IDIOMS

AND
PHRASES
 Tricks to remember
• Understand context
– Idioms and phrases are situational. They cannot be used wherever you want. These can
be practiced with a particular situation or observations.
• Prepare a list
– Preparing for idioms is not an easy & limited task as there are thousands of phrases in
English language and keep evolving as new literature are written by the eminent writer,
poets and authors.
• Avoid cramming
– Idioms are not so easy and playful to learn as most of the candidates think of it and try
to learn them in bulk and random manner.
• Visual co-relation
– Whenever you are preparing for idioms and phrases, relate them to stories and
remember it with visualization. Practicing them with this strategy will make your
memory more stronger and long lasting.
• Determine Origin
– Most idioms and phrases have very interesting original stories. You should try to find
them to understand the meaning of such idioms and phrases better.
 CUTTING CORNERS

When the wheels came off Vijay’s

bike at high speed, he immediately
regretted cutting corners when
he’d repaired it.

a) Something is better than nothing

b) To look disappointed for something

c) To take short-cuts

d) To sniff something wrong

 CUTTING CORNERS

Definition: To do something by
the easiest /fastest /cheapest
method, at the expense of doing
it properly
I shouldn't go outside without a raincoat because it's raining cats and dogs.

(a) it's just started to rain (c) it's raining very heavily
(b) it's going to rain (d) it's raining a little
You remember I told you about that car that cost me an arm and a leg?

(a) a fair amount of money (c) a good amount of money

(b) a small amount of money (d) a large amount of money
I honestly don't think I can make it tonight as I'm feeling a little under
the weather.

(a) cold (b) wet (c) feeling sick (d) upset

 STICK TO ONE’S GUN

You must admire the way he sticks to his guns.

(a) he holds on to his pistol (c) he doesn't let his weapons go

(b) he maintains his opinion (d) he refuses to shoot

“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.” – it means:

a) Something bad is about to happen c) when miracle happens

b) something that will never happen d) unknown danger
Accidently she spilled the beans
before her surprise party:

a) To expose the secret

b) To drop the plate of beans
c) To blackmail someone
d) An unexpected occurrence
Thanks to his regular workouts and sensible diet he certainly strikes me as in the
pink.
(a) in extreme health (b) in good health

(b) in bad health (d) in clear health

Me!!, If you think I'm going to parachute out of a plane for fun, you must be out of
your mind.

(a) mad (b) unsure

(c) Mental illness (d) uncertain
“Danny's family told him to “break a leg” right before he went up on stage.”

a) Call for a break b) Dance on one leg

c) Wish someone good luck d) Break other person’s leg
He is selected in National Cricket team of India. He must be on Cloud 9:

a) Arrogant b) ecstatic

b) Airs d) dilemma
Well, he's not that at all. He's a bird brain.

(a) a fool (b) a criminal

(b) a conman (d) a devil