The list below contains some of the previously asked idioms and phrases in different exams.
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2018
At daggers drawn – bitterly hostile (CGL, T-1, 2018)
butterflies in the stomach – being nervous (CGL, T-1, 2018)
costs an arm and a leg – very expensive (CGL, T-1, 2018)
Couch potato – a person who watches too much television (CGL, T-1, 2018)
get out of hand – get out of control (CGL, T-1, 2018)
give someone the cold shoulder – ignore someone (CGL, T-1, 2018)
Lead someone by the nose – to dominate someone (CGL, T-1, 2018)
out of the woods – no longer in trouble (CGL, T-1, 2018)
pull yourself together – calm down (CGL, T-1, 2018)
To play ducks and drakes – to use recklessly (CGL, T-1, 2018)
idioms and phrases in sentences
“These glasses suit you to a T,” said Ria to Vandana. – look very good on your face (CGL, T-1, 2018)
A mountaineer has to walk the tight rope as a small slip can prove to be fatal. – be very cautious (CGL, T-1, 2018)
Coming from an affluent family, she found herself a square peg in a round hole when she married a poor farmer and moved to a small village. – a misfit in the environment (CGL, T-1, 2018)
Due to increased number of lay offs in the industry, the sword of Damocles is always hanging over the employees. – a constant threat (CGL, T-1, 2018)
He kicked up a row when he was denied entry to the amusement park. – created a fuss (CGL, T-1, 2018)
His success at such a young age speaks volumes for his talent. – gives enough proof (CGL, T-1, 2018)
It is unfortunate that most people in the country are still living from hand to mouth. – consuming daily what little is earned (CGL, T-1, 2018)
Let us have all the regulations in black and white. – in writing (CGL, T-1, 2018)
Many people join politics to feather their own nest. – promote their own interest (CGL, T-1, 2018)
One must learn to prioritize in life. It never pays to put the cart before the horse. – do last things first (CGL, T-1, 2018)
Since he secured the first rank Sudhir has become swollen-headed. – conceited (CGL, T-1, 2018)
The boss is going to blow his top when he discovers the blatant mistake in the balance sheet. – be very angry (CGL, T-1, 2018)
The dog played in the pond to his heart’s content. – as much as he wanted to (CGL, T-1, 2018)
The heavy losses in business came like a bolt from the blue. – an unexpected disaster (CGL, T-1, 2018)
The invigilator did not know that the two boys were exchanging notes under his nose. – right in front of him (CGL, T-1, 2018)
The loyal watchman was cut to the quick when he was accused of theft. – hurt intensely (CGL, T-1, 2018)
The man heaved a sigh of relief when he was sure he was out of the woods. – out of danger (CGL, T-1, 2018)
The trouble makers took to their heels when they saw the police coming. – ran away (CGL, T-2, 2018)
Throughout his speech the crowd was all ears. – very attentive (CGL, T-1, 2018)
True friends stay by our side through thick and thin. – under all circumstances (CGL, T-1, 2018)
When Anshul told everyone that he had resigned his job, all the members in the family were at their wits’ end. – quite perplexed (CGL, T-2, 2018)
When his envious competitor extended a hand of friendship, he smelt a rat. – detected something wrong (CGL, T-1, 2018)
idioms and phrases in fill in the blanks
Making the final paper was a really difficult task but by the end of the week, I was able to ______. (CGL, T-2, 2018)
(a) Bark up the wrong tree
(b) Run out of steam
(c) Wrap my head around it
(d) Cry my eyes out
Ans: (c) wrap my head around it
Pallavi worked really hard for the examination and ______ to gain success. (CGL, T-2, 2018)
(a) struck a sour note
(b) hit the bull’s eye
(c) beat about the bush
(d) left no stone unturned
Ans: (d) left no stone unturned
Radha is unable to continue working in this office. Hard work is ______ on her health. (CGL, T-2, 2018)
(a) making her meet both ends
(b) blowing hot and cold
(c) keeping an eye
(d) taking a toll on
Ans: (d) taking a toll on
Rohit was ______ when he took important decisions without consulting the family. (CGL, T-2, 2018)
(a) cutting the red tape
(b) told to get a new lease of life
(c) in the same boat
(d) told to fight his own battles himself
Ans: (a) cutting the red tape
Suman really has ______. She moved to a new house just a month back but already has a lovely garden. (CGL, T-2, 2018)
(a) a heart of gold
(b) a bad hair day
(c) a foot in the door
(d) green fingers
Ans: (d) green fingers
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2017
A bad patch – a period of difficulty (CHSL, 2017)
A dime a dozen – very common and of no particular value (CHSL, 2017)
A green horn – An inexperienced man (CPO, 2017)
Aid and abet – to help someone to commit a crime (CGL, T-2, 2017)
All over hell’s half acre – everywhere (CGL, T-2, 2017)
An arrow in the quiver – strategies that can be followed (CGL, T-2, 2017)
Asleep at the wheel – not attentive to one’s duty (CGL, T-2, 2017)
Bank on something – to rely on something (Stenographer, 2017)
Be full of beans – full of energy and life (CGL, T-2, 2017)
Break down – to fails (Stenographer, 2017)
Catch on – to become popular (Stenographer, 2017)
Dust and ashes – something that is very disappointing (CGL, T-2, 2017)
Gnash your teeth – express rage (CGL, T-1, 2017)
Keep a low profile – to avoid attracting attention to yourself (MTS, 2017)
Lend one’s ear – to listen attentively (Stenographer, 2017)
Let something slip through one’s fingers – to waste an opportunity to achieve something (CGL, T-1, 2017)
Like a shag on a rock – completely alone (CGL, T-2, 2017)
Make up one’s mind – to decide something (Stenographer, 2017)
Play one’s ace – to use one’s best weapon or resource (CGL, T-2, 2017)
Second to none – as good as or better than all other (MTS, 2017)
Shooting fish in a barrel – ridiculously easy (CHSL, 2017)
The ayes have it – the affirmative votes are in the majority (CGL, T-2, 2017)
Threw a spanner – sabotage (CPO, 2017)
To beat the air – to make efforts that are useless (CPO, 2017)
To get more kicks that half pence – harsh treatment than rewards(CGL, T-2, 2017)
To keep the pot – to keep controversy alive (CPO, 2017)
To paddle one’s own canoe – manage independently (CPO, 2017)
To sleep with the fish – to be dead (CHSL, 2017)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2016
A cuckoo in the nest – An unwelcomed intruder (CGL T-1, 2016)
A dark horse – Unexpected winner (CGL T-1, 2016)
A drop in a bucket – A very insignificant amount (CGL T-1, 2016)
A house of cards – An insecure scheme (CGL T-1, 2016)
A left hand compliment – An ambiguous compliment (CGL T-1, 2016)
A live wire – Lively and active (CGL T-1, 2016)
A man of letters – Scholar (CGL T-1, 2016)
A rough, violent, troublesome person – Tartar (CGL T-1, 2016)
A wild-goose chase – Pointless search (CGL T-1, 2016)
All moon shine – Far from reality (CGL T-1, 2016)
As daft as a brush – Extremely silly (CGL T-1, 2016)
At a snail’s pace – Slowly (CGL T-1, 2016)
At a stone’s throw – At short distance (CGL T-1, 2016)
At sea – At a loss (CGL T-1, 2016)
Bad blood – Enmity (CGL T-1, 2016)
Be down with – Suffering from (CGL T-1, 2016)
Bear in mind – Remember (CGL T-1, 2016)
Beside the mark – Not to the point (CGL T-1, 2016)
Beyond the pale – Unreasonable or unacceptable (CGL T-1, 2016)
Blow one’s own trumpet – Praise oneself (CGL T-1, 2016)
Bone of contention – Matter of dispute (CGL T-1, 2016)
Burn your boats – Do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation (CGL T-1, 2016)
Butt in – Interrupt (CGL T-1, 2016)
Button one’s lips – Stop talking (CGL T-1, 2016)
Call in question – Challenge (CGL T-1, 2016)
Call on – Pay a visit (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cap in hand – In a respectful manner (CGL T-1, 2016)
Capital punishment – Death sentence (CGL T-1, 2016)
Carry the ball – Be in charge (CGL T-1, 2016)
Catch a tartar – to deal with a person who is more than one’s match (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cheek by jowl – Very close together (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cock and bull stories – Absurd and unlikely stories (CGL T-1, 2016)
Couch potato – A person who prefers to watch television (CGL T-1, 2016)
Curry favours – Seek favourable attention (CGL T-1, 2016)
Cut a sorry figure – Make a poor impression (CGL T-1, 2016)
Donkey’s year – A long time (CGL T-1, 2016)
Draw a blank – Find no favour (CGL T-1, 2016)
Dressing-down – To give scolding (CGL T-1, 2016)
Drive home – Emphasise (CGL T-1, 2016)
Evening of life – Old age (CGL T-1, 2016)
Every inch a gentleman – Entirely (CGL T-1, 2016)
Face the music – Be punished (CGL T-1, 2016)
Fair-weather friend – Supports only when easy and convenient (CGL T-1, 2016)
Feather in one’s cap – A new and additional distinction (CGL T-1, 2016)
Feather one’s own nest – Make money in an improper way (CGL T-1, 2016)
Fish out of water – An uncomfortable position (CGL T-1, 2016)
For keeps – Forever (CGL T-1, 2016)
Get the sack – Be dismissed (CGL T-1, 2016)
Grease the palm – To bribe (CGL T-1, 2016)
Hard of hearing – To be deaf (CGL T-1, 2016)
Hold up – Delay (CGL T-1, 2016)
Hope against hope – Nurture an impossible hope (CGL T-1, 2016)
In a nutshell – Briefly and concisely (CGL T-1, 2016)
In the blues – Cheerless and depressed (CGL T-1, 2016)
Leaps and bounds – Rapidly (CGL T-1, 2016)
Leave no stone unturned – To try every possible way (CGL T-1, 2016)
Maiden speech – First speech (CGL T-1, 2016)
Make both ends mean – Live within means (CGL T-1, 2016)
Make it light – Treat lightly (CGL T-1, 2016)
Null and void – Invalid (CGL T-1, 2016)
Old head on young shoulder – To be wise beyond one’s age (CGL T-1, 2016)
On tenterhooks – In suspense and anxiety (CGL T-1, 2016)
Once in a blue moon – Very rarely (CGL T-1, 2016)
Paled into insignificance – Seemed less important (CGL T-1, 2016)
Pros and cons – Advantages and disadvantage (CGL T-1, 2016)
Pull a fast one – Play a trick (CGL T-1, 2016)
Pull together – Work harmoniously (CGL T-1, 2016)
Put up the shutters – Go out of business (CGL T-1, 2016)
Scot free – Unpunished (CGL T-1, 2016)
Selling like hot cakes – To have a very good sale (CGL T-1, 2016)
Stick to guns – Maintain own opinion (CGL T-1, 2016)
Strain every nerve – Work very hard (CGL T-1, 2016)
Straw in the wind – An indication of what might happen (CGL T-1, 2016)
Throw cold water – Discourage (CGL T-1, 2016)
To add fuel to the fire – Make thing worse (CGL T-1, 2016)
To be in a fix – In a difficult situation (CGL T-1, 2016)
To break the ice – Make people comfortable and relaxed / Start conversation (CGL T-1,2016)
To bring to light – To reveal (CGL T-1, 2016)
To bury the hatchet – to make peace (CGL T-1, 2016)
To eat humble pie – To yield under humiliating circumstances (CGL T-1, 2016)
To end in smoke – To fail/ To end without any practical results (CGL T-1, 2016)
To get cold feet – Fear (CGL T-1, 2016)
To give oneself airs – Behave arrogantly (CGL T-1, 2016)
To keep in abeyance – In a state of suspension (CGL T-1, 2016)
To nip in the bud – To stop something in the starting (CGL T-1, 2016)
To play fast and loose – To act in an unreliable way (CGL T-1, 2016)
To put a spoke in one’s wheel – To hinder (CGL T-1, 2016) To clip one’s wings – To deprive one of power (CGL T-1, 2016)
To smell a rat – To suspect foul dealings (CGL T-1, 2016)
To spill the beans – To reveal a secret (CGL T-1, 2016)
To take to heart – TO be greatly affected (CGL T-1, 2016)
To take to task – Reprimand (CGL T-1, 2016)
Turn down – Reject (CGL T-1, 2016)
Turn-turtle – Complete over-turn of a situation (CGL T-1, 2016)
Under a cloud – Under suspicion (CGL T-1, 2016)
Weal and woe – Good times and bad times (CGL T-1, 2016)
Wet behind the ears – Young and without much experience (CGL T-1, 2016)
With one voice – Unanimously (CGL T-1, 2016)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2015
A bee hive – A busy place (CPO, 2015)
A chip of the old block – An experienced old man (CGL T-2, 2015)
A close fisted man – Miser (CPO, 2015)
A closefisted man – A miser (CGL T-1, 2015)
A dog’s breakfast – A total mess / A thing that has been done badly (CHSL, 2015)
A golden mean – Middle course between two extremes (CPO, 2015)
A man of letters – A literary person (CGL T-1, RE 2015)
A sacred cow – A person never to be criticised (CHSL, 2015)
Alma mater – Institution where one got education (CGL T-1, 2015)
Arm-chair critic – A person who give advice based on theory not on practice (CGL T-2, 2015)
As draft as a brush – Very silly (CGL T-1, 2015)
At loggerheads – In strong disagreement (CGL T-1, 2015)
Be taken aback – Shocked or surprised (CPO, 2015)
Beat about the bush – Circumlocution / Does not talk specifically (Constable, 2015)
Bird’s eye view – A overview / A general view from above (CPO, 2015)
Carry out – Complete something (Constable, 2015)
Catch time by the forelock – Seize opportunity (CGL T-1, RE 2015)
Clean hands – innocent (CPO, 2015)
Cock and bull story – Absurd an unbelievable story (CHSL, 2015)
Draw the line – To set a limit (CPO, 2015)
Eat humble pie – To say sorry for mistakes / Suffer humiliation (CPO, 2015)
Flying visit – Very short visit (CHSL, 2015)
Get on nerves – Annoying (CGL T-1, RE 2015)
Go Dutch – Divide the cost (CGL T-1, 2015)
Hold water – Seem logical (CHSL, 2015)
Horse sense – Basic common sense (CGL T-1, RE 2015)
In the nick of time – Just in time (CHSL, 2015)
In the soup – To be in trouble (CPO, 2015)
In two minds – To be undecided (CHSL, 2015)
Keep a level head – To remain calm and sensible in a difficult situation (CGL T-1, 2015)
Keep the wolf away from the door – To keep off starvation (CPO, 2015)
Kith and kin – Relatives (Constable, 2015)
Leave high and dry – In a difficult situation without help or money / Leave alone to work / A boat in a position out of water (CGL T-1, 2015)
Make a beeline – Rush / To go straight towards something as quick as you can (CGL T-1,2015)
Make a mountain of a mole hill – Exaggerate a minor problem (CGL T-1, 2015)
Make amends for – Compensate the loss (CGL T-1, 2015)
Make believe – To pretend that something is true (CGL T-1, 2015)
On cloud nine – Extremely happy (CHSL, 2015)
Out of sorts – Ill or sick / Upset (CPO, 2015)
Part and parcel – Important part (Constable, 2015)
Play ducks and drakes – Spend lavishly / To waste or squander (CPO, 2015)
Put something by – To save money for a particular purpose (CHSL, 2015)
Red-letter day – An important day (CPO, 2015)
Sail in the same boat – To be in same situation (CHSL, 2015)
Seamy side – Unpleasant and immoral (CHSL, 2015)
Shed crocodile tears – To pretend to be sympathetic (CHSL, 2015)
Shot in the arm – Something that gives encouragement (CGL T-1, RE 2015)
Snake in the grass – A hidden enemy (CGL T-1, 2015)
Spill the beans – Reveal the secret information (CGL T-1, 2015)
Take a French leave – Being absent without permission (CGL T-2, 2015)
Take fancy – To attract or please somebody (Constable, 2015)
Take French leave – Absenting oneself without permission (CHSL, 2015)
Take the bull by the horns – to face a difficulty courageously (CHSL, 2015)
Telling upon – Showing effectively / Having strong effect (Constable, 2015)
The genomes of Zurich – A slang term for Swiss bankers (CHSL, 2015)
The jury is out – No decision has been reached (CHSL, 2015)
To be down to earth – To be realistic (CHSL, 2015)
To be in a quandary – In a confusing situation (CHSL, 2015)
To call it a day – Decide to finish working of the day (CHSL, 2015)
To cut the Gordian knot – To perform a difficult task (CPO, 2015)
To make up one’s mind – To decide what to do (CHSL, 2015)
To put in a nutshell – To state something very concisely (CHSL, 2015)
To shun evil company – To avoid or give up bad company (CHSL, 2015)
To take after – To resemble an older member of family (CHSL, 2015)
To win laurels – to earn great prestige (CPO, 2015)
Under the weather – Sick (CGL T-1, 2015)
Vexed question – Controversial issue (CPO, 2015)
Wild goose chase – Useless search (CGL T-1, 2015)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2014
A black sheep – A person with bad reputation (CHSL, 2014)
A bolt from the blue – A complete surprise (MTS, 2014)
A close shave – A narrow escape from danger (CHSL, 2014)
A close-fisted person – A miser (CHSL, 2014)
A wild goose chase – Fruitless pursuit (MT(NT), 2014)
Above board – Honest / Without any secret (CGL T-2, 2014)
Add fuel to the fire – Worsen the matter (CGL T-2, 2014)
Add fuel to the fire – Worsen the situation (CGL T-1, 2014)
All ears – Attentive (CHSL, 2014)
All might and main – With full force (CPO, 2014)
All moonshine – Superficial (CPO, 2014)
An about turn – Complete change of opinion or situation (CHSL, 2014
Around the clock – Day and night (CHSL, 2014)
At a stretch – Continuously (CPO, 2014)
At draggers drawn – Enmity (CHSL, 2014)
At random – Without any aim or target (CGL T-2, 2014)
Average out – Balance (CGL T-2, 2014)
Back to the drawing board – Plan it all over again (CGL T-1, 2014)
Backseat driver – A person who gives unwanted advice (CGL T-2, 2014)
Balloon goes up – The situation turns unpleasant or serious (CHSL, 2014)
Barking up the wrong tree – Trying to find someone at wrong place (CGL T-1, 2014)
Batten down the hatches – Prepare for a difficult situation (CPO, 2014)
Bear down – To move quickly towards something/someone in a determined or threatening way (CPO, 2014)
Beyond the pale – Outside commonly accepted standards (CHSL, 2014)
Big draw – Huge attraction (CPO, 2014)
Black out – Lost consciousness (CGL T-1, 2014)
Break in – To train somebody or something in something (CGL T-2, 2014)
Break off – Suddenly stop (CGL T-2, 2014)
Bury the hatchet – Make peace (CGL T-2, 2014)
Bury the hatchet – Make peace / Forget the quarrels (CPO, 2014)
By the skin of teeth – By the narrowest margin (CPO, 2014)
Come to light – Been revealed / To become known to people (CHSL, 2014)
Cool about working – Not tense about working / Reading to work (CHSL, 2014)
Cut and dry method – Honest (CGL T-1, 2014)
Eat like a horse – Eat a lot (CHSL, 2014)
Feather in one’s cap – An achievement (CGL T-2, 2014)
Fight shy of – To avoid someone/ something (CGL T-2, 2014)
Fight tooth and nail – Fight with strength and fury (MT(NT), 2014)
Flies off at a tangent – Start discussing something irrelevant (CPO, 2014)
Floored – To surprise or confuse (CGL T-2, 2014)
Follow one’s nose – To go straight ahead (CGL T-2, 2014)
For good – Permanently (CHSL, 2014)
Give way – Collapse (CGL T-2, 2014)
Go haywire – Become out of control (CGL T-2, 2014)
Go to the dogs – Ruin / to go to in very bad situation (CGL T-2, 2014)
Go to the dogs – To be ruined (CHSL, 2014)
Going places – Talented and successful (CGL T-1, 2014)
Hold one’s horses – To keep waiting (CGL T-1, 2014)
Hold water – With logical backing / To stand up to critical examination (CHSL, 2014)
In Dutch – In trouble (CHSL, 2014)
In the air – Certain / Able to be firmly relied on to happen or be the case / Specific but not explicitly named or stated (CGL T-1, 2014)
In the loop – Informed regularly (CGL T-1, 2014)
In the swim – Well informed and up-to-date (CGL T-1, 2014)
Keep up with – Go at equal pace (CPO, 2014)
Know beans about something – Well informed and intelligent (CPO, 2014)
Know the ropes – Learn the procedures (CGL T-1, 2014)
Look sharp – Pay attention (CPO, 2014)
Maiden speech – First speech (CHSL, 2014)
Make a mockery – to make something seem ridiculous or useless / No serious outcome (CHSL, 2014)
Nail one’s colours to the mast – Refuse to climb down (CPO, 2014)
Nine day’s wonder – A dazzling short-lived spectacle of no real value (CHSL, 2014)
Null and void – Not binding / Having no legal force / Not binding (CGL T-2, 2014)
On the same page – Thinks in a similar way (CGL T-1, 2014)
Other fish to fry – Some important work to attend to (CHSL, 2014)
Pay on the nail – Pay promptly / Payment without delay (CHSL, 2014)
Penelope’s web – An endless job (CHSL, 2014)
Pick on – Warn severely (MT(NT), 2014)
Plain sailing – Very easy (MTS, 2014)
Pull no punch – Speaks frankly (CGL T-1, 2014)
Put your feet down – Take a firm stand / To be very strict in opposing what somebody wishes to do (CGL T-1, 2014)
Read between the line – To understand the inner meaning (CGL T-1, 2014)
Red herrings – Clues intended to distract or mislead / An unimportant fact, idea, event, etc. that takes people attention from the important ones (CPO, 2014)
Rub up the wrong way – To irk or irritate someone (CGL T-1, 2014)
Salad days – Adolescence (CHSL, 2014)
Second thoughts – Reconsidering the original idea (CGL T-2, 2014)
See eye to eye – To have the same opinion (CHSL, 2014)
Stand/Hold your ground – Refuse to yield / To continue with your opinions or intentions when someone is opposing you (CGL T-1, 2014)
Stir up a Hornet’s nest – To create a lot of trouble (CGL T-2, 2014)
Swan song – Last prayer (at funeral or farewell) (CPO, 2014)
Take to one’s heel – Run off (MTS, 2014)
Tall tales – Boasting (CGL T-2, 2014)
Teething problems – Difficulties at the start (MT(NT), 2014)
Throw dust into one’s eye – To deceive (CHSL, 2014)
To carve out a niche – To work harder in order to have successful career / Develop a special position for oneself (CGL T-2, 2014)
To cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth – To live within one’s means (CPO, 2014)
To feather one’s nest – To enrich oneself when opportunity occurs (CHSL, 2014)
To gather roses only – To seek all enjoyments of life (CHSL, 2014)
To get into hot water – To get into trouble (MT(NT), 2014)
To get into hot water – To get into troubles (CPO, 2014)
To grease the palm – To bribe (CHSL, 2014)
To latch onto – To promote (CGL T-2, 2014)
To put a spoke in someone’s wheel – Destroy the plan / Cause hindrance / To prevent somebody from putting their plan into action (CPO, 2014)
To tell in a nut shell – In a brief manner / Summarize (CHSL, 2014)
To the letter – Paying attention to every detail / Doing or following exactly what somebody something says (CGL T-1, 2014)
Took after – Similar to / to look or behave like an older member of your family (CHSL, 2014)
Watching grass grow – Very boring (CHSL, 2014)
White elephant – A costly but useless possession (CPO, 2014)
Wild goose chase – A foolish and useless enterprise (CPO, 2014)
Wild goose chase – Useless search / Unprofitable adventure (CHSL, 2014)
Within a stone’s throw – At a short distance (CHSL, 2014)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2013
A cakewalk – An easy achievement (CGL T-1, 2013)
A closed book – A mystery (CGL T-1, 2013)
A cut above – Rather superior to (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
A fish out of water – In uncomfortable situation (CGL T-1, 2013)
A month of Sundays – A long time (CGL T-1, 2013)
Above board – Legal and honest (Constable, 2013)
Achilles’s heel – Weak spot (CGL T-1, 2013)
Apple of discord – Cause of animosity (CGL T-1, 2013)
Bad hats – People of bad character (CGL T-2, 2013)
Blow one’s own trumpet – Self boasting (CGL T-1, 2013)
Born with a silver spoon – Born in a rich family (CGL T-1, 2013)
Break down – Weep bitterly (CGL T-2, 2013)
Break the ice – Initiate a talk (FCI, 2013)
Bring about – Cause to happen (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Bring the house down – Make the audience applaud enthusiastically (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Bull in a China shop – A clumsy person (MTS, 2013)
Bury the hatchet – Make peace (CGL T-1, 2013)
By fits and starts – Irregularly (MTS, 2013)
By leaps and bound – Very rapidly (MTS, 2013)
Call spade a spade – To speak in a straightforward manner (frankly) (CGL T-1, 2013)
Casting pearl before swine – Offering good things to undeserving people (CGL T-1, 2013)
Change colours – To turn pale (MTS, 2013)
Chicken out – Withdraw / To decide not to do something because you are afraid (CGL T-2,2013)
Cool one’s heel – To keep waiting (CGL T-1, 2013)
Cut the guardian knot – Remove difficulty / To solve problem (CGL T-1, 2013)
Donkey’s year – A long time (CGL T-2, 2013)
Dot one’s I’s and cross one T’s – Be detailed and exact (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Egg someone on – To encourage somebody to do something (CGL T-1, 2013)
Face the music – Accept the punishment (CGL T-1, 2013)
Feel blue – In trouble / depressed (Constable, 2013)
Feel one’s pulse – To find what one is thinking on some point (CPO, 2013)
Fish in troubled water – To make a profit out of troubled situation (FCI, 2013)
Foam at the mouth – Angry (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
For good – Permanently (CGL T-1, 2013)
For good – Permanently (Constable, 2013)
Gerrymandering way – In a manipulative and unfair way (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Get down to business – To begin work seriously (CHSL, 2013)
Give and take – Adjustment / Willingness in relationship to accept what somebody else wants and gives up some of what you want (CGL T-2, 2013)
Give in – To agree to do something that you don’t want to do (MTS, 2013)
Give vent to – Express (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Giving a piece of one’s mind – Speak sharply / To disapprove (CHSL, 2013)
Hard and fast – That cannot be altered / fixed (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Has a bee in one’s bonnet – To be preoccupied or obsessed with something (MTS, 2013)
Have something up your sleeve – Have an alternate plan (CPO, 2013)
Husband one’s resource – Save / Economical (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Ice braking – Starting a conversation (CGL T-2, 2013)
In apple pie order – In perfect order (CGL T-1, 2013)
In the long run – Over a period of time (CGL T-1, 2013)
Iron fist – To treat people in severe manner / strictly (Constable, 2013)
Jumping down one’s throat – To react very angrily to somebody (CGL T-1, 2013)
Keep an open house – Welcome all members (CHSL, 2013)
Keep the wolf from the door – Avoid starvation (FCI, 2013)
Keep wolf away from the door – Keep away extreme poverty (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Leaps and bounds – Irregularly (MTS, 2013)
Let sleeping dogs lie – Not to bring up an old controversial issue (CGL T-1, 2013)
Let the grass grow under the feet – Delay in getting things done (CGL T-1, 2013)
Live-wire – A person who is lively or energetic (CGL T-1, 2013)
Look into – To investigate (FCI, 2013)
Man of straw – A man of no substance (CGL T-1, 2013)
Not fit to hold candle – Not so good as somebody or something else (CGL T-1, 2013)
Not to look a gift horse in the mouth – Not to find fault with the gift received (CGL T-1, 2013)
Null and void – Empty (FCI, 2013)
Off and on – Irregularly (CGL T-2, 2013)
Out of the world – Extraordinary (MTS, 2013)
Out of wits – Greatly confused (CGL T-1, 2013)
Picking up holes in – Finding out faults with something (CHSL, 2013)
Pin money – Additional money (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Pour cats and dogs – Rain heavily (Constable, 2013)
Put up with – Bear patiently / To bear or endure (CHSL, 2013)
Putting the cart before the horse – Doing things in the wrong way (CGL T-1, 2013)
Rule the roost – Exercise authority / To be the most powerful member in the group (CPO, 2013)
Salt of the earth – Good, honest and ideal (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
See through – Detect / To realize the truth (CHSL, 2013)
See through – Detect / To realize the truth about someone or somebody (MTS, 2013)
Show the white flag – T o surrender (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Smell the rat – Suspect that something is fishy (CGL T-1, 2013)
Spick and span – Neat and clean / Tidy (MTS, 2013)
Stand by – Support (MTS, 2013)
Stick to guns – Maintain opinion (MTS, 2013)
Strain every nerve – Make all efforts / Try all tricks (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
Sweep under the carpet – Keep hidden (MTS, 2013)
Take a leap in the dark – To take risk (CGL T-1, 2013)
Take after – To follow / To take care of older members of family (MTS, 2013)
Take exception – To object at something (CHSL, 2013)
Take hat off – Encourage / To admire somebody very much for something he has done (MTS, 2013)
Take to task – Punished / Reprimanded (CPO, 2013)
The Alpha and Omega – Beginning and end (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
The gift of the gab – Ability to speak well (CHSL, 2013)
Thick and thin – In spite of all difficulties (CGL T-1, 2013)
Time and again – Always (Constable, 2013)
To cast a die – To take a decision (CHSL, 2013)
To cut one short – To criticize one (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
To make things done – To manage (CGL T-2, 2013)
To play second fiddle – Take a subordinate role (CGL T-1, 2013)
To throw dust in one’s eye – To deceive (CGL T-1, RE-2013)
To toe the line – To follow the lead / To follow boss’s orders (MTS, 2013)
Wet behind ears – Young and inexperienced / Naive (CHSL, 2013)
Wet one’s whistle – To have a drink / Moistens one’s throat (CGL T-1, 2013)
Wide off the mark – Irrelevant / Not accurate / Inadequate (MTS, 2013)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2012
A hard nut to crack – A difficult problem or situation to solve or deal with (CHSL, 2012)
A little gush of gratitude – Excessive enthusiasm (FCI, 2012)
A shot in the dark – An attempt to guess something (CHSL, 2012)
Allow a free hand – Complete liberty (CGL, 2012)
As hard as nail – Emotionless / To show no sympathy, kindness or fear (CGL, 2012)
At a loss – Unable / Not knowing about what to do or say (CHSL, 2012)
At the eleventh hour – At a last moment (CHSL, 2012)
At the eleventh hour – At the last moment (CPO, 2012)
Bad blood – Feeling of hatred (CHSL, 2012)
Break down – To lose control of your feelings and start crying / Could not proceed (CGL, 2012)
By fits and starts – Irregularly (CHSL, 2012)
Carry weight – Be important / Important influence (CHSL, 2012)
Come to grief – To suffer (CGL T-2, 2012)
Cut coat according to one’s cloth – Live within your means (CGL, 2012)
Die hard – unwilling to change (CHSL, 2012)
Die in harness – Die in service/ Die while working (CPO, 2012)
Eat anyone’s salt – To be anyone’s guest (CGL T-2, 2012)
End in smoke – Come to nothing (CPO, 2012)
Fall flat – Fail to amuse people / Fail to produce intended effect (CHSL, 2012)
For better or worse – Always (CHSL, 2012)
From the bottom of one’s heart – To speak frankly (CHSL, 2012)
Get on well – Have a friendly relationship (FCI, 2012)
Give a hand with – To help with (CPO, 2012)
Had better – used for telling somebody what you think he ‘should’ do (CPO, 2012)
Hand in glove – In close relationship (FCI, 2012)
Hand in glove – Working closely with someone / Very intimate (CHSL, 2012)
Hold your tongue – To be silent (CHSL, 2012)
In a nutshell – Brief (CHSL, 2012)
In a pickle – In an embarrassing or awkward situation (FCI, 2012)
In black and white – In writing (CHSL, 2012)
Iron will – Strong determination (CPO, 2012)
Kick up a row – Make a great fuss / To complain loudly about something (CGL T-2, 2012)
Kicking heels – To be relaxed and enjoy / Waste time (CPO, 2012)
Lame excuse – Unsatisfactory explanation (CHSL, 2012)
Lays out – To spend money (CGL, 2012)
Live from hand to mouth – Miserably (CHSL, 2012)
Looking forward to – To expect something or someone (FCI, 2012)
No hard and fast rules – Easy regulation (CHSL, 2012)
Not my cup of tea – Not what somebody likes or interested in (Constable, 2012)
Once in a blue moon – Rarely (CGL T-2, 2012)
Out of hand – Out of control, at once, immediately (CHSL, 2012)
Part and parcel – An essential part of something (CHSL, 2012)
Point blank – Very definite and direct (CPO, 2012)
Rack and ruin – Ransacked (CPO, 2012)
Rides the high horse – Feel superior (CPO, 2012)
Slip off – Leave quietly (FCI, 2012)
Stand by – To help/support somebody or be friend, even in difficult times (CHSL, 2012)
Stick to guns – Hold on to original decisions (CHSL, 2012)
Strike a bargain – To negotiate a deal (CPO, 2012)
Take exception – To object (CHSL, 2012)
Talking through hat – Talking nonsense (CHSL, 2012)
The salt of the earth – Very good and honest/ Kind (CHSL, 2012)
Through thick and thin – Under all circumstances (CGL T-2, 2012)
To add fuel to fire – To worsen the matter / To incite (CPO, 2012)
To add fuel to the fire – To cause additional anger (FCI, 2012)
To break the ice – To start a conversation (Constable, 2012)
To burn one’s fingers – To get physically hurt (CPO, 2012)
To eat a humble pie – To say or show sorry for a mistake that one made (Constable, 2012)
To fall back on – to fail to do something important in time (FCI, 2012)
To feel like a fish out of water – Uncomfortable situation (CPO, 2012)
To foam at one’s mouth – To be very angry (CPO, 2012)
To get wind – Come to know about something secret or private (CHSL, 2012)
To give vent to – To express a feeling, especially anger, strongly (CHSL, 2012)
To hail from – To come from (CHSL, 2012)
To have second thoughts – To reconsider (Constable, 2012)
To lose ground – To become less popular (FCI, 2012)
To make a mountain of a molehill – To give great importance to little things (FCI, 2012)
To make one’s blood boil – To make somebody furious (FCI, 2012)
To pass away – Die (CHSL, 2012)
To put an end to – Stop (CHSL, 2012)
To speak one’s mind – To be frank and honest (FCI, 2012)
To take to task – Punish (CPO, 2012)
To talk someone over – To convince over (CGL T-2, 2012)
Turn a deaf ear – Refuse to obey (CHSL, 2012)
Turn down – Reject (CHSL, 2012)
Turn up – To appear (CHSL, 2012)
Under a cloud – Being subject to suspicion (FCI, 2012)
Under the thumb of – Under the control of (CHSL, 2012)
Weal and woe – Ups and downs (CPO, 2012)
Wear and tear – Damage (FCI, 2012)
Wear heart on sleeves – Express emotions freely (CGL T-2, 2012)
Wet behind the ears – Young and without experience / Naïve (CGL T-2, 2012)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2011
A bolt from the blue – An unexpected and unpleasant event (CGL T-1, 2011)
A bolt from the blue – Unexpected problem (CPO, 2011)
A damp squib – A disappointing result (CGL T-1, 2011)
A red letter day – An important or joyful occasion in one’s life (CHSL, 2011)
A white elephant – Costly and troublesome possession, with much use to its owner (CHSL, 2011)
All at sea – Puzzled (Stenographer, 2011)
An open book – Straight forward and honest dealings (CHSL, 2011)
At sixes and seven – In disorder or confusion (Stenographer, 2011)
At the eleventh hour – At the last possible moment (CHSL, 2011)
Bad blood – Active enmity (Stenographer, 2011)
Bird’s eye view – An overview (MT(NT), 2011)
Birds of same feather – Persons of same character (CHSL, 2011)
Bring about – Cause (Stenographer, 2011)
Build castle in the air – Daydreaming (Stenographer, 2011)
By fair or foul means – In honest or dishonest way (CHSL, 2011)
By leaps and bounds – Rapidly (CHSL, 2011)
Call for – To ask (CHSL, 2011)
Carrot and stick – Reward and punishment policy (MT(NT), 2011)
Close shave – A narrow escape (Stenographer, 2011)
Close the book – Stop working on something (MT(NT), 2011)
Cold Comfort – Slight satisfaction (CGL T-1, 2011)
Cry over spilt milk – Cry over irreparable loss (Stenographer, 2011)
Cut no ice – Had no influence (MT(NT), 2011)
Dropping like flies – Collapsing in large numbers (CHSL, 2011)
End up in something – Come to nothing/ Useless (CHSL, 2011)
Fall short – Fail to meet expectation/ have no effect (CHSL, 2011)
Gift of the gab – Ability to speak well (CPO, 2011)
Give the game away – Give out the secret(unintentionally) (CHSL, 2011)
Go scot-free – To escape without punishment (CHSL, 2011)
Grease palms – To bribe someone (MT(NT), 2011)
Hard nut to crack – Difficult task (CHSL, 2011)
Heart to heart talk – Frank talk (CHSL, 2011)
High handed – Using authority in an unreasonable way, overbearing (CHSL, 2011)
In cold blood – Not intentional / Excitedly (CGL T-1, 2011)
In fits and starts – Irregularly (MT(NT), 2011)
Ins and outs – Full details (CHSL, 2011)
Keep your head – Remain calm (MT(NT), 2011)
Leave in the lurch – To desert someone (Stenographer, 2011)
Lose head – Panic (Stenographer, 2011)
On the spur of the moment – To act suddenly, without planning (CHSL, 2011)
Out of the question – Undesirable/ Not worth discussing (CHSL, 2011)
Pot luck dinner – Dinner where somebody brings something to eat (Stenographer, 2011)
Pull strings – Use personal influence (MT(NT), 2011)
Pull up – Reprimand (Stenographer, 2011)
Put across – To communicate your ideas, feelings, etc. successfully. (CHSL, 2011)
Rat race – Fierce competition for power (CHSL, 2011)
Run in the same groove – Clash with each other (MT(NT), 2011)
Run into – To meet someone accidently (CHSL, 2011)
Sailing in the same boat – Being in the same difficult situation (CPO, 2011)
See eye to eye – To think in same way (CHSL, 2011)
Soft option – Easy and agreeable option (CPO, 2011)
Sought after – Wanted by many people because it’s of good quality or difficult to find/Pursued by (Stenographer, 2011)
Spread like fire – Spread rapidly (CHSL, 2011)
Status quo – As it is/ unchanged position (CHSL, 2011)
Take exception – To object over something (CHSL, 2011)
Take to task – To criticize severely/ to punish (Stenographer, 2011)
To be all at sea – Lost and confused (CGL T-1, 2011)
To bite the dust – To be defeated (CGL T-1, 2011)
To bring to light – to reveal (CHSL, 2011)
To burn candle at both ends – To be extravagant/ Spend without any worry (CHSL, 2011)
To call it a day – To conclude proceedings (CGL T-1, 2011)
To call spade a spade – To be frank (CHSL, 2011)
To cut teeth – To gain experience of something for the first time (MT(NT), 2011)
To die in harness – To die while in service (CGL T-1, 2011)
To explore every avenue – To try every opportunity (CHSL, 2011)
To face the music – To bear the consequences (CGL T-1, 2011)
To feather one’s nest – To make oneself rich (in position or in monetary terms) (CGL T-1, 2011)
To fight tooth and nail – To fight heroically, in very determined way (CHSL, 2011)
To flog a dead horse –to waste one’s efforts (CGL T-1, 2011)
To have something up one’s sleeve – To have a secret plan (CHSL, 2011)
To hit below the belt – To attack unfairly (Stenographer, 2011)
To hit the jackpot – To make money quickly (CHSL, 2011)
To keep the wolf from the door – Escape starvation (CPO, 2011)
To look down one’s nose – To regard with contempt (CHSL, 2011)
To miss the bus – To miss an opportunity (CHSL, 2011)
To move heaven and earth – to try everything possible (CGL T-1, 2011)
To put up with – To tolerate (CGL T-1, 2011)
To shed crocodile tears – To pretend grief (CHSL, 2011)
To show a clean pair of heels – to escape/run away (CGL T-1, 2011)
To smell a rat – To be suspicious(CGL T-1, 2011)
To strain every nerve – To make utmost efforts (CGL T-1, 2011)
To take someone for a ride – to deceive (cheat) someone (CGL T-1, 2011)
To take to hearts – To grieve over (CGL T-1, 2011)
To take to one’s heel – To run away (CGL T-1, 2011)
Yeoman’s service – Social work (CGL T-1, 2011)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2010
A close shave – Narrow escape from danger (Stenographer, 2010)
A red letter day – A day memorable for joyful event (CHSL, 2010)
Bear with – Support / To be patient with some body or something (CPO, 2010)
Beat about the bush – Speak in a roundabout manner (CHSL, 2010)
Blow one’s own trumpet – To praise oneself (CPO, 2010)
Bone of contention – Matter of dispute (CPO, 2010)
By fits and starts – Irregularly (CPO, 2010)
Caught red handed – At the time of committing crime (Stenographer, 2010)
Cool as cucumber – Not nervous or emotional (Stenographer, 2010)
Dark horse – An unexpected winner (CHSL, 2010)
Doctor the accounts – To manipulate the accounts (CHSL, 2010)
Face the music – Face the unpleasant consequences (Stenographer, 2010)
Face the music – To bear the criticism (CHSL, 2010)
Gift of the gab – Ability to speak impressively (Stenographer, 2010)
Give vent to – To emphasize (CPO, 2010)
Go down the drain – Lose forever (Stenographer, 2010)
Grease anybody’s palm – To give bribe (Stenographer, 2010)
In high spirits – Cheerful (Stenographer, 2010)
In lieu of – Despite of (CHSL, 2010)
In the red – Losing money/to owe money (CHSL, 2010)
Lay down arms – To surrender (CPO, 2010)
Leave in the lurch – Abandon in the midway/difficult situation (Stenographer, 2010)
Making hay while the sun shines – Taking advantage of a favorable opportunity (CPO, 2010)
Man of letters – Proficient in literary arts (CHSL, 2010)
Measure up – Reach the level (CHSL, 2010)
On good terms – Agree with someone (CHSL, 2010)
On the brink of – On the point of (Stenographer, 2010)
Over head and ears – Completely (CPO, 2010)
Scapegoats – A person who is blamed for the wrongdoings with arrogant reactions (CHSL, 2010)
Stand on own feet – To be independent (CPO, 2010)
Stole the show – Win everyone’s praise (CHSL, 2010)
To pay off old scores – To refund old dues (CHSL, 2010)
Turn a deaf ear – Pay no attention (CPO, 2010)
Turn down – Refuse (CHSL, 2010)
Wears heart on sleeves – Express feelings openly (CHSL, 2010)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2009
Fall through – To fail (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Fight to the bitter end – To fight a losing battle (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Let the cat out of the bag – To utter a secret carelessly or by mistake (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Putting one’s foot down – Asserting one’s authority/ take a firm stand (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Read between the lines – Understanding the hidden meaning (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
The man in the street – An ordinary man (common man) (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Throw down a glove – To accept defeat (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
To catch up with – To compete with (TA(IT & CE), 2009)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2008
A white elephant – A costly but useless possession (SO(Audit), 2008)
At the eleventh hour – At the very last moment (DEO, 2008)
Close shave – Narrow shave (SO(Audit), 2008)
Cope with – compromise (DEO, 2008)
Cross swords – Disagree (DEO, 2008)
Fall back – To turn or move back (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Fed up – Annoyed (SO(Audit), 2008)
Fits and starts – Not regularly (SO(Audit), 2008)
Gift of the gab – talent of speaking (DEO, 2008)
Go a long way – help considerably (DEO, 2008)
High and dry – Neglected/ To leave someone helpless (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
In high spirits – Full of hope and enthusiasm (SO(Audit), 2008)
In the good books – In favour with (SO(Audit), 2008)
Ins and outs – Full details (SO(Audit), 2008)
Maiden speech – First speech (DEO, 2008)
Make both ends meet – To live a lavish life (DEO, 2008)
Mince matters – To confuse issues/ to mix facts (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Pore over – Go through (DEO, 2008)
Run down – Criticise (DEO, 2008)
Set one’s face against – Oppose strongly (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Shake in shoes – Tremble with fear (SO(Audit), 2008)
Sharp practices – Dishonest means (SO(Audit), 2008)
Standstill – Complete halt (DEO, 2008)
Strom in a tea cup – Commotion (angry/worry) over a trivial matter (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Take for granted – To accept readily/ To pre-suppose as certainly true (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Turn one’s head – To feel proud in a way that other people find it annoying (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Turn up one’s nose at – To reject/despises (TA(IT & CE), 2008)
Went to the winds – Dissipated/ To be utterly lost (SO(Audit), 2008)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2007
A Red letter day – An important day (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
At one’s wit’s end – Puzzled/confused/perplexed (SO(Audit), 2006)
At stake – In danger/ that can be lost or won depending on the success of a particular action (SO(CA), 2007)
At stone’s throw – Very near (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Bad blood – Angry feeling (SO(Audit), 2007)
Blow over – Pass off (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Blue-eyed boys – Favorites (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Bone to pick – Cause of quarrel/ Bone of contention (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Carry out – Execute (SO(Audit), 2007)
End in a fiasco –A Total/Utter failure (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Good Samaritan – Helpful person (SO(Audit), 2007)
Lay out – Spend (SO(Audit), 2007)
Laying off – Dismissal from jobs (SO(Audit), 2007)
Leaps and bounds – At rapid pace (SO(Audit), 2007)
No love lost between – Not on good terms (SO(CA), 2007)
Pros and cons – For and against/ analysis of all the given facts (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Read between the lines – Understand the hidden meaning (SO(CA), 2007)
Run into – Incurred/to experience difficulties (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Set the record straight – Give a correct account (SO(Audit), 2007)
Sitting on the fence – Hesitating which side to take (SO(CA), 2007)
Spilling the beans – Revealing the information indiscreetly (SO(Audit), 2007)
Struck a chill to the heart – Arouse fear/to make somebody afraid (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
To go to the whole hog – To do it completely (SO(Audit), 2007)
To play to the gallery – To behave in an exaggerated way to attract people’s attention (SO(CA), 2007)
To take into account – To consider (TA(IT & CE), 2007)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2006
A bolt from the blue – Something unexpected and unpleasant (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
A sore point – Something which hurts (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Brought up – Introduce for discussion (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Burn one’s boat – Leave no means of return (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
By leaps and bounds – Rapidly (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
By leaps and bounds – Rapidly (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
By leaps and bounds – Very Quickly (SO(Audit), 2006)
Cannot hold a candle to – Cannot be compared to (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Cut no ice – Had no influence (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Die in harness – To die at one’s work (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Emerge out of thin air – Appear Suddenly (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Fair- weather friend – A friend that deserts in difficulties (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Get the sack – dismissed from (SO(Audit), 2006)
Got the sack – Dismissed from (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
Helter-Skelter – In disorderly haste (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
Herculean task –A work requiring very great effort (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
In the good books –In favour with boss (SO(Audit), 2006)
In the long run – Ultimately (SO(Audit), 2006)
Like a phoenix – With a new life/rebirth/reincarnation (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Make one’s flesh creep – Horrify (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Of no avail – Useless (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
On the verge of – On the brink of (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Pros and cons – Considering all the facts (SO(Audit), 2006)
Put up with – Endure (Statistical Investigator, 2006)
To keep under wraps – Secret (TA(IT & CE), 2006)
Turn a deaf ear – Disregard/ignore/refuse (SO(Audit), 2006)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2005
A dark horse – An unforeseen competitor (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
A man in the street – An ordinary person / common man (SAS, 2005)
At one’s wit – Puzzled/Confused/Perplexed (SO(CA), 2005)
At snail’s pace – To do things very slowly (SO(CA), 2005)
Blood running cold – Become very frightened (SAS, 2005)
By fits and starts – Irregularly (SO(Audit), 2005)
Cheek by jowl – Very near (SO(Audit), 2005)
Come out of one’s shell – To appear suddenly (SAS, 2005)
Done for – Ruined (SO(CA), 2005)
Give in – Yield (SO(Audit), 2005)
Give the game away – Give out the secret (SO(Audit), 2005)
Go through fire and water – Undergo any risk (SO(Audit), 2005)
Go to the winds – Disappear (SO(CA), 2005)
Make a clean breast – Confess (SO(CA), 2005)
Make ducks and drakes of – Squander (SO(CA), 2005)
On the level – Honest and sincere (SO(CA), 2005)
Playing to the gallery – Befooling the common man (SAS, 2005)
Put up with – Tolerate (SO(Audit), 2005)
Reading between the lines – Understanding the hidden meaning (SO(Audit), 2005)
Red letter day – Happy and significant day (Gala day) (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
Run riot – Act without restraint (SO(Audit), 2005)
Talking through hat – Talking nonsense (SO(Audit), 2005)
To beat a retreat – To run away in fear (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To blaze a trail – To lead the way as a pioneer (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To blow one’s own trumpet – To praise oneself (SO(CA), 2005)
To end in smoke – To come to nothing; no outcome (SO(CA), 2005)
To face the music – To bear the consequences (SO(CA), 2005)
To get one’s own back –To get one’s revenge (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To have not a leg to stand on – Unable to prove or explain why something is reasonable (SAS, 2005)
To have something up one’s sleeve – Having a secret plan (SO(CA), 2005)
To run across – To meet by chance (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To run one down – To disparage someone (SO(CA), 2005)
To smell a rat – To suspect a trick (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To steer clear of – Avoid (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
To take someone to task – To scold someone (SO(CA), 2005)
To take to one’s heel – To run away (SO(CA), 2005)
To turn a deaf ear – To be indifferent (SO(CA), 2005)
Turn a deaf ear – Disobey (Statistical Investigator, 2005)
Turn an honest living – Make a legitimate living (SO(Audit), 2005)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2004
An axe to grind – A private interest to serve (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
An open book – One that hold no secrets (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
Hobson’s choice – No real choice at all (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
Sowing wild oats – Irresponsible pleasure seeking in young age (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
Stand-offish – Indifferent (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
To eat a humble pie – To apologize (TA(IT & CE), 2004)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2003
Draw on fancy – Use imagination (SO(Audit), 2003)
Going places – Talented and successful (SO(Audit), 2003)
Hard and fast – Strict (SO(Audit), 2003)
Heads will roll – Transfers will take place (SO(Audit), 2003)
In cold blood – A murder done without intention (SO(Audit), 2003)
Make a clean breast – Confess without reserve (SO(Audit), 2003)
Make no bones about – Do not have any hesitation in anything (SO(Audit), 2003)
Off and on – Occasionally (SO(Audit), 2003)
Pay through nose – Pay an extremely high price (SO(Audit), 2003)
Rest on laurels – To be complacent (SO(Audit), 2003)
Take after – Resembles (SO(Audit), 2003)
To give a piece of mind – To reprimand (SO(Audit), 2003)
To keep up – To keep in touch (SO(Audit), 2003)
To starve off – Postpone (SO(Audit), 2003)
Took to heels – Run away in fear (SO(Audit), 2003)
Idioms and Phrases asked in 2001
A white elephant – Costly or troublesome possession (SO(Audit), 2001)
A wild goose chase – Futile search (SO(Audit), 2001)
Does not hold water – Cannot be believed (SO(Audit), 2001)
Fair and square – Honest (SO(Audit), 2001)
Green thumb – To have a natural interest (SO(Audit), 2001)
In a tight corner – In a difficult situation (SO(Audit), 2001)
No love lost between – Not on good terms (SO(Audit), 2001)
On the cuff – On credit (SO(Audit), 2001)
Out and out – Totally (SO(Audit), 2001)
Played havoc – Caused destruction (SO(Audit), 2001)
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wow, great idea, many Many thanks.
Team NJP welcome you. Happy reading!!!🧡
I am constantly invstigating online for tips that can facilitate me. Thx!