Binomial Expressions in English
Table of Contents
In this post, I am delighted to share a compilation of the top 25 Binomial Expressions in English, along with their meanings and illustrative examples. These linguistic pairings, consisting of two words joined by a conjunction, hold significant relevance in everyday conversation, enriching our ability to communicate concisely and effectively.
List of Binomial Expressions in English
1. Bits and pieces
Meaning: Small individual things / A collection of different things.
Example: I’ve finished packing except for a few bits and pieces.
2. Rain or shine
Meaning: Under any circumstances (work done)
Example: He runs six miles every morning, rain or shine.
3. High and dry
Meaning: Without resources or help
Example: Your family would be left high and dry by the death of the breadwinner.
4. Down and out
Meaning: Without money, a job, or a place to live in
Example: Nobody loves you when you’re down and out.
5. Done and dusted
Meaning: Be completely finished or ready
Example: By now the deal was done and dusted.
6. Slice and dice
Meaning: to break down or analyze something systematically into smaller parts for better understanding or manipulation.
Example: You can slice and dice the data any way you want.
7. Five and dime
Meaning: A store that sells many different small items at low prices
Example: He opened a small five and dime in downtown Detroit.
8. By and large
Meaning: Mostly, generally; with few exceptions
Example: By and large, I enjoyed my time at school.
9. Give or take
Meaning: Approximately; plus or minus some unknown amount.
Example: It’ll take about three weeks, give or take a day or so.
10. Hustle and bustle
Meaning: Busy noisy activity of a lot of people in one place
Example: We escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city for the weekend.
11. Pure and simple
Meaning: with nothing other than what has been mentioned. used after a noun or phrase to add emphasis.
It’s laziness, pure and simple.
Example: It was fraud, pure and simple.
12. Bells and whistles
Meaning: Special features that are added to a product or system to attract more buyers:
Example: My car has all the latest bells and whistles.
Related Posts
Common Binomials Expressions in English
13. More or less
Meaning: Mostly/ approximately/ almost
Example: There are a hundred people in the room, more or less.
14. On and off
Meaning: Intermittently / Occasionally
Example: I was still working on and off as a waitress to support myself.
15. Part and parcel
Meaning: An integral or essential piece; that which must be done or accepted as part of something else
Example: Keeping the accounts is part and parcel of my job.
16. Peace and quiet
Meaning: A period of calm, silence, etc., especially after disturbance.
Example: Can we have a little peace and quiet, please?
17. Pros and cons
Meaning: The advantages and disadvantages of something, especially something that you are considering doing
Example: We’re just weighing up the pros and cons of moving to a bigger house.
18. Safe and sound
Meaning: Safe from danger and free from injury or harm
Example: After three days lost in the mountains, all the climbers arrived home safe and sound.
19. Sick and tired
Meaning: Thoroughly fatigued or bored
Example: Elina is sick and tired of doing her lengthy homework assignment.
20. Sick and tired
Meaning: Annoyed about or bored with (someone or something) and unwilling to put up with them any longer.
Example: I am sick and tired of all the criticism.
21. Short and sweet
Meaning: Not lasting a long time but pleasant while it lasts
Example: We haven’t much time so I’ll keep it short and sweet.
22. Sooner or later
Meaning: Eventually, at some time in the future, even if you are not sure exactly when
Example: Sooner or later you will have to make a decision.
23. Step by step
Meaning: (used for talking about a series of actions) moving slowly and gradually from one action or stage to the next
Example: She followed the instructions step-by-step.
24. Neat and tidy
Meaning: Clean and organized; tidy.
Example: The house is neat and tidy.
25. Wine and dine (someone)
Meaning: To entertain someone with food and drink, esp. expensive food and drink:
Example: The company wined and dined the prospective clients.
Important Vocabulary with Hindi
Common Verbs Made from Adjectives
Conditional Sentences in English
70 Imperative Sentences in English
