Idioms and Phrases
Idioms and Phrases
Idioms give 2 questions and are the least guessable part of the vocabulary block, because the meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words. The saving grace is that the set actually examined is small and stable.
What Makes an Idiom
An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning is not the sum of its parts. To let the cat out of the bag has nothing to do with cats. Because of this, an idiom cannot be translated word for word into Hindi or worked out by logic — which is exactly why the paper likes them.
The wrong options are usually built from a literal reading of the idiom. If to bury the hatchet is the question, one option will involve digging or weapons. Recognising that pattern lets you eliminate before you recall.
The Idioms That Recur
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| To bury the hatchet | To make peace |
| To let the cat out of the bag | To reveal a secret |
| To turn a deaf ear | To refuse to listen |
| To burn the midnight oil | To work late into the night |
| To smell a rat | To suspect something wrong |
| To beat about the bush | To avoid the main point |
| A wild goose chase | A futile search |
| To make both ends meet | To live within one's income |
| To be in hot water | To be in trouble |
| To pull one's socks up | To make a fresh effort |
| To add fuel to the fire | To make matters worse |
| To hit the nail on the head | To say exactly the right thing |
Body-Part Idioms
A large group of idioms is built on parts of the body, and grouping them this way makes them far easier to hold.
- To keep one's head — to stay calm; to lose one's head — to panic.
- To have a hand in — to be involved; an old hand — an experienced person.
- To turn a blind eye — to ignore deliberately.
- To give a cold shoulder — to treat with indifference.
- To be all ears — to listen eagerly.
- To put one's foot down — to insist firmly.
✗ To turn a blind eye means to lose one's eyesight | ✓ It means to ignore something deliberately
Proverbs Worth Knowing
A proverb is a complete sentence carrying a general truth, unlike an idiom, which is a phrase fitted into a sentence. That distinction is itself asked.
- A stitch in time saves nine — timely action prevents greater trouble.
- Barking dogs seldom bite — those who threaten loudest rarely act.
- Too many cooks spoil the broth — too many people ruin the work.
- Make hay while the sun shines — use the opportunity while it lasts.
- A rolling stone gathers no moss — constant change brings no gain.
Prepare idioms in small weekly sets with a sentence for each, exactly as with vocabulary. Twelve idioms a week, used in your own sentences, will outlast a list of two hundred read once.
मुहावरे का अर्थ शब्दों से नहीं निकलता — उसे रटना ही पड़ता है।
TRE pointer: The wrong options in an idiom question are almost always built from the literal meaning of the words, so eliminate those first even when the idiom itself is unfamiliar — that turns five options into two or three. The idiom versus proverb distinction is asked directly. With −1/3 negative marking, a genuinely unknown idiom is a fair case for option E, but the elimination step is worth taking first.
60-Second Recap
- An idiom's meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words.
- Wrong options are usually literal readings — eliminate them first.
- Bury the hatchet is to make peace; smell a rat is to suspect wrongdoing.
- Body-part idioms form a large and easily grouped family.
- A proverb is a complete sentence stating a general truth; an idiom is a phrase.
- Twelve idioms a week with your own sentences beats a list read once.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an idiom and a proverb?
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning differs from its literal words and is fitted into a larger sentence, such as to bury the hatchet. A proverb is a complete sentence carrying a general truth, such as a stitch in time saves nine. The distinction is asked directly.
How do I answer an idiom question I have never seen?
Eliminate first. The wrong options are usually built from the literal meaning of the words, so any choice that mentions the actual objects named in the idiom is likely wrong. That normally reduces five options to two, at which point a considered guess becomes reasonable.
What does to make both ends meet mean?
To manage to live within one's income, with just enough to cover expenses. It has nothing to do with joining two objects, which is precisely the kind of literal misreading the wrong options are built around in this type of question.
How many idioms should I prepare?
The set actually examined is small and stable, so around a hundred and fifty well-learnt idioms will cover most questions. Learn twelve a week with a sentence of your own for each, and revise them, rather than reading a list of several hundred once.