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Inter 2nd Year English Idioms and Phrases with Answers
Idioms and Phrases in English Inter 2nd Year
→ Idioms are sets of words whose meanings are different from the sum total meaning of those words.
Ex : kick the bucket = die – no relation with the meaning of kick / the / bucket
→ Idioms are normally used in a fixed way.
Ex : once in a blue moon = rarely – The word order and the words are not changed.
→ Idioms bring in naturalness, fluency and competence.
→ Idioms are important as they are concise and expressive.
Examine the following idioms. Practise using them in your own sentences. Keep on improving your knowledge of idioms.
- take to heart = to be deeply affected
- to have a hand in = to be involved in something
- change of heart = to change opinion
- play into someone’s hands = to do something that benefits the opponent
- by heart = memorize
- at hand = nearby
- have one’s heart set on = to strongly desire
- in safe hands = in good care
- young at heart = youthful in spirit
- give a hand = help someone
- out of hand = not in control
- lost heart = became weak in spirit
- hands down = without doubt
- at heart = in reality, deep down
- break one’s heart = make someone sad
- on the other hand = in a different way
- heart of gold – generous
- change hands = pass ownership on to others
- heavy heart = sad; unhappy
- wash one’s hands of = not to take responsibility
Go through the idioms given above slowly and carefully. Have you noticed that all of them have either ‘heart’ or ‘hand’ as one of the components ? Keen observation is essential.
Practice
Match each of the following idioms / phrases / in Column A with its meaning given in Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
| 1. A blessing in disguise | a) Get to the point |
| 2. A drop in the ocean | b) Miss an oppor tunity |
| 3. Cut to the chase | c) Ease initial tension |
| 4. Cost an arm and a leg | d) Contribute (ideas / resources) |
| 5. Hit the sack | e) Accept consequences |
| 6. Miss the boat | f) Very expensive |
| 7. Bring to the table | g) Something that seems bad but is actually good |
| 8. Play evil’s advocate | h) Go to sleep |
| 9. Face the music | i) Argue the opposite to test an idea |
| 10. Break the ice | j) Very small amount compared to what’s needed |
Answer:
| Column A | Column B |
| 1. A blessing in disguise | g) Something that seems bad but is actually good |
| 2. A drop in the ocean | j) Very small amount compared to what’s needed |
| 3. Cut to the chase | a) Get to the point |
| 4. Cost an arm and a leg | f) Very expensive |
| 5. Hit the sack | h) Go to sleep |
| 6. Miss the boat | b) Miss an opportunity |
| 7. Bring to the table | d) Contribute (ideas / resources) |
| 8. Play evil’s advocate | i) Argue the opposite to test an idea |
| 9. Face the music | e) Accept consequences |
| 10. Break the ice | c) Ease initial tension |
Now go through the following sets of idioms. Observe the meanings and sentences in which those idioms are used. Take up a set a week, practise using those idioms in your own sentences.
I. 1) crocodile tears = pretending sadness
Be careful with persons who shed crocodile tears.
2) once in a blue moon = something that happens rarely
She attends classes once in a blue moon.
3) keep an eye on = observe carefully
Keep an eye on the recent developments regarding war.
4) a piece of cake = something very easy
Learning idioms is NOT a piece of cake!
5) on cloud nine = very happy
I am on cloud nine as I have learnt to use these five idioms in my own sentences in ten minutes.
II.
1) burn the candle at both ends = overwork nonstop
Burning the candle at both ends could be counterproductive at times.
2) hit the books = to study hard
Hit the books regularly, not just before exams.
3) let the cat out of the bag = make a secret known unintentio¬nally
The young boy let the cat out of the bag innocently about the family’s surprise visit to a relative.
4) The ball is in your court = The response now is yours.
We have given you complete information about idioms. Now, the ball is in your court. Respond and succeed.
5) throw in the towel = to stop trying: give up Keep on trying.
Never throw in the towel.
III. 1) in hot water = in difficulties
Why can’t you be a little alert ? You find yourself in hot water quite often.
2) pull strings = manage things; use influence for advantage
She pulls strings and stands first in class.
3) up in the air = uncertain
My career plans, because of many options, are still up in the air.
4) learn the ropes = understand how something is done
Taking up projects helps one learn the ropes of that work.
5) make ends meet = to survive with limited money
They work very hard to make ends meet.
IV. 1) Put all your eggs in one basket = Depend on just one plan.
Is it wise to put all your eggs in one basket? Diversify.
2) rule of thumb = a general principle
Verifying your answers twice is a rule of thumb.
3) a hard nut to crack = a difficult problem / person
Some feel the topic of idioms is a hard nut to crack.
4) think outside the box = think creatively
She thinks outside the box and solves any problem quickly.
5) go the extra mile = make extra effort
Our English teacher goes the extra mile to help us understand difficult topics.
V. 1) throw light on = make something clear
Our teacher’s examples throw light on complex concepts.
2) keep at bay = keep something away
He practises yoga and keeps stress at bay.
3) grasp at straws = try anything in hopeless condition
He knew not the correct answers. He is just grasping at straws.
4) pull your weight = do your share of work
All the students pulled their weight and cleaned the campus in two hours.
5) on the same page = in agreement
We are all on the same page about our plans to conduct an English quiz.
VI.
1) at loggerheads = in strong disagreement
The two sides were at loggerheads about the proposed solution.
2) fish out of water = one in an uncomfortable situation
The innocent villager felt like a fish out of water in the mall.
3) read between lines = get inner meaning – hidden meaning
Understanding poetry demands reading between the lines.
4) bird’s eye view = an overall view
Go through the last paragraph and you will get a bird’s-eye view of the topic.
VII.
1) at sixes and sevens = in confusion or disorder
Our college was at sixes and sevens after the transfer of the principal.
2) have the upper hand = to be in control
With her clever plans, she always has an upper hand.
3) in the nick of time – just at the last moment
He paid examination fee in the nick of time.
4) throw dust in someone’s eyes = mislead; cheat
Criminals try to throw dust in investigator’s eyes.
5) hit below the belt = act unfairly
Umpires urge players not to hit below the belt during the game.
VIII. 1) blow one’s own trumpet = boast
People say Trump blows his own trumpet.
2) eat humble pie – admit one’s mistake
The report compelled him to eat humble pie.
3) bear the brunt of = suffer the worst part
Coastal areas bear the brunt of cyclones.
4) stick to one’s gun = refuse to change opinion
If both sides stick to their guns, who can resolve the issue ?
5) put the cart before the horse = do things in reverse order
Don’t put the cart before the horse. Get all the ingredients ready before lighting the burner !
IX.
1) hit the nail on the head = say exactly the right thing
With her remarks, she hit the nail on the head.
2) break the ice = start a meeting in a social setting
He broke the ice with his humorous anecdotes.
3) a blessing in disguise = something good that seemed bad in the beginning
The injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he cancelled his journey and that saved his life.
4) bite the bullet = face something difficult with courage
It was a critical meeting. He decided to bite the bullet and attended it.
5) burn the midnight oil = work late into the night
His careful planning saved him from burning the midnight oil just before final examinations.
X.
1) miss the boat = miss an opportunity
She is very punctual, planned and careful. She never misses the boat.
2) call it a day = stop working for the day
I am damn tired. I think I should call it a day.
3) hit the sack = go to bed
She hits the sack exactly at 9 pm every day.
4) spill the beans = reveal a secret
Her comments spilled the beans about their secret plan.
5) kick the bucket = die
The old man kicked the bucket in his sleep.
Exercises
Choose the correct meaning of the following idioms from the given options.
I.
Question 1.
throw light on =
a) explain clearly
b) hide facts
c) switch on the light
Answer:
a) explain clearly
Question 2.
hit the sack =
a) leave home
b) pack luggage
c) go to bed
Answer:
c) go to bed
Question 3.
go the extra mile =
a) travel longer
b) make extra effort
c) give up
Answer:
b) make extra effort
Question 4.
a piece of cake =
a) tasty
b) easy
c) tough
Answer:
b) easy
Question 5.
miss the boat =
a) miss a chance
b) lose boat
c) fall in water
Answer:
a) miss a chance
II.
Question 1.
break the ice =
a) start a fight
b) open a conversation pleasantly
c) end a friendship
Answer:
b) open a conversation pleasantly
Question 2.
stick to one’s guns =
a) argue loudly
b) change opinion
c) refuse to change one’s opinion
Answer:
c) refuse to change one’s opinion
Question 3.
a blessing in disguise =
a) a secret enemy
b) something good that seemed bad at first
c) a false promise
Answer:
b) something good that seemed bad at first
Question 4.
hit the nail on the head =
a) say the right thing
b) make a mistake
c) start a quarrel
Answer:
a) say the right thing
Question 5.
spill the beans =
a) cook food
b) waste vegetables
c) reveal a secret
Answer:
c) reveal a secret
III.
Question 1.
in hot water =
a) in difficulties
b) bathing
c) relaxing
Answer:
a) in difficulties
Question 2.
on cloud nine =
a) happy
b) confused
c) angry
Answer:
a) happy
Question 3.
let the cat out of the bag =
a) reveal a secret unintentionally
b) free an animal
c) hide a secret
Answer:
a) reveal a secret unintentionally
Question 4.
keep an eye on =
a) ignore
b) watch
c) criticize
Answer:
b) watch
Question 5.
throw dust in someone’s eyes =
a) help
b) protect
c) deceive
Answer:
c) deceive
IV.
Question 1.
crocodile tears =
a) real sorrow
b) fake sadness
c) deep regret
Answer:
b) fake sadness
Question 2.
by the book =
a) according to rules
b) without effort
c) quickly
Answer:
a) according to rules
Question 3.
learn the ropes =
a) climb up
b) make ropes
c) understand how something is done
Answer:
c) understand how something is done
Question 4.
burn the candle at both ends =
a) overwork
b) waste money
c) use time
Answer:
a) overwork
Question 5.
at the drop of a hat =
a) quickly
b) instantly
c) clearly
Answer:
b) instantly
V.
Question 1.
the ball is in your court =
a) you lost
b) play a game
c) It is your decision now
Answer:
c) It is your decision now
Question 2.
make ends meet
a) meet relatives
b) manage with limited money
c) save money
Answer:
b) manage with limited money
Question 3.
pull strings =
a) use influence for advantage
b) play music
c) repair watch
Answer:
a) use influence for advantage
Question 4.
take to task =
a) punish
b) praise
c) ignore
Answer:
a) punish
Question 5.
pull your weight
a) gain weight
b) argue
c) do your fair share of work
Answer:
c) do your fair share of work
VI.
Question 1.
hit the books =
a) study hard
b) buy books
c) throw books
Answer:
a) study hard
Question 2.
touch base =
a) argue
b) play ball
c) briefly reconnect
Answer:
c) briefly reconnect
Question 3.
a hard nut to crack =
a) easy work
b) tough problem / person
c) nice man
Answer:
b) tough problem / person
Question 4.
think outside the box =
a) think properly
b) think negatively
c) think creatively
Answer:
c) think creatively
Question 5.
read between the lines =
a) understand hidden meaning
b) read fast
c) read silently
Answer:
a) understand hidden meaning
VII.
Question 1.
have the upper hand =
a) lose control
b) be in control
c) oppose control
Answer:
b) be in control
Question 2.
rule of thumb =
a) general principle
b) appreciation
c) criticism
Answer:
a) general principle
Question 3.
call it a day =
a) stop work for the day
b) decide the day for a meeting
c) celebrate success
Answer:
a) stop work for the day
Question 4.
in black and white =
a) multicoloured
b) old fashioned
c) written clearly
Answer:
c) written clearly
Question 5.
grasp at straws =
a) do something in hopelessness
b) gather hay
c) cut grass
Answer:
a) do something in hopelessness
VIII.
Question 1.
bite the bullet =
a) face something difficult boldly
b) fire your gun
c) crush bullets
Answer:
a) face something difficult boldly
Question 2.
kick the bucket =
a) show anger
b) bring water
c) die
Answer:
c) die
Question 3.
at loggerheads =
a) unanimous
b) in strong disagreement
c) dancing
Answer:
b) in strong disagreement
Question 4.
bird’s eye view =
a) overall view
b) looking at bird’s eye
c) aiming at a bird
Answer:
a) overall view
Question 5.
in cold blood =
a) angrily
b) without pity
c) courageously
Answer:
b) without pity
IX.
Question 1.
once in a blue moon =
a) rarely
b) frequently
c) generally
Answer:
a) rarely
Question 2.
fish out of water =
a) good fish
b) uncomfortable in a situation
c) wrong person
Answer:
b) uncomfortable in a situation
Question 3.
hit below the belt =
a) fight correctly
b) do right things
c) act unfairly
Answer:
c) act unfairly
Question 4.
in the nick of time =
a) just at the last moment
b) too early
c) after the last date
Answer:
a) just at the last moment
Question 5.
bear the brunt of =
a) share wealth
b) suffer the worst part
c) save oneself
Answer:
b) suffer the worst part
X.
Question 1.
put the cart before the horse =
a) do sensibly
b) do things in the wrong order
c) work hard like a horse
Answer:
b) do things in the wrong order
Question 2.
eat humble pie =
a) admit one’s mistake
b) cry bitterly
c) eat a lot
Answer:
a) admit one’s mistake
Question 3.
at sixes and sevens =
a) consecutively
b) in serial order
c) in confusion
Answer:
c) in confusion
Question 4.
burn the midnight oil =
a) save electricity
b) work late into night
c) sleep early
Answer:
b) work late into night
Question 5.
blow one’s own trumpet =
a) boast oneself
b) feel sad
c) play music
Answer:
a) boast oneself