Common English idioms with their meaning

By | February 7, 2018

List of Idioms important for exams

▪ A big cheese- an important or a powerful person in a group or family

▪ A bird’s eye view- a view from a very high place which allows you to see a large area

▪ A bone of contention- something that people argue for a long time

▪ A cock and a bull story- a story or an explanation which is obviously not true.

▪ At the crack of the dawn- very early in morning

▪ A cuckoo in the nest- someone in a group of people but not liked by them.

▪ A litmus test- a method which clearly proves something

▪ As the crow flies- measuring distance between two places in a straight line.

▪ A dead letter- an argument or law not followed by anyone.

▪ At the drop of the hat- u do something easily and without any preparation

▪ An early bird- someone who gets early in the morning

▪ An educated guess- a guess which was likely to get corrected

▪ At the eleventh hour- be too late.

▪ A queer fish- a strange person

▪ A wakeup call- an event done to warn someone

▪ A worm’s eye view- having very little knowledge about something

▪ A witch hunt- an attempt to find and punish those who have options that are believed to be dangerous

▪ At the heels of- to follow someone

▪ A dish fit for Gods- something of very high quality

▪ A game of two equal halves- a sudden change in circumstances

▪ Afraid of one’s own shadow- to become easily frightened

▪ Against the clock- to be in a hurry to do something before a particular time

▪ Air one’s dirty laundry- to make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret.

▪ All systems go- everything is ready.

▪ An arm and a leg- a large amount of money

▪ Appear out of now here- to appear suddenly without warning.

▪ Apple of someone’s eye- someone loved very much.

▪ Ask for the moon- to ask for too much.

▪ Asleep at the switch- not to be alert on opportunity

▪ At sixes and sevens- to be lost and bewildered

▪ At someone’s beck and call- to be always ready to serve

▪ At the bottom of the ladder- at the lowest level

▪ A house of cards- a poor plan

▪ At an arm’s length- to keep at a distance

▪ At sixes and sevens- in disorder

▪ A boon in disguise- a benefit in loss

▪ A bull in a China shop- an awkward person

▪ A red letter day- an important day

▪ A nine days wonder- pleasure for a short time

▪ A bit under the weather- falling ill

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