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Idioms and Phrases

Last Updated : 07 Nov, 2025
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Idioms and phrases are an important concept of English comprehension, which is often asked in competitive exams. Candidates preparing for competitive exams or interviews must practice the questions of idioms and phrases to score well in the Verbal Ability section.  

Idioms 

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning is different from the literal meanings of its individual words. Idioms make language more colorful and expressive, and they are commonly used in everyday speech.

Examples of Idioms

Here are some popular idioms with their meanings

  • Back against the wall (Doing something unwillingly due to being stuck in a difficult situation)
  • Break the ice (Start the conversation)
  • Get your act together (Start doing things in an organized and effective way)
  • On cloud nine (Being very elated and happy)
  • Spill the beans (Reveal a secret)
  • Pull someone’s leg (Prank someone)
  • Through thick and thin (Show full loyalty)
  • Don’t cry over spilled milk (Don’t be upset over something that can’t be fixed)
  • A black sheep (A person who brings disgrace to the family)
  • Once in a blue moon (Something that happens rarely)
  • By the skin of your teeth (Barely succeeding)
  • Go the extra mile (Make an extra effort)
  • Straight from the Horse’s mouth (Getting information directly from the concerned person)
  • Has bigger fish to fry (Has more important things to do)
  • Look before you leap (Think before taking action)
  • Take a rain check (Postpone a plan)
  • Play devil’s advocate (Arguing for the sake of it)
  • Throwing caution to the wind (To behave recklessly)

Phrases

A phrase is a group of words that acts as a single unit in a sentence but does not contain both a subject and a verb, and therefore cannot form a complete sentence on their own. Phrases add extra information or detail to a sentence.

Types of Phrases with Examples:

To understand phrases, it's best to see them within the context of a full sentence.

Noun Phrase: Acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

  • The disabled boy was left out. (Acts as the subject)
  • She was anxious to meet her idol. (Acts as the object)

Verb Phrase: The main verb and its helpers in a sentence.

  • You might enjoy a meal with us.
  • He was excited to become the leader.

Prepositional Phrase: Begins with a preposition (e.g., in, on, at, of) and shows a relationship or location.

  • He was left out of the entire journey.
  • Taking my children for a drive is fun. (This entire gerund phrase acts as the subject)

Adjectival Phrase: Describes a noun or pronoun.

  • The deceased person, gentle and smart, was well-loved.
  • He was a man of great courage.

Adverbial Phrase: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often describing how, when, where, or why.

  • She finished her work with great speed.
  • We went for a walk in the evening.

List of Important Idioms and Phrases 

The following is the list of Important Idioms and Phrases:

Idioms and PhrasesMeaning
to have ants in your pants To be restless, fidgety, and unable to sit still.
to take the bull by the horns  To deal with a difficult situation with courage.
to let the cat out of the bag  To reveal a secret, often by mistake.
Cat got your tongue?Doesn't have words to say or is usually quiet.
to be raining cats and dogs  Raining heavily.
to have a cow  To become very angry or agitated about something.
to wait until the cows come home  Waiting for someone for a long time.
to be in the doghouse  To be in trouble with a specific person (like a partner or family member).
to let sleeping dogs lie  To avoid interfering in a situation that is currently stable, to avoid causing trouble.
to be in a fine kettle of fish  To be in an awkward, difficult, or messy situation.
 to seem a little fishy  To seem suspicious or questionable.
to live high on the hog  To live luxioursly and prosperous.
to eat like a horse  Eat large quantities of food.
to look a gift horse in the mouth  Finding faults in a gift or favour.
to hear it straight from the horse's mouth  Hearing the information from the main source.
to hold your horses  To tell someone to stop, wait, or be more patient.
to put the cart before the horse  To do things in the wrong order; to reverse the proper sequence of events.
to change horses in midstream  To choose a new leader or strategy in the middle of an important activity.
Under the weatherFeeling unwell.
Turning a blind eyeTo knowingly ignore or pretend not to see something.
Make a beelineTo go quickly and directly toward something.
At sixes and sevensIf someone is in a state of confusion.
Don't count your chickens before they hatchIt means don't make plans based on future events that may not happen.
Pain in the neckSomeone or something that is very annoying.
Like chalk and cheeseUsed to emphasize that two people or things are completely different from each other.
To sit on the fenceTo delay making a decision or to refuse to take a side in a dispute.
Once in a blue moonAn incident that happens very rarely.
Burn the midnight oilWork hard for a long time.
Cook the BooksTo alter financial records dishonestly.
Decked upWearing special clothes to look attractive.

Also Check:

  • Idioms and Phrases Solved Question- Refer Here!
  • Test your knowledge- Quiz!

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