SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS

• Synonyms are the words which are similar to each other in meaning.
• Antonyms are the words which are opposite to each other in meaning

Words Synonyms Antonyms

Awkward clumsy, rough clever, apt
Allure entice, fascinate repulse, repel
Abortive vain, unproductive effectual, productive.
Allay pacify, soothe aggravate, excite
Axiom maxim, truth absurdity, blunder
Abjure forsake, renounce approve, sanction
Abject despicable, servile commendable, praiseworthy
Authentic genuine, reliable fictitious, unreal
Audacity boldness, arrogance mildness, cowardice
Abate moderate, decrease aggravate, supplement
Arraign charge, blame exculpate, pardon
Apathy unconcern, indifference concern, care
Alien foreigner, outsider native, resident
Affront provoke, irreverence conciliate; mollify
Adversity misfortune, calamity prosperity, fortune
Antipathy hostility, aversion admiration, fascination
Amplify enlarge, extend lessen, contraction
Alleviate abate, relieve aggravate, enhance
Admonish counsel, reprove approve, applaud
Adherent follower, disciple rival, adversary
Absolve pardon, forgive compel, accuse
Acrimony harshness, bitterness Courtesy, benevolence
Accord agreement. harmony disagreement, discord
Adamant Stubborn, inflexible flexible, soft
Adjunct complement. addition separation, subtraction
Bustle haste, flurry slowness, quiet.
Brittle delicate, fragile tough; enduring
Bleak dismal, gloomy bright, pleasant
Benevolence humanity, generosity malevolence, inhumanity
Bewitching magical, fascinating repulsive; repugnant
Contrary dissimilar, conflicting similar, alike
Contradict deny, oppose approve, confirm
Contempt scorn, disregard regard, praise
Words Synonyms Antonyms
Conspicuous prominent, obvious concealed, hidden
Consolidate compact, strong separate, weak
Consequence effect, outcome origin, start
Consent agree, permit object, disagree
Concede yield, assent deny, reject
Comprise include, contain reject. lack
Compassion kindness, sympathy cruelty, barbarity
Concur approve, agree differ, disagree
Chastise punish, admonish cheer, encourage
Chaste virtuous, pure sullied, lustful
Caricature exaggeration, imitation exactness, precision
Captivity imprisonment, confinement freedom, liberty
Captivate charm, fascinate disillusion, offend
Calumny defamation, aspersion commendation, praise
Callous obdurate, unfeeling compassionate, tender
Calamity adversity, misfortune happiness, fortune
Cavity depth, hole elevation, projection
Cease terminate, pause continue, originate
Despicable worthless, shameless worthy, decent
Disdain detest, despise approve, praise
Deride mock, taunt inspire, encourage
Deprive despoil, divest restore, renew
Demolish ruin, devastate repair, construct
Delicious palatable, tasteful distasteful, unsavoury
Deliberate ponder, intentional rash, sudden
Defray spend, pay disclaim, repudiate
Defile contaminate, pollute purify, sanctity
Defer prolong, suspend accelerate, expedite
Dedicate devote, consecrate refuse, negate
Decipher interpret, reveal misinterpret, distort
Deceit deception, artifice veracity, sincerity
Decay collapse, decomposition flourish, progress
Dainty elegant, exquisite Clumsy, insipid
Evident obvious, apparent obscure, concealed
Evade avoid, elude acknowledge, confront
Eternal perpetual, endless temporary, momentary
Esteem respect, reverence ridicule, spurn
Eradicate destroy, exterminate secure, plant
Equivocal uncertain, ambiguous obvious, lucid
Epitome precise, example increment, expansion
Endowment grant, benefit drawback, damage
Endeavour undertake, aspire cease, quit
Encumbrance hindrance, obstacle incentive, stimulant
Eloquence expression, fluency halting, stammering
Eliminate expel, oust restore, accept
Elevate dignify, heighten depreciate, denounce
Efface destroy, obliterate retain, maintain
Words Synonyms Antonyms
Ecstasy delight, exultation despair, calamity
Eccentric strange, abnormal natural, conventional
Fabricate construct, produce destroy, dismantle
frugality economy, providence lavishness, extravagance
frivolous petty, worthless solemn. significant
Frantic violent, agitated subdued, gentle
Fragile weak, infirm enduring, tough
Forsake desert, renounce hold, maintain
Fluctuate deflect, vacillate stable, resolute
Flimsy trifling, transparent firm, tenacious
Fleeting transient, temporary enduring, eternal
Feud strife, quarrel fraternity, harmony
Ferocious untamed, barbarous gentle, innocent
Feeble weak, frail strong, robust
Fantastic fanciful, uncommon ordinary, normal
Fanatical narrow-minded, biased liberal, tolerant
Falter fluctuate, demur persist, endure
Fallacy delusion, mistake veracity, truth
Guile cunning, deceit honesty. frankness
Grudge hatred, aversion benevolence, affection
Grisly disgusting, atrocious pleasing, attractive
Gracious courteous. beneficent rude, unforgiving
Gorgeous magnificent, dazzling dull, unpretentious
Glut stuff, satiate reduce, abstain
Gloom obscurity, darkness delight, mirth
Hypocrisy deception, affectation sincerity, honesty
Hideous frightful, shocking attractive, alluring
Heretic non-conformist, secularist conformable, religious
Hazard presumption, danger conviction, security
Haughty arrogant, pompous humble, submissive
Harass irritable, molest assist, comfort
Hapless unfortunate, ill-fated fortunate, lucky
Haphazard random, sudden deliberate. considered
Hamper retard, prevent promote. facilitate
Irrepressible irresistible, unconfined composed, hesitant
Invincible unconquerable, impregnable Effeminate, fragile
Intricate tangled, complicated regulated, orderly
Intrigue scheme, conspiracy candour, sincerity
Intrinsic genuine, fundamental extraneous, incidental
Invective accusation, censure approval, acclamation
Instill inculcate, inject eradicate, extract
Insolvent indigent, destitute wealthy, solvent
Insipid tasteless, vapid delicious, luscious
Insinuate communicate, allude conceal, camouflage
Ingenuous undisguised, naive wily, crafty
Infringe violate, encroach comply, concur
Inevitable unavoidable, ascertained unlikely, doubtful
Incongruous inappropriate, absurd compatible, harmonious
Incompetent inefficient, unskilled dexterous, skilled
Inclination disposition, affection neutrality, indifference
Impute attribute, ascribe exculpate, support
Impious irreligious, unholy pious, devout
Impediment hurdle, obstruction assistance, concurrence
Impartial just, unbiased prejudiced, biased
Impair diminish, deteriorate restore, revive
Immunity prerogative, privilege blame, censure
Imminent impending, brewing distant, receding
Immerse submerge, involve emerge, uncover
Immense huge, enormous puny, insignificant
Immaculate unsullied, spotless defiled, tarnished
Juvenile young, tender dotage, antiquated
Justify defend, exculpate impute, arraign
Just honest, impartial unequal, unfair
Judicious thoughtful, prudent irrational. foolish
Jubilant rejoicing, triumphant melancholy, depressing
Jovial frolicsome, cheerful solemn, morose
Jaded tired, exhausted renewal, recreation
Jejune dull, boring interesting, exciting
Kindred relation, species unrelated, dissimilar
Keen sharp, poignant vapid, insipid
Knave dishonest, scoundrel paragon. innocent
Knell death knell, last blow reconstruction, rediscovery
Knotty complicated, difficult simple, manageable
Luxuriant profuse, abundant scanty, meagre
Luscious palatable, delicious unsavory, tart
Lure attract, entice repel, dissuade
Lunacy delusion, insanity normalcy, sanity
Lucid sound, rational obscure, hidden
Listless lazy, inattentive brisk, attentive
Linger loiter, prolong hasten, quicken
Liberal magnanimous, generous stingy, malicious
Liable accountable, bound unaccountable, apt to
Lenient compassionate, merciful cruel, severe
Lax slack, careless firm, reliable
Lavish abundant, excessive scarce, deficient
Mutual joint, identical separate, distinct
Mutinous recalcitrant, insurgent Submissive, faithful
Murky dusky, dreary bright, shining
Munificent liberal, hospitable frugal, penurious
Monotonous irksome, tedious varied, pleasant
Momentous notable, eventful trivial, insignificant
Mollify appease, assuage irritate, infuriate
Molest pester, harass console, soothe
Modest humble, courteous arrogant, pompous
Mitigate alleviate, relieve augment, enhance
Miraculous marvelous, extraordinary ordinary, trivial
Minute diminutive, miniature large, colossal
Numerous profuse, various scarce, deficient
Nullify cancel, annul confirm, uphold
Noxious baneful, injurious healing, profitable
Novice tyro. beginner veteran, ingenious
Nonchalant indifferent, negligent attentive, considerate
Nimble prompt, brisk sluggish, languid
Niggardly miserly, covetous generous, profuse
Negligent inattentive. careless vigilant, careful
Overwhelm triumph, subjugate flounder. falter
Outrage offence, maltreatment praise, favor
Outbreak eruption, insurrection compliance, subjection
Ornamental decorative, adorned unseemly, plain
Ordain order, impose revoke. abolish
Oracular cryptic, vague lucid, distinct
Opaque obscure, shady transparent, bright
Offspring descendants, siblings ancestors, forefathers
Offensive abhorrent, arrogant docile, compliant
Odious malevolent, obnoxious engaging, fascinating
Occult latent, ambiguous intelligible, transparent
Obvious evident, apparent obscure, ambiguous
Obstruct impede, prevent hasten, encourage
Prudent cautious, discreet impetuous, unwise
Provoke inflame. incite pacify, comfort
Protract prolong, delay abbreviate, curtail
Proscribe prohibit, exclude solicit, include
Profuse lavish, abundant scarce, meagre
Profligate dissolute, degenerate virtuous, upright
prodigy miracle, marvel normal, average
Prodigious vast, enormous unimpressive, diminutive
Premature precocious, untimely belated, opportune
Predicament plight, dilemma resolution, confidence
Precarious doubtful) insecure assured, undeniable
Pompous haughty, arrogant unpretentious; humble
Perverse petulant, obstinate complacent, docile
Pertness- flippancy, impudence modesty, diffidence
Peevish perverse, sullen suave, amiable
Peerless matchless, unrivalled mediocre, commonplace
Paramount foremost, eminent trivial, inferior
Pamper flatter, indulge deny, disparage
Placid tranquil, calm turbulent, hostile
Quell subdue, reduce exacerbate, agitate
Quaint queer, strange familiar, usual
Quack impostor, deceiver upright; unfeigned
Quibble equivocate, prevaricate unfeigned, plain
Ruthless remorseless, inhuman compassionate, lenient
Rustic rural, uncivilized cultured, refined
Rout vanquish, overthrow succumb, withdraw
Retract recant, repudiate confirm, assert
Remote inaccessible, farther adjoining, adjacent
Remorse regret, penitence ruthless, obduracy
Resentment displeasure, wrath content, cheer
Rescind annul, abrogate delegate, permit
Remonstrate censure, protest agree, laud
Remnant residue, piece entire, whole
Sycophant parasite, flatterer devoted, loyal
Superficial partial, shallow profound, discerning
Subvert demolish, sabotage generate, organize
Substantial durable. lasting tenuous, abstract
Subsequent consequent, following preceding, previous
Stain blemish, tarnish honour, purify
Sporadic intermittent, scattered incessant, frequent
Solicit entreat, implore protest, oppose
Sneer mock, scorn flatter, praise
Slander defame, malign applaud, approve
Shabby miserable, impoverished prosperous, thriving
Saucy impudent, insolent modest, humble
Tyro beginner, learner proficient, veteran
Trivial trifling, insignificant significant, important
Trenchant assertive, forceful feeble, vacillating
Transient temporal, transitory lasting, enduring
Tranquil peaceful, Composed violent, furious
Timid diffident, coward bold, intrepid
Temperate cool, moderate boisterous, violent
Tedious wearisome, irksome exhilarating, lively
Taciturn reserved, silent talkative, extrovert
Utterly completely, entirely deficient, incomplete
Usurp seize, wrest restore, compensate
Uncouth awkward, ungraceful elegant, graceful
Umbrage resentment, bitterness sympathy, goodwill
Vulgar inelegant, offensive elegant, civil
Vouch confirm, consent repudiate, prohibit
Volatile light, changing heavy, ponderous
Vicious corrupt, obnoxious noble, virtuous
Venerable esteemed, honoured unworthy, immature
Vanity conceit; pretension modesty, humility
Valour bravery, prowess fear, cowardice
Waive relinquish, remove impose, clamp
Wary cautious, circumspect Heedless, negligent
Wane decline, dwindle ameliorate, rise
Wilt wither, perish revive, bloom
Yoke connect, harness liberate, release
Yield surrender, abdicate resist, protest
Yearn languish, crave content, satisfied
Zest delight, enthusiasm disgust, passive
Zenith summit, apex nadir, base-
zeal eagerness, fervour apathy, lethargy

IDIOMS AND PHRASES

Through the test of Idioms and Phrases, it is checked that whether candidates have read the course's books only
or they have some interest in reading novels, stories, poetry, etc. or not Idioms and Phrases provides natural look
to the language and variously used in spoken English. In writing, use of phrases make the language lively and
natural, so this is one of the most important parts of the language. To help, the students a list of most frequently
used Idioms and Phrases are being provided.

To see eye to eye (to agree) He could never see To go to the dogs (to be ruined) Anuj will soon go
eye to eye with his father. to the dogs because of his bad habits.
To kick the bucket (to die) Mr. Verma kicked the In the blues (depressed) After the marriage of his
bucket after long illness. girlfriend he is in the blues these days.
To assume airs (to pretend superiority) Neelam is Palmy days (affluent days) I can. never forget
in the habit of assuming airs in the presence of those palmy days of my life.
her friends. Heart and soul (devotedly) Mukul always does' his
To smell a rat (to be suspicious) I smelt a rat in the work heart and soul.
bargain that Mr. Singh made with my brother. At sixes and sevens (in disorder). When we
To laugh in one's sleeves (to laugh secretly) The entered his room, everything was at sixes and
staff laughed in their sleeves at the Manager’s sevens.
pompous speech. To call a spade a spade (to speak plainly), I like
To belt the cat (to attempt something dangerous) Ravi because he always calls a spade a spade.
They all boast of their bravery, but none can bell Part and parcel (inseparable part) Kashmir is part
the cat. and parcel of India.
Black and blue (to beat mercilessly) Raju was
Green horn (inexperienced) Though a green horn
beaten black and blue by the thieves. in this business. he appears to have a bright
To draw the long bow (exaggerate) In calling future.
Rekha the most beautiful girl of the town, her Ivory tower (imaginary world) He who thinks of
mother drew the long bow. an honest and unselfish leader in today’s politics
To clip one's wings (to weaken the power) My lives in ivory tower.
brother wants to be a car racer but my father will Oily tongue (flattering words). Arun often wins
clip his wings. over the enemies by his oily tongue.
To pull a tong face (to look sad) Sonu pulled a Pull one's socks up (work hard). You must pull
long face when he was scolded by his father for your socks up to get good marks in the
coming late. examination.
To make the most of (to utilise) You should make To and fro (forward and backward) The people
the most of your time if you want to be successful. were strolling in the park to and fro
To steal a march (to get ahead secretly) Renu To have feet of clay (Full of faults) There is no one
stole a march on her friend in studies and got the in the party who don't has feet of clay.
first position.
A flash in the pan (sudden success) His selection
To beat about the bush (to talk in a roundabout in the university cricket team was a flash in the
manner) Mrs. Dixit always beats about the bush. pan.
To fall flat (to have no effect) The principal's Close shave (a narrow escape) He had a close
speech fell fiat on the students. shave in an accident yesterday.
A snake in the grass (a secret enemy) We should Cut and dried (readymade form), You can't get
always be beware of the snakes in the grass. everything cut and dried.
To end in smoke/fiasco (come to nothing) All his To bite the dust (to be defeated) Pakistan had to
efforts to get that job ended in smoke. bite the dust in the Kargil war.
To bring to book (to punish) Dinesh was brought Willy-nilly (whether one wishes or not) She was
to book for his immoral act. forced willy-nilly to accept the proposal.
To pay off old scores (to take revenge) The way To have an axe to grind (to have a selfish interest)
he is treating his colleague, it seems that he is Ravi does not help anyone unless he has an axe to
paying off old scores. grind.
To be out of sorts (to be unwell) I am out of sorts To give a wide berth (to avoid) One should always
today and can't do it properly. give a wide berth to the bad habits.
To take to heels (to run away) The girls playing in To bear the lion in his den (to visit somebody
the garden took to their heels on seeing a snake. important to challenge him) It is not wise for you
To throw cold water (to discourage) Instead of to bear the lion in his den.
encouraging me, my friend threw cold Water on To touch the right chord (to appeal cleverly
my scheme. somebody’s feelings) She touched the right chord
Hard and fast (strict) There is no hard and fast and made the disappointed children happy.
rule about being punctual in the college. Touch and go (risky) After the snow began to fall
A bolt from the blue (sudden and unexpected the mountain climbers had a touch-and-go
shock) The news of Ankur’s accident came to his descent
wife as a bolt from the blue. With bated breath (With restrained breath
The ins and outs (secrets) He knows the ins and because of fear, respect or awe) Seeing a road
outs of our family. accident, he was left with bated breath.

At one's fingertips (Complete knowledge) All the To go down the stream (to move down the river)
formulas of mathematics are at his finger tips The boat goes down the stream at a high speed.

To be nipped in the bud (to destroy in the very The light of one's eyes (very dear) Every child is
beginning) This problem should be nipped in the the light of its parents' eyes.
bud. To see the light (to be born) Mr. Rohit saw the
The halcyon days (peaceful days) The days spent light in 1990.
in my village were the halcyon days of my life Sadder but wiser (having learnt something
Out of the woods (out of danger) The operation is important from a mistake or failure) His failures
over but he is not out of the woods yet. have made him sadder but wiser.

Queer fish (strange person) Raju is such a queer Safe and sound (secure and unharmed) The bus
fish that one cannot make anything out of his fell into a ditch but all the passengers were safe
attitude. and sound.

Writing on the wall (signal, warning) He read the With a high hand (in an arrogant manner or
writing on the wall and decided not to invest in dictatorial manner) She runs her industry with a
the property market. high hand.

A bad egg (a worthless) He belongs to a noble To try one's hand (to test one's skill or aptitude
family but he himself is a bad egg. for) He tried his hand at business.

To mince matters (hide the truth and pretend) To wash one's hands of (to disclaim any
She tried to mince matters but she failed to do so. responsibility for; to renounce interest in or
support of) She washed her hands of the entire
To bury the hatchet (to make peace) The teach affair.
asked us to bury the hatchet and be friends.
The golden rule (a very important rule of conduct)
To grease the palm of (to bribe) If you want get Hospitality is the golden rule of life.
this job, you will have to grease the palm of the
manager A good time girl (a girl whose chief aim is
enjoyment) Shweta is a good time girl.
Through thick and thin (under favorable and
unfavorable conditions; steadfastly) They want To give loose rein to (to allow to act without
help her through thick and thin. restraint) The government should not give loose
rein to the government employees.
To give a thick ear to (to give a blow on the ear)
The mother gave a thick ear to the naughty child. To give (somebody) the cold shoulder (to treat
coldly) He gives his guests the cold shoulder.
A bed of roses (an easy, comfortable situation)
Life is not a bed of roses. One's own flesh and blood (one's near relatives)
His own flesh and blood will cause his destruction.
To play fast and loose with ((to act in an A dog in the manger (a person who prevents
irresponsible or inconsiderate manner) My others from enjoying something 'that is useless to
principal played fast and loose with the' teachers. him) This miser is like a dog in the manger.
A fish out of water (a person out of accustomed To sit on one’s hands (to do nothing) You cannot
environment) I feel like a fish out of water among earn your livelihood sitting on your hands.
politicians. A sitting duck (a person or thing that is an easy
To have the edge on somebody (to be better than target to attack) The poor villagers are the sitting
others) Ramesh has the edge on his neighbours. ducks for the terrorists.
To tread upon eggs (to walk or behave cautiously) At the top of the tree (in the highest position or
The wise tread upon eggs to lead a peaceful life: rank in a profession, career; etc.) He has been
To fight fire with fire (return like for like) The promoted at the top of the tree in administration.
policy of fighting fire with fire should be avoided. Bark up the wrong tree (be mistaken about
To fall on one's feet (to be fortunate; to-get out something) I barked up the wrong tree about you.
of a difficulty Successfully) Some people always To ruffle somebody’s feather (to annoy
seem to fall on their feet. somebody) The son ruffled the father's feathers
Under the wire (just within the limit or deadline) by marrying a Muslim girl.
The application reached the convenor under the To burn one's finger (to suffer injury by acting
wire. rashly) He burnt his finger by slapping a criminal.
To turn up like a bad penny (to appear when one To turn the corner (to pass through a crisis safely)
is unwelcome or unwanted) He turns up like a bad When the doctor's report came, I knew he had
penny in every meeting. turned the comer.
Over head and ears (deeply immersed) She is love To catch a tartar (to deal with a very troublesome
with him over head and ears. or powerful person) Having quarrelled with his
To turn a deaf ear (to refuse to help; to refuse to neighbour, he caught a tartar.
listen and consider) He turned a deaf ear to my To raise one's voice against (to speak firmly and
request. boldly against somebody/ something) The son
To keep out of the way (to avoid facing raised his voice against the wrong decision of his
somebody) She keeps out of the way when she father.
sees me. To shout at the top of one's voice (to shout as
To come into effect (to reach the stage of being loudly as one can) The drowning boy shouted at
operative) The new regulations came into effect the top of his voice.
last month. To split hairs (to find fault with) He splits hairs of
Deadlock (a state in which progress is impossible; my every achievement.
complete standstill) The family dispute proved to The swing of the pendulum (the movement of
be a deadlock in his life. public opinion from one extreme to the other)
Dead sure (definite) His success in this Candidates have to face the swing of the
examination is dead sure. pendulum in the election.

Hue and cry (noise; commotion) There was much To eat humble pie (to be very apologetic) When
hue and cry over her elopement. you exposed her wrong doings, she ate humble
pie.
To cry over spilt milk (to lament over what cannot
be changed) Crying over spilt milk is useless. With open arms (with great -affection) They
welcomed the guests with open arms.
From the cradle (since childhood) He has been
lucky from the cradle. To come into the open (to come into public view)
The leaders statements came into the open, Good
Cream of the crop (the best) Pooja is the cream of for nothing (worthless)'His old coat is good for
the crop in this college. nothing.
To throw good money after bad (to lose money in A bitter pill to swallow (something unpleasant to
trying to gain lost money) The gambler threw accept) Defeat in the election was just a bitter pill
good for her to swallow.
money after bad. Not lift a finger (do nothing) The minister did not
To grind to one's mill (to turn something to one's lift a finger to solve this problem.
own profit or advantage) A cunning man always In the long run (ultimately) Honesty wins in the
grinds to his mill. long run.
To stand one's ground (to be firm) 0ur pleader Run-of-the mill (ordinary) He lives in a run of the
stood his ground in this case. mill house.
To have grounds for (to have a cause of/reason To take someone under one's wings (to give
for) The clerk had grounds for absence from the shelters or protection) India took the refugees
office. under its wings.
To dig the grave of (to be the cause of To promise the earth/moon (to make an
destruction) He dug the grave of his family by impracticable promise) Political leaders promise
losing everything in gambling. the earth to gain favour of voters.
A name to conjure with (a very influential name) Once in a blue moon (rarely) You visit my house
Amitabh Bachchan is a name to conjure with. once in a blue moon.
To keep oneself cool (to remain calm) She keeps- To meet one's Waterloo (to lose decisive contest)
herself cool even in a critical situation. Our leader meet his Waterloo in the
To have a crush on (be in love with) Miss Rima has parliamentary election.
a crush on Raman. Not hold a candle to (to be not nearly as good as
To cry halves (to claim an equal share) She cried another) she does not hold a candle to her
halves in her husband's property. younger sister as far as intelligence is concerned.

In one's cups (under the influence of liquor) A Under one's breath (in a low voice; in a whisper)
man in his cups makes impossible promises. the thieves were talking under their breath.

Under the knife (under a surgical operation) He is To catch one's breath (to pause or rest before
under the knife for the removal of tumour. continuing an activity or starting a new one) I
caught my breath many times while going to
Like a knife through butter (very easily) She got Patna on foot.
her work done like knife through butter.
To separate the wheat from the chaff (to
To throw dust in someone's eyes (to deceive) A distinguish valuable persons or things from
prisoner escaped from jail, throwing dust in the worthless ones) we should separate the wheat
security guards' eyes. from the chaff in our society.
To wash one's dirty linen in public (to discuss in A wild goose chase (a useless effort/search)
public one's personal scandals or domestic Preaching moral lessons to criminals is a wild
difficulties) We should not wash our dirty linen in goose chase.
public.
To cast pearls before swine (to offer valuable
To pick holes in another's coat (to seek out faults things to persons who cannot appreciate them)
in other person or in his conduct) Good people The famous singer sang a classical song in the
don't pick holes in another’s coat. function of the political leaders but it was like
To blow hot and cold (to keep changing one's casting pearls before swine.
opinions) Miss Roma blows hot and cold about To receive more kicks than half pence (to get
getting married. more contempt than love) She received more
One's pigeon (one's responsibility or business) It is kicks than half pence in her husband's family.
not my pigeon to manage money for her French leave (absence without permission) The
marriage. clerk is enjoying French leave today.
To be all legs (to be a tall and very thin person) To take heart (feel bold) You must take heart and
Mr. Rajan is all legs because of tuberculosis. face the failures.
Like an oven (very hot) The environment is like an To carry/take something too far (to continue
oven today. doing something beyond reasonable limits) one
Thick and fast (rapidly and in great numbers) -The should not carry anything too far.
volunteers were coming thick and fast in the flood To carry matters with a high hand (to take strong
affected areas. measures; to take stern steps) The principal
Worth one's while (worth one's time, trouble or carried matters with a high hand against the
expense) The profession that you have adopted is erring' students.
worth your while. To jump down somebody’s throat (to speak to
To make a clean breast of (to make a full somebody in anger) The prisoners jumped down"
confession of) The criminal made a clean breast of the jailer’s throat for the inferior quality of food
his crime in court. being served to them.

To cut one's own throat (to bring about one's The man in the street (common man) The man in
own ruin) She cut her own throat quarrelling with the street should not be looked down upon.
her husband. To keep a person in the dark (to keep something
The flesh (physical or bodily desires; sensual hidden from a person) Julia kept her father in the
appetites) Very few people can suppress the flesh. dark and married her lover.

To flog a dead horse (to waste one's efforts) It is To hold one's horses (to restrain oneself) Even in
foolish to flog a dead horse. anger a reasonable man holds his horses.

With no strings attached (with no special From the horse's mouth (from a reliable source) I
conditions) They made an agreement with no have got this information from the horse's mouth.
strings attached. To look a gift horse in the mouth (to be critical of
A cat and dog life (a life in which parents are a gift) Clever man does not look a gift horse in the
constantly quarrelling) My neighbour is leading a mouth.
cat and dog life. Hobson's choice (no choice at all because there is
To keep an eye on (to watch over closely) The only one thing to take or do) The post of peon was
guard keeps an eye on the school children. his Hobson's choice,

To keep the ball rolling (to continue work) The To square the circle (to attempt something
workers' leader requested the workers to keep impossible) it is no use squaring the circle.
the ball rolling. To get on the gravy train (to get a job where easy
To leave one in the lurch (to leave somebody in money is acquired) Having joined politics, he has
difficulty) He left his friend in the lurch. got on the gravy train.

To leave no stone unturned (to do everything to A wild cat strike (illegal strike) The union has
obtain an object) The father left no stone called a wild cat strike.
unturned to save his seriously injured son. Pros and cons (arguments for and against
To make great strides (to improve quickly) The something) The pros and cons of the strike were
students of this class are making great strides in discussed in detail.
all subjects. To blow one's own trumpet (to boast) Our MLA
To stand on one's own feet (to be independent) blows his own trumpet but we know the reality.
Everybody should try to stand-on his own feet: To have too many iron rods in the fire (To pay
A standing joke (a continues subject for mirth or attention to many pieces of work at the same
ridicule) His son-in-law is a standing joke in the time; do various things simultaneously) Our
village. minister has too many iron rods in the fire.
To force the issue (to compel decision on some To move heaven and earth (to make maximum
matter) The principal. forced the issue, without efforts) He moved heaven and earth to win gold
knowing the views of the members of the medal.
management committee. To come down/back to earth (to daydreaming;
A bull in a China shop (a rough and clumsy person return to practical realities) She was dreaming of
where skill and care are needed) The accountant becoming an actress but now has come
in the office is a bull in a China shop. down/back to earth.
A bird's eye-view (general view from a high To foam at the mouth (to be extreme angry) The
position looking down) The Prime Minister had a headmaster foamed at the mouth when he saw
bird's-eye-view of the flood situation in Bihar from Mohan teasing a girl.
a helicopter. To act/play the fool (to behave stupidly) It is not
To take the long view (to consider events, affairs, expected from a professor to act/play the fool
etc. in a long time in the future, rather than the To live in a fool's paradise (to live in a state of
immediate situation) The Finance Minister taken carefree happiness that cannot last) She is in a
the long view of the unemployment problem fool's paradise these days.
Fair and square (honestly; justly) He help
depressed lady fair and square.
Have two strings to one's bow (to have resources
as security) Anil has two strings in his
bow—business and cultivation.
In cold blood (deliberately; ruthlessly) The man
killed his daughter in cold blood.
A bull's eye (the centre of the target) To
government job is a bull's eye for an unemployed
youth.
To take the bull by the horns (to face a difficult or
danger boldly) Whenever he finds himself in
trouble, he takes the bull by the horns.
By a long chalk (by a wide margin) She defeated
her opponent by a long chalk.
On the cards (likely, probably) The change of State
Government is on the cards.
In deep water (in great difficulty) She doesn’t lose
courage and patience even in deep water.
To shake the dust from one's feet (to depart in
anger) When the employer refused to concentrate
their demands, they shook the dust from their
feet.
To separate the sheep from the goat (to separate
good persons from bad ones) You should be wise
enough to separate the sheep from goats.
To have an itching ear (to be desirous of hear
curious news) She has an itching ear.
With half an ear (not very attentively) He is
listening to her speech with half an ear:
 Avoid the use of Slangs: -
The words which we mostly speak but are grammatically wrong.

1. Cousin — brother or sister is wrong -

It should be only cousin
2. Word by Word is wrong -
It should be word for word.
3. Never say passing marks -
It should be pass marks.
4. Never say family members -
Say members of family.
5. Never say English teacher -
Say Teacher of English.
6. Never say he is a coward man,
Say he is a coward.
7. Cent percent is wrong -
It should be hundred percent.
8. We deal in a thing. We deal with a person.
9. We part with a thing. We part from a person.
10. He made a blunder mistake is wrong.
He made a blunder is correct.
11 What is the cost of this pen is wrong.
We should say what is the price of this pen.
12 Never use NOT with unless, until,
If not, forbid, lest.
13 The number of is always singular
A number of is always plural
14 One of any of is always followed by plural.
15 ADJECTIVE — Perfect, complete, circular,
Finish, Square, Empty, Enough, Full, Unique,
WONDERFUL, ULTIMATE, EXCELLENT
and COMPARISON.
 IDIOMS AND PHRASES -1

Once in a blue moon: Blessing in disguise:

Meaning-Something that happens very rarely Meaning-Something good and useful that did not
initially seem that way
Sentence- Once in a blue moon, the blue jay can
be seen in these parts of the forest. Sentence-His accident was a blessing in disguise
because it gave him a lot of time to think about
Beating around the bush:
his life while he was recovering, and as a result, he
Meaning-Avoiding the main topic made some important decisions that improved his
Sentence-The President was beating around the life.
bush when the citizens demanded a reason for
the forgery of legal documents. Chip on your
Come hell or high water:
shoulder:
Meaning-Possible obstacles in your path (will not
Meaning-When someone is upset about
stop you)
something that happened a while ago
Sentence-I have decided that come hell or high
Sentence-He has a chip on his shoulder for being
water I will become an engineer.
abandoned by his parents in his childhood.
Taste of your own medicine:
Cry over spilt milk:
Meaning-When someone receives the same
Meaning-Complaining about a loss or failure from
treatment, usually negative, that he/she gives to
the past
others
Sentence-He was mad because he couldn’t clear
Sentence-She is always taunting others and
the cut off due to a silly mistake. But, then he
hurting their sentiments. I just wish someone
realized there was no use crying over spilt milk
would give her a taste of her own medicine.
and decided to become more careful.
Golden handshake:
Spill the beans:
Meaning-A big sum of money given to a person
Meaning-To disclose a secret
when he/she leaves a company or retires
Sentence-The little one spilled the beans about
Sentence-The management of the company
the surprise vacation we had planned.
wanted to decrease their workforce. They offered
Piece of cake: a golden handshake to their aged employees.
Meaning-Something that is easy to understand or Mean business:
do
Meaning-Being serious/dedicated
Sentence-I thought that the problem would be
tough, but it turned out to be a piece of cake!
Sentence-The border is sealed by troops who check everything. It is wise not to judge a book by
mean business. its cover.
The best of both worlds: Hear it on grapevine:
Meaning-The benefits of widely differing Meaning-To hear rumors about something or
situations, enjoyed at the same time. someone
Sentence-I had the best of both worlds since I Sentence-I heard it on grapevine that he had
worked as an ordinary member of the team but stiffed an old man asking for his pension.
got to learn from the leaders.
It takes two to tango:
Feeling a bit under the weather:
Meaning-Actions or communications need more
Meaning-Feeling slightly ill than one person
Sentence-I may not be able to jog today, as I am Sentence-Even though I thought I would be fired
feeling a bit under the weather. after the altercation with my manager, thankfully
upper management realized that it takes two to
Icing on the cake:
tango.
Meaning-Something that turns good into great
Last straw:
Sentence-India’s victory over England on India’s
Meaning-The final problem in a series of problems
Independence Day was like icing on the cake.
Sentence-My body was already in bad shape. The
Cost an arm and a leg:
accident was the last straw. I am now on
Meaning-Be very expensive complete bed rest.
Sentence-His laziness made him miss his flight to To be in the doldrums:
Chandigarh. The next ticket cost him an arm and a
Meaning-To be in low spirits
leg.
Sentence-Sam was in the doldrums after he was
Jump the bandwagon:
insulted by the boss in front of his colleagues.
Meaning-To join a popular activity or trend
To sit on the fence:
Sentence-When he was detected with diabetes,
Meaning-To remain neutral
he quickly jumped on the bandwagon and joined
the Zumba dance class. Sentence-Since I wasn’t aware of the details, I
decided to sit on the fence during the argument
Ball is in your court:
between my cousins.
Meaning-When it is up to you to make the next
Break the ice:
decision or step.
Meaning-To initiate a social conversation or
Sentence-Now the ball is in your court; decide
interaction
whether you want to reply or not.
Sentence-At the start of the lecture, the new
Bite off more than you can chew:
professor tried to break the ice by telling a joke.
Meaning-To take up a task which you may not be
A bird’s eye view:
able to accomplish due to lack of ability.
Meaning-A view from a very high place that allows
Sentence-I bit off more than I could chew when I
you to see a very large area
decided to take up the 300-page research project.
Sentence-The Singapore Big Wheel offers a bird’s
Can’t judge a book by its cover:
eye view of the city.
Meaning-Cannot judge something primarily on
A litmus test:
appearance.
Meaning-A method that helps to know if
Sentence-The house looked impressive in the
something is correct
advertisement. Still I made a trip to the house to
Sentence-Taking up the job served as a litmus test Meaning-To ignore
for me to know how good I was at applying my
Sentence-I sent her a message to apologize for my
knowledge.
misbehavior, but she gave me the cold shoulder.
At the drop of a hat:
Get a raw deal:
Meaning-Willingness to do something instantly
Meaning-To not be treated as well as other
Sentence-She expects me to make dinner at the people
drop of a hat even if I am very busy with office
Sentence-The fact is that students in government
work.
schools get a raw deal.
Afraid of one’s own shadow:
Hit the nail on the head:
Meaning-To become easily frightened
Meaning-To do the correct thing
Sentence-Her creepy encounter with the
Sentence-She hit the nail on the head when she
supernatural had a devastating effect on her. She
laid out a list of justifiable grievances she had with
is now afraid of her own shadow.
the company.
A house of cards:
Hand to mouth:
Meaning-A poor plan
Meaning-live on only basic necessities
Sentence-The State’s new scheme was initially
Sentence-The severe drought led the farmers to
welcomed, but later turned out to be a house of
live hand to mouth.
cards when it was discovered how easy it was to
perpetrate a scam.
Black and blue: Hit the bull’s eye:
Meaning-Full of bruises Meaning-To be exactly right about something or
achieve the best result possible.
Sentence-The young lad was all black and blue
after a tiff with a raging senior. Sentence-The detective hit the bull’s eye when he
figured out that nobody but the doctor could have
Be on cloud nine:
had access to the poison.
Meaning-Be very happy
Let the cat out of the bag:
Sentence-I will be on cloud nine when my first
Meaning-To reveal the secret carelessly or by
article gets published.
mistake
Bone of contention:
Sentence-Now that she had let the cat out of the
Meaning-A subject or issue over which there is bag, she had no option but to confess.
continuing disagreement
Make a face:
Sentence-The examination system has long been a
Meaning-To show dislike or disappointment
serious bone of contention in the HRD Ministry.
through facial expressions
Eat humble pie:
Sentence-Little Stella made a face at the sight of
Meaning-To apologize humbly bitter gourd in her food.
Sentence-He will have to eat humble pie for the Open Pandora’s Box:
disrespect shown to the Captain.
Meaning-To find a source of great troubles and
Fool’s paradise: problems
Meaning-False sense of happiness or success Sentence-Finding the wallet on the road opened
up a Pandora’s box. I was arrested for stealing
Sentence-They were living in a fool’s paradise,
when I went to report it at the police station.
refusing to accept that they were facing poverty.
It’s Greek to me
Give cold shoulder:
Meaning-Something that is not understandable Example – He struck several bad patches before
he made good.
Sentence-I failed my commerce test; it was all
Greek to me! Meaning – Had many professional difficulties.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: A chip off the old block
Meaning-Do not put all your resources in one Example – Truly he is a chip off the old block.
basket.
Meaning – Very similar to his father.
Sentence-The boy put all his money into his
Bitten off more than one can chew
dream startup that eventually failed. I had told
him not to put all his eggs in one basket. Example – Suresh has unknowingly bitten off
more than he can chew.
To call a spade a spade:
Meaning – To take up a task which one may not
Meaning-To be brutally frank, outspoken, blunt in
be able to accomplish due to lack of ability.
speech.
The bare bones
Sentence- Let’s call a spade a spade – popular he
may be, but that man is a liar. Example – The bare bones of the conversation
had been that he hated my performances in that
To be a Good Samaritan:
project.
Meaning-To be kind and compassionate to
Meaning – The main point.
someone in distress
Sentence-I was sure I would be stuck on the
highway till the morning, but a Good Samaritan Takes no prisoners
offered me a ride home. Example – The Indian Army’s order was to take no
To put in a nutshell: prisoners.
Meaning-To say in a few words or to make Meaning – To kill the enemy rather than seize
something concise them as prisoners.
Sentence-The Textbook Development Committee NOTE: Generally ‘takes no prisoners’ is associated
decided to put the 30-page chapter in a nutshell with war, but we can use it in other situations too.
to help save time for students during revision. For example – The new manager takes no
To pour oil on troubled waters: prisoners, he is very determined and ruthless.
(Here the proverbs means ‘to be extremely
Meaning-To make peace
ruthless with the opposition’)
Sentence-I am always stuck pouring oil on
Pandora’s box
troubled waters when my mother and wife start
their bickering. Example – Unfortunately, his decisions opens a
Pandora’s box of domestic violence.
To move heaven and earth:
Meaning – To do something that causes a lot of
Meaning-To exert all efforts
new problems that one did not expect.
Sentence-He moved heaven and earth to ensure
Beat a dead horse
that his family was taken care of in the foreign
land in his absence. Example – Do you think its’ worth sending the
reapplication to the company or I am beating a
In high spirits
dead horse.
Example – He was in high spirits when I met him
Meaning – To waste time doing something that
in the office.
has already been attempted.
Meaning – In a cheerful mood.
Left to his own devices
Struck several bad patches
Example – Sumit’s father left to his own devices Once in a blue moon
for the new project.
Example – Once in a blue moon day, I get time to
Meaning – To allow you to decide for yourself travel.
what you do.
Meaning – Something that happens very rarely.
Shoestring budgets
Beating around the bush
Example – The restaurant is running on a
Example – The politician was beating around the
shoestring budget, so they can’t afford more stuff.
bush when people demanded a reason for the
Meaning – Characterized by a small amount of scam.
money.
Meaning – Avoiding the topic.
In the same boat
Chip on your shoulder
Example – Suddenly Rohit was in the same boat
Example – He has a chip on his shoulder for being
as any other employees who had lost their job.
abandoned by his friends in school days.
Meaning – Experiencing the same situation or
Meaning – When someone is upset about
condition.
something that happened a while ago.
Keep one’s word
A piece of cake
Example – Keeping one’s word is necessary to the
Example – Music is my piece of cake.
legal profession.
Meaning – Something that is easy to understand
Meaning – To do what you promise to do./To
or do.
uphold one’s promise.
Blessing in disguise
Knocked over
Example – The course that I took was a blessing in
Example – I didn’t mean to knock you over./The
disguise and I realize it now.
thief knocked over the television set from my
house. Meaning – Something good or useful that did not
initially seem that way.
Meaning – To push or strike someone or
something./To steal something. Come hell or high water
To catch a tartar Example – I have decided that come hell or high
water, I will finish my work.
Example – Our neighbor thought I would give up if
my complaint had to go to the court. They will Meaning – Possible obstacles in your path.
soon realize that they have caught a Tartar. Taste of your own medicine
Meaning – To deal with someone or something Example – Bad people will surely have a chance to
that proves unexpectedly troublesome or taste their own medicine.
powerful.
Meaning – When someone receives the same
To lose face treatment, usually negative, that he/she gives to
Example – He denied that he made a others.
mistake because he didn’t want to lose his face. Golden handshake
Meaning – To do something which makes other Example – It’s better to offer a golden handshake
people stop respecting you. to the aged employees.
The rank and file Meaning – A big amount of money given to a
Example – The party leadership seems to be person when he/she leaves a company or retires.
losing the support of the rank and file. Apple of one’s eye
Meaning – The ordinary members of an Example – My mother is always an apple of my
organization and not its leaders. family’s eye.
Meaning – Being cherished more than others are. Example – Now the ball is in my court and I will
take the revenge on him.
Feeling a bit under weather
Meaning – When it is up to you to take the next
Example – I am not going to gym today as I am
step or decision.
feeling a bit under weather.
It takes two to tango
Meaning – Feeling slightly ill.
Example – The manager realizes that it takes two
Mean business
to tango before taking the decision.
Example – The border is surrounded by forces
Meaning – Actions or communications need more
who mean business.
than one person.
Meaning – Being serious/ dedicated.
Last straw
The best of both worlds
Example – If I complete this last straw, I will
Example – I had the best of both world since I complete this level.
worked as an ordinary member but got to learn
Meaning – The final problem in a series of
from the leaders.
problems.
Meaning – The benefit of widely different
Break the ice
situations, enjoyed at the same time.
Example – Always break the ice in a group
Hear it on grapevine
discussion.
Example – I heard it on grapevine that he has
Meaning – To initiate a social conversation or
cheated the organization.
interaction.
Meaning – To hear rumors about something or
38. A bird’s eye view
someone.
Example – The building gives you a bird’s eye view
Can’t judge a book by its cover
of the whole city.
Example – It is wise not to judge a book by its
Meaning – A view from a very high place that
cover.
allows seeing a very large area.
Meaning – Can’t judge something primarily by it’s
Be on cloud nine
appearance./ Don’t judge someone based on how
the person looks like. Example – I will be on cloud nine when I pass the
exam.
The icing on the cake
Meaning – Be very happy.
Example – I got MS in the University that I wished
to and scholarship was like the icing on the cake. Eat humble pie
Meaning – Something that turns good into great. Example – The employee will have to eat humble
pie for his misbehavior to his boss.
Jump the bandwagon
Meaning – To apologize humbly.
Example – When I put on few kgs, I immediately
jumped on the bandwagon and join the gym. To show the white feather
Meaning – To join a popular activity or trend. Example – Becky showed the white feather and
backed down.
Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning – To act like a coward
Example – My laziness costs me an arm and a leg
every time. To play fast and loose
Meaning – Be very expensive. Example – The TN reporter is known for playing
fast and loose with the facts.
The ball is in your court
Meaning – To act in an unreliable way./Act
carelessly or irresponsibly
Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve Meaning – An absurdly hopeless enterprise./
Wasting time looking for something that you are
Example – Sumit always wears his heart on his
not going to find.
sleeve, so there is no doubt who he’ll be
supporting. A litmus test
Meaning – To make your feelings and opinions Example – His performance in the Test matches
obvious to other people. served as a litmus test whether he would join the
One-day team.
To make a long face
Meaning – An experiment that seeks to
Example – Why have you got such a long face?
determine the state of one important factor./ A
Better luck next time.
method that helps to know if something is
Meaning – To look depressed. correct.
In apple pie order To cry wolf
Example – Please put everything in apple pie Example – Don’t pay attention to her. She is just
order before you leave. crying wolf again.
Meaning – Perfectly methodical Meaning – To cry or complain about something
arrangement./Very well organized. when nothing is really wrong.
To strain every nerve To be hard up
Example – I was straining every nerve to break the Example – James was hard up for cash to pay his
code but failed every time. bills.
Meaning – To try extremely hard to do Meaning – To be short of money.
something.
To take to one’s heels
To have an axe to grind
Example – The man took to his heels to try to get
Example – The best reporting is done by people the bus before it leaves the bus stop.
who don’t have an axe to grind.
Meaning – To run very fast.
Meaning – To have a selfish interest to serve.
Cry over spilt milk
To draw the line
Example – There is no use of crying over spilt milk,
Example – It’s hard to keep young people under instead of being careful in the future.
control, but you have to draw the line
Meaning – Complaining about a loss or failure
somewhere.
from the past.
Meaning – To set limits/To separate one thing
At the drop of a hat
from another.
Example – She is always ready to go for an outing
Beat around the bush
at the drop of a hat.
Example – Don’t beat around the bush, just tell
Meaning – Willingness to do something instantly.
me what’s happening here.
Afraid of one’s own shadow
Meaning – To avoid talking about an
embarrassing subject as you are worried about Example – My grandfather always had panic
upsetting the person you are talking to. attacks. He was the kind of a person who was
afraid of his own shadow.
A wild goose chase
Meaning – To become easily frightened.
Example – After five hours spent wandering in the
city, we realized that we were on a wild goose A house of cards
chase.
Example – That well-reputed company turned out
to be a house of cards within a year.
Meaning – A poor plan or organization that is very Meaning – To be exactly right about something or
weak and can be easily destroyed. to achieve the best result possible.
Black and Blue [ Hit the bull’s eye also mean to hit the very
center of a circular target. For example; The
Example – The thief was beaten black and blue by
Bowman hits the bull’s eye three times in a row.]
the public.
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning – Full of bruises (Black marks caused by
being hit). Example – John had planned a surprise party for
his wife. But their five-year-old son let the cat out
To be in the doldrums
of the bag and ruined the party.
Example – My friend is in doldrums since a week
Meaning – To reveal the secret carelessly or by
and nothing I do seems to cheer him up.
mistake.
Meaning – To feel sad and lack of energy to do
Make a face
something.
Example – Do you have any better suggestion? If
Be on cloud nine
not, then don’t make a face.
Example – I will be on cloud nine when I pass
Meaning – To show dislike or disappointment
UPSC exam this year.
through facial expression.
Meaning – Be very happy
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Fool’s paradise
Example – Try to invest in different ways. Don’t
Example – They were living in a fool’s paradise, put all your eggs in one basket.
refusing to accept that they were facing poverty.
Meaning – Do not put all your resources in one
Meaning – False sense of happiness or success. place.
Give cold shoulder To be a good Samaritan
Example – The principal has given the cold Example – I was stuck in the middle of the
shoulder to the proposal to arrange an inter- highway, and then a good Samaritan offered me a
school dance competition. ride.
Meaning – To ignore Meaning – To be kind and compassionate to
Get a raw deal someone in distress.

Example – It is very sad that the backward class To put in a nutshell

poor children get a raw deal in education. Example – One of my lecturers is expert in
Meaning – not to be treated as well as others. teaching the topic in a nutshell.

Hit the nail on the head Meaning – To say in a few words./ To make
something concise.
Example – He always hit the nail on the head in
troubled situations. To pour oil on troubled waters

Meaning – to do the correct thing Example – The argument between Jack & David
has turned worse, so I tried to pour oil on
66. Hand to mouth troubled waters but failed to do so.
Example – Heavy rainfall led the farmers to live Meaning – To do or say something in order to
hand to mouth. make people stop arguing and become calmer.
Meaning – Live on only basic necessities. To move heaven and earth
Hit the bull’s eye Example – The ACP ordered the police to move
Example – Your suggestion hits the bull’s eye in heaven and earth to find the murderer.
the exam.
Meaning – To do everything possible to achieve Meaning – No concrete or positive result.
the result.
To get into hot water
Bear the palm
Example – Rajesh gets into hot water after he had
Example – India may bear the palm in the a fight with the manager.
Champions Trophy.
Meaning – To get into trouble.
Meaning – to win.
To bury the hatchet
NOTE: Palm leaves were formerly used as symbols
Example – These two teammates should bury the
of victory.
hatchet to win the final match.
To egg someone on
Meaning – To forget about arguments and
Example – My classmates egged on me to talk disagreements with someone.
with the principal.
To wet one’s whistle
Meaning – To urge someone to do something that
Example – You must be tired after all days work.
is usually negative.
Would you like to wet your whistle?
On the spur of the moment
Meaning – To take a drink, especially an alcoholic
Example – I decided to go on the spur of the drink.
moment.
Cloak and dagger
Meaning – Suddenly, without any planning
Example – How many days you will cloak and
A man of straw dagger like this? Why don’t you tell your boss
about your new job?
Example – In today’s match, the opponent team
members are like men of straw. Meaning – Involving or characterized by secrecy
or mystery.
Meaning – A person or idea that is weak and easy
to defeat. A bread and butter letter
Cut the mustard Example – After I came back from the tour, I have
decided to write a bread and butter letter to the
Example – Mr. Bansal appointed Rajesh as the
tour organizer for such an amazing service.
project manager, but can he cut the mustard?
Meaning – A thank you letter./ A letter or note to
Meaning – To succeed./ To come up to
follow up on a visit.
expectations.
Thick and thin
To fish in troubled waters
Example – From last ten years, we have been
Example – My uncle is fishing in troubled waters
together through thick and thin.
by buying shares of that software company.
Meaning – Including both good times and bad
Meaning – Involving oneself in a difficult situation
times.
in the hope of gaining some personal advantage.
Cool one’s heels
The green-eyed monster
Example – When you were busy in the meeting, I
Example – She criticized Maya’s effort of
was cooling my heels in the waiting room.
presenting the demonstration. Do you think it is
valid or is just a case of green-eyed monster? Meaning – To wait for something to happen.
Meaning – The feeling of being jealous. Take fancy
End in smoke Example – I think Maya has taken a fancy to you.
Example – He is trying to figure out the Meaning – Suddenly start to like something or
programming error since two days. But someone.
unfortunately, all his efforts end in smoke at last.
Take to task
Example – I failed to impress the foreign clients so On tenterhooks
my boss took me to task in front of everyone.
Example – People were on tenterhooks when the
Meaning – To scold someone. possibility of an earthquake was announced.
The worse for wear Meaning – Waiting nervously for the outcome.
Example – The radio is really worse for the wear.
Send it to the repair centre.
Meaning – In a poor condition.
A lion’s share
Example – The lion’s share of the company’s
profit goes to the charitable trust.
Meaning – The biggest part of something.
To turn one’s back on
Example – I can’t turn my back on what I have
done. It was my responsibility to take care of
everything.
Meaning – To deny or reject or abandon.
To bite the dust
Example – The soldier was too young to bite the
dust.
Meaning – To break/fail/die/give out.
Bolt from the blue
Example – I had met my uncle last week. He was
so energetic and fit. Today his death news came
as a bolt from the blue.
Meaning – A sudden and unexpected event.
To draw a blank
Example – I tried to remember the address. But I
could only draw a blank.
Meaning – To fail to remember something./ To
get no response.
To go against the tide
Example – It’s not easy to go against the tide in
defence of our principles.
Meaning – To do the opposite of what other
people are doing.
To pick a hole in my coat
Example – My boss is waiting for a chance to pick
a hole in my coat.
Meaning – To find a mistake in something
someone has done or said.
 A
S.No IDIOM/PHRASE MEANING
1. Achilles heels a weakness or vulnerable point.
2. A bone of contention Main issue of a disagreement; something to quarrel about.
3. A dead letter An existing law or agreement that is no longer obeyed or enforced.
4. At the eleventh hour The last minute
5. A queer fish a person whose behaviour seems strange or unusual.
6. A worm’s eye view A limited understanding of something due to a lack of a broad perspective.
7. At (on) the heels of Following closely after.
8. Apple of one’s eye The favourite object of a person's love or affection.
9. Ask for the moon to ask for something that is very difficult or impossible to get.
10. Asleep at the switch Not doing or paying attention to that which is important or for which one
is responsible.
11. At sixes and sevens Used to describe a condition of confusion or disarray.
12. At someone’s beck and call Always having to be ready to obey someone's orders immediately.
13. At an arm’s length To avoid close contact
14. A red letter day any day of special significance or opportunity.
15. A nine days’ wonder Something or someone that creates a short-lived sensation — called also
nine day wonder.
16. Alma mater the school, college, or university where you studied
17. At the drop of a hat without hesitation or good reason
18. A cold fish Someone who shows no emotion and comes across as unfriendly or
disinterested.
19. A cock and a bull story An implausible story used as an explanation or excuse.
20. Above board honest
B
1. Back to square one back to where one started, with no progress having been made.
2. Back on one’s foot well or successful again after being ill or having problems.
3. By hook or by crook by any possible means
4. Blow one’s trumpet to talk about oneself or one's achievements especially in a way that shows
that one is proud or too proud.
5. Beat the air Continue to make futile attempts, fight to no purpose.
6. Bed the thorns Full of difficulties.
7. Beat about the bush discuss a matter without coming to the point.
8. Bag and baggage With all of one's possessions.
9. Blue eyed boy the favourite of someone in authority.
10. Bread and butter someone's basic income; someone's livelihood
11. Bear the brunt of To suffer the worst part of an unpleasant or problematic situation.
12. Burn the candle at To overwork or exhaust oneself by doing too many things, especially both
both the ends late at night and early in the morning.
13. Bury the hatchet end a quarrel or conflict and become friendly.
14. Bury head in the sand to refuse to think about unpleasant facts, although they will have an
influence on your situation:
15. Blue blood A member of a wealthy, upper-class family or ancestry.
16. By dint of by means of.
17. Break a leg good luck
18. Born with a silver someone born into a wealthy family
spoon in the mouth
C
1. Call a spade a spade Figurative expression which requests that the speaker should, or has,
called a person, place or thing, by the most suitable name it could have
without any reservation to the feelings or strained formalities that may
result from its use.
2. Come through with flying to be triumphant or victorious, honourable or to be publicly successful.
colours
3. Cross one t’s and dot the i’s to pay a great deal of attention to the details of something, especially
when you are trying to complete a task.
4. Chew the cud to contemplate something.
5. Close but no cigar used to say that someone almost succeeded, but is not completely
successful or correct
6. Cry over spilt milk Being upset over something that has already happened and cannot be
changed.
7. Cry wolf call for help when it is not needed, with the effect that one is not believed
when one really does need help.
8. Curiosity killed the cat being inquisitive about other people's affairs may get you into trouble.
9. Cut to the chase come to the point.
10. Call out to shout something, especially when you are trying to get someone’s
attention
11. Catch up with succeed in reaching a person who is ahead of one.
12. Call upon to ask formally for someone to do something:
D
1. Donkey’s years A very long time
2. Dog days the hot, sultry days of summer
3. Dead ringer an athlete or horse fraudulently substituted for another in a competition
or event.
4. Dark horse a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who
unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
5. Dog’s life A miserably unhappy existence
6. Down to earth with no illusions or pretensions; practical and realistic
7. Down at heel having a poor, shabby appearance
8. Doom and gloom a general feeling of pessimism or despondency.
9. Drive up the wall This expression is used when something (or someone) is causing extreme
exasperation and annoyance
10. Don’t put all your eggs don't risk everything on the success of one venture
in one basket
11. Dead and buried over; finished.
12. Dead in the water (of a ship) unable to move.
13. Dip a toe in the water to tentatively begin or get involved in a new experience.
14. Devil of a time A difficult or frustrating time
15. Devil’s advocate a person who expresses a contentious opinion in order to provoke debate
or test the strength of the opposing arguments.
16. Don’t give up the day’s job recommending someone not to pursue something at which they are
unlikely to be successful.
17. Down the dumps unhappy
18. Do for defeat, ruin, or kill
19. Draw up come to a halt.
20. Drop a line correspond, write a short letter or note.
21. Dig your own grave do something foolish which causes one's downfall.
E
1. Every dog has its day everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives.
2. Early bird a person who rises, arrives, or acts before the usual or expected time
3. Egg on incite, urge ahead, provoke
4. Eye of the storm the calm region at the centre of a storm or hurricane./ centre/ middle
5. Eagle eye a keen or close watch.
6. Empty vessels make those with the least talent and knowledge usually speak the most, speak
much noise the loudest, and create the most fuss
7. Earn one’s keep work in return for food and accommodation.
 F
1. For good forever; definitively.
2. Few and far between scarce; infrequent.
3. Fancy price Very high cost.
4. Flogging a dead horse to continue a particular endeavour is a waste of time as the outcome is
already decided.
5. Fish out of water someone who is uncomfortable in a specific situation
6. Fool’s paradise a state of happiness based on a person's not knowing about or denying the
existence of potential trouble.
7. Forty winks a short sleep, especially during the day.
8. Flesh and blood used to emphasize that a person is a physical, living being with human
emotions or frailties, often in contrast to something abstract, spiritual, or
mechanical.
9. Fresh blood new members admitted to a group, especially as an invigorating force
10. Fight tooth and nail fight very fiercely.
11. Friend at court an influential acquaintance who can promote one's interests
12. Face the music be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
13. Feel under the weather feeling ill or unwell
14. Fit as a fiddle in very good health.
15. Freudian slip an unintentional error regarded as revealing subconscious feelings.
G
1. Gain ground become more popular or accepted.
2. Gall and wormwood Strong feelings of bitterness and resentment.
3. Give someone a piece express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their
of mind behaviour or actions.
4. Get a word in edgeways contribute to a conversation with difficulty because the other speaker talks
incessantly.
5. Give a wide berth to keep a reasonable distance from someone or something; to steer clear
(of someone or something).
6. Get back at someone take revenge on (someone).
7. Get down to brass tacks start to consider the basic facts or practical details
8. Gift of the gab the ability to speak with eloquence and fluency.
9. Go through fire and water face any peril.
10. Go the whole hog do something completely or thoroughly.
11. Go out on a limb n or into a position where one is not joined or supported by anyone else./
isolated
12. Get the better of someone ain an advantage over or defeat (someone) by superior strength or ability.
13. Gravy train used to refer to a situation in which someone can make a lot of money for
very little effort.
14. Grease your palm to bribe someone.
15. Greek to one Difficult to understand
16. Green eyed monster jealousy personified.
17. Grow on someone If someone or something grows on you, you like him, her, or it more and
more than you did at first
18. Go back on fail to keep (a promise).
19. Ginger up make more interesting or lively
H
1. Have a hand in o be involved with something or have influence on something.
2. Hair splitting characterized by or fond of small and over fine distinctions./ fault finding
3. Handle someone with deal with someone or something very carefully or tactfully.
kid gloves
4. Hale and hearty healthy
5. Hang fire delay or be delayed in taking action or progressing.
6. Harp on the same tune To dwell tediously and repeatedly upon a single subject or topic, especially
in complaint.
7. Have had one’s chips be dead or defeated.
8. Have a cow become angry, excited, or agitated
9. Hang in the balance in an uncertain or critical state.
10. Has too many irons in to be engaged in too many activities
the fire
11. Hit a snag encounter a problem or obstacle.
12. Hit the nail on the head find exactly the right answer.
13. Hit the sack/hay to go to bed.
14. Hope against hope cling to a mere possibility.
15. Hush money money paid to someone to prevent them from disclosing embarrassing or
discreditable information.
16. Hand back something that you have borrowed or taken from someone, you return it
to them
17. Hand down to transmit in succession (as from father to son) / to make a legal decision
known to the public by making an official statement:
18. Head off f you head off a person, animal, or vehicle, you move to a place in front of
them in order to capture them or make them change the direction they
are moving in.
19. Hammer away at to work without stopping and with a lot of effort.
20. Hack around pass one's time idly or with no definite purpose.
21. Hold forth talk lengthily, assertively, or tediously about a subject.
22. Hold back hesitate to act or speak.
23. Hold on wait; stop./ endure in difficult circumstances.
24. Hold off (of bad weather) fail to occur.
25. Hold something over postpone something./ use a piece of information to threaten or intimidate
(someone).
I
1. In a trice in a small amount of time : quickly.
2. In a tight corner If you are in a tight corner or in a tight spot, you are in a difficult situation.
3. In deep waters in trouble or difficulty
4. In a nutshell in the fewest possible words.
5. In the dark in a state of ignorance
6. In cold blood without feeling or mercy; ruthlessly.
7. In the blink of an eye very quickly
8. In black and white in writing or print./ in terms of clearly defined opposing principles or
issues.
9. In the good books if you are in someone's good/bad books, they are pleased/no f you are in
someone's good/bad books, they are pleased/not pleased with you:
pleased with you:
10. In high spirits lively and cheerful behaviour or mood
11. In apple pie order To be perfectly arranged
J
1. Jump the gun act before the proper or appropriate time.
2. Jack of all trades a person who can do many different types of work but who is not
necessarily very competent at any of them.
3. Jump to conclusion to guess the facts about a situation without having enough information:
4. Jam on the brakes operate the brakes of a vehicle suddenly and forcibly, typically in response
to an emergency.
5. John Hancock A signature
(American revolutionary patriot who was president of the Continental
Congress; was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence (1737-
1793) 2. n. a person's own signature.)
6. Jump on the bandwagon to join an activity that has become very popular or to change your opinion
to one that has become very popular so that you can share in its success.
7. Justice is blind This expression means that justice is impartial and objective.
8. Jangle someone’s nerves to make someone feel annoyed or nervous:
9. Jump for joy be ecstatically happy.
10. (Get one’s )Just deserts receive what one deserves, especially appropriate punishment.
K
1. Keep the wolf from have enough money to avert hunger or starvation (hyperbolically)
the door
2. Kill two birds with one stone achieve two aims at once.
3. Keep your chin up remain cheerful in difficult circumstances
4. Keep fingers crossed to wish for luck for someone or something
5. Keep an eye to watch someone or something or stay informed about the person's
behaviour
6. Keep body and soul together stay alive, especially in difficult circumstances.
7. Knee jerk reaction An immediate unthinking emotional reaction produced by an event or
statement to which the reacting person is highly sensitive
8. Knock on wood said in order to avoid bad luck, either when you mention good luck that
you have had in the past or when you mention hopes you have for the
future
9. Kick the bucket Die
L
1. Lend me your ear Politely ask for someone’s full attention.
2. Let bygones be bygones Allow a disagreement or argument to be put in the past.
3. Let the cat out of the bag Share a secret that wasn't intended to be shared.
4. Let sleeping dogs lie Avoid restarting a conflict
5. Level playing field Fair competition where no side has an advantage.
6. Long in the tooth Old.
7. Lame duck A person or thing that is no longer properly able to function.
8. Loose cannon Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage by being reckless.
9. A lot on your plate A lot of responsibilities
10. Little fish in a big pond Someone considered unimportant compared to their more significant
peers.
M
1. Make clean breast of To confess one's misdeeds or wrongdoings.
2. Make no bones about To state a fact so there are no doubts about it.
3. Make one’s way To navigate or find one's way toward something or some location.
4. Man in the street An average person.
5. Man of his word a truthful, trustworthy, or reliable person.
6. Man of straw A weak person
7. Mark my words Pay attention to and remember what I am saying, because it will happen
8. Marry money to marry someone solely or primarily to have access to their personal
wealth
9. Mint money To earn a very large amount of money, especially by doing something very
successfully.
10. Miss the boat Missed the chance to take an opportunity.
11. Make a beeline for To head directly and quickly toward something or some place
12. Make a comeback to return to one's former (successful) career.
13. Make a fool out of To do something that makes someone or oneself seem stupid or ridiculous.
14. Make a fuss to worry about or make a bother about someone or something.
N
1. No spring chicken an old person
2. Not hold water to not be or not appear to be true, verifiable, or able to be supported by
facts
3. Nothing to sneeze at Not something that should be ignored, dismissed, or treated with disdain;
something that is not inconsequential.
4. No love lost Of two people, nothing but animosity, disdain, or disrespect for each
another
5. Night owl A person who prefers to be awake late at night.
6. Null and void Cancelled, invalid
7. Neck and crop Totally and completely, often abruptly
8. Nuts and bolts The most basic, fundamental, or essential aspects of something.
9. Not my cup of tea Something that is in accord with one's liking or taste
10. Nitty-gritty To become focused on the most important or fundamental aspects of a
particular situation
11. Nip in the bud To stop, cease, or prevent something at the beginning or early phase,
before it becomes too difficult or unmanageable.
12. Nineteen to the dozen Very rapidly, hurriedly, and/or energetically
O
1. On the table To be available or put forward, as for consideration, acceptance,
discussion, etc
2. Once bitten, twice shy When something or someone has hurt you once, you tend to avoid that
thing or person
3. Out of the blue Completely unexpectedly
4. Over the hill Past the peak of one's life or career; too old
5. Off hand Forthwith; without delay, hesitation, or difficulty; promptly.
6. Off the mark Inaccurate or wrong.
7. On your toes Active, alert, and focused
8. Out of hand Out of control
9. On the cuff With the expectation, promise, or obligation that payment will be given in
the future.
10. Once in a blue moon Occasionally; very rarely.
11. On the cards Very likely or certain to happen, occur, or take place
12. Off colour looking or feeling ill
13. On cloud nine In a state of extreme, euphoric happiness
14. Olive branch Offer a reconciliation
P
1. Play second fiddle To have a subordinate, lesser, or smaller role, position, or part (in
something).
2. Put the cart before To do things out of the proper order
the horse
3. Put the cat among To do or say something that is likely to cause alarm, controversy, or unrest
the pigeons among a lot of people.
4. Put years on To cause someone to look, act, or feel much older than they are
5. To play fast and loose To act recklessly, unreliably, irresponsibly, or thoughtlessly toward
someone or something; to treat someone or something with a lack of
respect or seriousness.
6. Past master someone proven extremely good or skillful at an activity.
7. Petticoat government government by women, whether in politics or domestic affairs.
8. Piece of cake A very easy task or accomplishment
9. Pie in the sky An impossible, unlikely, or fanciful idea or plan
10. Pick holes in to criticize something severely; to point out the flaws or fallacies in an
another’s coat argument.
 Q AND R
1. Quake in one’s boots tremble with apprehension.
2. Rags to riches used to describe a person's rise from a state of extreme poverty to one of
great wealth.
3. Rain cats and dogs to rain heavily
4. Red handed used to indicate that a person has been discovered in or just after the act
of doing something wrong or illegal
5. Root and branch used to express the thorough or radical nature of a process or operation.
6. Run out of steam lose impetus or enthusiasm
7. Running battle a confrontation which has gone on for a long time.
8. Run helter skelter with undue hurry and confusion
9. Red tape excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities.
10. Rule the roost be in complete control.
T and U
1. Turn the tables reverse one's position relative to someone else, especially by turning a
position of disadvantage into one of advantage.
2. Take the cudgel to argue strongly in support of, or against, someone or something
3. Throw in a towel To quit in defeat.
4. throw down the gauntlet Declare or issue a challenge
5. Take to heels to begin to run away.
6. Throw cold water to criticize someone's opinions or ideas and stop people believing them or
being excited about them.
7. Throw out of gear Disturbed the working of
8. Turn to account Use for one's benefit
9. Turn over a new leaf start to act or behave in a better or more responsible way
10. Through and through in every aspect; thoroughly or completely.
11. Under the cloud to not be trusted or popular because people think you have done
something bad
12. Under the rose in secret
13. Under one’s nose directly in front of someone.
14. Under duress Under pressure
15. Under dog a person who has little status in society.
16. Uncharted waters not yet mapped or surveyed
17. Under fire Subject to intense criticism or judgment.
18. (the) Upper crust The most affluent, powerful, or influential class in a society; the social
elites or aristocrats.
19. Upper hand A position of advantage, power, and/or control (over someone, something,
or some situation)
20. Under lock and key Securely hidden away
21. Under someone’s heels completely controlled by another person, group, etc.
22. Under the knife to have a medical operation
 V and W
1. Vanish into the air Disappear without a trace
2. Volte face A complete change of opinion or belief.
3. Vent spleen To voice one's anger.
4. To wash dirty linen To discuss very private, personal matters, especially that which may be
in public embarrassing, in public or with other people
5. Wild goose chase A prolonged or chaotic search for something that is difficult to find (often
because it does not exist)
6. Wear one’s heart on make one's feelings apparent.
one’s sleeves
7. With a high hand Oppressively
8. A windfall a large amount of money that is won or received unexpectedly.
9. A wet blanket a person who spoils other people's fun by failing to join in with or by
disapproving of their activities.
10. Wrong foot put (someone) in a difficult situation by saying or doing something
unexpected.
11. Walking on air o feel extremely excited or happy
12. Willy and nilly by compulsion : without choice. 2 : in a haphazard or spontaneous
manner.
X,Y and Z
1. X marks the spot This is the exact spot. (Sometimes the speaker will draw an X in the spot
while saying this.)
2. Yoke around someone’s a trouble for someone
neck
3. Yeoman’s service efficient or useful help in need.
4. Young Turk a young person eager for radical change to the established order.
5. Young at heart Having a youthful outlook, especially in spite of one's age.
6. Zero hour the time at which a planned operation, typically a military one, is set to
begin./ the appointed time
7. Zero tolerance non-acceptance of antisocial behaviour, typically by strict and
uncompromising application of the law.
 Do, To do, or Doing?
The Infinitive without "to" convince, encourage, expect, forbid, force,
hire, instruct, invite, need, order, persuade,
The infinitive without "to" is used after:
remind , require, teach, tell, urge, want,
1. the modal auxiliary verbs can, could, may, warn;
might, will, would, should and after have to
6. after adjectives and their comparisons.
and ought to;
Examples
2. these expressions: had better and would
rather;  They don't know how to swim.
3. the verbs: let, make and help;  To know you is to love you.
4. the expression: why not.  He promised to come on time.
5. the verbs: see, hear, feel, smell, and the  We made a promise to to come on time.
verbs listen (to), notice and watch .
 They urged him to continue.
Examples
 It is easier to swim downstream.
 I can swim.
Gerund
 You had better run while you can.
The gerund is used
 He made her swim.
1. after prepositions: such as about, at, after..;
 He helped her cross the road.
2. after the following verbs: admit, advise,
 Why not go to the cinema? anticipate, appreciate, bear, avoid,
complete, consider, continue, delay, deny,
 I saw him leave the house.
discuss, dislike, enjoy, finish, imagine,
The Infinitive include, involve, hate, keep, like, mention,
The infinitive is used mind, miss, postpone, practice, love, prefer,
quit, recall, recollect, recommend, regret,
1. after wh-words such as who, what, where, tolerate, try, understand, justify, mind, miss,
when, how, and why; practise, risk, suggest;
2. at the beginning of a sentence as the subject 3. after the following phrases: spend one's
of a clause; time, can't stand, can't resist, what about,
3. after these verbs: accept, afford, agree, worth, it's no use, there's no, there's no
arrange,consent, demand, intend, fail, point, it means .... it's (no) good, how about,
hesitate, manage, mean, plan, promise, feel like, don't mind, couldn't help, to be
pretend, refuse, seem, struggle, swear, busy, agree to.
threaten, volunteer, wait, want, wish, Examples
would like;
 They are afraid of losing the match.
4. after nouns deriving from the verbs
mentioned above;  Pat is angry about walking in the rain.

5. after these verbs when they are followed by  They have put off travelling this year.
a pronoun or noun referring to a  They will keep on trying.
person: advise, ask, beg, cause, challenge,
 He admitted having driven too fast.
 They avoid going on holiday on Saturdays. Examples
 He spends his free time sleeping.  He advised me to apply at once.
 She couldn't help eating another apple.  He advised applying at once.
 I don't mind telling them my opinion.  They don't allow us to park here.
 There's no staying up late anymore.  They don't allow parking here.
 There's no point in going further. need, require, want
 The book is worth reading. 1. Use the gerund after it needs/requires/wants
(but the passive infinitive is acceptable)
Special Cases
Examples
begin, start, continue, cease
 The grass wants cutting.
1. Use either the infinitive or gerund after the
verbs: begin, start, continue, cease. But the  The grass needs to be cut.
infinitive is more usual with verbs of knowing
regret, remember, forget
and understanding.
1. Use the gerund after: regret, remember,
Examples:
forget when the action expressed by the
 I began working/to work. gerund is the earlier action (already
done).Remember can be followed by
 He continued living/to live above the shop.
possessive adjective/object + gerund. Forget
 She never ceased complaining/to complain + gerund is possible only when forget is in
about prices. the negative. It is often used after \will never
 I am beginning to understand/see/realize forget\.
why she left. 2. Use the infinitive after regret, remember,
intend forget when the infinitive is for the action yet
to be done. Regret is normally followed by a
1. Use the infinitive after the verb intend. (But verb such as say, inform or tell. It is normally
the gerund is also acceptable.) used only in the present tense. Remember
Examples can be used in any tense.

 I intend to sell it. (more usual) Examples

 I intend selling it.  I regret wasting so much money.(I'm sorry I

wasted so much money, (wasting is the first
 I intend her to take the plane. ( Only in action, regret is the second.)
formal English, the infinitive is necessary
when we have intend + object.)  I remember his/him telling her about his
plan.
can't bear
 I remember my father('s) telling me about
1. Use the gerund after the expression can't his plan.
bear. ( But Only the infinitive is used when it
refers to deliberate action).  I'll never forget waiting for the rain to stop.

Examples  I regret to say that you have failed your

exam, (regret is the first action, to say is the
 I can't bear waiting/to wait. second.)
 I couldn't bear to see him. (so I didn't.)  I'll remember to call Jane, (remember is the
advise, allow, permit, recommend earlier action.)
1. Use the gerund after: advise, allow, permit,  I often forget to pay my phone bill.
recommend. (But If the person concerned is  I remembered to lock the door. (I didn't
mentioned we use the infinitive.) forget to lock the door. I locked it.)
 I didn't remember to lock the door. (I forgot  They tried to put out the fire. (They
to lock it .I didn't lock it.) attempted to do this.)
mean, propose  They tried putting out the fire with sand but
it didn't work.
1. Use the infinitive after mean when it means
'intend'. But when it means 'involve', use see, hear, feel, smell, listen (to), notice ,watch
the gerund. (Only with an impersonal
1. The verbs see, hear, feel, smell, and the
subject)
verbs listen (to), notice and watch can be
2. Use an infinitive when propose means followed by object + gerund or by object +
'intend'. But use the gerund when it bare infinitive. But the infinitive is useful
means suggest. when we want to emphasize that the action
is complete, and neater when there is a
Examples
succession of actions. In the passive the full
 I mean to get home before sunrise. infinitive is used after verbs of the senses.
 He is determined to go now even if it means Examples
walking in the rain all night.
 I see him reading the newspaper every day.
 I propose to start tomorrow.
 Didn't you hear the child crying?
 I propose waiting till the police get here.
 I felt the car skidding.
go on, stop
 She smelt the food burning and saw smoke
1. Use a gerund after go on when it means rising.
'continue'. But verbs like explain, talk, tell
 I watched them painting the wall.
are used in the infinitive form after go on.
 I heard them make arrangements for their
2. Use the gerund after stop when it means
marriage.
(cease). But when it means (halt) use an
infinitive of purpose.  I saw him paint the wall.(I saw the whole
action.)
Examples
 I saw him enter the room, unlock a drawer,
 He began by showing us some pictures of
take out a gun, and shoot himself.
the actress and went on to tell us about her
biography.  He was heard to say that the food was bad.
 He went on talking about his adventures in
South Africa.
 After talking about his political career,
he went on to talk about his adventures as a
tourist in South Africa.
 Stop talking.
 I can't stop him talking to the press.
 I stopped to ask the way. (I stopped in order
to ask the way.)
try
1. Use the infinitive after the verb try when it
means 'attempt'. Use the gerund, when it
means 'make the experiment'.
Examples
 One Word Substitute

List of One Word Substitution for “Individual Character/ Person/ People”

PHRASE ONE WORD
One who is not sure about God’s existence Agnostic
A person who deliberately sets fire to a building Arsonist
One who does a thing for pleasure and not as a profession Amateur
One who can use either hand with ease Ambidextrous
One who makes an official examination of accounts Auditor
A person who believes in or tries to bring about a state of lawlessness Anarchist
A person who has changed his faith Apostate
One who does not believe in the existence of God Atheist
A person appointed by two parties to solve a dispute Arbitrator
One who leads an austere life Ascetic
One who does a thing for pleasure and not as a profession Amateur
One who can either hand with ease Ambidextrous
An unconventional style of living Bohemian
One who is bad in spellings Cacographer
One who feeds on human flesh Cannibal
A person who is blindly devoted to an idea/ A person displaying aggressive or Chauvinist
exaggerated patriotism
A critical judge of any art and craft Connoisseur
Persons living at the same time Contemporaries
One who is recovering health after illness Convalescent
A girl/woman who flirts with man Coquette
A person who regards the whole world as his country Cosmopolitan
One who is a centre of attraction Cynosure
One who sneers at the beliefs of others Cynic
A leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people Demagogue
A person having a sophisticated charm Debonair
A leader who sways his followers by his oratory Demagogue
A dabbler (not serious) in art, science and literature Dilettante
One who is for pleasure of eating and drinking Epicure
One who often talks of his achievements Egotist
Someone who leaves one country to settle in another Emigrant
A man who is womanish in his habits Effeminate
One hard to please (very selective in his habits) Fastidious
One who runs away from justice Fugitive
One who is filled with excessive enthusiasm in religious matters Fanatic
One who believes in fate Fatalist
A lover of good food Gourmand
Conferred as an honour Honorary
A person who acts against religion Heretic
A person of intellectual or erudite tastes Highbrow
A patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments Hypochondriac
A person who is controlled by wife Henpeck
One who shows sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality Indefatigable
Someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions Iconoclast
One who does not express himself freely Introvert
Who behaves without moral principles Immoral
A person who is incapable of being tampered with Impregnable
One who is unable to pay his debts Insolvent
A person who is mentally ill Lunatic
A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society Misanthrope
A person who primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics Mercenary
Someone in love with himself Narcissist
One who collect coins as hobby Numismatist
A person who likes or admires women Philogynist
A lover of mankind Philanthropist
A person who speaks more than one language Polyglot
One who lives in solitude Recluse
Someone who walks in sleep Somnambulist
A person who is indifferent to the pains and pleasures of life Stoic
A scolding nagging bad-tempered woman Termagant
A person who shows a great or excessive fondness for one’s wife Uxorious
One who possesses outstanding technical ability in a particular art or field Virtuoso

One Word Substitution List for “Collection/ Group”

PHRASE ONE WORD
A group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place Battery
A large bundle bound for storage or transport Bale
A large gathering of people of a particular type Bevy
An arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present Bouquet
A family of young animals Brood
A group of things that have been hidden in a secret place Cache
A group of people, typically with vehicles or animals travelling together Caravan
A closed political meeting Caucus
An exclusive circle of people with a common purpose Clique
A group of followers hired to applaud at a performance Claque
A series of stars Constellation
A funeral procession Cortege
A group of worshippers Congregation
A herd or flock of animals being driven in a body Drove
A small fleet of ships or boats Flotilla
A small growth of trees without underbrush Grove
A community of people smaller than a village Hamlet
A group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals Herd
A large group of people Horde
A temporary police force Posse
A large number of fish swimming together Shoal
A strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid Torrent

One Word Substitutes List for “Research/ Profession”

PHRASE ONE WORD
The medieval forerunner of chemistry Alchemy
A person who presents a radio/television programme Anchor
One who studies the evolution of mankind Anthropologist
A person who is trained to travel in a spacecraft Astronaut
The scientific study of the physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, Botany
classification, and economic importance of plants
A person who draws or produces maps Cartographer
A person who writes beautiful writing Calligrapher
A person who composes the sequence of steps and moves for a performance of dance Choreographer
A person employed to drive a private or hired car Chauffeur
A person who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show Compere
A keeper or custodian of a museum or other collection Curator
The branch of biology concerned with cyclical physiological phenomena Chronobiology
A secret or disguised way of writing Cypher
The study of statistics Demography
The use of the fingers and hands to communicate and convey ideas Dactylology
A person who sells and arranges cut flowers Florist
A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor Genealogy
The therapeutic use of sunlight Heliotherapy
The art or practice of garden cultivation and management Horticulture
One who supervises in the examination hall Invigilator
The theory or philosophy of law Jurisprudence
A person who compiles dictionaries Lexicographer
The scientific study of the structure and diseases of teeth Odontology
One who presents a radio programme Radio Jockey
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing Rhetoric
The branch of science concerned with the origin, structure, and composition of rocks Petrology
One who study the elections and trends in voting Psephologist
An artist who makes sculptures. Sculptor
The scientific study of the behaviour, structure, physiology, classification, and Zoology
distribution of animals

Important One Word Substitution for “Spot/ Venue”

PHRASE ONE WORD
A collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, Archives
institution, or group of people
A large cage, building, or enclosure for keeping birds in Aviary
A building where animals are butchered Abattoir
A place where bees are kept; a collection of beehives Apiary
A building containing tanks of live fish of different species Aquarium
A place or scene of activity, debate, or conflict Arena
A collection of weapons and military equipment Arsenal
An institution for the care of people who are mentally ill Asylum
A hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, as a dwelling Burrow
A collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place Cache
A public room or building where gambling games are played Casino
A large burial ground, especially one not in a churchyard Cemetery
A room in a public building where outdoor clothes or luggage may be left Cloakroom
A place where a dead person’s body is cremated Crematorium
a Christian community of nuns living together under monastic vows Convent
Nursery where babies and young children are cared for during the working day Creche
A stoppered glass container into which wine or spirit is decanted Decanter
A large bedroom for a number of people in a school or institution Dormitory
The nest of a squirrel, typically in the form of a mass of twigs in a tree Drey
A room or building equipped for gymnastics, games, and other physical exercise Gymnasium
A storehouse for threshed grain Granary
A large building with an extensive floor area, typically for housing aircraft. Hangar
A box or cage, typically with a wire mesh front, for keeping rabbits or other Hutch
small domesticated animals
A place in a large institution for the care of those who are ill Infirmary
A small shelter for a dog Kennel
A place where wild animal live Lair
A place where coins, medals, or tokens are made Mint
A collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition Menagerie
A building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows Monastery
A place where bodies are kept for identification Morgue
A piece of enclosed land planted with fruit trees Orchard
A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply Reservoir
A small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and another Scullery
dirty household work
A close-fitting cover for the blade of a knife or sword Sheath
A room or building for sick children in a boarding school Sanatorium
A place where animal hides are tanned Tannery
A large, tall cupboard in which clothes may be hung or stored Wardrobe

One Word Substitution PDF for “Government/ Systems”

PHRASE ONE WORD
A state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other Anarchy
controlling systems
A form of government in which power is held by the nobility Aristocracy
A system of government by one person with absolute power Autocracy
A self-governing country or region Autonomy
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state Bureaucracy
officials rather than by elected representatives
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, Democracy
typically through elected representatives
A state, society, or group governed by old people Gerontocracy
A state or country run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens Kakistocracy
Government by new or inexperienced hands Neocracy
Government by the populace Ochlocracy
A small group of people having control of a country or organization Oligarchy
Government by the wealthy Plutocracy
Government not connected with religious or spiritual matters Secular
A form of government with a monarch at the head Monarchy
A political system based on government of men by God Thearchy

New One Word Substitution for “Fear/ Phobia”

PHRASE ONE WORD
An extreme or irrational fear of heights Acrophobia
An irrational fear of fresh air or drafts of air Aerophobia
Fear of being egotistical, being alone or isolated Auto phobia
A phobia of pain Anglophobia
An abnormal fear of heights Alto phobia
An emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat Anorexia
An extreme or irrational fear of open or public places Agoraphobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of depths Bathophobia
Fear or hatred of books Bibliophobia
Fear of ugliness and things that are ugly Cacophobia
A dislike of being in the centre Centrophobia
An extreme fear about beauty Cellophobia
Fear of time Chronophobia
Fear of dogs Cynophobia
An extreme or irrational fear of confined places Claustrophobia
A delusion of being possessed by evil spirits Demonomania
An abnormal and persistent fear of drinking alcohol Dipsophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of work or finding employment Ergophobia
Fear of getting married, being in a relationship, or commitment Gamophobia
Physical or psychological fear of sexual relations or sexual intercourse Genophobia
Fear of old age Geraphobia
Fear of knowledge Gnosiophobia
Fear of women Gynaephobia
Fear of writing or handwriting Graphophobia
An irrational and intense fear of travel Hodophobia
An excessive fear or aversion to obtaining pleasure Hedonophobia
Fear of disease Haemetophobia
An obsessive fear of words Logophobia
An extreme fear of wind or drafts Menemophobia
An extreme or irrational fear of the night or of darkness Nyctophobia
Fear of medication Pharamacophobia
Fear of death Thanatophobia
Extreme superstition regarding the number thirteen Triskaidekaphobia

All One Word Substitution for “Murder/ Death”

PHRASE ONE WORD
A solemn procession, especially for a funeral Cortege
A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead Elegy
A phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died Epitaph
Killing of one’s son or daughter Filicide
Destruction or abortion of a foetus Foeticide
Killing of one’s brother or sister Fratricide
Killing of a large group of people Genocide
Killing of one person by another Homicide
Killing of infants Infanticide
Burial of a corpse in a grave or tomb Interment
Killing of one’s mother Matricide
A room or building in which dead bodies are kept Mortuary
A news article that reports the recent death of a person Obituary
Killing of a parent or other near relative Parricide
Killing of one’s father Patricide
An examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death Postmortem
Action of killing a king Regicide
Killing of one’s sister Sororicide
Act of intentionally causing one’s own death Suicide
Killing of one’s wife Uxoricide

List of One Word Substitution for “Sound”

PHRASE ONE WORD
The branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound Acoustics
The sound of Alligators Bellow
The sound of Deer Bell
The sound of Crows Caw
The sound of Geese Cackle
The sound of Hens Cluck
The sound of Dolphins Click
The sound of Frogs Croak
The sound of Crickets Creak
The sound of Monkeys Gibber
The sound of Camels Grunt
The sound of Owls Hoot
The sound of Penguins Honk
The sound of Cattle Moo
The sound of Horses Neigh
The sound of Nightingales Pipe
The sound of Ducks Quack
The sound of Parrots Screech
The sound of Rats Squeak
The sound of Birds Twitter
The sound of Elephants Trumpet
The sound of Mosquitoes Whine

List of One Word Substitution for Competitive Exam Related to “Generic Terms”
PHRASE ONE WORD
An act of abdicating or renouncing the throne Abdication
An annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information such as Almanac
astronomical data and tide tables
A cold-blooded vertebrate animal that is born in water and breathes with gills Amphibian
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, Allegory
typically a moral or political one
A statement or proposition on which an abstractly defined structure is based Axiom
A nation or person engaged in war or conflict, as recognized by international law Belligerent
An examination of tissue removed from a living body to discover the presence, Biopsy
cause, or extent of a disease
The action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk Blasphemy
The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence Chronology
A vigorous campaign for political, social, or religious change Crusade
Lasting for a very short time Ephemeral
Spoken or done without preparation Extempore
Release someone from a duty or obligation Exonerate
Fond of company Gregarious
Making marks that cannot be removed Indelible
Incapable of making mistakes or being wrong Infallible
Certain to happen Inevitable
A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past Nostalgia
A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases Panacea
A doctrine which identifies God with the universe Pantheism
Excessively concerned with minor details or rules Pedantic
The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own Plagiarism
Safe to drink Potable
The emblems or insignia of royalty Regalia
Violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred Sacrilege
A position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit Sinecure
A thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event Souvenir
An imaginary ideal society free of poverty and suffering Utopia
Denoting a sin that is not regarded as depriving the soul of divine grace Venial
In exactly the same words as were used originally Verbatim

Preposition and Verbs

A
accuse (someone) of ([doing] something)
add (something) to (something else)
admire (someone) for ([doing] something)
agree on (topic)
agree with (someone)
apologize to (someone) for ([doing] something)
apply to (a place) for (something)
approve of (something)
argue with (someone) about (topic)
arrive at (a building, room, site, event)
arrive in (a city, country)
ask (someone) about (someone/topic)
ask (someone) for (something)

B
believe in (something)
belong to (someone)
blame (someone) for ([doing] something)
borrow (something) from (someone)

C
care about (someone/something/topic)
comment on (topic)
compare (something) to- similarities/with (something else)- differences
complain to (someone) about (something)
concentrate on ([doing] something)
congratulate (someone) for/on ([doing] something)
consist of (some things)
consent to ([doing] something)
contribute to (something)
count on (someone) to (do something)
cover (something) with (something else)

D
decide on (topic)
depend on (someone) for (something)
discuss (something) with (someone)
distinguish (something) from (something else)
dream about/of (someone/something)

E
escape from (somewhere)
explain (topic) to (someone)
excuse (someone) for ([doing] something)

F
forgive (someone for ([doing] something)

G
get rid of (something)
graduate from (a place)

H
happen to (someone)
help (someone) with (something)
hide (something) from (someone)

I
insist (up)on (something)
introduce (someone) to (someone else)
invite (someone) to (an event)

K
keep (something) for (someone)

M
matter to (someone)

O
object to (something)

P
participate in (something)
pay (price) for (something)
plan on ([doing] something)
pray for (someone/something)
prefer (something) to (something else)
prevent (someone) from ([doing] something)
prohibit (someone) from ([doing] something)
protect (someone) from (something)
provide (someone) with (something)

R
recover from (something)
rely (up)on (someone/something)
remind (someone) of (something)
rescue (someone) from (something)
respond to (someone/something)

S
save (someone) from (something)
search for (something)
separate (something) from (something else)
scold (someone) for ([doing] something)
smile at (someone) for ([doing] something)
speak to/with (someone) about (topic)
stare at (something/someone)
stop (someone) from ([doing] something)
subscribe to (something)
substitute (something) for (something else/someone)
subtract (something) from (something else)
succeed in ([doing] something)
suffer from (something)