Solved Idioms

8/20/2019 Solved Idioms

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Solved Idioms (1971 - 2010)•

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ШАБЛОНЫ Н!"#$%$&О'$ OO*+

1971

b) Use the following idiomatic expressions in illustrative sentences:1- Carry out

Accomplish, bring to a conclusionThey carried out the mission successfully.Shakespeare had this term in King ear !":#): $%nd hardly shall & carry out my side' her husband

being alive

Put in practice or effect,(e will carry out the new policy.lease carry out my instructions.

2- Taken over

Assume control, management, or possession of The pilot told his copilot to take over the controls.There*s a secret bid to take over our company. +ate #,--s

3- Bring about

causeShe hopes to bring about a change in his attitude.

4- Beat out

Knock into shape by beating She managed to beat out all the dents in the fender. +c. #/--

Surpass or defeat someone, be chosen over someone 0e got to the head of the line' beating out all the others.

Beat out of

Cheat someone of something 0e was always trying to beat the conductor out of the full train fare.

5- Bear with

Put up with, make allowance for 0e1ll 2ust have to bear with them until they decide.3icholas Udall used this term in 4alph 4oister 5oister !c. #""6):7The heart of a man should more honour win by bearing with a woman.7

&t may also be used as an imperative.8ear with me9&1m getting to the point.

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1972b) Use the following expressions in sentences to bring out their meanings:

1- To fall back on o!ething " fall back u#on

Rely on, have recourse to

& fall back on old friends in time of need.(hen he lost his 2ob he had to fall back upon his savings

2- To fall through

Fail, miscarry The proposed amendment fell through.& hope our plans won1t fall through. +ate #--s

3- $n right earnet

4- %ete& interet

A personal stake in something She has a vested interest in keeping the house in her name.This term' first recorded in #,#,' uses vested in the sense of 7established7 or 7secured.7

5- 'eaningful &ialogue __________________________

1973

b) Use any five of the following idiomatic expressions in your own sentences to illustrate theirmeaning:

1- Turn to account

se for one!s benefit 0e turned the delay to good account' using the time to finish correspondence.This idiom' first recorded in #,,' uses account in the sense of 7a reckoning.7

2- To beat the air " beat the win&

Continue to make futile attempts, fight to no purposeThe candidates for office were so much alike that we thought our vote amounted to beating the air.These phrases call up a vivid image of someone flailing away at nothing. +ate #6--s

3- To break a lance with

"o engage in a tilt or contest

4- To foul of( )foul #lay*

nfair or treacherous action, especially involving violenceThe police suspected he had met with foul play.This term originally was and still is applied to unfair conduct in a sport or game and was being usedfiguratively by the late #"--s.Shakespeare used it in The Tempest !#:;):7(hat foul play had we that we came from thence


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+- To #ut out of countenance

7- ,ot u# to kill

- To have a finger in the #ie

#ave an interest in or meddle in something (hen they nominated me for the board' &1m sure 8ill had a finger in the pie.

%nother form of this idiom is have a finger in every #ie

to have an interest in or be involved in everything She does a great deal for the town= she has a finger in every pie.The precise origin of this metaphor' which presumably eludes either to tasting every pie or beinginvolved in their concoction' has been lost. +ate #"--s

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1974b) Use any five of the following idioms in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning:

1- .hen all i ai& an& &one " /fter all i ai& an& &one

$n the end, nevertheless(hen all1s said and done' the doctors did what they could for >ordon' but he was too ill to survive.This term was first recorded in #"/-.

2- /n a0e to grin&

A selfish aim or motiveThe article critici?ed the new software' but the author had an axe to grind' as its manufacturer had

fired his son.

This fre@uently used idiom comes from a story by Aharles Biner' published in #,##' about a boy whowas flattered into turning the grindstone for a man sharpening his axe. 0e worked hard until theschool bell rang' whereupon the man' instead of thanking the boy' began to scold him for being lateand told him to hurry to school.70aving an axe to grind7 then came into figurative use for having a personal motive for some action.+BidC#,--s

3- Turn a new leaf

%ake a fresh start, change one!s conduct or attitude for the better 0e promised the teacher he would turn over a new leaf and behave himself in class.

This expression alludes to turning the page of a book to a new page. +Darly #"--s

4- Burn the can&le at both en&

&'haust one!s energies or resources by leading a hectic lifeEoseph1s been burning the candle at both ends for weeks' working two 2obs during the week and athird on weekends.This metaphor originated in France and was translated into Dnglish in 4andle Aotgrave1s 5ictionary!#/##)' where it referred to dissipating one1s wealth. &t soon ac@uired its present broader meaning.

5- eave in the lurch

(esert or leave alone and in trouble, refuse to help or support someone

0e left me in the lurch when he didn1t come over to help me although he had promised to earlier in theday.


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+- ,oe without aying

)e self*evident, a matter of course&t goes without saying that success is the product of hard work.This expression is a translation of the French cela va sans dire. +Second half of #,--s

7- ike a re& rag to a bull

$f something is a red rag to a bull, it is something that will inevitably make somebody angry or cross+

- ot a leg to tan& on

ith no chance of success0e tried to get the town to change the street lights' but because there was no money in the budget hefound himself without a leg to stand on.

% related idiom is not having a leg to tan& on Gnce the detective exposed his false alibi' he didn1t have a leg to stand on.

This metaphoric idiom transfers lack of physical support to arguments or theories. +ate #"--s

9- n&er the thu!b of

Controlled or dominated by someone0e1s been under his mother1s thumb for years.The allusion in this metaphoric idiom is unclear' that is' why a thumb rather than a fist or some otheranatomic part should symboli?e control. +BidC#--s

1- The writing on the wall " han&writing on the wall

$f the writing!s on the wall for something, it is doomed to fail+ A warning or presentiment of danger

The Aompany was losing money' and seeing the handwriting on the wall' she started to look foranother 2ob.

This expression comes from the 8ible !5aniel ":"C6#)' in which the prophet interprets somemysterious writing that a disembodied hand has inscribed on the palace wall' telling King 8elsha??arthat he will be overthrown

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1975

b) Use any five of the following idioms in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning:

1- To ow one wil& oat

)ehave foolishly, immoderately or promiscuously when young 8rad has spent the last couple of years sowing his wild oats' but now he seems ready to settle down.This expression alludes to sowing inferior wild oats instead of good cultivated grain' the verb sowing9that is' $planting seedH9in particular suggesting sexual promiscuity. +BidC#"--s

2- 6tor! in a tea cu#

$f someone e'aggerates a problem or makes a small problem seem far greater than it really is, thenthey are making a storm in a teacup

3- To kee# late hour

Stay awake until late at night


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3ever call Dthel before noon= she keeps late hours and sleeps all morning.

4- To throw col& water on

to discourage, to remove hope, deter Steve wanted to expand the business into Ahina' but his boss threw cold water on the idea' and told

him to focus on the domestic business.Autting my yearCend bonus poured cold water on my loyalty to the company.0earing about the outbreak of cholera threw cold water on our plans to visit 8olivia.

This term' with its image of putting out a fire with water' at one time meant $defameH or $slanderH= themodern meaning dates from about #,--.

5- / cock an& bull tory

An unbelievable tale that is intended to deceive- a tall taleEack told us some cock and bull story about getting lost.

This expression may come from a folk tale involving these two animals' or from the name of an

Dnglish inn where travellers told such tales.(.S. >ilbert used it in The Ieomen of the >uard !#,,,)' where Eack oint and (ilfred the Eailer makeup a story about the hero1s fictitious death: 7Tell a tale of cock and bull' of convincing detail full.7 +c.#/--

+- To bear the brunt of

Put up with the worst of some bad circumstance&t was the secretary who had to bear the brunt of the doctor1s anger.

This idiom uses brunt in the sense of 7the main force of an enemy1s attack'7 which was sustained bythe front lines of the defenders. +Second half of #--s

7- Tie& to a#ron-tring of

holly dependent on or controlled by a woman, especially one!s mother or wife+ %t ;"' he was still too tied to her apron strings to get an apartment of his own.

This expression' dating from the early #,--s' probably alluded to apronCstring tenure' a #thCcenturylaw that allowed a husband to control his wife1s and her family1s property during her lifetime.

- To !ove heaven an& earth

&'ert the utmost effort &1d move heaven and earth to get an apartment here.This hyperbolic expression was first recorded in #J;.

9- To blow one own tru!#et " blow one tru!#et

.ast in a boastful, self*promoting manner , brag about oneself (ithin two minutes of meeting someone new' 8ill was blowing his own horn. +ate #"--s

1- To ret on one laurel

Rely on one!s past achievements, especially as a way of avoiding the work needed to advance one!sstatus+3ow that Eulian1s in his eighties' he1s decided to rest on his laurels and let some of the youngeragents do the work.

This term alludes to the crown of laurels awarded in ancient times for a spectacular achievement.+ate #,--s


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__________________________

197+b) Use the following words' expressions and idioms in your own sentences so as to bring out theirmeaning:

1- Tru&ge along

2- 8oint-blank

Close enough to go directly to a target

3- n the &ol&ru!

(epressed, dull and listless5ean1s in the doldrums for most of every winter.This expression alludes to the maritime doldrums' a belt of calms and light winds north of the e@uatorin which sailing ships were often becalmed. +Darly #,--s

4- :ole out " on the &ole

receiving payment from the government, as relief They couldn1t afford any luxuries while living on the dole.

5- /t cro #ur#oe

hen people are at cross purposes, they misunderstand each other or have different or opposingob/ectivesith aims or goals that conflict or interfere with one another &1m afraid the two departments are working at cross purposes.

This idiom' first recorded in #/,,' may have begun as a #thCcentury parlor game called $crossCpurposes'H in which a series of sub2ects !or @uestions) were divided from their explanations !oranswers) and distributed around the room. layers then created absurdities by combining a sub2ecttaken from one person with an explanation taken from another.

+- Check by ;owl

in close intimacy, side by side:a row of houses cheek by 2owl

7- 6uccinctly

Characteri0ed by clear, precise e'pression in few words- concise and terse

a succinct reply= a succinct style.

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b) Use any five of the following expressions in your own sentences to illustrate their meaning:

1- To bear the brunt of

Put up with the worst of some bad circumstance

&t was the secretary who had to bear the brunt of the doctor1s anger.

This idiom uses brunt in the sense of 7the main force of an enemy1s attack7' which was sustained bythe front lines of the defenders. +Second half of #--s

2- To call a #a&e a #a&e

A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to concealtheir opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience+

3- To fight hy of

Avoid meeting or confronting someone

& have had to fight shy of invitations that would exhaust time and spirits7!(ashington &rving' ife andetters' #,;#).

This usage may allude to a military reluctance to meet or engage with the enemy. +ate #--s

4- To cry over the #ilt !ilk

"his idiom means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is pointless- it can!t be changedso it should be accepted+

5- To burn the can&le at both en&

Someone who burns the candle at both ends lives life at a hectic pace, doing things which are likely

to affect their health badly+&'haust one!s energies or resources by leading a hectic life+

Eoseph1s been burning the candle at both ends for weeks' working two 2obs during the week and athird on weekends.

This metaphor originated in France and was translated into Dnglish in 4andle Aotgrave1s 5ictionary!#/##)' where it referred to dissipating one1s wealth. &t soon ac@uired its present broader meaning.

+- To rob #eter to #ay 8aul

$f you rob Peter to pay Paul, you try to solve one problem,but create another in doing so, often through short*term planning

7- To take the bull by the horn

"aking a bull by its horns would be the most direct but also the most dangerous way to try to competewith such an animal+hen we use the phrase in everyday talk, we mean that the person we are talking about tackles their problems directly and is not worried about any risks involved+

- 8laying to the gallery

$f someone plays to the gallery, they say or do things that will make them popular at the e'pense ofmore important issues

9-


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$f you hold out or offer an olive branch, you make a gesture to indicate that you want peace+

1- To !ake out

(iscern or see, especially with difficulty & can hardly make out the number on the door. +BidC#--s

%anage, get along 0ow did you make out with the accountant<This usage was first recorded in #,;-.

nderstand & can1t make out what she is trying to say. +BidC#/--s

&stablish or prove0e made out that he was innocent. +Aollo@uial= midC#/--s

Amply or suggest+ "his usage often occurs with an infinitive %re you making me out to be a liar< +Aollo@uial= midC#/--s

rite out, draw up- fill in a written form0e made out the invoices' or Eane started making out 2ob applications.This usage was first recorded in #/"

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197b) Use the following expressions and idioms in your own sentences so as to bring out their meaning:

1- The aci& tet

An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or no

2- / ba& hat

Someone who deliberately stirs up trouble

3- n a blue funk

$n a state of panic or terror Eust because the bride1s mother is late' you needn1t get in a blue funk.

This term originated in the midC#--s as in a funk' the ad2ective blue' meaning 7affected with fear oranxiety7' being added a century later.

$n a state of de/ection, sad %nne has been in a blue funk since her dog died.

This usage employs blue in the sense of 7sad79a meaning that first emerged in the late #6--s.

4- 6et one ca# :own at heel

Also, on someone!s heels+ $mmediately behind, in close pursuit+

iteral useEean1s dog was always at her heels.

Figurative use

%lthough his company dominated the technology' he always felt that his competitors were on hisheels.


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This idiom appeared in the #thCcentury romance Sir >awain and the >reen Knight.

The expression is sometimes intensified as hard on someone1s heels or hot on someone1s heels

5- To &ie in harne

&'pire while working, keep working to the end 0e1ll never retire9he1ll die with his boots on.She knows she1ll never get promoted' but she wants to die in harness.

8oth phrases probably allude to soldiers who died on active duty. Until the early #/--s the noun bootdenoted a piece of armor for the legs' which may have given rise to this usage.

Shakespeare used harness in the sense of armor when he wrote: 7%t least we1ll die with harness onour back7 !Bacbeth ":").

+- :ea& a &oornail " &ea& a a &o&o or herring

"otally or assuredly dead- also finished The cop announced that the body in the dumpster was dead as a doornail.The radicalism she professed in her adolescence is now dead as a dodo.The D@ual 4ights %mendment appears to be dead as a herring.

The first' oldest' and most common of these similes' all of which can be applied literally to persons or'more often today' to issues' involves doornail' dating from about #6"-.

&ts meaning is disputed but most likely it referred to the costly metal nails hammered into the outerdoors of the wealthy !most people used the much cheaper wooden pegs)' which were clinched on theinside of the door and therefore were 7dead7' that is' could not be used again.

5ead as a herring dates from the #/th century and no doubt alludes to the bad smell this dead fish

gives off' making its death @uite obvious.

5ead as a dodo' referring to the extinct bird' dates from the early #J--s.

7- To raie coin

- To trike one colour

9= To carry the &ay

in, prevail %t auctions the wealthiest bidders usually carry the day. +ate #/--s

__________________________

1979b) Use any five of the following expressions and idioms in your own sentences so as to bring out theirmeanings:

1- Taken &own at #eg

$f someone is taken down a peg 1or taken down a peg or two2, they lose status in the eyes of othersbecause of something they have done wrong or badly+

2- To !onkey with

3- n hot water


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in trouble

4- 8etticoat ,overn!ent

5- To #ull oneelf together

Regain one!s composure or self*control %fter that frightening episode' it took her a while to pull herself together. +Second half of #,--s

+- To rie fro! the rank " co!e u# through the rank

ork one!s way to the top0e1s risen through the ranks' starting as a copy boy and ending up as senior editor.

Griginally this term was used for an officer who had worked his way up from the rank of private' a rarefeat. &t was being applied to nonCmilitary advances by the midC#,--s

7- To rub houl&er

$f you rub shoulders with people, you meet and spend time with them, especially when they are powerful or famous+

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19

b) 8ring out the meaning of any five of the following in appropriate sentences:

1- 8ocket the affront

2- Thin en& of the we&ge

"he thin end of the wedge is something small and seemingly unimportant that will lead to somethingmuch bigger and more serious+

3- >lah in the #an

$f something is a flash in the pan, it is very noticeable but doesn!t last long, like most singers, who arevery successful for a while, then forgotten

4- To kee# at

Persevere or persist at doing something+ &f you keep at your Bath' you1ll soon master it.

&t is also put as kee# at it0e kept at it all day and finally finished the report. +Darly #,--s

?ee# at o!eone

3ag, harass, or annoy someoneIou have to keep at Aarl if you want him to do the work.0e keeps at Billie all the time.

5- /t one beck an& call

Ready to comply with any wish or command

+- ,o againt the grain


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A person who does things in an unconventional manner, especially if their methods are not generallyapproved of, is said to go against the grain+ Such an individual can be called a maverick+

7- Bring grit to the !ill

Something that you can use to your advantage is grist for the mill+

!1,rit to the !ill1 is also used.- #et the a##le cart

Spoil carefully laid plans3ow don1t upset the apple cart by revealing where we1re going.

This expression started out as upset the cart' used since 4oman times to mean 7spoil everything7.The precise idiom dates from the late #--s.

9-


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This proverbial expression' first recorded in #/#' is a shortening of the older form' 7%n inch of a missis as good +or bad as a mile of a miss.7

7- To give oneelf air

Assume a haughty manner, pretend to be better than one is

&1m sick of Alaire and the way she puts on airs.

%irs here means $a manner of superiority.H +c. #--

- To have the courage of one conviction

)ehave according to one!s beliefsAarl wouldn1t give his best friend any of the test answers= he had the courage of his convictions.

This expression is believed to have originated as a translation of the French le courage de sonopinion !7the courage of his opinion7)' dating from the midC#,--s and at first so used. 8y the late#,--s it had changed to the present form.

9- The onlooker ee !ot of the ga!e

1- $ut of ight out of !in&

$t is used to suggest that someone will not think or worry about something if it isn!t directly visible oravailable to them

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192

6. Bake sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following:

1- To co!e to a &ea& en&

A passage that has no e'it This street1s a dead end' so turn back. +ate #,--s

An impasse or blind alley, allowing no progress to be madeThis 2ob is a dead end= &1ll never be able to advance. +c. #J;-

2- To turn a &eaf ear

$f someone turns a deaf ear to you, they don!t listen to you+

3- @very &ark clou& ha a ilver lining

An element of hope or a redeeming 4uality in an otherwise bad situationThe rally had a disappointing turnout' but the silver lining was that those who came pledged a greatdeal of money.

This metaphoric term is a shortening of Dvery cloud has a silver lining' in turn derived from EohnBilton1s Aomus !#/6): 7% sable cloud turns forth its silver lining on the night.7

4- Blowing hot an& col& together

Change one!s mind, vacillateEean1s been blowing hot and cold about taking a winter vacation.

This expression comes from %esop1s fable !c. "- 8.A.) about a man eating with a satyr on a winter

day. %t first the man blew on his hands to warm them and then blew on his soup to cool it. The satyrthereupon renounced the man1s friendship because he blew hot and cold out of the same mouth.


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The expression was repeated by many writers' most often signifying a person who could not be reliedon.

(illiam Ahillingworth put it: 7These men can blow hot and cold out of the same mouth to serve severalpurposesH7!The 4eligion of rotestants' #/6,).

5- To let the cat out of the bag

$f you accidentally reveal a secret, you let the cat out of the bag, 5ive away a secret Bom let the cat out of the bag and told us Karen was engaged.

This expression alludes to the dishonest practice of a merchant substituting a worthless cat for avaluable pig' which is discovered only when the buyer gets home and opens the bag. +BidC#--s

+- To #ut the cart before the hore

Reverse the proper order of things or events5on1t put the cart before the horse and give away the punch line.

This expression has been used since anti@uity but was first recorded in Dnglish in #";-.

7- To ail in the a!e boat

$f people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or trouble+

- / 6wan 6ong

A final accomplishment or performance, one!s last work+&1m resigning tomorrow= this pro2ect was my swan song.

This term alludes to the old belief that swans normally are mute but burst into beautiful song moments

before they die. %lthough the idea is much older' the term was first recorded in Dnglish only in #,J- __________________________

194

6.Bake sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: #"

a* To look a gift hore in the !outh

)e critical or suspicious of something received at no cost 5ad1s old car is full of dents' but we shouldn*t look a gift horse in the mouth.

This term' generally expressed as a cautionary proverb !5on1t look a gift horse in the mouth)' has

been traced to the writings of the thCcentury cleric' St. Eerome' and has appeared in Dnglish sinceabout #"--. &t alludes to determining the age of a horse by looking at its teeth

b* To have an a0e to grin&

$f you have an a'e to grind with someone or about something, you have a grievance, resentment andyou want to get revenge or sort it out+ $n American &nglish, it is !a'!

c* To wah one &irty linen in #ublic " air one &irty linen or laun&ry

&'pose private matters to public view, especially unsavory secrets

These metaphors are reworking of a French proverb' & fault laver son linge sale en famille !$Gne

should wash one1s dirty linen at homeH)' which was @uoted by 3apoleon on his return from Dlba!#,#"). &t was first recorded in Dnglish in #,/.


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&* To #ocket an inult

e* To take to one heel

Run away

(hen the burglar alarm went off they took to their heels.

This expression alludes to the fact that the heels are all one sees of a fugitive running away fast. %lthough similar expressions turned up from Shakespeare1s time on' the exact idiom dates only fromthe first half of the #,--s

f* To win laurel

g* / gentle!an at large

Free, unconfined, especially not confined in prisonTo our distress' the housebreakers were still at large. +#6--s

At length, fully- also, as a whole, in general The chairman talked at large about the company1s plans for the coming year Shakespeare wrote in ove1s abour1s ost !#:#): 7So to the laws at large & write my name7 !that is' &uphold the laws in general). This usage is somewhat less common. +#--s

&lected to represent an entire group of voters rather than those in a particular district or othersegment %lderman at large' representing all the wards of a city instead of 2ust one' or delegate at large to alabor union convention. +BidC#--s

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195

. Bake sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: #-

a* By an& by

After a while, soonShe1ll be along by and by.

The expression probably relies on the meaning of by as a succession of @uantities !as in 7two bytwo7). This adverbial phrase came to be used as a noun' denoting either procrastination or the future.

(illiam Aamden so used it for the former !4emains' #/-"): 7Two anons and a by and by is an hourand a half.7 %nd (.S. >ilbert used it in the latter sense when ady Eane sings plaintively that little willbe left of her 7in the coming by and by'7 that is' as she grows old !atience' #,,#). +Darly #"--s

b* The lion hare

"he greater part or most of something (henever they won a doubles match' Dthel claimed the lion1s share of the credit. %s usual' Uncle 8ob took the lion1s share of the cake.

This expression alludes to %esop1s fable about a lion' who got all of a kill because its fellow hunters'an ass' fox' and wolf' were afraid to claim their share.

c* n black an& white

hen it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white+

&* To bring to book


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Call to account, investigate0e was ac@uitted' but one day soon he1ll be brought to book. %s for your records' the &4S is sure to bring you to book concerning your tax deductions.

This term uses book in the sense of 7a written record'7 such as an account book or ledger. +c. #,--

e* To rea& between the line

Perceive or detect a hidden meaning They say that everything is fine' but reading between the lines & suspect they have some maritalproblems.

This term comes from cryptography' where in one code reading every second line of a message givesa different meaning from that of the entire text. +BidC#,--s

f* To tick to one gun

#old fast to a statement, opinion, or course of action

The witness stuck to her guns about the exact time she was there.

This expression' originally put as stand to one1s guns' alluded to a gunner remaining by his post. &tsfigurative use dates from the midC#,--s.

g* To be un&er a clou&

$f someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud+

h* By fit an& tart " in fit an& tart

ith irregular intervals of action and inaction, spasmodically The campaign is proceeding by fits and starts.

This expression began in the late #"--s as by fits' the noun fit meaning a 7paroxysm7 or 7sei?ure7=starts was added about a century later.

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197

. Bake sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following: #-

1- To back out " back away " back out of o!ething

%ove or retreat backwards without turning, withdraw from a situation, or break an agreement or

engagement+ %fter the announcement appeared in the papers' Bary found it doubly difficult to back out of herengagement to Todd. +Darly #,--s

2- To kee# out of

3- Bang into

Crash noisily into, collide with % clumsy fellow' 8ill was always banging into furniture. +Darly #--s

Strike heavily so as to drive in- also, persuade&1ve been banging nails into the siding all day.

& can1t seem to bang it into his head that time is precious.


16/40

The literal usage dates from the midC#"--s' the figurative from the second half of the #,--s.

4- To !ell a rat

$f you smell a rat, you know instinctively that something is wrong or that someone is lying to you+

5- To burn one finger

#arm oneself &1m staying away from risky stocks= &1ve burned my fingers often enough.

Some believe this expression came from a legend about a monkey who gets a cat to pull its chestnutsout of the fire !see cat1s paw)= others hold it is from an Dnglish proverb:78urn not thy fingers to snuff another1s candle7 !Eames 0owell' Dnglish roverbs' #/"J)

+- ull an& voi&

Cancelled, invalid The lease is now null and void.

This phrase is actually redundant' since null means 7void'7 that is' 7ineffective.7 &t was first recorded in#//J.

7- To catch u# with

Suddenly snatch or lift upThe wind caught up the kite and sent it high above the trees. +First half of #6--s

catch u# with

Come from behind, overtake

literal:Iou run so fast it1s hard to catch up with you.

figurative:The auditors finally caught up with the embe??ler. +BidC#,--s

)ecome involved with, enthralled by (e all were caught up in the magical mood of that evening. +BidC#/--s

catch u# on or with

)ring or get up to dateet1s get together soon and catch up on all the news.

Tonight & have to catch up with my correspondence. +First half of #J--s

- To tan& u# for

Remain valid, sound, or durable0is claim will not stand up in court.Gur old car stood up well over time. +BidC#J--s

Fail to keep a date or appointment with %l stood her up twice in the past week' and that will be the end of their relationship. +Aollo@uial= c.#J--

9- To ki! through

1- To narrow &own


17/40

__________________________

19#. Use any five of the following idioms in your sentences: #"

a* / cool a a cucu!ber

$f someone is as cool as a cucumber, they don!t get worried by anything+

b*


18/40

b* Carry weight " carry authority or conviction

&'ert influence, authority, or persuasion3o matter what the resident says' his words always carry weight. Shakespeare combined two ofthese expressions in 0enry M&&& !6:;):7(ords cannot carry authority so weighty.7 +c. #/--

c* To fall back u#on

Rely on, have recourse to& fall back on old friends in time of need' or (hen he lost his 2ob he had to fall back upon his savings.+BidC#,--s

&* To be taken aback

Surprise, shock 0e was taken aback by her caustic remark.

This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the midC#--s' when be taken aback referred to the

stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts. &ts figurativeuse was first recorded in #,;J.

e* / wil& gooe chae

A wild goose chase is a waste of time* time spent trying to do something unsuccessfully+

f* By lea# an& boun&

Rapidly, or in fast progressThe corn is growing by leaps and boundsSchool enrollment is increasing by leaps and bounds.

This term is a redundancy' since leap and bound both mean 7spring7 or 72ump'7 but the two wordshave been paired since Shakespeare1s time and are still so used

g* / cool a a cucu!ber

$f someone is as cool as a cucumber, they don!t get worried by anything+

h* To burn !i&night oil

Stay up late working or studying The semester is almost over and we1re all burning the midnight oil before exams.

This expression alludes to the oil in oil lamps. +Darly #/--s

__________________________

199

6. Bake sentences to illustrate the meaning of any four of the following: ,

a* .hite ele#hant

A white elephant is an e'pensive burden- something that costs far too much money to run, like the%illennium (ome in the K+

b* Blue Bloo&

Someone with blue blood is royalty+


19/40

c* Cleane the /ugean table

&* /##le of &icor&

Anything causing trouble, discord, or /ealousy

e* n goo& book

$f someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly of them at the moment+

f* Between the &evil an& the &ee# ea

$f you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma- a difficult choice+

g* 6tare in the face " look in the face

)e glaringly obvious, although initially overlooked The solution to the problem had been staring me in the face all along.& wouldn1t know a Tibetan terrier if it looked me in the face. +ate #/--s

h* 'ake off with

(epart in haste, run away The cat took one look at 4ichard and made off. +c. #--

"ake something away- also, steal something & can1t write it down= Tom made off with my pen.The burglars made off with the stereo and computer as well as 2ewellery. +Darly #,--s

__________________________

1991

/. Bake sentences for any five of the following to illustrate their meaning: #-

i* :a!ocle wor&

$mpending disaster The likelihood of layCoffs has been a sword of 5amocles over the department for months.

This expression alludes to the legend of 5amocles' a servile courtier to King 5ionysius & of Syracuse.The king' weary of 5amocles1 obse@uious flattery' invited him to a ban@uet and seated him under asword hung by a single hair' so as to point out to him the precariousness of his position.

The idiom was first recorded in #. The same story gave rise to the expression hang by a thread.

ii* @very inch

Completely, wholly 0e was every inch a leader.& had to argue this case every inch of the way.

iii* 6#a&e a #a&e

Speak frankly and bluntly, be e'plicit Iou can always trust Bary to call a spade a spade.

This term comes from a >reek saying' call a bowl a bowl' that was mistranslated into atin byDrasmus and came into Dnglish in the #"--s.

iv* $n the ky


20/40

v* 8al! off

Pass off by deception, substitute with intent to deceiveThe salesman tried to palm off a ?ircon as a diamond.The producer tried to palm her off as a star from the Betropolitan Gpera.

This expression alludes to concealing something in the palm of one1s hand. &t replaced the earlierpalm on in the early #,--s.

vi* i# ervice

hen people pay lip service to something, they e'press their respect, but they don!t act on theirwords, so the respect is hollow and empty+

vii* / turn coat

6ne who goes to work 7 fight 7 play for the opposing side, traitor

viii* / wil& gooe chae

A futile search or pursuit & think she sent us on a wild goose chase looking for their beach house.

This idiom originally referred to a form of #/thCcentury horse racing re@uiring riders to follow a leaderin a particular formation !presumably resembling a flock of geese in flight). &ts figurative use datesfrom about #/--.

__________________________

1992

. Frame sentences to illustrate the meaning of any five of the following:

i* Between the &evil an& the &ee# ea

$f you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma- a difficult choice

ii* / wil& gooe chae

A worthless hunt or chase- a futile pursuit

iii* $ver hea& an& ear

iv* Ti!e an& ti&e

6ne must not procrastinate or delay et1s get on with the voting= time and tide won1t wait' you know.

This proverbial phrase' alluding to the fact that human events or concerns cannot stop the passage oftime or the movement of the tides' first appeared about #6J" in Ahaucer1s rologue to the Alerk1sTale.

The alliterative beginning' time and tide' was repeated in various contexts over the years but todaysurvives only in the proverb' which is often shortened !as above).

v* To live fro! han& to !outh

ith only the bare essentials, e'isting precariously

%fter she lost her 2ob she was living from hand to mouth.


21/40

This expression alludes to eating immediately whatever is at hand. +c. #"--

vi* To beat about the buh

$f someone doesn!t say clearly what they mean and try to make it hard to understand, they arebeating about 1around2 the bush+

vii* To fih in trouble& water

"ry to take advantage of a confused situation0e often buys up stock in companies declaring bankruptcy= fishing in troubled waters generally paysoff.

This term' first recorded in #"/,' expresses the even older notion that fish bite more readily whenseas are rough.

viii* / bir& eye-view

$f you have a bird!s eye view of something, you can see it perfectly clearly+

__________________________

1993

Use any five of the following in your sentences to bring out their exact meanings: #-

a* 8lay truant

"o stay away from school without permission

b* 8lay &own

%ake little of, minimi0e the importance of

% skillful salesman plays down the drawbacks of the product and emphasi?es its good features. +Firsthalf of #J--s

8lay &own to

8ower one!s standards to meet the demands of someoneSome standCup comics deliberately play down to the vulgar taste of their audiences. +ate #,--s

c* Turn turtle

Capsi0e, turn upside down(hen they collided' the car turned turtle.

This expression alludes to the helplessness of a turtle turned on its back' where its shell can no longer protect it. +First half of #,--s

&* Turn the corner

Pass a milestone or critical point, begin to recover+Dxperts say the economy has turned the corner and is in the midst of an upturn.The doctor believes he1s turned the corner and is on the mend.

This expression alludes to passing around the corner in a race' particularly the last corner. +First halfof #,--s

e* / fair weather frien&

A fair*weather friend is the type who is always there when times are good but forgets about you when


22/40

things get difficult or problems crop up+

f* n&er a clou&

$f someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud+

g* Burn one boat " burn one boat

Commit oneself to an irreversible course+5enouncing one1s boss in a written resignation means one has burned one1s bridges.Turning down one 2ob before you have another amounts to burning your boats.

8oth versions of this idiom allude to ancient military tactics' when troops would cross a body of waterand then burn the bridge or boats they had used both to prevent retreat and to foil a pursuing enemy.+ate #,--s

h*


23/40

%ake plans based on events that may or may not happenIou might not win the pri?e and you1ve already spent the money< 5on1t count your chickens beforethey hatchL& know you have big plans for your consulting business' but don1t count your chickens.

This expression comes from %esop1s fable about a milkmaid carrying a full pail on her head. Shedaydreams about buying chickens with the milk1s proceeds and becoming so rich from selling eggsthat she will toss her head at suitors= she then tosses her head and spills the milk.

(idely translated from the original >reek' the story was the source of a proverb and was usedfiguratively by the #/th century. Today it is still so well known that it often appears shortened andusually in negative cautionary form !don1t count your chickens).

)vii* Burn !i&night oil )To*

Stay up late working or studying The semester is almost over and we1re all burning the midnight oil before exams.

This expression alludes to the oil in oil lamps. +Darly #/--s __________________________

199+

". Dxplain F&MD of the following idioms by using them into sentences: !#-)

1- Bear out

)ack up or confirmThe results bear out what he predicted.0is story bears me out exactly. +ate #--s

2- Back out " back out of o!ething%ove or retreat backwards without turning- same as back away- withdraw from a situation, or breakan agreement or engagement %fter the announcement appeared in the papers' Bary found it doubly difficult to back out of herengagement to Todd. +Darly #,--s

3- Carry over

"o keep something, usually merchandise, for a subse4uent period

(e1ll carry over this summer1s bathing suits for next winter1s resort season.

Persist from one time or situation to another

0is leadership in sports carried over to the classroom. +ate #,--s

4- Co!e off

#appen, occur The trip came off on schedule. +Darly #,--s

Ac4uit oneself, reach the end

This usage always includes a modifier (henever challenged he comes off badly.This model is doomed to come off secondCbest. +BidC#/--sSucceed' as in Gur dinner party really came off. +BidC#,--s

5- >all back


24/40

5ive ground, retreat The troops fell back before the relentless enemy assault.0e stuck to his argument' refusing to fall back. +c. #/--

Recede

The waves fell back from the shore. +c. #,--

+- >igure out

(iscover or determineet1s figure out a way to help. +Darly #J--s

Solve or decipher Aan you figure out this pu??le< +Darly #,--s

"o begin to comprehend someone or something- to come to understand someone or something better & 2ust can1t figure you out.& can1t figure out @uiet people readily.

7- learn to live with

5et used to or accustom oneself to something that is painful, annoying, or unpleasant The doctor said nothing more could be done about improving her sight= she1d 2ust have to learn to livewith it.at decided she didn1t like the new sofa but would have to learn to live with it.

- 6et in

$nsert, put in& still have to set in the sleeves and then the sweater will be done. +ate #6--s

)egin to happen or become apparent 5arkness was setting in as & left. +c. #--

%ove toward the shore, said of wind or water The tide sets in very @uickly here. +Darly #--s

9- Cover u#

rap up or enfold in order to protect 8e sure to cover up the outdoor furniture in case of rain.&t1s cold' so be sure to cover up the baby. +ate #,--s

Conceal something, especially a crime

The opposition accused the resident of covering up his assistant1s suicide. +c. #J;-

1- ron out

ork out, resolve, settleThey managed to iron out all the problems with the new production process.Eohn and Bary finally ironed out their differences.

This expression uses ironing wrinkled fabric as a metaphor for smoothing differences. +BidC#,--s __________________________

1997

/. Dxplain F&MD of the following &dioms by using them into sentences. !#-)


25/40

a* To beat the air " beat the win&

Continue to make futile attempts, fight to no purposeThe candidates for office were so much alike that we thought our vote amounted to beating the air.

These phrases call up a vivid image of someone flailing away at nothing. +ate #6--s

b* To beggar &ecri#tion

(efy or outdo any possible descriptionThe stage set was so elaborate' it beggared description.

This term' alluding to the idea that words are insufficient to do something 2ustice' was already used byShakespeare in %ntony and Aleopatra !;:;):7For her own person &t beggared all description.7

c* To bring to !in&

Cause to be remembered

The film brought to mind the first time & ever climbed a mountain.

This idiom' first recorded in #66' appears in 4obert 8urns1s familiar 7%uld ang Syne7 !#,,)' inwhich the poet asks if old times should never be brought to mind.

&* To call in Auetion " call into Auetion

(ispute, challenge- also, cast doubt on0ow can you call her honesty into @uestion<

This usage was first recorded in Eohn yly1s Duphues !#"J):7That ... & should call in @uestion the demeanour of all.7

e* To ca# it all " ca# it all off

Finish or complete something To cap it all off they served three kinds of dessert.

Surpass or outdo something This last story of 0enry1s caps them all.

8oth usages employ cap in the sense of $toppingH something. +First half of #,--s

f* To cli# one wing

"o end a person!s privileges- to take away someone!s power or freedom to do something

By father said that if & dind1t start behaving' he was going to clip my wings.

&n acient 4ome thousands of years ago' people clipped the wings of pet birds so that they couldn1t flyaway. For centuries people have used the idiom 7Alip one1s wings7 to mean brings a person undercontrol.

g* To cro the ubicon

$rrevocably commit to a course of action, make a fateful and final decision+Gnce he submitted his resignation' he had crossed the 4ubicon.

This phrase alludes to Eulius Aaesar1s crossing the 4ubicon 4iver !between &taly and >aul) in J8.A.' thereby starting a war against ompey and the 4oman Senate. 4ecounted in lutarch1s ives:

Eulius Aaesar !c. %.5. ##-)' the crossing gave rise to the figurative Dnglish usage by the early #/--s.


26/40

h* To feel the #ule " feel the #ule of

"ry to determine the intentions or sentiments of a person or groupThese exit polls allegedly take the pulse of the voters' but & don1t believe they1re very meaningful.+First half of #/--s

i* To fly in the face of " fly in the teeth of

Act in direct opposition to or defiance of This decision flies in the face of all precedent.They went out without permission' flying in the teeth of house rules.

This metaphoric expression alludes to a physical attack. +BidC#"--s

;* To rie like a #hoeni0 fro! it ahe

$n life we should all learn from the mistakes that we have made and try not to repeat them+ e should not let sorrow overcome us and stand in our way+ 8earn to overcome hardships in life is all what life isworth living about+ After all that!s the definition of life+ #ence the saying 9rise like a phoeni' from the

ashes9

hoenix is supposed to be a mythological bird of fire that is believed to die in flames and turn to ash.8ut then it comes back to life from the same ash.

__________________________

199

. Dxplain F&MD of the following idioms by using them into sentences: !#-)

1- The lat &itch

A desperate final attempt

(e1re making a lastCditch effort to finish on time.

This expression alludes to the military sense of last ditch' 7the last line of defence.7 &ts figurative usedates from the early #,--s.

2- / Auare !eal

A substantial or complete meal These airlines never feed you= & haven1t had a s@uare meal on one yet. +BidC#,--s

3- ,o #ublic

)ecome a publicly held company, that is, issue ownership shares in the form of stock+

%s soon as the company grows a little bigger and begins to show a profit' we intend to go public. +BidC#J--s

4- un riot )wil&*

)ehave in a fren0ied, out*of*control, or unrestrained manner & was afraid that if & left the toddler alone she would run amok and have a hard time calming down.The weeds are running riot in the lawnThe children were running wild in the playground.

%mok comes from a Balay word for 7fren?ied7 and was adopted into Dnglish' and at first spelledamuck' in the second half of the #/--s.

4un riot dates from the early #"--s and derives from an earlier sense' that is' a hound1s following ananimal scent. 4un wild alludes to an animal reverting to its natural' uncultivated state= its figurative


27/40

use dates from the late #--s.

5- The backroo! boy

%en who play poker and smoke in a room at the back of the store(hen the police raided >ino1s they arrested four of the backroom boys.

+- >oot the bill

"he person who foots the bill pays the bill for everybody, settle the accountsThe bride1s father was resigned to footing the bill for the wedding.

This expression uses foot in the sense of 7add up and put the total at the foot' or bottom' of anaccount.7 +Aollo@uial= early #,--s

7- 6et the #ace

&stablish a standard for others to follow Eim has set the pace for the department' exceeding the monthly @uota every time.

This expression comes from racing' where it is said of a horse that passes the others and leads thefield. &t was transferred to other activities in the early #J--s.

- /t ti!e

6ccasionally, sometimes %way from home for the first time' Bary was homesick at times. +Darly #"--s

9- 6teal the how " teal the #otlight

)e the center of attentionThe speeches were interesting but Dli?a1s singing stole the show.

This idiom alludes to unexpectedly outshining the rest of the cast in a theatrical production. +First halfof #J--s

1- ,rey !atter

5rey7gray matter is the human brain __________________________

1999

Bake sentences of any F&MD of the following idioms. !#")

)a* / ;aun&ice& eye

"he phrase 9:aundiced eye9 means to looks at something with a pre/udiced view, usually in a rathernegative or critical manner+

)b* / left-han&e& co!#li!ent " backhan&e& co!#li!ent

An insult in the guise of an e'pression of praiseShe said she liked my hair' but it turned out to be a leftChanded compliment when she asked how long&1d been dyeing it.

This expression uses leftChanded in the sense of 7@uestionable or doubtful'7 a usage dating fromabout #/--.

)c* The ruling #aion


28/40

An interest or concern that occupies a large part of someone!s time and effort

)&* Tower of trength

Someone who can be relied on to provide support and comfort+

)e* 6teal a !arch on o!eone

"o get ahead of, especially by 4uiet enterprise+

)f* n one bone

#ave an intuition or hunch about something &1m sure he1ll succeed9& can feel it in my bones.

This expression alludes to the ageCold notion that persons with a healed broken bone or with arthritisexperience bone pain before rain' due to a drop in barometric pressure' and therefore can predict aweather change.

)g* ly in the oint!ent

A drawback or detrimental factor The new library is wonderful but there1s a fly in the ointment. Their catalog isn1t complete yet.

This term probably alludes to a biblical proverb !Dcclesiastes #-:#):75ead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.7

)i* Cloe-fite&

"ightfisted- stingy or unwilling to part with money __________________________

2

Use any F&MD of the following idioms in sentences to make their meaning clear:

)i* Blow one to# " blow one tack

Fly into a rage- lose one!s composure&f she calls about this one more time &1m going to blow my top.(arren is generally very easyCgoing' but today he blew his stack.The top here has been likened to the top of an erupting volcano= the stack alludes to a smokestack.

5o cra0y- become insane(hen she regains consciousness' she 2ust may blow her top.

)ii* / cock-an&-bull tory

A fanciful and unbelievable tale

)iii* >in& one feet


29/40

"o grow in confidence in a new situation as one gains e'perience+&f you ask for help when you need it' you will soon find your feet.

)iv* Call it a night

"o go to bed to sleep

)v* The ti# of the iceberg

"he tip of the iceberg is the part of a problem that can be seen, with far more serious problems lyingunderneath

)vi* Below #ar " un&er #ar

3ot up to the average, normal, or desired standard & am feeling below par today' but &1m sure &1ll recover by tomorrow.

This term employs par in the sense of 7an average amount or @uality'7 a usage dating from the late

#--s.

)vii* >ro! #illar to #ot

$f something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disasterto another+

)viii*


30/40

)i0* Turn o!e one off

"o create feelings of dislike, repulsion, disgust etc

)0* By an& by

After a while, soonShe1ll be along by and by.

The expression probably relies on the meaning of by as a succession of @uantities !as in 7two bytwo7).This adverbial phrase came to be used as a noun' denoting either procrastination or the future.(illiam Aamden so used it for the former !4emains' #/-"):7Two anons and a by and by is an hour and a half.7 %nd (.S. >ilbert used it in the latter sense when ady Eane sings plaintively that little will be left of her 7in the coming by and by'7 that is' as she grows old !atience' #,,#). +Darly #"--s

__________________________

21

;. Use F&MD of the following in sentences to make their meaning clear. !#-)

)i* The tea!ing !eaning

)ii* To kick the bucket

hen someone kicks the bucket, they die

)iii* To #uh to the wall

"o place in a desperate or e'treme position

)iv* To rea& between the line

$f you read between the lines, you find the real message in what you!re reading or hearing, a meaning that is not available from a literal interpretation of the words+

)v* To be at &agger &rawn

$f people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry and close to violence+

)vi* To throw &own the gauntlet

(eclare or issue a challenge

The senator threw down the gauntlet on the abortion issue.

This expression alludes to the medieval practice of a knight throwing down his gauntlet' or metalglove' as a challenge to combat.&ts figurative use dates from the second half of the #--s' as does the less fre@uently heard take upthe gauntlet' for accepting a challenge.

)vii* To be a ,reek " it all ,reek to !e

$t is beyond my comprehensionThis new computer program is all >reek to me.

This expression was coined by Shakespeare' who used it literally in Eulius Aaesar !#:;)' where Aasca

says of a speech by Seneca' deliberately given in >reek so that some would not understand it:7For mine own part' it was >reek to me.7


31/40

&t soon was transferred to anything unintelligible.

)viii* To tan& on cere!ony

Stand on ceremony, to behave in a formal or ceremonious manner+

)i0* >ro! the hore !outh

$f you hear something from the horse!s mouth, you hear it directly from the person concerned orresponsible+

)0* To carry the cro __________________________

22

Bake sentences with the given &diomatic phrases so that their meaning become clear: !#-)

)1* take aback

Surprise, shock 0e was taken aback by her caustic remark.

This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the midC#--s' when be taken aback referred to thestalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts. &ts figurativeuse was first recorded in #,;J.

)2* take after

Follow the e'ample of- also, resemble in appearance, temperament, or character 8ill took after his uncle and began working as a volunteer for the 4ed Aross. +BidC#"--s

)3* take for

)4* take ill )ick*

)ecome ill &t1s 2ust my luck to get sick on vacation.(hen was she taken ill< +3inth century

)ecome disgusted (e got sick as we learned how much money was wasted.& get sick when & hear about his debts. +Darly #"--s

!ake one ick=

get ick to one to!ach

be sick, become nauseated, vomit &f you eat any more candy you1ll get sick.Sick to her stomach every morning< She must be pregnant. +Darly #/--s

)5* take off

RemoveTake off your coat and stay for a while.& took my foot off the brake. +c. #6--

(educt, decrease0e took ;- percent off the original price.


32/40

& want you to trim my hair' but please don1t take off too much. +c. #--

Carry or take away The passengers were taken off one by one. +ate #,--s

take oneelf off

8eave, go away &1m taking off now.(e take ourselves off for Ahina next month

as an imperativeTake yourself off right nowL +First half of #,--s

%ove forward 4uickly The dog took off after the car.

)ecome well known or popular, or achieve sudden growthThat actor1s career has really taken off.

Sales took off around the holidays. +BidC#J--s

Rise in flight The air plane took off on time. +BidC#,--s

(iscontinueThe rail road took off the commuter special. +BidC#--s

$mitate humorously or satirically 0e had a way of taking off the governor that made us howl with laughter. +BidC#--s

ithhold service&1m taking off from work today because of the funeral. +First half of #J--s

)+* take over

Assume control, management, or possession of The pilot told his copilot to take over the controls.There1s a secret bid to take over our company. +ate #,--s

)7* take for

"o regard as5o you take me for a fool<

"o consider mistakenly

5on1t take silence for approval.

)* take in

"o grant admittance to- receive as a guest or an employee

"o reduce in si0e- make smaller or shorter took in the waist on the pair of pants.

"o include or constitute+

"o understand Aouldn1t take in the meaning of the word.

"o deceive or swindle


33/40

was taken in by a confidence artist.

"o look at thoroughly- view took in the sights.

"o accept 1work2 to be done in one!s house for pay

took in typing.

"o convey 1a prisoner2 to a police station+

)9* take to tak

pbraid, scold- blame or censureThe teacher took 5oris to task for turning in such a sloppy report.

This term' dating from the midC#--s' at first meant either assigning or challenging someone to atask. &ts current sense dates from the late #,--s.

)1* take to $ne heel

Run away (hen the burglar alarm went off they took to their heels.

This expression alludes to the fact that the heels are all one sees of a fugitive running away fast. %lthough similar expressions turned up from Shakespeare1s time on' the exact idiom dates only fromthe first half of the #,--s

)11* take with a grain or #inch of alt=

Skeptically, with reservations& always take Sandy1s stories about illnesses with a grain of salt9she tends to exaggerate.

This expression is a translation of the atin cum grano salis' which liny used in describing ompey1sdiscovery of an antidote for poison !to be taken with a grain of salt). &t was soon adopted by Dnglishwriters.

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23

/. Use the following in your own sentences to bring out their meaning: !#-)

)1* ?ick the bucket

"o die

)2* Bolt fro! the blue

$f something happens une'pectedly and suddenly, it is a bolt from the blue+

)3* 8ut your foot &own

hen someone puts their foot down, they make a firm stand and establish their authority on an issue+

)4* .orth your alt

Someone who is worth their salt deserves respect+

)5* :own the &rain

6n the way to being lost or wasted- disappearing


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8uying new furniture when they can1t take it with them is 2ust pouring money down the drain.5uring the 5epression huge fortunes went down the drain.

This metaphoric term alludes to water going down a drain and being carried off.

)+* /ll car

)7* 6wan ong

A person!s swansong is their final achievement or public appearance+

)* Cheek by owl

$f things or people are cheek by /owl, they are very close together+

)9* in a nuthell

Concisely, in a few words0ere1s our proposal9in a nutshell' we want to sell the business to you.

This hyperbolic expression alludes to the 4oman writer liny1s description of 0omer1s &liad beingcopied in so tiny a hand that it could fit in a nutshell.

For a time it referred to anything compressed' but from the #"--s on it referred mainly to written orspoken words.

)1* ,ive !e five

$f someone says this, they want to hit your open hand against theirs as a way of congratulation orgreeting+

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/. !a) Use any F&MD of the following in your own sentences to bring out their meaning: !")

1= To bring grit to the !ill=

Something that you can use to your advantage is grist for the mill+

2= 6et one ca# at

Pursue someone romantically (e all thought %nne had set her cap for Eoe' but we were wrong.

&n the #--s this term' which may have alluded to donning one1s best headgear' was applied tomembers of either sex' but by the early #,--s it generally described a woman chasing a man. &t isprobably obsolescent.

3= To &raw the long bow

$f someone draws a long bow, they lie or e'aggerate+

4= To en& a #eron to Coventry

"o ostraci0e, or systematically ignore someone

5= Beer an& kittle


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People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about self*indulgence and pleasure+

+= The aci& tet

An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or not+

7= / keleton in the cu#boar&=

$f you have a skeleton in the cupboard, or in the closet, you have a secret in your past which coulddamage you if it became known+

= To &icover a !are net __________________________

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/ !%) use any five of the following in your own sentences to bring out their meaning

1*= ?ee# one noe to the grin&tone

Stay hard at work (e expect Eohn to get good grades again' since he really keeps his nose to the grindstone.

This expression' first recorded in #"6J' alludes to a tool that must be sharpened by being held to agrindstone.

2*= Throw o!eone for a loo# " throw for a loo#

knock down or over with a feather- knock sideways, overcome with surprise or astonishment The news of his death knocked me for a loop.8eing fired without any warning threw me for a loop.

Eane was knocked sideways when she found out she won.

The first two of these hyperbolic collo@uial usages' dating from the first half of the #J--s' allude to thecomicCstrip image of a person pushed hard enough to roll over in the shape of a loop.The third hyperbolic term' often put as Iou could have knocked me down with a feather' intimatingthat something so light as a feather could knock one down' dates from the early #,--s= the fourth wasfirst recorded in #J;".

3*= etter #erfect

"he precise wording rather than the spirit or intent+Since it was the first time he1d broken the rules' the school decided to ignore the letter of the law and 2ust give him a warning. +ate #"--s

4*= $ff the wall

Something that is off the wall is unconventional+

5*= $ut to lunch

$f someone!s out to lunch, they are cra0y or out of touch+

+*= 6alt o!ething away

Keep in reserve, store, save0e salted away most of his earnings in a bank account.

This idiom alludes to using salt as a food preservative. +BidC#,--s


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7*= Take o!eone to the cleaner

"ake or cheat one out of all of one!s money or possessions0er divorce lawyer took him to the cleaners.That broker has taken a number of clients to the cleaners. +Slang= early #J--s

(rub, beat up0e didn1t 2ust push you9he took you to the cleaners. +Slang= early #J--s

*= .ear the #ant in the fa!ily

&'ercise controlling authority in a household >randma or husband !incase of husband and wife) wears the pants at our house.

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2+

/ !%) Use G3I F&MD of the following in sentences to bring out their meaning:

)1* Twi&&le with

"o play with something- to play with something, using one!s fingers- to fiddle with something+& asked Eason to stop twiddling with the pencils.Someone is twiddling with the stereo controls.

)2* %a!# u#

%ake upvamp up an excuse for not attending the meeting

)3* .hittle away

cut away in small pieces, to cut or carve something away The carver whittled the wood away until only a small figure was left.0e whittled away the wood.

)4* .inkle out

Force from a place or positionThe committee winkled out the un@ualified candidates.

)5* ,ive o!eone the bu! ruh

"o e/ect 1or be e/ected2 forcibly

)+* oo! large

Appear imminent in a threatening, magnified formThe possibility of civil war loomed large on the hori?on.Bartha wanted to take it easy for a week' but the bar exam loomed large.

This term employs loom in the sense of 7come into view7' a usage dating from the late #"--s.

)7* Beetting in

A sin which is habitually attending a person, a prevailing or predominant vice(e regret to say that apathy is the besetting sin of our rural population.

)* To hang fire


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(elay The advertising campaign is hanging fire until they decide how much to spend on it.

This expression originally referred to the #thCcentury flintlock musket' where the priming powderignited but often failed to explode the main charge' a result called hanging fire. +c. #,--

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/ !%) Use only Five of the Following in sentences which illustrate their meaning

1* To #ut the li& on " kee# the li& on

Suppress& don1t know how but we1ll have to put the lid on that rumor about her.et1s keep the lid on our suspicions.

The word lid here is used in the sense of 7a cover for a container.7 +Darly #J--s

2* >lavour if the !outh

Something that is prominent in the public eye for a short time then fades out of interest+

Griginally a term of approval for something that was up to the minute and desirable. &t has been usedironically from the late ;-th century to pass disdainful comment on things which pass out of fashion@uickly. For example' the 7one hit wonders7 of the music business.

3* Dero hour

"he time when something important is to begin is 0ero hour+

4* ,loo! an& &oo!

the feeling that a situation is bad and is not likely to improveAome on' it1s not all doom and gloom' if we make a real effort we could still win.

5* To #ig out

&at ravenously, gorge oneself The kids pigged out on the candy they had collected on 0alloween. +Slang= early #J-s

+* Bag #eo#le

7* Co!#aion fatigue

A weariness of and diminishing public response to fre4uent re4uests for charity+

* o !atter

Some thing which is not important __________________________

2

. a. Use any F&MD of the following idioms in sentences to make their meaning clear: !")

i= Blow one to#

"o be very angry, &'plode in anger, lose one!s temper, go into a rage

ii= / cock an& bull tory


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An unbelievable tale that is intended to deceive- a tall taleEack told us some cock and bull story about getting lost.

This expression may come from a folk tale involving these two animals' or from the name of anDnglish inn where travellers told such tales.

(.S. >ilbert used it in The Ieomen of the >uard !#,,,)' where Eack oint and (ilfred the Eailer makeup a story about the hero1s fictitious death: 7Tell a tale of cock and bull' Gf convincing detail full.7 +c.#/--

iii= >in& one feet

"o be confident, become ad/usted- become established

iv= Call it a night

"o stop what one has been doing, for the remainder of the night+

v= The ti# of the iceberg

vi= Below #ar

8ess than average, less than normal

vii= >ro! #illar to #ot

From one place or thing to another in rapid succession

viii=


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being put in dry dock' and is therefore unable to move. 8y the midC#,--s it was being usedfiguratively.

)iii* .eather the tor!

Survive difficulties

&f she can 2ust weather the storm of that contract violation' she1ll be fine.

This expression alludes to a ship coming safely through bad weather. +BidC#/--s

)iv* Bear the brunt

Put up with the worst of some bad circumstance&t was the secretary who had to bear the brunt of the doctor1s anger.& had to bear the brunt of her screaming and yelling

This idiom uses brunt in the sense of 7the main force of an enemy1s attack'7 which was sustained bythe front lines of the defenders. +Second half of #--s

)v* 'eet halfway

$f you meet someone halfway, you accept some of their ideas and make concessions+&f you want to settle the issues you have to meet me halfway

)vi* Turncoat

one who goes to work 7 fight 7 play for the opposing side, traitorThat turncoatL 0e went to work for the competition C Sears. %hmed is Turncoat and we should not relied upon him

)vii* .here the hoe #inche

"he source of trouble, grief, difficulty, etc+21

make for vb !intr' preposition)#. to head towards' esp in haste;. to prepare to attack6. to help to bring aboutyour cooperation will make for the success of our pro2ectThis class will make for the %uditorium now.

Ieoman1s service.religious service

Tipu sultan rendered yeoman service for the the &slam

5iscretion is the better part of valour :something that you say which means that it is better to be careful and think before you act than it is tobe brave and take risksShe decided not to voice her opposition to the Ahairman1s remarks. erhaps discretion was the better part of valour

Gut of the woodspast a critical phase= out of the unknown.(hen the patient got out of the woods' everyone relaxed.& can give you a better prediction for your future health when you are out of the woods.

% casting vote


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decisive voteThe speaker used his casting vote in the favour of proposition

ook down uponthink nothing of'be contemptuous of 5o not look down upon the down and out

&conoclastGne who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions.Gne who destroys sacred religious images.0e was an iconoclast who refused to be bound by tradition.

% swan song % farewell or final appearance' action' or work.The beautiful legendary song sung only once by a swan in its lifetime' as it is dying.&1m resigning tomorrow= this pro2ect was my swan song.

Solved Idioms

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