Tamilnadu State Board Class 10 English Vocabulary Idioms
♦ Idioms (Text Book Page No.: 66-68,167)
Idioms are groups of words put together as a unit with a particular meaning. The meaning of the word is not literal.
For example, if one says that the cat is out of the bag then it does not literally mean the cat is out of the bag but it has a figurative meaning which means the secret is out.
That’s why the meaning of idioms cannot be assumed based on the individual meaning of the words but by studying the words as a unit.
Examples:
- Lalitha takes a late-night walk in the beach once in a blue moon. In the above sentence ‘once in a blue moon’ is an idiom which means an event that happens rarely.
- The women cricketers were on the ball in their last over of the match. In the above sentence bn, the ball’ is an idiom which means when someone understands the situations well.
Some more idioms and meanings:
| 1 | a bolt from the blue | unexpected event; complete surprise (usually unwelcome) |
| 2 | a drop in the ocean | a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected |
| 3 | a penny for your thoughts | a way of asking what someone is thinking. |
| 4 | a stone’s throw | a very short distance |
| 5 | a wild goose chase | a worthless hunt or chase |
| 6 | a yellow streak | cowardice in one’s character |
| 7 | above board | honest, not a secret |
| 8 | add insalt to injury | to worsen an unfavourable situation |
| 9 | armchair expert | one who gives advice in an area in which he was not actively involved |
| 10 | at close quarters | very near |
| 11 | at hand | very near |
| 12 | at loggerheads | to disagree strongly |
| 13 | at snails pace | very slowly |
| 14 | at the drop of the hat | without any hesitation |
| 15 | at the eleventh hour | at the last moment |
| 16 | at the end of one’s tether | to have no power, patience or endurance left |
| 17 | barking up the wrong tree | accusing the wrong person |
| 18 | be armed with | be equipped with |
| 19 | beat around the bush | avoiding the main topic |
| 20 | bed of roses | comfortable position |
| 21 | best of both worlds | all the advantages |
| 22 | bite the bullet | to get something over with because it is inevitable |
| 23 | blessing in disguise | something good that isn’t recognized at first. |
| 24 | break even | make no profit or loss |
| 25 | break the ice | make people feel more comfortable |
| 26 | call it a day | stop working on something |
| 1 27 | can’t judge a book by its cover | cannot judge something primarily on appearance. |
| 28 | clean slate | a past record without discredit |
| 29 | comparing apples to oranges | comparing two things that cannot be compared |
| 30 | costs an arm and a leg | very expensive |
| 31 | curiosity killed the cat | being inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation. |
| 32 | devil’s advocate | to present a counter argument |
| 33 | draw a blank | unable to get information |
| 34 | every cloud has a silver lining | good-things come after bad things |
| 35 | eyewash | something to deceive |
| 36 | fair and square | in a fair way |
| 37 | fall a prey to | become a victim |
| 38 | far cry from | very different from |
| 39 | feel the pinch | feeling unpleasant change in one’s standard of living |
| 40 | fit as a fiddle | in good health |
| 41 | fortune favours the bold | take risks |
| 42 | give (someone) a piece of one’s mind | to tell someone frankly what one thinks especially when one disapproves of the other’s behaviour |
| 43 | go down in flames | fail spectacularly |
| 44 | go on a wild goose chase | to do something pointless |
| 45 | going from bad to worse | deteriorate further |
| 46 | hard to come by | difficult to find |
| 47 | have a hand | to get involved |
| 48 | have no hand in , | does not take part in an activity |
| 49 | head back | return |
| 50 | herculean task | difficult task |
| 51 | hit the nail on the head | do or say something exactly right |
| 52 | hit the sack | go to sleep |
| 53 | holds good | valid at the time of discussion |
| 54 | honour bound (to do something) | required to do something as a moral duty but not by law |
| 55 | in a big way | on a large scale |
| 56 | in a nutshell | briefly |
| 57 | in all walks of life | all social groups / all the aspects |
| 58 | in deep waters | in trouble |
| 59 | in hot pursuit | following closely |
| 60 | in short supply | Not enough / scarce |
| 61 | in the service of | available for |
| 62 | it is a piece of cake | it is easy |
| 63 | it’s raining cats and dogs | it’s raining heavily |
| 64 | keep pace with | to move with same speed |
| 65 | keep something at bay | keep something away |
| 66 | kicked the bucket | passed away |
| 67 | leave no stone unturned | look everywhere |
| 68 | let the cat out of the bag | give away a secret |
| 69 | lion’s share | major share |
| 1 70 | loud and clear | very clearly |
| 71 | make both ends meet | live within means |
| 72 | make fun of | ridicule |
| 73 | make up one’s mind | decide, determine |
| 74 | matter of concern | something to worry about |
| 75 | miss the boat | it’s too late |
| 76 | muffle up | to cover |
| 77 | not playing with a full deck | someone who lacks intelligence |
| 78 | note of hand | promissory note |
| 79 | null and void | invalid |
| 80 | <m cloud nine | to be extremely happy |
| 81 | once and for all | completely and finally |
| 82 | once in a blue moon | very rarely |
| 83 | one thing leads to another | series of events in which each event was caused by the previous one. |
| 84 | pink of health | extremely healthy, in perfect condition |
| 85 | play an important role | to have a significant position |
| 86 | pull yourself together | calm down |
| 87 | put on airs | behave in an unnatural way to impress others |
| 88 | shadow of one’s | not having the strength, former self influence, etc., that one once had |
| 89 | side by side | along with |
| 90 | speak volumes | to express something very clearly and completely |
| 91 | spill the beans | give away a secret |
| 92 | take to one’s heels | to run away |
| 93 | take a very hard line | not giving in |
| 94 | the ball is in your court | it’s your decision |
| 95 | the burning question | a crucial issue |
| 96 | the whys and wherefores | the reasons for something |
| 97 | thick and fast | in large numbers |
| 98 | tit for tat | revenge |
| 99 | told him flat | expressed opinion directly |
| 100 | tread on | walk with difficulty |
| 101 | trial and error | to try many times to succeed |
| 102 | tricks of the trade | the expertise of doing business |
| 103 | whole nine yards | everything, all of it |
| 104 | with a bang | in a very exciting way |
Exercises
Choose a suitable meaning for the idiom found in the following sentence.
1. Orders for the new product are coming in thick and fast.
(a) large numbers (b) small volumes (c) limited quantity (d) appropriate level
Answer:
(a) large numbers
2. How can anyone make ends meet with just Rs. 2000/- a month?
(a) join the two ends (b) arrange for a meeting (c) manage with the money (d) account for the meeting
Answer:
(c) manage with the money
3. My uncle is an armchair expert and often tells us how to play cricket.
(a) best cricket player (b) best expert in making armchairs (c) best adviser but without any practical knowledge (d) best adviser with excellent practical knowledge
Answer:
(c) best adviser but without any practical knowledge
4. I told him flat that I had no intention of lending him any money.
(a) telling in humorous way (b) expressed opinion directly (c) expressed insignificantly (d) expression to confuse
Answer:
(b) expressed opinion directly
5. He invited all and sundry for a function, but could not manage it all.
(a) important people only (b) friends only (c) relatives only (d) everyone
Answer:
(d) everyone
6. His progress at school was at a snail’s pace.
(a) very slow (b) in fast pace (c) moderately (d) satisfactorily
Answer:
(a) very slow
7. In the middle of the beautiful scenery, the building stood as an eyesore
(a) excellent icon (b) outstanding one (c) ugly sight (d) important monument
Answer:
(c) ugly sight
8. He performed the Herculean task of converting barren land into fertile land.
(a) easy task (b) difficult task (c) uncomplicated task (d) rituals
Answer:
(b) difficult task
9. He kicked the bucket last Monday at the Adyar Cancer hospital.
(a) fell down (b) played a game (c) was completely cured (d) passed away
Answer:
(d) passed away
10. I call upon our chief guest to address the gathering.
(a) appeal (b) summon (c) beg (d) invite
Answer:
(d) invite