Time for some Vocabulary Face-lift ( Idioms)

Most of you have been struggling with 'expressions' and giving 'birth' to a good written composition. Along with the content, what is integral is your ability to 'present' it with the right words and expressions.

Idioms are just the right choice to begin with. We hope that you will take away, retain and USE these in your SPOKEN and WRITTEN communication.

Find the blog frequented by interesting ways to enhance your vocabulary. Your feedback is valuable. (read: mandatory)

IDIOMS:

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of its constituent words. Knowledge of idioms is an important part of comprehension of the English language. Below is a list of some commonly used idioms in English with their meaning and usage.

IDIOM	MEANING
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF	to begin again, fresh; to reform and begin again.

After Ajit was released from prison, he decided to turn over a new leaf and become an honest man.

IDIOM	MEANING
PULL UP ONE’S SOCKS	To make an effort to improve

Rajesh got only forty percentage marks in the English mid-term exams. He needs to pull up his socksif he has to score well in his final exams.

IDIOM	MEANING
HIT BELOW THE BELT	To act in an unfair manner

The candidate of the opposition party spread false rumours about the Minister. People felt that it was an act of hitting below the belt.

IDIOM	MEANING
GIFT OF THE GAB	The ability to speak well

Pooja was able to keep the audiences amused with her stories. She surely has the gift of the gab.

IDIOM	MEANING
WILD GOOSE CHASE	Futile search

Searching for hidden gold in the village field is nothing but a wild goose chase.

IDIOM	MEANING
HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS	Reconsideration of a decision

When Rajiv could not answer any question in the Economics assignment, he started having second thoughts about his decision to take Economics as his main subject.

IDIOM	MEANING
TAKE TO TASK	To reprimand someone

Payal was taken to task by her mother when she found out that she had failed her Mathematics exam.

IDIOM	MEANING
FACE THE MUSIC	To face the consequences of one’s action

I lost my father’s pen. I will have to face the music when I reach home.

IDIOM	MEANING
BREAK THE ICE	Overcome initial shyness

The teacher asked the students to introduce themselves to each other to break the ice.

IDIOM	MEANING
MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL	To give great importance to minor things

Manoj stopped talking to Rupa because she did not lend him her notebook. I think he is making a mountain out of a molehill.

IDIOM	MEANING
AT LOGGERHEADS	To differ strongly

The two brothers can never work together. They are always at loggerheads.

IDIOM	MEANING
MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES	Make the best of a good situation while it lasts

Mr. Sharma got the big contract to supply machine parts to a big Japanese company. He should make hay will the sun shines.

IDIOM	MEANING
LET BYGONES BE BYGONES	Ignore the bad things of the past

We have not spoken to each others since the time we had our fight few months back. We should let bygones be bygones and become friends again.

IDIOM	MEANING
HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD	Be exactly accurate

Ram is a genius. He hit the nail on the head when he said that the car was overheating because of a leaking radiator.

IDIOM	MEANING
THROW IN THE TOWEL	To accept defeat

I am unable to solve this question. I am ready to throw in the towel.

IDIOM	MEANING
NO STONE UNTURNED	Make all possible efforts

Ramesh has joined two coaching classes. He is leaving no stone unturned to get into engineering college.

IDIOM	MEANING
BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN ONE’S MOUTH	To be born in a very rich family

Priya was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her father gave her an expensive car on her eighteenth birthday.

IDIOM	MEANING
KEEP ONE’S FINGERS CROSSED	Hope for a positive outcome

My results come out day after tomorrow. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

IDIOM	MEANING
BY HOOK OR BY CROOK	Using any means, fair or foul

There is a cricket match tomorrow. Raj will make sure he gets the day off from office by hook or by crook.

IDIOM	MEANING
BURN ONE’S FINGERS	Suffer for something that one has done

I will never bet again. I burnt my fingers betting at the race course today.