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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams

(With practice questions)

Idioms List

1. A fair crack of the whip The same chance as other people to do something
2. To hold something in leash To restrain
3. To wrangle over an ass’s shadow To quarrels over trifles
4. To play fast and loose To hurt some body’s feelings /to play
tricks
5. All agog Restless
6. to give up the ghost To die
7. To snap one’s fingers To be anxious
8. A pipe dream An impractical plan
9. To stand to one’s guns To perseverance when hardships press
10. To loose one’s head To become confused and over exited
11. By the skin of one’s teeth Only just
12. To throw one’s glove To give a challenge
13. To be in abeyance In suspense
14. A chip off the old block Characteristics of one’s ancestors
15. To take people by storm To captive tem unexpectedly
16. To throw up the sponge To surrender or give up the contest
17. Harp on To keep on talking
18. To catch somebody on the hop to To catch somebody of guard
19. To spell the beans To reveal secret information
20. To bring one’s egg to a bad To fail in one’s plan because one goes to
market the wrong people for help
21. To get cold feet To be afraid
22. To take a leap in the dark To do a hazardous thing without any idea
of the result
23. To give get/give the bird To send away
24. To be at daggers drawn To be bitter enemy
25. To save one’s face to evade disgrace
26. To spilt hours To indulge in over-refined arguments
27. A lady’s man A lover of woman company
28. Will o’ the wisp Anything which eludes or deceives
29. To get into scrape To find oneself in an awkward
predicament
30. To fly off the handle To lose one’s temper

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

31. To blaze trail To initiate work in a movement


32. To be lost in the cloud To be perplexed
33. Hush money Bribe paid to secure silence
34. A tall order A task difficult to perform
35. To draw bead upon To take aim at
36. All and sundry Everything without distinction
37. To disabuse one’s mind To remove a misapprehension
38. To temp providence To take reckless risks
39. To accept the gauntlet To suffer humiliation
40. French leave Absence without permission
41. To have brush with To have a slight encounter
42. To pull one’s socks up To try hard
43. Within an ace of Narrowly
44. To blow hot and clod To be inconsistent
45. To give chapter and verse for a To produce the proof of something
thing
46. To beggars’ description Beyond one’s power to describe
adequately
47. To plough the sands To busy oneself in a way which cannot
lead to any profitable result
48. Foar in the mouth To be furious
49. To take umbrage To be offended
50. Something up one’s sleeve A secret plan
51. Adam’s ale Water
52. To draw the long bow To make and exaggerated statement
53. To fight to the bitter end To carry on a contest regardless of
consequences
54. Queer somebody’s pitch Upset one’s plan
55. To make the grade To come out successful
56. To be up and doing To be actively engaged
57. To see eye to eye with To agree
58. A jaundiced eye prejudice
59. To see red To find fault with
60. To rip up with old sores To revive a quarrel which was almost
forgotten
61. To carry off the bell To bag the first position
62. To live in clover To live in great comfort and luxury
63. Pin-money Allowance made to a lady for her expenses

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

64. Get down to brass tracks Begin to talk in plain, straight forward
terms
65. Spick and span Neat and clean
66. To take the wind out of another’s To anticipate another and to gain
sails advantage over him
67. To carry the coal to Newcastle To do unnecessary things
68. To turn the cover To pass the crisis
69. A sop to Cerberus Ransom to an enemy
70. To hit the nail on the head To guess right
71. A baker’s dozen Thirteen
72. To run amuck To run about in frenzy
73. To look down one’s nose at To regard with half-hidden displeasure or
contempt
74. Hard pressed In difficulties
75. To be at one’s finger’s end To be completely conversant with
76. To pull strings To exert hidden influence
77. A green horn An inexperienced man
78. To look sharp To be quick
79. To pour oil in troubled water To calm a quarrel with soothing words
80. To play on a fiddle To be busy over trifles
81. To mind one’s P’s and Q’s To be careful one one’s mind
82. To oil the knocker To tip the office boy
83. To cut the crackle To stop talking and start
84. To cool one’s heels To be kept watching for sometime
85. By the rule of thumb By practical experience which is rather
rough
86. A fool’s errand A useless undertaking
87. To put somebody in his place To make him humble
88. To talk shop To talk about business or professional
affairs
89. To keep one’s head above eater To keep out of debt
90. To live fast To lead a life of dissipation
91. To hold a brief for To defend someone
92. To pay off old scores To harm someone because they have
harmed you in the past
93. To take a leaf out of somebody’s To take him as a model
book
94. To set he Thames on fire To try to do the impossible

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

95. To cast the pearl before a swine To offer someone a thing which he cannot
appreciate
96. To bear the palm To win
97. To change the colour To shift the allegations to
98. To cut the Gordian knot to be victorious
99. To have one’s heart in one’s To be deeply depressed
boots
100. To strike one’s colours To surrender
101. To cry wolf To raise a false alarm
102. To give one’s ears To listen carefully
103. To hang up one’s hat To make oneself comfortable in another
person’s home
104. To get the hang of thing To understand the meaning of it
105. To make a shot To make a guess
106. A man of weight A man of importance
107. Pell-mell In hurried disorder
108. To put one on one’s mettle To rouse one to do one’s best
109. To ride hell for leather To ride with furious speed
110. To speak daggers To speak to a person with hostility
111. Be in the mire Be in difficulties
112. To give a rap on the knuckles To rebuke
113. Sum and substance Summary
114. A drug in the market Commodities no in demand
115. Mealy-mouthed Cunning
116. Moot point A debatable point
117. Give a wide berth Keep away from
118. Brought to light Disclose
119. Fits and stars Irregularly
120. High and low Everywhere
121. Intends and purposes Practically
122. Rest on my laurels Be complacent
123. Clinched the issue Decided
124. Call a spade a spade Be outspoken in language
125. Point-blank Pointedly
126. Neck out Invite trouble unnecessarily
127. Green eyes Jealous
128. Bird’s eye view General view

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

129. Goes to dog Is ruined


130. Keep a level head Remain cool and composed
131. Turned the corner Passed the crisis
132. Fishing in trouble water Talking advantage of troubled conditions
for personal profit
133. In high sprit Cheerful
134. To rock the boat Upset the balance
135. Tooth and nail With strength and fury
136. Wee hours of the day At dawn
137. Put the foot down Not to yield
138. In the blues Depressed
139. On the wane Growing less
140. Fair and square Upright
141. Hole and corner method Underhand
142. Scream blue murder Make a great deal of noise and object
vehemently
143. Paint the town red Have a lively time
144. Keep the finger crossing Wait expectantly
145. At odds In dispute
146. Make ducks and drakes Squandered lavishly
147. No love lost Intense dislike
148. Ride the high horse Puts in airs
149. Pull a long face Looks indifferent
150. Beside the mark Irrelevant
151. Fill in To tell someone the details about
someone or something
152. Send(one) about one’s business To send someone away , usually in an
unfriendly way
153. Run in the same groove Advance in harmony
154. Wolf in sheep’s clothing Hypocrite
155. Chewing the cuds To muse on, to chat , in an aimless manner
156. At ease Embarrassed
157. Cut corners Simplify the producers
158. At the drop of hat Without delay
159. Burning question A widely debated issue
160. Paddle of own canoe Depended on himself
161. At cross purposes Misunderstanding of each other’s
purposes

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

162. In raptures Very enthusiastic


163. Out of place Inappropriate
164. Gets on nerves Irritate
165. Wear heart on sleeves Exposing innermost feeling to others
166. Like a duck in a thunderstorm Distressed
167. Herculean task Work required great effort
168. An eye to the main chance Object to make money
169. Make flesh creep Frightened
170. Himself to himself In unsociable
171. Leave high and dry To leave some one unsupported and
unable to manoeuvre
172. Call in questions Challenges
173. Means business Earnest /sincere
174. A left handed compliment An insincere
175. Once in a while Occasionally
176. Kick heels waste time
177. Lying down To show no reaction
178. Gone down the drained Wasted
179. in the offing About to start
180. Design on To have plans to exploit or somehow take
of someone advantage or something
181. Queer fish Strange person
182. Broken reed A frustrated man
183. Gather roses only Seek all the enjoyment of life
184. At sea Confused
185. Lay by the heels Chance and capture
186. Hanky-panky Jugglery
187. Stick one’s neck out To Take a risk
188. Mare’s nest A false invention
189. Back-chat Impertinent/disrespectful remarks
190. Bear in mind Remember
191. To cut your teeth To gain experience
192. Keeping up appearances Maintaining outward show
193. Heads will roll People will get into serve trouble
194. Little elbow Freedom
195. A bee in bonnet An obsession about something
196. Gift of the gab Fluency of speech

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

197. Turn hand Adapt himself to


198. Fell flat Had not effect
199. Gentleman on large Has no serious occupation
200. White elephant Useless
201. To let the bygones be bygones Ignore the past
202. Come to the crunch Decisive movement
203. Keeps a good table Entertain guest sumptuously
204. Draw the long bone Exaggerate
205. Burn the candle a both end Overtaxing his energies
206. Hold the enemy at bay Prevented the enemy from coming near
207. To keep the pot boiling Keep the controversy alive
208. Far cry A long way off
209. Bolt from the blue Sudden Sock
210. Win Hands down Win easily
211. On and off At intervals
212. With a high hand Oppressively
213. Make no bone Do without hesitation
214. Get hold of the wrong end of the Misjudge the situation
stick
215. On the wan Declining
216. Cool as cucumber Calm and composed
217. Catch 22 Absurd , a dilemma or difficult
circumstance form which there is no
escape because of mutually conflicting of
dependent conditions
218. Pell-mell In a disorderedly manner
219. Plough a lonely furrow Do without the help of others
220. Great hand Expert at
221. Heap coals on someone’s t head Make someone feel sorry
222. Cocksure Perfectly confident
223. Cuts both ends Argument in support of both sides of the
issue
224. Feather own nest Act for won future benefits
225. Throw down the gauntlet Challenge someone, Behaved as very great
and important person
226. On tenterhooks An anxious suspense
227. Ride rough shod over Treat harshly
228. Do a good turn by Do a favour

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

229. On its last leg About to perish/expire


230. Heart out Suffer silently
231. Have the mind Have the willingness
232. Cushy job Financial comfortable job
233. Now and then Occasionally
234. Midas touch Ability to success in all projects
235. Paint with bright colour Exaggerated
236. To set the Thames on fire A heroic deed
237. On the wrong side of fifty Over fifty years old
238. Out of question Unthinkable
239. Brought matters to a head Create an atmosphere of confrontation
240. In a jiffy In a hurry
241. Double dealing Deception
242. Blow own trumpet To tell other people how good and
successful you are
243. Let the grass grow under the feet Stayed out
244. Cut someone dead To ignore someone totally
245. Make both end meet Earn enough
246. Make light Treat lightly
247. Wear the trousers Dominant
248. Hole and corner Secret
249. Steal someone’s thunder To lessen someone’s force
250. Yeoman service Free, generous help
251. To the backbone Completely
252. Lynch law Law of the mob
253. Bitten of more than chew Trying do to too much
254. Stalking horse Trick , something that is used to hide
someone’s real purpose
255. Make hay while the sun rises Make the best use of a favourable
situation
256. On the wane Growing less
257. Lying down Show no reaction
258. Cut out Suitable
259. Showing wild oats Going through a period of irresponsible
pleasure seeking
260. The thin end of the wedge The beginning of further concessions
261. To foot the bill To pay

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

262. Breathing down Watching all actions closely


263. At a lose end Nothing to do
264. As ugly as sin Exceptionally ugly
265. Elbow grease Hard work
266. In a soup In trouble
267. Gall and war mode A source of anger
268. At a loss To be confused
269. Sitting on the fence Hesitate between two options
270. Pretty pass In a difficulty
271. A bad business An unfortunate event
272. Make no bone about To admit something readily
273. Turn out crabs End in failure
274. Devil’s advocate On who is against the religion
275. Dance attendance upon To Flatter
276. Go a begging Go in vain
277. Grid up one’s lions Get ready for the job
278. Run the gauntlet Face criticism
279. Aegean stable To remove on evil
280. Call one’s shots Make intention clear
281. Tread on one’s toes To give offense
282. Take time by the forelock Prepare action before time
283. To steer clear of Avoid
284. To beat a retreat To march back after a ceremonious parade
285. Under one’s own storm With one’s own effort
286. In the sequel Later on
287. A fifth columnist Traitor
288. Not for nuts Under no circumstances
289. The fat end The last part
290. A laughing stock Looking ridiculous
291. Ad hock For the special purpose
292. Bon voyage A good journey for you
293. De, jure Rightful , legal
294. Stave off Prevent
295. Awkward silence Embarrassing silence
296. Globetrotters Travellers around the world
297. The thin end of the wedge The beginning of further concessions
298. Tarred with same brush Posses the same defects

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

299. To steal a march Outshine


300. Go broke Become penniless
301. Set great store Values greatly
302. Touch and go Risky
303. Give A piece of mind Scold
304. Breath down the neck Watch all actions closely
305. Egg is egg Quite certainly
306. Kick the bucket To die
307. A brown study Absorbed in reading
308. Fight shy Avoid form a feeling of mistrust
309. Damp squib An utter failure
310. Steer clear of Avoid
311. Brought to book To punish
312. Pay by one’s nose Pay dearly
313. In the dumps In low spirits
314. Beat neck and crop Completely
315. Hard nose Tough and aggressive
316. In a real fix In a difficult situation
317. In one’s elements Feel relax and confident
318. Cold blood Unfeelingly
319. Weigh the anchor Prepare to sail again
320. To rise like a phoenix To start afresh from a low position
321. To have cold feet To be reluctant
322. Come cap in the hand Very humble
323. Man of straw Insignificant
324. At a low key At reducing
325. At stake In danger
326. To break the duck To begin
327. A big shot Important person
328. To put the cat among the pigeons To be placed in a wrong situation
329. Cut the Gordian knot To perform the difficult task
330. To gain the ground To become more general
331. Through thick and thin Under any circumstances
332. To kick up a row To make great noise and fuss
333. To be at the end of one’s tether To have no resources left
334. Odds and ends Various article
335. To shoot a line one’s success To exaggerate about

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

336. To feather one’s nest To provide money even dishonestly


337. To black ball Prevent from doing something
338. To be in the black(Of one’s To be in credit
money)
339. To make no bones about To do or say a thing openly if it is
something unpleasant
340. To foot the bill To make payment
341. Cut no ice To make no effect
342. Once and for all Foe ever
343. Hole and corner policy Improper policy
344. far and away Certainly
345. Face value Superficially
346. Bring home To emphasise
347. To lead one by the nose To cause to follow blindly
348. One’s cup of tea What one likes and can do well
349. To have the floor To make speech
350. The cock of the walk The most dominant person in a group
351. A cuckoo in the nest A child whose parentage is doubtful and
may therefore not belong by blood to the
family
352. Feet of clay To be weak or cowardly
353. A pig in poke And article which was brought without
previous inspection and which turns out to
be worth less than what one paid for it.
354. A Skelton in the cupboard A past event which is kept secret by a
family/ something embarrassing or
shameful
355. To scream blue murder Make a great deal of noise and object
vehemently
356. To run in the same groove Advance in harmony
357. To lead others up the garden To deceive others
358. To cut both ends To argue in support of both sides of the
issue
359. All the same Nevertheless , but yet
360. Cut and dried Settled , decided
361. Null and void Invalid , without legal effect
362. Rough and ready Not exact , only approximate
363. Short and sweet Brisk , without delay

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

364. Clock and dagger Like a spy


365. Run-of- the mill An average, an average , ordinary
unexciting
366. An armchair job A regular job which is considered easy and
well-paid
367. Backstairs gossip Gossip among servants
368. A close fisted man A mean or stingy man
369. A curtain lecture The scolding of a husband by his wife in
private
370. Elbow room Room on opportunity to move and act
freely
371. Forty winks Short sleep
372. An ivory tower A place or state of life that is out of touch
with people and reality
373. A latchkey child A child who returns from school etc. To
and empty house because both parents
working
374. Soft soap Flattery
375. The bill of fare The menu
376. An eye on the main chance Looks after his won welfare
377. Esprit de corps Unity
378. Make a wry face Show disappointment
379. For a consideration Paid to do something
380. To give currency to To pay much attention to
381. Blue blood An aristocrat
382. At one’s wit’s end To be completely confused
383. To hold a candle to To be nearly as good as someone in
his/her absence
384. Black sheep An unworthy person
385. Out and out Absolutely
386. Not to mince matters To speak our frankly
387. To play with Fool
388. Rainy days Unlucky times
389. To fly off the handle To get into a rage and lose self-control
390. The alpha and the omega The beginning and the end
391. End in smoke To give no practical result
392. Mincing manners Not to speak plainly
393. Hanky –panky Jugglery

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

394. Hot head The fighter


395. Have a go Make an attempt
396. Mince one’s words Choose term carefully
397. Be in the mire Be in difficulties
398. Let on Reveal
399. To get along To manage to
400. Make too much of Overestimate
401. Lay bare Expose
402. Stem from Originate
403. On the nod On credit
404. To take a occasion To rake advantage of and opportunity
405. Take it ill Too be offended
406. Extinct and obsolete As dead as a dodo
407. In a delicate state Hanging in balance
408. In abeyance In suspension
409. With might and main With full vigour
410. In a jam In trouble
411. To get at Reach
412. On the wane Growing less
413. At a loss To be puzzled
414. At all events Positively
415. As a rule Usually
416. At sixes and sevens In disorder
417. All the same Yet
418. To egg on To urge on
419. To drive at To employ
420. To keep the ball rolling To maintain progress
421. To knock the bottom out To make a scheme
422. To bear a grudge To have a better felling
423. By virtue of On account of
424. To beat hollow To defeat completely
425. To the backbone Thoroughly /in detail
426. A cat’s paw To make somebody a tool
427. To come of age To be major
428. To cry over a spilt milk To reach a crisis
429. Fits and stars Irregularly
430. Damocles’ sword An impending danger

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

431. Cast down Depressed


432. To go without saying Clear
433. In the nick of time Just in the time
434. Jack of all trades A person supposed to know everything
but master of none
435. To leas astray To misguide
436. To leap in the dark Careless action
437. A man of means A rich man
438. Off hand Without preparation
439. Neck or nothing With the use of everything
440. To pay the piper To bear the cost
441. A rolling stone One who is never constant to one’s work
442. To stir a finger To make the best effort
443. To sow the dragon’s teeth To do something
444. Street Arabs Homeless and parentless children
445. To turn one’s head To be proud
446. To and fro Backwards and forwards
447. To while away To pass in amusement
448. To win the palm To win the prize
449. To wild up To bring to an end
450. Wait upon To serve
451. Wear and tear Decrease in value due to constant use
452. Judas kiss False love
453. Black ox Misfortune
454. Donkey’s year After a long time
455. An old flame Sweat heart
456. To see pink elephants To show courage
457. Blind alley Unprofitable action
458. The heels of Achilles The weak point in a person
459. Kangaroo court Unofficial court
460. Lump in the throat A highly emotional state
461. Fabien policy Policy of cautions persistence
462. A fly in the ointment A problem in a situation
463. Mother wit Common sense
464. A grass widow A women whose husband is temporarily
away from her
465. To make a pile To make a fortune

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

466. A nig-nog A fool


467. Kiss the rod Accept the punishment
468. Itsy bitsy Very small
469. In the nick of time Just in time
470. In lieu of In place of
471. In embryo In under developing stage
472. A damsel in distress A helpless woman
473. At case Easily
474. Acquainted with To meet someone
475. To catch a tartar To deal with someone or something that
proves unexpectedly troublesome or
powerful
476. Clean breast Confessed without reserve
477. At close quarters Close examinations
478. As fit as fiddle Strong and healthy
479. At a loose end Unoccupied , idle
480. At a loss To be unable to decided
481. Assumes airs To pretend to superiority
482. Bear the burnt of To bear the main shock of
483. Bid defiance To ignore
484. Break the news To give the bad news
485. Beside oneself To feel excessively
486. Bated breath In anxiety , expectancy
487. Bandy words To wrangle , to argue
488. Blue stocking Educated but pedantic lady
489. Bring down the house Receive applause
490. Brow beat To bully
491. By dint of By force of
492. Chip of the old block Resembling one’s parents in habits
493. Cave in Yield
494. Cloven off The evil intention
495. Cut through Though
496. Cheek by jowl Close together
497. Come to a pass Difficult situation
498. Cock a snook To show impudent contempt
499. Dutch courage Bravery under alcoholic influence
500. Dare devil Fearless person

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

501. Down and out Poor and ruined


502. Draconian law Extremely serve law
503. Die hard Persistent in struggle
504. Days of reckoning Time to answer for someone’s answer
505. Down in the mouth out of elements
506. Damp squib Complete failure
507. Dog in the manager A person who prevent s others from
enjoying what he cannot
508. Eke out Supplement income
509. Ever and anon Now and then , sometimes
510. Flesh and blood Human nature
511. Flash in the pan Sudden success
512. Fly in the face of To defy
513. Get off scot free To escape without punishment
514. Grid up the loins To prepare for hard work
515. Give a wild berth To avoid
516. Gentleman at large Unreliable person
517. Give the devil his due Give credit to a wordless person for his
good qualities
518. Give up the ghost Pass away, die
519. Go to the whole hog To do something thoroughly
520. Go broke Become bankrupt
521. Get down to brass tacks To deal with the matter straight
522. Hold water Sound , tenable
523. Have feet of clay Full of faults
524. Live-wire Energetic
525. Look a gift house in the mouth Criticize a gift
526. Lose one’s head To be carried away
527. Latin and Greek Incomprehensible
528. Make amends To give compensation
529. Make light of Not to care of
530. Midas touch A touch which turns anything into gold
531. A past master An expert
532. Pyrrhic victory Victory at a high cost
533. Quixotic project Foolishly ideal
534. Rule the roost To dominate
535. Spartan life Life of ascetic

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

536. Shot in the arm Encouraging


537. Spick and span In order
538. Seamy side of the life Immoral side of society
539. Sow wild oats Irresponsible pleasure seeking
540. Throw a spanner To be defeated
541. Take wind out of another’s sails To gain advantage by anticipation
542. Under the rose Secretly
543. Up and doing Active
544. Well-disposed to Friendly or helpful to somebody
545. Willy-nilly Whether one wishes or not
546. Window shopping To look at the goods displayed but not for
buying
547. Weal and woe Joy and sorrow
548. Wide berth Keep away
549. Wry face Disappointed face
550. Yellow press Newspaper publishing sensational news
551. Yeoman’s service Excellent service
552. At back and call At disposal
553. In the books off In favour with
554. To run one down To disparage someone
555. In character with Found to be in keeping with
556. To get into a stew To have an anxious state of mind
557. To go by to be guided by
558. Put up with Tolerate
559. Ran riot Acted without restrained
560. Give in Yield
561. Turn an honest penny Make a legitimate living
562. Done for Ruined
563. On the level Mentally compatible
564. Went to the winds Dissipated
565. Burnt his boats Left no means of retreat
566. Brought up Criticised vehemently
567. Cut no ice with me Had no influence with me
568. A sore point Something which hurt
569. Out of thin air Appear suddenly
570. Join the majority To die
571. To go for the juggler To make a destructive attack

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

572. Lead somebody to the alter To marry somebody


573. The primrose path The pursuit of pleasure
574. Odds and ends Miscellaneous things
575. To champ at the bit To be restlessly impatient
576. With a flea in one’ ear To be rebuked
577. Pie in the sky Event likely to happen
578. On the blink Not in the working order
579. The worse for wear Shabby from use
580. To borrow beat To bully
581. Come a cropper To fail
582. The lie of the land Assessment of a situation
583. Plain as pike staff Very obvious
584. In tatters Ruined
585. At a rate of knots Sluggishly
586. Raise somebody’s hackle To make somebody angry
587. A bread and butter letter An appointment letter
588. Take up the cudgels To support somebody
589. As the crow flies In a straight line
590. With in an ace of falling, escaping by a narrow margin
591. To play the ape To mimic,
592. to imitate to go ape over To be extremely enthusiastic over
593. In the arms of Morpheus In the lap of sleep
594. No vie like avarice Greed is greater than any other vice
595. To get the axe To be dismissed from a job
596. A man before the mast A common sailor
597. All the better to Same to
598. To back side To fall back in morals
599. To back spear To question in order to bring out some
information
600. On the ball Alert ,competent
601. To forbid the banns To object the banns
602. To sell one a bargain To befool someone
603. To have a bash at To attempt something for the first time
604. To have bats in one’s belfry To have crazy ideas , to be very peculiar or
foolish
605. To be at one’s beds To worship
606. To tell one’s beads To day ones prayer

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

607. To bear away the palm To win


608. A bear garden A place or scene of tumult
609. Narrow bed Grave
610. To bill and coo To whisper endearments as lovers
611. To make one’s bow To appear first time in publically
612. To brace oneself for To prepare for something unpleasant or
difficult
613. Brain sauce Wisdom
614. Bread and cheese Simple food
615. As snug as a bug in the rug Very cosy and snug
616. On the bum Living the life of a tramp
617. To bury one’s head in the sand To avoid the reality
618. To mean business To be serious
619. To care a damn/farthing To have no care at all
620. To carry with one To satisfy
621. A cast of the eye A squint
622. To cast into the shade To make less noticeable
623. To catch/clutch at a straw To try any expedient however useless
624. To cast a chill over To spread sadness
625. To serve with the colours To be a member of the armed forces
626. To condemn to death To award punishment of death
627. A gone coon One whose case is hopeless
628. Till the cows come home For a long time
629. To cross one’s mind To occur , strike
630. To cry Halves To claim with equal share
631. To cry stinking fish To decry one’s own good
632. To cry shame upon To oppose, to protest against
633. Off the cuff Imparting information ,
634. on credit in one’s cup Under the influence of liquor
635. To cut somebody down To kill somebody
636. To go to the devil To fail completely
637. To die in shoes To be murdered
638. A dog’s chance No hope at all
639. To eat one’s terms To study for the bar(law)
640. To bid fair To seem likely
641. To fall aboard of To start fighting/ quarrelling
642. To fall foul of To quarrel

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

643. To chew the fat To chat


644. To kill the fatted calf To celebrate especially at a prodigal’s
return
645. To ruffle somebody’s feather To annoy somebody
646. To feel in one’s bone To know or sense some thing intuitively
647. To snap one’s finger (at) To show contempt for
648. To fish in troubled water To try to win advantages for oneself from
a disturbed state of affairs, to take
advantage of troubled or uncertain
conditions for personal gain n
649. To get into a flap To be in a state of agitation , confusion,
nervous, excitement etc.
650. The flesh Physical or bodily desires , sensual
appetites
651. To fly in the face of To act in defiance of authority , facts ,
custom
652. To be nobody’s fool To be wise
653. To fool around To waste time
654. To the fore Prominent
655. To blow the gaff To revel a secret
656. To get into bad odour To become popular
657. Worth one’s weight in cold Invaluable
658. To cook one’s goose To ruin one’s chances or plans completely
659. Gravy train Source of much or easy; money
660. Like grim death Very firmly
661. To let one’s hair down To behave informally
662. To hand in one’s cheeks To die
663. To run with the hue and hunt To be on good terms with both sides in a
with the hounds dispute
664. Hare and hound Paper chase
665. To take up the hatchet To prepare for or go to war
666. Heavy tidings Bad news
667. Hell for leather As quick as possible
668. Cat in hell’s chance No chance at all
669. Like a bat out of hell At top speed
670. High and mighty Arrogant
671. A hill of beans A thing of little value
672. to hoist with one’s own petard To be caught in ones own trap

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

673. From the horse’s mouth From a reliable source


674. To take issue To be in disagreement
675. everyman jack Everyone without exception
676. The cut of one’s jib A person’s personal appearances or
manner
677. To kick against the pricks To hurt oneself by useless resistance
678. At the rate of knots Very fast
679. The last straw An addition to a task, burden, etc. Which
strained one’s patience to the limit
680. To be all legs To be a tall and very thin person
681. To have a hollow leg To have a large appetite
682. A lick and a promise A feeble attempt
683. Out on a limb In a dangerous situation
684. To live by one’s wits To get money by ingenious and irregular
methods not necessarily honest
685. The devils own luck Good luck
686. To have a memory like a sieve To have a faint memory
687. Middle of the road Average
688. To have a monkey on one’s back To be addicted to narcotic drug
689. The mote in somebody’s eye A very minor mistake (of somebody)
690. To go through the motions To work carelessly
691. In a muck In an untidy situation
692. Not for nuts Under no circumstances
693. To sport one’s oak To keep one’s door close
694. Odd and even Game of chance
695. to carry off the palm To be victorious
696. To be par for the course To be what one would expect to happen
or expect somebody to do
697. To pay the debt of nature To die
698. To know (somebody) off his To show that he is no longer highly
pedestal regarded
699. Penn y wise and pound foolish shaving small sums at the risk of large
ones
700. To be in the picture To be familiar with the matter
701. To pip(somebody) at the post To defeat at the last moment
702. To stretch a point To make an exception
703. Printer’s devil The youngest apprentice in a printing
office

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

704. To put out feelers Cautiously check the views of others


705. a/the sixty four dollar question An important question that is very difficult
to answer
706. The quick and dead All people alive or dead
707. In a flat spin In a state of panic
708. To be the dead spit of Exact counterpart or likeness of
709. To stew in one’s own juice To suffer the consequences of one’s own
action
710. To strike a chord To say something that other people
sympathize or identify with
711. To have the sun in one’s eye To drink
712. A month of Sundays A long period of time
713. to put to the sword To kill
714. Not for all the tea in china No matter how great the reward
715. The king of terror Death
716. As thick as thieves Very friendly
717. The tip of the iceberg Small but evident part of a much larger
concealed situation
718. A man about town A man who spends much time at
fashionable parties, clubs, theatres
719. To lay someone under tribute To impose tax on somebody
720. To swear like a trooper To use very obscene or blasphemous
language
721. To twiddle one’s thumb To be idle
722. To be up before somebody To appear in court
723. To take the veil To become a nun
724. Beyond the veil In the world high above
725. Null and void Not legally binding , invalid
726. Waifs and strays Homeless children, odds and even
727. Weal and woe Prosperity and adversity
728. A wild cat strike Illegal strike
729. Neck of the woods Area, neighbourhood
730. Under duress Uncontrolled
731. Look a gift horse in the mouth Find fault with a gift
732. To bear up with To endure
733. To strike one To realise suddenly
734. Four days on end For a long time
735. To drive home To emphasize

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

736. Thrust down one’s throat Remind repeatedly


737. Sing froid To remain calm and composed in the
difficult situation
738. Argus eye Observant
739. Big draw A huge attraction
740. Cog in the wheel An important person
741. To seize the nettle To deal with firmly
742. Took exception to Object to
743. To pass the buck To pass the responsibility
744. Leaps and bounds Rapidly
745. Bids fair Seem likely
746. Backstairs influence Underhand means
747. Worth of salt Of value
748. Make a wry face Show disappointment
749. Flesh and blood Children
750. At a premium Valued highly
751. Speak volumes Serve as strong testimony to
752. Get a kick Get a thrill
753. To curry favour Gain favour
754. On the cards Certain
755. Wipe the nose To Cheat
756. Family way Pregnant
757. Have an eye Have an extra talent
758. Keep your nose clean Keep out of trouble
759. Small talk Light conversation
760. Botch something up To mess something up, to do a bad job of
something
761. Come to a head To reach a crisis
762. See through the design Be aware of the trick
763. To a hair Exactly
764. Held in camera Not open to the public
765. Prodigal son Extravagant
766. Die in harness Die while still working
767. Take people inn Cheat people
768. Carry off of the feet Wild with excitement
769. Like a fish out of water In troubled situation
770. Running riot Behaving wild

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

771. Hard of hearing deaf


772. Jew’s eye A possession of high value
773. In a nutshell In a simple and brief manner
774. To carry the can Accept the blame
775. Every lecture’s cup of tea What one likes and can do well
776. Put/Throw an spanner in the To do something that prevents a plan or
works activity from succeeding
777. A scarlet women A whore , a prostitute
778. To rate soundly Censure strongly
779. Bad blood Angry feeling
780. Carrot and stick Reward and punishment
781. Through thick and thin Through days of struggle
782. Straight from the shoulder Without evasion
783. Come down from ivory towers Detachment and seclusion
784. Bite the dust Humiliated
785. To meet half way someone Come to a compromise with someone
786. Put some one to mettle Arouse some one to do his best
787. Take heart Cheered up
788. Falling foul of Quarrelling with
789. Take up the cudgels for Defend vigorously
790. High words Angry words
791. Tiptoe Anxious
792. Green horn Novice
793. Ere long Shortly
794. Turn the coat Change the party
795. Play ducks and drakes with Squandering
796. Make parade of Speak highly of
797. Egged on Instigate
798. Monkey’s monkey Kind not cash
799. Long and short Main point
800. Look blank Surprise
801. Null and void Invalid
802. Out of pocket Without money
803. A man of parts A man of ability
804. At loose ends Badly managed
805. Bad debts Unrealisable debts
806. Ever and anon Frequently

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

807. Fast living Luxurious living


808. Born in the purple Born of royal parents
809. In the long run Ultimately
810. Kith and kin Relatives
811. Look blue Appear disturb

Phrases
1. Bear away Won
2. Bear down Overpower
3. Bear with Tolerate
4. Bear hard Press heavily
5. Bear out Confirm
6. Bear up Keep up spirits
7. Break froth Come out suddenly
8. Break through Fail to keep
9. Break with Cease to be friendly with
10. Call at Visit
11. Call to Address loudly
12. Call for Demand for
13. Call up Recollect
14. Call over Recite in order
15. Called on Paid a brief visit
16. Called out challenge to fight
17. Called off Divert attention
18. Take away Remove
19. Take for Misunderstand
20. Taken to Resorted to
21. Take after Resembles
22. Take up with Be friendly with
23. Take down Record
24. Taken in Deceived
25. Take in Comprehend
26. Take in Admit
27. Taken with Pleased with
28. Took on Undertook
29. Struck dumb Astonished

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

30. Struck work Refused to work


31. Struck off Erased
32. Strike up Begin to play
33. Stand against Withstand
34. Stood up Oppose
35. Stand for Present as candidate
36. Set in Begun
37. Set out Started on
38. Set off Depart
39. Set upon Attacked
40. Set about Begin
41. Set down Recorded
42. Set forth Explain
43. Set on Incited
44. Draw down Attract
45. Draw in Pull inside
46. Draw off Divert
47. Draw up Drafted
48. Hold with Agree with
49. Hold back Conceal, prevent the progress or
development
50. Hold good Applicable
51. Hear out Listen until somebody has finished
52. Hush up Hide , conceal (information about a
situation especially something bad or
shocking
53. Hold over Postpone
54. hold out Last , continues
55. Hold off Away
56. Kept up Maintained
57. Keep off Ward off
58. Keep at Continue doing
59. Keep to Maintain
60. Keep from Abstain from
61. Keep down Prevent from rising
62. Let loose Set free
63. Let in Allowed to enter

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

64. Let down lowered


65. Let out To hire
66. Let off Release , free
67. Put away Discard
68. Put in Presented
69. Put out Extinguish
70. Put by Lay aside for future use
71. Put down Suppress
72. Put up at Stayed in
73. Put up with Endure
74. Put off Postponed
75. Put forth Exerted
76. Put up to Incited
77. Brought about Caused
78. Brought up reared
79. Bring out Highlight
80. Brought out Published
81. Bring off Rescue
82. Bring down Humble
83. Bring round Convert
84. Brought forward Adduced
85. Bring over Persuade to change side
86. Come off Take place
87. Come about Happen
88. Come by Acquire
89. Come down Descend
90. Come to Amount to, arrived at
91. Come at Get within reach
92. Come across Meet accidently
93. Come up with Overtake
94. Come round Agreed , recover
95. Got off Dismounted
96. Get off Escape
97. Get out of Free from
98. Get away Escape
99. Get down Came down
100. Get abroad Become public

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

101. Getting on Progressing


102. Get in Revive
103. Getting along Prospering
104. Get before In forward position
105. Get about Go about
106. Get at Reach
107. Run down Weak and tired
108. Stand up Vindicate
109. Called name Abuse
110. Held up Detained
111. Square up Settle
112. Cut out Suitable
113. Pare down Reduce indictment
114. Pass off Pretend to be
115. Bid fair Seems likely to be
116. Blown up Exaggerated
117. Set down To snub
118. Cut to quick Hurt intensely
119. Die out Disappear
120. Cry down Depreciate
121. Over and above In addition to
122. Work upon Influence
123. Casting aspersions Passing slanderous remarks
124. Look up Visit
125. Fall out Had a quarrel
126. On edge Nervous
127. Worked upon Influence
128. Carried off Killed
129. Tore up Ran up
130. At home Comfortably
131. Put across To convey
132. Cried up Extolled /praised
133. Put out Disturbed
134. Make away Steal
135. Make away with Get rid of, commit suicide
136. part with Give up, give away, desert

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

137. Play at To do something without any effort


or real interest
138. Push off Go leave
139. Put in for Apply for
140. Send for Summon , ask or order somebody /
something to come
141. Make after Chase , follow
142. Brought home Emphasised
143. Hold over Postponed
144. Fall in Agree
145. Work up Excite
146. Rake up Revive
147. Hold out Resisted
148. Put out Irritate
149. Eaten away Corroded
150. Taken aback Surprised
151. Out and out Thoroughly
152. Hard up Not having enough money
153. Knocked about Wandered about
154. Cine round Recover
155. Went for Attacked
156. Laid out Invested
157. Standing off Championing the cause off
158. Drawn off To withdraw
159. Go over Study carefully
160. Closed with Denied
161. Bowled over Overwhelmed
162. Fell upon Attacked
163. Passed by Overlooked
164. Dob away with Abolish
165. Advise of Acquainted with
166. Dashed off Wrote
167. Act on /upon Have and effect on/upon
168. Allow for Including something when you are
calculating something or planning
something
169. Allow of Make possible

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

170. Answer fro Be responsible


171. Be off Leave, go, especially in a hurry
172. Bear out Support
173. Beat down Persuade to reduce the price
174. Blow out Extinguish
175. Blow up Explode , be destroyed by and
explosion
176. Bring off Manage successfully
177. Burst in Interrupt
178. Call down Request for
179. Catch up Overtake
180. Carry off Win
181. Close with Accept
182. Come in for Get, obtain
183. Cut into Interfere
184. Die away Become gradually fainter till
inaudible
185. Die off Die one by one
186. Dispose of Sell, finish
187. Do away with Abolish, get rid of , eliminate
188. Do something in Kill
189. Drag on Progress very slowly
190. Drag up Educate , train , etc, very badly
191. Draw in Become shorter
192. Draw away Spend time in a lazy way
193. Drink to Wish somebody/something good luck
, success or happiness , by raising
your glass and then drinking
194. Dwell in Think, talk or write about something
for too long
195. Enter into Start, open, begin to discuss or deal
with some thing or sympathize with
196. Explain away Show why one should not be blamed
for a fault , mistake etc.
197. Fall on /upon Attack violently
198. Feel for Search with the hands
199. Get out Circulate, spread, gradually
200. Get along Manage

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

201. Get at Reach


202. Get down Swallow
203. Get in Reach ,arrive
204. Get round Persuade somebody , make contact
with
205. Go for Attacked
206. Go through Pass through ,be approved , be
passed
207. Leave off Stop
208. Clear out Go, away, leave

Question Nos. 1 to 6 consist of sentences each of which contains one or two


idioms. Four possible meanings labelled (1) through (4) are provided below
each sentence. Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the
idiom.

1. I would like to see Ramu do his own work for a change instead of always
back–seat driving.

(1) driving a car from the back


(2) being critical of work being done by others
(3) offering advice
(4) annoying

2. He proved to be quite a wet blanket at the party for he spoke to no one and
morosely sat by himself.

(1) he was crying


(2) discouraged the rest from having fun
(3) he wet the blanket
(4) he had covered himself with a wet blanket

3. The ship was about to weigh anchor when the storm came.

(1) weigh the anchor


(2) leave the docking berth

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

(3) raise the anchor


(4) drop the anchor

4. Debu had a chequered career since I first knew him as a clerk in the local
bank.

(1) had a variety of jobs and experiences


(2) a career which helped him make lots of money
(3) a career where he signed a lot of cheques
(4) did odd jobs

5. Women should be paid the same as men when they do the same job, for
surely, what is sauce for gander is sauce for the goose.

(1) both goose and gander should be equally treated


(2) what is thought suitable for a man should also be for a woman
(3) goose and gander eat the same sauce
(4) the principle of equal treatment should be implemented

6. The two women are so jealous that at the drop of a hat they start insulting
each other.

(1) on every occasion


(2) for no reason at all
(3) when a hat is dropped
(4) very rarely

7. Wisdom of Thriftiness could be best surmised from which one of the


following idioms?

(1) Feast today, Famine tomorrow


(2) Here today, gone tomorrow
(3) Like there's no tomorrow
(4) A stitch in time saves nine

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

8. A politician who is an opportunist without any scruples or ethics, who


wants to represent a place they have no connection with, is best described in
which of the following idioms?

(1) Dog-whistle politics


(2) Carpet Beggar
(3) Fifth Columnist
(4) Pork Barrel

Directions for question 9 to 11: Fill up the blanks with appropriate word
(idiom/colloquial) given in the options.

9. Mark is always eager to argue about how this business should be run. He seems
to have a real _________ on his shoulder about it.

(1) Head
(2) Score
(3) Chip
(4) Bluebird

10. Vishnu thought the last problem on the test was a real __________. It was much
harder and more complex than any of the previous problems.

(1) Doozy
(2) Whooper
(3) Carp
(4) Snafu

11. I used to be kind of a _______ when I was little, but I lost most of the weight in
my teenage years.

(1) Runt

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

(2) Beanpole
(3) Doughboy
(4) Punk

Direction for questions 12 and 13: Identify the option which gives the correct
meaning of
the Idiom/Phrase given below:

12. To drive home

(1) To find one’s roots


(2) To return to place of rest
(3) To lose all money in betting
(4) To emphasize

13. To have an axe to grind

(1) To have a private end to serve


(2) To fail to arouse interest
(3) To have result
(4) To work for both sides

Directions for questions 14 and 15: Fill in the blanks with the word or phrase that
completes the idiom correctly in the given sentences.

14. The bigger they come, _______ they fall, or so it is said.

(1) the greater


(2) the harder
(3) the more

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

(4) the less

15. You almost frightened the life _______ me.

(1) from
(2) of
(3) into
(4) out of

Directions for questions 16 – 21: Choose the correct meaning of the following
idioms.

16. If someone said, "You are the bomb!" she or he probably would be
telling you:

(1) You have a bad temper.


(2) You are a war weapon.
(3) You are exceptional and/or wonderful.
(4) You are dangerous.

17. When someone is described as being "flighty", the person described is


probably:

(1) Light.
(2) Indecisive and irresponsible.
(3) Someone who loves flying.
(4) Someone who flies kites.

18. What does “to take down the enemy" mean?

(1) To take the enemy's pictures off the wall.


(2) To kill the enemy.

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

(3) To make friends with the enemy.


(4) To ignore the enemy.

19. What does, “Dime a dozen” mean?

(1) For one dime you get a dozen.


(2) All dozens cost a dime.
(3) Anything that is common and easy to get.
(4) It is difficult to get people.

20. “Throw the baby out with the bath water” means,

(1) Clean out everything


(2) Throw out the good things with the unwanted
(3) Being thorough
(4) Create the impression of an accident

21. “Bark up the wrong tree” means,

(1) Skin of another animal


(2) Behave like a dog
(3) Purposely make an error
(4) Make the wrong choice

Instructions for question 22 – 23: Select the most appropriate meaning of the
underlined idiomatic phrase:

22. I was supposed to give a speech to my English class, but I got cold feet and I
didn’t go.

(1) My English class-room makes my feet feel too cold.


(2) My feet got cold so I didn’t go.

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

(3) I got too nervous and I didn’t go.


(4) It was winter time and I had no socks for my feet.

23. Take care of what u say! You will have to eat your words!

(1) You have no food to eat.


(2) You will have to take back what you have said.
(3) You are not good with your language.
(4) None of the above.

Instructions for question 24: Match the following idiomatic references to parts
of the human anatomy

(1) (1) 1-8, 2-6, 3-5, 4-7


(2) (2) 1-5, 2-7, 3-6, 4-8
(3) (3) 1-7, 2-8, 3-6, 4-5
(4) (4) 1-6, 2-8, 3-5, 4-7

DIRECTIONS for questions 25 and 26: Choose the correct alternatives for the
following idioms.

25. Raise Cain

1. re-incarnate
2. cause trouble
3. bring up

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

4. look after

26. Go to seed

1. harvesting
2. planting
3. become unfit and run down
4. financial ruin

27. A shortfall in supplies would knock the bottom out of the engineering industry.
What does "knock the bottom out of" stand for?

1. Make it baseless
2. Shake its foundation
3. Cause it to collapse
4. None of the above

28. ________ when, after waiting for hours, we were told the tickets were sold out.

1. We were at the end of our tether


2. We were on edge
3. Tempers frayed
4. Nerves frayed

29. They all stared ______ as the door of the dilapidated house swung open.

1. with bated breath


2. in beeline
3. in the same boat

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

4. a bone of contention

30. But at a time when business values are falling, stakeholders tend not to take
kindly to at a knock-down price.

1. Selling the family silver


2. Selling one's soul
3. Selling yourself short
4. Selling someone a pup

31. The kids were all coming to the pool. The pool attracted kids like ______

1. rain to the desert sands


2. elephants to water
3. a balloons to helium
4. flies to honey

32. Vodafone __________ and initiated a fresh style in television advertising.


1. broke new ground
2. cut the ground
3. cut corners
4. prepared the ground

33. "Haifa loaf is better than no bread" means

1. God helps those who help themselves


2. When a bad thing happens, there is always a positive side to it.
3. You should be happy with what you have even if it is less than what you want.
4. Don't be upset by trivialities

34. The idiom "Against the clock" means


1. Break the Rules

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

2. Rushed and short on time.


3. Go back to the Past
4. Look at the Past

35. The idiom "Buy a lemon" means ___________

1. A superstitious way to say 'good luck' '


2. A lie which is propaganda for people to believe
3. An unbelievable story which is told for people to believe
4. To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after
you drive it away.

36. A leopard can't change its ____________

1. Dots
2. Stripes
3. Colour
4. None of the above

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Idioms and Phrases asked in IIFT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, CMAT and other exams
(With practice questions)

Answer Key
1) 2
2) 2
3) 3
4) 1
5) 2
6) 1
7) 1
8) 2
9) 3
10) 1
11) 3
12) 4
13) 1
14) 2
15) 4
16) 3
17) 2
18) 2
19) 3
20) 2
21) 4
22) 3
23) 2
24) 3
25) 2
26) 3
27) 2
28) 3
29) 3
30) 3
31) 4
32) 1
33) 3
34) 2
35) 1
36) 4

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