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Idioms and Phrases

Last Updated : 08 Sep, 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 in which all of the words have multiple meanings than they do. Idioms are enjoyable to use since they are a common feature of speech.

Examples of Idioms

Here are some popular idioms with their meanings

  • Back against the wall (Doing something against the wish due to being stuck in a tricky 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 (Displaying full loyalty)
  • Don’t cry over spilt milk (Don’t cry over something that can’t be fixed)
  • A black sheep (Someone who brings disgrace to the entire family)
  • Once in a blue moon (Rare occurrence)
  • By the skin of your teeth (Making it barely)
  • Go the extra mile (Making 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 (Analyse the consequences before taking a decision)
  • Take a rain check (Postponing a plan)
  • Play devil’s advocate (Arguing for the sake of it)
  • Throwing caution to the wind (Taking risks)

Phrases

Pharases are defined as the combination of multiple words that are related to one another and act as a single unit but do not contain a subject-verb pairing.” A phrase can consist of anywhere from two to ten syllables. It is integrated into a phrase or statement elaborating on a topic by which give additional information.

Examples of Phrases

The following is the examples of Phrases:

  • The disabled boy was left out of the entire journey.
  • The deceased person was gentle and smart.
  • The last time you ate anything since morning.
  • You might enjoy a meal with us.
  • He was excited to become the leader of the group.
  • She was anxious to meet her idol.
  • Taking my children for a drive is fun.

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 A person who can't still calm or remains silent
to take the bull by the horns  To deal with a difficult situation
to let the cat out of the bag  To disclose a secret
to have the cat get your tongue  Doesn't have words to say or is usually quite
to be raining cats and dogs  It is used to describe heavily rain
to have a cow  To become very angry at something
to wait until the cows come home  Waiting for someone for a long time
to be in the doghouse  Being in trouble by someone else
to let sleeping dogs lie  Stop interfering in a situation that doesn't cause any harm
to be in a fine kettle of fish  Being in an awkward situation
 to seem a little fishy  Seems suspicious 
to live high on the hog  Living a prosperous and a healthy life
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  Saying someone to stop or care about their decision
to put the cart before the horse  Reversing the order or procedure of something
to change horses in midstream  Choosing a different leader
Under the weatherFeeling unwell
Turning a blind eyeTo overlook
Make a beelineGo quickly and directly to somewhere
At sixes and sevenIf someone is in a state of confusion
Counting your chickensWhen someone should not depend on something
Pain in the neckWhen someone is very annoying
Like chalk and cheeseWhen two things are different from each other
To sit on the fenceWhen someone delays making a decision
Once in a blue moonAn incident that happens rarely
Burn the midnight oilWork hard for a long time
Cook the BooksWhen someone alters the figures
Decked upWearing special clothes to look attractive

Also Check:

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

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