Introduction
An idiom is a fixed group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words. For example, spill the beans does not mean to drop beans; it means to reveal a secret.
1. How Idiom Questions Are Asked
Pattern
|
What you see
|
What to do
|
| Direct meaning |
“Choose the meaning of the idiom Bolt from the blue.” |
Pick the figurative meaning, not the literal one. |
| Sentence-based |
A sentence with an idiom underlined; choose the correct meaning. |
Read the sentence; the context often gives the meaning. |
| Replace the idiom |
Replace the underlined idiom with a suitable word or phrase. |
Test each option in the sentence. |
| Fill in the blank |
A sentence with a missing word inside an idiom. |
Recall the full idiom and choose the missing word. |
2. Strategies to Solve Idiom Questions
- Do not translate word by word. An idiom’s meaning is figurative.
- Eliminate the literal option. If the idiom is kick the bucket, the option about kicking a bucket is wrong.
- Use the sentence. Check whether the situation is positive or negative and eliminate options that do not fit the mood.
- Learn the idiom with a picture. Imagine the scene (for example, a storm in a teacup) and attach the meaning to it.
- Group idioms by theme. Animal, body-part and colour idioms are easier to remember in groups.
- Revise often. Idioms are forgotten quickly; review each set after a day, a week and a month.
3. Idiom Bank
3.1 Everyday Idioms (A to F)
Idiom
|
Meaning
|
| A piece of cake |
Something very easy |
| A blessing in disguise |
A good thing that seemed bad at first |
| Achilles’ heel |
A person’s weak point |
| Add fuel to the fire |
Make a bad situation worse |
| All at sea |
Confused; not knowing what to do |
| At sixes and sevens |
In a state of confusion or disorder |
| At the eleventh hour |
At the last possible moment |
| Beat around the bush |
Avoid coming to the main point |
| Bite the bullet |
Face a painful situation bravely |
| Bolt from the blue |
A sudden, unexpected event |
| Break the ice |
Start a conversation in an awkward situation |
| Burn the midnight oil |
Work or study late into the night |
| Bury the hatchet |
Make peace after a quarrel |
| By hook or by crook |
By any means, fair or unfair |
| Call it a day |
Stop working for the day |
| Cold feet |
Sudden fear or nervousness before an action |
| Crocodile tears |
False or insincere sorrow |
| Cry over spilt milk |
Regret something that cannot be changed |
| Cut corners |
Do something cheaply or skip proper steps |
| Down in the dumps |
Sad or depressed |
| Draw a blank |
Fail to remember something |
| Eat humble pie |
Admit a mistake and apologise |
| Eat one’s words |
Take back what one has said |
| Face the music |
Accept the punishment or criticism |
| Fish out of water |
Uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation |
| From pillar to post |
From one place to another without success |
3.2 Everyday Idioms (G to W)
Idiom
|
Meaning
|
| Give the cold shoulder |
Ignore someone deliberately |
| Hit the nail on the head |
Be exactly right |
| Hit the sack |
Go to bed |
| In a nutshell |
In brief |
| In hot water |
In trouble |
| Jump the gun |
Act too soon |
| Keep one’s fingers crossed |
Hope for good luck |
| Kick the bucket |
Die |
| Let the cat out of the bag |
Reveal a secret by mistake |
| Make hay while the sun shines |
Use an opportunity while it lasts |
| Nip in the bud |
Stop something at an early stage |
| Once in a blue moon |
Very rarely |
| On cloud nine |
Extremely happy |
| Out of the blue |
Unexpectedly |
| Pull someone’s leg |
Tease or joke with someone |
| Rain cats and dogs |
Rain very heavily |
| Read between the lines |
Understand the hidden meaning |
| Red-letter day |
A memorable or important day |
| Rub salt into the wound |
Make someone’s pain worse |
| Spill the beans |
Reveal a secret |
| Steal the show |
Attract the most attention |
| Storm in a teacup |
A big fuss over a small matter |
| Take with a pinch of salt |
Do not believe fully |
| The ball is in your court |
It is your turn to decide |
| Throw in the towel |
Give up |
| Turn a deaf ear |
Refuse to listen |
| Turn over a new leaf |
Start afresh and improve |
| Under the weather |
Slightly unwell |
| Wild goose chase |
A useless search |
| With flying colours |
With great success |
3.3 Animal Idioms
Idiom
|
Meaning
|
| A dark horse |
A person with hidden talents or an unexpected winner |
| A black sheep |
A disgrace to the family or group |
| A white elephant |
A costly possession that is of little use |
| A red herring |
A misleading clue |
| Cock and bull story |
An unbelievable, made-up story |
| Lion’s share |
The largest part |
| To cry wolf |
To raise a false alarm |
| To smell a rat |
To suspect that something is wrong |
| To let sleeping dogs lie |
Not to disturb a settled matter |
| To take the bull by the horns |
To face a difficulty boldly |
3.4 Body-Part Idioms
Idiom
|
Meaning
|
| Apple of one’s eye |
A very dear person |
| A feather in one’s cap |
An achievement to be proud of |
| Elbow grease |
Hard physical effort |
| Gift of the gab |
Talent for speaking well |
| Hand in glove |
In very close association |
| Iron hand |
Strict control |
| To split hairs |
To argue over very small details |
| To keep an eye on |
To watch carefully |
| To pull one’s socks up |
To make an effort to improve |
| To have a heart of gold |
To be very kind |
3.5 Colour Idioms
Idiom
|
Meaning
|
| Blue blood |
Noble birth |
| Green with envy |
Very jealous |
| Red tape |
Excessive official formalities |
| A white lie |
A harmless, small lie |
| A grey area |
A situation that is unclear |
| To see red |
To become very angry |
| Yellow journalism |
Sensational and exaggerated news reporting |
| Black and blue |
Covered with bruises |
3.6 Word-Pair Idioms
Idiom
|
Meaning
|
| Bread and butter |
Means of livelihood |
| Kith and kin |
Friends and relatives |
| Odds and ends |
Small, miscellaneous items |
| Part and parcel |
An essential part |
| Spick and span |
Clean and tidy |
| Tit for tat |
Retaliation in equal measure |
| Ups and downs |
Good and bad times |
| Hue and cry |
Loud public protest |
| Rack and ruin |
Complete destruction |
| Time and tide wait for none |
Time does not wait for anyone |
4. Idioms That Look Alike but Differ
Pair
|
Difference
|
| Cry over spilt milk vs Cry wolf |
The first means to regret the past; the second means to raise a false alarm. |
| Jump the gun vs Jump the queue |
The first means to act too soon; the second means to push ahead of others unfairly. |
| Break the ice vs Break the bank |
The first means to start a conversation; the second means to cost too much. |
| Hit the sack vs Hit the roof |
The first means to go to bed; the second means to get very angry. |
| Out of the blue vs Once in a blue moon |
The first means unexpectedly; the second means very rarely. |
| Red-letter day vs Red tape |
The first is a special day; the second is excessive formality. |
