Hello students, in this post you will get 50 Important Idioms & Phrases for upcoming SSC Exams.
1. Jog someone’s memory [A] Describing someone [B] Appreciating someone’s humour [C] To be in love with someone’s intelligence [D] To cause someone to remember something
D. Jog someone’s memory to cause one to remember something; to stimulate someone’s memory to recall something.
2. Be in the red [A] To be very angry [B] Close to death [C] To be in debt [D] Always energetic
C. Be in the red more money going out than coming in spending more than you earn owing money to the bank in debt negative bank balance
3. Catch 22 [A] A particular situation in which one cannot do any thing [B] Close to winning line [C] Able to achieve the target [D] Grabbing the opportunity on time
A. Catch 22 a difficult situation the particular situation in which one cannot win a problem from which one cannot get out an unreasonable, irrational, or meaningless situation a situation presenting two similarly unwanted solutions dilemma; quandary or predicament
4. Carry the can [A] To listen to something with considerable doubt [B] To be impatient [C] To be in touch [D] To take the responsibility of some misdemeanour
D. Carry the can take responsibility for a mistake or misdeed, often another’s
5. Paper over the cracks [A] To take risk [B] To cause embarrassment [C] To hide problems [D] To be absent from duty without permission
C. Paper over the cracks To repair, conceal or cover up something on a superficial level, without addressing underlying problems; to conceal a problem so that a situation seems better than it really is. To conceal or attempt to conceal a problem so that a situation seems better than it really is.
6. Be a dab hand at something [A] Always telling nonsense [B] Hearing a fake intention [C] Ready to listen to other people’s conversation [D] Skilled in a particular area
D. Be a dab hand at something to be skilled in a particular area; be expert at. an expert or skilled person adept at one skilful at a person who is an expert at a particular activity someone incredibly skilled at a task
7. Come hell or high water [A] No matter what [B] Feeling ill [C] Possible obstacles in one’s path [D] Something good and useful
A. Come hell or high water no matter what; in spite of any obstacle come what may any difficulties or obstacles that may occur no matter what happens no matter how difficult it is
8. All Greek to me [A] Out of danger [B] Incomprehensible [C] Very dear [D] Consulting seriously
B. All Greek to me difficult to understand; in comprehensible.
9. Red-letter day [A] fatal day [B] a colourful day [C] happy and significant day [D] hapless day
C. Red-letter day An important day, or a day that you will remember, because of something good that happened then. l 15th August is a red-letter day in the history of India.
10. to smell a rat [A] to misunderstand [B] to experience bad smell [C] to see a hidden meaning [D] to suspect a trick
D. to smell a rat to suspect that something is wrong about a situation l I don’t think this was an accident. I smell a rat.
11. turn a deaf ear [A] defy [B] disregard [C] to ignore [D] dismiss
C. turn a deaf ear to ignore or refuse to listen to somebody/ something l Sheela turned a deaf ear to our pleadings.
12. at one’s wit’s/wits’ end [A] to be intelligent [B] to work hard [C] to get puzzled [D] to be stupid
C. at one’s wit’s/wits’ end to be so worried by a problem that you do not know what to do next; to be puzzled to be so worried by a problem that you do not know what to do next; to be perplexed; unable to think what to do.
13. to take someone to task [A] to assign work to someone [B] to scold someone [C] to take someone to his place of work [D] to praise someone for the work done
B. to take someone to task to criticize somebody strongly for something he has done Reprimand or criticize someone severely for a fault or mistake. to criticize somebody strongly for something he has done
14. to face the music [A] to be offered warm hospitality [B] to be greeted rudely [C] to enjoy a music programme [D] to bear the consequences
D. to face the music receive punishment accept unpleasant consequences of your actions be confronted with disagreeable results accept criticism for something that you have done
50 Important Idioms & Phrases
15. to blow one’s own trumpet [A] to praise one’s own self [B] to play on one’s own trumpet [C] to create noisy disturbances [D] to have a high-pitched voice
A. to blow one’s own trumpet to say things that makes your own self or kin look good to exaggerate the good qualities of your own self to speak highly about own work to show off
16. to run one down [A] to be weak and tired [B] to be in a hurry [C] to disparage someone [D] to run down a lane
C. to run one down to criticize someone or something, often unfairly: to criticize somebody/something in an unkind manner
17. at snail’s pace [A] to walk like a snail [B] to do things very slowly [C] to lack interest in work [D] to do things in methodical manner
B. at snail’s pace very slowly l Things are moving at a snail’s pace, but we’ll finish on time.
18. to end in smoke [A] to be on Are [B] to have a smoking session [C] to come to nothing [D] to bum slowly
C. to end in smoke Efforts that come to nothing or are useless l All his schemes ended in smoke.
19. My close friend got the sack. [A] got rid of [B] resigned [C] was demoted from [D] was dismissed from
D. My close friend got the sack. Dismissed from a job. Mohan got the sack today. He is always late.
20. I can no longer put up with her insolence. [A] evade [B] endure [C] suppress [D] assume
B. I can no longer put up with her insolence. To accept somebody/something that is annoying. unpleasant etc. without complaining
21. She is a fair-weather friend. [A] a friend who meets difficulties calmly [B] a good friend [C] a friend deserts you in difficulties [D] a favourable friend
C. She is a fair-weather friend. someone who is a good friend when it is easy to be one and who stops being one when you are having problems
22. at one’s wit’s end [A] to be puzzled [B] to understand thoroughly [C] to be a stupid person [D] to behave irrationally
A. at one’s wit’s end So worried, confused, or annoyed that you do not know what to do next:
23. In the long run [A] universally [B] permanently [C] occasionally [D] ultimately
D. In the long run After a long time; in the end / at a time. that is far away in the future:
24. He is accused of sitting on the fence. [A] resting on fence [B] observing the scene [C] hesitating which side to take [D] sitting back and enjoying the fun
C. He is accused of sitting on the fence. Delay or avoid making a decision or choice Not take sides in a dispute Not to commit oneself Avoid siding with one of two possibilities Undecided about something Remain neutral when a decision or choice is required
25. The teacher announced that she had no blue-eyed boys in the class. [A] young boys [B] royal children [C] foreigners [D] favourites
D. The teacher announced that she had no blue-eyed boys in the class. A man who is liked and admired by somebody in authority.
26. ins and outs [A] full details [B] entry and exit points [C] tactical moves [D] complexity of character
A. ins and outs the correct and successful way to do something; the special things that one needs to know to do something. the detailed or complicated facts of something physical characteristics, as windings and turnings, nooks, or recesses all the detailed points and facts about somebody / something
27. turn up one’s nose [A] loves [B] despises [C] sees no harm in [D] can just tolerate
B. turn up one’s nose If you turn up your nose at something, you reject it because you think that it is not good enough for you. to refuse to accept something because you do not think it is good enough for you to reject/dismiss scornfully
28. To catch up with somebody [A] to come to their level [B] to compete with [C] to overtake them [D] to hold them and stop
A. To catch up with somebody To move fast enough to join (someone or something that is in front) To find and arrest (someone) To begin to affect (someone) usually in a bad way To find and arrest someone who has committed a crime after searching for them or chasing them To reach the same standard, stage, or level that they have reached. To do something you didn’t have time to get done earlier To be utterly fascinated by something
29. To come out of one’s shell. [A] became more sociable [B] appealed suddenly [C] became a loser [D] removed his clothes
A. To come out of one’s shell. If you come out of your shell, you become more interested in other people and more willing to talk and take part in social activities To become less shy and more confident when talking to other people
30. to take to heart [A] to be deeply affected or hurt [B] to be encouraged [C] to like [D] to hate
A. to take to heart To be deeply affected or hurt by something To be very upset by something that somebody says or does To consider what someone says to you very seriously, often because it upsets you
31. yeoman’s service [A] excellent work [B] medical help [C] social work [D] hard work
A. yeoman’s service Very good, hard, and valuable work that someone does especially to support a cause, to help a team, etc. Efficient or useful help in need. Arduous work, performed in a vigorous, committed manner.
32. to move heaven and earth [A] to try everything possible [B] to cause an earthquake [C] to pray to all Gods [D] to travel in a rocket
A. to move heaven and earth If you move heaven and earth to do something, you try as hard as you can to do it. to work very hard to do something to do everything you can do to achieve something to do everything that it is possible to do in order to make something happen
33. to strain every nerve [A] to feel weak and tired [B] to make utmost efforts [C] to be a diligent worker [D] to be methodical In work
B. to strain every nerve To make the greatest possible effort To expend a maximum amount of effort to do something. To try as hard as possible to do something To try for each
34. to flog a dead horse [A] to attempt to do the impossible [B] to whip a dead horse [C] waste one’s efforts [D] to take advantage of a weakness
C. to flog a dead horse Waste energy on a lost cause or a situation that cannot be changed. waste energy on something that has no chance of succeeding Engaging in a fruitless effort Attempting to revive interest in something which has died out
35. To sail in the same boat. [A] sharing the financial and social condition [B] sailing together in the same boat [C] being in the same difficult situation [D] getting rid of the difficult situation
C. To sail in the same boat. Be in the same unpleasant situation as other people Facing the same challenges as others Having the same problems
36. Give a wide berth [A] Pay more attention to [B] Give a larger bed to [C] Share her seat with [D] To stay away from
D. Give a wide berth Avoid somebody; keep away from somebody. To avoid or stay away from (someone or something)
37. Chapter and verse [A] Spoke like a preacher [B] Taught like a teacher [C] Referred to religious books [D] Provided minute details
D. Chapter and verse An exact reference or authority. The exact details of something In thorough and exact detail. To give exact information about something, especially something in a book
38. vote with their feet. [A] Kick him out [B] Show their disapproval [C] Stop him from speaking [D] Choose him as leader
B. vote with one’s feet. If you vote with your feet, you show that you do not support something by leaving the place where it is happening or leaving the organization that is supporting it. To indicate an opinion by being present or absent. To show that you do not support a decision or action by leaving a place or organization
39. Feather his nest. [A] Trap birds [B] Decorate his home [C] Be the envy of others [D] Provide for his own needs
D. Feather his nest. To make yourself rich, especially through dishonest ways. Acquire resources or property, especially through taking advantage of others, especially the poor. To make your place beautiful at the expense of others. To look after one’s own interests, especially material ones: To make yourself rich, especially in a way that is unfair or dishonest
40. A chip off the old block. [A] A being of the old generation [B] An experienced old man [C] A common boy of the locality [D] Someone similar in character to one’s father
D. A chip off the old block. A person very like their parents in their look or behaviour. someone who resembles their parent in character or appearance. Similar to one’s parents in behaviour, character or personality.
41. An arm-chair critic. [A] Someone who gives advice based on theory not practice [B] Someone who gives advice based on practice not theory [C] Someone who gives advice based on experience [D] Someone who never gives advice
A. An arm-chair critic. An armchair critic is a person who knows or pretends to know a lot about something in theory rather than practice. One who speaks critically on topics one actually knows little to nothing about. Someone who criticizes other people but who does not have any proper experience of the activity the other people are doing
42. take French leave. [A] Being absent without permission [B] Leaving without intimation [C] Giving lame excuse [D] Resigning without giving notice
A. An arm-chair critic. An armchair critic is a person who knows or pretends to know a lot about something in theory rather than practice. One who speaks critically on topics one actually knows little to nothing about. Someone who criticizes other people but who does not have any proper experience of the activity the other people are doing
42. take French leave. [A] Being absent without permission [B] Leaving without intimation [C] Giving lame excuse [D] Resigning without giving notice
A. take French leave. To take time away from your job without asking for permission Sometimes Offensive. a departure without ceremony, permission, or notice: An unauthorized or unannounced absence or departure An informal, hasty, or secret departure Absence from work or duty without permission.
43. Under a cloud. [A] Under suspension [B] Under suspicion [C] Under scrutiny [D] Warned severely
B. Under a cloud. Under suspicion To become out of favour or to be in trouble To be seen as being dishonest, suspicious, untrusted etc. Not be trusted To not be trusted or popular because people think you have done something bad To be viewed with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval.
44. Pull a long face. [A] Look ugly [B] Look tired [C] Look dejected [D] Look happy
C. Pull a long face. To assume a facial expression denoting sadness, disappointment, or dissatisfaction. To look sad, glum, disapproving, etc. To get angry
45. Cock and bull story [A] Ambiguous story [B] Authentic story [C] Absurd story [D] Common story
C. Cock and bull story A story or explanation which is obviously not true complicated, ridiculous, or unbelievable story an unbelievable and fanciful story An exaggerated or falsified story An absurd or improbable story presented as truth A wildly exaggerated or falsified story or explanation.
46. have the last laugh [A] laugh only after understanding something [B] be of a cheerful nature [C] to be victorious at the end of an argument [D] to crack the final joke
C. have the last laugh To succeed or win after being laughed at or doubted by others To finally get an advantage from an argument or disagreement, when it seemed that you would not To finally be successful, win an argument etc., after other people have earlier criticized you, defeated you etc.
47. Look sharp [A] Be confident [B] Pay attention [C] Take control [D] Make haste
C. Look sharp To act quickly To hurry Used to tell someone to do something quickly: To pay attention; to be vigilant.
48. A white elephant. [A] A costly but useless possession [B] Antique item or possession [C] Any traditional possession [D] A unique item or possession
A. A white elephant. An expensive item with no use or purpose Something that has cost a lot of money but has no useful purpose Burdensome possession Something that’s not useful anymore and costs a lot to keep Anything that has only imaginary or perhaps aesthetic value for the owner, but has no practical or functional value
C. At daggers drawn To be in a state of open hostility When two people do not trust each other At odds In disagreement Fighting or quarrelling At each other’s throat In conflict
50. Pay on the nail. [A] Pay within the given time [B] Pay the full amount [C] Pay promptly in cash [D] Pay promptly
D. Pay on the nail. If you pay cash on the nail for something, you pay for it immediately and in cash. Payment without delay.
