Idioms and Phrases for the English Section

Idioms and Phrases form an important part of the English section of various competitive exams such as SSC exams, RRB exams, Bank exams and other Government exams. Candidates can easily fetch a good score in the English section if they are aware of important idioms and phrases, along with their meanings. 

Candidates preparing for any of the above-mentioned Government exams must learn the idioms and phrases to perfection. At least 4 – 5 questions related to important idioms and phrases are asked in these examinations and of course, no one can afford to lose even one mark amidst such fierce competition.

Candidates preparing for any competitive exam can check the links given below to supplement their preparation:

Static GK Current Affairs SSC General Awareness Free Online Quiz

In this article, candidates will get a list of more than 300 Idioms and Phrases that are frequently asked in the examinations. Along with it, candidates will be able to download the Idioms and Phrases PDF, which contains more than 300 important idioms and phrases with their meanings. The links to download Idioms and Phrases PDF are given below and also at the bottom of the article. 

List of Important (300+) Idioms And Phrases PDF:-Download PDF Here

A few relevant links related to the English language section are given below. Candidates who wish to score even better in this section can visit the pages:

Candidates can go through the video to understand the usage of Idioms and Phrases and how to deal with the questions based on this topic. Part II of the video is given at the bottom of this article.

List of Idioms And Phrases

Candidates can go through the list of idioms and phrases given below. These are the phrases that are frequently asked in various competitive exams. Candidates are advised to download the pdf for more idioms and phrases and also by heart them if they are looking for a smooth ride in the English section. 

Idioms And Phrases

  1. Decked up – put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive
  2. Doing the rounds – to be passed from one person to another
  3. Between the cup and the lips – On the point of achievement
  4. A damp squib – Complete failure
  5. Put off – an evasive reply, to delay doing something, especially because you do not want to do it
  6. A dime a dozen – Anything that is common and easy to get
  7. Cast iron stomach– Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything
  8. A mare’s nest– A false invention
  9. Takes a beating – to be damaged because of performing badly or being criticized
  10. A chip on your shoulder – Being upset for something that happened in the past
  11. A toss-up – A result that is still unclear and can go either way
  12. An iron hand – By force
  13. A taste of your own medicine – When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others
  14. At the drop of a hat – Willing to do something immediately
  15. A man of straw – A weak person
  16. Bite your tongue – To avoid talking
  17. An eyewash – A pretence
  18. At sixes and seven– Persons who are having different opinions
  19. Bite off more than you can chew – To take on a task that is way too big to handle
  20. Can’t cut the mustard– Someone who isn’t adequate enough to compete or participate
  21. Call a spade a spade– Straight talks
  22. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch– Don’t rely on it until you sure of it
  23. Dog days of summer– The hottest day of the summer season
  24. Ever and anon– Now and then, occasionally
  25. Field day– An enjoyable day or circumstance
  26. Bits and Pieces– small things of different types
  27.  Kick the bucket– Die
  28. Know the ropes– To understand the details
  29. Latin and Greek– Unable to understand
  30. Like a chicken with its head cut off– To act in a frenzied manner, crazily

List of Important Idioms And Phrases PDF:-Download PDF Here

Candidates can also check other articles on English topics that give clarity on basic concepts, rules, lists and example sentences:

  1. Tenses rules
  2. Conjunctions rules
  3. Prepositions Rules
  4. Articles Rules
  5. Letter Writing Format
  6. Precis Writing Format

Candidates are advised to check the General English for Competitive Exams page for more articles including rules of English grammar, list of idioms and phrases, synonyms & antonyms, etc.
Online Quiz 2023

Idioms And Phrases – Sample Questions For Verbal Ability

To apprehend the type of questions asked in the exams based on Idioms and phrases, given below are a few sample questions for candidates reference.

Directions [1 to 5]- Statements given below have few words or phrases highlighted bold. choose the correct option that is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as the highlighted word/phrase.

Q1. Funny how you can get a bee in your bonnet about the most unlikely matters.

  1. go wild
  2. obsessed with an idea
  3. speak succinctly
  4. stay up

Answer (2) obsessed with an idea

Q2. I understand that you don’t like the necklace he brought, but, it is a gift, so please, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

  1. don’t judge it by price
  2. don’t compare it with others gift
  3. don’t find fault with the gift
  4. don’t expect too much

Answer (3) don’t find fault with the gift

Q3. The sales manager tried every trick in the book to sell the flat to my uncle, but they failed.

  1. Try every possible way
  2. Not ready to bargain
  3. Try to give the least discount
  4. Stuck in the midway

Answer (1) Try every possible way

Q4. After decades of neglect, government schools are finally making a fresh start with much-needed improvements to facilities and teaching methods.

  1. Improvising the old thought
  2. Grabbing the eyeballs
  3. Starting something in a new and different way
  4. Giving a jumpstart

Answer (3) Starting something in a new and different way

Q5. They thought that Ria would simply give up if her complaint had to go to the court. Now, the will realize that they have caught a Tartar!

  1. Dealing with an expert
  2. Forced to leave something
  3. Dealing with a troublesome person
  4. Wasting time

Answer (3) Dealing with a troublesome person

To prepare well for the English section, it is important to practise and revise Idioms and Phrases regularly to retain them well. Hence, go through the exercise on Idioms and Phrases Questions and Answers in the given link.

Candidates can also check the variety and scope of questions asked in the competitive exams on the other relevant topics of English language below:

Check the Verbal Ability page to get more Questions and Answers articles based on different general English topics.

Candidates appearing for any competitive exams such as SSC exam, IBPS exam, RRB exams, etc can check Previous Year Question Papers to understand the types of questions asked in the English section of these examinations.

Also, to fetch a good score in the English language section, basic concepts and differences between common and confusing words should be crystal clear. You can check a few links given below for assistance:

Difference Between Phrase and Clause Difference Between Program and Programme
Difference Between Subject And Predicate Difference Between Precis and Summary

More such differences based on concepts, topics, subjects, etc are given on the 100 difference Between Article for revision for the candidates.

Aspirants of various competitive examinations can check the links for relevant information and exam preparation: 

SSC Mock Tests IBPS Mock Tests RRB Mock Tests
RRB exams SSC Exams Insurance Exams

Government Exam 2023

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