot
he added grimly'
i..nrlr,fv f.t -V*lf no way ofretreat), -*u*i'aiu
to bury the hatchet and live in peace with
us'
To bury the hatche 1to t w"
figffi-
uff
""o'" queiiioz) - Riaz's honesty has been called in question'
To call in question z (To doubt or Bloomington to
expranotion fron) - She can't call Ensign
*
To ca, to account: (ro cer*U ,",ir-i"-ona
His account of the incident was too
firll of
IT:TIT:TI," n; (To be convircing or easy to believe) -
dramatic emotion to carry coDviclon' in the
were bent upon placing their fiiend Littleton
To carrY one's poi ntz1ro succ"J in one's aim) -T'bey
;;.;;;i';;;;,'*d rhev had canied their point u-iunphantlv'
his superion'
everyone has to carry out the ord€rs of
To carry out: (Io P ut into action; -ln$earmy generally
To carry the dayr (To win
p"t"snperior) - When such discussions arise' money
ti"'i''
carries the daY and should do so'
'"'
an exciting game'
football team carried the day after pldying
-
To carry the day: ( To win a victory) Our upon)
not what my condition would have been if I had chopped
To chop up: (To meet suCdenly)-i know
them. paper money no
to begin to be enforced) - The law making
To come into forcez ('of a law or regul(ttio-n'
July'
lonier legal tender comes into force next mdnage his own afairs)
'To come of age: (To reach of oi when the law-p-ermits a man
*-"t-ne' 'o her late mother's third of
to
'U" Having' when.she caml 9,f391,'-lucceeded
- She was now nearly twenty-thrie'
was independent both by age and by rncome.
oil fuiU".i. po.."rslons, she thee two brothers
t W ihoweeks matters came to a hea4 and
To come to head; (Reach a c'i*at )oni -
decided to live seParatelY'
griett (to be nined; to fall completel) - He is rash in his actions' and careless in dealing
To come to
customers, he will come to grief soon' eminent
desire of a farmer's son to become
To crY for the moo go o't'pil'*"lhing inpossible) -The
''
in a democratic country is not a cry for
the moon'
and again to listeq
To crv from the housetop: rhe public\- Gabriel' rousing himselfnow
tf"'i'*"'"
;;;'r;,h;; G" *ghr n'-'t have been cried from the housetops
^^-,i r.- ,,n..{^ne.
regrels) Wbat's done' Sarg can't be
rherr is
undone; there
To cry over spilt milk go i' -
'p"ni-'n" ^eless
 76

no use in crying over spilt milk.

afewu
To cry wolf: (To rcise a false alarz) In pakistan politiciar' habit of crying wolfcost them heavy.
Togot
To cut aligure: (Make oneself prominent; to do somerting to attract notice) - lt seerns my entertainer was safng r

all this while only the butler, who, in his master,s absexe, had a mind to cut a figure.
To gre
To
_cut
one short; (interrupt another while speakiag) - Tom pulled himself together, and began an sonrbt
explanation; but the colonel cut him short.
To hev
To cut one's cat according to one's cloth: (To regulate oae's e4retses by one's,rcoze) Uncle Sutton
was displeased. "Debt is dishonest," said he. "we can all cur our coat accoriing to our
- army hr
cloth',. To brt
To dance and pay the piper: (To labour to amuse, atd ho,u o experse ofthe enrertainuent besides) r'l
either teach in the school once a week, or give you a subscrigtioq L.r I am not going both to dance
- depena
and pay dcpcod
the piper.
To trv
To dance upon nothing; (to get hanged) - Ifyou do nor takc carc,
1ou will soon dance upon nothing. otbcr lit
To deal in: (To sell; to do business rn) - My uncle deals in clott To ber
To deal with: (fo /reai - I know how to deal with cbcas. mr coj(
To die by inch€s: (to die slo\ery; to waste away slov'r1. ba sreodill,) At the time, a sudden death always To hir
-
seems something very strange and honibie, like a ru,rdec aftbough probably most of us, if we
couid ot$a
choose, would rather be killed at a blow than <iie by incbcs. To tol
To dispense with: (To give awoy; to do wiriolr) - I ca,mr dispe^c with my personal assistant. bdIfr
To dispose of: (To sell of) -}Je dlsposed their blanket offro an ArD€rican- To tol
To do one's level b€st: (To exert oneself to the utmosr of one's pwer) He did his level best to get me the dcb.r('
-
posL To lclr
To dog-ear book: (7o tum down the corners of its pages so thot thqt resemble a dog's ears) He is it
- To L.
habit ofspoiling his book, tuming it dog-ear and high-bghxitrg conrents. Hllrir
To draw up: (To make a plane) - He has drawn up a plau for our new business. To La
To eat dirt - (ro r/ bmit to ittsuh) - T'hough they bow before a carf, is it not a gotden one? Though they
eat
$trca
dirt, is it not dressed by a French cook? To hq
To eat on€'s words| (To withclraw all that one has sail)
-T1€ laryer made the witness eat his own $ords
rolfAr
during cross-examination in the court. Te t c
To €nd in smoke: (ro end without being fulJ ted) - After tbc death of his father, Ali's hopes of higher byltz
studies ended in smoke. T.Hd
To fall flat: (To have no effect) - My advice fell flat upou MubariL To tid
To fall foul of: (To get annoyed; to become displeaserr) - I rrill never like my superiors to fall foul of me thtr
lhrough my folly or dishonesty. oflczm
To fall on a one' feeri (To meet vith unexpectetl gootl-luci) I bad cenainly fallen on my feet. To br
- .ri*'I I
To fall short: (Io 6e less; to decreose) - We fell shcn of mmy when we were shopping.
To fan the {lame: (To,nake more angry) - His rudeness fanned r}e flame ofmy anger. To \n
To feather one's nest: (to provide for one's own personal comiort and interest; to lay by money
oneselJ) -Youltave forgot this, have you, now you have feadrcrcd
for To
!.our nest?
To feather one's own neslt (To make oneselfrich or strong in position) Otlr leaders ha.ze no thought for
the people; all their energies are dtecte d toward.s featheing their rest.
-
To find fault rvith: (To blane) - Saqib l]as &e bad habit of frnding fault with everyone.
To lrI
To-give the back: (ro bave or guit) - Had even obstinate hhrself but felt what I have fert ofthe powers
and terrors ofwhat is yet unseerq he wotlld not thus lightly bave given us the back
Tol
To give up or yield up the ghost: (ro dre) - you do not tell rne tbat carswell is applying for the
Hebrew To lcr
charr. He has nor a ghost ofa chame.
To la
To giye vent to: (To express; to give an outlet)
- Slrc ga,ve veut to her pent-up feelings the moment I spok-. To lic
 77

a few word of s).mpathy for her.

To go to th€ badz (To become debauched: lo sink inlo poyert! and disgrace) -He went, as the cornnon
saying expressively pbnses it, to lhe bad.
To greese the pdm: (Io bnDe) - Nowadays one cannot gct anything done without greasing the palm of
somebody or other.
To have 0 linger in the pie: (To be nixed up in any affair) - T\e recent political developnrent shows that
amry have a finger in the pie.
To have all one's eggs in one basket: (to risk all one's goods in the same yenture; lo haye everything
dependent on lhe security of one particular thing or one particular undertaking) - I know your happiness
depends on her. AII your eggs are in that one basket.
To heve many irons itr the fire: (To have many projects catrying on at one ,rne) - And thetr he tells what
other literary irons are in the fire.
To have no brckbone: (To lack slrength of character\ - Many of our leaders have no backbone; they do
not enjoy the trust and confidence ofthe people.
To hit the nril on the h€ad: (To speak appositely; to touch the eract poi,i in question; to state the plain
truth or the real fact about a situation) - He presented his argument so well that it hit the nail on the head.
To hold r brief fort (To try to justilr, or de/end someone's acrionr) - I do not hold a brief for the stikers,
but I feel that thc goverDment ought to frrlfil most oftheir demands.
To hold one's own: (to contend successfully: to maintai h)hat one is struggling [or) - he is a skilled
debater, and can hold his own against any opponent.
To hold one's tongllez (To keep quiet\ - I told him to hold his tongue while I advocate hirlt"
To keep another in the dark (To keep hin in ignorance of an event) - She was now resolved to kcep
Harriet no longer in the dark.
To keep body rnd soul together. (To suslain life) My earnings are so miserable that they scarcely
-
suIfice to keep body and soul together.
To keep the wolf from the door: (To be in a posirion to get two meals a day) - He is too poor to keep the
wolfAom the door.
To keep up spperrzncez (To behave in a seemly way before orrers) - Lots ofpeople keep up appearances
by wearing smart clothes and spending little on food.
To kick the bucket: (To die) -MI. lawad kicked the bucket last night.
To kick up dust: (Io carry on a valueless discussion) - Amongst the manuscript riches of the Bodleiaq
there was a copy of a certain old chronicler about whose very name there has been a cousiderable amount
of learned dust kicked up.
To know how meny beans make five: (To be sagacious; to be worldly-wke) - I was. a fool, I was, and
didn't lnow how many beans made five.
To know no boundsr (To be without any limits or end) - My joy knew no bounds when I heard and I had
topped in my class.
To know on which side one's bread is buttered: (To be well aware of one's own inarests, to be full of
worldly wisdom as far as regards oneselJ) - "Pshaw!" answered his mercurial conpanion, "he knows on
which side his bread is buttered."
To lay herds together: (fo consult together) - The dtectors of the corrpany laid their heads together to
find a way ofsaving the corpany ftom disaster.
To le:d a dog's life: (To pass a miserable exisrence) - He is afraid to call his soul his own, and he leads
the life ofa dog.
I To leaye no stone untuIned: (To do one's utmost) -Heleft no stone untumed to get his sons good jobs.
To let bygones be bygones: (To ignore the past) - Caa't we let bygones be bygones and start aAesh?
To lick the dust: (Io fa
in bat e) -His enemies shall lick the dust.
I
7

of petq'qw,reis qnd6icrenzss)
I::Ii;#iiX',3\t"tr";:":"ii;"i!: - Shan and his wire are reading a Tor
To look daggers: (To look angrily) lool
-The man, ryho rr
hir b,y ry scmtcr, Iooked daggers at me. addr
To make a cat's paw of: (To use as a mere
tool)
To make a crean breast or: (To confess; arlzn)
-*.**r t's
paw of you; that,s plain enough. Tor
- Tbc rcrxcd ma& a clean breast ofhis guilt in the court. Say r

ends meea: (To hove tw,o squqre meol,, rr;W Tos

I"JTI:,.b",h ueighbour is too poor ro make both
paus
To!
;:"T:,tjH:.Y'-:'J':r^!;::?."**'e) - one of 6c ppirs' a mischievous linre ferrow, was making
goo(
To make ,igh' of: ( To treat as if not serio,s)
- He is a trer-e rn sto nakes light of his hardships. Tos
To make oneserf rr homer feer as if on" -"r" in o*', otn ho^ll wenl
make yourself at honrc, visi'oNipper, pi.ur.,,..rt - "oo urr,i. your bonnet-strings, and
eat"dlJJ*-' Tor
To make out: (7o u nderstaad) _lcamot
make out aDytint of *tat be bas wrinen. resp(
To uuke room for: (Give up positio.n in yorou,
olro^_rj_ n ofa _a A" ircorpetent must Tos
To meke your blood creep: (Tofll you *ith qie I
more rmagrnahve, s.uted Dor or y that she
and rcr.orl ili O","., rhe cobbler,s daughter, being Tos
cr€ep.
had seen rhc carr{s,-, ilr, tbat they had made her brood
ag,,l
"r.o Tos
To move herven rtrd eerrh: (To n'oke.every possibte
se t witt move heaven aod earth to
{on) - bn ofcourse au the plu[stead and Frarnrey oppo
get hi- JLt. ,o u. disgrace to the diocese. 'stn
"ir:;;;;#;i
Tornove heaven rnd earth: (To try o,e's urmosr) "
Hc mr-ed heaven ano .arrh Tot
- to trace his lost son but in
To tr
to prelend to took like) - r1,. *znger. sotm
n#Ir:[i,iK#lr' our citv passed for a businessman, and
To&
To pick a quarret: (To start a quarre[)_ skilt
I do not like to pick a guarrel with anyone.
To pick one's pocket: (ro setr one pocket) _ sonrorcfrr.Jrny po"r"t PeE!
from s
Iast month.
;:f"','*i[:fi,lt){#$.'^" "0 '' anvhing)-rmilool;; orpruving nrst nddre in anv sociar
what
Tot
fiddle't (To toke a subordinare positiclti
- Mke ro lea& I do not like to play Ton
I""XHJ:"md second fiddle
leavc
Tlllry the came: (To proy one's part
fairl) - Life to,,,.sus 6ar if we don,r play the game, To tr
others also aluray
To pfay trusnl: (To keep oway rdscal
fron school wirhour the botledee of one's parenxl - otrce I
pravins truant fiom schdl. r
To play with edge tooh: (To spon,*,ith *,ha
d;J,hr;i';ffi#ffi:i:o1 was caushr
To tr
is
latqerouy
q*]J ,ff :".*g *ith edge tools. by thr
r: (Sa1' something
fa*u*or" i1 - a.a ,*1iillot put ro u *ord for me r misht not To tel
;Tilf ;Jfl'.j: To td
To put itt
(Contribute: oddl _ Hc bs pr.rt in very
little wol To td
To put off: ( 7o poirpone) Do Dot put offtill
- tomonow wtal ],ou cau do it today.
To ti
To put outz (To qtingukh)
- He bas put out the candle. thcy r
To ttr
I:Hl*":T*ffiS#ffr,;j|ewrongthingfirst)-ro beginphysics at this stase is ro put
cold u
r,Jfr. t6,; ,o tft' i,t pfactice) - My papcr gives a timorous writer an opportunity To thr
f,: #,l,li:: ,i3 of puttins ter"g I

Tonrun down: (ro D/a me: to condeau) rt is far easier to run doa! others than to do To thl
- better than they have larmt
To run over: (Io ciec&) proc6
- Hc ran ovcr tlre figures quickly.
To thr
 79

To say boo to a goosei (a test of courage; a man who cq not say boo to be despised for his timidity) - He
looks as fierce as a tiger, as much as to iay, "Say boo to a goose, if you dare" (it will take a bold man to
address me).
To say ditto to: (/o dcquiesce in; to accept the conclusions or arrangeue s of orlrers) - Nadeem always'to
say difto to his senior clerks.
To say grace: (To ask the divine blessing before comme cing a meal) - Mr. Pickwick, having said grace,
pauses for an instant and looks round him.
To show a clean pair of heelsz (To run ofi) - T\ese rnaroons were runaway slaves who had bid a sudden
goodbye to bolts and shackles, whips and rods, and shown theil tyrants a clean pair ofheels.
To show a clean pair of heelsz (To escape) -'f1te thieves showed a clean pair of heels when our two dogs
went barking for them.
To steal a march on: (To go ahead) - Our country has stolen a march on many developing countries in
respect of industrial producCon.
To steer clear of: (To keep away safel) - I always try to steer clear ofbad company.
To strain at a gnal: (To make dfficulties about something insignificant) -YotJ are just the chap to strain at
a gnat and swallow a camel.
To strike while the iron is hot: (A strqw is the sl,mbol of what is worthless\ - Do not miss a favourable
oppornrnity; act when the conditions are favourable) Let George cut in aud win her," was his advice.
"Strike while the iron's hot, you know - while she's fresh to the town."
To take (a thing) smiss: You will not take it amiss ifl take a cousin's privilege.
To take affect: (To operqte; to sct as intended) - The medicine took effect, and the patient fell into a
sound sleep.
To take away one's br€ath: (to cause surprise or consternation) - He was so polite, he flattered with a
skill so surprising, he was so fluent, so completely took away her breath, that when he finally begged
Permission to deli'rer a valedictory oration to all the young ladies, Miss Billingsworth, without thinking
what she was doing, ganted that permission.
To take by storm: ( To capture after a sudden auack) - Ov forces took the enemy sfonghold by storrn
To take French leave: (lo go olf secretly, without notice or wqrning; to elope) - You must take French
leave and run away with your charming wife for six months.
To take the bull by the hornsz (To deal with a dificult problem or situation 6old/y) - The poor boy was
always troubled by the rich bully. One day he took the bull by the homs and gave a sound thrashing to the
rascal.
To take time by the forelock: (Not to let an opportunity slip) - A resourceflrl man will always take time
by the forelock.
To take to one's heels: (To run away) - The bad character took to his heels when some people ran after him.
To talk shop: (fo ,a lk about ote's business) - It is improper to talk shop at tea or dinner parties.
To tell upon: (To ruin) -Hard work has told upon his health.
I To the backbone: (Thoroughly; staunchly; essentiall) -Ttrey told him solemnly they hoped and believed
they were English to the backbone.
To throw cold water rponi (To discourage to preye t something/rom being tloze) - My father has thrown
cold water upon my proposal for spending the summer vacation at Kaghan.
To throw daylight tpon: (to reveal; to display to iew) -But for that accident, the mystery and the wrong
being played out at Caromel's farm might never have had daylight thrown upon it.
To throw dust in a man's eyes: (To trlt to lead someone astra) - All of these knew whether Mr. John was
launching thunderbolts or throwing dust, and were well aware tbat he had quite taken up with the latter
process in the Beckley case.
To throry mJdd at: (To abuse; to speak eil ofl - A woman in my position must expect to have more mud
 80

thrown at her than a less important p€rson.

Upsir
To tread upon the heels: (To follow closely) - one woe doth tread upon another's heels (follow another new I
closely).
Vicio
To try one's luck: (To see if he would get success) -My father has saned another business to try his luck cquse
there.
Wesl
To turn one's back upon: (to desert; .,to
forsake) - "tJrcle", said \lrs. Kenwigs,
to think that you should star)
have tumed your back upon me and my dear children." - Dickens the s<
To turn one's coat': (To change to the opposirepar4,) - This is not the lust time he has tumed his coat. WLrt
To turn oyer a nerv leaf: (To change for the better) - After his oarriage he gave up bad company and docto
tumed over a new leaf. WhC!
To rveather the storm: (To face a dificulty successfully) - our counEy bas successfully weathered many a bc of
political storrn Whct
To wtiP-the devil round the post: (to evade rules or provisroas) - It is asserted" indeed, in some quarters He's
that the deYil might be whipped round the Teintsin Convention by persuading Korea to cede the Nanhow wLit
group to China. sbapc
Try to mak€ bricks without straw: (ro try to do a piece of *o* without rhe mateials, rools etc. lYin r

necessaryfor it) -Trying to Prepare a statistical report with the scanty bformatioo available was like hlng wbt
to make bricks without st-aw. rfiinli
Tum a blind ey€ (to somcthltrg)r (To ptetend not to see or notice (somerhing)
- Because he works so wio
hard, his boss tums a blind eye wheu bc conrs in late.
plam
Turn a deaf ear loi (to reJuse ,o listen to) - The Registrar tum a deaf ear to the dismissed enployees wirl
request for reinstatement.
Hc br
Turn one's nose at: (sconr at, net, wirt contempt) - No one sbould turn his nose at the poor people's way wiO
oflife. g€ttin
Turn over a new leef: (To commence a tew course of tife; to inyow in conduct) Ther! in a private
- witn
Postscript, he condescended to tell us rhat all would be speedily setdcd ro his satisfaction, and we ihould
tum over a new leaf.
wirl
bad
Turn tail: (Run away in a covardlr. rra-r.) - Seeing the armed gang. tbc police umed tail.
rEcen
Under a cloud: (ln disgrace) lto€h Ca€sar was no! for rzriors rcason1 to be pronounced a tyrant, wirl
Cicero advised that he should be buried prir?tely, as if his nanre *zs rmdcr a cloud.
Poer I
under segis of (someone): lyirh the ldoral or frnancial) suppon of tsoneone) This country was under \\
the aegis of the British goverunrm
-
under considerationi (Being takn i,to occount: being looked intol - \{y apptication to my boss for a \\'it
long leave in still under considcration-
U-nder fire: (To do somerhing datgetous or risly) - She hrex, sbe rzs ptaying with fue by having
affair with a rrarried man.
an \\'i
Under lock rud key: (Safers\ lxkd arrqv) - I keep all my valuable ppcrs rnder lock and key. You
Und€r one's bre.tb: (ln a *,hisper) - V s*ore under his breath. Pn
Under one's thumb.. (lJndo ne 's anplere control) - Amjad, is undcr his nife 's thumb
up lo on€'s eyes itr (somtti,g):. uqqsa itrwlved in (something) - sh. is
just at th€ moment - the exams ae r:t *tek- - w to her eyes in school work
Up to: I cannot say wtat hcc ctil&la .tE Ds up to.
Ups and downs: (C/ranges in forlurrc') - A@n sees many ups and doras in his life.
Upset the applecart: (To spoil plaw, &trua progress etc.) _ Ik fmball team were doing very well
when their best player upset the applecarr by breating his leg.
 81

Upsides with (a person): (ot an equal footing with) - T\e upset price was one pound an acre, since my
new trap has arrived,
Yicious circle: (stote of afairs in which a cause produces an efiect which ilself pmtluces the oaginil
caase) - The vicious circle ofpoverty is seriously hitting our economy.
Wash dirty linen in pubtic: (Discuss personal matters of a scandalous or unpleasant nature b{ore
strangers) - It's ridiculous that the bureaucracy is sleeping over such a gmve matter while the dirty linen of
the society is washed in public.
What the doctor orderedt (The very thing thq, is needed) - At this nwnent a cup of tea is just what the
doctor ordered.
When all is said and donez (Consideing all the facs) -When all is said and done I suppose she's lucky to
be offered ajob at all.
When the brlloon goes Iupi (Whel the trouble starts; when something expected (often fared) nke place) -
He's always getting us into trouble, but he's never here when the balloon goes up.
Whlte elephsnt: (A rare, expensive possession thst is a fnancial burden to maintain) - The old ashtray,
shaped like a unicorq is a sort of white elephant in our house.
Win one's laurels: (win honour) -He won his laurels in literature.
Wishful thinking: (Unredlisric thinking based on hopes rather than facts) - I know it nray be wishful
thinking, but I believe the publishers will accept my rEnuscript.
With r view to: (ln order to) - He consEucted a model with a view to making tt e building of a house a
planned thing.
With an eye to the main cbrnce: Thinking about one's own chances ol gefling plofit (out ofsomething) -
He became a millionate by making every decision with an eye to th€ main chance.
With flying colours: (honourably; triumphantl) - But for my pan I have always thought that their both
Bettingthei degee at last with flying colours after three weeks ofa famous coach.
Wilh flying colorl/s z (Wirh ease and grea, stccerJ) - He passed his exams with flying colours.
With high hrn (lmperiously; arrogantl) -Mr. Tolair would have carried his mission with a very hig!
hand if he had not been disconcerted by the very unexpected demonstsations with which it had bcen
received.
Wilh one foot in the grevez (Yery feeble; having but a short ime to live) - lt is sometimes the fate of a
poet to succeed, only when he has one foot in the grave.
With one's eyes opeol Qfith full awareness ofwhat one is dorrg) - I know what the job would involve -I
went into it with my eyes open.
With open arms: (llarmly; afectionately) - His uncle with open arms received him in England.
With open erms: (|/armly) -T'he Arnsrican President was welcomed with op€n arms.
Withln sn ace of: ( yeO) near to) -Hewas within an aca ofsuccess.
You can't both hrve your cake atrd ert it: Slave-holders in rebellion had alone among, nDrtals tho
privilege of having their cake and eating it.

I ANTONYM QUESTIONS
Directions: In each of the following antonym questions, a word printed in capital letters precedes five
lettered words or phrases. From these five lettered words or phrases, pick the one most nearly !l J:'jn
meaning to the capitalized word.
I Because some ofthe questions require you to distinguish Iine shades of meaning, be sure to
I all rhe choices before deciding which one is best.
r.nsider