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Soft Skills & Corporate Readiness Interview - Tips & Techniques General English Language Logical Reasoning / Analytical Ability Quantitative Aptitude Computer Aptitude General Knowledge / Current Affairs Reference Books, Websites & Study Sources.
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Synonyms - One Word Synonyms - Context Based Antonyms - One Word Antonyms - Context Based Cloze Test / Fill in the blank Comprehension Correctly Spelled Word Idioms and Phrases Missing Sentence One Word Substitution Ordering of Sentences Ordering of Words in a Sentence Poem Based Comprehension Sentence Completion Sentence Improvement Spotting errors Word Analogy Word Pronunciation Writing Skills

Idioms and Phrases

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An idiom is an expression or phrase whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words Idioms mean something different than the individual words.

Vocabulary Idioms and Phrases Meaning & Usage

Idioms and phrases are fixed expressions whose meanings are often different from the literal meaning of the individual words. They make English more natural, expressive, and effective.

What are Idioms and Phrases?

An idiom is a group of words that has a special meaning which cannot always be understood by looking at the individual words.

For example, “break the ice” does not literally mean breaking ice. It means to start a conversation or make people feel comfortable.

A phrase is a group of words that works together to express an idea, but it may not have a complete subject and verb like a full sentence.

Quick idea: Do not translate idioms word by word. Learn their actual meaning and usage in sentences.
Idiom / Phrase Meaning Example Sentence
Break the ice To start a conversation The teacher told a joke to break the ice.
Once in a blue moon Very rarely He visits his village once in a blue moon.
A piece of cake Something very easy The test was a piece of cake for her.
At the eleventh hour At the last moment He submitted the form at the eleventh hour.

“Idioms are best remembered through situations, not isolated meanings.”

Vocabulary Tip
Key points
  • Idioms have special meanings.
  • They should not be translated word by word.
  • Context helps identify the correct meaning.
  • Many idioms are fixed expressions.
  • In exams, choose the closest meaning.
expression meaning context usage

Common Types of Idioms and Phrases

Idioms and phrases are often grouped by the situation or idea they express.

Success and Effort

Used for achievement, hard work, and attempts.

  • Hit the nail on the head → say exactly right
  • Go the extra mile → make extra effort
  • Burn the midnight oil → study/work late
Time and Frequency

Used to express time, delay, or frequency.

  • Once in a blue moon → rarely
  • At the eleventh hour → at the last moment
  • In no time → very quickly
Problems and Difficulty

Used for trouble, challenges, or risky situations.

  • In hot water → in trouble
  • Face the music → accept consequences
  • A hard nut to crack → a difficult problem/person
Communication and Behaviour

Used for speaking, secrets, attitude, and behaviour.

  • Spill the beans → reveal a secret
  • Beat around the bush → avoid the main point
  • Turn a blind eye → ignore deliberately
Rule: In idiom questions, read the complete sentence and identify the situation before choosing the meaning.
Mini Idiom and Phrase Bank
Easy / Difficult
a piece of cake → very easy
uphill task → difficult task
hard nut to crack → difficult problem
Secrets / Truth
spill the beans → reveal a secret
bring to light → reveal
keep under wraps → keep secret
Time
once in a blue moon → rarely
in the long run → eventually
at the eleventh hour → last moment
Behaviour
lose temper → become angry
turn a blind eye → ignore
take heart → feel encouraged

Tip: Learn idioms with example sentences. This helps you understand when and how to use them.

Idioms and phrases concept
An idiom is an expression or phrase whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words.

Common Idioms and Phrases for Exams

Idiom / Phrase Meaning Example Sentence Usage Hint
A blessing in disguise A good result from a bad situation Losing that job was a blessing in disguise. Used when something bad later becomes useful.
Beat around the bush Avoid saying the main point Do not beat around the bush; tell the truth. Used when someone avoids direct speech.
Burn the midnight oil Work or study late at night She burned the midnight oil before the exam. Commonly used for study or hard work.
Face the music Accept punishment or consequences He made a mistake and had to face the music. Used after wrongdoing or failure.
In hot water In trouble The student was in hot water for cheating. Used for difficult or risky situations.
Let the cat out of the bag Reveal a secret accidentally He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. Used for accidental secret revelation.
On cloud nine Very happy She was on cloud nine after winning the prize. Used to express great happiness.
Under the weather Feeling unwell I stayed home because I was under the weather. Used for mild illness.

Note: Idioms are often tested by asking for their meaning, choosing a correct usage, or filling them into a sentence.

Practice

A) Multiple Choice: Choose the Correct Meaning
  1. A piece of cake means:
    a sweet food a difficult task a very easy task a broken item
  2. Once in a blue moon means:
    very often very rarely every night immediately
  3. Face the music means:
    listen to songs run away accept consequences play an instrument
  4. Spill the beans means:
    cook food reveal a secret waste money lose temper
  5. Under the weather means:
    standing outside feeling unwell enjoying rain travelling abroad
B) Fill in the Blanks with Suitable Idioms
  1. The question was very easy. It was ________. (Use an idiom meaning very easy)
  2. He revealed the secret accidentally. He ________. (Use an idiom meaning revealed a secret)
  3. She was very happy after winning the prize. She was ________. (Use an idiom meaning very happy)
  4. He made a mistake and had to accept the consequences. He had to ________. (Use an idiom meaning accept consequences)
  5. My friend rarely visits us. He visits us ________. (Use an idiom meaning very rarely)
C) Match the Idiom with Its Meaning
Idiom / Phrase Options
Break the ice start conversation / break glass / feel cold / stop working
In hot water in trouble / in warm water / feeling happy / very rich
Hit the nail on the head say exactly right / hurt someone / repair furniture / make noise
Burn the midnight oil sleep early / waste oil / work late at night / cook at night
Beat around the bush speak directly / avoid the main point / cut plants / fight outside
Short Reading

Before the examination, Rohan decided to burn the midnight oil. He found the first section a piece of cake, but the final problem was a hard nut to crack. When the results were announced, he was on cloud nine because his hard work had paid off.

Task: Find the meanings of the bold idioms in the paragraph.

Show Suggested Answers
MCQ
  1. a very easy task
  2. very rarely
  3. accept consequences
  4. reveal a secret
  5. feeling unwell
Fill in the Blanks
  1. a piece of cake
  2. let the cat out of the bag / spilled the beans
  3. on cloud nine
  4. face the music
  5. once in a blue moon
Matching
  1. Break the ice → start conversation
  2. In hot water → in trouble
  3. Hit the nail on the head → say exactly right
  4. Burn the midnight oil → work late at night
  5. Beat around the bush → avoid the main point
Reading Idioms

burn the midnight oil → study or work late at night
a piece of cake → very easy
a hard nut to crack → a difficult problem
on cloud nine → very happy

Exam tips
  • Do not take idioms literally.
  • Read the sentence to understand the situation.
  • Learn idioms with example sentences.
  • Eliminate meanings that are too literal.
  • Revise common idioms in groups such as time, success, trouble, and emotions.
Practice MCQs