Idioms & Phrases Asked in Different Competitive Exams in Different years – 5

601. To be down to earth – To be realistic (CHSL, 2015)

602. In the nick of time – Just in time (CHSL, 2015)

603. To shun evil company – To avoid or give up bad company (CHSL, 2015)

604. Seamy side – Unpleasant and immoral (CHSL, 2015)

605. A sacred cow – A person never to be criticised (CHSL, 2015)

606. A dog’s breakfast – A total mess / A thing that has been done badly (CHSL, 2015)

607. Sail in the same boat – To be in same situation (CHSL, 2015)

608. Take the bull by the horns – to face a difficulty courageously (CHSL, 2015)

609. Shed crocodile tears – To pretend to be sympathetic (CHSL, 2015)

610. To be in a quandary – In a confusing situation (CHSL, 2015)

611. Take French leave – Absenting oneself without permission (CHSL, 2015)

612. To put in a nutshell – To state something very concisely (CHSL, 2015)

613. The genomes of Zurich – A slang term for Swiss bankers (CHSL, 2015)

614. To make up one’s mind – To decide what to do (CHSL, 2015)

615. To call it a day – Decide to finish working of the day (CHSL, 2015)

616. In two minds – To be undecided (CHSL, 2015)

617. Put something by – To save money for a particular purpose (CHSL, 2015)

618. On cloud nine – Extremely happy (CHSL, 2015)

619. The jury is out - No decision has been reached (CHSL, 2015)

621. To take after – To resemble an older member of family (CHSL, 2015)

622. Flying visit – Very short visit (CHSL, 2015)

623. Telling upon – Showing effectively / Having strong effect (Constable, 2015)

624. Kith and kin - Relatives (Constable, 2015)

625. Part and parcel – Important part (Constable, 2015)

626. Beat about the bush – Circumlocution / Does not talk specifically (Constable, 2015)

627. Carry out – Complete something (Constable, 2015)

628. Take fancy – To attract or please somebody (Constable, 2015)

629. Snake in the grass – A hidden enemy (CGL T-1, 2015)

630. Make a mountain of a mole hill – Exaggerate a minor problem (CGL T-1, 2015)

631. Spill the beans – Reveal the secret information (CGL T-1, 2015)

632. Make amends for – Compensate the loss (CGL T-1, 2015)

633. Leave high and dry – In a difficult situation without help or money / Leave alone to

work / A boat in a position out of water (CGL T-1, 2015)

634. Make believe – To pretend that something is true (CGL T-1, 2015)

635. Keep a level head – To remain calm and sensible in a difficult situation (CGL T-1, 2015)

636. Under the weather - Sick (CGL T-1, 2015)

637. At loggerheads – In strong disagreement (CGL T-1, 2015)

638. Go Dutch – Divide the cost (CGL T-1, 2015)

639. Alma mater – Institution where one got education (CGL T-1, 2015)

640. A closefisted man – A miser (CGL T-1, 2015)

641. As draft as a brush – Very silly (CGL T-1, 2015)

645. Make a beeline – Rush / To go straight towards something as quick as you can (CGL T-1,2015)

658. Wild goose chase – Useless search (CGL T-1, 2015)

659. A man of letters – A literary person (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

660. Horse sense – Basic common sense (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

661. Shot in the arm – Something that gives encouragement (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

662. Catch time by the forelock – Seize opportunity (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

663. Get on nerves - Annoying (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

664. Clean hands – innocent (CPO, 2015)

665. A golden mean – Middle course between two extremes (CPO, 2015)

666. Vexed question – Controversial issue (CPO, 2015)

667. Keep the wolf away from the door – To keep off starvation (CPO, 2015)

668. Out of sorts – Ill or sick / Upset (CPO, 2015)

659. Red-letter day – An important day (CPO, 2015)

660. A close fisted man - Miser (CPO, 2015)

662. Eat humble pie – To say sorry for mistakes / Suffer humiliation (CPO, 2015)

663. Play ducks and drakes – Spend lavishly / To waste or squander (CPO, 2015)

664. Be taken aback – Shocked or surprised (CPO, 2015)

644. Bird’s eye view – A overview / A general view from above (CPO, 2015)

645. To win laurels – to earn great prestige (CPO, 2015)

646. In the soup – To be in trouble (CPO, 2015)

647. Draw the line – To set a limit (CPO, 2015)

648. A bee hive – A busy place (CPO, 2015)

649. To cut the Gordian knot – To perform a difficult task (CPO, 2015)

650. Take a French leave – Being absent without permission (CGL T-2, 2015)

651. Arm-chair critic – A person who give advice based on theory not on practice (CGL T-2, 2015)

652. A chip of the old block – An experienced old man (CGL T-2, 2015)

645. Make a beeline – Rush / To go straight towards something as quick as you can (CGL T-1,2015)

658. Wild goose chase – Useless search (CGL T-1, 2015)

659. A man of letters – A literary person (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

660. Horse sense – Basic common sense (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

661. Shot in the arm – Something that gives encouragement (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

662. Catch time by the forelock – Seize opportunity (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

663. Get on nerves - Annoying (CGL T-1,RE 2015)

664. Clean hands – innocent (CPO, 2015)

665. A golden mean – Middle course between two extremes (CPO, 2015)

666. Vexed question – Controversial issue (CPO, 2015)

667. Keep the wolf away from the door – To keep off starvation (CPO, 2015)

668. Out of sorts – Ill or sick / Upset (CPO, 2015)

659. Red-letter day – An important day (CPO, 2015)

660. A close fisted man - Miser (CPO, 2015)

662. Eat humble pie – To say sorry for mistakes / Suffer humiliation (CPO, 2015)

663. Play ducks and drakes – Spend lavishly / To waste or squander (CPO, 2015)

664. Be taken aback – Shocked or surprised (CPO, 2015)

666. Bird’s eye view – A overview / A general view from above (CPO, 2015)

667. To win laurels – to earn great prestige (CPO, 2015)

668. In the soup – To be in trouble (CPO, 2015)

669. Draw the line – To set a limit (CPO, 2015)

670. A bee hive – A busy place (CPO, 2015)

671. To cut the Gordian knot – To perform a difficult task (CPO, 2015)

672. Take a French leave – Being absent without permission (CGL T-2, 2015)

673. Arm-chair critic – A person who give advice based on theory not on practice (CGL T-2, 2015)

674. A chip of the old block – An experienced old man (CGL T-2, 2015)

711. Hope against hope – Nurture an impossible hope (CGL T-1, 2016)

712. For keeps - Forever (CGL T-1, 2016)

713. Paled into insignificance – Seemed less important (CGL T-1, 2016)

714. With one voice - Unanimously (CGL T-1, 2016)

715. Make it light – Treat lightly (CGL T-1, 2016)

716. Every inch a gentleman - Entirely (CGL T-1, 2016)

717. A rough, violent, troublesome person - Tartar (CGL T-1, 2016)

718. To add fuel to the fire – Make thing worse (CGL T-1, 2016)

719. To take to heart – TO be greatly affected (CGL T-1, 2016)

720. To bring to light – TO reveal (CGL T-1, 2016)

721. All moon shine – Far from reality (CGL T-1, 2016)

722. At a snail’s pace - Slowly (CGL T-1, 2016)

723. Call on – Pay a visit (CGL T-1, 2016)

724. Pros and cons – Advantages and disadvantage (CGL T-1, 2016)

725. Once in a blue moon – Very rarely (CGL T-1, 2016)

726. Fish out of water – An uncomfortable position (CGL T-1, 2016)

727. Be down with – Suffering from (CGL T-1, 2016)

728. Fair-weather friend – Supports only when easy and convenient (CGL T-1, 2016)

729. Pull together – Work harmoniously (CGL T-1, 2016)

730. To bury the hatchet – to make peace (CGL T-1, 2016)

731. Selling like hot cakes – To have a very good sale (CGL T-1, 2016)

732. Scot free - Unpunished (CGL T-1, 2016)

733. To give oneself airs – Behave arrogantly (CGL T-1, 2016)

734. At a stone’s throw – At short distance (CGL T-1, 2016)

735. Bone of contention – Matter of dispute (CGL T-1, 2016)

736. To eat humble pie – To yield under humiliating circumstances (CGL T-1, 2016)

737. To end in smoke – To fail/ To end without any practical results (CGL T-1, 2016)

738. To spill the beans – To reveal a secret (CGL T-1, 2016)

739. Drive home - Emphasise (CGL T-1, 2016)

740. A left hand compliment – An ambiguous compliment (CGL T-1, 2016)

741. Cut a sorry figure – Make a poor impression (CGL T-1, 2016)

742. To take to task - Reprimand (CGL T-1, 2016)

743. Bad blood - Enmity (CGL T-1, 2016)

744. Maiden speech – First speech (CGL T-1, 2016)

745. To get cold feet - Fear (CGL T-1, 2016)

746. Beside the mark – Not to the point (CGL T-1, 2016)

747. On tenterhooks – In suspense and anxiety (CGL T-1, 2016)

748. A cuckoo in the nest – An unwelcomed intruder (CGL T-1, 2016)

749. A house of cards – An insecure scheme (CGL T-1, 2016)

750. To smell a rat – To suspect foul dealings (CGL T-1, 2016)

751. Old head on young shoulder – To be wise beyond one’s age (CGL T-1, 2016)

752. A wild-goose chase – Pointless search (CGL T-1, 2016)

753. Hard of hearing – To be deaf (CGL T-1, 2016)

754. Burn your boats – Do something that makes it impossible to return ro the previous

situation (CGL T-1, 2016)

755. Dressing-down – To give scolding (CGL T-1, 2016)

756. Null and void - Invalid (CGL T-1, 2016)

757. A dark horse – Unexpected winner (CGL T-1, 2016)

758. Throw cold water - Discourage (CGL T-1, 2016)

759. Butt in – Interrupt (CGL T-1, 2016)

760. Couch potato – A person who prefers to watch television (CGL T-1, 2016)

761. Carry the ball – Be in charge (CGL T-1, 2016)

762. Turn down - Reject (CGL T-1, 2016)

763. Catch a tartar – to deal with a person who is more than one’s match (CGL T-1, 2016)

764. Cap in hand – In a respectful manner (CGL T-1, 2016)

765. In the blues – Cheerless and depressed (CGL T-1, 2016)

766. Cheek by jowl – Very close together (CGL T-1, 2016)

767. Beyond the pale – Unreasonable or unacceptable (CGL T-1, 2016)

768. Blow one’s own trumpet – Praise oneself (CGL T-1, 2016)

769. Stick to guns – Maintain own opinion (CGL T-1, 2016)

770. At sea – At a loss (CGL T-1, 2016)

771. Straw in the wind – An indication of what might happen (CGL T-1, 2016)

772. Face the music – Be punished (CGL T-1, 2016)

773. Curry favours – Seek favourable attention (CGL T-1, 2016)

774. Weal and woe – Good times and bad times (CGL T-1, 2016)

775. Call in question - Challenge (CGL T-1, 2016)

776. Make both ends mean – Live within means (CGL T-1, 2016)

777. Put up the shutters – Go out of business (CGL T-1, 2016)

778. A drop in a bucket – A very insignificant amount (CGL T-1, 2016)

779. Draw a blank – Find no favour (CGL T-1, 2016)

780. To keep in abeyance – In a state of suspension (CGL T-1, 2016)

781. To be in a fix – In a difficult situation (CGL T-1, 2016)

782. To break the ice – Make people comfortable and relaxed / Start conversation (CGL T-1,2016)

783. As daft as a brush – Extremely silly (CGL T-1, 2016)

784. In a nutshell – Briefly and concisely (CGL T-1, 2016)

785. Strain every nerve – Work very hard (CGL T-1, 2016)

786. Evening of life – Old age (CGL T-1, 2016)

787. Button one’s lips – Stop talking (CGL T-1, 2016)

788. Cock and bull stories – Absurd and unlikely stories (CGL T-1, 2016)

789. A live wire – Lively and active (CGL T-1, 2016)

790. Capital punishment – Death sentence (CGL T-1, 2016)

791. Leaps and bounds - Rapidly (CGL T-1, 2016)

792. Wet behind the ears – Young and without much experience (CGL T-1, 2016)

793. Under a cloud – Under suspicion (CGL T-1, 2016)

794. Get the sack – Be dismissed (CGL T-1, 2016)

795. Feather in one’s cap – A new and additional distinction (CGL T-1, 2016)

796. Donkey’s year – A long time (CGL T-1, 2016)

797. Leave no stone unturned – To try every possible way (CGL T-1, 2016)

798. A man of letters - Scholar (CGL T-1, 2016)

799. Bear in mind - Remember (CGL T-1, 2016)

800. To nip in the bud – To stop something in the starting (CGL T-1, 2016)

801. To put a spoke in one’s wheel – To hinder (CGL T-1, 2016)

802. To clip one’s wings – To deprive one of power (CGL T-1, 2016)

803. Hold up – Delay (CGL T-1, 2016)

804. To play fast and loose – To act in an unreliable way (CGL T-1, 2016)

805. Feather one’s own nest – Make money in an improper way (CGL T-1, 2016)

806. Pull a fast one – Play a trick (CGL T-1, 2016)

807. Grease the palm – To bribe (CGL T-1, 2016)

808.  Turn-turtle – Complete over-turn of a situation (CGL T-1, 2016)