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Idioms are phrases whose meanings cannot be derived from the definitions of the words that make them up. They have a figurative meaning. Idioms have a fixed grammatical structure. Changing the words or order can alter or obscure their meaning.
1. Break a leg!
Meaning: All the best! Good luck!
Sentence: Go break a leg with your performance—I know you will do a great job!
2. Don’t cry over spilt milk!
Meaning: Don’t complain about things that are not in your control.
Sentence: Get up and prepare for what’s next; there’s no point in crying over spilt milk.
3. Cost an arm and a leg!
Meaning: Anything that is exceptionally expensive
Sentence: That new PlayStation costs an arm and a leg, but its features are amazing.
4. Heart of gold!
Meaning: Be very kind, caring and generous
Sentence: My neighbour has a heart of gold despite seeming to be rough.
5. Walking on eggshells!
Meaning: To be very careful and cautious to avoid offending someone.
Sentence: Ever since the disagreement, I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around my friends and teachers.
6. Bite the bullet!
Meaning: Face the unavoidable situation and endure the pain.
Sentence: I dislike going to the dentist, but I’ll have to bite the bullet and make an appointment.
7. Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket!
Meaning: Don’t keep all your money, ideas, skills and visions on a single venture, place or event.
Sentence: My father taught me to diversify my investments and asked not to put all my eggs in the same basket.
8. Pull yourself together
Meaning: To be composed and behave neutrally and normally
Sentence: After hearing the disheartening news, she took a while to pull herself together.
9. Pull up your socks
Meaning: To make an effort to improve your present work or behaviour.
Sentence: If you want to be a top performer, you’ll need to pull up your socks and increase your capacity.
10. Born with a silver spoon
Meaning: To be born rich/ into a wealthy family.
Sentence: Despite being born with a silver spoon she understands the hardships of daily labour.
11. On the same boat
Meaning: Having the same situation as everyone else
Sentence: I guess, we are all in the same boat, we need to understand the issue and find ways to solve it.
12. On cloud nine
Meaning: To be extremely happy
Sentence: They were on cloud nine after being selected for finals.
13. The seventh heaven
Meaning: A state of bliss and satisfaction
Sentence: Winning the championship put him in seventh heaven.
14. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Sentence: I only see my childhood friend once in a blue moon since he moved to the United States.
15. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking and their opinion
Sentence: You have been thinking for a while; a penny for your thoughts?
16. Have deep pockets
Meaning: To have more than enough financial resources
Sentence: He can afford a lot of luxuries because his family has deep pockets.
17. Heard through the grapevine
Meaning: Getting the information through informal sources or gossip.
Sentence: I heard through the grapevine that they are moving abroad.
18. In a nutshell
Meaning: In short/ In brief
Sentence: In a nutshell, the assignment was a grand success.
19. To beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid the topic and speak indirectly.
Sentence: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.
20. Drop someone a line
Meaning: To connect with someone, usually by writing or calling.
Sentence: Drop me a line through mail regarding the updates of the project.
21. To get our wires crossed
Meaning: Having a misunderstanding.
Sentence: I think we got our wires crossed; I thought the meeting would be on 3rd May.
22. To be on the same wavelength
Meaning: Understanding each other well and thinking similarly.
Sentence: We’re on the same wavelength on the new proposal.
23. Over the moon
Meaning: To be happy.
Sentence: My friend was over the moon when she got selected for her dream job.
24. From horse’s mouth
Meaning: Listen to something directly from the source.
Sentence: The journalist heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth.
25. Come out of your shell
Meaning: To become more confident, move out of your comfort zone and socialise.
Sentence: She had come out of her shell to start her venture.
Read more: English Riddles for Kids: 20 Short Easy Riddles [With Answers]
26. In the loop
Meaning: To keep someone informed about something.
Sentence: Please keep all your teammates in the loop about the updates.
27. To touch base
Meaning: To contact someone briefly.
Sentence: Let us touch base in the evening to discuss further plans.
28. Spread like wildfire
Meaning: Spreading rapidly.
Sentence: The news of their marriage spreak like wildfire.
29. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Revealing a secret.
Sentence: My sister accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the
30. Put someone in the picture
Meaning: To explain to someone what is happening.
Sentence: Let me put you in the picture about the science project.
31. To talk at cross-purposes
Meaning: Misunderstanding each other.
Sentence: In the review, we found that we are talking at cross-purposes; I was speaking about old policy and you are talking about the new policy.
32. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To be exactly right.
Sentence: She hit the nail on the head with her on-the-point answer.
33. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It is your turn to decide and take action.
Sentence: The authority has done its part; now the ball is in your court.
34. Let someone off the hook.
Meaning: To allow someone to avoid responsibility.
Sentence: They were let off the hook and weren’t suspended.
35. Ahead of the curve
Meaning: To be more innovative than others
Sentence: Their new skills and technology always keep them ahead of the curve in the industry.
36. Take the bull by the horns
Meaning: To face any challenge head-on
Sentence: He decided to take the bull by the horns and confront the principal about the issue.
37. Not going to fly
Meaning: Not going to succeed or be accepted.
Sentence: His excuse for not completing the project will not fly with the boss.
38. On the back burner
Meaning: To be delayed or postponed
Sentence: The idea was put on the back burner due to the budget cuts.
39. Cut the mustard
Meaning: Meeting the required standards.
Sentence: The new employee just doesn’t cut the mustard.
40. Off the cuff
Meaning: Without preparation
Sentence: He announced the holiday off the cuff mark which surprised everyone.
41. Wind out of my sails
Meaning: Feeling less confident about something
Sentence: My friend’s criticism took the wind out of my sails.
42. Easier said than done
Meaning: Difficult than it sounds.
Sentence: Drinking alcohol and quitting smoking is easier said than done.
43. Let’s get down to brass tacks
Meaning: Let’s get to the important point.
Sentence: Enough of gossip; let’s get down to brass tacks.
44. Time to hit the books
Meaning: Time to study
Sentence: Exams are approaching, so it’s time to hit the books.
45. The proof is in the pudding
Meaning: We can understand the value of something only from practical experience.
Sentence: His ability to lead the project will be proven by his results—the proof is in the pudding.
46. In a pickle
Meaning: In a difficult situation
Sentence: I’m in a pickle because I lost her project and she has to produce it tomorrow.
47. Mad as a hatter
Meaning: Fully crazy
Sentence: He is mad as a hatter if he thinks he can finish that project in one day.
48. Lose your marbles
Meaning: To lose your mind
Sentence: If my friend keeps working these long hours, sure she will lose her marbles.
49. Stab someone in the back.
Meaning: To betray someone.
Sentence: My sister thought she was a friend, but she stabbed him in the back.
50. Living hand-to-mouth
Meaning: Having enough money to live one and nothing extra, means living paycheck to paycheck with no savings.
Sentence: After losing his job, he lived hand-to-mouth, struggling to cover his basic expenses.
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Priya is a passionate and trained teacher with experience in helping students improve their communication skills and confidence, by making them able to express themselves clearly, effectively, and persuasively in any given situation. Keeping the kid's nature and goals in mind, assist them to explore their creativity and deliver effectively and fluently. She believes in promoting each student's individuality as well as nurturing their interests which are carefully groomed with lots of patience & encouragement.
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