Idioms & Phrases

FOR IBPS Bank PO, Bank Clerk , RBI,SBI
And Other Bank Exams
TOP 100 IDIOMS &

PHRASES
VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL
GOVERNMENT EXAMS
MAKE ENGLISH A CAKEWALK WITH NIMISHA MAM
MOST FREQUENTLY USED
IDIOMS & PHRASES
By NIMISHA MAM
KEY FEATURES OF THIS
SESSION:
LEARN IDIOMS & PHRASES
❏ THROUGH PICTURES
❏ MEANINGS ENGLISH
❏ SENTENCES
A blessing in disguise
A blessing in disguise- Something good that isn’t recognized by first
.
Meaning: an apparent misfortune that eventually has

good results.
Example: "being omitted from the World Cup squad

was a blessing in disguise"
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Bull in china shop

Bull in china shop- One who causes damage
.Meaning:: If someone is like a bull in a china shop, they are ve

.
careless in the way that they move or behave:
Example: We told her it was a delicate situation but she went

into the meeting like a bull in a china shop.

A chip on your shoulder

.A chip on your shoulder
A chip on your shoulder- Being upset for something

.
that happened in the past
Meaning: the act of holding a grudge or grievance that

readily provokes disputation.
Example: "I had a dirty great chip on my shoulder—

I thought everybody was against me"
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A damp squib

A damp squib
A damp squib- Complete failure

.
Meaning: Anything that doesn't work properly, or fails to

come up to expectations.
Example: The great launch of its new manifesto has gone

off like a damp squib.

. A dime A dozen
.
A dime A dozen .
A dime A dozen- Anything that is common and easy to get.
Meaning: very common and of no particular value.
Example: "experts in this field are a dime a dozen"

A green horn
.

A green horn
A green horn- Inexperienced.

.
Meaning: a person who is new to or inexperienced at a particular

activity.
Example: "I'm not a seasoned veteran, but I'm no greenhorn either"

A lost cause
.
.
A lost cause
A lost cause- A hopeless case, a person or situation having no hope of
positive change..
Meaning: a person or thing that can no longer hope to succeed or be

changed for the better.
Example: "their opposition to planning for full employment was a los

cause.”

A man of straw
.
A man of straw
.
A man of straw- A weak person
Meaning: a person regarded as having no substance or integrity.
Example: "a leader who was once derided as a man of straw"

A gentleman at large
.
A gentleman at large
A gentleman at large- An unreliable person
Meaning: used for someone who has lots of wealth as well as time.
Example: Having sold off his factory, he is now a gentleman at large

A piece of cake
.
A piece of cake
A piece of cake- A task that can be accomplished very easily
Meaning: Something easily accomplished, as in
Example: I had no trouble finding your house

A leopard can’t change his spots-
.
A leopard can’t change his spots-
.
You cannot change who you are

Meaning: it’s impossible for one to change their character, even if they will t
very hard.
Example: “The teacher tried to be kind to her students, but a leopard can’t
change its spots, she was still very mean.”

A mare’s nest
.
A mare’s nest
used to symbolize something that does not exist
.
Meaning: A mare’s nest- A false invention

Example: That box of gold coins Tony found a mare's nest . The
coins were only brass.

A picture paints a thousand words
.
A picture paints a thousand words
A picture paints a thousand words- A visual presentation is far

more descriptive than words
Meaning: A picture can express something more clearly than

words can.
Example: A beautiful portrait of a Historical monument-

represents how a picture paints a thousand words.

A slap on the wrist
.
A slap on the wrist
.
A slap on the wrist- A very mild punishment
Meaning: a small punishment when a more severe punishmen

is deserved
Example: They rob someone on the street and they get a slap o
the wrist – thirty days in jail.

By leaps and bound
.
By leaps and bound
.
By leaps and bound- speedily
Meaning: to grow or make a lot of progress very quickly
Example: Complaints rose by leaps and bounds after the new

manager was hired.

A steal- Very inexpensive, a bargain
.
.
Meaning: When someone gets a item or thing for a very low pri
he/she could say:That's a steal!
Example: Get a that’s steal dress for your sister.

A taste of your own medicine
.
A taste of your own medicine
A taste of your own medicine- When you are mistreated the sam
way you mistreat others
Meaning: An experience of the same harmful or unpleasant thin

that one has inflicted on others
Example: Don't be rude to others. You won't like it when you ge

a taste of your own medicine.

A toss-up
.
A toss-up
.
A toss-up- A result hat is still unclear and can go either way
Meaning: A result, usually between two courses of action, whic

is uncertain and could go either way.
Example: Who will win the Premiership this year? It looks prett
even. I’d say it’s a toss up.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing
.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing
A wolf in sheep’s clothing- A dangerous person pretending

.
harmless
Meaning: Someone or something that pretends to be good or

friendly but is actually trying to cause damage, harm or take
advantage of you.
Example: Ninety percent of car salespeople are wolves in

sheep's clothing.

A lost cause
.
A lost cause
A lost cause- A hopeless case, a person or situation having no

.
hope of positive change.
Meaning: someone or something that has no chance of

succeeding:
Example: I used to try to get him to do some exercise but the

decided he was a lost cause.

Can’t cut the mustard
.
Can’t cut the mustard
.
Can’t cut the mustard- Someone who isn’t adequate enough to

compete or participate
Meaning: unable to meet expectations
Example: His friends and siblings helped him through his

studies, but when it came to working, he couldn’t cut the
mustard.

Cats and bull story
.
Cats and bull story
.
Cats and bull story- Untrue story
Meaning: a tale that is unbelievable
Example: Jane came home very late last night and gave her
mother some cats-and-bull story

Against the clock
.
Against the clock
Against the clock- Rushed and short on time

.
Meaning: in a great hurry to finish something before a

particular time
Example: Staff are working against the clock to meet the

deadline.

All along
.
All along
All along- All the time, from the beginning (without change)
Meaning: from the beginning of a period of time

Example: He thanked his fans during his victory speech for
supporting him all along.

Chew someone out
.
Chew someone out
.
Chew someone out- Verbally scold someone
Meaning: to criticize someone angrily:
Example: The coach has already chewed out two of his

swimmers for arriving late to practice.

All greek to me
.
All greek to me
.
All greek to me- Meaningless and incomprehensible like

someone who cannot read, speak, or
Meaning: used to convey that you cannot understand what is

being said or written
Example: I tried reading that science journal, but it was all Gree
to me.

All in the same boat
.
All in the same boat
.
All in the same boat- When everyone is facing the same

challenges
Meaning: to be in the same unpleasant situation
Example: Don’t be mad at me! We’re all in the same boat here.

An arm and a leg
.
An arm and a leg
.
An arm and a leg- Very expensive, A large amount of money
Meaning: very expensive

Example: I'm sick of paying rent in this town. It's costing me an
arm and a leg!

An eye wash
.
An eye wash
.
An eye wash- A pretence
Meaning: Nonsense or foolishness.
Example: His explanation is total eyewash and doesn't answer

the question at all.

An iron hand
.
An iron hand
.
An iron hand- By force
Meaning: . A particularly severe, forceful, and uncompromisin

manner of doing something.
Example:Grandma runs the house with an iron hand—if you

break a rule, you're grounded for weeks.

Crack someone up
.
Crack someone up
.
Crack someone up- To make someone laugh
Meaning: to make someone laugh hard

Example: I love Kapil Sharma jokes. He really cracks me up.

At heart
.
At heart
.
At heart- Basically, fundamentally
Meaning: Fundamentally
Example: Nicole is a kind person at heart—you just need to
spend some more time with her.

At odds
.
At odds
.
At odds- In dispute
Meaning: In conflict.
Example: They are at odds over the best way to lead the
committee.

Cry wolf
.
Cry wolf
.
Cry wolf- Intentionally raise a false alarm
Meaning: Raise a false alarm

Example: I'm sure there's no real crisis—Janet is always crying
wolf so that we'll do her work for her.

At the drop of a hat
.
At the drop of a hat
At the drop of a hat- Willing to do something immediately
.
Meaning: Freely; immediately.

Example: I can always depend on my dad. Any time I need help
he's there at the drop of a hat.

Back to the drawing board
.
Back to the drawing board
.
Back to the drawing board- When an attempt fails and it’s time
start all over
Meaning: Revising something (such as a plan) from the

beginning, typically after it has failed.
Example: I flunked English this semester. Well, back to the old

drawing board.

Dead Ringer
.
Dead Ringer
Dead Ringer- 100 % identical, a duplicate
.
Meaning: used to indicate that one person or thing is exactly

like another.
Example: Jennifer is a dead ringer for her grandmother.

Barking up the wrong tree
.
Barking up the wrong tree
.
Barking up the wrong tree- A mistake made in something you

are trying to achieve
Meaning: To attempt or pursue a futile course of action, often

by making some kind of suggestion or request.
Example: I barked up the wrong tree when I applied to such goo

colleges with my average grades.

Bated breath
.
Bated breath
.
Bated breath- In anxiety, expectancy
Meaning: Eagerly.
Example: I've been waiting with bated breath to hear back from
my first-choice school.

Beat a dead horse
.
Beat a dead horse
.
Beat a dead horse- To force an issue that has already ended
Meaning: to waste time on something that you know is not goin

to happen
Example: There's no use trying to keep this business going. We

are flogging a dead horse.

Down to the wire
.
Down to the wire
Down to the wire- Something that ends at the last minute or las
.
few seconds
Meaning: used to denote a situation whose outcome is not

decided until the very last minute.
Example: We're just about down to the wire with this project.

Drink like a fish-
.
Drink like a fish-
.
Drink like a fish- To drink very heavily, drinking anything
Meaning: to drink heavily, which becomes worrisome
Example: He always drinks like a fish at holiday dinners.

Ever and anon
.
Ever and anon
Ever and anon- Now and then
.
Meaning: now and then.
Example: Now that she's married, Lady Evelyn only comes to

her childhood home ever and anon.

Every cloud has a silver lining
.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Every cloud has a silver lining- Be optimistic, even difficult time

will lead to better days
Meaning: every negative occurrence has a positive aspect to it
Example: I know that you job is not going well and you are
stressed out, but don't worry, things will be better soon. Every
cloud has a silver lining.
Everything but the kitchen sink
.
Everything but the kitchen sink
Everything but the kitchen sink- Almost everything and anythin
.
has been included
Meaning: a much larger number of things than is necessary
Example: We're only going on vacation for a week, but John w

insist on taking everything but the kitchen sink.

Excuse my French
.
Excuse my French
.
Excuse my French- Please forgive me for cussing
Meaning: used to apologize for swearing.
Example: Excuse my French, but this tasted like shit.

Fair and wide
.
Fair and wide
.
Fair and wide- All over; everywhere.
Meaning: : in every direction : everywhere searched far and

wide.
Example: Well, that rumor about me has sure spread far and
wide—even the teachers know about it!

Few and far between
.
Few and far between
.
Few and far between- Not frequent, unusual, rare
Meaning: not happening very often or not existing in many

places
Example: Opportunities for promotion are few and far between

Field day
.

Field day
Field day- An enjoyable day or circumstance

.
Meaning: have a great time doing something enjoyable
Example: The children had a field day with their new

skateboards.

Finding your feet
.

Finding your feet
Finding your feet- To become more comfortable in whatever yo
.
are doing
Meaning: To reach a level of comfort in a new situation.
Example: It took a while, but I've finally found my feet in my job

Fire and fury
.

Fire and fury
.
Fire and fury- Fearful penalties
Meaning: they are incredibly angry, and maybe violent
Example: Saying the wrong thing every time for that she
deserves "fire and fury"

Fixed in your ways
.

Fixed in your ways
Fixed in your ways- Not willing or wanting to change from your

normal way of doing something
Meaning: Inflexible; unwilling to change.
Example: Grandma will never retire—she's been a teacher for 5

years and is totally fixed in her ways.

Flash in the pan
.

Flash in the pan
.
Flash in the pan- Something that shows potential or looks

promising in the beginning but fails to deliver
Meaning: someone or something that is popular or successful

for a very short time only
Example: Last year’s 2.5 per cent growth was no flash in the pa

Foam at the mouth
.

Foam at the mouth
.
Foam at the mouth- To be enraged and show it
Meaning: be extremely angry
Example: She was foaming at the mouth when she heard that th
decision had gone against her.

Foot the bill
.

Foot the bill
.
Foot the bill- Bear expenses
Meaning: Pay the bill
Example: It's a business lunch, so the company is footing the

bill.

For the time being
.

For the time being
For the time being- Temporarily (also: for now)

.
Meaning: At the present moment; for now.
Example: Let's just stay focused on this for the time being. We
can address other issues later in the meeting.

Gall and wormwood

Gall and wormwood
.
Gall and wormwood- Source of irritation
Meaning: Strong feelings of bitterness and resentment.
Example: Ever since I lost the election for school president, I

only feel gall and wormwood when I think of my unworthy
opponent.

Gird up the loin
.

Gird up the loin
.
Gird up the loin- To be ready
Meaning: To prepare oneself to face or contend with somethin
Example: They better gird up their loins—the weather up there

no joke.

Give and take
.
Give and take
.
Give and take- Compromise, cooperation between people
Meaning: compromise
Example: They said the secret of a happy marriage was a little

of give and take.

Go down like a lead balloon
.

Go down like a lead balloon
.
Go down like a lead balloon- To be received badly by an

audience
Meaning: To become an utter failure and/or something that

causes displeasure.
Example:
A: "How do you think everyone will react to the lack of bonuses
this year?"
B: "Oh, that news will go down like a lead balloon!
Live-wire
.

Live-wire
.
Live-wire- Energetic
Meaning: a person who is full of energy and enthusiasm.
Example: He is very quiet, but his sister is a real live wire.

Hand a gloves
.
Hand a gloves
.
Hand a gloves- Very intimate friends
Meaning: in close relationship
Example: We are working hand in glove with local officials to

solve the problem.

Haste makes waste
.

Haste makes waste
.
Haste makes waste- Quickly doing things results in a poor

ending
Meaning: if you do things too quickly, you can make mistakes

hurrying will result in poor endings
Example: Haste makes waste, so please double-check your

measurements before cutting the fabric.

Have an axe to grind
.

Have an axe to grind
.
Have an axe to grind- To have a dispute with someone
Meaning: To have a complaint or dispute that one feels

compelled to discuss.
Example: I think the boss has a bit of an axe to grind with you
over the way the account was handled.
Head over heels
.

Head over heels
Head over heels- Very excited and/ or joyful, especially when in

.
love
Meaning: very much in love with someone.
Example: John is head over heels in love with Mary.

Hell in a handbasket
.

Hell in a handbasket
.
Hell in a handbasket- Deteriorating and headed for complete

disaster
Meaning: in extremely bad state and becoming worse
Example: With corruption and malpractices everywhere, the

political leadership seem to be going to hell in a handbasket.

Hit below the belt
.

Hit below the belt
.
Hit below the belt- Contrary the principles of fairness
Meaning: to be mean and unfair (in a fight)
Example: Ahead of the elections, politicians won't hesitate to

aim below the belt.

Hit the hay
.

Hit the hay
.
Hit the hay- Go to bed or go to sleep
Meaning: To get into bed and go to sleep.
Example: I have to get up early for work tomorrow, so I think I'd

better hit the hay.

Hit the nail on the head
.

Hit the nail on the head
Hit the nail on the head- Do something exactly right or say

.
something exactly right
Meaning: To be correct or accurate.
Example: You really hit the nail on the head with that
answer—good job.

If it’s not one thing, it’s another
.

If it’s not one thing, it’s another
.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another- When one thing goes wrong,
then another, and another…
Meaning: Many unfortunate, stressful things keep happening in

quick succession.
Example: First the power goes out, now the printer isn't
working—I tell you, if it's not one thing, it's another!

Hole and corner policy

Hole and corner policy
.
Hole and corner policy- A secret policy for an evil purpose
Meaning: Shady and secretive, typically to hide illicit activity.

Primarily heard in UK.
Example: You can be sure there's some hole-and-corner

activities going on in that private club.

Icing on the cake
.

Icing on the cake
Icing on the cake- When you already have it good and get
.
something on top of what you already have
Meaning: An additional benefit or positive aspect to something

that is already considered positive or beneficial.
Example: Having all of you here for my birthday has really been
wonderful. This gift is icing on the cake.

Ill at ease
.

Ill at ease
Ill at ease- Uncomfortable or worried in a situation
Meaning: Uncomfortable, uneasy,
Example: as in Large parties made him feel ill at ease.

It takes two to tango
.

It takes two to tango
It takes two to tango- A two person conflict where both people
.
are at fault
Meaning: Two parties involved in a certain action or situation,

especially a wrong that has been committed, are usually both
responsible in some way (as opposed to it being the fault or
responsibility of one alone).
Example: Your son blames mine for their fight at school, but it
generally takes two to tango.
Keep body and soul together
.

Keep body and soul together
Keep body and soul together- To earn a sufficient amount of

.
money in order to keep yourself alive
Meaning: To survive, especially through very modest means.
Example: I had to ask my parents to loan me money because,

thanks to those hospital bills, I don't even have enough to keep
body and soul together.

Long in the tooth
OR

Long in the tooth
.
Long in the tooth- Old people (or horses)
Meaning: To get too old for something
Example: Although long in the tooth now, my granny has some

fascinating stories to tell us.

Method to my madness
.

Method to my madness
Method to my madness- Strange or crazy actions that appear
.
meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason
Meaning: A specific, rational purpose in what one is doing or

planning, even though it may appear crazy or absurd to anothe
person.
Example: You may have method to your madness, but these

radical changes to the business could still prove catastrophic.

Might and main
.

Might and main
.
Might and main- With all enthusiasm
Meaning: With as much effort or strength as one can muster.
Example: She attacked that punching bag with might and main

More or less
.

More or less
.
More or less- Approximately, almost, somewhat, to a certain

degree
Meaning: to a varying or undetermined extent or degree
Example: Since this was more or less true, it was quite effectiv

Mumbo Jumbo
.

Mumbo Jumbo
.
Mumbo Jumbo- Nonsense or meaningless speech
Meaning: Something that does not make sense.
Example: Every society has its mumbo-jumbo to keep it in orde

Mum’s the word
.

Mum’s the word
.
Mum’s the word- To keep quiet, To say nothing
Meaning: keep quiet and say nothing
Example: The information I am going to reveal to you is highly

confidential, so mum's the word.

Get down to brass tacks
.

Get down to brass tacks
.
Get down to brass tacks- To become serious about something
Meaning: To focus on the most important aspects of a particula

situation.
Example: Don't get overwhelmed with this case, just get down
brass tacks.

Get your walking papers
.

Get your walking papers
Get your walking papers- Get fired from the job
.
Meaning: To be dismissed from employment or to be ordered to

leave or move on from a place.
Example: After messing up that account, I'm terrified that I'm

going to get my walking papers.

Go out on a limb
.

Go out on a limb
Go out on a limb- Put yourself in a tough position in order to

.
support someone/ something
Meaning: To do or say something that lacks evidence or suppo
Example: That politician went out on a limb and publicly

questioned the views of his party.

High on the Hog
.

High on the Hog- Living in luxury
.
High on the Hog- Living in luxury
Meaning: To prosper or otherwise live very well
Example: They've been living high on the hog ever since David
won the lottery.

Hit the books
.

Hit the books
.
Hit the books- To study, especially for a test or exam
Meaning: To study, often intensely.
Example: You better hit the books if you want to pass your exam
on Friday.

In the heat of the moment
.

In the heat of the moment
.
In the heat of the moment- Overwhelmed by what is happening

the moment
Meaning: At a moment when one is overly angry, excited, or

eager, without pausing to consider the consequences.
Example: Parties with large crowds can sometimes get out of

hand, with people doing stupid things in the heat of the momen

It anyone’s call
.

It anyone’s call
It anyone’s call- A competition where the outcome is difficult to
.
judge or predict
Meaning: a situation in which any possible outcome is as likely

as the next, where it is almost impossible to predict what will
happen.
Example: The score is so close that the game really is anyone’s

call.
Keep your chin up
.

Keep your chin up
.
Keep your chin up- To remain joyful in a tough situation
Meaning: To improve one's mood, especially when sad or

discouraged.
Example: Come on, the project was not a total failure—keep yo

chin up!

Kitty-corner
.

Kitty-corner
.
Kitty-corner- Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty- Corne

as well
Meaning: In a diagonal position from, especially outward from

the corner of a square
Example: Thankfully the daycare is kitty-corner to my office, so

dropping the kids off in the morning is really easy.

Kith and kin
.

Kith and kin
.
Kith and kin- Blood relatives
Meaning: Relatives and family.
Example: We are gathered here, with kith and kin, to celebrate

this great union.

Know the ropes
.

Know the ropes
Know the ropes- To understand the details

.
Meaning: To understand or be familiar with the details or

knowhow about a specific situation, task, job, or role.
Example: This class is intense! You're expected to know the

ropes from day one.

Last straw
.

Last straw
.
Last straw- The final event in a series of unacceptable actions
Meaning: The final problem, setback, or source of irritation in a

series that causes one to finally lose patience or for something
to stop working
Example: OK, that's the last straw, kids! I told you to stop
shouting back there, and now I'm turning this car around.

Let the cat out of the bag
.

Let the cat out of the bag
Let the cat out of the bag- To share a secret that wasn’t suppos
.
to be shared
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: How did Mom find out we were planning a surprise

party for her? Who let the cat out of the bag?

Level playing field
.

Level playing field
Level playing field- A fair competition where no side has an

.
advantage
Meaning: a situation that is fair to everyone
Example: If we start off with a level playing field, everyone wou

have an equal chance of succeeding.

Like a chicken and its head cut off
.

Like a chicken and its head cut off
.
Like a chicken and its head cut off- To act in a frenzied manner
Meaning: With great haste and in a careless or senseless

manner.
Example: Instead of running around like a chicken with its head

cut off, make a list of items you need to finish and then work on
them in order.
Liquor someone up
.

Liquor someone up
Liquor someone up- To get someone drunk
.
Meaning: To consume alcohol, especially with the aim of gettin

drunk.
Example: We started liquoring up around 2 PM, so by dinner tim

we were all thoroughly hammered.

Loaves and fish
.

Loaves and fish
.
Loaves and fish- Material interests
Meaning: Materialist wealth
Example: Now a day everybody is interest only in the loaves an

fishes of their jobs.

Lock and key
.

Lock and key
.
Lock and key- In safe place
Meaning: Securely hidden away.
Example: I keep my grandmother's secret recipe under lock an

key so that no one can steal it.

Loose cannon
.

Loose cannon
.
Loose cannon- Someone who is unpredictable and can cause

damage if not kept in check
Meaning: Someone who has the propensity to act unpredictabl

or to lose their temper very quickly.
Example: You really have to be mindful of what you say to Jake

He's a loose cannon, and the smallest things will send him into
fit of rage.
Make no bones about
.

Make no bones about
.
Make no bones about- To state a fact so there are no doubts or

objection
Meaning: To be transparent about something, without any

equivocation.
Example: He makes no bones about having come from a wealth

family.

Flesh and blood
.

Flesh and blood
Flesh and blood- This idiom can mean living material of which
.
people are made of, or it can refer to human nature
Meaning: One's family member(s).
Example: You're my own flesh and blood—how you could you

steal my story idea?

Fire and brimstone
.

Fire and brimstone
.
Fire and brimstone-punishment that lasts for ever
Meaning: The misery that one faces in hell.
Example: Unrepentant criminals better prepare themselves for

fire and brimstone after death.

Finger licking good
.

Finger licking good
Finger licking good- A very tasty food or meal

.
Meaning: When something is so deliciously awesome that you

have to lick your fingers upon finishing it to get the full
extravagance of the taste.
Example: This pizza Sure Is Finger Licking Good"

Have Egg on Face
.

Have Egg on Face
Have Egg on Face-Look foolish or be embarrassed

.
Meaning: To be suffering embarrassment as a result of some

public failure or faux pas.
Example: I was so nervous that I said the wrong name during

the wedding ceremony. Boy, do I have egg on my face now!

Don’t pull all your eggs in one basket
.

Don’t pull all your eggs in one basket
Don’t pull all your eggs in one basket- Do not pull all your
.
resources in one possibility
Meaning: To invest, devote, or commit all of one's energy or

resources into a single venture, opportunity, or goal, generally
the risk of losing everything in the event that that thing fails or
does not come to fruition.
Example: I applied to several colleges so I wasn't putting all my

eggs in one basket.
Don’t count your chickens before they
hatch .

Don’t count your chickens before they
hatch .
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch- Don’t rely on it

until you sure of it
Meaning: don't make plans based on a good thing happening

before it has actually happened
Example: Why not wait till you get the confirmation? Aren't you
counting your chickens before they have hatched?
Close but no cigar
.

Close but no cigar
Close but no cigar- To be near and almost accomplish a goal, b

.
fall short
Meaning: when one is almost correct or successful but

ultimately fails.
Example: A: "Is the answer 73?"
B: "Ooh, close, but no cigar. It's 75, actually."

Come hell or high water
.

Come hell or high water
Come hell or high water- Any difficult situation or

.
obstacle
Meaning: No matter what. In spite of any obstacle.
Example: I don't care if I have to drive through a blizzard—we a

getting to this wedding come hell or high water!

Call a spade a spade
.

Call a spade a spade
Call a spade a spade- Straight talks

.
Meaning: To address or describe the true nature of someone or

something, even if it is unpleasant.
Example: You have to call a spade a spade and acknowledge th

corruption built into this system!

Buy a lemon
.

Buy a lemon
.
Buy a lemon- To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives

problems or stops running after you drive it
Meaning: To buy something that is worthless or of much less

value than one was led to believe.
Example: Sure, it sounded like a good deal at the time, but you
bought a total lemon!

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FOR IBPS Bank PO, Bank Clerk , RBI,SBI

And Other Bank Exams

TOP 100 IDIOMS &

Meaning: an apparent misfortune that eventually has

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.Meaning:: If someone is like a bull in a china shop, they are ve

careless in the way that they move or behave:

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A chip on your shoulder- Being upset for something

that happened in the past

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A damp squib- Complete failure

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A dime A dozen- Anything that is common and easy to get.

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A green horn- Inexperienced.

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Meaning: a person or thing that can no longer hope to succeed or be

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A man of straw- A weak person

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A gentleman at large- An unreliable person

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A piece of cake- A task that can be accomplished very easily

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You cannot change who you are

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Meaning: A mare’s nest- A false invention

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A picture paints a thousand words- A visual presentation is far

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A slap on the wrist- A very mild punishment

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By leaps and bound- speedily

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A steal- Very inexpensive, a bargain

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