This document defines and provides examples of common idioms in English. It explains that idioms are combinations of words that have figurative meanings not based on the literal definition. Examples are provided such as "kicked the bucket" meaning died, "pulling my leg" meaning teasing someone, and "took me to the cleaners" meaning beat someone badly. Further idioms and their meanings are given such as "chip on your shoulder," "can't have your cake and eat it too," "hit the nail on the head," and more.
2. Idioms…
A combination of words that has a figurative
meaning
Used to make a sentence more interesting and
impactful
E.g.
Kicked the bucket – When somebody dies
Pulling my leg – Tease somebody
Took me to the cleaners – Beat somebody badly
3. Idioms…
Chip On The Shoulder
Having a grudge and you
want to prove your point
Successful businessmen
carry a chip on their
shoulders
4. Idioms…
You can’t have your
cake and eat it too.
You can’t have the best of
both worlds
E.g you can’t have a
chocolate pastry and not
put on calories
Managing to get economic
prosperity and equal
growth for all is like having
one’s cake and eating it
too…
5. Idioms…
Hit the nail on the head
Said or did the right thing
After a lot of practice, Ajay
finally hit the nail on the
head
6. Idioms…
Meet you half way
Come to a compromise
In spite of my difference of
opinion with you, I am
ready to meet you half way
for the success of this
mission
7. Idioms…
Make both ends meet
To live within his income
The cost of living has
increased so much that he
finds it difficult to make
both ends meet
8. Idioms…
In black and white
Commit in writing
A company confident of its
product or service can give
its offer in black and white
9. Idioms…
Won his spurs
Made his reputation
Sachin Tendulkar won his
spurs by hitting 89 of 42
balls against New Zealand
in 1994
10. Idioms…
Turned a deaf ear/
Falling on deaf ears
Disregard / Not pay
attention
In our teenage years, we
turn a deaf ear to our
parents advice
11. Idioms…
Not hold water
Unsound / not valid
This evidence will not hold
water in the trial
12. Idioms…
Throw water/ Throw
cold water
Discourage by showing
indifference
His wife threw water on his
plans to party with his
friends over the weekend.
13. Idioms…
Keep my head above
water
Manage a situation
There is so much workload
that in spite of all my
efforts, I am not able to
keep my head above water
14. Idioms…
Draw a line
Put a limit
We must draw a line, else
the expenses will spiral out
of control
15. Idioms…
Not fit to hold a candle
Not good enough to be
named in comparison
Mohan is not fit to hold a
candle to his predecessor
16. Idioms…
Hand in glove
On very intimate terms
The politicians are hand in
glove with the mafia
17. Idioms…
Took him to task
Scold severely
I took Ajay to task for not
fulfilling the targets
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