Idioms are expressions with meanings that cannot be derived from the individual words. Their meanings are hidden and must be understood by considering the words together rather than separately. The document then provides 30 examples of common idioms and their meanings, followed by an exercise asking to interpret the meanings of 10 additional idiomatic expressions.

2. Idioms are expressions or turns ofIdioms are expressions or turns of
expressions whose meanings cannotexpressions whose meanings cannot
be immediately derived except whenbe immediately derived except when
considered critically beyond the literalconsidered critically beyond the literal
level. The meanings of idiomaticlevel. The meanings of idiomatic
expressions are always hidden thusexpressions are always hidden thus
giving them deeper meaning differentgiving them deeper meaning different
from the surface. The meanings offrom the surface. The meanings of
idioms cannot be derived if weidioms cannot be derived if we
consider the individual words thatconsider the individual words that
make them up. Rather, we shouldmake them up. Rather, we should
consider all the words in associationconsider all the words in association
or connection.or connection.

3. The following are some universally acceptedThe following are some universally accepted
idioms and their meanings:idioms and their meanings:
1. to be at the loose end – to be desperate in1. to be at the loose end – to be desperate in
doing something.doing something.
2. the apple of one’s eye – somebody or2. the apple of one’s eye – somebody or
someone dear or precious.someone dear or precious.
3. all ears – to pay more attention.3. all ears – to pay more attention.
4. to have a lions heart – to have great4. to have a lions heart – to have great
courage.courage.
5. in an apple pie order – in a well arrange5. in an apple pie order – in a well arrange
order.order.
6. to have a dutch courage – to acquire6. to have a dutch courage – to acquire
courage only when drunk.courage only when drunk.

4. 7. no through fare – no entry.7. no through fare – no entry.
8. to be light fingered – to be a thief.8. to be light fingered – to be a thief.
9. to hold one’s tongue – to keep quite9. to hold one’s tongue – to keep quite
or silence.or silence.
10. to face the music – to meet worse10. to face the music – to meet worse
situation.situation.
11. to raise the wind – to obtain money.11. to raise the wind – to obtain money.
12. bag and luggage – everything.12. bag and luggage – everything.
13. to split hairs – to argue.13. to split hairs – to argue.
14. all my eyes – nonsense.14. all my eyes – nonsense.

5. 15. to spin a yam – to tell a story.15. to spin a yam – to tell a story.
16. an iron hand in a velvet – one who16. an iron hand in a velvet – one who
acts differently from his/her looks.acts differently from his/her looks.
17. to go through fire and water – to17. to go through fire and water – to
endure/withstand difficulty.endure/withstand difficulty.
18. to take faulty wind – to have a short18. to take faulty wind – to have a short
sleep or nap.sleep or nap.
19. to look blue – to be sad.19. to look blue – to be sad.
20. To bite the dust – to die.20. To bite the dust – to die.
21. A high brow – an intellectual or21. A high brow – an intellectual or
scholar.scholar.
22. To hit below the belt – to be unfair.22. To hit below the belt – to be unfair.

6. 23. at the eleven hours – at the last moment.23. at the eleven hours – at the last moment.
24. to pick to pieces – to analyse critically.24. to pick to pieces – to analyse critically.
25. to be in six and seven – to be in a state25. to be in six and seven – to be in a state
of confusion.of confusion.
26. to be in a balance – to be undecided.26. to be in a balance – to be undecided.
27. to keep at arm’s length – to avoid coming27. to keep at arm’s length – to avoid coming
in contact with person.in contact with person.
28. to save one’s face – to avoid disgrace.28. to save one’s face – to avoid disgrace.
29. to burn the midnight oil – to work till late29. to burn the midnight oil – to work till late
in the night.in the night.
30. to throw dust in one’s eye – to deceive30. to throw dust in one’s eye – to deceive
someone.someone.

7. Exercise:Exercise:
Write the correct interpretation of theWrite the correct interpretation of the
following idiomatic expressions:following idiomatic expressions:
1. to let a sleeping dog lie –1. to let a sleeping dog lie –
2. to rain dog and cat –2. to rain dog and cat –
3. a white elephant –3. a white elephant –
4. a black sheep –4. a black sheep –
5. to turn the tables on somebody –5. to turn the tables on somebody –
6. to play second fiddle to somebody6. to play second fiddle to somebody
else –else –

8. 7. to give somebody a blank check –7. to give somebody a blank check –
8. to take the bull by he horns –8. to take the bull by he horns –
9. a red herring –9. a red herring –
10. A white lie –10. A white lie –