Idioms and phrases for SSC CGLA fair crack of the whip A period of importanceTo hold something in leash To restrainTo wrangle over an ass’s shadow To quarrels over triflesTo play fast and loose To hurt some body’s feelings /to play tricksAll agog Restlessto give up the ghost To dieTo snap one’s fingers To be anxiousA pipe dream An impractical planTo stand to one’s guns To perseverance when hardships pressTo loose one’s head To become confused and over exitedBy the skin of one’s teeth Only justTo throw one’s glove To give a challengeTo be in abeyance In suspenseA chip off the old block Characteristics of one’s ancestorsTo take people by storm To captive tem unexpectedlyTo throw up the sponge To surrender or give up the contestHarp on To keep on talkingTo catch somebody on the hop to To catch somebody of guardTo spell the beans To reveal secret informationTo bring one’s egg to a bad market To fail in one’s plan because one goes to the

wrong people for helpTo get cold feet To be afraidTo take a leap in the dark To do a hazardous thing without any idea of

the resultTo give get/give the bird To send awayTo be at daggers drawn To be bitter enemyTo save one’s face to evade disgraceTo spilt hours To indulge in over-refined argumentsA lady’s man A lover of woman companyWill o’ the wisp Anything which eludes or deceivesTo get into scrape To find oneself in an awkward predicamentTo fly off the handle To lose one’s temperTo blaze trail To initiate work in a movement

To be lost in the cloud To be perplexedHush money Bribe paid to secure silenceA tall order A task difficult to performTo draw bead upon To take aim at

All and sundry Everything without distinctionTo disabuse one’s mind To remove a misapprehensionTo temp providence To take reckless risksTo accept the gauntlet To suffer humiliationFrench leave Absence without permissionTo have brush with To have a slight encounterTo pull one’s socks up To try hardWithin an ace of NarrowlyTo blow hot and clod To be inconsistentTo give chapter and verse for a thing To produce the proof of somethingTo beggars’ description Beyond one’s power to describe adequatelyTo plough the sands To busy oneself in a way which cannot lead to

any profitable resultFoar in the mouth To be furiousTo take umbrage To be offendedSomething up one’s sleeve A secret planAdam’s ale WaterTo draw the long bow To make and exaggerated statementTo fight to the bitter end To carry on a contest regardless of

consequencesQueer somebody’s pitch Upset one’s planTo make the grade To come out successfulTo be up and doing To be actively engagedTo see eye to eye with To agreeA jaundiced eye prejudiceTo see red To find fault withTo rip up with old sores To revive a quarrel which was almost

forgottenTo carry off the bell To bag the first positionTo live in clover To live in great comfort and luxuryPin-money Allowance made to a lady for her expensesGet down to brass tracks Begin to talk in plain, straight forward termsSpick and span Neat and cleanTo take the wind out of another’s sails To anticipate another and to gain advantage

over himTo carry the coal to Newcastle To do unnecessary thingsTo turn the cover To pass the crisisA sop to Cerberus Ransom to an enemyTo hit the nail on the head To guess right

A baker’s dozen ThirteenTo run amuck To run about in frenzyTo look down one’s nose at To regard with half-hidden displeasure or

contemptHard pressed In difficultiesTo be at one’s finger’s end To be completely conversant withTo pull strings To exert hidden influenceA green horn An inexperienced manTo look sharp To be quickTo pour oil in troubled water To calm a quarrel with soothing wordsTo play on a fiddle To be busy over triflesTo mind one’s P’s and Q’s To be careful one one’s mindTo oil the knocker To tip the office boyTo cut the crackle To stop talking and startTo cool one’s heels To be kept watching for sometimeBy the rule of thumb By practical experience which is rather roughA fool’s errand A useless undertakingTo put somebody in his place To make him humbleTo talk shop To talk about business or professional affairsTo keep one’s head above eater To keep out of debtTo live fast To lead a life of dissipationTo hold a brief for To defend someoneTo pay off old scores To harm someone because they have harmed

you in the pastTo take a leaf out of somebody’s book To take him as a modelTo set he Thames on fire To try to do the impossibleTo cast the pearl before a swine To offer someone a thing which he cannot

appreciateTo bear the palm To winTo change the colour To shift the allegations toTo cut the Gordian knot to be victoriousTo have one’s heart in one’s boots To be deeply depressedTo strike one’s colours To surrenderTo cry wolf To raise a false alarmTo give one’s ears To listen carefullyTo hang up one’s hat To make oneself comfortable in another

person’s homeTo get the hang of thing To understand the meaning of itTo make a shot To make a guess

A man of weight A man of importancePell-mell In hurried disorderTo put one on one’s mettle To rouse one to do one’s bestTo ride hell for leather To ride with furious speedTo speak daggers To speak to a person with hostilityBe in the mire Be in difficultiesTo give a rap on the knuckles To rebukeSum and substance SummaryA drug in the market Commodities no in demandMealy-mouthed CunningMoot point A debatable pointGive a wide berth Keep away fromBrought to light DiscloseFits and stars IrregularlyHigh and low EverywhereIntends and purposes PracticallyRest on my laurels Be complacentClinched the issue DecidedCall a spade a spade Be outspoken in languagePoint-blank PointedlyNeck out Invite trouble unnecessarilyGreen eyes JealousBird’s eye view General viewGoes to dog Is ruinedKeep a level head Remain cool and composedTurned the corner Passed the crisisFishing in trouble water Talking advantage of troubled conditions for

personal profitIn high sprit CheerfulTo rock the boat Upset the balanceTooth and nail With strength and furyWee hours of the day At dawnPut the foot down Not to yieldIn the blues DepressedOn the wane Growing lessFair and square UprightHole and corner method UnderhandScream blue murder Make a great deal of noise and object

vehemently

Paint the town red Have a lively timeKeep the finger crossing Wait expectantlyAt odds In disputeMake ducks and drakes Squandered lavishlyNo love lost Intense dislikeRide the high horse Puts in airsPull a long face Looks indifferentBeside the mark IrrelevantFill in To tell someone the details about someone or

somethingSend(one) about one’s business To send someone away , usually in an

unfriendly wayRun in the same groove Advance in harmonyWolf in sheep’s clothing HypocriteChewing the cuds To muse on, to chat , in an aimless mannerAt ease EmbarrassedCut corners Simplify the producersAt the drop of hat Without delayBurning question A widely debated issuePaddle of own canoe Depended on himselfAt cross purposes Misunderstanding of each other’s purposesIn raptures Very enthusiasticOut of place InappropriateGets on nerves IrritateWear heart on sleeves Exposing innermost feeling to othersLike a duck in a thunderstorm DistressedHerculean task Work required great effortAn eye to the main chance Object to make moneyMake flesh creep FrightenedHimself to himself In unsociableLeave high and dry To leave some one unsupported and unable to

manoeuvreCall in questions ChallengesMeans business Earnest /sincereA left handed compliment An insincereOnce in a while OccasionallyKick heels waste timeLying down To show no reactionGone down the drained Wasted

in the offing About to startDesign on To have plans to exploit or somehow take of

someone advantage or somethingQueer fish Strange personBroken reed A frustrated manGather roses only Seek all the enjoyment of lifeAt sea ConfusedLay by the heels Chance and captureHanky-panky JuggleryStick one’s neck out To Take a riskMare’s nest A false inventionBack-chat Impertinent/disrespectful remarksBear in mind RememberTo cut your teeth To gain experienceKeeping up appearances Maintaining outward showHeads will roll People will get into serve troubleLittle elbow FreedomA bee in bonnet An obsession about somethingGift of the gab Fluency of speechTurn hand Adapt himself toFell flat Had not effectGentleman on large Has no serious occupationWhite elephant UselessTo let the bygones be bygones Ignore the pastCome to the crunch Decisive movementKeeps a good table Entertain guest sumptuouslyDraw the long bone ExaggerateBurn the candle a both end Overtaxing his energiesHold the enemy at bay Prevented the enemy from coming nearTo keep the pot boiling Keep the controversy aliveFar cry A long way offBolt from the blue Sudden SockWin Hands down Win easilyOn and off At intervalsWith a high hand OppressivelyMake no bone Do without hesitationGet hold of the wrong end of the stick Misjudge the situationOn the wan DecliningCool as cucumber Calm and composed

Catch 22 Absurd , a dilemma or difficult circumstanceform which there is no escape because ofmutually conflicting of dependent conditions

Pell-mell In a disorderedly mannerPlough a lonely furrow Do without the help of othersGreat hand Expert atHeap coals on someone’s t head Make someone feel sorryCocksure Perfectly confidentCuts both ends Argument in support of both sides of the issueFeather own nest Act for won future benefitsThrow down the gauntlet Challenge someone, Behaved as very great

and important personOn tenterhooks An anxious suspenseRide rough shod over Treat harshlyDo a good turn by Do a favourOn its last leg About to perish/expireHeart out Suffer silentlyHave the mind Have the willingnessCushy job Financial comfortable jobNow and then OccasionallyMidas touch Ability to success in all projectsPaint with bright colour ExaggeratedTo set the Thames on fire A heroic deedOn the wrong side of fifty Over fifty years oldOut of question UnthinkableBrought matters to a head Create an atmosphere of confrontationIn a jiffy In a hurryDouble dealing DeceptionBlow own trumpet To tell other people how good and successful

you areLet the grass grow under the feet Stayed outCut someone dead To ignore someone totallyMake both end meet Earn enoughMake light Treat lightlyWear the trousers DominantHole and corner SecretSteal someone’s thunder To lessen someone’s forceYeoman service Free, generous helpTo the backbone Completely

Lynch law Law of the mobBitten of more than chew Trying do to too muchStalking horse Trick , something that is used to hide

someone’s real purposeMake hay while the sun rises Make the best use of a favourable situationOn the wane Growing lessLying down Show no reactionCut out SuitableShowing wild oats Going through a period of irresponsible

pleasure seekingThe thin end of the wedge The beginning of further concessionsTo foot the bill To payBreathing down Watching all actions closelyAt a lose end Nothing to doAs ugly as sin Exceptionally uglyElbow grease Hard workIn a soup In troubleGall and war mode A source of angerAt a loss To be confusedSitting on the fence Hesitate between two optionsPretty pass In a difficultyA bad business An unfortunate eventMake no bone about To admit something readilyTurn out crabs End in failureDevil’s advocate On who is against the religionDance attendance upon To FlatterGo a begging Go in vainGrid up one’s lions Get ready for the jobRun the gauntlet Face criticismAegean stable To remove on evilCall one’s shots Make intention clearTread on one’s toes To give offenseTake time by the forelock Prepare action before timeTo steer clear of AvoidTo beat a retreat To march back after a ceremonious paradeUnder one’s own storm With one’s own effortIn the sequel Later onA fifth columnist TraitorNot for nuts Under no circumstances

The fat end The last partA laughing stock Looking ridiculousAd hock For the special purposeBon voyage A good journey for youDe, jure Rightful , legalStave off PreventAwkward silence Embarrassing silenceGlobetrotters Travellers around the worldThe thin end of the wedge The beginning of further concessionsTarred with same brush Posses the same defectsTo steal a march OutshineGo broke Become pennilessSet great store Values greatlyTouch and go RiskyGive A piece of mind ScoldBreath down the neck Watch all actions closelyEgg is egg Quite certainlyKick the bucket To dieA brown study Absorbed in readingFight shy Avoid form a feeling of mistrustDamp squib An utter failureSteer clear of AvoidBrought to book To punishPay by one’s nose Pay dearlyIn the dumps In low spiritsBeat neck and crop CompletelyHard nose Tough and aggressiveIn a real fix In a difficult situationIn one’s elements Feel relax and confidentCold blood UnfeelinglyWeigh the anchor Prepare to sail againTo rise like a phoenix To start afresh from a low positionTo have cold feet To be reluctantCome cap in the hand Very humbleMan of straw InsignificantAt a low key At reducingAt stake In dangerTo break the duck To beginA big shot Important person

To put the cat among the pigeons To be placed in a wrong situationCut the Gordian knot To perform the difficult taskTo gain the ground To become more generalThrough thick and thin Under any circumstancesTo kick up a row To make great noise and fussTo be at the end of one’s tether To have no resources leftOdds and ends Various articleTo shoot a line one’s success To exaggerate aboutTo feather one’s nest To provide money even dishonestlyTo black ball Prevent from doing somethingTo be in the black(Of one’s money) To be in creditTo make no bones about something To do or say a thing openly if it is unpleasantTo foot the bill To make paymentCut no ice To make no effectOnce and for all Foe everHole and corner policy Improper policyfar and away CertainlyFace value SuperficiallyBring home To emphasiseTo lead one by the nose To cause to follow blindlyOne’s cup of tea What one likes and can do wellTo have the floor To make speechThe cock of the walk The most dominant person in a groupA cuckoo in the nest A child whose parentage is doubtful and may

therefore not belong by blood to the familyFeet of clay To be weak or cowardlyA pig in poke And article which was brought without

previous inspection and which turns out to beworth less than what one paid for it.

A Skelton in the cupboard A past event which is kept secret by a family/something embarrassing or shameful

To scream blue murder Make a great deal of noise and objectvehemently

To run in the same groove Advance in harmonyTo lead others up the garden To deceive othersTo cut both ends To argue in support of both sides of the issueAll the same Nevertheless , but yetCut and dried Settled , decidedNull and void Invalid , without legal effect

Rough and ready Not exact , only approximateShort and sweet Brisk , without delayClock and dagger Like a spyRun-of- the mill An average, an average , ordinary unexcitingAn armchair job A regular job which is considered easy and

well-paidBackstairs gossip Gossip among servantsA close fisted man A mean or stingy manA curtain lecture The scolding of a husband by his wife in

privateElbow room Room on opportunity to move and act freelyForty winks Short sleepAn ivory tower A place or state of life that is out of touch with

people and realityA latchkey child A child who returns from school etc. To and

empty house because both parents workingSoft soap FlatteryThe bill of fare The menuAn eye on the main chance Looks after his won welfareEsprit de corps UnityMake a wry face Show disappointmentFor a consideration Paid to do somethingTo give currency to To pay much attention toBlue blood An aristocratAt one’s wit’s end To be completely confusedTo hold a candle to To be nearly as good as someone in his/her

absenceBlack sheep An unworthy personOut and out AbsolutelyNot to mince matters To speak our franklyTo play with FoolRainy days Unlucky timesTo fly off the handle To get into a rage and lose self-controlThe alpha and the omega The beginning and the endEnd in smoke To give no practical resultMincing manners Not to speak plainlyHanky –panky JuggleryHot head The fighterHave a go Make an attempt

Mince one’s words Choose term carefullyBe in the mire Be in difficultiesLet on RevealTo get along To manage toMake too much of OverestimateLay bare ExposeStem from OriginateOn the nod On creditTo take a occasion To rake advantage of and opportunityTake it ill Too be offendedExtinct and obsolete As dead as a dodoIn a delicate state Hanging in balanceIn abeyance In suspensionWith might and main With full vigourIn a jam In troubleTo get at ReachOn the wane Growing lessAt a loss To be puzzledAt all events PositivelyAs a rule UsuallyAt sixes and sevens In disorderAll the same YetTo egg on To urge onTo drive at To employTo keep the ball rolling To maintain progressTo knock the bottom out To make a schemeTo bear a grudge To have a better fellingBy virtue of On account ofTo beat hollow To defeat completelyTo the backbone Thoroughly /in detailA cat’s paw To make somebody a toolTo come of age To be majorTo cry over a spilt milk To reach a crisisFits and stars IrregularlyDamocles’ sword An impending dangerCast down DepressedTo go without saying ClearIn the nick of time Just in the timeJack of all trades A person supposed to know everything but

master of noneTo leas astray To misguideTo leap in the dark Careless actionA man of means A rich manOff hand Without preparationNeck or nothing With the use of everythingTo pay the piper To bear the costA rolling stone One who is never constant to one’s workTo stir a finger To make the best effortTo sow the dragon’s teeth To do somethingStreet Arabs Homeless and parentless childrenTo turn one’s head To be proudTo and fro Backwards and forwardsTo while away To pass in amusementTo win the palm To win the prizeTo wild up To bring to an endWait upon To serveWear and tear Decrease in value due to constant useJudas kiss False loveBlack ox MisfortuneDonkey’s year After a long timeAn old flame Sweat heartTo see pink elephants To show courageBlind alley Unprofitable actionThe heels of Achilles The weak point in a personKangaroo court Unofficial courtLump in the throat A highly emotional stateFabien policy Policy of cautions persistenceA fly in the ointment A problem in a situationMother wit Common senseA grass widow A women whose husband is temporarily away

from herTo make a pile To make a fortuneA nig-nog A foolKiss the rod Accept the punishmentItsy bitsy Very smallIn the nick of time Just in timeIn lieu of In place ofIn embryo In under developing stage

A damsel in distress A helpless womanAt case EasilyAcquainted with To meet someoneTo catch a tartar To deal with someone or something that

proves unexpectedly troublesome or powerfulClean breast Confessed without reserveAt close quarters Close examinationsAs fit as fiddle Strong and healthyAt a loose end Unoccupied , idleAt a loss To be unable to decidedAssumes airs To pretend to superiorityBear the burnt of To bear the main shock ofBid defiance To ignoreBreak the news To give the bad newsBeside oneself To feel excessivelyBated breath In anxiety , expectancyBandy words To wrangle , to argueBlue stocking Educated but pedantic ladyBring down the house Receive applauseBrow beat To bullyBy dint of By force ofChip of the old block Resembling one’s parents in habitsCave in YieldCloven off The evil intentionCut through ThoughCheek by jowl Close togetherCome to a pass Difficult situationCock a snook To show impudent contemptDutch courage Bravery under alcoholic influenceDare devil Fearless personDown and out Poor and ruinedDraconian law Extremely serve lawDie hard Persistent in struggleDays of reckoning Time to answer for someone’s answerDown in the mouth out of elementsDamp squib Complete failureDog in the manager A person who prevent s others from enjoying

what he cannotEke out Supplement income

Ever and anon Now and then , sometimesFlesh and blood Human natureFlash in the pan Sudden successFly in the face of To defyGet off scot free To escape without punishmentGrid up the loins To prepare for hard workGive a wild berth To avoidGentleman at large Unreliable personGive the devil his due Give credit to a wordless person for his good

qualitiesGive up the ghost Pass away, dieGo to the whole hog To do something thoroughlyGo broke Become bankruptGet down to brass tacks To deal with the matter straightHold water Sound , tenableHave feet of clay Full of faultsLive-wire EnergeticLook a gift house in the mouth Criticize a giftLose one’s head To be carried awayLatin and Greek IncomprehensibleMake amends To give compensationMake light of Not to care ofMidas touch A touch which turns anything into goldA past master An expertPyrrhic victory Victory at a high costQuixotic project Foolishly idealRule the roost To dominateSpartan life Life of asceticShot in the arm EncouragingSpick and span In orderSeamy side of the life Immoral side of societySow wild oats Irresponsible pleasure seekingThrow a spanner To be defeatedTake wind out of another’s sails To gain advantage by anticipationUnder the rose SecretlyUp and doing ActiveWell disposed to Friendly or helpful to somebodyWilly-nilly Whether one wishes or notWindow shopping To look at the goods displayed but not for

buyingWeal and woe Joy and sorrowWide berth Keep awayWry face Disappointed faceYellow press Newspaper publishing sensational newsYeoman’s service Excellent serviceAt back and call At disposalIn the books off In favour withTo run one down To disparage someoneIn character with Found to be in keeping withTo get into a stew To have an anxious state of mindTo go by to be guided byPut up with TolerateRan riot Acted without restrainedGive in YieldTurn an honest penny Make a legitimate livingDone for RuinedOn the level Mentally compatibleWent to the winds DissipatedBurnt his boats Left no means of retreatBrought up Criticised vehementlyCut no ice with me Had no influence with meA sore point Something which hurtOut of thin air Appear suddenlyJoin the majority To dieTo go for the juggler To make a destructive attackLead somebody to the alter To marry somebodyThe primrose path The pursuit of pleasureOdds and ends Miscellaneous thingsTo champ at the bit To be restlessly impatientWith a flea in one’ ear To be rebukedPie in the sky Event likely to happenOn the blink Not in the working orderThe worse for wear Shabby from useTo borrow beat To bullyCome a cropper To failThe lie of the land Assessment of a situationPlain as pike staff Very obviousIn tatters Ruined

At a rate of knots SluggishlyRaise somebody’s hackle To make somebody angryA bread and butter letter An appointment letterTake up the cudgels To support somebodyAs the crow flies In a straight lineWith in an ace of falling, escaping by a narrow marginTo play the ape To mimic,to imitate to go ape over To be extremely enthusiastic overIn the arms of Morpheus In the lap of sleepNo vie like avarice Greed is greater than any other viceTo get the axe To be dismissed from a jobA man before the mast A common sailorAll the better to Same toTo back side To fall back in moralsTo back spear To question in order to bring out some

informationOn the ball Alert ,competentTo forbid the banns To object the bannsTo sell one a bargain To befool someoneTo have a bash at To attempt something for the first timeTo have bats in one’s belfry To have crazy ideas , to be very peculiar or

foolishTo be at one’s beds To worshipTo tell one’s beads To day ones prayerTo bear away the palm To winA bear garden A place or scene of tumultNarrow bed GraveTo bill and coo To whisper endearments as loversTo make one’s bow To appear first time in publicallyTo brace oneself for To prepare for something unpleasant or

difficultBrain sauce WisdomBread and cheese Simple foodAs snug as a bug in the rug Very cosy and snugOn the bum Living the life of a trampTo bury one’s head in the sand To avoid the realityTo mean business To be seriousTo care a damn/farthing To have no care at allTo carry with one To satisfy

A cast of the eye A squintTo cast into the shade To make less noticeableTo catch/clutch at a straw To try any expedient however uselessTo cast a chill over To spread sadnessTo serve with the colours To be a member of the armed forcesTo condemn to death To award punishment of deathA gone coon One whose case is hopelessTill the cows come home For a long timeTo cross one’s mind To occur , strikeTo cry Halves To claim with equal shareTo cry stinking fish To decry one’s own goodTo cry shame upon To oppose, to protest againstOff the cuff Imparting information ,on credit in one’s cup Under the influence of liquorTo cut somebody down To kill somebodyTo go to the devil To fail completelyTo die in shoes To be murderedA dog’s chance No hope at allTo eat one’s terms To study for the bar(law)To bid fair To seem likelyTo fall aboard of To start fighting/ quarrellingTo fall foul of To quarrelTo chew the fat To chatTo kill the fatted calf To celebrate especially at a prodigal’s returnTo ruffle somebody’s feather To annoy somebodyTo feel in one’s bone To know or sense some thing intuitivelyTo snap one’s finger (at) To show contempt forTo fish in troubled water To try to win advantages for oneself from a

disturbed state of affairs, to take advantage oftroubled or uncertain conditions for personalgain n

To get into a flap To be in a state of agitation , confusion,nervous, excitement etc.

The flesh Physical or bodily desires , sensual appetitesTo fly in the face of To act in defiance of authority , facts , customTo be nobody’s fool To be wiseTo fool around To waste timeTo the fore ProminentTo blow the gaff To revel a secret

To get into bad odour To become popularWorth one’s weight in cold InvaluableTo cook one’s goose To ruin one’s chances or plans completelyGravy train Source of much or easy; moneyLike grim death Very firmlyTo let one’s hair down To behave informallyTo hand in one’s cheeks To dieTo run with the hue and hunt with thehounds

To be on good terms with both sides in adispute

Hare and hound Paper chaseTo take up the hatchet To prepare for or go to warHeavy tidings Bad newsHell for leather As quick as possibleCat in hell’s chance No chance at allLike a bat out of hell At top speedHigh and mighty ArrogantA hill of beans A thing of little valueto hoist with one’s own petard To be caught in ones own trapFrom the horse’s mouth From a reliable sourceTo take issue To be in disagreementeveryman jack Everyone without exceptionThe cut of one’s jib A person’s personal appearances or mannerTo kick against the pricks To hurt oneself by useless resistanceAt the rate of knots Very fastThe last straw An addition to a task, burden, etc. Which

strained one’s patience to the limitTo be all legs To be a tall and very thin personTo have a hollow leg To have a large appetiteA lick and a promise A feeble attemptOut on a limb In a dangerous situationTo live by one’s wits To get money by ingenious and irregular

methods not necessarily honestThe devils own luck Good luckTo have a memory like a sieve To have a faint memoryMiddle of the road AverageTo have a monkey on one’s back To be addicted to narcotic drugThe mote in somebody’s eye A very minor mistake (of somebody)To go through the motions To work carelesslyIn a muck In an untidy situation

Not for nuts Under no circumstancesTo sport one’s oak To keep one’s door closeOdd and even Game of chanceto carry off the palm To be victoriousTo be par for the course To be what one would expect to happen or

expect somebody to doTo pay the debt of nature To dieTo know (somebody) off his pedestal To show that he is no longer highly regardedPenn y wise and pound foolish shaving small sums at the risk of large onesTo be in the picture To be familiar with the matterTo pip(somebody) at the post To defeat at the last momentTo stretch a point To make an exceptionPrinter’s devil The youngest apprentice in a printing officeTo put out feelers Cautiously check the views of othersa/the sixty four dollar question An important question that is very difficult to

answerThe quick and dead All people alive or deadIn a flat spin In a state of panicTo be the dead spit of Exact counterpart or likeness ofTo stew in one’s own juice To suffer the consequences of one’s own

action

To strike a chord To say something that other peoplesympathize or identify with

To have the sun in one’s eye To drinkA month of Sundays A long period of timeto put to the sword To killNot for all the tea in china No matter how great the rewardThe king of terror DeathAs thick as thieves Very friendlyThe tip of the iceberg Small but evident part of a much larger

concealed situationA man about town A man who spends much time at fashionable

parties, clubs, theatresTo lay someone under tribute To impose tax on somebodyTo swear like a trooper To use very obscene or blasphemous languageTo twiddle one’s thumb To be idleTo be up before somebody To appear in courtTo take the veil To become a nun

Beyond the veil In the world high aboveNull and void Not legally binding , invalidWaifs and strays Homeless children, odds and evenWeal and woe Prosperity and adversityA wild cat strike Illegal strikeNeck of the woods Area, neighbourhoodUnder duress UncontrolledLook a gift horse in the mouth Find fault with a giftTo bear up with To endureTo strike one To realise suddenlyFour days on end For a long timeTo drive home To emphasizeThrust down one’s throat Remind repeatedlySing froid To remain calm and composed in the difficult

situationArgus eye ObservantBig draw A huge attractionCog in the wheel An important personTo seize the nettle To deal with firmlyTook exception to Object toTo pass the buck To pass the responsibilityLeaps and bounds RapidlyBids fair Seem likelyBackstairs influence Underhand meansWorth of salt Of valueMake a wry face Show disappointmentFlesh and blood ChildrenAt a premium Valued highlySpeak volumes Serve as strong testimony toGet a kick Get a thrillTo curry favour Gain favourOn the cards CertainWipe the nose To CheatFamily way PregnantHave an eye Have an extra talentKeep your nose clean Keep out of troubleSmall talk Light conversationBotch something up To mess something up, to do a bad job of

something

Come to a head To reach a crisisSee through the design Be aware of the trickTo a hair ExactlyHeld in camera Not open to the publicProdigal son ExtravagantDie in harness Die while still workingTake people inn Cheat peopleCarry off of the feet Wild with excitementLike a fish out of water In troubled situationRunning riot Behaving wildHard of hearing deafJew’s eye A possession of high valueIn a nutshell In a simple and brief mannerTo carry the can Accept the blameEvery lecture’s cup of tea What one likes and can do well

Put/Throw an spanner in the works To do something that prevents a plan oractivity from succeeding

A scarlet women A whore , a prostituteTo rate soundly Censure stronglyBad blood Angry feelingCarrot and stick Reward and punishmentThrough thick and thin Through days of struggleStraight from the shoulder Without evasionCome down from ivory towers Detachment and seclusionBite the dust HumiliatedTo meet half way someone Come to a compromise with someonePut some one to mettle Arouse some one to do his bestTake heart Cheered upFalling foul of Quarrelling withTake up the cudgels for Defend vigorouslyHigh words Angry wordsTiptoe AnxiousGreen horn NoviceEre long ShortlyTurn the coat Change the partyPlay ducks and drakes with SquanderingMake parade of Speak highly ofEgged on Instigate

Monkey’s monkey Kind not cashLong and short Main pointLook blank SurpriseNull and void InvalidOut of pocket Without moneyA man of parts A man of abilityAt loose ends Badly managedBad debts Unrealisable debtsEver and anon FrequentlyFast living Luxurious livingBorn in the purple Born of royal parentsIn the long run UltimatelyKith and kin RelativesLook blue Appear disturb

PhraseBear away WonBear down OverpowerBear with TolerateBear hard Press heavilyBear out ConfirmBear up Keep up spiritsBreak froth Come out suddenlyBreak through Fail to keepBreak with Cease to be friendly withCall at VisitCall to Address loudlyCall for Demand forCall up RecollectCall over Recite in orderCalled on Paid a brief visitCalled out challenge to fightCalled off Divert attentionTake away RemoveTake for MisunderstandTaken to Resorted toTake after Resembles

Take up with Be friendly withTake down RecordTaken in DeceivedTake in ComprehendTake in AdmitTaken with Pleased withTook on UndertookStruck dumb AstonishedStruck work Refused to workStruck off ErasedStrike up Begin to playStand against WithstandStood up OpposeStand for Present as candidateSet in BegunSet out Started onSet off DepartSet upon AttackedSet about BeginSet down RecordedSet forth ExplainSet on IncitedDraw down AttractDraw in Pull insideDraw off DivertDraw up DraftedHold with Agree withHold back Conceal, prevent the progress or

developmentHold good ApplicableHear out Listen until somebody has finishedHush up Hide , conceal (information about a situation

especially something bad or shockingHold over Postponehold out Last , continuesHold off AwayKept up MaintainedKeep off Ward offKeep at Continue doing

Keep to MaintainKeep from Abstain fromKeep down Prevent from risingLet loose Set freeLet in Allowed to enterLet down loweredLet out To hireLet off Release , freePut away DiscardPut in PresentedPut out ExtinguishPut by Lay aside for future usePut down SuppressPut up at Stayed inPut up with EndurePut off PostponedPut forth ExertedPut up to IncitedBrought about CausedBrought up rearedBring out HighlightBrought out PublishedBring off RescueBring down HumbleBring round ConvertBrought forward AdducedBring over Persuade to change sideCome off Take placeCome about HappenCome by AcquireCome down DescendCome to Amount to, arrived atCome at Get within reachCome across Meet accidentlyCome up with OvertakeCome round Agreed , recoverGot off DismountedGet off EscapeGet out of Free from

Get away EscapeGet down Came downGet abroad Become publicGetting on ProgressingGet in ReviveGetting along ProsperingGet before In forward positionGet about Go aboutGet at ReachRun down Weak and tiredStand up VindicateCalled name AbuseHeld up DetainedSquare up SettleCut out SuitablePare down Reduce indictmentPass off Pretend to beBid fair Seems likely to beBlown up ExaggeratedSet down To snubCut to quick Hurt intenselyDie out DisappearCry down DepreciateOver and above In addition toWork upon InfluenceCasting aspersions Passing slanderous remarksLook up VisitFall out Had a quarrelOn edge NervousWorked upon InfluenceCarried off KilledTore up Ran upAt home ComfortablyPut across To conveyCried up Extolled /praisedPut out DisturbedMake away StealMake away with Get rid of, commit suicidepart with Give up, give away, desert

Play at To do something without any effort or realinterest

Push off Go leavePut in for Apply forSend for Summon , ask or order somebody /

something to comeMake after Chase , followBrought home EmphasisedHold over PostponedFall in AgreeWork up ExciteRake up ReviveHold out ResistedPut out IrritateEaten away CorrodedTaken aback SurprisedOut and out ThoroughlyHard up Not having enough moneyKnocked about Wandered aboutCine round RecoverWent for AttackedLaid out InvestedStanding off Championing the cause offDrawn off To withdrawGo over Study carefullyClosed with DeniedBowled over OverwhelmedFell upon AttackedPassed by OverlookedDob away with AbolishAdvise of Acquainted withDashed off WroteAct on /upon Have and effect on/uponAllow for Including something when you are

calculating something or planning somethingAllow of Make possibleAnswer fro Be responsibleBe off Leave, go, especially in a hurryBear out Support

Beat down Persuade to reduce the priceBlow out ExtinguishBlow up Explode , be destroyed by and explosionBring off Manage successfullyBurst in InterruptCall down Request forCatch up OvertakeCarry off WinClose with AcceptCome in for Get, obtainCut into InterfereDie away Become gradually fainter till inaudibleDie off Die one by oneDispose of Sell, finishDo away with Abolish, get rid of , eliminateDo something in KillDrag on Progress very slowlyDrag up Educate , train , etc, very badlyDraw in Become shorterDraw away Spend time in a lazy wayDrink to Wish somebody/something good luck ,

success or happiness , by raising your glassand then drinking

Dwell in Think, talk or write about something for toolong

Enter into Start, open, begin to discuss or deal withsome thing or sympathize with

Explain away Show why one should not be blamed for afault , mistake etc.

Fall on /upon Attack violentlyFeel for Search with the handsGet out Circulate, spread, graduallyGet along ManageGet at ReachGet down SwallowGet in Reach ,arriveGet round Persuade somebody , make contact withGo for AttackedGo through Pass through ,be approved , be passed

Leave off StopClear out Go, away, leave