Idioms & Phrases SSC 1997-2020 PDF

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This PDF contains all the IDIOMS & PHRASES asked in SSC exams from 1997 to 2020.
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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idioms.
1) Trying to find my lost ring in the college is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
1. Doing something impossible
2. Making a big deal of a large thing
3. Doing something secretly
4. Doing something unimportant
Solution : 1
Looking for a needle in a haystack- to search for something that is very difficult to locate.
2) Off and on I take a break from my hectic schedule to refresh myself.

1. Rarely
2. Seldom
3. Immediately
4. Periodically
Solution : 4
Off and on - periodically,intermittently
.
3) Left out in cold
1. to be ignored
2. to be criticised
3. to stand out
4. to be indecisive
Solution : 1
Left out in cold - to be ignored
4) Work against the clock

1. work late in the night
2. work against all problems
3. work in great hurry
4. work with concentration
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Solution : 3
Work against the clock - to try to do something in a very limited amount of time.
5) Raju was playing with fire when he made speeches against the management.
1.taking a grave risk

2.lighting candies
3.smoking a cigarette
4.provoking the crowd
Solution: 1
6) Throughout his speech the crowd was all ears.

1.very attentive
2.talking loudly
3.covering their ears
4.making a lot of noise
Solution: 1
7) Since he secured the first rank Sudhir has become swollen-headed.
1.well-connected
2.unwell
3.conceited
4.famous
Solution: 3
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8) The man heaved a sigh of relief when he was sure he was out of the woods.
1.discharged from hospital

2.released from prison
3.out of danger
4.out of the forest
Solution: 3
9) His success at such a young age speaks volumes for his talent.
1.gives enough proof

2.boasts a lot
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3.publically announces
4.showers praise
Solution: 1
10) One must learn to prioritize in life. It never pays to put the cart before the horse.
1.perform many task simultaneously

2.postpone till the last moment
3.do things spontaneously
4.do last things first
Solution: 4
11) The boss is going to blow his top when he discovers the blatant mistake in the balance
sheet.
1.dismiss from job

2.be very embarrassed
3.be very angry
4.attack fiercely
Solution: 3
12) A mountaineer has to walk the tight rope as a small slip can prove to be fatal.
1.be very nervous

2.be very cautious
3.be well trained
4.be an expert
Solution: 2
13) Due to increased number of lay offs in the industry, the sword of Damocles is always
hanging over the employees.
1.strict rules and regulations

2.an ill omen of death
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3.a constant threat

4.threat of physical harm
Solution: 3
14) True friends stay by our side through thick and thin.
1.under all circumstances

2.in happy moments
3.in difficult times
4.in different weathers
Solution: 1
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15) The ambitious project to impart free books to all students ended in smoke.
1.exceeded the budget

2.was delayed
3.yielded no result
4.was successfully completed
Solution: 3
16) Extreme poverty made the poor woman wonder how long she could keep the wolf from the
door.
1.avoid starvation
2.live on charity
3.keep wild animals away
4.be safe in her house
Solution : 1
17) When his envious competitor extended a hand of friendship, he smelt a rat.
1.detected something wrong

2.felt very pleased
3.became complaisant
4.behaved arrogantly
Solution: 1
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18) Coming from an affluent family, she found herself a square peg in a round hole when she
married a poor farmer and moved to a small village.
1.in a favourable situation

2.unhappy and regretful
3.a misfit in the environment
4.in a financial crisis
Solution : 3
19) The loyal watchman was cut to the quick when he was accused of theft.
1.imprisoned
2.severely punished
3.hurt intensely
4.dismissed
Solution: 3
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20) The heavy losses in business came like a bolt from the blue.
1.a thunderstorm
2.an unexpected disaster
3.a windfall
4.an ominous warning
Solution: 2
21) Lend an ear
1.to pay attention to

2.to not make trouble
3.to force someone to listen
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4.to not tell someone something

Solution: 1
22) On tenterhooks
1.unhappy
2.angry
3.anxious
4.happy
Solution: 3
23) Lock, stock and barrel
1.immediately
2.partly
3.rarely
4.completely
Solution: 4
24) In the pink
1.in pink dress

2.in the limelight
3.in a happy mood
4.in good health
Solution: 4
25) Out of the woods
1.no longer in trouble

2.no longer in sight
3.no longer famous
4.no longer young
Solution : 1
26) Butterfly in the stomach

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1.being excited
2.being nervous
3.being angry
4.being hungry
Solution: 2
27) Lead someone by the nose
1.to do the right thing

2.to force someone to take the blame
3.to dominate someone
4.to quarrel with someone
Solution: 3
28) Couch potato
1.a person who sleeps all day

2.a person who watches too much television
3.a person who remains relaxed and calm
4.a person who is simple in nature
Solution: 2
29) Pull yourself together
1.go to sleep
2.calm down
3.try to understand
4.do a good job
Solution : 2
30) Give someone the cold shoulder
1.ignore someone
2.give away a secret
3.do something pointless
4.pamper someone
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Solution: 1
31) Pull someone’s leg
1.trust someone
2.joke with someone
3.get upset with someone
4.tell someone a secret
Solution: 2
32) Actions speak louder than words
1.take up a task that you cannot finish

2.what you do is more important than what you say
3.do something without planning
4.look for solution in the wrong place
Solution : 2
33) Get out of hand
1.get out of control

2.to complete a task
3.give up something
4.get upset
Solution: 1
34) Costs an arm and a leg
1.easy to obtain
2.rarely available
3.nothing to lose
4.very expensive
Solution: 4
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35) At daggers drawn
1.deceiving somebody
2.without hope
3.friendly with each other
4.bitterly hostile
Solution: 4
36) To play ducks and drakes
1.to use recklessly

2.to change places
3.to be friendly
4.to act cleverly
Solution: 1
37) Our PM is received with open arms wherever he goes.

1. Honourably
2. Promptly
3. Warmly
4. Harmoniously
Solution : 3
With open arms - enthusiastically,warmly,happily
.
38) In spite of her severe accident she took heart and moved forward.
1. Gathered courage
2. Felt depressed
3. Overcame problems
4. Acted promptly
Solution : 1
Take heart- to gather confidence, courage or happiness
39) The dog played in the pond to his heart’s content.
1.only upto his legs

2.till he was completely sick
3.as much as he wanted to
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4.avoiding getting to wet

Solution: 3
CGL CHSL CPO exams)
40) The idea of making a children’s park has been nipped in the bud by the local council.
1.encouraged strongly
2.changed completely
3.dropped at an early stage
4.included somewhere else
Solution: 3
41) We now have an ex-Minister in the running from our constituency for the post of Member of
Parliament.
1.contesting the seat.

2.teaching yoga
3.giving speeches
4.jogging everyday
Solution: 1
42) The authorities have turned a deaf ear to all our requests.
1.acknowledged
2.neglected
3.accepted
4.presented
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Solution: 2
43) Handle with kid gloves

1. to show someone your creativity
2. to accomplish something too ambitious
3. to remove all hurdles to start something
4. to treat someone with extreme care
Solution : 4
Handle with kid gloves - to treat someone with extreme care.
44) Run around in circles

1. to remain busy with your work
2. to keep running to set a record
3. to work excessively hard by keeping two jobs
4. to keep doing something without achieving much
Solution : 4
Run around in circles - to waste one's time and energy in futile things, to keep doing something
without achieving much
45) Up in arms
1. to be angry
2. to be rude
3. to be nervous
4. to be defensive
Solution : 1
Up in arms - to be angry
46) At the drop of a hat

1. Instantly
2. Normally
3. Frequently
4. Usually
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Solution : 1
At the drop of a hat - instantly
47) Make a beeline for

1. Make a line for honey
2. Go straight to
3. Stand in a queue
4. Go for freebies
Solution : 2
Make a beeline for - go straight to
48) Till the cows come home

1. For a large part
2. For a long, long time
3. In the evening
4. Till the work is finished
Solution : 2
Till the cows come home - for a very long ,indefinite amount of time.
49) Touch and go

1. Unimportant
2. Undoubted
3. Uncertain
4. Unchanging
Solution : 3
Touch and go - uncertain
50) Bed of roses

1. A state of perplexity
2. An unforgettable moment
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3. An enjoyable state
4. A difficult situation
Solution : 3
Bed of roses - an enjoyable state
51) As the flood waters hit the coastal village, several families had a close shave.
1. to have no livelihood
2. a narrow escape
3. nothing to eat
4. to lose all possessions
Solution : 2
A close shave - narrow escape
52) The abrogation of article 370 was achieved in the teeth of tough resistance.
1. in a state of uncertainty
2. in direct opposition to
3. in collaboration with
4. in a short span of time
Solution : 1
in the teeth of tough resistance - in a state of uncertainty
53) He is completely at sea about where to invest his hard-earned money.

1. in shock
2. confused
3. sure
4. committed
Solution : 2
At sea - confused
54) Unless you are above board in your dealings, you will not be able to win the trust of
your clients.
1. smart and deceptive
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2. honest and frank

3. bold and reckless
4. exceptionally talented
Solution : 2
above board - honest and frank
55) The thieves made off with all the cash and jewellery in the house.
1. squandered
2. ran away with
3. discovered
4. transferred
Solution : 2
make off - to run away
56) My brother has decided to settle in Mumbai for good.

1. for better income
2. for new opportunities
3. for a while
4. forever
Solution : 4
for good - forever
57) In spite of the high sounding words, his speech fell flat on the audience.
1. failed to make an impact
2. impressed a lot
3. appealed to the sentiments of the audience
4. could not be heard clearly
Solution : 1
fall flat - fail to make an impact
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58) Simran was under tremendous stress because she had too many irons in the fire.
1. She had made a lot of risky investments
2. She was suffering from many ailments
3. She was involved in many activities
4. She had too many clothes to iron
Solution : 3
Have too many irons in the fire - to be involved in many activities
59) The aged man preferred to die in harness than lead a rusted life.
1. to keep one's belongings safe
2. to live in perpetual slavery
3. to continue occupation till death
4. to lead a life of comfort
Solution : 3
60) The suspect made a clean breast of it during the enquiry.

1. confessed his crime
2. took off his shirt
3. blamed his companion
4. asked for a fresh shirt
Solution : 1
To make a clean breast of - to confess a crime
61) Come rain or shine

1. when it does not rain
2. in the monsoon
3. whatever happens
4. in bad weather
Solution : 3
Come rain or shine - no matter what happpens
62) To be thrown in at the deep end

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1. learn to do the difficult things too soon

2. need to do one thing at a time
3. unable to do the given work
4. try to do too many things at the same time
Solution : 1
Be thrown in the deep end - to be forced to begin doing something very complex; to make
someone learn how to do a job or task by starting with the most difficult parts.
63) To read between the lines

1. to completely misunderstand the meaning
2. to read with great difficulty
3. to critically analyse a piece of writing
4. to understand the implied meaning
Solution : 3
64) To blaze a trail

1. to initiate something new
2. to set fire to something
3. to complete a project
4. to act impulsively
Solution : 1
65) A dark horse

1. an unknown genius
2. a horse of a fine breed
3. a well kept secret
4. an expected outcome
Solution : 1
66) Of the first water

1. of favorable opinion
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2. of ancient origin
3. of the best quality
4. of no significance
Solution : 3
67) To make castles in the air

1. to be very ambitious
2. to create impossible dreams or hopes
3. to accomplish difficult tasks
4. to show signs of cowardice
Solution : 2
68) Ria has tried hard not to steal her brother's thunder but it was inevitable.
1. take away her brother's opportunities for jobs
2. get more recognition than her brother for their success
3. get a big reward from her brother for her achievement
4. pick up her brother's lucky charms to win prizes
Solution : 2
69) His family has supported him through thick and thin.
1. when there was a lot of work to be done
2. on occasions when he had a lot of money
3. even though he has put on weight
4. in times of good and bad fortune
Solution : 4
70) It was the last straw; she decided to quit the job when she was blamed without reason.
1. she picked the last option available for her
2. only one straw was available for drinking the juice
3. last straw available for anyone to pick up
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4. final irritant that made the situation unbearable

Solution : 4
71) Be left in the lurch

1. be tired of doing the same thing over and over again
2. be deserted when one is in trouble
3. be sent to do work which one doesn't enjoy
4. keep repeating something till it is accepted
Solution : 2
72) Go down in flames

1. crash land an aeroplane
2. get hit by a burning cracker
3. fail completely
4. get completely burnt
Solution : 3
CGL CHSL CPO exams)
73) Feather your own nest
1 make money unfairly

2 win a competition
3 be in a comfortable position
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4 disturb others in their work

Solution : 1
74) Be an old hat
1 an superstitious
2 be outdated
3 be crazy
4 be foolish
Solution : 2
75) Head in the clouds
1 to daydream
2 to be very tall
3 to be very lazy
4 to feel giddy
Solution : 1
76) Green Thumb
1 to have talent in gardening

2 to be envious
3 to be angry
4 to have talent in painting
Solution :1
77) To grease the palm
1 to give support
2 to bribe someone
3 to cheat someone
4 to give a massage
Solution : 2
78) To bark up the wrong tree
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1 to be wrong about the reason for something

2 to bury money under a tree and forget the place
3 to be mistaken about the name of a tree
4 to eat an unpalatable fruit by mistake
Solution : 1
79) To take the bull by the horns
1 to face danger boldly

2 to escape unhurt
3 to act foolishly
4 to enjoy risky sports
Solution : 1
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80) Gift of the gab
1 receive a precious gift

2 achieve sudden greatness
3 have the ability to adapt
4 have the talent to speak well
Solution : 4
81) Turn a deaf ear
1 to pay attention
2 to listen carefully
3 to make someone deaf
4 to pay no heed
Solution : 4
82) Take a task
1 to assign work
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2 to rebuke
3 to praise
4 to give an award
Solution : 2
83) Have one’s hands full
1 to be very rich
2 to be very clumsy
3 to be very busy
4 to be very generous
Solution : 3
84) Face the music
1 face the enemy

2 enjoy the harmony
3 get appreciation
4 face the criticism
Solution : 4
85) Pass the hat
1 to sell something
2 to collect money
3 to play a game
4 to avoid work
Solution : 2
86) As the cow flies
1 to be uncertain
2 a long winding path
3 the shortest route
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4 to be directionless
Solution : 3
87) In a pickle
1 in great pain
2 in jubiliation
3 in trouble
4 in deep sorrow
Solution : 3
88) Red letter day
1 a very special day

2 a very hot day
3 a frightful day
4 a very cold day
Solution : 1
89) Through thick and thin
1 to be scared of small dangers

2 passing through a thick forest
3 support under all circumstances
4 to be hard- hearted in times of loss
Solution : 3
90) Rule the Roost
1 to make all the decisions

2 to be prosperous but generous
3 to frequently pick a quarrel
4 to blindly follow others
Solution : 1
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91) At arm’s length
1 checking the length of fabric

2 as close as one can touch
3 avoiding too much closeness
4 using one’s arm to measure length
Solution : 3
92) Acid test
1 a malicious way of taking revenge

2 a test that shows how to harm someone
3 proof that an attack has been made
4 definitive proof of truth or falsehood
Solution : 4
93) Dark horse
1 someone who is fond of horse racing

2 some who has a wheatish complexion
3 someone who breeds race horses
4 someone who unexpectedly succeeds
Solution : 4
CGL CHSL CPO exams)
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94) Hand in glove
1 working together in the same office

2 wearing gloves while working
3 in partnership for something dishonest
4 doing work in the garden
Solution : 3
95) Late in the day
1 too old to work

2 too ripe to eat
3 too dark to see anything
4 too delayed to be of any use
Solution : 4
96) Draw a blank
1 be unsuccessful
2 be happy about something
3 be unable to sketch
4 be luck in a game
Solution : 1
97) Bolt from the blue
1 winning after losing a game many times

2 something sudden that happens unexpectedly
3 someone who runs fast and wins a race
4 locking the doors to keep the rain out
Solution : 2
98) Left- handed compliment
1 praise that is given directly

2 insulting someone in front of others
3 insulting remark appearing as praise
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4 making fun of someone to tease them

Solution : 3
99) Put your best foot forward
1 take care to dress well

2 walk very cautiously
3 try as hard as one can
4 check every step
Solution : 3
100) At snail’s pace
1 do something very carefull

2 be very persistent
3 do something very slowly
4 keep your moves secret
Solution : 3
101) Beat around the bush
1 avoid the topic

2 hide behind a bush
3 make excuses
4 accept defeat
Solution : 1
102) Make no headway
1 check if the head can pass through

2 unable to progress ahead
3 unable to overtake anyone
4 forced to fix a new goal
Solution : 2
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103) Make shortwork of something
1 reduce the size

2 dispose of quickly
3 edit carefully
4 shorten some dress
Solution : 2
104) In a nutshell
1 add nuts into something

2 put everything in a shell
3 packed very tightly
4 express very briefly
Solution : 4
105) Be an open book
1 one about whom it is easy to know everything

2 one who advises others to be frank and unsecretive
3 one who is fond of reading even when travelling
4 one who has written an examination without preparation
Solution : 1
106) Cross the bridge
1 deal with something only when necessary

2 not even think about the problem
3 not deal with the problem at all
4 let someone else deal with the problem
Solution : 1
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CGL CHSL CPO exams)
107) Get a taste of your own medicine
1.make, taste and take medicines for others

2.be treated by the same doctor
3.be given the medicine meant for others
4.be given the same treatment that you have given to others
Solution : 4
108) Be the Devil’s advocate
1.to present a counter argument just for the sake of it

2.to present an argument in favor of a well-known evil man
3.to represent the devil as an advocate in witch trials
4.to represent an accused in a murder trial
Solution : 1
109) Put one’s card on the table
1.to be able to continue

2.to deal a game of cards
3.to be honest
4.to accept defeat
Solution : 3
110) It’s Greek to me
1.incomprehensible
2.intangible
3.inevitable
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4.incredible
Solution : 1
111) To give someone the cold shoulder
1.dry someone comforting clothes

2.ignore or show indifference
3.serve cold meat to someone
4.bury someone in freezing cold
Solution : 2
112) There was no one in the team who could bell the cat and tell the producer the truth.
1.tame some animals

2.warm the owners
3.do the impossible task
4.ring the bells regularly
Solution : 3
113) My aunt has the gift of the gab and can socialize in any group.
1.ability to cook well

2.ability to criticize anyone
3.ability to spend time anywhere
4.ability to speak eloquently
Solution : 4
114) This problem is a hard nut to crack, it will take longer than they imagined.
1.involves breaking nuts

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2.is not interesting enough

3.is difficult to solve
4.needs a lot of work
Solution : 3
115) Their relationship has run into rough weather ever since they fell in love with the same
girl.
1.experienced difficulties
2.brought cool breeze and rains
3.become stronger and firmer
4.become pleasant and cordial
Solution : 1
116) You must have a concrete project and not build castles in the air if you want to submit and
application for a loan.
1.make unfaithful friends

2.talk irresponsibly
3.have unrealistic ideas
4.make unplanned buildings
Solution : 3
117) Pradeep was so tired that he hit the sack as soon as possible.
1.Left work
2.went to bed
3.accepted defeat
4.kicked the sack
Solution : 2
118) I told you not to play the prank but you didn’t listen, now face the music.
1.accept the blame

2.put on earphones
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3.listen to the songs
4.sing popular songs
119) The trouble makers took to their heels when they saw the police coming.
1. hid themselves
2. ran away
3. faced them boldly
4. prepared to fight
Solution: 2
120) When Rahul told everyone that he had resigned his job, all the members in the family were
at their wits’ end .
1. very serious
2. quite angry
3. quite perplexed
4. absolutely satisfied
Solution: 3
121) full of be
1. being upset
2. lively and energetic
3. full of crazy ideas
4. in good health
Solution: 2
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122) This is strictly ______ but some changes are going to happen in the company in the
near future.
1. off the rails

2. off the key
3. off the mark
4. off the record
Solution: 4
123) For a long time he kept his wife in the dark about the true nature of his job.
1. in high position
2. in a dark place
3. in ignorance
4. in a locked room
Solution: 3
124) Pie in the sky

1. something very small
2. something not possible
3. difficult to find
4. an easy situation
Solution: 2
CGL CHSL CPO exams)
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125) sell like hot cakes
1. to face hardship
2. to sell quickly
3. to agree fully
4. to deal with a problem
Solution: 2
126) In the same boat
1. at the centre of attention

2. in a superior position
3. in the same situation
4. in disgrace
Solution: 3
127) Now that Mr. Krishna Murthy has retired from the company, his daughter is ______.
1. in the doghouse
2. in the driver’s seat
3. in the lap of luxury
4. in the pink
Solution: 2
128) Rohit was ______ when he took important decisions without consulting the family.
1. cutting the red tape

2. told to get a new lease of life
3. in the same boat
4. told to fight his own battles himself

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Solution: 4
129) Radha is unable to continue working in this office. Hard work is ______ on her
health.
1. making her meet both ends

2. blowing hot and cold
3. keeping an eye
4. taking a toll on
Solution: 4
130) He tries to perform well but good projects done by him are______. He needs to put in
extra effort.
1. on edge
2. walking on air
3. few and far between
4. going with the flow
Solution: 3
131) To take French leave

1. Acknowledge the host
2. Leave with written permission
3. Welcome the host
4. Leave without any intimation
Solution : 4
132) A hard nut to crack

1. Easily disappointed
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2. Not restrained
3. Easily encouraged
4. A difficult problem
Solution : 4
133) On shank's mare

1. On foot
2. On an elephant
3. On a bicycle
4. On a lion
Solution : 1
134) A snake in the grass

1. A good friend
2. A secret enemy
3. A well-wisher
4. Difficult to find
Solution : 2
135) Spill the beans

1. Waste money
2. Perform magic
3. Give away a secret
4. Work hard
Solution : 3
136) Blow one's own trumpet

1. Condemn others
2. Follow others
3. Praise oneself
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4. Be self-reliant
Solution : 3
137) Dead heat

1. Close contest that ends in a tie
2. A strong heat wave
3. A deadly blast of hot air
4. Strong opposition to one's ideas
Solution : 1
138) Back to square one

1. Draw a square
2. Come to the original point
3. Move ahead
4. Neglect something
Solution : 2
139) To throw a fit

1. Become unconscious
2. Faint and fall down
3. Express extreme anger
4. Caution someone about fitness
Solution : 3
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RULES in SSC exams
140) The bee’s knees

1. Problematic
2. Extraordinary
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3. Observant
4. Foolish
Solution : 2
141) Hold water

1. To be busy
2. To be valid
3. To be fickle
4. To be deep
Solution : 2
142) Bring to light

1. Praise in public
2. Cheer someone
3. Reveal clearly
4. Brighten up
Solution : 3
143) A bed of roses

1. A valley full of flowers
2. An easy and happy situation
3. A pleasant perfume
4. A difficult path
Solution : 2
144) A close-fisted person

1. A miserly person
2. A strong person
3. A cruel person
4. A kind person
Solution : 1
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145) To flog a dead horse

1. To accept the challenge
2. To make the best use of resources
3. To complete the work
4. To waste the effort
Solution : 4

1. To handle difficulties
2. To murder someone
3. To surrender to the enemy
4. To speak arrogantly
Solution : 1
147) To add fuel to the fire.

1. Exploit someone
2. To make a bad situation worse
3. Simplify the problem
4. Calm down the situation
Solution : 2
148) Hobson's Choice

1. To be in an aggressive mood when facing a challenge
2. To exercise the choice to surrender before the enemy
3. To challenge an unworthy opponent
4. An apparently free choice where there is no real alternative
Solution : 4
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149) Chicken-hearted
1. Selfish
2. Generous
3. Miserly
4. Cowardly
Solution : 4
150) By and by
1. Suddenly
2. By any means
3. Gradually
4. On the whole
Solution : 3
151) See eye to eye

1. See clearly
2. Be suspicious
3. Stare at someone
4. Agree with someone
Solution : 4
152) Pull a fast one

1. Progress fast
2. Take quick action
3. Trick someone
4. Believe someone easily
Solution : 3
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153) Like a dying duck in a thunderstorm

1. Daring
2. Confident
3. Dejected
4. Comfortable
Solution : 3
154) To paddle one's own canoe

1. To act in a childish way
2. Depend on oneself
3. To exercise hard
4. To take rest
Solution : 2
155) Look down upon

1. To look for somethingunderground
2. To consider someone inferior
3. To be full ofguilt
4. To look down from a height
Solution : 2
156) Keep abreast of

1. Keep ahead of
2. Keep oneself updated
3. Keep up the good work
4. Keep a watch on
Solution : 2
157) Give a piece of one's mind

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1. To share one's ideas

2. To donate something valuable
3. To rebuke someone strongly
4. To advise someone
Solution : 3
158) Come to the point

1. To speak plainly about the real issue
2. To get reconciled to something
3. To unravel a mystery
4. To meet at a designated place
Solution : 1
159) The people were scared because the burglar was "at large".
1. very dangerous
2. very famous
3. not caught
4. behind bars
Solution : 3
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160) Cut and dried

1. Dead and gone
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2. Badly hurt
3. Very old
4. Already decided
Solution : 4
161) Make off with

1. To understand
2. To run away
3. To discover
4. To transfer
Solution : 2
162) Kill two birds with one stone

1. To plan two murders simultaneously
2. To be an expert shooter
3. To try something impossible
4. To achieve two results with a single effort
Solution : 4
163) The acid test

1. A fact, event or situation that proves something
2. A critical situation or crisis
3. An unpleasant or offensive test
4. Throwing acid on someone’s face
Solution : 1
164) Blind alley

1. A state of deep thought
2. A person who comes to meet occasionally
3. A situation in which no further progress can be made
4. Taking first step after somebody’s approach
Solution : 3
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165) To take a back seat

1. To go through a short but unpleasant period of time
2. To lecture or criticise the person who is actually in control of something
3. To be less successful in one’s efforts
4. To become less important or to give up control over things
Solution : 4
166) A Red letter day – An important day
167) Bone to pick – Cause of quarrel/ Bone of contention
168) At stone’s throw – Very near
169) Struck a chill to the heart – Arouse fear/to make somebody afraid
170) End in a fiasco –A Total/Utter failure
171) Fall back – To turn or move back
172) Turn up one’s nose at – To reject/despises
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173) Turn one’s head – To feel proud in a way that other people find it annoying
174) High and dry – Neglected/ To leave someone helpless
175) Take for granted – To accept readily/ To pre-suppose as certainly true
176) Mince matters – To confuse issues/ to mix facts

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177) Currying favour with – Ingratiating / trying too hard to get please somebody
178) Set one’s face against – Oppose strongly
179) Strom in a tea cup – Commotion (angry/worry) over a trivial matter
180) Putting one’s foot down – Asserting one’s authority/ take a firm stand
181) The man in the street – An ordinary man (common man)
182) To catch up with – To compete with
183) Fight to the bitter end – To fight a losing battle
184) Throw down a glove – To accept defeat
185) Read between the lines – Understanding the hidden meaning
186) Let the cat out of the bag – To utter a secret carelessly or by mistake
187) To have Too many iron in the fire – To get engage in too many enterprises at the same time
188) Fall through – To fail
189) Cut one off, without a shilling – Disinheriting / To expel from fraternal property
190) To smell a rat – To suspect a trick
191) Turn a deaf ear – Disobey
192) Have the last laugh – To be victorious at the end of an argument
193) Red letter day – Happy and significant day (Gala day)
194) To blaze a trail – To lead the way as a pioneer
195) To beat a retreat – To run away in fear
196) To steer clear of – Avoid
197) To get one’s own back –To get one’s revenge
198) To run across – To meet by chance
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199) A dark horse – An unforeseen competitor
200) Put up with – Endure
201) Got the sack – Dismissed from
202) Herculean task –A work requiring very great effort
203) By leaps and bounds – Rapidly
204) Helter-Skelter – In disorderly haste
205) Go to the winds - Disappear
206) Make ducks and drakes of – Squander
207) On the level – Honest and sincere
208) Done for – Ruined
209) Make a clean breast – Confess
210) To end in smoke – To come to nothing; no outcome
211) To have something up one’s sleeve – Having a secret plan
212) To take to one’s heel – To run away
213) To turn a deaf ear – To be indifferent
214) At snail’s pace – To do things very slowly
215) To run one down – To disparage someone
216) To blow one’s own trumpet – To praise oneself
217) To face the music – To bear the consequences
218) To take someone to task – To scold someone
219) At one’s wit – Puzzled/Confused/Perplexed
220) At stake – In danger/ that can be lost or won depending on the success of a particular action To play
to the gallery – To behave in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention
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221) Read between the lines – Understand the hidden meaning Sitting on the fence – Hesitating which side
to take No love lost between – Not on good terms To have not a leg to stand on – Unable to prove or
explain why something is reasonable
222) A man in the street – An ordinary person / common man
223) Blood running cold – Become very frightened
224) Playing to the gallery – Befooling the common man
225) Come out of one’s shell – To appear suddenly
226) Lay down arms – To surrender
227) Making hay while the sun shines – Taking advantage of a favorable opportunity
228) Blow one’s own trumpet – To praise oneself
229) Bear with – Support / To be patient with some body or something
230) Give vent to – To emphasize
231) Turn a deaf ear – Pay no attention
232) Bone of contention – Matter of dispute
233) Stand on own feet – To be independent
234) By fits and starts – Irregularly
235) Over head and ears – Completely
236) To call it a day – To conclude proceedings
237) To put up with – To tolerate
238) To face the music – To bear the consequences
239) Yeoman’s service – Social work
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240) To take to hearts – To grieve over
241) To smell a rat – To be suspicious
242) To move heaven and earth – to try everything possible
243) To take someone for a ride – to deceive (cheat) someone
244) In cold blood – Not intentional / Excitedly
245) A damp squib – A disappointing result
246) To bite the dust – To be defeated
247) To take to one’s heel – To run away
248) To be all at sea – Lost and confused
249) Cold Comfort – Slight satisfaction
250) A bolt from the blue – An unexpected and unpleasant event
251) To feather one’s nest – To make oneself rich (in position or in monetary terms)
252) To die in harness – To die while in service
253) To show a clean pair of heels – to escape/run away
254) To flog a dead horse –to waste one’s efforts
255) To strain every nerve – To make utmost efforts
256) A bolt form the blue – Unexpected problem
257) Sailing in the same boat – Being in the same difficult situation
258) Gift of the gab – Ability to speak well
259) To keep the wolf from the door – Escape starvation
260) Soft option – Easy and agreeable option
261) A little gush of gratitude – Excessive enthusiasm
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262) To lose ground – To become less popular
263) To fall back on – to fail to do something important in time
264) Sweeping Statement – Thoughtless statement
265) All at sea – Puzzled
266) Enough rope – Enough freedom for action
267) By fits and start – Irregularly
268) Fell foul of – Got into trouble with
269) Token strike – Short strike held as warning
270) Face the music – Get reprimanded
271) Look down upon – Hate intensely
272) Flogging a dead horse – Wasting time in useless effort
273) Under a cloud – Under suspicion
274) Green thumb – To have a natural interest
275) Played havoc – Caused destruction
276) No love lost between – Not on good terms
277) Fair and square – Honest
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278) A white elephant – Costly or troublesome possession
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279) Out and out – Totally
280) On the cuff – On credit
281) Does not hold water – Cannot be believed
282) A wild goose chase – Futile search
283) In a tight corner – In a difficult situation
284) Going places – Talented and successful
285) In cold blood – A murder done without intention
286) Off and on – Occasionally
287) Hard and fast – Strict
288) Took to heels – Run away in fear
289) To keep up – To keep in touch
290) Make a clean breast – Confess without reserve
291) Heads will roll – Transfers will take place
292) Make no bones about – Do not have any hesitation in anything
293) Take after – Resembles
294) To starve off – Postpone
295) To give a piece of mind – To reprimand
296) Rest on laurels – To be complacent
297) Pay through nose – Pay an extremely high price
298) Draw on fancy – Use imagination
299) Turn an honest living – Make an legitimate living
300) Give the game away – Give out the secret
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301) Cheek by jowl – Very near
302) Give in – Yield
303) Run riot – Act without restraint
304) Go through fire and water – Undergo any risk
305) Talking through hat – Talking nonsense
306) Put up with – Tolerate
308) Reading between the lines – Understanding the hidden meaning
309) Get the sack – dismissed from
310) In high spirits – Full of hope and enthusiasm
311) Shake in shoes – Tremble with fear
312) Fits and starts – Not regularly
313) Close shave – Narrow shave
314) Take with a grain of salt – To listen to something with considerable doubt
315) Hobson’s choice – No real choice at all
316) To eat a humble pie – To apologize
317) To give the devil his due – to give encouragement even to the enemy
318) Reading between the lines – looking for meanings that are not actually expressed
319) An open book – One that hold no secrets
320) An axe to grind – A private interest to serve
321) To blow one’s own trumpet – Praise one’s own abilities and achievements
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322) Stand-offish – Indifferent
323) Sowing wild oats – Irresponsible pleasure seeking in young age
324) A bolt from the blue – Something unexpected and unpleasant
326) Of no avail – Useless
327) On the verge of – On the brink of
328) A sore point – Something which hurts
329) Like a phoenix – With a new life/rebirth/reincarnation
330) To keep under wraps – Secret
331) Die in harness – To die at one’s work
332) Fair- weather friend – A friend that deserts in difficulties
333) Emerge out of thin air – Appear Suddenly
334) Cut no ice – Had no influence
335) Brought up – Introduce for discussion
336) Cannot hold a candle to – Cannot be compared to
337) Burn one’s boat – Leave no means of return
338) Make one’s flesh creep – Horrify
339) Pros and cons – For and against/ analysis of all the given facts
340) To take into account – To consider
341) Blow over – Pass off
342) Run into – Incurred/to experience difficulties
343) Blue-eyed boys – Favorites
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344) Dropping names – Hinting at high connections/To mention famous people you know or have met in
order to impress others.
345) To make one’s blood boil – To make somebody furious
346) Wear and tear - Damage
347) To add fuel to the fire – To cause additional anger
348) Hand in glove – In close relationship
349) To make a mountain of a molehill – To give great importance to little things
350) To speak one’s mind – To be frank and honest
351) Maiden speech – First speech
352) At the eleventh hour – At the very last moment
353) Cope with - compromise
354) Go a long way – help considerably
355) Gift of the gab – talent of speaking
356) Standstill – Complete halt
357) Cross swords - Disagree
358) Pore over – Go through
359) Make both ends meet – To live a lavish life
360) Run down - Criticise
361) Grease anybody’s palm – To give bribe
362) Leave in the lurch – Abandon in the midway/difficult situation
363) Caught red handed – At the time of committing crime
364) On the brink of – On the point of
365) Face the music – Face the unpleasant consequences

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366) Gift of the gab – Ability to speak impressively
367) Go down the drain – Lose forever
368) A close shave – Narrow escape from danger
369) Cool as cucumber – Not nervous or emotional
370) In high spirits - Cheerful
371) Scapegoats - A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings with arrogant reactions
372) A red letter day – A day memorable for joyful event
373) Wears heart on sleeves – Express feelings openly
374) To pay off old scores – To refund old dues
375) Man of letters – Proficient in literary arts
376) Turn down - Refuse
377) On good terms – Agree with someone
378) Stole the show – Win everyone’s praise
379) Measure up – Reach the level
380) Doctor the accounts – To manipulate the accounts
381) Dark horse – An unexpected winner
382) Face the music – To bear the criticism
383) In the red – Losing money/to owe money
384) In lieu of – Despite of
385) Beat about the bush – Speak in a round about manner
386) Bring about - Cause
387) Pull up - Reprimand
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388) At sixes and seven – In disorder or confusion
389) Lose head – Panic
390) Take to task – To criticize severely/ to punish
391) Sit in judgement – To pass judgement(or comment on someone ) especially when you have no
authority
392) Leave in the lurch – To desert someone
393) Cry over spilt milk – Cry over irreparable loss
394) Bad blood – Active enmity
395) Close shave – A narrow escape
396) Grease palms – To bribe someone
397) Carrot and stick – Reward and punishment policy
398) To cut teeth – To gain experience of something for the first time
399) Cut no ice – Had no influence
400) Close the book - Stop working on something
401) In fits and starts - Irregularly
402) Bird’s eye view – An overview
403) Run in the same groove – Clash with each other
404) Keep your head – Remain calm
405) Pull strings – Use personal influence
406) Pot luck dinner – Dinner where somebody brings something to eat
407) To hit below the belt – To attack unfairly
408) All at sea - Puzzled
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409) Sought after – Wanted by many people because it’s of good quality or difficult to find/Pursued by
410) Build castle in the air – Daydreaming
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411) On the spur of the moment – To act suddenly, without planning
412) To have something up one’s sleeve – To have a secret plan
413) A red letter day – An important or joyful occasion in one’s life
414) To explore every avenue – To try every opportunity
415) At one’s beck and call – Ready to follow orders/ To be dominated by someone
416) By fair or foul means – In honest or dishonest way
417) Status quo – As it is/ unchanged position
418) To burn candle at both ends – To be extravagant/ Spend without any worry
419) To hit the jackpot – To make money quickly
420) To bring to light – to reveal
421) At the eleventh hour – At the last possible moment
422) Go scot-free – To escape without punishment
423) To shed crocodile tears – To pretend grief
424) To look down one’s nose – To regard with contempt
425) To miss the bus – To miss an opportunity
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426) A white elephant – Costly and troublesome possession, with much use to its owner
427) To fight tooth and nail – To fight heroically, in very determined way
428) Birds of same feather – Persons of same character
429) Take exception – To object over something
430) High handed – Using authority in an unreasonable way, overbearing
431) Too fond of one’s own voice – To like talking without wanting to listen to other people/Very selfish
433) An open book – Straight forward and honest dealings
434) Fall short – Fail to meet expectation/ have no effect
435) Heart to heart talk – Frank talk
436) Give the game away – Give out the secret(unintentionally)
437) Take cue from – To copy what someone already did in past in order to be successful
438) Call for – To ask
439) Out of the question – Undesirable/ Not worth discussing
440) Run into – To meet someone accidently
441) End up in something – Come to nothing/ Useless
442) Spread like fire – Spread rapidly
443) Ins and outs – Full details
444) Dropping like flies – Collapsing in large numbers
445) Rat race – Fierce competition for power
446) Hard nut to crack – Difficult task
447) See eye to eye – To think in same way
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448) Put across – To communicate your ideas, feelings, etc. successfully.
449) To have second thoughts – To reconsider
450) Not my cup of tea – Not what somebody likes or interested in
451) To break the ice – To start a conversation
452) To eat a humble pie – To say or show sorry for a mistake that one made
453) To add fuel to fire – To worsen the matter / To incite
454) To burn one’s fingers – To get physically hurt
455) At the eleventh hour – At the last moment
456) To feel like a fish out of water – Uncomfortable situation
457) To foam at one’s mouth – To be very angry
458) Send packing – To tell somebody firmly or rudely to go away / Terminate service
459) Kick up a row - Make a great fuss / To complain loudly about something
460) Wet behind the ears – Young and without experience / Naïve
461) To talk someone over – To convince over
462) Wear heart on sleeves – Express emotions freely
463) Bury the hatchet – To make peace / To stop being unfriendly and become friends again
464) Once in a blue moon - Rarely
465) Through thick and thin – Under all circumstances
466) Come to grief – To suffer
467) Eat anyone’s salt – To be anyone’s guest
468) Give a hand with – To help with
469) Take to heart – To be very upset by something that somebody says or does / Serious
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470) Had better – used for telling somebody what you think he ‘should’ do
471) Strike a bargain – To negotiate a deal
472) Point blank – Very definite and direct
473) Scapegoat - A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others
474) Kicking heels – To be relaxed and enjoy / Waste time
475) End in smoke – Come to nothing
476) Die in harness – Die in service/ Die while working
477) On the horns of dilemma – In a situation where you have to make choice between things that are
equally unpleasant
478) Hold your tongue – To be silent
479) No hard and fast rules – Easy regulation
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480) Live from hand to mouth - Miserably
481) Turn a deaf ear – Refuse to obey
482) Take exception – To object
483) To hail from – To come from
484) To put an end to - Stop
485) By fits and starts - Irregularly
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486) Bad blood – Feeling of hatred
487) Turn up – To appear
488) Die hard – unwilling to change
489) Turn down - Reject
490) To pass away - Die
491) Carry weight – Be important / Important influence
492) Fall flat – Fail to amuse people / Fail to produce intended effect
493) Under the thumb of – Under the control of
494) To get wind – Come to know about something secret or private
495) Part and parcel – An essential part of something
496) To give vent to – To express a feeling, especially anger, strongly
497) Stand by – To help/support somebody or be friend, even in difficult times
498) In black and white – In writing
499) At a loss – Unable / Not knowing about what to do or say
500) Lame excuse – Unsatisfactory explanation
501) Hand in glove – Working closely with someone / Very intimate
502) A hard nut to crack – A difficult problem or situation to solve or deal with
503) For better or worse - Always
504) From the bottom of one’s heart – To speak frankly
505) In a nutshell - Brief
506) A shot in the dark – An attempt to guess something
507) At the eleventh hour – At a last moment
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508) Water under the bridge – Something that happened in the past and is now forgotten or no longer
important
509) Stick to guns – Hold on to original decisions
510) Out of hand – Out of control, at once, immediately
511) The salt of the earth – Very good and honest/ Kind
512) Talking through hat – Talking nonsense
513) Looking forward to – To expect something or someone
514) Slip off – Leave quietly
515) Get on well – Have a friendly relationship
516) In a pickle – In an embarrassing or awkward situation
517) Under a cloud – Being subject to suspicion
518) As hard as nail – Emotionless / To show no sympathy, kindness or fear
519) Allow a free hand – Complete liberty
520) Lays out – To spend money
521) Break down – To lose control of your feelings and start crying / Could not proceed
522) Cut coat according to one’s cloth – Live within your means
523) Weal and woe – Ups and downs
524) Iron will – Strong determination
525) To take to task - Punish
526) Rack and ruin - Ransacked
527) Rides the high horse – Feel superior
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529) Has a bee in one’s bonnet – To be preoccupied or obsessed with something
530) See through – Detect / To realize the truth about someone or somebody
531) Take after – To follow / To take care of older members of family
532) Break up – Disband itself / The breaking up of relationship or association
533) Stand by - Support
534) Bull in a China shop – A clumsy person
535) Change colours – To turn pale
536) Spick and span – Neat and clean / Tidy
537) Give in – To agree to do something that you don’t want to do
538) Leaps and bounds - Irregularly
539) Wide off the mark - Irrelevant / Not accurate / Inadequate
540) Out of the world – Extraordinary
541) Sweep under the carpet – Keep hidden
542) By leaps and bound – Very rapidly
543) To toe the line – To follow the lead / To follow boss’s orders
544) Stick to guns – Maintain opinion
545) Take hat off – Encourage / To admire somebody very much for something he has done
546) Null and void – Empty
547) Break the ice – Initiate a talk
548) Keep the wolf from the door – Avoid starvation
549) Fish in troubled water – To make a profit out of troubled situation
550) Look into – To investigate
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551) Smell the rat – Suspect that something is fishy
552) Let the grass grow under the feet – Delay in getting things done
553) Apple of discord – Cause of animosity
554) A fish out of water – In uncomfortable situation
555) In the long run – Over a period of time
556) Jumping down one’s throat – To react very angrily to somebody
557) Out of wits – Greatly confused
558) Call spade a spade – To speak in a straightforward manner (frankly)
559) Face the music – Accept the punishment
560) To play second fiddle – Take a subordinate role
561) Casting pearl before swine – Offering good things to undeserving people
562) Putting the cart before the horse – Doing things in the wrong way
563) Not fit to hold candle – Not so good as somebody or something else
564) Egg someone on – TO encourage somebody to do something
565) For good - Permanently
566) Achilles’s heel – Weak spot
567) Take a leap in the dark – To take risk
568) Cut the guardian knot – Remove difficulty / To solve problem
569) Blow one’s own trumpet – Self boasting
570) A cakewalk – An easy achievement
571) Not to look a gift horse in the mouth – Not to find fault with the gift received
572) Man of straw – A man of no substance
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573) Born with a silver spoon – Born in a rich family
574) Let sleeping dogs lie – Not to bring up an old controversial issue
575) A month of Sundays – A long time
576) A closed book – A mystery
577) In apple pie order – In perfect order
578) Thick and thin – In spite of all difficulties
579) Wet one’s whistle – To have a drink / Moistens one’s throat
580) Bury the hatchet – Make peace
581) Cool one’s heel – To keep waiting
582) Live-wire – A person who is lively or energetic
583) Feel blue – In trouble / depressed
584) Above board – Legal and honest
585) Pour cats and dogs – Rain heavily
586) For good - Permanently
587) Iron fist – To treat people in severe manner / strictly
588) Time and again - Always
589) Eat humble pie – To say or show that you are sorry for the mistakes committed by you
590) Rule the roost – Exercise authority / To be the most powerful member in the group
591) Have something up your sleeve – Have an alternate plan
592) Take to task – Punished / Reprimanded
593) Feel one’s pulse – To find what one is thinking on some point
594) Donkey’s year – A long time
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595) To make things done – To manage
596) Chicken out – Withdraw / To decide not to do something because you are afraid
597) Ice braking – Starting a conversation
598) Bad hats – People of bad character
599) Give and take – Adjustment / Willingness in relationship to accept what somebody else wants and
gives up some of what you want
600) Off and on – Irregularly
601) Man of straw – A man of no substance
602) Break down – Weep bitterly
603) Get down to business – To begin work seriously
604) Giving a piece of one’s mind – Speak sharply / To disapprove
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605) Go about – Go around / TO continue to do something
606) Take exception - To object at something
607) Picking up holes in – Finding out faults with something
608) To cast a die – To take a decision
609) Put up with – Bear patiently / To bear or endure
610) The gift of the gab – Ability to speak well
611) See through – Detect / To realize the truth
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612) Cordon off – Isolate / To stop people from getting into an area by surrounding it with police
613) Keep an open house – Welcome all members
614) Wet behind ears – Young and inexperienced / Naive
615) Pick on - Warn severely
616) Fight tooth and nail – Fight with strength and fury
617) Teething problems – Difficulties at the start
618) A wild goose chase – Fruitless pursuit
619) To get into hot water – To get into trouble
620) A bolt from the blue – A complete surprise
621) Plain sailing – Very easy
622) Take to one’s heel – Run off
623) To cut one short – To criticize one
624) Show the white flag – T o surrender
625) A cut above – Rather superior to
626) To throw dust in one’s eye – To deceive
627) Read between the lines – Know what the writer thinks / Know hidden meaning
628) Give vent to - Express
629) Bring about – Cause to happen
630) Husband one’s resource – Save / Economical
631) Foam at the mouth - Angry
632) Keep wolf away from the door – Keep away extreme poverty
633) Pin money – Additional money
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634) The Alpha and Omega – Beginning and end
635) Salt of the earth – Good, honest and ideal
636) Bring the house down – Make the audience applaud enthusiastically
637) Gerrymandering way – In a manipulative and unfair way
638) Strain every nerve – Make all efforts / Try all tricks
639) Hard and fast – That cannot be altered / fixed
640) Turn up one’s nose at - To not accept something because you do not think it is good enough for you /
To treat with contempt
641) Down in the dumps – Sad and depressed
642) Dot one’s I’s and cross one T’s – Be detailed and exact
643) All moonshine – Superficial
644) Wild goose chase – A foolish and useless enterprise
645) Swan song – Last prayer (at funeral or farewell)
646) By the skin of teeth – By the narrowest margin
647) Bury the hatchet – Make peace / Forget the quarrels
648) Keep up with – Go at equal pace
649) 513. Flies off at a tangent – Start discussing something irrelevant
650) Batten down the hatches – Prepare for a difficult situation
651) Nail one’s colours to the mast – Refuse to climb down
652) All might and main – With full force
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653) Red herrings – Clues intended to distract or mislead / An unimportant fact, idea, event, etc. that takes
people attention from the important ones
654) To cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth – To live within one’s means
655) White elephant – A costly but useless possession
656) Look sharp – Pay attention
657) Big draw – Huge attraction
658) Bear down – To move quickly towards something/someone in a determined or threatening way
659) To put a spoke in someone’s wheel – Destroy the plan / Cause hindrance / To prevent somebody from
putting their plan into action
660) At a stretch - Continuously
661) Know beans about something – Well informed and intelligent
662) To get into hot water – To get into troubles
663) Know the ropes – Learn the procedures
664) Barking up the wrong tree – Trying to find someone ay wrong place
665) In the swim – Well informed and up-to-date
666) Rub up the wrong way – To irk or irritate someone
667) Add fuel to the fire – Worsen the situation
668) In the loop – Informed regularly
669) Hold one’s horses – To keep waiting
670) Black out – Lost consciousness
671) Cut and dry method - Honest
672) Back to the drawing board – Plan it all over again
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673) In the air – Certain / Able to be firmly relied on to happen or be the case / Specific but not explicitly
named or stated
674) On the same page – Thinks in a similar way
675) Pull no punch – Speaks frankly
676) Going places – Talented and successful
677) Stand/Hold your ground – Refuse to yield / To continue with your opinions or intentions when
someone is opposing you
678) Put your feet down – Take a firm stand / To be very strict in opposing what somebody wishes to do
679) Read between the line – To understand the inner meaning
680) To the letter – Paying attention to every detail / Doing or following exactly what somebody
something says
681) To carve out a niche – To work harder in order to have successful career / Develop a special position
for oneself (CGL T-2, 2014)
682) Wild goose chase – Useless search / Unprofitable adventure
683) In Dutch – In trouble
684) See eye to eye – To have the same opinion
685) Come to light – Been revealed / To become known to people
686) Around the clock – Day and night
687) Balloon goes up – The situation turns unpleasant or serious
688) Watching grass grow – Very boring
689) Nine day’s wonder – A dazzling short-lived spectacle of no real value
690) Beyond the pale – Outside commonly accepted standards
691) Took after – Similar to / to look or behave like an older member of your family
692) Throw dust into one’s eye – To deceive

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693) Cool about working – Not tense about working / Reading to work
694) Salad days - Adolescence
695) All ears - Attentive
697) Hold water – With logical backing / To stand up to critical examination
698) Other fish to fry – Some important work to attend to
699) A close shave – A narrow escape from danger
700) To tell in a nut shell – In a brief manner / Summarize
701) Within a stone’s throw – At a short distance
702) To feather one’s nest – To enrich oneself when opportunity occurs
703) A close-fisted person – A miser
704) To gather roses only – To seek all enjoyments of life
705) A black sheep – A person with bad reputation
706) To grease the palm – To bribe
707) For good – Permanently
708) An about turn – Complete change of opinion or situation
709) Make a mockery – to make something seem ridiculous or useless / No serious outcome
710) Eat like a horse – Eat a lot
711) Go to the dogs – To be ruined
712) Pay on the nail – Pay promptly / Payment without delay
713) Penelope’s web – An endless job
714) At draggers drawn - Enmity
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715) Bury the hatchet – Make peace
716) Null and void – Not binding / Having no legal force / Not binding
717) Break in - To train somebody or something in something
718) Stir up a Hornet’s nest - To create a lot of trouble
719) Second thoughts – Reconsidering the original idea
720) Average out - Balance
721) Go to the dogs – Ruin / to go to in very bad situation
722) Floored – To surprise or confuse
723) Give way - Collapse
724) Tall tales - Boasting
725) Backseat driver – A person who gives unwanted advice
726) At random - Without any aim or target
727) Break off – Suddenly stop
728) Go haywire – Become out of control
729) Above board – Honest / Without any secret
730) 594. Feather in one’s cap – An achievement
731) Follow one’s nose – To go straight ahead
732) To latch onto – To promote
733) Fight shy of – To avoid someone/ something
734) Add fuel to the fire – Worsen the matter (CGL T-2, 2014)
735) Cock and bull story – Absurd an unbelievable story
736) Hold water – Seem logical
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737) To be down to earth – To be realistic
738) In the nick of time – Just in time
739) To shun evil company – To avoid or give up bad company
740) Seamy side – Unpleasant and immoral
741) A sacred cow – A person never to be criticised
742) A dog’s breakfast – A total mess / A thing that has been done badly
743) Sail in the same boat – To be in same situation
744) Take the bull by the horns – to face a difficulty courageously
745) Shed crocodile tears – To pretend to be sympathetic
746) To be in a quandary – In a confusing situation
747) Take French leave – Absenting oneself without permission
748) To put in a nutshell – To state something very concisely
749) The genomes of Zurich – A slang term for Swiss bankers
750) To make up one’s mind – To decide what to do
751) To call it a day – Decide to finish working of the day
752) In two minds – To be undecided
753) Put something by – To save money for a particular purpose
754) On cloud nine – Extremely happy
755) The jury is out - No decision has been reached
756) Have a finger in every pie – To be meddlesome / To involved in a lot of different activities and
having influence over them
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757) To take after – To resemble an older member of family
758) Flying visit – Very short visit
759) Telling upon – Showing effectively / Having strong effect
760) Kith and kin - Relatives
761) Part and parcel – Important part
762) Beat about the bush – Circumlocution / Does not talk specifically
763) Carry out – Complete something
764) Take fancy – To attract or please somebody
765) Snake in the grass – A hidden enemy
766) Make a mountain of a mole hill – Exaggerate a minor problem
767) Spill the beans – Reveal the secret information
768) Make amends for – Compensate the loss
769) Leave high and dry – In a difficult situation without help or money / Leave alone to work / A boat in a
position out of water
770) 634. Make believe – To pretend that something is true
771) Go for the jugular – Attack all out / To attack somebody’s weaker point during a discussion
772) Keep a level head – To remain calm and sensible in a difficult situation
773) Under the weather - Sick
774) At loggerheads – In strong disagreement
775) Go Dutch – Divide the cost
776) Alma mater – Institution where one got education
777) A closefisted man – A miser
778) As draft as a brush – Very silly

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779) Rise with the lark – Get up early / To get out of bed very early in the morning
780) At one’s wit’s end – To be so worried by a problem that you don’t know what to do next
781) Make a beeline – Rush / To go straight towards something as quick as you can
782) Wild goose chase – Useless search
783) A man of letters – A literary person
784) Horse sense – Basic common sense
785) Shot in the arm – Something that gives encouragement
786) Catch time by the forelock – Seize opportunity
787) Get on nerves - Annoying
788) Clean hands – innocent
789) A golden mean – Middle course between two extremes
790) Vexed question – Controversial issue
791) Keep the wolf away from the door – To keep off starvation
792) Out of sorts – Ill or sick / Upset
793) Gut feeling – Strong instinct (based on feelings and emotions rather than thought and reason)
794) Finish with something – Be through / To have something at the end / To stop doin something
795) Red-letter day – An important day
796) A close fisted man - Miser
797) To set the Thames on fire – Do a heroic deed / To do such a work that needs a strenuous effort
798) Eat humble pie – To say sorry for mistakes / Suffer humiliation 663.
799) Play ducks and drakes – Spend lavishly / To waste or squander 664.
800) Be taken aback – Shocked or surprised
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801) Lay it on thick – An exaggeration / To talk about somebody or something in a way than they really
are
802) Bird’s eye view – A overview / A general view from above
803) 6To win laurels – to earn great prestige
804) In the soup – To be in trouble
805) Draw the line – To set a limit
806) A bee hive – A busy place
807) To cut the Gordian knot – To perform a difficult task
808) Take a French leave – Being absent without permission
809) Arm-chair critic – A person who give advice based on theory not on practice
810) A chip of the old block – An experienced old man
811) Feather your nest – To make yourself richer, especially by spending money on yourself that should be
spent on something else
812) Throw up cards – To give in / To blow away the plan
813) Vote with your feet – Showing your disapproval
814) Dog in a manger – A selfish person
815) Chapter and verse – Providing minutes details
816) Bring down the house – Amuse the audience greatly / To make everyone cheer
817) Give a wide berth to – To stay away from or avoid someone
818) A hard nut to crack – A difficult problem to solve
819) In black and white – In writing
820) Beside the mark – Irrelevant / Not to be accurate
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821) To give a piece of mind – Scolding / To tell someone that you are angry with them or you disapprove
of their behaviour
822) Give away - To distribute something
823) Fight tooth and nail – Fight with all strengths
824) Show a clean a pair of heels – To run away fast / To flee swiftly
825) All moonshine – Concocted / Superficial
826) Up to the mark – According to the required standard
827) A red letter day – An important day
828) Sit on the fence – To avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing something
829) Shake off – Forget / To get away from somebody who is chasing or following you
830) Cock and bull story – A concocted or absurd story
831) Pull a long face – Look dejected / An unhappy or disappointed expression
832) Under a cloud –Under suspicion
833) Cat-nap – Short sleep
834) To pull a long face – Look sad
835) Fit like a glove - Perfectly
836) Caught red-handed – Discovered in the act of doing
837) Gate crasher – Uninvited guest
838) To angle – To fish
839) For all intents and purposes - Practically
840) Go out of one’s way – Do everything possible
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841) In the running – Has good prospects in competition
842) Beat about the bush – To say everything except the main topic
843) Make room – Make space
844) Mend your way’s – Improve one’s behaviour .
845) Beggar description – Cannot be described .
846) Drag one’s feet – Be reluctant to act
847) Hope against hope – Nurture an impossible hope
848) For keeps - Forever
849) Paled into insignificance – Seemed less important
850) With one voice - Unanimously
851) Make it light – Treat lightly
852) Every inch a gentleman - Entirely
853) A rough, violent, troublesome person - Tartar .
854) To add fuel to the fire – Make thing worse .
855) To take to heart – TO be greatly affected
856) To bring to light – TO reveal
857) All moon shine – Far from reality
858) At a snail’s pace - Slowly
859) Call on – Pay a visit
860) Pros and cons – Advantages and disadvantage
861) Once in a blue moon – Very rarely
862) Fish out of water – An uncomfortable position
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863) Be down with – Suffering from
864) Fair-weather friend – Supports only when easy and convenient
865) Pull together – Work harmoniously
866) To bury the hatchet – to make peace
867) Selling like hot cakes – To have a very good sale
868) Scot free - Unpunished
869) To give oneself airs – Behave arrogantly .
870) At a stone’s throw – At short distance .
871) Bone of contention – Matter of dispute .
872) To eat humble pie – To yield under humiliating circumstances
873) To end in smoke – To fail/ To end without any practical results .
874) To spill the beans – To reveal a secret
875) Drive home - Emphasise
876) A left hand compliment – An ambiguous compliment
877) Cut a sorry figure – Make a poor impression
878) To take to task - Reprimand
879) Bad blood - Enmity
881) To get cold feet - Fear
882) Beside the mark – Not to the point
883) On tenterhooks – In suspense and anxiety
884) A cuckoo in the nest – An unwelcomed intruder
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885) A house of cards – An insecure scheme
886) To smell a rat – To suspect foul dealings
887) Old head on young shoulder – To be wise beyond one’s age
888) A wild-goose chase – Pointless search
889) Hard of hearing – To be deaf
890) Burn your boats – Do something that makes it impossible to return ro the previous situation
891) Dressing-down – To give scolding
892) Null and void - Invalid
893) A dark horse – Unexpected winner .
894) Throw cold water - Discourage .
895) Butt in – Interrupt
896) Couch potato – A person who prefers to watch television
897) Carry the ball – Be in charge
898) Turn down - Reject
899) Catch a tartar – to deal with a person who is more than one’s match
900) Cap in hand – In a respectful manner .
901) In the blues – Cheerless and depressed .
902) Cheek by jowl – Very close together
903) Beyond the pale – Unreasonable or unacceptable
904) Blow one’s own trumpet – Praise oneself
905) Stick to guns – Maintain own opinion
906) At sea – At a loss

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907) Straw in the wind – An indication of what might happen
908) Face the music – Be punished
909) Curry favours – Seek favourable attention
910) Weal and woe – Good times and bad times
911) Call in question - Challenge
912) Make both ends mean – Live within means
913) Put up the shutters – Go out of business
914) A drop in a bucket – A very insignificant amount
915) Draw a blank – Find no favour
916) To keep in abeyance – In a state of suspension
917) To be in a fix – In a difficult situation
918) To break the ice – Make people comfortable and relaxed / Start conversation
919) As daft as a brush – Extremely silly
920) In a nutshell – Briefly and concisely
921) Strain every nerve – Work very hard
922) Evening of life – Old age
923) Button one’s lips – Stop talking
924) Cock and bull stories – Absurd and unlikely stories
925) A live wire – Lively and active
926) Capital punishment – Death sentence
927) Leaps and bounds - Rapidly
928) Wet behind the ears – Young and without much experience
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929) Under a cloud – Under suspicion
930) Get the sack – Be dismissed
931) Feather in one’s cap – A new and additional distinction
932) Donkey’s year – A long time
933) Leave no stone unturned – To try every possible way
934) A man of letters - Scholar
935) Bear in mind - Remember
936) To nip in the bud – To stop something in the starting
937) To put a spoke in one’s wheel – To hinder
938) To clip one’s wings – To deprive one of power
939) Back to square one

1. Draw a square
2. Come to the original point
3. Move ahead
4. Neglect something
Solution : 2
940) To throw a fit

1. Become unconscious
2. Faint and fall down
3. Express extreme anger
4. Caution someone about fitness
Solution : 3
RULES in SSC exams
EnglishKendra.com
941) The bee’s knees

1. Problematic
2. Extraordinary
3. Observant
4. Foolish
Solution : 2
942) Hold water

1. To be busy
2. To be valid
3. To be fickle
4. To be deep
Solution : 2
943) Bring to light

1. Praise in public
2. Cheer someone
3. Reveal clearly
4. Brighten up
Solution : 3
944) A bed of roses

1. A valley full of flowers
2. An easy and happy situation
3. A pleasant perfume
4. A difficult path
Solution : 2
945) A close-fisted person

EnglishKendra.com
1. A miserly person
2. A strong person
3. A cruel person
4. A kind person
Solution : 1
946) To flog a dead horse

1. To accept the challenge
2. To make the best use of resources
3. To complete the work
4. To waste the effort
Solution : 4

1. To handle difficulties
2. To murder someone
3. To surrender to the enemy
4. To speak arrogantly
Solution : 1
948) To add fuel to the fire.

1. Exploit someone
2. To make a bad situation worse
3. Simplify the problem
4. Calm down the situation
Solution : 2
949) Hobson's Choice

EnglishKendra.com
1. To be in an aggressive mood when facing a challenge

2. To exercise the choice to surrender before the enemy
3. To challenge an unworthy opponent
4. An apparently free choice where there is no real alternative
Solution : 4
950) Chicken-hearted
1. Selfish
2. Generous
3. Miserly
4. Cowardly
Solution : 4
951) By and by
1. Suddenly
2. By any means
3. Gradually
4. On the whole
Solution : 3
952) See eye to eye

1. See clearly
2. Be suspicious
3. Stare at someone
4. Agree with someone
Solution : 4
EnglishKendra.com
CGL CHSL CPO exams)
RULES in SSC exams
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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idioms.

2) Off and on I take a break from my hectic schedule to refresh myself.

4) Work against the clock

1.taking a grave risk

6) Throughout his speech the crowd was all ears.

7) Since he secured the first rank Sudhir has become swollen-headed.

1.discharged from hospital

1.gives enough proof

1.perform many task simultaneously

1.dismiss from job

1.be very nervous

1.strict rules and regulations

3.a constant threat

1.under all circumstances

1.exceeded the budget

1.detected something wrong

1.in a favourable situation

21) Lend an ear

1.to pay attention to

4.to not tell someone something

23) Lock, stock and barrel

24) In the pink

1.in pink dress

25) Out of the woods

1.no longer in trouble

26) Butterfly in the stomach

27) Lead someone by the nose

1.to do the right thing

28) Couch potato

1.a person who sleeps all day

29) Pull yourself together

30) Give someone the cold shoulder

31) Pull someone’s leg

32) Actions speak louder than words

1.take up a task that you cannot finish

33) Get out of hand

1.get out of control

34) Costs an arm and a leg

35) At daggers drawn

36) To play ducks and drakes

1.to use recklessly

37) Our PM is received with open arms wherever he goes.

39) The dog played in the pond to his heart’s content.

1.only upto his legs

4.avoiding getting to wet

1.contesting the seat.

43) Handle with kid gloves

44) Run around in circles

46) At the drop of a hat

47) Make a beeline for

48) Till the cows come home

49) Touch and go

50) Bed of roses

53) He is completely at sea about where to invest his hard-earned money.

2. honest and frank

56) My brother has decided to settle in Mumbai for good.

60) The suspect made a clean breast of it during the enquiry.

61) Come rain or shine

62) To be thrown in at the deep end

1. learn to do the difficult things too soon

63) To read between the lines