Textual Credit: Internet
PDF & EXCEL documents: Shri Subrata Kumar Dutta
IDIOMS:
An idiom is a phrase that, when taken as a whole, has a meaning you wouldn’t be able to deduce from the meanings of the individual words.
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a type of phrase or expression that has a meaning that can’t be deciphered by defining the individual words.
Appropriately, the word “idiom” is derived from the ancient Greek word “idioma,” which means “peculiar phraseology.”
Types of idioms
Generally speaking, there are four types of idioms: pure idioms, binomial idioms, partial idioms, and prepositional idioms.
Some people may consider clichés, proverbs, and euphemisms to be types of idioms as well, but we’ll explain why they are different from idioms.
1 Pure idiom
This is your typical idiom, the meaning of which can’t be deduced by its individual components. When someone says, “Spill the beans,” they’re asking someone to reveal a secret, not to pour out a can of beans. But you wouldn’t know that by looking at each word of that phrase.
2 Binomial idiom
This idiom is a phrase that contains two words joined by a conjunction or a preposition. Some examples include “by and large” (everything considered), “dos and don’ts” (guidelines on what to do and/or avoid in a certain situation), and “heart-to-heart” (a candid conversation between two people).
3 Partial idiom
This idiom is one that’s been shortened into one part, with the second part generally being understood by fluent speakers. People often use the partial idiom “when in Rome,” with the understanding that the other person knows the second part: “do as the Romans do.”
4 Prepositional idiom
This idiom is a phrase that combines a verb and a preposition to create a verb with a distinct meaning. The phrase “agree on” is a prepositional idiom that combines the verb “agree” with the preposition “on” and is used to express that you share an opinion with someone.
Idiom vs. Cliché
A cliché can be an idiom, but an idiom is not always a cliché.
Clichés are expressions or phrases that are overused to the point where they lose their meaning and indicate a lack of original thought. For example, there are few people who feel better when they hear this after a breakup: “Don’t worry, there are plenty of fish in the sea.” That phrase has been used so often that it fails to have any impact.
Idiom vs. Proverb
A proverb is similar to an idiom in that its meaning can’t be deciphered by looking at the individual words, but it’s different because it’s used to give advice to someone else.
If someone says, “Don’t cry over spilled milk,” they’re telling the other person not to worry about something that has already happened. The phrase doesn’t mean someone is crying and has nothing to do with dairy.
So once again, a proverb can be an idiom, but an idiom is not always a proverb.
Idiom vs. Euphemism
A euphemism is a type of idiom that’s used to discuss a sensitive or taboo topic in a polite or understated way. Even if you’re not personally made uncomfortable by a subject, there is still a chance you’re using euphemisms around it, simply because they’re common to the point of cliché. Topics like death, sex, and money have an abundance of euphemisms. For example, “he kicked the bucket” is a euphemism for “he died” (as well as an idiom).
How are idioms structured?
It’s difficult to define an idiom’s structure because it changes from language to language, and it even varies in different regions that speak the same language. Idioms have more to do with syntax—the specific order of words or phrases—than grammar. Remember that the ancient Greek word “idioma” means “peculiar phraseology,” so the rules for how to properly structure an idiom are unique to a specific region.
Most New Yorkers understand the phrase “it’s mad brick” to mean that it’s cold, but people elsewhere in the US may not understand what the phrase means because the combination of those words is unique to New York City.
Learning the structure of a particular region’s idioms takes time and is often achieved by speaking with people from that area.
When are idioms used?
A speaker or writer often uses idioms to convey a message to someone else in a more creative way. Think of them as a type of spice that prevents your conversation or writing from being too bland. So instead of saying “you’re correct” several times, you might throw in “you hit the nail on the head” or even “bingo” for a little variety.
When are idioms used in writing.
As mentioned above, idioms can be used to prevent your writing from appearing too dry or formal, but they can also be used to help the writer connect with the reader.
If you were writing for a Texan audience, and you wanted to describe something as large, you wouldn’t just say that. Instead, you would say it’s “bigger’n Dallas,” which means it’s very big. This shows the reader that you have a familiarity with the topic you’re writing about.
Other types of idiomatic usage
There is another type of idiomatic usage used by fluent English speakers, and it’s called collocations, or a combination of words that have a specific meaning.
In English, it’s common to describe a backup of cars on the highway as “heavy traffic.” It’s not common to describe it as “crowded traffic.” Although the phrases could reasonably be interpreted the same way, the collocation “heavy traffic” simply “sounds right” to English speakers.
Why are idioms challenging for language learners?
Idioms are challenging for language learners because their meanings can’t be deciphered from the meanings of the individual words. It’s like giving someone a jigsaw puzzle containing pieces that look like one thing, only for the finished product to be something else entirely.
But as we mentioned before, that’s also true of people from different parts of the same country who speak the same language.
Because there are no steadfast rules for idioms, the only way for language learners to become familiar with them is to speak with native speakers and have them explained.
Idiom examples
Here are some common idioms in the English language, along with their meaning.
- Under the weather Meaning: Not feeling well
- Break a leg Meaning: To wish someone good luck
- Once in a blue moon Meaning: Rarely
- The ball is in your court Meaning: A decision is up to you
- You can say that again Meaning: That is true
- Beat around the bush Meaning: To avoid saying something
- Hit the sack Meaning: To go to bed
- Kick the bucket Meaning: To die
- By the skin of your teeth Meaning: Barely made it
More Idioms and their meanings
| IDIOMS :: |
|---|
| (idiom) (not)give a hang = to attach no importance to someone or something.( I don't give a hang about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others.) |
| (idiom) (not)let grass grow under your feet=Act now without any delay. If you say "Don't let the grass grow under your feet" to someone, you tell him/her not to waste time and to do something immediately. |
| (idiom) a (heavy)cross to bear=an unpleasant or painful situation or person that you have to accept and deal with, although you find it very difficult. |
| (idiom) a barrel of laugh (someone or something that is very funny/entertaining - often used in negative statements) |
| (idiom) a bitter pill to swallow=an unpleasant fact or situation that is difficult to accept(The truth about her husband had been a bitter pill to swallow.) |
| (idiom) a blessing in disguise=an apparent misfortune that eventually has good results.(being omitted from the World Cup squad was a blessing in disguise) |
| (idiom) a change of heart=a move to a different opinion or attitude.(you can have your money back if you have a change of heart) |
| (idiom) a clean sheet(or slate)=an absence of existing restraints or commitments.(no government starts with a clean sheet) |
| (idiom) a cold fish(If you call someone a cold fish, you mean that they do not show their emotions and can seem unfriendly or unsympathetic) |
| (idiom) a cut above=someone who is of a higher social class:(He is a cut above the rest in his public speaking.) |
| (idiom) a day late and a dollar short=Means you're too late. Like if a guy likes you and then another one asks you out before him, you say to the first guy, (sorry, day late and a dollar short) |
| (idiom) a doddle= something that is very easy to do or perform (The exam was a doddle) |
| (idiom) a gentleman's agreement(An understanding based upon the trust of both or all parties, rather than being legally binding(a gentleman's agreement by the grain growers not to enter the wheat market); |
| (idiom) a kickback=an illicit payment made to someone in return for facilitating a transaction or appointment.(the ruling party depends on contributions and kickbacks) |
| (idiom) a leopard cannot change its spots=One cannot change one's own nature. |
| (idiom) a low-hanging fruit=a commonly used metaphor for doing the simplest or easiest work first. In sales, it means a target that is easy to achieve or a problem that is easy to solve. |
| (idiom) a new lease of life=an occasion when you become more energetic and active than before:(His grandchildren have given him a new lease of life.) |
| (idiom) a notch above= superior to; of a higher quality than.( The hotel we stayed in this year was fabulous. It put our vacation a notch above the rest.) |
| (idiom) a numbers person=The person has a good "number sense," and has a good feel or talent for estimating the result of calculations reasonably accurately. |
| (idiom) a red rag to a bull(Something - perhaps a comment or a criticism - intended to deliberately provoke someone else into reacting negatively ) |
| (idiom) a roaring trade=to sell a lot of goods very quickly: (It was a hot sunny day and the ice cream sellers were doing a roaring trade.) |
| (idiom) a rude awakening=If you have a rude awakening, you have a shock when you discover the truth about a situation. |
| (idiom) a taste of one's own medicine= Give someone the same bad treatment that they have given to others:( Tired of his humiliation of me, I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine) |
| (idiom) a thin line(or a fine line)=a very small difference between two things that may seem different:(There's sometimes a very thin line between love and hate.) |
| (idiom) a thought leader=an individual or firm that is recognized as an authority in a specialized field and whose expertise is sought and often rewarded. |
| (idiom) a trade-off=a situation that involves losing one quality or aspect of something in return for gaining another quality or aspect. More colloquially, if one thing increases, some other thing must decrease. |
| (idiom) a trillema=a difficult choice from 3 options, each of which is unacceptable/ unfavourable.(a trilemma in international economics-) |
| (idiom) a whale of = an exceedingly good or fine etc(O! what a whale of time we spent) |
| (idiom) a wink of sleep=no sleep at all (we could not get a wink of sleep at night on account of loud noise outside.) |
| (idiom) a win-win situation=A win-win situation or result is one that is good for everyone who is involved:(Flexible working hours are a win-win situation for employers and employees) |
| (idiom) a world of difference= If there is a world of difference between two people or things, they are very different:(There's a world of difference between the service in the two hotels.) |
| (idiom) abbreviated grief=The grieving process often seems shorter because the role of the deceased is immediately filled by someone/something else. |
| (idiom) abbreviated piece of nothing= A worthless or insignificant person or thing 🙁 Her unemployed neighbor is an abbreviated piece of nothing) |
| (idiom) about turn/about face=(chiefly in military contexts) a turn made so as to face the opposite direction.(he did an about-turn and marched out of the tent) |
| (idiom) above and beyond the call of duty=More than is required. This somewhat redundant expression— above and beyond here both denote excess—often precedes the call of duty , which means exceeding what a particular job requires |
| (idiom) above and beyond the call of duty=to exceed what is required of one(My job requires me to go above and beyond the call of duty almost every day.) |
| (idiom) above board=legitimate, honest, and open.(certain transactions were not totally above board) |
| (idiom) absent grief=This is when the bereaved shows absolutely no signs of grief and acts as though nothing has happened. |
| (idiom) abuzz with(কর্মমুখর)=full of or alive with activity or talk(Social media are abuzz with half-print of new 500-rupee currency notes) |
| (idiom) accidentally on purpose=apparently by accident but in fact intentionally.(it was not so easy for him to contrive to meet her accidentally on purpose) |
| (idiom) ace a test=to get a very high score on a test(My sister has been trying hard to ace the test) |
| (idiom) Achilles heel(অরক্ষিত অংশ)=a weakness or vulnerable point.(the Achilles' heel of the case for nuclear power remains the issue of the disposal of waste)(opp. Strength) |
| (idiom) acid test=a conclusive test of the success or value of something.(gritstone is the acid test of a climber's ability) |
| (idiom) acquired test=an appreciation for a food or beverage that is unlikely to be enjoyed by a person who has not had substantial exposure to it because of some unfamiliar aspect of the food or beverage, including a strong or strange odour. |
| (idiom) act of God=an instance of uncontrollable natural forces in operation.(the flooding was surely an act of God) |
| (idiom) Action speaks louder than words ((what someone actually does means more than what they say they will do). |
| (idiom) ad hoc=formed or done for a particular purpose only( An ad hoc committee was set up to oversee the matter)(opp. Premeditated) |
| (idiom) ad hockery(ad hocery)=the use of improvised measures rather than general long-term strategies.(today's problems are too urgent and complex to rely on ad hocery) |
| (idiom) ad nauseam=repeating or continuing to the point of boredom (The apparent risks of secondary smoking have been debated ad nauseam) |
| (idiom) ad valorem=in proportion to the estimated value of the goods or transaction concerned.(ad valorem stamp duty at the rate of 1 per cent is payable) |
| (idiom) add fuel to the flames=to make an argument or bad situation worse(The discovery that the government was aware of the cover-up has really added fuel to the fire.) |
| (idiom) add insult to injury=act in a way that makes a bad situation worse.(to ask our members to accept a pay cut adds insult to injury) |
| (idiom) address the concern/problem=to bring under discussion the concern/problem(PM addressed the problem in the meeting) |
| (idiom) ad-lib=speak or perform without previously preparing one's words.(speak impromptu)(The young speaker had to ad-lib because he'd forgotten his script)(opp. Planned) |
| (idiom) adrenaline rush= a sudden burst of energy from an increase in the hormone and neurotransmitter (Bungee jumping gives most people an adrenaline rush. )(opp. Calm) |
| (idiom) afraid of one's own shadow=easily frightened; always frightened, timid, or suspicious. (An exaggeration.) After Tom was robbed, he was even afraid of his own shadow. |
| (idiom) after the fact=after committing the crime(he was charged with being an accessory after the fact) |
| (idiom) against one's better judgement=contrary to what one feels to be wise or sensible.(he persuaded me against my better judgement to join him) |
| (idiom) against the clock=To work or race against the clock means to do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a deadline. |
| (idiom) ahead of the pack=to be more successful than other people who are trying to achieve the same things as you:(At this stage in the campaign, the Democratic candidate is way ahead of the pack) |
| (idiom) airs and graces = false ways of behaving that are intended to make other people feel that you are important and belong to a high social class.(He was always putting on airs and graces.); pride. |
| (idiom) al fresco=in the open air.(an al fresco supper) |
| (idiom) all along=all the time; from the beginning.(she'd known all along) |
| (idiom) all brawn and no brain=to be physically strong but not very intelligent( I agree he's got a good body, but he's all brawn and no brains.) |
| (idiom) all clear=a signal that danger or difficulty is over.(she was given the all-clear to travel home) |
| (idiom) all ears=Very eager to hear; acutely attentive 🙁 Something juicy's coming, and they're all ears) |
| (idiom) all fingers and thumbs=awkward and clumsy and do things incorrectly(Would you mind wrapping this for me? I'm all fingers and thumbs!) |
| (idiom) all hands on deck=a cry or signal used on board ship, typically in an emergency, to indicate that all crew members are to go on deck. |
| (idiom) all hell broke loose= suddenly there is pandemonium.(the police arrived one night and all hell broke loose) |
| (idiom) all his geese are swans=This expression refers to someone who constantly exaggerates the importance or the qualities of somebody or something. |
| (idiom) all in your head= someone having thoughts disconnected from reality(the idea of hypochondria, where a person may think that he has a medical condition.If he does not have the medical condition, his fear is said to be “all in his head.” |
| (idiom) all sizzle and no steak= A thing or person which fails to measure up to its description or advanced promotion. Her latest novel is all sizzle and no steak. |
| (idiom) all skin and bone=too skinny. Use the term skin and bones when you're talking about someone who is very thin. |
| (idiom) all systems go=Everything is ready; (The rocket is ready to blast off—all systems are go.) |
| (idiom) all that jazz=And other similar things. This idiom is used at the end of a sentence to imply a continuation of a list of similar things.(example :: Let us get out of the metal lights, neon lights and all that jazz to decorate the marriage party) |
| (idiom) all the better for something=something turns out to be an improvement over what was planned or expected. An example of all the better is when you were expecting 10 percent off of your purchase and you got 20 percent off instead. |
| (idiom) all the rage= it is very popular or fashionable at the moment(Posting on Facebook/whatsapp/Tweets is all the rage nowadays amongst most of the people) |
| (idiom) all things being equal=provided that other factors or circumstances remain the same.(it follows that, other things being equal, the price level will rise) |
| (idiom) all things to all people=please everyone, typically by fitting in with their needs or expectations.(a politician running scared of the electorate and trying to be all things to all people) |
| (idiom) all year round=all through the year.(the swimming pool is open all year round) |
| (idiom) alter ego(অন্তরঙ্গ বা প্রাণের বন্ধু)=a person's secondary or alternative personality.(In the flesh she is a million miles from her photographic alter ego)(ant. Adversary) |
| (idiom) an Eden of beauty=Eden: in the Bible,is the garden where the first humans, Adam and Eve, lived in perfect happiness. |
| (idiom) an escrow account=a temporary pass through account held by a third party during the process of a transaction between two parties. |
| (idiom) an old dog for a hard road= it takes a veteran to do the hard job. |
| (idiom) anticipatory grief=reaction to a death you were able to anticipate such as when an individual dies from a long term illness. |
| (idiom) ants in one's pants=Be extremely restless, uneasy, impatient, or anxious(This child just can't sit still; he must have ants in his pants) |
| (idiom) anyone's call=a situation in which any outcome is equally likely.(The game is anyone's call.) |
| (idiom) anyport in a storm=in adverse circumstances one welcomes any source of relief or escape.(The child's eye fell on him—any port in a storm) |
| (idiom) apple of one's eye=A person of whom one is extremely fond and proud: a daughter who had ceased to be the apple of her father's eye. |
| (idiom) apple-pie order=perfect order or neatness(everything was in apple-pie order) |
| (idiom) apron strings= tie to someone's apron strings, to make or be dependent on or dominated by someone: He has never married because he's tied to his mother's apron strings. |
| (idiom) argue the toss=dispute a decision or choice already made.(one person argued the toss for four hours before he agreed to pay) |
| (idiom) arm of the law= the long arm of the law. This idiomatic expression refers to the far-reaching power of the authorities or the police. |
| (idiom) armchair critic= a person who knows or pretends to know a lot about something in theory rather than practice. |
| (idiom) armchair traveller=An armchair traveller knows about a particular subject from reading or hearing about it rather than from practical experience. |
| (idiom) as bold as brass=confident to the point of impudence.(she marched into the library as bold as brass) |
| (idiom) as broad as it's long=used for saying that you cannot choose between two things or actions because they are equal.(He could not decide which formal suit to purchase – he thought the choice was just about as broad as it was long.) |
| (idiom) as cool as a cucumber=untroubled by heat or exertion.(he leaps up the six flights of stairs and arrives at the top as cool as a cucumber) |
| (idiom) as dull as ditchwater/dishwater=extremely dull ; (the film was as dull as dishwater and I fell asleep in the hall itself) |
| (idiom) as nice (or sweet) as pie=extremely pleasant or polite.(the girl she spoke to was as nice as pie) |
| (idiom) as the crow flies=in a straight line.(Delhi is 1300 KM away from Kolkata as the crow flies but the distance by road/train is greater than that) |
| (idiom) asking for trouble= to be likely to cause problems or difficulties for yourself: Giving him such a powerful car when he's just started driving is asking for trouble. |
| (idiom) asleep at the wheel=not attentive or alert.(our industry is asleep at the switch) |
| (idiom) asparagus dream=When you dream of asparagus; it symbolizes successful times. |
| (idiom) astronomically high = enormously large or great(ant. Abysmally low) |
| (idiom) at a loss=puzzled or uncertain what to think, say, or do.(she became popular, and was at a loss to know why) |
| (idiom) at a low ebb=in a weakened or depressed state.(the country was at a low ebb due to the recent war) |
| (idiom) at all costs=regardless of the price to be paid or the effort needed.(he was anxious to avoid war at all costs)(ant. Irregardless) |
| (idiom) at cross purposes=misunderstanding or having different aims from one another.(we had been talking at cross purposes) |
| (idiom) at each other's throats= If two people are at each other's throats, they are arguing angrily: (Those two are always at each other's throats.) |
| (idiom) at loggerheads(বিবদমান)=in violent dispute or disagreement.(councillors were at loggerheads with the government over the grant allocation) |
| (idiom) at odds=in conflict or at variance.(his behaviour is at odds with the interests of the company)(ant. Non-competitive) |
| (idiom) at one's wit's end(ভ্যাবাচাকা)=at the limits of one's mental resources. I'm at my wit's end with this problem. I cannot figure it out. Tom could do no more. He was at his wit's end. |
| (idiom) at one's wits' end=to be so worried, confused, or annoyed that you do not know what to do next:(when my father lost his job, I was at my wits' end )(ant. Balanced) |
| (idiom) at random=Of or relating to an event in which all outcomes are equally likely, as in the testing of a blood sample for the presence of a substance.(ant. Systematically) |
| (idiom) at someone's beck and call=always having to be ready to obey someone's orders immediately.(enjoy having servants at your beck and call) |
| (idiom) at stake=at risk.(people's lives could be at stake) |
| (idiom) at the touch of a button = it means it could be done immediately(A boss might ask an employee, "how long would it take you to finish this job?" The employee could respond, "I could have it done at the touch of a button.") |
| (idiom) at the outside=(of an estimate) at the most(maximum) .(every minute, or at the outside, every ninety seconds) |
| (idiom) at the top of one's lungs=As loudly as one's voice will allow.(The trapped boy cried at the top of his lungs to attract attention of the passers-by) |
| (idiom) at this stage of the game=This expression refers to the current point reached in a process, activity or developing situation.(At this stage of the game I think any further intervention would be unwise. Let's wait and see how things develop.) |
| (idiom) at will=at whatever time or in whatever way one pleases.(he seemed to think he could walk in and out of her life at will)(ant. Bound) |
| (idiom) au fait= well acquainted with the subject(having a good or detailed knowledge of.(you should be au fait with the company and its products) |
| (idiom) automatic pilot=a device for keeping an aircraft on a set course without the intervention of the pilot. |
| (idiom) avail oneself of=to use to one's advantage: They availed themselves of the opportunity to hear a free concert. |
| (idiom) average out at =Result in an average (amount) (The price of lunch averages out at Rs.500/- per head) |
| (idiom) avowed intent= A solemn public promise or pledge toward some goal or achievement.(The government's avowed intent/purpose/aim is to reduce tax.) |
| (idiom) away with the fairies=giving the impression of being mad, distracted, or in a dreamworld. |
| (idiom) back into shape=If you’ve stopped working out for a while, getting back into shape can be tough. Get-Fit Guy has tips on how to return to fitness quickly and safely. |
| (idiom) back of beyond= a place far away from any big town(To reach my brother it took us 4 hours . Actually he stays in the back of beyond ) |
| (idiom) back of one's hand=to know someone or something very well.(I know the place like the back of my hand) |
| (idiom) back of the envelope calculation=a rough calculation, typically jotted down on any available scrap of paper such as the actual back of an envelope. It is more than a guess but less than an accurate calculation or mathematical proof. |
| (idiom) back on your feet= to be healthy again after a period of illness: ("We'll soon have you back on your feet again," said the nurse.) |
| (idiom) back the wrong horse=make a wrong or inappropriate choice.(I lost the bet as I have backed the wrong horse) |
| (idiom) back to square one=back to where one started, with no progress having been made. |
| (idiom) back to the salt mines=Resume work, usually with some reluctance(With my slavedriver of a boss, even on Saturdays it's back to the salt mines. ) |
| (idiom) back to the wall=to have very serious problems that limit the ways in which you can act: He owes money to everyone - he really has his back to the wall now. |
| (idiom) backhanded compliment= an insult that is supposed to seem like a compliment.(How could you get through the test? I wonder) |
| (idiom) back-room boys= a person engaged in scientific especially secret research; also : an expert adviser or aide : brain truster. |
| (idiom) backseat driver=anyone who offers unwanted advice.(Quite sometime passengers sitting behind advise the drivers which are not desired, they are backseat drivers) |
| (idiom) bad blood(বিরোধিতা)=ill feeling.(there has always been bad blood between these families) |
| (idiom) bad egg=a person who is bad, dishonest, or unreliable; a good-for-nothing:( a bad egg who had served several years in prison) |
| (idiom) bad hair day=A bad hair day is also a day when everything is going bad. (It has nothing to do with how one's hair really is, it's just that everything is going wrong.) |
| (idiom) badger someone=repeatedly and annoyingly ask (someone) to do something.(journalists badgered him about the deals) |
| (idiom) bag of bones=an emaciated person or animal.(the pony is just a bag of bones) |
| (idiom) bag of tricks=a set of ingenious plans, techniques, or resources.(documentary, magic realism, and surrealist techniques are all included in his bag of tricks) |
| (idiom) bait and switch=the action (generally illegal) of advertising goods which are an apparent bargain, with the intention of substituting inferior or more expensive goods.(a bait-and-switch scheme) |
| (idiom) balancing act=an action or activity that requires a delicate balance between different situations or requirements.(he performed a political balancing act, making gestures towards the left as well as the right) |
| (idiom) ball and chain=used to convey the idea that someone or something is a crippling encumbrance.(the ball and chain of debt) |
| (idiom) ballpark figure=A rough numerical estimate or approximation. Ballpark figures are commonly used by accountants, salespersons and other professionals to estimate current or future results. |
| (idiom) bane of one's life=The agent of ruin or woe. Origin. We don't often use the word 'bane' any longer and when we do it is likely to be as part of 'the bane of my/his/her life'. |
| (idiom) bang one's head against a brick wall=Waste one's time in a hopeless enterprise, as in I have tried many times to convince him to stop smoking, but I'm beating my head against a brick wall. |
| (idiom) bar fly=a person who spends much of their time drinking in bars.(a beer-swilling bar fly) |
| (idiom) bare one's soul=reveal one's innermost secrets and feelings to someone.(one feels vulnerable in baring one's soul to another) |
| (idiom) barefaced liar=barefaced lie. A shameless falsehood. For example, He could tell a barefaced lie with a straight face. |
| (idiom) barefaced lie(মুখোশহীন মিথ্যা)=A shameless falsehood. (He could tell a barefaced lie with a straight face.) |
| (idiom) barking up the wrong tree=doing the wrong thing, because their beliefs or ideas are incorrect or mistaken.(The police are barking up the wrong tree if they think Joy stole the car - he can't drive!) |
| (idiom) bask in glory(গরিমা উপেভাগ করা)= to bathe in its goodness (When Omar Shariff won Oscar, he basked in his own glory)(basking crocodile in the Sun) |
| (idiom) basket case=a person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope.(do that for a couple of days and you become a blithering basket case) |
| (idiom) bated breath=Bated" is a form of "abate," which means “to diminish, beat down, or reduce.” So when you're waiting with bated (read: abated) breath, you're so eager, anxious, excited, or frightened that you're almost holding your breath. |
| (idiom) batten down the hatches=to prepare for difficult times. (From a nautical expression meaning, literally, to seal the hatches against the arrival of a storm. .) Hatches=opening |
| (idiom) battle lines are drawn=the battle lines are drawn between opposing groups or people, you mean that they are ready to start fighting or arguing, and that it has become clear what the main points of conflict or disagreement will be. |
| (idiom) battle of wills=A competition in which opposing sides are unrelenting in their attempts to achieve a particular outcome. Each refusing to compromise, the husband and wife entered into a battle of wills as they were on divorce settlement. |
| (idiom) be an item=If two people are an item, they are having a romantic relationship: (Now his daughter and my son have been an item) |
| (idiom) be done and dusted = (of a project) be completely finished or ready. |
| (idiom) be easier said than done=be more easily talked about than put into practice.(going on an economy drive is easier said than done) |
| (idiom) be full of beans= to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm: I've never known anyone be so full of beans before breakfast. |
| (idiom) be in the doghouse= be in disgrace or disfavour.(his country is in the doghouse) |
| (idiom) be in the same boat=be in the same difficult circumstances as others. |
| (idiom) be my guest=please do(May I choose the restaurant? Be my guest!) |
| (idiom) be none (or not any) the wiser=not understand something, even though it has been explained.(she said an awful lot but he wasn't any the wiser) |
| (idiom) be that as it may= accept that a piece of information is true but it does not change your opinion of the subject (Building a new children's home will cost a lot of money but, be that as it may, there is an urgent need for the facility.) |
| (idiom) be up in arms=to be very angry (often + about ) The students are up in arms about the standard of teaching at the college. |
| (idiom) be used to = be accustomed to (I am used to driving) |
| (idiom) be/mean the world to=To be loved or cared about a great deal by. (He meant the world to her.) |
| (idiom) be-all and end-all=something or someone who is considered to be a perfect specimen or the best and most desired. An example of be-all-end-all is winning an Academy Award for a celebrity. |
| (idiom) bear fruit=yield positive results.(plans for power-sharing may be about to bear fruit) |
| (idiom) bear in mind="carry in mind"(Bear in mind that I'm not as young as I was, so don't walk so fast.) |
| (idiom) bear with a sore head= to be in a bad mood that causes you to treat other people badly and complain a lot: You're like a bear with a sore head this morning. |
| (idiom) beard the lion in his den(lair)=confront or challenge someone on their own ground. |
| (idiom) beat a hasty retreat=withdraw quickly in order to avoid something unpleasant.(as the bombs started to go off, they beat a hasty retreat across the field) |
| (idiom) beat around the bush=To avoid getting to the point of an issue: “Your worries have nothing to do with the new proposal. Stop beating around the bush, and cast your vote!” |
| (idiom) beat one's brain out=Make a great mental effort to understand, solve, or remember something(He is beating his brains out to finish this puzzle.) |
| (idiom) beat someone to the draw=to do, find, or accomplish something quicker than someone else is able. (I had a perfect chance to score a goal, but their defender beat me to the draw and stole the ball away) |
| (idiom) beat/flog a dead horse= a particular request is already foreclosed and any attempt to continue it is futile;(Trying to rouse Parliament from its apathy on the issue would be like trying to flog a dead horse to make it pull a load. |
| (idiom) beat/knock the (living)daylights=do the specified thing to (someone) with great severity.(he beat the living daylights out of them) |
| (idiom) bed ridden=confined to bed by sickness or old age.(the patient is completely bed-ridden) |
| (idiom) bee in one's bonnet=to keep talking about something again and again because you think it is very important: She never stops talking about dieting - she's got a real bee in her bonnet about it. |
| (idiom) been in/through the wars= to have injuries to many different parts of the body: ( You really have been in the wars!) |
| (idiom) been there,done that=t means you've done/experienced something before( if you were to tell me "Hey , let's go whitewater rafting this weekend, it sounds exciting!" I'd reply with "Been there, done that." (actually done it before). |
| (idiom) bee's knees=it is of excellent or very high quality.(You bought me a coffee? You're the bee's knees!) |
| (idiom) before the ink is dry=You say that the ink is not dry/still wet on a document if it has just been written or produced:(The ink was barely dry on the peace agreement when fighting broke out again.) |
| (idiom) before you know it=very soon(We'll be on our way out again before you know it.) |
| (idiom) before your very eyes=right in front of one (used for emphasis).(he saw his life's work destroyed before his very eyes) |
| (idiom) behind closed doors=taking place secretly or without public knowledge.(the legislature allows its business to be completed behind closed doors) |
| (idiom) behind the times=not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques; out of date.(the children considered dad to be behind the times) |
| (idiom) bend over backwards=to work very hard to accomplish something.(We bent over backwards to help him, and he never ever thanked us) |
| (idiom) bend the rules=to do something or allow someone to do something that is not usually allowed, especially in order to make things easier on one occasion.(They shouldn't bend the rules for him just because he's the director's son.) |
| (idiom) bend the truth=to say something that is not completely true. (I wasn't exactly lying when I said I hadn't seen her—I was just bending the truth a little. economical with the truth.) |
| (idiom) bent out of shape=angry or agitated.(he'd changed a few things around, and Amar was a little bent out of shape about it) |
| (idiom) beside yourself=overcome with worry, grief, or anger; distraught.(she was beside herself with rage) |
| (idiom) best bet = most advantageous approach : most satisfactory choice |
| (idiom) best foot forward=To show oneself in the best or most positive way possible; to make a favorable impression. Try to put your best foot forward at all times during a job interview. |
| (idiom) best of both the worlds=a situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two very different things at the same time: She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both worlds. |
| (idiom) best-of-breed=The best product of its type. |
| (idiom) bet on the wrong horse=To anticipate some future event incorrectly. |
| (idiom) bet your bottom dollar on something,=betting the bottom dollar and all the others on top of that. Today we call it "going all in". To bet your bottom dollar is to taunt someone to bet it all. |
| (idiom) bete noire(anathema)(বেটে কালো)(ঘৃণার পাত্র)=a person or thing that one particularly dislikes.(great-uncle Sashibabu was my father's bête noire) |
| (idiom) better safe than sorry =it's wiser to be cautious and careful than to be hasty or rash and so do something you may later regret. |
| (idiom) better still=even more satisfactory: Give her a call, or better still go see her. |
| (idiom) between the devil and the deep blue sea=a dilemma—i.e., to choose between two undesirable situations (equivalent to "between a rock and a hard place"). |
| (idiom) beyond any reasonable doubt=something which is certain. |
| (idiom) beyond one's wildest dreams=bigger or better than could be reasonably expected.(stockbrokers command salaries beyond the wildest dreams of most workers) |
| (idiom) beyond recall=in such a way that restoration is impossible.(shopping developments have already blighted other parts of the city beyond recall) |
| (idiom) beyond redemption=too bad to be improved or saved.(the game was beyond redemption in the 69th minute) |
| (idiom) beyond reproach= deserving no blame(such that no criticism can be made); perfect.(his integrity is beyond reproach) |
| (idiom) beyond the shadow of a doubt=If you know or believe something beyond a shadow of a doubt, you are certain that it is true: He is responsible beyond a shadow of a doubt. |
| (idiom) bide your time=wait quietly for a good opportunity to do something.(she patiently bided her time before making an escape bid) |
| (idiom) big cheese=Someone knowledgeable and/or of importance and high standing in an area or feild.(Dr Raghu Rajan is a big cheese in banking industry) |
| (idiom) big fish in a small pond =A person who is important in a limited arena;but overqualified for a position.(Dr De has both a Ph.D. and an M.D., yet he's content with his practice at a rural hospital; he prefers to be a big fish in a little pond. |
| (idiom) big picture=the most important facts about a situation and the effects of that situation on other things: In my political work I try to concentrate on the big picture and not be distracted by details. |
| (idiom) bill of health=a certificate relating to the incidence of infectious disease on a ship or in the port from which it has sailed. |
| (idiom) billet doux(প্রণয়লিপি)(uttered as 'biley doo') = a love letter (Gita has been receiving billets-doux from a boy of the neighbouring school) |
| (idiom) binge drinking=the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time.(teenagers as young as 16 admit to binge drinking) |
| (idiom) binge eating=the consumption of large quantities of food in a short period of time, typically as part of an eating disorder. |
| (idiom) binge thinking=A massive burst of brain activity, mostly useless, in one sitting. This usually leads to temporary memory loss, information poisoning and the lack of sex. |
| (idiom) binge -watch=watch multiple episodes of (a television programme) in rapid succession, typically by means of DVDs or digital streaming.(you can binge-watch the entire season with this set) |
| (idiom) biotic factor=any living component that affects another organism,including animals that consume the organism in question& the living food that the organism consumes |
| (idiom) birthday suit =one's bare skin (from the fact that a person would not have any clothes on the minute they were born(I found it embarrassing for them to see me in my birthday suit.) |
| (idiom) bite off more than you can chew=to try to do more than you are able to do.( Don't bite off more than you can chew.) |
| (idiom) bite one's tongue=make a desperate effort to avoid saying something.(I had to bite my tongue and accept his explanation) |
| (idiom) bite someone's head off= to speak sharply and with great anger to someone. ( Don't bite my head off! Be patient. ) |
| (idiom) bite the bullet=decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that one has been putting off or hesitating over.(decisions have to be taken and as director you have got to bite the bullet) |
| (idiom) bite the dust=be killed.(the baddies bite the dust with lead in their bellies) |
| (idiom) bite the dust=be killed.(the baddies bite the dust with lead in their bellies)(baddie=a villain or criminal in a book, film, etc.) |
| (idiom) bite the hand that feeds you= to act badly towards the person who is helping or has helped you. |
| (idiom) bitten by the bug=a very strong enthusiasm for something:( He's been bitten by the sailing bug.) |
| (idiom) black sheep=to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family. |
| (idiom) black swan=an unpredictable or unforeseen event, typically one with extreme consequences.(geopolitical black swan events,eg the Arab Spring & the Japanese earthquake, have further complicated the market dynamics" |
| (idiom) black tie event=Black tie is a semi-formal dress code for evening events and social functions with tuxedo(tux) (.a man's dinner jacket.) |
| (idiom) blame game=a situation in which one party blames others for something bad or unfortunate rather than attempting to seek a solution.(he elects to play the blame game ) |
| (idiom) blank cheque=an unlimited freedom of action.(the elections did not hand the president a blank cheque to carry on as before) |
| (idiom) blind alley(কানাগলি)=an alley or road that is closed at one end; a cul-de-sac./a course of action leading nowhere.(many technologies that show early promise lead up blind alleys) |
| (idiom) blind as a bat=having very bad eyesight.(she's blind as a bat without glasses) |
| (idiom) blind leading the blind=An expression applied to leaders who know as little as their followers and are therefore likely to lead them astray: . |
| (idiom) blind someone with science= to confuse someone by using difficult or technical words to describe something. |
| (idiom) blink of an eye= a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat) |
| (idiom) blood out of a stone=if making someone give or tell you something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult Collecting the rent money from him each month is like getting blood out of a stone. |
| (idiom) blood sweat and tears=extremely hard work; unstinting effort(he's going through all the blood, sweat, and tears involved in getting a PhD) |
| (idiom) blot one's copy book=to commit some gaffe that spoils one's record. (A look at recent examples shows that it has survived almost exclusively in sports journalism.) |
| (idiom) blow a fuse(or gasket)=lose one's temper.(it was only a suggestion—there's no need to blow a fuse) |
| (idiom) blow hot and cold=alternate inconsistently between two moods, attitudes, or courses of action.(he had behaved badly, stringing her along, blowing hot and cold) |
| (idiom) blow one's top=lose one's temper.(he is volatile and likely to blow his top if his demands aren't met) |
| (idiom) blow out of proportion=To overreact to or overstate; to treat too seriously or be overly concerned with. |
| (idiom) blow up in one's face=(of an action, project, or situation) go drastically wrong with damaging effects to oneself.(he never knew when a casual remark to a stranger might blow up in his face) |
| (idiom) blow(or clear) away the cobwebs=banish a state of lethargy; refresh oneself.(a brisk walk along the towpath might blow away the cobwebs) |
| (idiom) blue around the gills=Sick-looking; pale and miserable; nauseated : He was looking green around the gills, so I told him to lie down. |
| (idiom) blue blood(আভিজাত্য)=noble birth.(blue blood is no guarantee of any particular merit, competence, or expertise) |
| (idiom) blue chip company= stock in a corporation with a national reputation for quality, reliability, and the ability to operate profitably in good times and bad. The most popular index that follows U.S. blue chips is the Dow Jones Industrial Average. |
| (idiom) blue collar job= a blue colour job required manual labour(Factory workers perform blue colour jobs)(whereas white collar job requires office work and pink colour job requires salesmanship) |
| (idiom) blue in the face=talk/say something/shout until one is blue in the face) pointless efforts while trying to convince someone or change his mind. |
| (idiom) blue revolution=mass production of fish and marine products(India is pushing ahead with a blue revolution) |
| (idiom) blue-collar crime=In criminology, blue-collar crime is any crime committed by an individual from a lower social class as opposed to white-collar crime which is associated with crime committed by someone of a higher-level social class. |
| (idiom) blue-eyed boy=a person highly regarded by someone and treated with special favour.(the problem that managers may favour their blue-eyed boys) |
| (idiom) bodice ripper=a romantic novel/film with a historical setting(usually involving a vulnerable heroine faced with a richer and more powerful male character, whom she initially dislikes. Later, she succumbs to lust and falls into his arms. ) |
| (idiom) boils the ocean=To undertake an impossible task or project or to make a task or project unnecessarily difficult. Boiling the ocean generally means to go overboard. |
| (idiom) bolt from the blue(বিনা মেঘে বজ্রাঘাত)=it was sudden and totally unexpected; whatever happened really surprised you.(The news of her marriage was a bolt from the blue.) |
| (idiom) bon homie=geniality( good-natured easy friendliness) |
| (idiom) bona fide=genuine; real (Only bona fide members of the club may use the clubhouse.) |
| (idiom) bone of contention(তর্ক-এর বিষয়)=a subject or issue over which there is continuing disagreement.(the examination system has long been a serious bone of contention) |
| (idiom) bone to pick with someone=Have reason to disagree or be annoyed with someone:( she has a bone to pick with the council) |
| (idiom) boos and hisses= words used as a reply to someone who gives you an answer that you wish was different. |
| (idiom) bored to tears(distraction/death/silly)=very bored; extremely dull and uninteresting (Usually an exaggeration)(I was bored silly at the lecture)(. The dull speaker left me bored to distraction)( I am bored to tears. Let's go home.) |
| (idiom) born with a silver spoon in mouth=be born into a wealthy family of high social standing.(it's obvious that he wasn't raised with a silver spoon) |
| (idiom) bottom fell out=When they lost the game, the bottom fell out of their hopes to make the playoffs. |
| (idiom) bottom line=the fundamental and most important factor.(the bottom line is I'm still married to her ) |
| (idiom) bouncing off the walls= to be excited and full of nervous energy (We need to get out for a walk. The children are bouncing off the walls. ) |
| (idiom) bow and scrape= to show too much politeness or attention to someone: (the new Chairman was greeted in the Municipality with much bowing and scraping). |
| (idiom) brain drain=the emigration of highly trained or qualified people from a particular country.(a leading British team of chemists has joined the brain drain to the United States) |
| (idiom) brain fart=a condition when one's mind is elsewhere and something is forgotten or done incorrectly because of it.(Oops! I must have had a brain fart.) |
| (idiom) brain like a sieve=If you have a memory or mind like a sieve, you forget things very easily. |
| (idiom) brain waste=Migrants to foreign countries who take up unskilled jobs despite having professional qualifications are called, by economists, brain waste. |
| (idiom) brains behind something= be the person who plans and organizes something, especially something successful. |
| (idiom) bread and butter=a person's livelihood or main source of income.(their bread and butter is reporting local events) |
| (idiom) bread busket=a part of a region that produces cereals for the rest of it.(the province has functioned as the country's breadbasket) |
| (idiom) break a leg=an idiom in theatre used to wish a performer "good luck". Well-wishers typically say "Break a leg" to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform. |
| (idiom) break every rule in the book=If you behave in a completely unacceptable way, you break every rule in the book. Our competitors obtained the contract by breaking every rule in the book. |
| (idiom) break fresh(or new ground)=do something innovative and beneficial.(this case breaks new ground of great constitutional importance) |
| (idiom) break one's back=put great effort into achieving something.(as soon as we finished I'd break my back to get home to her) |
| (idiom) break out in cold sweat=a state of extreme worry and fear:( I break out in a cold sweat (= become extremely worried) just thinking about public speaking. ) |
| (idiom) break out of=escape.(a prisoner broke out of his cell) |
| (idiom) break the back of beast=to get most or the worst part of a particular task done: |
| (idiom) break the ice= to initiate social interchanges and conversation; to get something started.( It's hard to break the ice at formal events) |
| (idiom) break the mould=to be new and different(Their approach to sports teaching broke the mould.) |
| (idiom) breathe down someone's neck= If someone is breathing down your neck, they are watching you too closely and making you feel uncomfortable. |
| (idiom) bright eyed and bushy tailed=alert and lively.(he arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the studio) |
| (idiom) bring someone to heel=bring someone under control.(a threat that brought the stubborn man to heel) |
| (idiom) bring someone to their (or come to one's) senses=restore someone to (or regain) consciousness.(for a few minutes I was shell-shocked but I was quickly brought to my senses) |
| (idiom) bring something on the table(party)=contribute something of value to a discussion, project, etc.(consultants who can bring strategic thinking to the table) |
| (idiom) bring the house down=make an audience laugh or applaud very enthusiastically(he could bring the house down with his dry humour) |
| (idiom) bring to knees= to destroy or defeat someone or something(Heavy demand for the Web page brought the server to its knees.) |
| (idiom) bring up the rear=be at the very end of a line of people.(I made the men walk in front while I brought up the rear) |
| (idiom) broad daylight=used for saying that a shocking or criminal event happens during the day, when it can easily be seen. (They robbed the bank in broad daylight.) |
| (idiom) brown as a berry= (of a person) very suntanned.(she'd lost her pale, city complexion and become as brown as a berry) |
| (idiom) brown fat=Brown Adipose Tissue(BAT)=Its primary function is to generate body heat in hybernating animals or newborns that do not shiver.The other type is White or yellow fat. |
| (idiom) brown revolution=mass cultivation of coffee plant(South India is famous for black revolution) |
| (idiom) browned off=fed up/disappointed (I'm really browned off that I paid Rs500/-for a ticket, and couldn't get in to the show.) |
| (idiom) brush up on= to improve or polish as if by brushing/ to renew one's skill in any language. |
| (idiom) bubble over= overflow with a certain feeling (Just the sight of it made me bubble over with anger) |
| (idiom) buckle down=to start to do something seriously(tackle a task with determination.) |
| (idiom) budge from stand= move from stand(Even after his father's order, the son did not budge from his stand) |
| (idiom) build bridges =to create a means for people to meet. You are making it possible to overcome an obstacle that might come between you & another person(unlike building walls which stop people from seeing each other or connecting with one another. |
| (idiom) bulldoze something into doing something=to force someone to do something that they do not really want to do. |
| (idiom) bull's eye=the centre of the target in sports such as archery, shooting, and darts. |
| (idiom) bump into=to accidentally hit against something. As I turned round, I bumped into a filing cabinet. |
| (idiom) bundle of nerves=someone who is extremely nervous and worried. |
| (idiom) bunk a class=one who skips classes |
| (idiom) burn one's bridges behind oneself=To eliminate any possibility of a retreat to a former position: “In his ruthless pursuit of success, Samir offended all his coworkers and effectively burned his bridges behind him.” |
| (idiom) burn one's fingers=get one's fingers burned/burnt (or burn one's fingers) (Especially in a financial context) suffer unpleasant consequences as a result of one's actions, discouraging one from trying a similar action again. |
| (idiom) burn the candle at both ends= to go to bed very late and wake up very early to do a lot of work(My busy father always burns the candle at both ends and becomes sick) |
| (idiom) burning question=An urgent or crucial issue under heated discussion. For example, Real estate taxes are always a burning question for the town leaders. |
| (idiom) bury one's head in the sand=to ignore or hide from obvious signs of danger.(Stop burying your head in the sand.)(Alludes to an ostrich, which is believed incorrectly to hide its head in a hole in the ground when it sees danger.) |
| (idiom) bury the hatchet(সংগ্রাম হইতে নিবৃত্ত হত্তয়া)=(end a quarrel/war/conflict and become friendly.)(The two neighboring countries India and Pakistan have often been advised by the world bodies to bury the hatchet for their own progress.) |
| (idiom) business as usual=an ongoing and unchanging state of affairs despite difficulties or disturbances.(apart from being under new management, it's business as usual in the department) |
| (idiom) business before pleasure=to emphasize that you believe work is more important than entertainment and enjoyment.(I will dine with you but let me finish the work first, business before pleasure) |
| (idiom) busman's holiday=a holiday or form of recreation that involves doing the same thing that one does at work.(a fire crew's Christmas outing turned into a busman's holiday when their coach caught fire) |
| (idiom) butter someone up=To praise or flatter someone in order to make him or her more receptive or willing:( My coworker, hoping for a raise, is always buttering up the boss.) |
| (idiom) butter won't melt in one's mouth=Be overly coy or demure; be insincere. For example, She looked quite innocent, as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but we knew that she is capable of doing unpleasant things. |
| (idiom) butterfly in your stomach=it refers to a fluttery feeling in your stomach, like a butterfly delicately flapping its wings. It's a common physical reaction to feelings of anxiety and excitement. |
| (idiom) buy a lemon=to purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away (We often try to save money by buying 2nd hand cars but little do we realise that we are upto buy a lemon) |
| (idiom) by a long chalk/shot=(not) by far or at all.(she had not told him everything, not by a long shot) |
| (idiom) by degrees=a little at a time; gradually.(rivalries and prejudice were by degrees fading out) |
| (idiom) by degrees=a little at a time; gradually.(rivalries and prejudice were by degrees fading out) |
| (idiom) by the look of things= judging by the information we have now:. It is an introduction to your first impression of something. |
| (idiom) by the same token = In the same way, for the same reason. For example, He has a good ear for music, and by the same token he finds it easy to pronounce foreign words . |
| (idiom) by the skin of one's teeth=just manage to get it accomplished; by a very narrow margin; only just.(I only got away by the skin of my teeth) |
| (idiom) by virtue of=because or as a result of.(they achieved pre-eminence by virtue of superior military strength) |
| (idiom) by word of mouth=Word of mouth or viva voce, is the passing of information from person to person by oral communication, which could be as simple as telling someone the time of day. |
| (idiom) cake/game is not worth the candle=the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it.(the politician canvassed a lot but won a few votes; the cake is not worth the candle) |
| (idiom) calculated risk=A chance taken after careful estimation of the probable outcome( Taking their dispute to arbitration was definitely a calculated risk.) |
| (idiom) call a spade a spade= to say the truth about something, even if it is not polite or pleasant.(My father is very straightforward, he always calls a spade a spade) |
| (idiom) call it a day=To cease the activity for the day. . We have been at this for hours; let's call it a day and come back tomorrow when we are fresh |
| (idiom) call it quits=agree or acknowledge that terms are now equal, especially on the settlement of a debt.(take this cheque and we'll call it quits) |
| (idiom) call someone's bluff=When someone pretends to be about to do something, and another person challenges them to actually do it(My father is so bold that he called the neighbour's bluff when he threatened to beat him) |
| (idiom) call the shots/the tune=to have the most power and authority in a situation (In this part of the mortgage market, the banks call the tune.) |
| (idiom) cameo role=a brief appearance or voice part of a known person in a work of the performing arts, typically unnamed or appearing as themselves. |
| (idiom) can't fight the city hall=Nothing can be done to change the situation, because it is a governmental decision.(I see they're going to build the airport after all. I suppose you can't fight city hall.) |
| (idiom) can't for the life of me= (colloquial, only with a negative) If one's (own) life depended on it.( For the life of me, I can't remember the name of that song) |
| (idiom) can't hold a candle=An expression describing a person or thing that is distinctly inferior to someone or something else: (He is extremely knowledgeable, but as a speaker, he can't hold a candle to his predecessor) |
| (idiom) can't make head or tail of= to not be able to understand something:( I can't make head nor tail of these instructions on the packet.) |
| (idiom) can't make omelette without breaking eggs=one cannot accomplish something without adverse effects elsewhere(to introduce the system, some disturbances might have to be faced but you can't make omelettes without breaking eggs) |
| (idiom) can't see the wood for the trees=to be unable to understand a situation clearly .(the new President accepted the issue so clumsily that he could not see the wood for the trees) |
| (idiom) can't see the woods for the trees=too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole:(The minister became so involved in the wording of his bill that he couldn't see the woods for the trees; the bill may not be passed) |
| (idiom) can't stand the pace=unable to do things well when there is a lot of pressure. (If he can't stand the pace he shouldn't be doing the job - it's as simple as that.) |
| (idiom) cap in hand=humbly asking for a favour.(we have to go cap in hand begging for funds) |
| (idiom) cap-a-pie= From head to foot (What made you want to look up cap-a-pie?) |
| (idiom) capital punishment = death(the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime.(the abolition of capital punishment |
| (idiom) carp at= to catch at small faults(The lady carped at the poor service of the restaurant) |
| (idiom) carrot and stick=mixture of rewards and punishments. …( It is named in reference to a cart driver dangling a carrot in front of a mule and holding a stick behind it.) |
| (idiom) carrot-and-stick approach=of a method of persuasion or coercion characterized by both the offer of reward and the threat of punishment.(a carrot-and-stick approach) |
| (idiom) carry the can=take responsibility for a mistake or misdeed.(if anyone makes a mistake, it's the senior person who has to carry the can) |
| (idiom) carry the torch=to be in love with someone:(He has been carrying a torch for her for years, but she seems not to notice.) |
| (idiom) carry weight=to be considered serious and important enough to influence other people(President's opinion carried a lot of weight in the meeting) |
| (idiom) carve out a niche=to create a space or a name for oneself(In today's competitive market it is better to carve out a niche and try to become the best in that area) |
| (idiom) cascade effect=an inevitable and sometimes unforeseen chain of events due to an act affecting a system. |
| (idiom) case in point =an instance or example that illustrates what is being discussed.(the ‘green revolution’ in agriculture is a good case in point) |
| (idiom) cash cow=business jargon for a business venture that generates a steady return of profits that far exceed the outlay of cash required to acquire or start it. |
| (idiom) cash crops=any crop that is considered easily marketable, as wheat or cotton. |
| (idiom) cash flow=the total amount of money being transferred into and out of a business, especially as affecting liquidity. |
| (idiom) cash in on = to take financial/other advantage of a situation( often in an unfair way:)(Expats(প্রবাসী) cash in on high dollar and take profits overseas) |
| (idiom) cash in your chips=you sell something, esp. shares, either because you need the money or because you think the value is going to fall.(my brother started to cash in his chips the moment my father warned him the fall of shares in the market) |
| (idiom) cast a wide net= to include many people or things when you are looking for something.(The Detective Department cast a wide net to nab the culprits) |
| (idiom) cast aspersions on someone= when you cast aspersions on someone, you are questioning their abilities or doubting them.(aspersion=কলঙ্ক) |
| (idiom) cast iron stomach= a very strong stomach that can withstand bad food or anything nauseating.( If I didn't have a cast-iron stomach, I couldn't have eaten the stuff.) |
| (idiom) cat and dog life=A life in which partners are constantly or frequently quarrelling is called a cat-and-dog life.(They were so happy together when they first started dating, but after 10 years together, they've started leading a cat-and-dog life. |
| (idiom) cat can look at a king=even a person of low status or importance has rights. |
| (idiom) cat in gloves catches no mice=Restraint and caution (or ‘pussyfooting’) achieve nothing. (Talk discreetly but one thing you must remember : 'cat in gloves catches no mice') |
| (idiom) cat nap=a short sleep; doze(v) A 45-minute catnap helps lower blood pressure |
| (idiom) catch 22 situation=A situation in which a desired outcome or solution is impossible to attain because of a set of inherently illogical rules or conditions.(similar to a paradox) |
| (idiom) catch as catch can=a situation of using whatever is available.(the catch-as-catch-can repair of fences) |
| (idiom) catch somebody's eye=to be attractive or different enough to be noticed by someone:( It was the unusual colour of his jacket that caught my eye) |
| (idiom) cater to the need= Try to satisfy (a need or demand):( he catered to her every whim) |
| (idiom) cat's lick=A cat's lick means a very quick wash.(In short as a way of showing trust and care) |
| (idiom) cat's whiskers/also cat's pyjamas= to be better than everyone else in a particular area : beauty, competence, intelligence, sport, etc.(Since he got the plum job , he thinks he is the cat's whiskers) |
| (idiom) caught a stir=To cause controversy, or raise a disturbance.(The news story caused a stir) |
| (idiom) caught in the crossfire=be badly affected by a situation where two people or group are arguing with each other. (When parents fight over trifles, their children are often caught in the crossfire.) |
| (idiom) caught red-handed=Apprehend someone in the course of wrongdoing(The boys were trying to steal a car and the police caught them red-handed) |
| (idiom) caught unawares=while not aware or conscious of a thing oneself; unknowingly or ... without prior warning or plan; unexpectedly: (she caught him unawares.) |
| (idiom) caustic remark=sarcastic remark in a scathing and bitter way.(the players were making caustic comments about the refereeing) |
| (idiom) caveat emptor=let the buyer beware (The principle that the buyer is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before a purchase is made.) |
| (idiom) chalk and cheese=When you say that two people are like 'chalk and cheese', you are suggesting that the two are very different from each other; they have nothing in common |
| (idiom) champ(chomp or chafe) at the bit=be restlessly impatient to start doing something(I was champing at the bit to investigate the shops) |
| (idiom) champagne taste on a beer budgeT=Expensive wants or preferences which one lacks the finances to fulfill satisfactorily.(the mediocre lady demands a precious gold necklace from her husband - it's a champagne taste on a beer budget) |
| (idiom) chance in a million=A chance in a million is a very small chance or no chance at all that something will happen.:( I was told that without a good level of English I had a chance in a million to get the job.) |
| (idiom) chance one's arm(or luck)=undertake something although it may be dangerous or unsuccessful.(the ferryman decided not to chance his luck in the storm) |
| (idiom) change horses in midstream=to make major changes in an activity that has already begun; to choose someone or something else after it is too late. |
| (idiom) change the face of=When an innovation, discovery or event changes the face of something, it alters it completely or in a major way.(Net banking has changed the face of banking system in India) |
| (idiom) chapter and verse=an exact reference or authority.(she can give chapter and verse on current legislation) |
| (idiom) chasing your(own)tail= to spend a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but achieving very little(If you don't solve the first equation first, you're just chasing your tail.) |
| (idiom) cheap shot=any mean or unsportsmanlike remark or action, especially one directed at a defenseless or vulnerable person. |
| (idiom) cheek by jowl=close together.(they lived cheek by jowl in a one-room flat) |
| (idiom) cheesed one off=to annoy ... someone:( Her attitude to the whole thing really cheeses me off) |
| (idiom) cherry pick=selectively choose (the most beneficial or profitable items, opportunities, etc.) from what is available.(the company should buy the whole airline and not just cherry-pick its best assets) |
| (idiom) chew the fat(গজগজ করা)=chat in a leisurely and prolonged way.(we were chewing the fat, telling stories about the old days) |
| (idiom) chicken feed=a ridiculously small sum of money.(the pay was chicken feed for the work I put in) |
| (idiom) chicken out=to manage to get out of something, usually because of fear or cowardice.( Come on! Don't chicken out now!) |
| (idiom) chickens come home to roost=someone is suffering the unpleasant consequences of their bad actions in the past.(Lala is in hospital with liver problems. (I guess the chickens have come home to roost after all those years of heavy drinking.) |
| (idiom) child's play=a task which is easily accomplished.(tapping telephones is child's play) |
| (idiom) Chinese arithmetic=If something is very complicated or difficult to understand, it is said to be like Chinese arithmetic.(nowadays Govt policies seems to me like Chinese arithmetic!) |
| (idiom) Chinese whispers=a game in which a message is distorted by being passed around in a whisper. |
| (idiom) chink in someone's armour=refers to an area of vulnerability. ... ESPN posted a headline using the text( "Chink In The Armor" but quickly retracted it)(chink=A narrow opening) |
| (idiom) chip off the old block=a person (usually a male) who behaves in the same way as his father or resembles his father. (Srijan looks like his father—a real chip off the old block.) |
| (idiom) chip on one's shoulder=to seem angry all the time because of inferiority complex (I can’t stand working with Mohan; he’s got such a massive chip on his shoulder. He’s so unpleasant.) |
| (idiom) chop and change=to keep changing one's mind, way of doing something(After six months of chopping and changing, we've decided to go back to our old system) |
| (idiom) Christmas comes but once a year=An excuse to indulge in food and drink and spend money during the Christmas season. |
| (idiom) citizen journalism=the collection, dissemination, and analysis of news and information by the general public, especially by means of the Internet. |
| (idiom) clap eyes on someone/something=to see someone or something, perhaps for the first time; to set eyes on someone or something. (I wish she had never clapped eyes on her fiancé.) |
| (idiom) clap of thunder = something sharp, loud, or sudden like a clap of thunder. |
| (idiom) clarion call(উদাত্ত আহ্বান)=a strongly expressed demand or request for action.(Prime Minister Modiji issued a clarion call to young people to join the Digitization Policy ) |
| (idiom) class act=a high-quality act; a high-quality way of doing things. (The prof puts on a real class act, but he grades very hard.) |
| (idiom) claw one's way back=if you claw your way back from a bad situation, you succeed in improving your situation again by making a big effort (They clawed their way back from almost certain defeat to win by a single point.) |
| (idiom) clean as a whistle=extremely clean or clear( If something is as clean as a whistle, it's extremely clean, or for a person it can mean they have a perfect record and have never done anything illegal.) |
| (idiom) clean bill of health=a decision by a doctor that someone is healthy: (He's been given a clean bill of health by the doctor.) |
| (idiom) clear the air=make the air less humid.(storms were supposed to clear the air) |
| (idiom) clear the way=remove an obstacle or hindrance to allow progress.(the ruling could be enough to clear the way for impeachment proceedings) |
| (idiom) clench teeth/fist = to close tightly (with reference to the fingers or hand) - especially as a manifestation of extreme anger.(she clenched her fists, struggling for control)…… |
| (idiom) click bait=(on the Internet) content, esp that of a sensational/provocative nature, whose main purpose is to attract attention & draw visitors to a particular web page.(these recent reports of the show's imminent demise are hyperbolic clickbait) |
| (idiom) clinch a deal=to settle (a matter) decisively.(Ultimately Government clinched a deal in that important issue) |
| (idiom) clinch best deal = to come to an agreement/bargain/settle |
| (idiom) clip someone's wings=to reduce or put an end to someone's privileges. |
| (idiom) close but no cigar=(of an attempt) almost but not quite successful.(they didn't catch him in the car—close but no cigar) |
| (idiom) close call=( Informal)a narrow escape from danger ... He had a close call when a truck ran a red light and almost hit him. |
| (idiom) close shave=a narrow escape from danger or disaster.(I did take chances and can recall more than one close shave) |
| (idiom) close(or near)to home=(of a remark or topic of discussion) relevant or accurate to the point that one feels uncomfortable or embarrassed. |
| (idiom) close/(dumb) as an oyster=Someone who is as close ( or 'dumb') as an oyster is a close-mouthed person.(My son will never disclose the matter. He is as close as an oyster) |
| (idiom) close-knit=bound together by strong relationships and common interests.(close-knit community) |
| (idiom) cloud cuckoo land=a state of absurdly over-optimistic fantasy.(anyone who believes that the Bill will be effective is living in cloud cuckoo land) |
| (idiom) cloud on the horizon=A problem or difficulty that is predictable, or seems likely to arise in the future(the family is fully settled now and there is no cloud on the horizon) |
| (idiom) coast is clear=it is safe to do something or go somewhere because no one is watching or listening who would prevent you or catch you: (You can come out now, the coast is clear) |
| (idiom) coatigan = (coat + cardigan)(perfect for Winter and Spring days and nights).The Coatigan is so versatile it comes in one size and is perfect for sizes between 12 and 16 . |
| (idiom) cog in the machine=Someone with a necessary but insignificant role in a large organization or group :(Running your own organisation is a big change from just being a cog in the machine.) |
| (idiom) cognitive function=an intellectual process by which one becomes aware of, perceives, or comprehends ideas. It involves all aspects of perception, thinking, reasoning, and remembering. |
| (idiom) cold calls=an unsolicited visit or telephone call made by someone trying to sell goods or services.(the salesmen spend most of their time making cold calls on perfect strangers) |
| (idiom) cold turkey=in a sudden and abrupt manner.(I had to quit drinking cold turkey) |
| (idiom) cold-blooded=without emotion or pity; deliberately cruel or callous.( a cold-blooded murder) |
| (idiom) cold-hearted=lacking affection or warmth; unfeeling.(the person was unloved by his cold-hearted wife) |
| (idiom) collate the figure=collect and put in order(The balance sheet was prepared after collating the data) |
| (idiom) collect one's thoughts= To become mentally composed, especially after being distressed, surprised, or disoriented; to become calm or organized in one's emotional state or thinking, as in preparation for a conversation, speech, decision, etc. |
| (idiom) collective bargaining= process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements to regulate working conditions |
| (idiom) collective grief=Grief felt by a collective group such as a community, society, village, or nation as a result of an event such as a war, natural disaster, terrorist attack, death of a public figure, or any other event leading to mass casualties |
| (idiom) come (or fall)apart at the seams=(of a person or system) be in a very poor condition and near to collapse.(the attitude of the airport guard was symptomatic of a system falling apart at the seams) |
| (idiom) come a long way=to have advanced to an improved or more developed state: .( The technology in this area has come a long way in the past twenty years.) |
| (idiom) come clean=be completely honest; keep nothing hidden.(the Chancellor must come clean about his plans for increasing taxation) |
| (idiom) come hell or high water=whatever difficulties may occur.(come hell or high water, cooking three meals a day is a mighty task) |
| (idiom) come in all shapes and sizes=a large variety( Investors come in all shapes and sizes.) |
| (idiom) come in handy=turn out to be useful.(the sort of junk that might come in handy one day) |
| (idiom) come into its(or one's )own=become fully effective, used, or recognized.(the two folk languages will at last come into their own) |
| (idiom) come out in the wash=be resolved eventually with no lasting harm.(he's not happy but he assures me it'll all come out in the wash) |
| (idiom) come out of the woodwork=(of an unpleasant person or thing) emerge from obscurity; be revealed.(would-be informants came crawling out of the woodwork) |
| (idiom) come rain or shine =whether it rains or not; whatever the weather.(he runs six miles every morning, rain or shine) |
| (idiom) come to a bad end= to have a disaster, perhaps one that is deserved or expected; to die an unfortunate death.( My old car came to a bad end. Its engine seized up. ) |
| (idiom) come to a head=reach a crisis.(the violence came to a head with the deaths of six youths) |
| (idiom) come to blows(হাতাহািত করা)=start fighting after a disagreement.(the two actors reputedly almost came to blows) |
| (idiom) come to grief=have an accident; meet with disaster.(many a ship has come to grief along this shore) |
| (idiom) come to grips=to hold/control(So far we have failed to come to grips with the magnitude of this problem.) |
| (idiom) come to the crunch=if/when a situation becomes extremely serious and a decision must be made:(If it comes to the crunch and you and your husband do split up, you can always stay with us.) |
| (idiom) come up against=be faced with or opposed by(I'd come up against this kind of problem before) |
| (idiom) come up roses=(of a situation) develop in a very favourable way.(new boyfriend, successful career—everything was coming up roses) |
| (idiom) come what may(যা কিছুই ঘটুক না কেন)=no matter what happens.(a woman was supposed to stand by her man all the time, come what may) |
| (idiom) come(or turn)up trumps=(of a person or situation) have a better performance or outcome than expected.(She came up trumps again, finishing fourth in the 800 metres) |
| (idiom) come/crawl out of the woodwork=to appear suddenly in order to express an opinion or to take advantage of a situation (When he won the lottery, all sorts of distant relatives came out of the woodwork) |
| (idiom) comfort food=food which provides a nostalgic or sentimental feeling to the consumer, and is often characterized by a high carbohydrate level &simple preparation.(healthy comfort food=baked sweet potatoes,soup/sautéed vegetables over rice. |
| (idiom) common ground=opinions or interests shared by each of two or more parties.(artists from different cultural backgrounds found common ground) |
| (idiom) common-law spouse=Instead of obtaining a marriage license, a man and woman who live together and intend to be married can become common law spouses without a license. |
| (idiom) complicated grief=Refers to grief reactions and feelings of loss that are debilitating, long lasting, and/or impair your ability to engage in daily activities. |
| (idiom) compulsive liar=someone who lies out of habit(syn. Pathological liar) |
| (idiom) conversation marketing=Marketing with the goal of having a direct one to one conversation with your customers through social media and other channels. |
| (idiom) cook someone's goose=spoil someone's plans; cause someone's downfall.(I've got enough on you to cook your goose) |
| (idiom) cook the books=alter facts or figures dishonestly or illegally.(he was an accountant, he could have cooked the books and made himself a lot more money) |
| (idiom) cool one's heels=to wait (for someone); to wait for something to happen.(I spent an hour cooling my heels in the waiting room while the doctor saw other patients.) |
| (idiom) cork something up=To cork something or someone is to shut them up for good. I corked urban dictionary because for some reason none of my definitions never get posted. |
| (idiom) corner the market=to get sufficient control of a particular stock, commodity, or other asset to allow the price to be manipulated. |
| (idiom) cosmetic exercise = superficial exercise like cleaning Ganga. |
| (idiom) cosmetic exhange= a change lacking depth or significance; superficial: |
| (idiom) cost an arm and a leg= If something costs an arm and a leg, it is extremely expensive. |
| (idiom) cost of living=cost of maintaining a certain standard of living. Changes in the cost of living over time are often operationalized in a cost of living index. |
| (idiom) cost the earth=very expensive(Just having a cup of coffee costs the earth in there.) |
| (idiom) cot potato = An infant or toddler who spends a great deal of time watching television. |
| (idiom) cou(p) d'etat=(a sudden and violent change )(A coup d'état is considered successful when the usurpers establish their dominance) |
| (idiom) couch commerce=buying items or services online over the Internet from the comfort of your home. An example of couch commerce is someone shopping for a birthday gift on an iPad while they watch television. |
| (idiom) couch potato=a person who takes little or no exercise and watches a lot of television.(it is no good you being a couch potato and having a Dobermann) |
| (idiom) count one's blessngs=be grateful for what one has.(when you find that many people are worse off than you are, you'll learn to count your blessings) |
| (idiom) cover one's tracks=conceal evidence of one's activities.(he covered his tracks so well no one has ever been able to prove anything) |
| (idiom) cover/hide a multitude of sins=to prevent people from seeing or discovering something bad:(Large sweaters are warm and practical and hide a multitude of sins (= they do not show your body shape). |
| (idiom) cow down(ভয় দেখান)= intimidate |
| (idiom) crack down on something=to take severe measures, esp. in enforcing laws or regulations (Govt decided to crack down on drug pushers.) |
| (idiom) crack the whip= Behave in a domineering and demanding way toward one's subordinates.( He's been cracking the whip ever since he got his promotion) |
| (idiom) cramp someone's style=to limit someone in some way.( I hope this doesn't cramp your style, but could you please not hum while you work? ) |
| (idiom) crank into gear=When a person or activity cranks (or gets) into gear, they start to work or become effective.( Immediately after the announcement, a group of protesters cranked into gear) |
| (idiom) cream of the crop=The best or choicest of anything( The apples from this orchard are definitely the cream of the crop.) |
| (idiom) cream rises to the top=A good person or idea cannot go unnoticed for long, just as cream poured in coffee or tea eventually rises to the top. |
| (idiom) creature comforts(সুখস্বাচ্ছন্দ্যের উপকরণ)=Something, such as food and warmth, that contributes to physical comfort: "In World War I, creature comforts were cherished even more than comradeship and unit loyalties. |
| (idiom) credibility gap=an apparent difference between what is said or promised and what happens or is true.(there is a distinct credibility gap between policy and achievement) |
| (idiom) crest and trough=A crest is a point on the wave where the displacement of the medium is at a maximum. A point on the wave is a trough if the displacement of the medium at that point is at a minimum. |
| (idiom) crocodile tears= An insincere show of sympathy or sadness; (The cruel man pretends to be sad but we all know he sheds crocodile tears) |
| (idiom) crooked as a dog's hind leg=very dishonest. (Don't play cards with him. He's as crooked as a barrel of fish hooks) |
| (idiom) cross someone's path=be met or encountered.(she got to know people who wouldn't ordinarily cross her path) |
| (idiom) cross that bridge when we come to it=an expression that means you will not worry about a possible future problem but will deal with it if it happens. |
| (idiom) cross the line=if someone crosses the line they start behaving in a way that is not socially acceptable (Players had crossed the line by attacking fans on the pitch.) |
| (idiom) cross the line=To overstep a boundary, rule, or limit/to go too far or do something unacceptable.( I can tolerate a lot, but they really crossed the line when they broke the window.) |
| (idiom) cross the Rubicon= to pass a point of no return, and refers to Julius Caesar's army's crossing of the Rubicon River in 49 BC, which was considered an act of insurrection and treason. |
| (idiom) cross your mind=(of a thought) occur to one, especially transiently.(it had not crossed her mind that they might need payment) |
| (idiom) crowd funding=the practice of funding a project/venture by raising many small amts of money from a large number of people, via Internet.(musicians, filmmakers &artists have successfully raised funds and fostered awareness through crowdfunding) |
| (idiom) crux of the matter=The basic, central or critical point of an issue.( In this trial the bloodstains represent the crux of the matter) |
| (idiom) cry one's eyes(or heart)out=weep bitterly and at length.(I cried my eyes out when he fired me) |
| (idiom) cry wolf= to ask for help when you do not need it:(Her son is screaming again. Is it a real cry? Or, he is crying wolf again) |
| (idiom) crying shame(লজ্জার কান্না)=An unfortunate situation( It's a crying shame that Mohan can't find a job. ) |
| (idiom) cudgel one's brain=think hard about problem(the student was advised by teacher to cudgel his brain in the test) |
| (idiom) cumulative grief=When one experiences a second loss while still grieving a first loss. This is also referred to as “bereavement overload” or “grief overload”. |
| (idiom) cut a dash=be stylish or impressive in one's dress or behaviour.(the foreign secretary wanted to cut a dash in Japan) |
| (idiom) cut and dried=having a clear and definite quality that does not allow doubt or that cannot be changed(The procedure is not quite cut and dried—there's definitely room for improvisation.) |
| (idiom) cut both ways=(of a point or statement) serve both sides of an argument.(such a tax is often claimed to encourage saving but the argument can cut both ways) |
| (idiom) cut corners=do something perfunctorily so as to save time or money.(there is always a temptation to cut corners when time is short) |
| (idiom) cut from the same cloth=of the same nature; similar.(don't assume all women are cut from the same cloth) |
| (idiom) cut it/cut things fine=to allow very little time for something(She got to the gate ten minutes before her flight, so she was cutting it very fine.) |
| (idiom) cut loose=distance or free oneself from a person, group, or system.(he was a young teenager, already cutting loose from his family) |
| (idiom) cut one's losses=abandon an enterprise or course of action that is clearly going to be unprofitable or unsuccessful before one suffers more loss or harm.(an inner voice was urging her to cut her losses and go back to England) |
| (idiom) cut one's own throat=bring about one's own downfall by one's actions.(The businessman's sheer negilence cut his own throat) |
| (idiom) cut someone some slack=not to judge someone as severely as you usually would because they are having problems at the present time:(He is late again." "Cut him some slack - his wife just had a baby.") |
| (idiom) cut the cackle=stop talking aimlessly and come to the point.(cut the cackle and just get us there) |
| (idiom) cut the ground out from under someone=to weaken their position/spoil their plans(The politician cut the ground out from under his opponent.) |
| (idiom) cut the umbilical cord =cease to rely on someone / begin to act independently(When asked by wife about their 18-year aged son seeking permission to see a movie in a hall, father told her to cut the umbilical cord and let him go!) |
| (idiom) cut to the quick=To hurt a person deeply, especially emotionally. (The lady was cut to the quick when something heard of her character) |
| (idiom) cuts no ice=have no influence or effect.(your holier-than-thou attitude cuts no ice with me)(holier than thou=characterized by an attitude of moral superiority.) |
| (idiom) dab hand at something= a person who is particularly skilled at something; expert |
| (idiom) damp squib=a situation or event which is much less impressive than expected.(Our CM's initiative proved to be a damp squib in the matter) |
| (idiom) dance attendance on =Wait on attentively and obsequiously, obey someone's every wish or whim.( He expected his secretary to dance attendance on him so she quit her job ) |
| (idiom) dance to someone's tune=to always obey someone who has power over you.(Powerful local residents seem to have the city council dancing to their tune) |
| (idiom) darken someone's door=To arrive at the entrance of someone's residence or of another building associated with that person, especially as an unwelcome visitor. |
| (idiom) dawn on someone= if something dawns on you, you realize it for the first time. (Reality dawns on him all of a sudden.) |
| (idiom) daylight robbery=blatant and unfair overcharging.(Do you know how much he charges? It's daylight robbery) |
| (idiom) de facto=in fact; in reality( Although the Emperor was the head of state, the de facto ruler of Japan was the Shogun.) |
| (idiom) de ja vu = literally means 'already seen'; an illusion of experiencing the event/scene earlier. |
| (idiom) dead as a dodo=completely dead or extinct. |
| (idiom) dead as a doornail=quite dead (The bug was dead as a doornail after he stepped on it.) |
| (idiom) dead cert=Something that is certain or likely to happen: certainty, suspect, inevitability... someone or something that is definitely going to be successful or to win something. a dead cert for: Stewart is a dead cert for the men's 100 metres. |
| (idiom) dead duck=a person or thing that is defunct or has no chance of success.(travel promotions are a dead duck as far as marketing directors are concerned) |
| (idiom) dead in the water=(of a ship) unable to move.(the vessel was dead in the water with no engine power) |
| (idiom) dead loss=a venture or situation which produces no profit./a person or thing that is completely useless. |
| (idiom) dead man walking=A condemned prisoner walking to a death chamber or other place of execution. Someone who is soon to die. Someone who is about to face an unavoidable loss (though the person may not realize it). |
| (idiom) dead right=If someone is dead right, it means that he/she is absolutely correct. |
| (idiom) dead set against=Completely opposed to, as in( His parents were dead set against his taking a year off from college.) |
| (idiom) dead to the world=fast asleep. |
| (idiom) dead wood=people or things that are no longer useful or productive.(a lot of the company's dead wood was removed by voluntary redundancy) |
| (idiom) deal in something=to buy and sell something. (a small company that deals in rare books.) |
| (idiom) deck out=put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive(She never dresses up, even when she goes to the opera) |
| (idiom) deep down= if you know or feel something deep down, you do know or feel it, although you try to pretend that you do not. |
| (idiom) deep pockets=used to refer to the possession of abundant financial resources(these companies have very deep pockets and don't mind spending a lot of loot to get their projects off the ground) |
| (idiom) deliver the goods=provide that which is promised or expected.(the command economy can't deliver the goods) |
| (idiom) devil is in the details=mistakes are usually made in the small details of a project. Usually it is a caution to pay attention to avoid failure. |
| (idiom) devil takes the hindmost=An imprecation that everyone should look after their own interests, leaving those who cannot cope to whatever fate befalls them. |
| (idiom) devil-may-care attitude(গোঁয়ার গোবিন্দ মনোভাব)=A person who has a very casual attitude about thinking in general is said to have devil – may – care attitude. |
| (idiom) devil's advocate=a person who expresses a contentious opinion in order to provoke debate or test the strength of the opposing arguments.(the interviewer will need to play devil's advocate, to put the other side's case forward) |
| (idiom) devils make hard work for idle hands=it is said to show that you believe people who have nothing to do are more likely to get into trouble or commit a crime. |
| (idiom) Dhoni effect=With more money flowing into consumers' pockets, the country's urban market place has expanded from metros to smaller cities. |
| (idiom) dial it back= It means to reduce the strength or intensity of something. (eg It was very hot in my home, so I dialled back the heating system.) |
| (idiom) dice are loaded=If everything seems to work to your disadvantages and you are not likely to succeed, you can say that the dice are loaded against you. |
| (idiom) dice with death= take serious risks |
| (idiom) dicey(অনিশ্চিত) situation= a situation fraught with risks and danger. |
| (idiom) die with one's boots on=die in battle or while actively occupied.(The soldier had died with his boots on, caught by suction in a waste pipe) |
| (idiom) die is cast=a decision is made that cannot be changed .(When the first shot was fired, the die was cast and a revolution began.) |
| (idiom) different kettle of fish=an awkward, difficult, or bad situation; muddle; mess: He's managed to get himself into a fine kettle of fish! |
| (idiom) different strokes for different folks=different things appeal to different people. |
| (idiom) dig in one's heels(toes or feet)= resist stubbornly; refuse to give in.(officials dug their heels in on particular points) |
| (idiom) dig one's own grave=do something foolish which causes one's downfall.(you're digging your own grave by walking away right now) |
| (idiom) dim view=to disapprove of something: . ( When I was asked to give my son the permission, I took a dim view and did not permit him) |
| (idiom) dip one's toes in the water= begin to do something novel or unfamiliar(She's eager to go to Europe and has been getting her toes wet by getting travel information. ) |
| (idiom) directionally accurate= a thought or strategy that is valid but still requires refinement; "It is directionally accurate." |
| (idiom) disaster written all over = If something, such as a plan or idea, has disaster written all over it, it is thought to be heading for complete failure or will cause a lot of trouble. |
| (idiom) disenfranchised grief=the death of a friend, the loss of a pet, a trauma in the family a generation prior, the loss of a home/place of residence (particularly in the case of children, who generally have little or no control in such situations) |
| (idiom) dissenting voice= to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view.(Chief Minister disliked the dissenting voices of the oppsition parties) |
| (idiom) distorted grief=Extreme, intense, or atypical reactions to a loss – odd changes in behavior and self-destructive actions. Anger and hostility towards oneself or others are common. |
| (idiom) dive in head first=with the head leading. : without taking time to think about your actions. |
| (idiom) do a disappearing act=To vanish from sight or flee suddenly from a place.( My kids always do a disappearing act when I tell them it's time for their chores) |
| (idiom) do a double take=a rapid or surprised second look, either literal or figurative, at a person or situation whose significance had not been completely grasped at first: His friends did a double take when they saw how much weight he had lost. |
| (idiom) do a world of good= to make someone feel much healthier or happier(Kenny G's saxophone pieces have done me a world of good) |
| (idiom) do justice to someone/something= to be accurate or fair by representing someone or something as that person or thing truly is: Just calling the movie “fun” doesn't do it justice (= it is better than just “fun”). |
| (idiom) do more harm than good=inadvertently make a situation worse rather than better.(hasty legislation does more harm than good) |
| (idiom) do nothing by halves=to put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into doing things, often more than is necessary:(I didn't realize you were decorating the whole house." "Oh, we don't do things by halves round here) |
| (idiom) do someone a good turn=Do something that is helpful (or unhelpful) for someone:( he was a friend of mine, and had done me some good turns over the previous few months.) |
| (idiom) do someone's dirty work=to do something unpleasant for them because they don't want to do it for themselves.(I'm sick of doing his dirty work for him, but if I refuse he'll ask someone else to tell me I'm fired.) |
| (idiom) do the spadework=difficult work that is done especially to prepare for something ..(. She had her assistants do the spadework in preparation for the trial.) |
| (idiom) do the trick= to do exactly what is wanted or neede(Next time you have a toothache, take some analgesic. That will do the trick.) |
| (idiom) dog and pony show= a demonstration; a speech, skit, or other presentation that is presented often. (Don't you get tired of running through the same old dog and pony show at every trade show?) |
| (idiom) dog in the manger=someone who keeps something that they do not want in order to prevent someone else from getting it. |
| (idiom) dog with two tails=used to say that someone is very happy about something( Priya will be like a dog with two tails if she gets into the team.) |
| (idiom) dog-eat-dog=used to describe a situation in which people compete with each other for success in a cruel and selfish way.(marked by ruthless self-interest |
| (idiom) doggies bag=a small bag that a restaurant provides so that you can take home any food you have not finished. |
| (idiom) dog's breakfast= a poor piece of work; a mess.(we made a real dog's breakfast of it) |
| (idiom) dog's life= A miserably unhappy existence, ( He's been leading a dog's life since his wife left him.) |
| (idiom) doing anything in broad strokes= doing it ina general way without giving details.(he did not say much, he just talked in broad strokes) |
| (idiom) domino effect= a situation in which one event or action causes several other things to happen one after the other |
| (idiom) done deal = An irrevocable agreement,(Once you've signed the lease, it's a done deal) |
| (idiom) done thing= what you are expected to do in a social situation |
| (idiom) donkey work= the boring or laborious part of a job; drudgery.(supervisors who get a research student to do the donkey work) |
| (idiom) donkey's years=“donkey's years” is supported by the belief that donkeys live a long time. |
| (idiom) doom and gloom=a general feeling of pessimism or despondency.(the national feeling of doom and gloom) |
| (idiom) door swings both ways=the same principle or argument applies to both sides of a situation.(Look, you do not like my assistance, but the door swings both ways) |
| (idiom) dotcom bubble=A rapid rise in equity markets fueled by investments in internet-based companies. During the dotcom bubble of the late 1990s, the value of equity markets grew exponentially, with the technology-dominated Nasdaq index. |
| (idiom) double-cross=deceive or betray (a person with whom one is supposedly cooperating).(he was blackmailed into double-crossing his own government) |
| (idiom) double-digit inflation=denoting inflation percentage greater than ten .(<100) |
| (idiom) doubting Thomas=a person who is sceptical and refuses to believe something without proof(I was a real doubting Thomas. I didn't believe the stuff would work) |
| (idiom) down at heel= (of a shoe) with the heel worn down/having a poor, shabby appearance.(down-at-heel areas) |
| (idiom) down in the dumps= In a gloomy or depressed mood: (After losing the student election, (Ajoy really felt down in the dumps.) |
| (idiom) down in the mouth = dejected, unhappy . |
| (idiom) down payment=an initial payment made when something is bought on credit.(it had taken their savings to make the down payment on a house) |
| (idiom) down the drain= On the way to being lost or wasted; disappearing. (Buying new furniture when they can't take it with them is just pouring money down the drain) |
| (idiom) down to earth=with no illusions or pretensions; practical and realistic.(a down-to-earth view of marriage) |
| (idiom) down to the wire=used to denote a situation whose outcome is not decided until the very last minute.(it was probable that the test of nerves would go down to the wire) |
| (idiom) downhill all the way=(+sense)be easy in comparison with what came before.(it should have been downhill all the way); (-sense)become worse or less successful.(that had been the start of the present trouble—downhill all the way since then) |
| (idiom) Down's syndrome=a congenital disorder arising from a chromosome defect, causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities including short stature and a broad facial profile |
| (idiom) draconian rule=(of laws or their application) excessively harsh and severe. |
| (idiom) drag one's feet= walk slowly and wearily or with difficulty.(they dragged their feet through the orchard towards the house) |
| (idiom) drastic times call for drastic measures=it means when you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions or if you are put in an extreme situation, you might have to do an extreme response. |
| (idiom) draw a blank=elicit no successful response; fail.(the search drew a blank) |
| (idiom) draw a line in the sand=a point (physical, decisional, etc.) beyond which one will proceed no further. (a person who might agree to visit a bar with his friends, but will go no further (i.e., not partake in drinking alcohol). |
| (idiom) draw flak =criticism, hostile reaction, abuse(Such an unpopular decision is bound to draw a lot of flak from the press.) |
| (idiom) draw the line=set a limit on what one is willing to do or accept.(He shared the domestic work but drew the line at laundry and mending) |
| (idiom) dream ticket=a pair of candidates standing together for political office who are ideally matched to attract widespread support. |
| (idiom) dressed to kill=wearing glamorous clothes intended to create a striking impression. |
| (idiom) dressed upto nines=to be wearing fashionable or formal clothes for a special occasion:(Soham went out dressed up to the nines.) |
| (idiom) dressed upto the nines="to perfection" or "to the highest degree" or to dress "buoyantly and high class". |
| (idiom) dribs and drabs=in small scattered or sporadic amounts.(more folk followed in dribs and drabs) |
| (idiom) drift apart=(of two or more people) gradually become less intimate or friendly(Ashim and his father drifted apart) |
| (idiom) drink like a fish=drink excessive amounts of alcohol.(he stayed sober—except on Sundays when he would lock himself away and drink like a fish) |
| (idiom) drive a hard bargain=be uncompromising in making a deal.(the company's prowess in driving a hard bargain has placed severe pressure on suppliers) |
| (idiom) drive up the wall=Make someone very irritated or angry: (it's driving me up the wall trying to find out who did what.)( each one was rude or stubborn or had some irritating habit that drove him up the wall. |
| (idiom) drop a bombshell=Make an unexpected or shattering announcement. (Rohan dropped a bombshell when he said he was quitting.) |
| (idiom) drop in the ocean= a very small amount compared to the amount needed: |
| (idiom) drop like a hot potato= To discontinue or get rid of very quickly 🙁 When she frowned I dropped the topic like a hot potato) |
| (idiom) drop like flies=Rapidly collapse, die, or drop out, usually referring to a group rather than an individual. (The words were so difficult that the spelling bee contestants were dropping like flies.) |
| (idiom) drop of a hat=something is. happening instantly, without any delay.(We're all packed and ready to go; we can leave at the drop of a hat.) |
| (idiom) drop someone a line=send someone a note or letter in a casual manner.(drop me a line at the usual address) |
| (idiom) drum into someone's head=To educate someone of something through intense and frequent repetition. (The teacher tried drumming the material into their heads before the statewide exam,) |
| (idiom) dry as dust= extremely dry /dull and uninteresting(the story was as dry as dust) |
| (idiom) dry(dummy) run=a trial or test procedure which is carried out in order to see if a plan or process works properly. |
| (idiom) dumb charade=A game in which words or phrases are represented in pantomime, sometimes syllable by syllable, until they are guessed by the other players. |
| (idiom) dumb/close as an oyster=someone who never divulges any confidence. |
| (idiom) dumbing down= revise so as to appeal to those of little education or intelligence.(Nowadays TV serials are dumbing down to get their top TRPs) |
| (idiom) dusk to dawn= Starting from the period(between sunset and nightfall) to very early morning |
| (idiom) dust bunnies=the balls of fluff, dust and hair that accumulate under the bed or in corners of the house. |
| (idiom) dust has settled=when the matters have calmed down (The merger is complete, and when the dust has settled we can start on new projects. ) |
| (idiom) duty bound=morally or legally obliged to do something.(legitimate news stories which the press is duty-bound to report) |
| (idiom) dwell on something=to keep thinking or talking about something, especially something bad or unpleasant: (In his speech, he dwelt on the plight of the sick and the hungry.) |
| (idiom) dwell time= how long people are likely to spend looking at an advertisement, buying goods, etc/In transportation, terminal dwell time refers to the time a vehicle such as a public transit bus or train spends at a scheduled stop without moving. |
| (idiom) dyed-in-the-wool=unchanging in a particular belief or opinion; inveterate.(she's a true blue dyed-in-the-wool Conservative) |
| (idiom) dying for something= to be extremely eager to have or do something: |
| (idiom) dystopian world(Opp. Utopian world) =it describes an imaginary society that is as dehumanizing and as unpleasant as possible.(inhabited by fairies,pixies,cyborse and unicorns) |
| (idiom) eager beaver=a keen and enthusiastic person who works very hard. |
| (idiom) eagle eyes=a keen or close watch.(she was keeping an eagle eye on her daughter) |
| (idiom) earmark something=to put (money) aside for a special purpose.(Rs10 crores have been earmarked by the Govt for the repairing of the avenues) |
| (idiom) easy as pie= used to describe a task /experience as pleasurable and simple. The idiom does not refer to the making of a pie, but rather to the act of consuming a pie ("as easy as eating a pie") which is usually a simple& pleasurable experience. |
| (idiom) easy does it=used to advise someone to approach a task carefully and slowly.(with father's wine in the back I mustn't drive too fast, so easy does it) |
| (idiom) eat a horse=used to say that you are extremely hungry. |
| (idiom) eat crow= humiliation by admitting wrongness or having been proven wrong after taking a strong position. (He had no other choice but to eat crow and admit his fault) |
| (idiom) eat dirt=suffer insults or humiliation.(the film bombed at the box office and the critics made it eat dirt) |
| (idiom) eat one's words=retract what one has said, especially in a humiliated way.(they will eat their words when I win) |
| (idiom) eat out of someone's hand=Be manipulated or dominated by another, be submissive( He had the press eating out of his hand. ) |
| (idiom) eat someone alive=(of insects) bite someone many times.(we were eaten alive by mosquitoes) |
| (idiom) eat someone out of house and home=Eat so much as to deplete someone's resources( The kids are eating her out of house and home.) |
| (idiom) eat, sleep and breathe something=If you eat, sleep and breathe something, then that means you are obsessed with it and spend most of your time doing it. |
| (idiom) eat/dip into one's savings=to take out part of the money one has been saving. …(I have to dip into my savings for my son's education) |
| (idiom) eco friendly=not harmful to the environment.(I use only eco-friendly products) |
| (idiom) economical with the truth=to avoid revealing too much of the truth. (When asked by neighbour the cause of their last night family quarrel, the clever boy was economical with the truth. He just pleaded his absence at the material time) |
| (idiom) edge of one's seat=In suspense; waiting eagerly or anxiously for some resolution. (The movie had me on the edge of my seat right from the beginning.) |
| (idiom) egg someone on=encourage( She was egging him on to fight.) |
| (idiom) ego trip=an activity done in order to increase one's sense of self-importance.(driving that car was the biggest ego trip I'd ever had) |
| (idiom) eke out living(অভাবপূরণ করা)=to support (existence) with difficulty and effort(you can eke out your income by taking a second job, but you can't eke out your existence. ) |
| (idiom) el dorado(কল্পিত স্বর্ণভূমি)=a place of fabulous wealth or opportunity. |
| (idiom) elbow grease(কঠোর শ্রম)=hard physical work, especially vigorous polishing or cleaning.(nothing would shift it however much elbow grease we used) |
| (idiom) elbow room(চলাফেরার পক্ষে পর্যাপ্ত জায়গা)=adequate space to move or work in.(a restaurant with more elbow room) |
| (idiom) electra complex = the attachment of a daughter to her father with hostility to her mother. |
| (idiom) elephant in the room= If you say there is an elephant in the room, you mean that there is an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about. |
| (idiom) eleventh hour=The last minute: “The water bombers arrived at the eleventh hour — just in time to prevent the forest fire from engulfing the town.” |
| (idiom) elixir of life(জীবনের স্পর্শমণি)= to prolong life indefinitely. (an elixir is a sweet substance or solution that cures the problem at hand.) |
| (idiom) embarrassment of riches=it means an overabundance of something, or too much of a good thing(we were puzzled at several food items in the dinner - it was an embarrassment of riches) |
| (idiom) employee onboarding=systematic and comprehensive approach to orienting a new employee to help them get "on board." |
| (idiom) en masse(সার্বজনীনভােব)= in group; all together(the cabinet immediately resigned en masse) |
| (idiom) end in smoke (to produce no concrete or positive result) |
| (idiom) end in tears(If a situation ends in tears, people involved in it become disappointed or angry ). |
| (idiom) end in(To involve, or to be the result of something: result, follow, come out of ) |
| (idiom) enough said=there is no need to say more; all is understood. ("Your father has again taken alcohol today" mother cried to her son. "Enough said" was the reply. ) |
| (idiom) err on the side of caution=take a comparatively safe course of action when presented with a choice.(it is better for a doctor to err on the side of caution and follow the most restrictive view of the law) |
| (idiom) errand of mercy=a journey or mission carried out to help someone in difficulty or danger.(We were there on an errand of mercy to help provide medical care for the refugees.) |
| (idiom) et al = et alia= and others(The article was written by Smith, Jones, Paul, et al.") |
| (idiom) et cetera; etc=and the rest; and so on; and more (We urgently need to buy medical equipment, drugs et cetera.) |
| (idiom) even a worm will turn= a meek person will resist or retaliate if pushed too far.(it was predictable that one day the worm would turn) |
| (idiom) even keel(অবিচলিতভাবে)= to have a calm even disposition.(the distressed parents tried to be on an even keel at the news of detection of their son's cancer) |
| (idiom) even steven=used in reference to fair and equal competition or distribution of resources.(I split the money with my wife even-steven) |
| (idiom) even the score=to exact revenge, to exact retribution.( He tried to even the score but did consider what the full outcome might be.) |
| (idiom) every dog has its day=everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives. |
| (idiom) every dog has its day=everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives.(Well, I did not get the chance now but I must get it someday. Every dog has its day) |
| (idiom) every Tom, Dick and Harry= everyone/everybody(Nowadays every Tom,Dick and Harry has a mobile phone) |
| (idiom) evil doers=a person who commits profoundly immoral and wicked deeds.(his concept of justice demanded vengeance against evildoers) |
| (idiom) e-waste=discarded electronic appliances such as mobile phones, computers, and televisions. |
| (idiom) ex gratia=from kindness or grace (without recognizing any liability or legal obligation)( They received an undisclosed ex gratia payment.) |
| (idiom) ex libris=from the books; fromthe library (In the front of a book: Ex Libris John Brown) |
| (idiom) ex tempore=Spoken, carried out, or composed with little or no preparation or forethought: an extempore speech. (verb- extemporize) |
| (idiom) exaggerated grief=Characterized by extreme &excessive grief reactions possibly to include nightmares, self-destructive behaviors, drug abuse, thoughts of suicide, abnormal fears, &development of psychiatric disorders. |
| (idiom) exception proves the rule=well understood/self-evident (When all of the other committee members are dishonest, the Chairman is the exception that proves the rule - he is the only honest man ) |
| (idiom) excuse my French=forgive my strong language(apology for using crude or offensive language) ('He is a bloody rascal', please excuse my French) |
| (idiom) existential narcissism=Existential narcissism is just that – narcissism that we all have, because we're human beings – because we exist. |
| (idiom) exit poll=an opinion poll of people leaving a polling station, asking how they voted. |
| (idiom) exponential growth=growth whose rate becomes ever more rapid in proportion to the growing total number or size.(the exponential growth of the world's population/Compound interest is an example of exponential growth) |
| (idiom) eye someone's wealth=Her husband has an eye to her father's wealth)(eye of greed) |
| (idiom) eyes in the back of your head= to know everything that is happening around you: .(nowadays it is necessary to have your eyes in the back of your head to look after grown up children) |
| (idiom) eyes like a hawk=you are good at noticing details or simply you have a very good eyesight(My father must unfold the mystery, she has eyes like a hawk) |
| (idiom) eyes on stalks=If your eyes are out on stalks, they are wide open with surprise(People's eyes were on stalks when special announcements were made) |
| (idiom) face time=time spent in face-to-face contact with someone./time spent being filmed or photographed by the media. |
| (idiom) face value=the apparent worth or implication of something.(her lie was unconvincing, but he took it at face value) |
| (idiom) fads and whims(ঝোঁক ও খেয়ালখুশি)=an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something as also a sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual. |
| (idiom) fag end=the last part of something, especially when regarded as less important or interesting.(the fag end of Indian Cricket session) |
| (idiom) fait accompli=a thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it.(the results were presented to shareholders as a fait accompli) |
| (idiom) fall on deaf ears=(of a statement or request) be ignored.(their pleas fell on deaf ears) |
| (idiom) far cry="very different from."(If you live in a tiny cottage and your next door neighbor has an enormous mansion, you could say that your house is a far cry from your neighbor's.) |
| (idiom) far sighted=showing a prudent awareness of future possibilities.(far-sighted ideas on education) |
| (idiom) far-fetched=unlikely and unconvincing; implausible.(the theory sounded bizarre and far-fetched) |
| (idiom) far-flung=distant or remote.(the far-flung corners of the world) |
| (idiom) far-reaching consequence=Having a wide range, influence, or effect. |
| (idiom) farting around=The act or process of wandering aimlessly with no particular goal. |
| (idiom) fat cat=a wealthy and powerful person, especially a business person or politician.(a fat-cat developer) |
| (idiom) Fata Morgana=. A mirage: the war sometimes seemed unreal, more Fata Morgana than memory … |
| (idiom) faux pas(ভুল পদক্ষেপ)=tactless mistake; an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation.(I was suddenly sick in the back of their car’—it was years before he could confess his faux pas to them) |
| (idiom) feel blue=if you feel blue, you are feeling sad or unwell, mainly associated with depression or unhappiness |
| (idiom) feel good factor=a widespread feeling of well-being and financial security, especially viewed as a factor in increased consumer spending. |
| (idiom) feeling groovy=feeling excellent |
| (idiom) fiery hot=passionate(a fiery look, temper) (fiery=consisting of fire or burning strongly and brightly.) |
| (idiom) fifth wheel=a superfluous, unneeded, or unwanted person or thing: They enjoy making any outsider feel like a fifth wheel. |
| (idiom) fight tooth and nail(শ্রমসাধ্য প্রেচষ্টা করা) = Engage in vigorous combat or make a strenuous effort, using all one's resources. ( I'm going to fight tooth and nail for that promotion. ) |
| (idiom) fit of fury=a sudden angry reaction (He smashed his fist against the wall in a fit of fury) |
| (idiom) fit of raze= violent and uncontrolled anger |
| (idiom) flame war=a lengthy exchange of angry or abusive messages between users of an Internet message board or forum.(when people engage in flame wars, they often do battle from behind the cloak of anonymity) |
| (idiom) flash flood=a sudden local flood, typically due to heavy rain. |
| (idiom) flash mob=a large public gathering at which people perform an unusual or seemingly random act and then disperse, typically organized by means of the Internet or social media. (Dancing teenagers flash mobbed the store) |
| (idiom) flash out= to get highly upset with another person (this may lead to an altercation.) |
| (idiom) flea market(সস্তা জিনিষের খোলা বাজার)=a street market selling second-hand goods. |
| (idiom) flesh and blood=used to refer to a person's physical body and their needs and frailties, often as opposed to their mind or soul.(the strain on his self-control had been more than flesh and blood could endure) |
| (idiom) flip side(উল্টানো পাশ)=another aspect or version of something, especially its reverse or its unwanted concomitant.(flip side of a coin)(our recent pessimism is the flip side of an exaggerated optimism) |
| (idiom) flip-flop(ডিগবাজি)=make an abrupt reversal of policy.(the candidate flip-flopped on a number of issues) |
| (idiom) flora and fauna(উদ্ভিদ ও প্রাণীজগত)=the flora and fauna of a place are its plants and animals |
| (idiom) fluorescent childhood=a child who, through overexposure to television, movies and music, grows up too quickly and without substance. They later feel remorse for the childhood that they skipped over. |
| (idiom) fold something in/into=fold something in/into something to use a spoon or knife to add something slowly and gently to a mixture. Fold the cocoa into the cake mixture. |
| (idiom) follow suit(অন্যের দেখানো পথ অনুসরণ করা)= conform to other's actions(My brother went to work for a bank, and my sister too followed suit. Now they are both head cashiers. He went out to dinner, but she didn't follow suit. She stayed home.) |
| (idiom) fool proof(এতই সরল যে কোনোভাবেই তার ভুল ব্যাখ্যা করা সম্ভব নয়)=incapable of going wrong or being misused.(a foolproof security system) |
| (idiom) for crying out loud=used to express one's irritation or impatience.(Why do you have to take everything so personally, for crying out loud?) |
| (idiom) for the birds=what is be (strictly) for the birds: to be stupid or not important. |
| (idiom) for the time being= for the present; until some other arrangement is made.(we can adopt the policy for the time being) |
| (idiom) forge ahead(দৃঢ়গতিতে উন্নতি করা)=progress rapidly/take the lead or make good progress.(it may be that exports are forging ahead whilst home sales sag) |
| (idiom) foul play(জুয়াচুরি)=criminal or violent behaviour, in particular when resulting in another's death.(the man appeared to have died as a result of a fall, and foul play was not suspected) |
| (idiom) FRAPING(Facebook Trapping)= log on to someone else's profile on Facebook(without his/her knowledge) |
| (idiom) french leave=absence from work or duty without permission.(the caretaker had taken French leave) |
| (idiom) Freudian slip(parapraxis)=an unintentional error regarded as revealing subconscious feelings.(when a rogue slips over a banana peel, a Freudian slip is mostly heard 'tit fot tat' by the common people.) |
| (idiom) fringe benefit=an extra benefit supplementing an employee's money wage or salary, for example a company car, private health care, etc.(some occupations offer an employer's pension as a fringe benefit) |
| (idiom) frog in the throat=to be unable to speak clearly until you give a slight cough. Excuse me, I've got a bit of a frog in my throat. |
| (idiom) from the word go=from the very beginning.(The student started creating trouble right from the word go) |
| (idiom) full-fledged=completely developed. a full-fledged riot/battle. |
| (idiom) futile attempt= incapable of producing any result (the decoits made futile attempts to rob the Bank) |
| (idiom) game changer=an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current way of doing or thinking about something. |
| (idiom) game not worth the candle=What we would get from this undertaking is not worth the effort we would have to put into it.(eg in a game of cards in which the stakes are smaller than the cost of burning a candle for light by which to play. |
| (idiom) gaming the system=Gaming the system is manipulation or exploitation of the rules designed to govern a given system in an attempt to gain an advantage over other users. |
| (idiom) gatecrash = enter (a party or other gathering) without an invitation or ticket. (you have gatecrashed a private meeting) |
| (idiom) gather dust=remain unused. (some professors let their computers gather dust) |
| (idiom) gather(or collect) dust= remain unused.(some professors let their computers gather dust) |
| (idiom) gentleman's agreement=an arrangement or understanding which is based upon the trust of both or all parties, rather than being legally binding. (a gentleman's agreement by the grain growers not to enter the wheat market) |
| (idiom) get a grip on yourself=to make an effort to control your emotions and behave more calmly.(Come on, get a grip, we've got an important meeting in five minutes. I just think he ought to get a grip on himself - he's behaving like a child.) |
| (idiom) get a kick out of= to enjoy, to find delight in (something)(This book is just the kind you like and you'll get a real kick out of it.) |
| (idiom) get a load of = used to draw attention to someone or something. (get a load of that blonde girl!) |
| (idiom) get a move on = hurry up. (get a move on or you'll be late) |
| (idiom) get a raw deal=bad or unfair treatment:.Someone was getting/being given a raw deal by being taught in classes that were too large. |
| (idiom) get a rise out of = provoke an angry or irritated response from (someone), especially by teasing. |
| (idiom) get a second bite of the cherry = another opportunity to do something (He missed a medal in the 100 metres, but will get a second bite of the cherry in the 400 metres) |
| (idiom) get a second bite/two bites at the cherry=to get a second chance at something.(He failed his driving test last week. But he’ll get a second bite of the cherry next month. Hopefully he’ll pass second time round.” |
| (idiom) get a word in edgeways=to not be able to say anything because someone else is talking all the time:( She was talking so much that nobody else could get a word in edgeways!) |
| (idiom) get around to do something=after a long delay; (I finally got around to buying a new coat.) |
| (idiom) get away with blue murder=succeed in doing whatever one chooses without being punished or suffering any disadvantage. (some local authorities are letting estate agents get away with murder) |
| (idiom) get comeuppance=to get a deserved punishment.( I can't wait till that perverted man gets his comeuppance) |
| (idiom) get cracking=act quickly and decisively. (most tickets have been snapped up, so get cracking if you want one) |
| (idiom) get down to brass tacks=start to consider the basic facts or practical details.(we've had a meeting as to the general terms, and now we're going to get down to brass tacks) |
| (idiom) get down to brass tags=start to consider the basic facts or practical details. (we've had a meeting as to the general terms, and now we're going to get down to brass tacks) |
| (idiom) get hold of = grasp physically. |
| (idiom) get into gear = start to work/become effective (a few days out of the office it always takes me a while to get into gear when I come back.) |
| (idiom) get off one's back = No longer harassing or bothering someone. It is often put as get off someone's back or case (I told her to get off my back?I'll mow the lawn tomorrow) |
| (idiom) get off the ground = start or cause to start happening successfully. (there'd have to be a public inquiry before the project got off the ground) |
| (idiom) get off the hook=getting out of a situation which is analogous to a fish being let off the fishing hook and let free to go. Example: The prosecutor dropped the charges against her so she is off the hook. |
| (idiom) get on in years=growing old (Although she's getting on in years, she still looks young. ) |
| (idiom) get on one's nerves=to annoy someone, especially by doing something again and again (The telephone hadn't stopped ringing all morning and it was starting to grate on my nerves.) |
| (idiom) get on your high horse=you are suggesting they stop behaving in a superior manner ⇒( It is time the community got off its moral high horse and started searching for answers.) |
| (idiom) get on/along like a house on fire=have a very good and friendly relationship. (My mother and my neighbouring aunt got on like a house on fire) |
| (idiom) get one's act together=galvanize oneself into organizing one's affairs effectively. |
| (idiom) get one's feet wet=begin to participate in an activity. |
| (idiom) get one's fingers burnt=(especially in a financial context) suffer unpleasant consequences as a result of one's actions, discouraging one from trying a similar action again. |
| (idiom) get one's hands dirty=do manual, menial, or other hard work. |
| (idiom) get one's knickers in a twist= become upset or angry. |
| (idiom) get one's skates on = hurry up. "I'll tell him to get his skates on" |
| (idiom) get one's tongue around=to pronounce a difficult word or phrase( I just can't get my tongue around some of those place names of South India) |
| (idiom) get out of doing something=To avoid doing something, |
| (idiom) get out of hand=If a situation gets out of hand, it cannot be controlled any more(things got a little out of hand at the party and three windows were broken. ) |
| (idiom) get out of hand=to become difficult to control: |
| (idiom) get rid of=take action so as to be free of (a troublesome or unwanted person or thing).(we have been campaigning to get rid of the car tax for 20 years) |
| (idiom) get round todeal with (a task) in due course.(I might get round to organizing another trip in the spring) |
| (idiom) get someone by short hairs= To have someone in a difficult situation in which he or she is without alternatives and can be controlled. |
| (idiom) get someone's drift = to understand the general or basic meaning of what someone is saying(get someone's drift in a sentence.) |
| (idiom) get someone's drift=purport (I didn't get the drift—do they want to go or not?) |
| (idiom) get someone's goat = irritate someone |
| (idiom) get something out of one's system = get rid of a preoccupation or anxiety. (yelling is an ace way of getting stress out of your system) |
| (idiom) get the better of = gain an advantage over or defeat (someone) by superior strength or ability. (no one has ever got the better of her yet) |
| (idiom) get the boot/axe=Be discharged/fired,dispelled/rejected(The engineer who was with the office for last 18 years was shocked when he got the boot for a petty mistake.) |
| (idiom) get the jitters = feeling of nervousness that you experience before something ... I always get the jitters the morning before an exam. |
| (idiom) get the jitters a feeling of nervousness that you experience before something important happens:(I always get the jitters the morning before an exam) |
| (idiom) get the message=understand what is implied by a remark or action. (as soon as you tell students they'd do better on a more practical course they get the message they're dum-dums) |
| (idiom) get the picture = to understand |
| (idiom) get the sack=To be dismissed, with prejudice 🙁 If they protested, they got the sack.) |
| (idiom) get the show on the road = begin (or continue with) an undertaking or enterprise.(Let's get this show on the road?we're late already.) |
| (idiom) get to the bottom of = find an explanation for (a mystery). (the health authority was determined to get to the bottom of what went wrong) |
| (idiom) get wind of something= to learn of something; to hear about something.( The police got wind of the illegal drug deal) |
| (idiom) get wise to somebody/something=to know about and not be fooled by someone or something (He called in sick almost every Monday, and the boss quickly got wise to him) |
| (idiom) get worked up =gradually bring someone, especially oneself, to a state of intense excitement, anger, or anxiety. (he got all worked up and started shouting and swearing) |
| (idiom) get your act together=to start to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way:(She's so disorganized - I wish she'd get her act together.) |
| (idiom) get your lines/wires crossed=if two people get their lines crossed, they do not understand each other correctly(Somehow we got our lines crossed because I'd got the 23rd written down in my diary and she had the 16th.) |
| (idiom) get/give the all clear=permission to proceed because obstacles have been removed |
| (idiom) get/give the call clear= Free from doubt or confusion; certain |
| (idiom) get/give the low-down=getting the skinny or full disclosure of the situation |
| (idiom) get/grate on somebody's nerves=to annoy someone, esp by doing something again & again If we spend too much time together, we end up getting on each other's nerves. |
| (idiom) get/have cold feet=to be too fearful to undertake or complete an action |
| (idiom) get/have one's ducks in a row=get (or have) one's facts straight; get (or have) everything organized. (I want to have my ducks in a row before I go in there and confront them) |
| (idiom) get/have something down to have a fine art=get (or have) one's facts straight; get (or have) everything organized. (I want to have my ducks in a row before I go in there and confront them) |
| (idiom) get/receive one's just deserts= receive what one deserves, especially appropriate punishment. (those who caused great torment to others rarely got their just deserts) |
| (idiom) gift of the gab= you have the natural ability to talk in a way that people find entertaining or persuasive. For example: All good salespeople have the gift of the gab, so people trust them and believe whatever they say. |
| (idiom) give a dog its name = A person who is generally known to have been guilty of some offence will always be suspected to be the author of all similar types of offence. Once someone has gained a bad reputation, it is very difficult to lose it. |
| (idiom) give a hard time= to make things difficult or unpleasant for someone:( Her kids always give her a hard time when she takes them shopping) |
| (idiom) give a piece of your mind = to speak angrily to someone about something they have done wrong:( I'm going to give that mechanic a piece of my mind if the car's not fixed this time.) |
| (idiom) give a run for money=(to challenge someone) (To want a run for your money is to want a horse that you have placed a bet on to participate in the race.) |
| (idiom) give a tongue lashing = to speak angrily to that person about something that they have done wrong: (He got a real tongue lashing after the game.) |
| (idiom) give a wide berth=Steer a ship well clear of something while passing it:( ships are advised to give the islands a wide berth.) |
| (idiom) give as good as one gets=respond with equal force when attacked. (her male colleagues do tease her, but she says, I just give as good as I get) |
| (idiom) give benefit of doubt=to decide that you will believe someone, even though you are not sure that what the person is saying is true:( She said she was late because her flight was canceled, and we gave her the benefit of the doubt.) |
| (idiom) give it a rest = used to ask someone to stop talking about something that the speaker finds irritating.(give it a rest, lads—agree to differ) |
| (idiom) give one's right arm=used to convey how much one would like to have or do something.(I'd give my right arm to go with them) |
| (idiom) give or take = to within a specified amount.(three hundred and fifty years ago, give or take a few) |
| (idiom) give rough edge of tongue=to speak angrily to someone( The boss gave me the rough side of her tongue for being late twice this week.) |
| (idiom) give someone a runaround= To delay, dodge, or frustrate …( They gave me the runaround when I called.) |
| (idiom) give someone rough edge of your tongue= to speak with somebody angrily. ... |
| (idiom) give the game(or show) away=inadvertently reveal something secret. (to make sure he didn't give the game away I gave him a swift kick in the shin under the table) |
| (idiom) give the once over=to look at someone or examine something very quickly, in order to see what they are like.( He gave the new guy the once-over and decided he looked all right.) |
| (idiom) give up the ghost = to die in a submissive, peaceful fashion; or to die quickly, with finality, often brutally.(The freight-train barreling towards him, his foot still stuck, no time, he decided to give up the ghost.) |
| (idiom) gizmo = a gadget, especially one whose name the speaker does not know or cannot recall.(the latest multimedia gizmo) |
| (idiom) glad rags=clothes for a special occasion; smart or showy clothes.(she changed out of her glad rags and tugged on old jeans) |
| (idiom) glass ceiling = an unacknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession, especially affecting women and members of minorities.(the first female to break through the glass ceiling in Engineering) |
| (idiom) glass cliff=the phenomenon of women in leadership roles,eg executives in the corporate world & women political election candidates, being likelier than men to be put in leadership roles during periods of crisis . |
| (idiom) global warming=a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs(Chlorofluorocarbon), and other pollutants. |
| (idiom) gloss over=to make it seem not important, and to quickly continue talking about something else: (She glossed over the company's declining profits.) |
| (idiom) gloves are off = you start fighting or competing hard in order to achieve something. |
| (idiom) glowing terms= in a very enthusiastic way |
| (idiom) glutton for punishment = Someone who habitually takes on burdensome or unpleasant tasks or unreasonable amounts of work. (Rose agreed to organize the church fair for the third year in a row—she's a glutton for punishment.) |
| (idiom) gnomes(বামনাকৃতি যখ) of Zurich=a slang term for Swiss bankers. Swiss bankers are popularly associated with extremely secretive policies, while gnomes in fairy tales live underground, in secret, counting their riches. |
| (idiom) go against the grain = contrary to the natural inclination or feeling of someone or something.(it goes against the grain to tell outright lies) |
| (idiom) go against the tide = to do the opposite of what most other people are doing( It's not easy to go against the tide in defence of your principles.) |
| (idiom) go all out=to put all your energy or enthusiasm into what you are doing: The team went all out for a win. |
| (idiom) go along for the ride=To accompany someone in a passive manner, or to take a relatively passive or detached role in a project or group activity. |
| (idiom) go ballistic=fly into a rage.(he will go ballistic if bureaucrats attempt to meddle in his decisions) |
| (idiom) go bananas=become (or be) mad or extremely silly(everyone's beginning to think I'm bananas) |
| (idiom) go belly up=go bankrupt.(the company was about to go belly up) |
| (idiom) go down in history=be remembered or recorded in history.(the 1981 Grand National has gone down in history as one of the most emotional races ever run) |
| (idiom) go down well=to produce a particular reaction.(The plan to raise rents has not gone down well with tenants) |
| (idiom) go downhill=To deteriorate; worsen; go to pot: It looks like his health is going downhill fast |
| (idiom) go Dutch=a term that indicates that each person participating in a group activity pays for themselves, rather than any person paying for anyone else, particularly in a restaurant bill. Also called Dutch date, Dutch treat and "doing Dutch". |
| (idiom) go for a song=To be sold for much less than the true value.(Land in the territory could be bought for a song in those days) |
| (idiom) go great guns=proceed forcefully, vigorously, or successfully.(the film industry has been going great guns recently) |
| (idiom) go hand in hand=two people or things are very closely connected or related. Your sentence means that engineering and design are closely connected and part of the same process (of construction). |
| (idiom) go haywire=To break down or cease to function properly: “Everything was going smoothly until the computer started to go haywire. |
| (idiom) go hell for leather= running at one's highest speed( If you go, run, ride, etc. hell for leather, you go as fast as you can) |
| (idiom) go into overdrive= to start working very hard, or to start doing something in an excited way( With her exams only two weeks away, she's gone into overdrive and is studying ten hours a day.) |
| (idiom) go nuts=become crazy(A man could go nuts sitting around wondering what might happen.) |
| (idiom) go nuts=to become very angry or very excited( The passengers went nuts when they realized that their plane would be delayed by 5 hours.) |
| (idiom) go off on a tangent=to suddenly start talking or thinking about a completely new subject: It's hard to get a firm decision out of him - he's always going off on a tangent. |
| (idiom) go off the deep end meaning=give way immediately to an emotional outburst, especially of anger.(now don't go off the deep end—I've thought of an idea) |
| (idiom) go off the deep end=give way immediately to an emotional outburst, especially of anger.(now don't go off the deep end—I've thought of an idea) |
| (idiom) go off the rails=begin behaving in an uncontrolled or unacceptable way.(sport saved them from going off the rails as youngsters) |
| (idiom) go off with a bang=If a party or event goes with a bang, it is very exciting and successful. |
| (idiom) go on binges= to indulge in a binge (esp of eating or drinking) |
| (idiom) go out like a light=fall asleep or lose consciousness suddenly.(she returned to bed and went out like a light) |
| (idiom) go out of business=If a company goes out of business, it stops trading and closes down(A lot of companies went out of business during the economic recession) |
| (idiom) go out of your way=make a special effort to do something.(Mrs Dutta went out of her way to be courteous to Soniya) |
| (idiom) go out on a limb=in or into a position where one is not joined or supported by anyone else(I wouldn't go out on a limb like this if I didn't have the data to justify it) |
| (idiom) go out the window=(of a plan or pattern of behaviour) no longer exist; disappear.(all pretence at unity went out of the window as cabinet colleagues traded insults) |
| (idiom) go out(of the) window=(of a plan or pattern of behaviour) no longer exist; disappear.(all pretence at unity went out of the window as cabinet colleagues traded insults) |
| (idiom) go overboard=be very enthusiastic.( Srijan went overboard for you) |
| (idiom) go overboard=react in an immoderate way.(He has a bit of a temper and can sometimes go overboard) |
| (idiom) go pear shaped=go wrong.(everything went pear-shaped) |
| (idiom) go postal=in American English slang,it means becoming extremely and uncontrollably angry, often to the point of violence, and usually in a workplace environment. |
| (idiom) go spare=become extremely angry or distraught.(he'd go spare if he lost the money) |
| (idiom) go the extra mile=make a special effort to achieve something.(state regulators will go the extra mile to ensure that this settlement is as investor-friendly as possible) |
| (idiom) go the whole hog(কোন কাজ নিখুঁতভাবে করা)=to do something as completely as possible It was going to cost so much to repair my computer, I thought I might as well go the whole hog and buy a new one. |
| (idiom) go through the mill=undergo (or cause someone to undergo) an unpleasant experience.(we have been through the mill, but it has been worth the fight) |
| (idiom) go through the motions=to do something without believing it is important: After his wife died, he went through the motions of living without really feeling anything |
| (idiom) go through the roof=(of prices or figures) reach extreme or unexpected heights.(rents have gone through the roof)/suddenly become very angry |
| (idiom) go through the roof=(of prices or figures) reach extreme or unexpected heights.(rents have gone through the roof)/suddenly become very angry.(when she surprised him in bed with another woman she hit the roof) |
| (idiom) go to rack and ruin=destruction(If something or someone goes to rack and ruin, they are utterly destroyed or wrecked.)(She's let that house go to rack and ruin since her father died.) |
| (idiom) go to extremes=take an extreme course of action; do something to an extreme degree.(they took a commendable anti-ageist policy to extremes) |
| (idiom) go to great lengths(for pains)= to achieve something, you mean that they go to a lot of trouble in order to achieve it (Garbo went to great lengths to hide from reporters) |
| (idiom) go to hell in a handcart/handbag/bucket/handbasket= it is getting worse and worse, with no hope of stopping the decline |
| (idiom) go to pieces=become so upset or nervous that one is unable to function normally.(my mother went to pieces after his death) |
| (idiom) go to rack and ruin=gradually deteriorate in condition because of neglect; fall into disrepair.( That lovely old house on the corner is going to go to rack and ruin.) |
| (idiom) go to the dogs=deteriorate shockingly.(the country is going to the dogs) |
| (idiom) go up in smoke=be destroyed by fire.(three hundred tons of straw went up in smoke) |
| (idiom) go with the flow=be relaxed and accept a situation, rather than trying to alter or control it. |
| (idiom) go without saying=be obvious.(it goes without saying that lay appointees must be selected with care) |
| (idiom) go(or sink)one's teeth into = work energetically and productively on (a task).(the course gives students something to get their teeth into) |
| (idiom) go/be back to square one=to be forced to think of a new course of action because your first course of action failed:(The deal with the house fell through so I'm afraid we're back to square one.) |
| (idiom) go/come with the territory=to be an expected fact or result of a particular situation or position(The public attention that famous people get just goes with the territory.) |
| (idiom) go-ahead=proceed or be carried out.(the project will go ahead) |
| (idiom) goal digger=an employee who pursues and successfully achieves company goals creatively, opportunistically, tirelessly, and, most important, legally. |
| (idiom) god-awful=extremely unpleasant or disagreeable : abominable (god-awful weather) |
| (idiom) go-getter=an aggressively enterprising person |
| (idiom) goggle-box=Television Set (mindless watching of the goggle-box) |
| (idiom) going concern=a business that is operating and making a profit.(trying to sell the business as a going concern) |
| (idiom) going places=someone will be successful: Maria's a talented writer – she's definitely going places. |
| (idiom) gold rush=a rapid movement of people to a newly discovered goldfield |
| (idiom) golden handcuffs=benefits, typically deferred payments, provided by an employer to discourage an employee from taking employment elsewhere.(his five-year golden handcuffs are released next year) |
| (idiom) golden handshake=a payment given to someone who is made redundant or retires early. |
| (idiom) golden opportunity=an excellent chance to do or get something. |
| (idiom) golden parachute=a large payment or other financial compensation guaranteed to a company executive if they should be dismissed as a result of a merger or takeover.(I negotiated a large golden parachute) |
| (idiom) golden rule=a basic principle which should always be followed to ensure success in general or in a particular activity. |
| (idiom) gone with the wind=Disappeared, gone forever(With these unforeseen expenses, our profits are gone with the wind.) |
| (idiom) good as gold=be (as) good as gold. (of a child) to behave very well: She's been as good as gold all morning. |
| (idiom) good riddance!=said to express relief at being free of an unwanted person or thing.(good riddance to all the fanatical hangers-on) |
| (idiom) good turn=An act or gesture that helps another person; a favor.(he did me a good turn) |
| (idiom) good walls make good neighbours=("Strong fences make good neighbors.")(This means that every person deserves his or her own space and privacy, and this privacy must be respected by the neighbors.) |
| (idiom) good walls make good neighbours=people should respect other people's property and privacy and mind their own business. |
| (idiom) goof up(গুবলেট করা)= blunder(fatal mistake) |
| (idiom) goose pimples= reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation. goose bump, goose skin, goosebump, |
| (idiom) got it made=to be certain to be successful and have a good life, often without much effort |
| (idiom) grab a bite to eat= To get something to eat. Explanation: "A bite" refers to food. This is a pretty literal so it is simply saying to get something to eat. |
| (idiom) graft charge=a form of political corruption, is the unscrupulous use of a politician's authority for personal gain. |
| (idiom) gran-lit=(granny' & literature)literature which is aimed at older people. |
| (idiom) grasp at straws=trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you choose is likely to work. |
| (idiom) grass roots=the most basic level of an activity or organization.(improving the game at grass-roots level) |
| (idiom) gravy train=something (such as a business or a government program) that provides money to many people without requiring much effort..(come to Hollywood and get on to the gravy train) |
| (idiom) grease somebody's palm= to bribe someone. If you want to get something done around here, you have to grease someone's palm. I'd never oil a police officer's palm. That's illegal. |
| (idiom) grease the wheels/skids =help matters run smoothly.(he used his budgetary skills to grease the skids for new projects) |
| (idiom) green fingers=natural ability in growing plants(you really do have green fingers) |
| (idiom) green light=give permission to go ahead with (a project).(they refused to green-light his script until he did a major rewrite) |
| (idiom) green revolution=increase in crop production (India will soon flourish in green revolution) |
| (idiom) green with envy= to be very unhappy because someone has something that you want: |
| (idiom) greenhouse effect=the process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be in the absence of its atmosphere. |
| (idiom) grey (US gray)matter=intelligence(I wish I had a little of her grey matter) |
| (idiom) grey area=an ill-defined situation or area of activity not readily conforming to a category or set of rules.(grey areas in the legislation have still to be clarified) |
| (idiom) grey existence=to lead a dull, monotonous life. I feel sad for the old lady. She seems to have such a grey existence. |
| (idiom) grey goatee=person having beard like goat. Super actor Amitava Bachhan is a person of grey goatee and baritone voice. |
| (idiom) grin and bear it=suffer pain or misfortune in a stoical manner.(you'll just have to grin and bear it) |
| (idiom) grin like a Chesire cat=have a broad fixed smile on one's face. |
| (idiom) grin(or smile) from ear to ear=smile broadly.(you'll come out of the show grinning from ear to ear) |
| (idiom) grit your teeth=clench one's teeth, especially when faced with something unpleasant.(grit your teeth and splash yourself with cold water!) |
| (idiom) groan inwardly =feel dismayed by something but remain silent.(everything has a tepid inevitability, and even as you smile you may be groaning inwardly) |
| (idiom) ground rule=a basic principle.(some ground rules for assessing new machines) |
| (idiom) ground zero=the point on the earth's surface directly above or below an exploding nuclear bomb./a starting point or base for an activity.(if you're starting at ground zero in terms of knowledge, go to the library) |
| (idiom) growth hacking=finding innovative,inexpensive&often tech'hacks'to significantly boost a co’s growth(building innovative features into a product that lead users to share it virally |
| (idiom) guilty pleasure=something, such as a film, television programme, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard.(everybody has a guilty pleasure) |
| (idiom) guinea pig=a person or thing used as a subject for experiment.(They're asking for students to be guinea pigs in their research into the common cold.) |
| (idiom) gulf of difference=large difference or division between two people or groups, or between viewpoints, concepts, or situations: the widening gulf between the rich and the poor. |
| (idiom) gun point=a stealth-based puzzle-platform video game created by indie developer Tom Francis. |
| (idiom) gutter press=reporters or newspapers engaging in sensational journalism, especially accounts of the private lives of public figures.(the kind of place that the gutter press likes to describe as a love nest) |
| (idiom) had one's chips=to run out of luck or failure is inevitable, the term had your chips has its roots in gambling in casinos. |
| (idiom) hair raising=extremely alarming, astonishing, or frightening.(hair-raising adventures) |
| (idiom) hair splitting=characterized by or fond of small and overfine distinctions.(the legal experts have a particularly hair-splitting mentality) |
| (idiom) hale and hearty=(especially of old people) healthy and strong: |
| (idiom) half-baked=not fully thought through; lacking a sound basis.(a half-baked conspiracy theory) |
| (idiom) half-hearted= feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm; hapology=half-hearted apology(just saying 'sorry' when one does not mean it) |
| (idiom) Hall of Fame=a structure housing memorials to famous or illustrious individuals in a certain field, usually chosen by a group of electors. |
| (idiom) hand-picked=select carefully with a particular purpose in mind.(a small hand-picked group of MPs) |
| (idiom) hands off=used as a warning not to touch or interfere with something.(hands off that cake tin!) |
| (idiom) hands-on=involving or offering active participation rather than theory.(hands-on in-service training) |
| (idiom) hanky panky= dishonest dealing;behaviour, in particular sexual or legally dubious behaviour, considered improper but not seriously so.(suspicions of financial hanky-panky) |
| (idiom) happy hour=a period of the day when drinks are sold at reduced prices in a bar or other licensed establishment. |
| (idiom) happy-go-lucky=someone who is generally easygoing and carefree. |
| (idiom) hard of hearing=not able to hear well.(the old man is hard of hearing) |
| (idiom) hats off=to express admiration for someone who has done something praiseworthy:( Hats off to them for agreeing to work for the day to raise money.) |
| (idiom) haute couture=high class fashion; (expensive, fashionable clothes produced by leading fashion houses.) |
| (idiom) have a ball=enjoy oneself greatly.(I was miserable but he was having a ball) |
| (idiom) have a brush with=“brush with death” is used to refer to a time or situation when someone was very close to dying, as in a dangerous situation like a car accident where a person survives, a person can say they had a “brush with death”. |
| (idiom) have an ace up one's sleeve= a surprise or secret advantage, especially something tricky that is kept hidden until needed.(the naughty student is prepared to have an ace up his sleeve) |
| (idiom) have an axe to grind= to have a strong personal opinion about something that you want people to accept and that is the reason why you do something: Environmentalists have no political axe to grind - they just want to save the planet. |
| (idiom) have the world at one's feet=to be extremely successful and admired by a large number of people(Kenny G has the world in his feet) |
| (idiom) have the world by its tail=It means he has complete control.(Due to acute financial power, the Bank has the world by its tail) |
| (idiom) have your cake and eat it too= you can't enjoy both of two desirable but mutually exclusive alternatives.(the king wanted to have his cake and eat it—to marry the lady and to remain on the throne) |
| (idiom) have your work cut out= to have something very difficult to do(My son has left it to the last minute to write his essay, so now he really has his work cut out for him to get it done on time.) |
| (idiom) have/keep your ear to the ground=to watch and listen carefully to what is happening around you (We've had our ear to the ground, but we haven't learned anything about the company's plans.) |
| (idiom) haves and have-nots=the people who are very wealthy and the people who are very poor (Haves should always help the have-nots financially) |
| (idiom) hay fever=an allergy caused by pollen or dust in which the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose are inflamed, causing running at the nose and watery eyes. |
| (idiom) heart-to-heart=candidly; intimately. (We had a heart-to-heart talk about his poor attendance) |
| (idiom) heebie-jeebies = nervous depression(a condition of extreme nervousness caused by fear, worry, strain, etc.); the jitters |
| (idiom) helter skelter=n disorderly haste or confusion.(the helter-skelter dash to unity) |
| (idiom) higgledly piggledly=in confusion or disorder.(bits of paper hanging higgledy-piggledy on the walls) |
| (idiom) high profile=a deliberately conspicuous manner of conducting oneself or one's affairs:(The leader maintained a high profile in his political life) |
| (idiom) high tea(নৈশ আহারেরে পরিবর্তে সায়াহ্নে মাংসাদিসহ আহার ও চাপান)=a light meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening that usually includes cooked food, cakes, and tea to drink. |
| (idiom) high-handed=using power or authority without considering the feelings of others.(a fairly high-handed decision) |
| (idiom) hit and miss=sometimes succeeding and sometimes failing(An example of hit and miss is going to a thrift store - you may find great bargains or nothing at all) |
| (idiom) hit and run=the act of causing (or contributing to) a traffic crash (such as colliding with a person or a fixture), and failing to stop and identify oneself afterwards. |
| (idiom) hit the buffer=come to a sudden unsuccessful end.(his world championship campaign looked as if it had hit the buffers) |
| (idiom) hit the ground running=start something and proceed at a fast pace with great enthusiasm. |
| (idiom) hoi polloi=the masses; the common people.(avoid mixing with the hoi polloi)(ant. the elite) |
| (idiom) hold all the aces=have all the advantages.(he held all the aces: he was the Director, he could lecture on whomever he liked) |
| (idiom) hold water=if an opinion or a statement does not hold water, it can be shown to be wrong. (Most of the arguments put forward by our opponents simply do not hold water.) |
| (idiom) holistic approach=to treat both mind and body(we need to take a more holistic approach to improve our schools) |
| (idiom) hone one's skill=to make more acute or effective; improve; perfect: to hone one's skills. |
| (idiom) hook up=to connect something to a piece of equipment, especially using a hook.(I can hook up to the library from my computer.)(hooking up classrooms to the internet) |
| (idiom) hot seat=the position of carrying full responsibility for something important.(it's been a bad week for the men in the hot seat) |
| (idiom) how come=said when asking how or why something happened or is the case.(how come you never married, Priya?) |
| (idiom) hue and cry(কাহারও পশ্চাদ্ধাবনার্থ অপরদের আহ্বানের জন্য সৃষ্ট শোরগোল)=a loud clamour or public outcry.( I was astonished at the sudden hue and cry of the raging people) |
| (idiom) hybrid fund=a category of mutual fund that is characterized by portfolio that is made up of a mix of stocks and bonds, which can vary proportionally over time or remain fixed. |
| (idiom) hyper-ventilate=breathe or cause to breathe at an abnormally rapid rate, so increasing the rate of loss of carbon dioxide.(she started to hyperventilate under stress) |
| (idiom) hyphen American=In the United States, the term hyphenated American is an epithet commonly used from 1890 to 1920 to disparage Americans who were of foreign birth or origin, and who displayed an allegiance to a foreign country. |
| (idiom) hysteron proteron=Reversal of anticipated order of events; a form of hyperbaton.[Let us die and charge into the thick of the fight.] |
| (idiom) I am in pain = it means that you are having a hard time because of something bad that happened to you, or a feeling of discomfort because of something. |
| (idiom) I was not born yesterday=to not be stupid or easy to deceive: (You don't fool me - I wasn't born yesterday.) |
| (idiom) ICE number=In Case of Emergency .Tel no. of a friend/relative who should be contacted in emergency situation may be kept with prefix ICE. |
| (idiom) icing on the cake=an attractive but inessential addition or enhancement.(more goals would have been the icing on the cake) |
| (idiom) identity theft=the fraudulent practice of using another person's name and personal information in order to obtain credit, loans, etc. |
| (idiom) idiot box=television is called ideiot box which,some consider, has no educational value(My son spends all his free time in front of the idiot box.) |
| (idiom) idle away=to spend a period of time relaxing and doing very little: . |
| (idiom) if the cap fits, wear it=used as a way of suggesting that someone should accept a generalized remark or criticism as applying to themselves. |
| (idiom) if you can't stand the heat get out of kitchen=Don't take on a job if you are unwilling to face its pressures. |
| (idiom) ignorance is bliss=it is said to emphasize that sometimes it is better for you if you do not know all the facts about a situation(The other day our neighbour's servant was caught red handed - ignorance is bliss) |
| (idiom) ill-equpped=not having the necessary resources or qualities for a particular role or task.(they feel ill-equipped to cope with emotional issues) |
| (idiom) ill-fated=destined to fail or have bad luck.(an ill-fated expedition) |
| (idiom) ill-gotten gains=Benefits obtained in an evil manner or by dishonest means(They duped their senile uncle into leaving them a fortune and are now enjoying their ill-gotten gains) |
| (idiom) implacable will=someone or something who cannot be calmed or made less angry. (also implacable sun= নির্দয় সূর্য) |
| (idiom) in (or out of )circulation=available (or unavailable) to the public.(there is a huge volume of video material in circulation) |
| (idiom) in (or out of) character= in keeping (or not in keeping) with someone's usual pattern of behaviour and motives.(his outburst was entirely in character) |
| (idiom) in (or out of)sync=working well (or badly) together; in (or out of) agreement.(her eyes and her brain seemed to be seriously out of sync) |
| (idiom) in a class of one's own=unequalled, especially in excellence or performance.(British advertising is in a class of its own for inventiveness) |
| (idiom) in a huff(অভিমান)= annoyed and offended; to say (something) in a way that shows you are annoyed or angry -a fit of petty annoyance("she walked off in a huff") |
| (idiom) in a jiffy= an informal term for any unspecified short period of time, as in "I will be back in a jiffy". From this it has acquired a number of more precise applications for short, very short, or extremely short periods of time. |
| (idiom) in a quandary=when you plan two events at the same time and can't decide which one to attend. |
| (idiom) in a rut= not to have changed what you do or how you do it for a very long time so that it is not interesting any longer(I was in a rut and couldn’t get out of it) |
| (idiom) in a stew=to be in a difficult situation that causes them to feel worried or upset(My friend is in a stew about/over his tax return.) |
| (idiom) in a tizzy(একটি তুচ্ছ ব্যাপারে উদ্বেগ )=state of nervous agitation (the man sent police in a tizzy with an e-mail) |
| (idiom) in a world of your own=concerned with one's own thoughts and not aware of what is happening around one(he is in a world of his own and is frequently carried away by his own flights of fancy) |
| (idiom) in bad shape= in bad condition; when used to talk about a person it usually means the person is injured and when used to talk about the object, it means the object needs repair or has not been well. |
| (idiom) in black and white=in writing or print.(she had abandoned all hope of getting her contract down in black and white) |
| (idiom) in cahoots with = in collusion with (to join somebody for wrongdoings)(the area is dominated by guerrillas in cahoots with drug traffickers) |
| (idiom) in camera= in private, without the public, newspaper reporters, etc. being there.(The Judge listened to the victim's statement in camera) |
| (idiom) in collusion with=An often secret action taken by two or more parties to achieve an illegal or improper purpose like fixing common high price of any commodity in collusion with other local traders by oligopoly |
| (idiom) in dire straits= in a very bad situation that is difficult to fix: (These kids are in dire straits, and the schools are doing nothing to help them!) |
| (idiom) in droves=a number of oxen, sheep, or swine driven in a group; herd; flock. 2. Usually, droves. a large crowd of human beings, especially in motion: They came to Yankee Stadium in droves. |
| (idiom) in essence=basically and without regard for peripheral details; fundamentally.(in detail the class system is complex but in essence it is simple) |
| (idiom) in hot water=in trouble or disgrace.(he landed in hot water for an alleged V-sign to the fans) |
| (idiom) in inverted commas= used in spoken English after a word or phrase to show that it has not been used accurately( Sick prisoners in the camp were "cared for", in inverted commas, by guards, not nurses.) |
| (idiom) in keeping with=in (or out of) harmony or conformity with.(the cuisine is in keeping with the hotel's Moghul character) |
| (idiom) in leaps and bounds=By very large degrees; rapidly or in quick progress forward. (Our small company has been growing in leaps and bounds over the past year) |
| (idiom) in loco parentis=in the place of a parent( Teachers sometimes have to act in loco parentis.) |
| (idiom) in one's element= In a situation which is entirely suitable, familiar, or enjoyable. You can tell he's completely in his element when he's talking about his favorite hobby. |
| (idiom) in one's own sweet time = if you take your own sweet time, or if you do something in your own sweet time, you take a long time to do it.( He certainly took his own sweet time getting here) |
| (idiom) in over your head=when one is too deeply involved with something or someone, or has more difficulties or problems than one can manage. You can use the idiom 'In over Your Head' to advise someone he needs help. |
| (idiom) in raptures=a feeling of emotional ecstasy so magical it's almost as if you've been transported to some other world(when my sister is presented with an advanced mobile set, she was in raptures) |
| (idiom) in retrospect=when looking back on a past event or situation; with hindsight.(perhaps, in retrospect, I shouldn't have gone) (opp.prospect) |
| (idiom) in safe hands=protected by or in the care of someone trustworthy.(the future of the cathedral is in safe hands) |
| (idiom) in seventh heaven=very happy; ecstatic.(he was in seventh heaven, so excited)(the most exalted level of heaven, esp. the highest and most holy or blessed of the hierarchical series of heavens described in Jewish and Islamic theology ) |
| (idiom) in situ=in its original place (The paintings have been taken to the museum but the statues have been left in situ.) |
| (idiom) in someone's good/bad books=If you are in someone's good/bad books, they are pleased/not pleased with you: (He's in boss's bad books because he arrived two hours late.) |
| (idiom) in tatters=torn in many places; in shreds.(wallpaper hung in tatters) |
| (idiom) in the bag=(of something desirable) as good as secured.(the election is in the bag) |
| (idiom) in the balance = in an uncertain or critical state.(his survival hung in the balance for days) |
| (idiom) in the buff = naked (people generally don't go swimming in the buff in public places) |
| (idiom) in the club (or the pudding club)= pregnant (informal) |
| (idiom) in the dark=in a state of ignorance.(the player is still in the dark about his future) |
| (idiom) in the eye of the storm= a false calm at the center of a real or figurative storm (specifically, a strong tropical cyclone). (Chief Minister is in the eye of the storm behind all wrong actions of the Govt) |
| (idiom) in the first place=as the first consideration or point.(political reality was not quite that simple—in the first place, divisions existed within the parties) |
| (idiom) in the heat of the moment=if you say or do something in the heat of the moment, you say or do it without thinking because you are angry or excited .(My mother doesn't hate you. She just said that in the heat of the moment. |
| (idiom) in the interim=a period of time between one event and another, maybe the interim between the arrival of your party guests and the cleanup you have to do after they leave |
| (idiom) in the long run=over or after a long period of time; eventually.(it saves money in the long run) |
| (idiom) in the middle of nowhere=far away from any towns and cities and where few people live:(He lives in a tiny house in the middle of nowhere.) |
| (idiom) in the mint condition=A condition where something is perfect or as if it was originally manufactured ( A state where something has no flaws.) |
| (idiom) in the mire(mud)= to stick or cause to become stuck in or as if in heavy deep mud /A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation:( the mire of poverty.) |
| (idiom) in the nick of time=only just in time.(the rescue came in the nick of time) |
| (idiom) in the offing(সমাসন্ন)=likely to happen or appear soon.(there are several initiatives in the offing)(offing=the more distant part of the sea in view.) |
| (idiom) in the offing=the more distant part of the sea in view.(the mast of the ship is in the offing)/nearby(my examination is in the offing) |
| (idiom) in the pink of health= in very good health(physically and emotionally) |
| (idiom) in the red=If you or your bank account are in the red, you owe money to the bank. |
| (idiom) in the twinkle of an eye= If something happens in the twinkling of an eye, it happens very quickly: (Our present Chief Minister changes her decisions in the twinkle of an eye) |
| (idiom) in the works=being planned, worked on, or produced.(a major consolidation of companies was in the works) |
| (idiom) in two minds = to be unable to decide about something:( I was in two minds whether or not to come this morning.) |
| (idiom) in two shakes of a lamb's tail=to move or sway with short, quick, irregular vibratory movements.(The fly is back in two shakes of a lamb's tail) |
| (idiom) in vino veritas=in Latin it means 'in wine there is truth'(a person under the influence of alcohol is more likely to speak their hidden thoughts and desires.) |
| (idiom) in vitro=(in biology) taking place outside a living organism (for example in a test tube) : in vitro fertilization |
| (idiom) in vogue=The prevailing fashion, practice, or style: (the fashion is in vogue in India) |
| (idiom) in words of one syllable=using very simple language; expressed plainly.(the matter needs to be explained in words of one syllable for short of time) |
| (idiom) in/through the wars=to have injuries to many different parts of the body (You've got a cut on your arm as well, you poor thing. You really have been in the wars!) |
| (idiom) in-between=situated somewhere between two extremes or categories; intermediate.(I am not unconscious, but in some in-between state) |
| (idiom) in-depth study=study comprehensively and thoroughly: (research students pursue a specific aspect of a subject in depth ) |
| (idiom) Indian giver= an American expression to describe a person who gives a gift and later wants it back, or something equivalent in return. |
| (idiom) indulge in horseplay=a rough play in which people push and hit each other, or behave in a silly way |
| (idiom) indulge in=excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires |
| (idiom) industrial strength=very strong or powerful.(an industrial-strength cleaner) |
| (idiom) inferiority complex=an unrealistic feeling of general inadequacy caused by actual or supposed inferiority in one sphere, marked by aggressive behaviour.(inferiority complex is very much harmful for aspirants)(opp. superiority complex) |
| (idiom) influencer marketing=a marketing where focus is placed on specific key individuals (or types of individual) rather than the target market as a whole. |
| (idiom) infographic(information graphic)= a representation of information in a graphic format designed to make the data easily understandable at a glance. |
| (idiom) infomercial=(information + commercial)an advertising film which promotes a product in an informative and supposedly objective style. |
| (idiom) infotainment=Blend of 'information' and 'entertainment'. (broadcast material which is intended both to entertain and to inform.) |
| (idiom) infra-red=(of electromagnetic radiation) having a wavelength just greater than that of the red end of the visible light spectrum but less than that of microwaves. |
| (idiom) infra-structure=the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.(the social and economic infrastructure of a country) |
| (idiom) ingress, egress and regress=In property law, ingress, egress, and regress are the rights of a person (such as a lessee) to enter, leave, and return to a property, respectively in a sale or purchase contract |
| (idiom) inhibited grief=Occurs when an individual shows no outward signs of grief for an extended period of time. The individual inhibits their grief, eventually leading to physical manifestations and somatic complaints. |
| (idiom) ins and outs(সুক্ষ ভাবে)= the detailed or complicated facts of something:(Detectives want to be heard the ins and outs of the happenings) |
| (idiom) insofar as =to the extent(I will get my math homework done insofar as I can.) |
| (idiom) insure against=To acquire or have insurance for: insured herself against losses; insured his car for theft. |
| (idiom) inter alia=among other things( The report covers, inter alia, computers, telecommunications and air travel.) |
| (idiom) inter caste marriage=The caste system in India forbids marriage outside the caste. |
| (idiom) inter se=between or among themselves.(covenants entered into by all the shareholders inter se) |
| (idiom) intra and inter school competitions=competition with ( Intra school = within school(amongst classes) and inter school = with other schools). |
| (idiom) intra class tournament=tournament between students of the same class.(Opposite to inter class tournament which means tournament between classes of the same school) |
| (idiom) irons in the fire=to be engaged in too many activities(He turned down the consulting job; as he felt that he already had too many irons in the fire. ) |
| (idiom) It bag=a colloquial term from the fashion industry used in the 1990s and 2000s to describe a brand or type of high-priced designer handbag by makers . |
| (idiom) it beats me!=I do not understand: "Any idea who won the pennant last year?" "Beats me." |
| (idiom) it goes in one ear and out the other=It basically means that when you tell someone something they think that it means something else and they get it all wrong!! |
| (idiom) it never rains but it pours=when one bad thing happens, followed by a lot of other bad things that make a bad situation worse(First he lost his job then returned home to witness his father dead - it never rains but it pours!) |
| (idiom) itching(or itchy) palm=when your palms itch it means money. An itching left palm means money to be paid out, while an itching right palm is money coming in. |
| (idiom) itchy feet =very strong or irresistible impulse to travel(wanderlust)(My father has got itchy feet; he has just finished 30 days' Europe tour, again he plans to visit South Africa this month) |
| (idiom) it's (all )Greek to me=I can't understand it at all. |
| (idiom) it's a small world=it is said to show your surprise that people or events in different places are connected.(You know my old science teacher! Well, it's a small world, isn't it?) |
| (idiom) it's anyone's call= It means that the result or outcome is difficult to judge or predict in a game, contest or election. (This time who will win the election? It's anyone's call) |
| (idiom) it's beyond me=You can say this if you find it impossible to comprehend or imagine something. |
| (idiom) It's no use crying over spilled milk =It is said to emphasize that it is not useful feeling sorry about something that has already happened( he's spent all the money, and there's nothing you can do about it.) |
| (idiom) jack of all trades=The phrase 'Jack of All Trades, Master of None' refers to a person who is competent in many skills, but is not outstanding in any of them |
| (idiom) jaded palate=tired and bored, usually because you have had too much of something( I felt terribly jaded after working all weekend. ) |
| (idiom) jaw dropping beauty=Beauty so striking that it causes your mouth to drop in astonishment. |
| (idiom) jay walk=walk across road without regard for traffic |
| (idiom) jazz something up=to make someone or something appeal more to contemporary tastes. (Let's jazz this room up a little bit.) |
| (idiom) jet lag=extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by a person after a long flight across different time zones.(she was suffering from jet lag and needed to rest) |
| (idiom) jet setter=a person who travels frequently; often, it is used to describe someone in high society with a glamorous life. An example of a jet setter is an heiress who flies off to Paris to shop. |
| (idiom) Jigsaw family=a family with children from different marriages |
| (idiom) jog someone's memory=cause someone to remember something suddenly.(I wanted to see if the clothes would jog her memory) |
| (idiom) joie de vivre=exuberant enjoyment of life.(they seem to be filled with joie de vivre) |
| (idiom) join the club=When someone says something that you agree with, you say "join the club".(I've got no money till the end of this week." "Join the club!") |
| (idiom) joint venture=a commercial enterprise undertaken jointly by two or more parties which otherwise retain their distinct identities. |
| (idiom) jump down throat=If someone jumps down your throat, or jumps all over you, they strongly criticise you or scold you. ( All I did was come twenty minutes late, and the manager jumped down my throat). |
| (idiom) jump for joy=to show great happiness or excitement (The blood tests so far show my mother doesn't have cancer, but it's still too early to jump for joy because she has to have more tests.) |
| (idiom) jump on the bandwagon= to follow the trend/sth. popular in advance.( Many celebrities jump on the bandwagon so that the fashion critics of theirs may be positive.) |
| (idiom) jump out of skin=jump out of one's skin. Be extremely startled or frightened. ( When he crept up on me so quietly, I nearly jumped out of my skin.) |
| (idiom) jump the gun=act before the proper or appropriate time.(Don't jump the gun and order for a costly dress right now) |
| (idiom) jump the lights=To pass a set of traffic lights when they are not showing green. (It's dangerous to jump the lights. You may have a terrible accident.) |
| (idiom) jump to the conclusions=a psychological term referring to a communication obstacle where one "judge[s] or decide[s] something without having all the facts |
| (idiom) jump/thrown in the deep end=you start doing something new and difficult without help or preparation. |
| (idiom) jury is still out=If the jury is (still) out on a subject, people do not yet know the answer or have not yet decided if it is good or bad: (The jury's still out on the safety of irradiated food.) |
| (idiom) just around the corner=very near.(there's a chemist round the corner) |
| (idiom) just deserts=If you get your just deserts, something bad happens to you that you deserve because of something bad you have done |
| (idiom) just off the boat=to be newly immigrated and perhaps gullible and naive. I'm not just off the boat. I know what's going on. He may act like he's just off the boat, but he's very savvy. |
| (idiom) just the ticket=very suitable and exactly what is needed(As I am tired now, only a cup of strong coffee is just the ticket) |
| (idiom) just what the doctor ordered=exactly what is wanted or needed(Thanks, a strong cup of coffee in the morning is just what the doctor ordered.) |
| (idiom) just what the doctor ordered=exactly what is needed(That soup was just what the doctor ordered.) |
| (idiom) Kangaroo Court(প্রহসনের বিচার)=an unofficial court held by a group of people in order to try someone regarded, esp without good evidence, as guilty of a crime |
| (idiom) keen as mustard=extremely eager or enthusiastic.(I will ask my best friend to join the class. He is as keen as mustard) |
| (idiom) keep a civil tongue=used to tell someone to stop being rude.(To be polite you have to keep a civil tingue first) |
| (idiom) keep a level head=Stay calm and show good judgment.( He made a very level-headed decision about his future.) |
| (idiom) keep a lid on=to control the level of something in order to stop it increasing: (The administration has intervened to keep a lid on inflation.) |
| (idiom) keep a low profile=to avoid attracting attention to yourself(He's been in a little trouble recently so he's trying to keep a low profile.) |
| (idiom) keep a stiff upper lip =Someone who has a stiff upper lip does not show their feelings when they are upset(He was taught to keep a stiff upper lip, whatever happens.) |
| (idiom) keep at arm's length= Avoid intimacy or close contact with someone or something.( I always want to keep my pranky sons at arm's length ) |
| (idiom) keep body and soul together=stay alive, especially in difficult circumstances.(Do you think a man can keep body and soul together by selling coconuts?) |
| (idiom) keep eyes peeled=to watch carefully for someone or something:(My mother lost her ear ring in the room, so she told everyone to keep eyes peeled) |
| (idiom) keep finger on pulse=to be/stay familiar with the most recent changes or improvements.(The situation changes daily, so you need to keep your finger on the pulse.) |
| (idiom) keep fingers crossed=Hoping for good luck. ( In recent days, children would cross their fingers when they lie to avoid punishment for telling a lie.) |
| (idiom) keep head above water=Stay out of trouble, especially financial difficulties; also, keep up with work or other demands.(The work's piling up, but I manage to keep my head above water.) |
| (idiom) keep in proportion=in the correct or appropriate relation to the size, shape, or position of other things(her figure was completely in proportion) |
| (idiom) keep my fingers crossed=to hope that things will happen in the way that you want them to:(Let's keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't rain) |
| (idiom) keep nose to the grindston= to work hard, or focus heavily on work.( If he'd keep his nose to the grindstone a bit more, he could be a pretty good student.) |
| (idiom) keep one's feet on the ground=be (or remain) practical and sensible.(it's a very exciting time for the business but it's important that we keep our feet on the ground) |
| (idiom) keep options open=to wait before making a choice.(People believe that keeping your options open is the best way to ensure happiness and success. But people, as it turns out, are wrong.) |
| (idiom) keep posted=Keep someone informed of the latest developments or news:( I'll keep you posted on his progress.) |
| (idiom) keep someone at arm's length=Avoid intimacy or close contact with someone or something. |
| (idiom) keep the lid on=keep (an emotion or process) from going out of control.(she couldn't keep the lid on her simmering anger) |
| (idiom) keep the wolf from the door=have enough money to avert hunger or starvation (used hyperbolically).(I work part-time to pay the mortgage and keep the wolf from the door) |
| (idiom) keep under wraps=concealed or secret; (Let's keep this theory under wraps until we've tested it sufficiently) |
| (idiom) keep under your hat=Keep something a secret.('I'll tell you a secret, but keep it under your hat.') |
| (idiom) keep up appearances=to pretend to be happier, less poor than you really are,because you do not want people to know how bad your situation is(They were very unhappily married but kept up appearances for the sake of their children) |
| (idiom) keep wolf from door=to maintain oneself at a minimal level; to keep from starving, freezing, etc. (I don't make a lot of money, just enough to keep the wolf from the door.) |
| (idiom) keep your back covered= the possibility of attack or criticism: (never take chances, always cover your back.) |
| (idiom) keep your ear to the ground=to pay attention to everything that is happening around you and to what people are saying(His boss told him to keep his ear to the ground so that he'd be the first to know of a new idea.) |
| (idiom) keep your nose clean=you stay out of trouble by making sure you don't do anything wrong. ( Our son is in trouble with the police again. I really wish he'd learn to keep his nose clean.) |
| (idiom) kick in the ass/breech=vulgar variant of the colloquial term of 'kick in the pants'(kick in the buttock) |
| (idiom) kick in the pants/teeth=A humiliating setback or rebuff. eg, That rejection was a real kick in the pants, or That review was a kick in the teeth/A cause of enjoyment, as in' That show was a real kick in the pants'(the opposite meaning) |
| (idiom) kick the bucket=Die; A person standing on a pail or bucket with their head in a slip noose would kick the bucket so as to commit suicide.(The gill will inherit the property when her mother kicks the bucket) |
| (idiom) kick up a fuss=object loudly or publicly to something.(local people are kicking up a fuss about the noise and smells from the farm) |
| (idiom) kick yourself=be annoyed with oneself for doing something foolish or missing an opportunity.(he was kicking himself for not biding his time) |
| (idiom) kill two birds with one stone= achieve two aims at once.(My son finished one long chapter of physics while travelling in a car, killing two birds with one stone) |
| (idiom) kill with kindness=to deprive of life in any manner; cause the death of; slay.(A pampered child is often killed with kindness by his/her guardians who afford mostly harmful fast food on their child's immediate demand) |
| (idiom) kindred spirit=a person whose interests or attitudes are similar to one's own.(I longed to find a kindred spirit) |
| (idiom) kiss goodbye to something=accept the certain loss of something.(I could kiss my career goodbye) |
| (idiom) knee-high to a grasshopper=very small or very young.(You will need a ladder… you are just about knee-high to a grasshopper) |
| (idiom) knickers in a twist= when one gets upset or crazy over something most people think is unimportant(Don't get your knickers in a twist over that split milk on the floor) |
| (idiom) knock down with feather=to mean that the person was very shocked or surprised.(when the winner was announced I was knocked down with a feather) |
| (idiom) knock sense into someone =to cause someone to stop thinking or behaving foolishly(I tried to knock some sense into the boy, but he just wouldn't see reason.) |
| (idiom) knock your socks off=If something knocks your socks off, you find it extremely exciting or good(I'm going to take you to a restaurant that'll knock your socks off.) |
| (idiom) knock/take wind out of sails=to bring someone to an abrupt halt by a heavy blow to the body(I was all ready to tell him that the relationship was over when he greeted me with a big bunch of flowers - that took the wind out of my sails.) |
| (idiom) know one's own mind=be decisive and certain.(to be certain about what you believe or want.)(Don't ask him; he's so tired that he doesn't know his own mind, ) |
| (idiom) know someone/something inside out=to know about something thoroughly.( I know my geometry inside out.) |
| (idiom) know the score=be aware of the essential facts about a situation.(he had already appeared in a dozen films, and knew the score before he reached Hollywood) |
| (idiom) know which side your bread is buttered=Be aware of where one's best interests lie(My brother always helps out his boss; he knows which side of his bread is buttered.) |
| (idiom) know which way the wind is blowing=it is advisable to know how a situation is developing in order to be prepared for any changes. (Before taking any action on this issue, we should know which way the wind is blowing) |
| (idiom) kowtow to someone=to show somebody in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey him/her.(the act of deep respect shown by prostration, that is, kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground.) |
| (idiom) labour of love=a task done for pleasure, not reward.(he spent eight years rebuilding the house—a labour of love) |
| (idiom) lame excuse=a weak and unconvincing excuse(a man was late for work and he had no real reason why, so when his boss asked him why he was late, he quickly thought up something and said, "I over slept." His boss replied, "That's a lame excuse") |
| (idiom) land of the living=(humorous). to be awake or to be alive:( She was partying till the early hours, so I don't imagine she'll be in the land of the living before lunchtime. ) |
| (idiom) land(fall) on your feet=have good luck or success.(after some ups and downs he has finally landed on his feet) |
| (idiom) landslide victory=an electoral victory in a political system, when one candidate or party receives an overwhelming majority of the votes or seats in the elected body, thus all but utterly eliminating the opponents. |
| (idiom) large and unwieldly=difficult to handle, control, or deal with because of being large, heavy, or complex |
| (idiom) larger than life= exceedingly imposing, impressive, or memorable, especially in appearance or forcefulness: a larger-than-life leader. |
| (idiom) last but not least=last in order of mention or occurrence but not of importance.(last but not least the player in midfield has been brilliant) |
| (idiom) last legs=Something that is on its last legs is in such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it should(I've had this laptop for five years now, and it's really on its last legs) |
| (idiom) last resort=a final course of action, used only when all else has failed.(asking them to leave the school should be a last resort) |
| (idiom) last straw= the final irritation or problem that stretches one's endurance or patience beyond the limit.(After a tedious journey by bus, load shedding at home seems to be the last straw) |
| (idiom) last things on one's mind=something that is not important enough to worry about, especially because you have more serious problems(Cleaning the house is the last thing on my mind at the moment) |
| (idiom) last word=most recent/fashionable in its category(This report is the last word on the treatment of arthritis.) |
| (idiom) laugh all the way to the bank=someone is "laughing all the way to the bank" what you are implying is that the individual has managed to make tons of money very easily. He has made a large sum of money because of someone else's stupidity. |
| (idiom) laugh up one's sleeve=To be secretly amused at something: (Amit acted concerned over our plight, but we knew he was laughing up his sleeve.) |
| (idiom) laughing stock=a person subjected to general mockery or ridicule.(she was the laughing stock of her class) |
| (idiom) law of the jungle=the principle that those who are strong and apply ruthless self-interest will be most successful.(power politics reflected the law of the jungle) |
| (idiom) law onto themselves= If somebody is a law unto themselves, they do things their own way and follow their own ideas about how to live instead of following what others do. (Our boy Billy is a law unto himself.) |
| (idiom) lay down the law=issue instructions to other people in an authoritative or dogmatic way.(I am not attempting to lay down the law, but simply wish to voice my opinion) |
| (idiom) lay it on the line=speak frankly.(I'm going to have to lay it on the line, tell them what really has been happening) |
| (idiom) lead by the nose= to control someone and make them do exactly what you want.(That henpecked husband is always led by the nose by his wife) |
| (idiom) lead to a dead end=a road that is closed at one end, and does not lead anywhere: .(In spite of the scientist's efforts the research leads to a dead end.) |
| (idiom) lead up garden path=Give someone misleading clues or signals:(In a crime novel, the reader has to be led up the garden path.) |
| (idiom) learn the hard way= learn from unpleasant experiences rather than by being taught:( If she won't listen, she'll have to learn/find out the hard way.) |
| (idiom) learn the ropes=learn how to do a job properly( It can take quite a while for a new lawyer to learn the ropes in a big legal firm.) |
| (idiom) learning curve=the rate of a person's progress in gaining experience or new skills.(the latest software packages have a steep learning curve) |
| (idiom) least likely=Least likely means that it is probably not going to happen |
| (idiom) leave high and dry=out of the water, especially stranded by the sea as it retreats.(when the tide goes out, a lot of boats are left high and dry) |
| (idiom) leave in the lurch=Abandon or desert someone in difficult straits. (Mita was angry enough to quit without giving notice, leaving her boss in the lurch) |
| (idiom) leave no stone unturned(েচষ্টার েকান ত্রুিট না করা)=try every possible course of action in order to achieve something.(My teacher left no stone unturned to solve the problem of the sum) |
| (idiom) leave somebody holding the baby=to be made responsible for a problem that others don't want to deal with(When the angry customers started to complain,my colleage disappeared and left me holding the baby) |
| (idiom) leave someone/something alone=stop disturbing, interfering with, or trying to improve someone or something.(if you see him on his way to school, just leave him alone) |
| (idiom) leave the door open=ensure that there is still an opportunity for something.(he is leaving the door open for future change) |
| (idiom) leave to one's own devices=To allow (someone) to do as he or she pleases:(leave the child to his/her own devices for an hour.) |
| (idiom) left hand does not know what the right hand is doing=a situation when in an organisation/group, one person is not aware of what other person is doing. |
| (idiom) left hanging in the air=Keep undecided, uncertain, or in suspense. (Since we hadn't found a big enough hall, we left the final date hanging,) |
| (idiom) left to own devices=your ability to figure things out alone or entertain yourself.(Most of the time, the prisoners were left to their own devices by the guards.) |
| (idiom) legsie=combination of "legs" and "selfie". Legsies are commonly used to brag about one's vacation.(suntanned legs) |
| (idiom) lend an ear(one's ears)=listen sympathetically or attentively.( Chauvinists always lend their ears to those in crisis) |
| (idiom) lend oneself to= be applicable to; as to an analysis; (This theory lends itself well to our new data) |
| (idiom) less is more=used to express the view that a minimalist approach to artistic or aesthetic matters is more effective. |
| (idiom) lesser of two evils=the principle that when faced with selecting from two unpleasant options, the one which is least harmful should be chosen. |
| (idiom) let me bound this off=to make something rebound off someone or something(She bounced the ball off of him, into the wastebasket) |
| (idiom) let one's hair down=behave uninhibitedly.(let your hair down and just have some fun) |
| (idiom) let sleeping dogs lie= Allow inactive problems to remain so,(Anita knew she should report the accident but decided to let sleeping dogs lie.) |
| (idiom) let sleeping dogs lie=avoid interfering in a situation that is currently causing no problems but may well do so as a result of such interference. |
| (idiom) let slip through fingers=Lose hold or possession of something(I let the money slip through my fingers) |
| (idiom) let something ride=not to take any action to stop something wrong or unpleasant, thinking that action may not be necessary or is not yet necessary:(Don't panic about the low sales - let it ride for a while and see if business picks up.) |
| (idiom) let something ride=take no immediate action over something.(as far as I can find out, the police have let it ride for the moment) |
| (idiom) let the cat out of the bag=reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.(now that her son had let the cat out of the bag, she had no option but to confess) |
| (idiom) let the dust settle=If you let the dust settle, or wait till the dust settles, you wait until things have become calmer or have returned to normality after conflict or a problem. |
| (idiom) let(blow)off steam=get rid of pent-up energy or strong emotion.(the kids can let off steam in the gardens while mom and dad have a relaxing drink) |
| (idiom) licence to print money=a very lucrative commercial activity, regarded as requiring little effort(people see music publishing as a licence to print money) |
| (idiom) lick and promise=a quick and careless act of cleaning or washing. |
| (idiom) lick into shape=to press or force someone or something into good shape or condition. |
| (idiom) lick one's wounds=retire to recover one's strength or confidence after a humiliating experience.(the party was licking its wounds after electoral defeat) |
| (idiom) lick someone's boots=be excessively obsequious towards someone.(to act in a servile or obsequious way toward someone, especially to gain favor from them.) |
| (idiom) lick/smack your lips=look forward to something with eager anticipation("I'm not a policeman, so don't start licking your lips over the idea of a police brutality charge) |
| (idiom) lie through your teeth= to tell someone something that you know is completely false: He asked me how old I was and, lying through my teeth, I said "29". |
| (idiom) lie way in/out=something or get out of a situation by telling lies, you lie your way in or out of it. |
| (idiom) life a breeze=If something is "a breeze" it is easy or enjoyable or both. If some test is a breeze, that means that the questions were all easy. Make life a breeze = Make life effortless and enjoyable. |
| (idiom) life and soul of the party=you are the liveliest and most entertaining person at a social gathering. ( Harry is normally pretty quiet, but after he's had a few beers he becomes the life of the party) |
| (idiom) life is just a bowl of cherries=something that you say that means that life is very pleasant. |
| (idiom) life of Riley=a luxurious or carefree existence.(all the older boys are driving big expensive cars and living the life of Riley) |
| (idiom) lift a finger(or hand)=make the slightest effort to do something, especially to help someone.(he never lifted a finger to get Amar released from prison) |
| (idiom) light at end of tunnel=The end of a difficult situation or task, the solution to a difficult problem.(It's taken three years to effect this merger, but we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel) |
| (idiom) light bulb moment=a moment of sudden realization, enlightenment, or inspiration.(I had a light-bulb moment and vowed to start managing my money better) |
| (idiom) light hearted=amusing and entertaining.(a light-hearted speech) (of a person) cheerful or carefree. |
| (idiom) light years ahead= unit of length in astronomy equal to the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum / an extremely large measure of comparison (as of distance, time, or quality) |
| (idiom) lights on but no one home=something that you say when someone does not react because they are thinking about something else.( It's no good expecting Amar to say anything- the lights are on but no-one's home.) |
| (idiom) like a (deer/rabbit)in the headlight=refer to a state of fear, panic/confusion so extreme that it is impossible to act or think normally: faced with too many choices and not enough real information,( we are like deer caught in the headlights) |
| (idiom) like a cat on hot bricks=very agitated or anxious.(As her father will face a court case shortly, she is now like a cat on hot bricks) |
| (idiom) like a scalded cat=very quickly.(the moment the erring student noticed the Headmaster, he ran away like a scalded cat) |
| (idiom) like an oyster="Life is like an oyster" and somewhere in the middle is a pearl (your life purpose, the highlight of your life or your soul mate) waiting to be found. |
| (idiom) like cat and dog=Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other.(Most couples fight like cat and dog but they're still together after so many years.) |
| (idiom) like clockwork=very smoothly and easily.(the event ran like clockwork) |
| (idiom) like it or lump it= to accept a situation even if it is not likeable, because it cannot be changed:( Like it or lump it, romantic fiction is read regularly by thousands.) |
| (idiom) like minded=having similar tastes or opinions.(a radio ham with like-minded friends all over the world)( Ham radio lets people talk across the globe, wirelessly and inexpensively) |
| (idiom) like something the cat dragged in= to have a very dirty, untidy or abused appearance.(His daughter always appears like something the cat dragged in) |
| (idiom) like the cat that ate the canary=Appear smug and self-satisfied. For example, After she hit her third winning shot, she looked like the cat that ate the canary. |
| (idiom) likely story=said when you do not believe something: (He said he bought them all very cheaply from some guy he knows.That's a likely story!) |
| (idiom) line of least resistance= the easiest(not necessarily the best or most honourable, course of action.(Taking the path of least resistance in life & quitting, means we believe it's all up to us alone. But God wants you to trust Him to help you.) |
| (idiom) lion's share=the largest part of something.(the lion's share of my father's wealth was invested in shares) |
| (idiom) lip service=giving approval or support insincerely(The boss's support of affirmative action was merely paying lip service; he never committed himself to it in any substantial way.) |
| (idiom) lip smacking=causing the lips to smack in eager anticipation or in delight (lip-smacking recipes)(lip-smacking desserts) |
| (idiom) lips are sealed=said when you are promising to keep a secret: (Oh and please don't tell him you saw me here.Don't worry. My lips are sealed.) |
| (idiom) lipstick on a pig=a rhetorical expression, used to convey the message that making superficial or cosmetic changes is a futile attempt to disguise the true nature of a product. |
| (idiom) lip-sync=(of an actor or singer) move the lips silently in synchronization with a pre-recorded soundtrack.(they lip-synched to Bohemian Rhapsody) |
| (idiom) live a lie=to live in a way that is dishonest because you are pretending to be something that you are not, to yourself or to other people: (She doesn't know you're married? You have to stop living a lie and tell her |
| (idiom) live beyond one's means= to spend more money than one can afford.( The family members are deeply in debt because they are living beyond their means.) |
| (idiom) live from hand to mouth=to have just enough money to live on and nothing extra:( My father earned very little and there were five kids, so we lived from hand to mouth) |
| (idiom) live high off the hog=to live in great comfort with a lot of money.(Since their loan was approved, they've been living high off the hog) |
| (idiom) live in an ivory tower=To lead an impractical existence removed from the pressures and troubles of everyday life: (Like most college professors, Mr Dey also lives in an ivory tower.) |
| (idiom) live in clover=to have enough money to lead a comfortable life(If I get this contract, I'll be in clover for the rest of my life.) |
| (idiom) live on borrowed time= to continue living after a point at which you might easily have died: (After a difficult opereation, many patients feel that they are living on borrowed time) |
| (idiom) live on the edge=To have an adventurous /perilous lifestyle; to behave in a manner which creates risks for oneself(People who live on the edge are very frequently exposed to physical, psycological, economical, lawful/other kinds of dangers. ) |
| (idiom) live out of suitcase=to eat only canned food for lack of other foods or time to prepare them.(I dislike this job because I am often on a business trip and must live out of my suitcase.) |
| (idiom) live the life of Riley=an ideal contented life, possibly living on someone else's money, time, or work. Rather than a negative freeloading or golddigging aspect, it implies that someone is kept or advantaged. |
| (idiom) live to a ripe old age=a humorous way about someone who is very young(She was running her own business at the ripe old age of 18.)/an age at which someone is very old.(She lived to the ripe old age of 103.) |
| (idiom) live to fight another day=survive a particular experience or ordeal.(MPs felt the chancellor's performance will ensure he lives to fight another day) |
| (idiom) live to tell the tale=survive a dangerous experience and be able to tell others about it.(After recent mountain avalance,none lived to tell the tale) |
| (idiom) live upto reputation= to fulfil expectations/to satisfy a goal or set of goals.( I hope I can live up to my reputation) |
| (idiom) live wire=a very lively and energetic person.(My sister was the live wire and I was always called "the quiet one." ) |
| (idiom) living on the breadline=to be very poor(Most families of the unemployed are on the breadline.) |
| (idiom) lo and behold=something that you say when you tell someone about something surprising that happened: (you took me out and, lo and behold, I got home to find my house had been ransacked) |
| (idiom) load of baloney= refers to idle talk, or pretentious, untrue or insincere statements that nobody can believe.(That's a load of baloney! I don't believe a word of it! ) |
| (idiom) load/weight off your mind= if something is a weight off your shoulders, you are happy that you do not have to worry about . |
| (idiom) loan shark=a moneylender who charges extremely high rates of interest, typically under illegal conditions(reports of exploitation and deceptive trading practices by loan sharks) |
| (idiom) lock horns=engage in conflict.(drug companies are locking horns in a legal battle over patents) |
| (idiom) lock stock and barrel=including everything; completely.(the place is owned lock, stock, and barrel by an oil company) |
| (idiom) lolita complex=The Lolita Complex describes a sexual attraction to younger girls, usually by adult males. |
| (idiom) long in the tooth=old or ageing =The longer the teeth, the older the horse. Thus, this phrase is used to describe how someone or something is along in years. |
| (idiom) long row to hoe=A difficult or arduous task. (Raising three kids by himself is going to be a long row to hoe.) |
| (idiom) look a sight=appearance is awful, unsuitable or very untidy.( She looks a sight in that dress!) |
| (idiom) look before you leap=you shouldn't act without first considering the possible consequences or dangers.(Don't take any sudden decision over the matter, look before you leap) |
| (idiom) look daggers at someone=to give someone a dirty look(Don't you dare look daggers at me!) |
| (idiom) look down one's nose=to consider someone or something as not important or of value (The regular staff looked down their noses at us freelancers.) |
| (idiom) look for green pastures=look for a better or more exciting job or place.( A lot of scientists are seeking greener pastures abroad because of the scarcity of opportunities at home.) |
| (idiom) look on bright side=to find good things in a bad situation:(Nothing is impossible for Junior Dutta if he learns to look on the bright side. ) |
| (idiom) look out for number one=To act in one's own interests; to act in a manner advantageous primarily to oneself. |
| (idiom) look the part=have an appearance or style of dress appropriate to one's role or situation.(he had been a major in an infantry regiment and he looked the part) |
| (idiom) look the picture of health=look very healthy(What made you want to look up the picture of health?) |
| (idiom) look the picture=Be very pleasing to look at:(The new babe looks the picture in his new dress) |
| (idiom) loom band=a plastic tool used to weave colorful rubber and plastic bands into bracelets and charms. |
| (idiom) loom large=Appear imminent in a threatening, magnified form.(The possibility of civil war loomed large on the horizon) |
| (idiom) loose cannon=an unpredictable or uncontrolled person who is liable to cause unintentional damage.(nowadays most of the youths are loose cannons on the street especially in the midnight) |
| (idiom) loose end=a detail that is not yet settled or explained.(My boss arrived back at his office to tie up any loose ends) |
| (idiom) lopsided smile=A lopsided smile with only one corner of the mouth drawn up, expresses doubt and even cynicism or sarcasm.(lopsided=with one side lower or smaller than the other.)(a lopsided grin) |
| (idiom) lose one's marbles= to go crazy; to go out of one's mind. What a silly thing to say! Have you lost your marbles? |
| (idiom) lose one's shirt=lose all one's possessions.(The man lost his shirt when all his investment in shares fell down sharply) |
| (idiom) lose one's sleep= to worry about someone or something a lot, sometimes when one should be sleeping. |
| (idiom) lose one's touch=No longer be able to do or handle something skillfully. (I used to make beautiful cakes but I seem to have lost my touch) |
| (idiom) lose out on=to fail to get something desired, esp. in a competitive situation (We're losing out on major economic opportunities that would be good for the whole city.) |
| (idiom) lose out to=To be defeated or surpassed by someone or something; lose to someone or something: Local companies are losing out to foreign companies in the competition for government contracts. |
| (idiom) lose out=be beaten in competition.(they lost out to England in the finals) |
| (idiom) lose the plot=lose one's ability to understand or cope with what is happening.(many people believe that he is feeling the strain or has lost the plot) |
| (idiom) lose the(one's thread)=be unable to follow what someone is saying or remember what one is going to say next.(she lost the thread of the conversation after a time) |
| (idiom) lose track of time=to be unaware of what time it is.(Every time Reeta goes to the library,she loses track of time.) |
| (idiom) lose train of thought=to forget what one was talking or thinking about.( Excuse me, I lost my train of thought. What was I talking about? Your question made the speaker lose her train of thought.) |
| (idiom) lost ball in high weeds=A person who does not know what they are doing, how to do it or possibly even where they are. |
| (idiom) love me, love my dog=said to warn someone that if they want to be in a relationship with you, they must be willing to accept everything about you. |
| (idiom) low ebb=to be in a very small, weak, or unsuccessful state(. My confidence was at its lowest ebb.) |
| (idiom) low tide=the state of the tide when at its lowest level.(islets visible at low tide) |
| (idiom) lower than a snake's belly=of a very low moral standing. (his reputation was lower than a snake's belly.) |
| (idiom) luck of the draw=if something is the luck of the draw, it is the result of chance and you have no control over it. (A draw is a competition in which you win if the number on your ticket is chosen. It's just the luck of the draw.) |
| (idiom) lull(or calm)before the storm=a period of unusual tranquillity or stability that seems likely to presage difficult times. |
| (idiom) lump in one's throat=A feeling of constriction in the throat caused by emotion( The bride's mother had a lump in her throat.) |
| (idiom) lump sum(একিট একক সমষ্িটগত অর্থ)=a single payment made at a particular time, as opposed to a number of smaller payments or instalments(your pension plan can provide a cash lump sum at retirement as well as a regular income) |
| (idiom) macabre (করাল) type of horror=The adjective macabre is used to describe things that involve the horror of death or violence. If a story involves lots of blood and gore, you can call it macabre. |
| (idiom) maiden voyage=the first voyage of a ship after its acceptance by the owners from the builders |
| (idiom) make a name=become famous (by the time he was thirty-five, he had made a name for himself as a successful railway contractor) |
| (idiom) make fun of=tease, laugh at, or joke about (someone) in a mocking or unkind way.(she didn't even notice he was making fun of her) |
| (idiom) make hay while the sun shines=it means that you take advantage of the chance to do something while conditions are good. |
| (idiom) make light work of =accomplish (a task) quickly and easily.(make light work of cooking with the help of this electronic food processor) |
| (idiom) make no bones about it=To say clearly what you think or feel about something, however unpleasant or awkward it. |
| (idiom) make one's ears burn=to embarrass(The scandalous news of his sister made my ears burn) |
| (idiom) make oneself out(to be)=to portray something as something else.(They made the disease out to be something far more serious than it really is.) |
| (idiom) make someone's blood boil=To cause a person to feel angry or very annoyed, especially in situation in which one cannot fully display that feeling to others. |
| (idiom) make up leeway=to make up for last time(struggle out of a bad position, especially by recovering lost time.) |
| (idiom) make(both) end's meet=earn just enough money to live on.(they were finding it hard to make ends meet) |
| (idiom) make(something)into=to change something into something else:(I have made my reading room into bed room) |
| (idiom) make-believe(ছলনাপূর্ণ)= the action of pretending or imagining that things are better than they really are.(she's living in a world of make-believe) |
| (idiom) makes blood run cold=if something makes someone's blood run cold, it makes them very frightened( I heard a scream which made my blood run cold.) |
| (idiom) making a virtue of necessity=To make the best of a difficult situation; to recast or portray an action or situation in which one has no alternatives as an action or situation which was deliberately chosen on its merits. |
| (idiom) mala fide=in bad faith; with intent to deceive.(a mala fide abuse of position)(opp. bona fide) |
| (idiom) male chauvinism=male prejudice against women; the belief that men are superior in terms of ability, intelligence, etc.(a bastion of male chauvinism) |
| (idiom) margin of error=a statistic expressing the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results. |
| (idiom) masked grief=Grief reactions that impair normal functioning however the individual is unable to recognize these symptoms and behaviors are related to the loss. |
| (idiom) master of ceremonies=a person who presides over a formal event or entertainment and who introduces guests, speakers, or entertainers.(the Master of Ceremonies will announce the cake-cutting) |
| (idiom) master plan=a comprehensive plan of action.(America's master plan for peace) |
| (idiom) match making=the process of matching two or more people together, usually for the purpose of marriage, but the word is also used in the context of sporting events such as boxing, in business, in online video games and in pairing organ donors. |
| (idiom) matinee idol=a handsome actor admired for his good looks. |
| (idiom) matron of honour= married woman attending bride at wedding |
| (idiom) me time=A period of time spent exclusively on yourself doing something that you enjoy and allows you to relax. |
| (idiom) mealy-mouthed=afraid to speak frankly or straightforwardly.(mealy-mouthed excuses) |
| (idiom) mercy killing(euthanasia)= the killing of someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any further suffering |
| (idiom) metaphysical glamour(আধিবিদ্যক ইন্দ্রজাল)=The metaphysical path is fraught with many temptations, glamour and illusions, and one could easily fall into the contrived traps of Maya and the Dark forces.(metaphysical=supernatural) |
| (idiom) middle of the road(MOR)=a commercial radio format which encompasses several styles. MOR music is broadly popular music; generally, it is strongly melodic and often features vocal harmony technique and orchestral arrangements. |
| (idiom) mind(or watch) one's step=used as a warning to someone to walk or act carefully.(you'd better watch your step with him—he's not as innocent as he looks) |
| (idiom) mind-boggling=overwhelming; startling.(the implications are mind-boggling) |
| (idiom) mini-Me (n): A person closely resembling a smaller or younger version of another. |
| (idiom) miss the boat(or bus)=be too slow to take advantage of an opportunity.(people who've been holding off buying anything in case prices drop further could find they've missed the boat) |
| (idiom) modus operandi=a particular way or method of doing something.(every killer has his own special modus operandi) |
| (idiom) more by accident than by design=because of luck and not because of skill or organization:(The play was a success more by accident than design) |
| (idiom) much ado about nothing=A big fuss over a trifle, as in Jerry had everyone running around looking for his gloves—much ado about nothing. |
| (idiom) music to one's ears=something that is very pleasant or gratifying to hear or discover.(the commission's report was music to the ears of the government) |
| (idiom) mute testimony(বোবা সাক্ষ্য)=Taj Mahal bears the mute testimony to the eternal love of Shah Jahan to Mumtaz. |
| (idiom) my dogs are barking = When someone says this, he/she means that his/her feet are hurting. |
| (idiom) nail biter(আপনি কি আমার সাথে কি করতে চান)=If a game, election, contest, etc, is a nail-biter, it is exciting because the competitors are so close that it is impossible to predict the result. |
| (idiom) nail tat=nails having temporary tattoo applied on it. |
| (idiom) nailing jelly to the wall=trying to give exact details for something that it is not possible to know about exactly: (To follow a detective's plan of action is like nailing jelly to the wall) |
| (idiom) name dropping =the practice of casually mentioning the names of famous people one knows or claims to know in order to impress others.(name-dropping, snobbery, and generally pathetic attempts to be seen and be admired) |
| (idiom) nano break=spending vacation by an overnight stay in a place. |
| (idiom) narrow-minded=not willing to listen to or tolerate other people's views; prejudiced.(it would be narrow-minded not to welcome these developments)(opp. Broad-minded) |
| (idiom) necessary evil=something unpleasant that must be accepted in order to achieve a particular result: .(money creates many problems but he cannot imagine that the world would be like without it. This is a necessary evil.) |
| (idiom) neck and neck=evel in a race or other competition.(opinion polls showed the two major parties neck and neck) |
| (idiom) needle in haystack=very difficult to find out(Nowadays it is very difficult to locate any person by name in a crowded city) |
| (idiom) needs must(when the devil drives)=When you are desperate, you must do things you ordinarily won't do;(We're going to have to get an enormous loan to pay for your mother's surgery. I hate to go into debt, but needs must when the devil drives. ) |
| (idiom) neither fish nor fowl=of indefinite character and difficult to identify or classify.(They felt he was neither fish nor fowl—not qualified to lead the department, yet not appropriate to work as a staff member either.) |
| (idiom) neither here nor there=of no importance or relevance.(Why India has not thought of pollution control earlier effectively is neither here nor there, more important is now to find an effective solution without delay) |
| (idiom) nerves of steel=to be very brave(I could never work on one of those high-rise building sites where you walk along beams about twenty stories up. You'd need nerves of steel to do that job.) |
| (idiom) nest egg=money saved for some important purpose, such as retirement.( I lost most of my nest egg in the market crash.) |
| (idiom) never a dull moment= Something is always changing or happening(My granddaughter spits up, then she coughs, then she sneezes—never a dull moment with this baby) |
| (idiom) never in a million years=absolutely not(I will never in a million years expect my brother could do such nasty job) |
| (idiom) never looked back=someone achieved something special and then became even more successful(I took the art college offer and have never looked back.) |
| (idiom) never mind=used to urge someone not to worry.(never mind—it's all right now) |
| (idiom) never say die=Do not give up. A: I don't think I can finish this project in time. B: Never say die. |
| (idiom) new moon=the phase of the moon when it first appears as a slender crescent, shortly after its conjunction with the sun.(owls hooted and the new moon rose) (opp. full moon) |
| (idiom) new to this game=to lack any experience of a particular activity (I'd never interviewed anyone on television before. I was new to the game and needed all the advice I could get.) |
| (idiom) new wine in old bottles=You should not try to combine the new with the old. (I think it is a mistake for the managers of that traditional art gallery to exhibit modern paintings. You can't put new wine in old bottles. ) |
| (idiom) newly wed=a recently married person.(the newly-weds shared a kiss) |
| (idiom) next best thing=best alternative possible(the next best thing to flying is gliding) |
| (idiom) next to nothing=in or into a position immediately to one side of; beside.(we sat next to each other) |
| (idiom) night owl=a person who is habitually active or wakeful at night.(dedicated night owls may retire to the late bars) |
| (idiom) nihilistic(শূন্যবাদী) streak= extreme scepticism (confused)(he developed a nihilistic streak in his personality) |
| (idiom) nine times out of ten=on nearly every occasion.(nine times out of ten his customers will return even more satisfied) |
| (idiom) nine-day wonder=something that is of interest to people only for a short time. (Don't worry about the story about you in the newspaper. It'll be a nine days' wonder and then people will forget.) |
| (idiom) nip in the bud=Nip in the bud comes from horticulture, where trimming a bud from a plant prevents the bud from becoming a flower or fruit. Used metaphorically, the phrase usually means to stop a potential problem before it develops. |
| (idiom) nitty gritty= realities or basic facts of matter;the most important aspects or practical details of a subject or situation.(let's get down to the nitty-gritty of finding a job" |
| (idiom) no accounting for taste= It's impossible to explain why different people like different things, especially those things which the speaker considers unappealing. |
| (idiom) no brainer=something that requires or involves little or no mental effort(the enormous popularity of his TV show makes the book a no-brainer for him) |
| (idiom) no dice=an unfavourable result(We looked all over the house for it. No dice.) |
| (idiom) no end=to a great extent; very much.(this cheered me up no end") |
| (idiom) no fixed abode= without fixed abode is not having a fixed geographical location as a residence.(That old man has no fixed abode at this age) |
| (idiom) no frills=without unnecessary extras, especially ones for decoration or additional comfort.(cheap fast food in no-frills surroundings) |
| (idiom) no great shakes=not very good:(I'm afraid I am no great shakes as a cook/at cooking) |
| (idiom) no hard feelins=no resentment/anger(Obama told them that, in effect, there were no hard feelings.) |
| (idiom) no holds barrede=completely unrestrained(The final game was played with no holds barred. It was very rough football and the referee had a hard time keeping control of things.) |
| (idiom) no love lost= If there is no love lost between two people, they have a strong enmity towards or hate for the other and make no effort to conceal it. |
| (idiom) no man's land=disputed ground between the front lines or trenches of two opposing armies.(enemy soldiers facing you across no man's land) |
| (idiom) no picnic=to be a difficult or unpleasant situation(Being a single parent is no picnic, one can feel) |
| (idiom) no quick fix=a quick solution to a problem, especially one which is only temporary (The truth about dieting is that there is no quick fix) |
| (idiom) no spring chicken=No longer a young person(She is no spring chicken, but she plays a fine game of tennis) |
| (idiom) no two ways about it=used to convey that there can be no doubt about something.(there's no two ways about it, it's marked us for life) |
| (idiom) no use crying over spilt milk=one shouldn't worry about something that has already happened.( It is no use being angry over or upset about something that has already happened and/or one cannot change.) |
| (idiom) nobel laureate=Someone who has been awarded a Nobel Prize.Tagore was a Nobel laureate in literature. |
| (idiom) nodding terms=Know someone slightly: the two girls are not even on nodding terms with each other. |
| (idiom) no-go area=places dangerous to go (Only Army can visit that no-go area) |
| (idiom) noise pollution=harmful or annoying levels of noise.(proposals to combat noise pollution) |
| (idiom) non pareil=having no match or equal; unrivalled.(he is a nonpareil storyteller) |
| (idiom) non sequitur=a statement that is not connected in a logical or clear way to anything said before it.(The man lives in a small apartment. Therefore he must be small-minded) |
| (idiom) nonsyncope nonvertigo=Individuals with nonsyncope nonvertigo dizziness feel as though they cannot keep their balance. This feeling may become worse with movement. |
| (idiom) nook and corner=every corner(He traced my missing ring in every nook and corner of the house.)(syn. every nook and cranny) |
| (idiom) normal grief='Normal Grief’ is marked by movement towards acceptance of the loss and a gradual alleviation of the symptoms, as well as the ability to continue to engage in basic daily activities. |
| (idiom) north easterly=a wind that comes from the northeast. |
| (idiom) nose bleed=When the mucous membrane (a mucus-secreting tissue) inside the nose dries, crusts, or cracks (the skin splits open) and is then picked, it is likely to bleed. |
| (idiom) nose out of joint=nose out of joint indicates the cause of the upset,( The boss's praise of her assistant put Tapan's nose out of joint.) |
| (idiom) not a patch on=Greatly inferior to: he no longer looked so handsome—he wasn't a patch on Soham. |
| (idiom) not all there=they are a little bit stupid or crazy(The man's peculiar dress says that he is not all there) |
| (idiom) not cut out for something=to be unsuitable for something(I wasn’t cut out for teaching children, because I hate kids!) |
| (idiom) not for all the tea in China=there is nothing at all that could induce one to do something.(I wouldn't do that girl's job—not for all the tea in China) |
| (idiom) not for all the world=never; not in any situation:(If I took that job I'd have to leave the kids and I wouldn't do that for the world.) |
| (idiom) not for love or money=not in any circumstances.(they'll not return for love or money) |
| (idiom) not getting anywhere= not to make any progress:(Whole month I have been trying to solve the case but not getting anywhere) |
| (idiom) not give a hoot=not care at all.(there's no point in asking about something that nobody gives two hoots about) |
| (idiom) not have a cat in hell's chance= to be completely unable to achieve something: (They haven't a cat in hell's chance of getting over the mountain in weather like this.) |
| (idiom) not have a leg to stand on=to be in a situation in which you cannot prove something: .(He tried to get the town to change the street lights, but because there was no money in the budget he found himself without a leg to stand on) |
| (idiom) not have a stitch on= Naked( They let their baby run around outside without a stitch on.) |
| (idiom) not having a clue=to be completely unable to guess, understand, or deal with something.(Who invented algebra?I don't have a clue.) |
| (idiom) not in one's right mind=to be not thinking clearly or to be mentally ill.(Srijan's brother was not in his right mind when he drove the car into that crowded area) |
| (idiom) not in the same league=not nearly as good as something or someone else.(He has made a lot of money, but his net worth is not in the same league as that computer guy's.) |
| (idiom) not let grass grow under your feet=not to waste time and to do something immediately.(Thinking of the imminent monsson he did not let grass grow under his feet and started his house immediately) |
| (idiom) not one's cup of tea=not what one likes or is interested in.(cats were not her cup of tea) |
| (idiom) not the only pebble on the beach=not be the only person who is important in a situation or in a group(She always expects to get her own way. It's time she learned that she's not the only pebble on the beach.) |
| (idiom) not the sharpest knife in the drawer=lacking intelligence; stupid.(she's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but she isn't dishonest) |
| (idiom) not up to scratch=not reaching an acceptable standard(Your last essay wasn't up to scratch/didn't come up to scratch.) |
| (idiom) nothing doing=there is no prospect of success or agreement.(He wants to marry her. Nothing doing!) |
| (idiom) nothing to write home about=not exciting or special.(Their performance was nothing to write home about.) |
| (idiom) nothing ventured,nothing gained=you can't expect to achieve anything if you never take any risks. |
| (idiom) now,we are talking=to indicate an improvement in a situation(A couple has just entered their hotel room for the first time & are looking around. They open up the doors to see a big screen TV, DVD player etc.One of them says"Now we're talking!") |
| (idiom) nowhere to be found=impossible to see or find: (We looked for her everywhere, but she was nowhere to be found.) |
| (idiom) nugget of wisdom=anything of great value (significance); nugget=a person with no arms or legs(The nugget spent her days rolling down the street)/also nugget of gold=a small lump of gold |
| (idiom) null and void=ineffective(the document has since become null and void) |
| (idiom) nurse/bear a grudge=To harbor persistent and continual resentment or ill feelings toward someone, especially for some slight or wrongdoing he or she has committed in the past. |
| (idiom) odds and ends=miscellaneous articles or remnants.(we bought batteries for the radio and a few other odds and ends) |
| (idiom) of all people=used to show that you are especially surprised at a particular person's behaviour because it does not seem typical of them(I thought that you, of all people, would believe me!) |
| (idiom) of its kind = within the limitations of its class.(The power project is first of its kind) |
| (idiom) of late=recently.(she'd been drinking too much of late) |
| (idiom) of one's own accord=by one's own choice, without coercion. ( I'll have to order her to do it because she won't do it of her own accord). |
| (idiom) of the first water= "highest quality" and is a term which originates from the gemstone trade. (The Sitarist displayed a performance that was of the first water) |
| (idiom) of/to no avail=ineffective,(All his shouting was to no avail; no one could hear him, ) |
| (idiom) off colour=slightly unwell.(I'm feeling a bit off colour) |
| (idiom) off one's rocker=mad.(he looked so strange she thought he was off his rocker) |
| (idiom) off shore=situated at sea some distance from the shore.(offshore islands) (opp. Onshore) |
| (idiom) off someone's Christmas list=This expression means that you are no longer on friendly terms with someone. (After the quarrel, she is off his Christmas list) |
| (idiom) off the beaten track=far away from other people, houses etc in or into an isolated place.(we tried to find locations slightly off the beaten track) |
| (idiom) off the cuff=without preparation.(they posed some difficult questions to answer off the cuff) |
| (idiom) off the peg=(of clothes) ready-made.(budget off-the-peg outfits) |
| (idiom) off the record=not made as an official or attributable statement.(all this is off the record) |
| (idiom) off the top of your head= without careful thought or investigation(I can't tell you off the top of my head the exact cost of the machine) |
| (idiom) old chestnut=a joke, story, or subject that has become tedious and uninteresting through constant repetition.(the subject under discussion is that old chestnut, public or private financing of the arts) |
| (idiom) old dog for a hard road=Experience is invaluable when one is faced with a difficult task. (The grave social situation needs a reformer -an old dog for a hard road ) |
| (idiom) old tattered =Sometimes you don't know what to do with your old and damaged items except to throw them out or recycle them. (old tattered diary/books etc) |
| (idiom) old wives' tale=a widely held traditional belief that is now thought to be unscientific or incorrect.(Some superstitions are still old wives' tales, which need to be avoided in the present age) |
| (idiom) oldest trick in the book=a way of tricking someone that is still effective although it has been used a lot before: It was the oldest trick in the book - one man distracted me while another stole my wallet. |
| (idiom) on cloud nine(or seven)=extremely happy.(I was on cloud nine once I had completed it) |
| (idiom) on course=following the intended route.(he battled to keep the ship on course) |
| (idiom) on cue=at the correct moment.(right on cue the door opened) |
| (idiom) on ice=delayed or postponed.(All future proposals are put on ice because of financial crises of the Govt) |
| (idiom) on its last legs=Something that is on its last legs is in such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it should(I've had this laptop for five years now, and it's really on its last legs) |
| (idiom) on one's last legs=near the end of life, usefulness, or existence.(the foundry business was on its last legs) |
| (idiom) on one's uppers=extremely short of money.(He invited us out to lunch because we were both on our uppers) |
| (idiom) on somebody's tail=Following someone closely: (a police car stayed on his tail for half a mile.) |
| (idiom) on tap=ready to be poured from a tap.(the hard water most of us have on tap) |
| (idiom) on tenterhooks= in a state of suspense or agitation because of uncertainty about a future event.(he was on tenterhooks waiting for the director's decision) |
| (idiom) on the back burner= it is temporarily not being dealt with or considered, especially because it is not urgent or important:(We've all had to put our plans on the back burner for a while.) |
| (idiom) on the ball=aware of and quick to respond to new ideas and methods.(maintaining contact with customers keeps me on the ball) |
| (idiom) on the bandwagon=join a popular or successful cause(The actress is trying to jump on the Bollywood bandwagon) |
| (idiom) on the blink=(of a machine) not working properly; out of order.(the computer's on the blink) |
| (idiom) on the bottle=not abstaining from alcohol, usually after a period of sobriety(He didn't drink for a couple years, but after he got fired from his job, he went back on the bottle.) |
| (idiom) on the breadline=a queue of people waiting for free food given out by a government agency or a charity organization. |
| (idiom) on the cusp=highest point or pinnacle in traditional English language. (or the beginning of a change) |
| (idiom) on the dole= a giving or distribution of food, money, or clothing to the needy. |
| (idiom) on the dole=(1) : a giving or distribution of food, money, or clothing to the needy (2) : a grant of government funds to the unemployed /something distributed at intervals to the needy. |
| (idiom) on the fly=while in motion or progress.(producers were able to schedule the day's Olympic coverage on the fly) |
| (idiom) on the level(সত্যবাদী)=honest; truthful.(Ram said my story was on the level) |
| (idiom) on the level=honest; truthful.(The novelist said "my story was on the level") |
| (idiom) on the lookout=Be alert to (danger or trouble):( he told them to be on the lookout for dangerous gas) |
| (idiom) on the map=to make a thing, person, or place famous:(After visit of the Prime Minister, the tiny village is now on the map) |
| (idiom) on the mend=mproving in health or condition; recovering.(the economy of the country is now on the mend) |
| (idiom) on the off-chance=just in case(she thought of ringing on the off chance of catching him at the flat) |
| (idiom) on the QT= All three are clear that the QT is short for "quiet" and the phrase means "confidential" or "off the record" QT=quietly(The wedding ceremony was held on the QT) |
| (idiom) on the QT=Secret, usually in the sense of "under your hat(I'll tell you if you promise to keep it on the QT. No one can know)(QT=Quality Time) |
| (idiom) on the rack=suffering intense distress or strain(I was on the rack while I waited for the test results) |
| (idiom) on the rocks=(of marriage etc) broken down(our marriage is on the rocks) |
| (idiom) on the safe side=Avoiding danger, with a margin for error, as in Just to be on the safe side, let's order another hundred chairs. |
| (idiom) on the sly=surreptitiously(secretly) (done by stealth or fraud)(the voracious man eats on the sly) |
| (idiom) on the tip of the tongue=[of a thought or idea] about to be said or almost remembered.( I could not remember the sportsman's name in the interview Board. It was on the tip of my tongue.) |
| (idiom) on the up and up=becoming more successful.(his career is certainly on the up and up) |
| (idiom) on the uptake=Be quick (or slow) to understand something: he shows irritation with people who are slow on the uptake. |
| (idiom) on top of the world=happy and elated(he was interested in her and she felt on top of the world) |
| (idiom) on(or off) the wagon=abstaining (or not abstaining) from drinking alcohol.(He was supposed to be on the wagon) |
| (idiom) on/in the cards=possible or likely.(our marriage has been on the cards from day one) |
| (idiom) once bitten twice shy=an unpleasant experience induces caution. |
| (idiom) one fell swoop=to do it suddenly or in a single, swift action.(All the shanties were destroyed at one fell swoop) |
| (idiom) one good turn deserves another=if someone does you a favour, you should take the chance to repay it. |
| (idiom) one hand washes the other (and together they wash the face)=It means"you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" (with the mutual co-operation, they achieved success in the operation) |
| (idiom) one horse town=a small town with few and poor facilities. |
| (idiom) one in the eye=to be a disappointment or defeat for someone.(His success was one in the eye for his rivals.) |
| (idiom) one in the eye=to be a disappointment or defeat for someone: (My son's highest mark was one in the eye for his classmates) |
| (idiom) one over the eight=Someone who has had one over the eight is very drunk indeed. It refers to the standard eight pints that most people drink and feel is enough. |
| (idiom) one step ahead=managing to avoid competition or danger from someone or something.(I try to keep one step ahead of the rest of the staff) |
| (idiom) one too many=If you have had one too many, you have drunk too much alcohol. |
| (idiom) one track mind=A mind limited to only one line of thought or action, ( All you think about is sex—you have a one-track mind.) |
| (idiom) one upmanship=the technique or practice of gaining an advantage or feeling of superiority over another person.(the one-upmanship of who can get the best presents) |
| (idiom) one's in a blue moon=very rarely.(he comes round once in a blue moon) |
| (idiom) one's number is up=the time has come when someone is doomed to die or suffer some other disaster or setback.(though he had survived a thousand crises, he knew that this time his number was up) |
| (idiom) one's own undoing=cause of one's own downfall.(She told you to pack your bags and leave. It was your own undoing) |
| (idiom) one-upmanship= art of maintaining psychological advantage(game of one-upmanship among doctors) |
| (idiom) only to be expected= completely normal.(he could read a few lines in naked eyes, but at the age of eighty seven that was only to be expected) |
| (idiom) open doors to/for=to make something possible:(The liberty given to college students opened doors to them to act freely) |
| (idiom) open secret=a supposed secret that is in fact known to many people.(their affair was an open secret in army circles) |
| (idiom) open the floodgates=Truly the Floodgates of heaven are open to those who walk in faith and obedience,. |
| (idiom) open the kimono= revealing the inner workings of a project or company to an outside party. |
| (idiom) open/reopen old wounds=To open old wounds is to rekindle an arguement put on the side.(When Kamal met his estranged ex-wife she opened old wounds about his impotency.) |
| (idiom) open-and-shut case=a legal case or other matter that is easy to prove or decide because the facts are very clear. |
| (idiom) opinion poll=an assessment of public opinion by questioning a representative sample, especially as the basis for forecasting the results of voting. |
| (idiom) opposite number=a person whose position in another group, organization, or country is equivalent to that held by someone already mentioned.(the agriculture minister and his Labour opposite number) |
| (idiom) optical illusion=something that deceives the eye by appearing to be other than it is. |
| (idiom) organic growth=process of business expansion by increased output, customer base expansion, or new product dev, as opposed to mergers and acquisitions(inorganic growth) |
| (idiom) ostrich strategy/policy=In behavioral finance, the ostrich effect is the avoidance of apparently risky financial situations by pretending they do not exist.(The family is ruined because of ostrich strategy of the head of the family) |
| (idiom) other side of the coin=a different way of considering a situation, making it seem either better or worse than it did originally:(I like having a white car, but the other side of the coin is that it soon gets dirty.) |
| (idiom) other(or all) things being equal=provided that other factors or circumstances remain the same.(it follows that, other things being equal, the price level will rise) |
| (idiom) out class=be far superior to.(she totally outclassed us in the first half) |
| (idiom) out dated=out of date; obsolete.(outdated equipment) |
| (idiom) out like a light=fast asleep (When my father comes back home at midnight, he falls out like a light) |
| (idiom) out of date=old-fashioned.(everything in her wardrobe must be hopelessly out of date) |
| (idiom) out of earshot= out of the range of distance within which it is possible to be heard ... Wait till she's out of earshot before you say anything. |
| (idiom) out of harm's way=in a safe place.(some of the fortune was placed overseas out of harm's way) |
| (idiom) out of one's depth=in water too deep to stand in(just out of our depth, we bounce down below the surface of the water) |
| (idiom) out of sorts=slightly unwell.(she's been feeling nauseous and generally out of sorts) |
| (idiom) out of the blue=without warning; unexpectedly.(she phoned me out of the blue) |
| (idiom) out of the picture= no longer relevant to a situation; departed; dead(With her husband out of the picture, she can begin living as she pleases.) |
| (idiom) out of the question=too impracticable or unlikely to merit discussion.(Immediate purchase of a house is out of the question for her) |
| (idiom) out of this world=extremely enjoyable or impressive.(a herb and lemon dressing that's out of this world) |
| (idiom) out of touch=lacking up-to-date knowledge or information.(he seems out of touch with recent economic thinking) |
| (idiom) out of whack=out of order; not working.(all their calculations were out of whack) |
| (idiom) out of your depth= in water too deep to stand in.(just out of our depth, we bounce down below the surface of the water) |
| (idiom) out of your pocket=paid for with your own money rather than with money from another source(The charge is to be paid out of your pocket) |
| (idiom) out on a limb=isolated.(Aberdeen is rather out on a limb) |
| (idiom) out to lunch=to be crazy:(So do I take this guy seriously or is he out to lunch?) |
| (idiom) over and done with=If something difficult or unpleasant is over and done with, it has now been successfully accomplished, so you don't have to worry about it any longer.(Ultimately the problem is solved and the matter is over and done with) |
| (idiom) over dead body=If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will do everything you can to prevent it: (My son says " I am going to buy a motorbike." "Over my dead body") |
| (idiom) over the hill=old and no longer in the best part of your life(Once you turn 50, you are over the hill. The rest of your life will be terrible.) |
| (idiom) over the moon=extremely happy; delighted.(they're going on holiday on Wednesday so they're all over the moon) |
| (idiom) over the top(OTT)=to an excessive or exaggerated degree.(some performances go over the top) |
| (idiom) over-egg the pudding=to spoil something by trying too hard to improve it.(If you're telling lies, keep it simple—never over-egg the pudding.) |
| (idiom) overplay your hand=spoil one's chance of success through excessive confidence in one's position.(she chose to overplay her hand and lost the sympathy of those who could have saved her) |
| (idiom) overshoot the mark=If you make a mistake as a result of misjudging something (situation, distance, amount, etc.), you overshoot the mark.(The archer overshot the mark out of over confidence) |
| (idiom) overstep the mark=behave in an unacceptable way.(he denies that his staff overstepped the mark in lobbying) |
| (idiom) overworking class= A segment of society in which the chief characteristic is the desire or need to work long hours( a combination of the working class and for overworking, which seems quite prevalent among businessmen and businesswomen today. |
| (idiom) owing to =because of or on account of.(his reading was hesitant owing to a stammer) |
| (idiom) pace setter=a person, group, or organization that is the most progressive or successful and serves as a model to be imitated. |
| (idiom) paddle one's own canoe=be independent and self-sufficient.(she plunged into work, she'd got to paddle her own canoe) |
| (idiom) page three=a feature which appears daily on page three of the Sun newspaper, comprising a picture of a topless young woman.(Page Three girls) |
| (idiom) pain in the neck=something or someone that is very annoying or troublesome(This new class is a pain in the neck. It’s so difficult….and boring!) |
| (idiom) pain like shards of glass = feeling like shards of glass are stabbing inside one's pouch and all up one's lungs and rib cage. |
| (idiom) paint the town red=go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.(you want to have a good time and paint the town red this weekend) |
| (idiom) pass the buck= to give the responsibility or blame for something to someone else(He always passes the buck if he is asked to do smothing) |
| (idiom) passport to success=Something that gives one the right or privilege of passage, entry, or acceptance:( Hard work was her passport to success.) |
| (idiom) password fatigue= the feeling experienced by many people who are required to remember an excessive number of passwords as part of their daily routine,eg to logon to a computer at work/ conduct banking from an automated teller machine (ATM). |
| (idiom) password wallet=PasswordWallet stores all of your passwords and other private information in one, convenient location - because password confusion just isn't necessary! |
| (idiom) patron saint=A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God. |
| (idiom) pen name=an assumed name used by a writer instead of their real name.(Rajsekhar Basu used to write under the pen name of Parshuram)(syn. Sobriquet) |
| (idiom) pen pal=Pen pals (or penpals, pen-pals, penfriends or pen friends) are people who regularly write to each other, particularly via postal mail. |
| (idiom) penetration market=A measure of the amount of sales or adoption of a product or service compared to the total theoretical market for that product or service. |
| (idiom) pent-up=(of emotions, energy, etc.) unable to be expressed or released.(pent-up frustrations) |
| (idiom) pep rally=a gathering of people, typically students of middle school, high school, and college age, before a sports event.(to encourage school spirit and to support members of the team for which the rally is thrown) |
| (idiom) pep talk(ফুর্তির কথা)=a talk intended to make someone feel more courageous or enthusiastic.(I was to meet my editor for a pep talk) |
| (idiom) per annum=for each year (The population is increasing by about 2% per annum.) per mensem=per month(p.m.); per diem= per day(p.d.) |
| (idiom) per capita=for each person( The country's annual income is $5000 per capita.) |
| (idiom) per diem = daily; per mensem=monthly; per annum= annually. |
| (idiom) per se= in itself/themselves; intrinsically (These facts per se are not important. |
| (idiom) perky call=lively call |
| (idiom) permutation and combination=permutation (when the order of selection is a factor)and combination (when order is not a factor.) |
| (idiom) persona non grata(একজন অগ্রহণযোগ্য ব্যক্তি)=unacceptable or unwelcome person( From now on, you may consider yourself persona non grata in this house.) |
| (idiom) pet peeve(American Eng)=something that a particular person finds especially annoying.(one of my biggest pet peeves is poor customer service)/(British Eng) Pet Hate like " Smoking is my pet hate") |
| (idiom) photo finish=a close finish of a race in which the winner is identifiable only from a photograph taken as the competitors cross the line. |
| (idiom) pick up the tab=pay for expenses(my company will pick up the tab for all moving expense) |
| (idiom) pie chart=a type of graph in which a circle is divided into sectors that each represent a proportion of the whole.(a pie chart of how public money is spent) |
| (idiom) pie in the sky=used to describe or refer to something that is pleasant to contemplate but is very unlikely to be realized.(don't throw away a decent offer in pursuit of pie in the sky) |
| (idiom) piece of cake=something easily achieved.(I never said that training him would be a piece of cake) |
| (idiom) pied-piper=a person who induces others to follow or imitate him or her, especially by means of false or extravagant promises. |
| (idiom) pig's ear=;to do something badly, wrongly, or awkwardly: (He's made a real pig's ear of that bookcase he was supposed to be making.) |
| (idiom) pink collar job=job related to customer interaction,sales,service-oriented(Salesmen perform pink collar jobs) |
| (idiom) pitch black dream= To dream of pitch black darkness represents feelings of danger and uncertainty. |
| (idiom) pixie cut=a woman's short hairstyle in which the hair is cropped in layers, typically so as to create a slightly tousled effect.(the pixie cut is becoming almost a signature look for all celebrities looking to revamp their image" |
| (idiom) plantation crops=A plantation is a large artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption. |
| (idiom) plastic card=a plastic card issued by a bank to its clients that performs one or more of a number of services that relate to giving the client access to funds, either from client's own bank a/c, or through a credit a/c.(plastic money) |
| (idiom) plastic surgery=the process of reconstructing or repairing parts of the body by the transfer of tissue, either in the treatment of injury or for cosmetic reasons.(He underwent plastic surgery after he was attacked by a dog) |
| (idiom) play gooseberry= to be an unwanted third person who is present when two other people, especially two people having a romantic relationship, want to be alone. |
| (idiom) play something by ear=perform music without having to read from a score.(she could play both by ear and by reading) |
| (idiom) play your cards right=make the best use of one's assets and opportunities.(you have a chance of success if you play your cards right) |
| (idiom) plea-bargain=a request made in an urgent and emotional manner.(he made a dramatic plea for disarmament) |
| (idiom) plough-back=The farmer ploughed back the land for better cultivation. |
| (idiom) plum job=A "plum job" is a very easy, pleasant job that pays well. |
| (idiom) poetic justice(আদর্শ বিচার)=a literary device in which ultimately virtue is rewarded and vice punished.In real life, mostly poetic justice is not available unlike 3 hours' cinema life. |
| (idiom) point-blank=(of a shot) fired from very close to its target.(the bullet, fired at point-blank range, hit him in the middle of the back) |
| (idiom) political landscape= the current state of politics in a particular region. This includes the style of governance, policy direction, relationship between parties, media reportage and analysis. |
| (idiom) pomp and grandeur=state of being impressive or awesome ceremony with splendid display :(All the great feasts of the year are celebrated with the greatest pomp and grandeur.) |
| (idiom) post mortem=examination of a body after death; autopsy (The post-mortem revealed that she had been murdered.) |
| (idiom) potion a liquid with healing, magical, or poisonous properties.(a love potion) |
| (idiom) pour oil on troubled waters= To calm a disturbance: (His ideas caused real dissension within the party at first, but he poured oil on troubled waters in last night's speech. (dissension=disagreement that leads to discord.) |
| (idiom) poverty stricken=extremely poor.(a poverty-stricken nation) |
| (idiom) power outage=power cut=short- or long-term loss of the electric power to an area. |
| (idiom) pratfall effect=an individual's perceived attractiveness increases or decrease after he or she makes a mistake– depending on the individual's perceived competence (ability to generally perform well). |
| (idiom) preemptive(অগ্রক্রয়াধিকারবলে কেনা বা পাওয়া) measure=serving or intended to pre-empt or forestall something, especially to prevent attack by disabling the enemy.(a pre-emptive strike) |
| (idiom) preen oneself=show self-confidence(as birds tidy feather with their beaks) |
| (idiom) prima donna=the chief female singer in an opera or opera company. |
| (idiom) prime rate=the lowest rate of interest at which money may be borrowed commercially.(the banks have cut their prime rate by 4 percentage points) |
| (idiom) Privy Purse=a payment that was made to the royal families of the former princely states of India. The Privy Purse was created as part of the agreements made by them to merge with Union of India in the year 1947 |
| (idiom) pro bono publico=( for the public good;)(usually shortened to pro bono) is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. |
| (idiom) pro rata=proportional; proportionally(The car rental charge is Rs3000/- per day and then pro rata for part of a day.) |
| (idiom) pro-active approach=(of a person or action) creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened.(employers must take a proactive approach to equal pay) |
| (idiom) pros and cons =advantages and disadvantages(They debated the pros and cons of setting up their own firm.) |
| (idiom) pull someone's leg=deceive someone playfully; tease someone.(getting married—are you pulling my leg?) |
| (idiom) pull up your socks=to make an effort to improve your work or behaviour because it is not good enough: (He'll lose his job unless he pulls his socks up and starts doing a lot better) |
| (idiom) Purple State (n): A US state where the Democratic and Republican parties have similar levels of support among voters. |
| (idiom) put a damper on=Discourage, dishearten, deter( Grandpa's death put a damper on our Christmas holidays. ) |
| (idiom) put in a good word =to say something (to someone) in support of someone else( I hope you get the job. I'll put in a good word for you.) |
| (idiom) put on your thinking cap=meditate on a problem.(To solve the hard puzzle, put on your thinking cap) |
| (idiom) put the records straight=to write or say something in order to make the true facts known: … |
| (idiom) put two and two together=draw an obvious conclusion from what is known or evident.(I didn't tell her Ashim had left, but she noticed his car was gone and put two and two together. ) |
| (idiom) put words in someone's mouth=to say that someone means one thing when the person really meant something else:( I never said you should leave – don't put words in my mouth.) |
| (idiom) put(someone)up to something=to encourage someone to do something, esp. something wrong: She never stole anything before – maybe her friends put her up to it. |
| (idiom) put/lay one's cards on the table=to be very candid about one's position on some issue(Now time has come, you must put your cards on the table and declare the amount you can invest right now) |
| (idiom) putting the cart before the horse=to do things in the wrong order(Aren't you putting the cart before the horse by deciding what to wear for the wedding before you've even been invited to it?) |
| (idiom) quaking in one's boots=quake or shake like a leaf. Tremble with fear(The very thought of a hurricane blowing in makes me quake in my boots) |
| (idiom) quantum leap=a sudden large increase or advance.(there has been a quantum leap in the quality of wines marketed in the UK) |
| (idiom) quart in a pint pot=You cannot fit too much of something into a space that is too small(Our refrigerator isn't big enough to fit that watermelon in. You can't get a quart into a pint pot.) |
| (idiom) quench thirst=satisfy one's thrust by drinking(Students quenched their thirst with coca-cola) |
| (idiom) quick as a dog can lick a dish= If you do something surprisingly fast, you do it as quick as a dog can lick a dish. |
| (idiom) quick off the mark=Fast to start or try something(This physician is quick off the mark in trying the newest medications) |
| (idiom) quick temper=a bad temper that can be easily aroused. (My boss has a quick temper and doesn't mind letting everyone see it) |
| (idiom) quid pro quo=favour or advantage given or expected in return for something (Similar to "tit for tat", "give and take" and "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.") |
| (idiom) quiet as a mouse=(of a person or animal) extremely quiet or docile. |
| (idiom) quintastic=( 'quin' + 'fantastic'). A person who is age fifty or more and is still attractive and successful; especially someone famous.(In 2015 Amir Khan became a quintastic) |
| (idiom) race against time= A situation in which something must be done before a particular point in time: it was a race against time to reach shore before the dinghy sank. |
| (idiom) rack and ruin=complete destruction |
| (idiom) rack one's brain=try hard to remember.(The victim was asked by the police inspector to rack his brain for enquiry into the incident) |
| (idiom) rack your brains=to think very hard(I've been racking my brains all day but I can't remember his name.) |
| (idiom) rack(wrack)one's brain(s)=make a great effort to think of or remember something(She racked her brain for inspiration) |
| (idiom) racked with pain=Cause extreme pain, anguish, or distress to:( he was racked with guilt) |
| (idiom) rags to riches=any situation in which a person rises from poverty to wealth, and in some cases from obscurity to fame (it was the old rags-to-riches fantasy) |
| (idiom) rags to riches=used to describe a person's rise from a state of extreme poverty to one of great wealth.(it was the old rags-to-riches fantasy) |
| (idiom) raining cats and dogs=something that you say when it is raining heavily. |
| (idiom) raise the roof=make a great deal of noise, especially through cheering.(when I finally scored the fans raised the roof) |
| (idiom) raise/lower one's sights=Become more (or less) ambitious; increase (or lower) one's expectations: if it fails to reach that minimum, they can either lower their sights or take the property off the market. |
| (idiom) raising eyebrows=If something causes you to raise an eyebrow or to raise your eyebrows, it causes you to feel surprised or disapproving. |
| (idiom) rake in the money=If you say that someone is raking in money, you mean that they are making a lot of money very easily, more easily than you think they should. |
| (idiom) rake over the ashes/rake over old coals=revive the memory of an incident which is best forgotten.(no point in raking over old coals/the ashes, opening old sores) |
| (idiom) ram down one's throat=to force someone to agree to or accept (something).(I cannot ram down a student's throat for learning power english, unless he/she is interested) |
| (idiom) rank and file=the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders.(the rank and file of the Labour Party) |
| (idiom) rant and rave(তারস্বরে কথা বলা এবং খেপিয়া উঠা)=shout and complain angrily and at length.(stop ranting and raving for a minute and start being honest with yourself) |
| (idiom) rap on the knuckles=To give a light and insufficient punishment; give someone slap on the wrist/rap on the knuckles. |
| (idiom) raring to go=Very eager to begin( The children were all dressed and raring to go) |
| (idiom) rat race(সামাজিক প্রতিষ্ঠা লাভের জন্য বিপরোয়া প্রতিযোগিতা)=a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power.(they quit the rat race in order to live a simple life) |
| (idiom) rat tail=a hair style that is characterized by a long "tail"-like element of hair growing downward from the back of the head. |
| (idiom) rather you than me=used to convey that one would be reluctant oneself to undertake a particular task undertaken by someone else.(‘I'm picking him up after lunch.’ ‘Rather you than me.’) |
| (idiom) rats in the attic=one having eccentric behaviour. (His father has got rats in the attic, as he was talking with me continually for the last 2 hours) |
| (idiom) raw deal=A situation in which someone receives unfair or harsh treatment:( pensioners have had a raw deal.) |
| (idiom) reach for the moon= If you reach for the moon, or reach for the stars, you are aiming to achieve something great, or do something very challenging. |
| (idiom) reach saturation point= a point at which some capacity is at its fullest; limit: (After a while she reached the saturation point & could absorb nothing more from the lectures.) |
| (idiom) read between lines= to find meanings that are intended but that are not directly expressed in something said or written(She said she could afford it, but reading between the lines I don't think she has enough money. |
| (idiom) read the riot act="to reprimand severely." with the added sense of a stern warning. |
| (idiom) ready and waiting=Used to emphasize that someone or something is fully prepared or immediately available: the apartment was all ready and waiting for them. |
| (idiom) ready to drop=to be extremely tired: . |
| (idiom) ready to drop=to be extremely tired: .(the boy has been struggling whole day and night, he is ready to drop) |
| (idiom) reality show=a television programme in which ordinary people are continuously filmed, designed to be entertaining rather than informative.(Nowadays we are accustomed to great reality shows in TV) |
| (idiom) reap the harvest=to get benefit or suffer as a direct result of past actions.(After a hard toil for the whole year , the labour reaped the harvest by a fabulous production bonus) |
| (idiom) rear end=the back part of something, especially a building or vehicle.(the kitchen door at the rear of the house) |
| (idiom) rear its ugly head=(of something unpleasant) to appear: The familiar spectre of drought and famine has reared its ugly head again. |
| (idiom) rear view mirror=a small angled mirror fixed inside the windscreen of a motor vehicle enabling the driver to see the vehicle or road behind. |
| (idiom) reasoning test=The numerical reasoning test measures your ability to interpret, analyse and draw logical conclusions based on numerical data presented in graphs and tables. |
| (idiom) recharge one's batteries=to rest and relax for a period of time so that you feel energetic . |
| (idiom) recipe for disaster=it's going to cause trouble or serious problems. ( Inviting my aunt-in-law to stay for a week is a recipe for disaster. ) |
| (idiom) red carpet=a long, narrow red carpet laid on the ground for a distinguished visitor to walk along when arriving(used in reference to privileged treatment of a distinguished visitor.) |
| (idiom) red flag to a bull=Something that will cause an angry or violent reaction. A red rag to a bull is something - perhaps a comment or a criticism - intended to deliberately provoke someone else into reacting negatively. |
| (idiom) red handed=used to indicate that a person has been discovered in or just after the act of doing something wrong or illegal.(I caught him red-handed, stealing a wallet) |
| (idiom) red herring=a clue or piece of information which is or is intended to be misleading or distracting.(the argument about women's choices is largely a red herring) |
| (idiom) red light district=an area of a town or city containing many brothels, strip clubs, and other sex businesses. |
| (idiom) red tape=excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities.(this law will just create more red tape) |
| (idiom) red-blooded=to describe someone who seems full of confidence or sexual energy: |
| (idiom) redress the balance=restore equality in a situation.(an opportunity to redress the balance in their fortunes) |
| (idiom) reduce(someone) to tears= to make someone unhappy or cause someone to be in a bad state or situation: His comments reduced her to tears (= made her cry). |
| (idiom) refresh someone's memory= to help someone remember something:(May I refresh your memory that you are already late by 1 hour?) |
| (idiom) refresher course=a short course reviewing or updating previous studies or training connected with one's profession. |
| (idiom) regain one's composure=Cliché to become calm and composed after being angry or agitated.(The woman took several hours to regain her composure). |
| (idiom) regain one's feet= If you regain your feet, you stand up again after stumbling or falling.(also "to regain the upper hand"i.e. to recover financially after a huge loss) |
| (idiom) remain on one's toes=to continue directing all your attention and energy to what you are doing:(You have to be on your toes if you want to be in this business. ) |
| (idiom) remains to be seen=it is not yet certain: . (The new Govt of WB is formed but their fruitful steps remain to be seen in future) |
| (idiom) resign oneself=have no choice but to accept(friends and relatives of the air victims seemed surprisingly calm,having resigned themselves to fate) |
| (idiom) rest is history=used when explaining how something happened, to say that you have reached the part of the story that everyone knows. He took her to see his publisher, and the rest is history. |
| (idiom) rhetorical question= eg. who cares? |
| (idiom) ride out the storm=to deal with a difficult situation without being harmed or damaged too much |
| (idiom) ride roughshod over=carry out one's own plans or wishes with arrogant disregard for (someone or something).(he rode roughshod over everyone else's opinions) |
| (idiom) riding high=to be very successful:(The new star is riding high after release of his latest movie) |
| (idiom) riding the coattails=a metaphor that refers to one who achieves some level of success or notability primarily through association with someone else. |
| (idiom) right as rain=be perfectly fit and well.(she'll be right as rain in a couple of days) |
| (idiom) right up/down your alley= If something is right down your alley, or right up your alley, it would be perfect for you or ideal for your skills and interests. For example: I've found a job that should be right down her alley. |
| (idiom) ring a bell=sound vaguely familiar.(the name rings a bell) |
| (idiom) ring out the old year and ring in the new=to celebrate the end of a year while celebrating the beginning of a new one. |
| (idiom) ripple effect=the continuing and spreading results of an event or action.(a report of one attack by one man can terrorize 10,000 women; the ripple effect is enormous) |
| (idiom) rise to the occasion=perform better than usual in response to a special situation or event.(when it comes to the finals, they can rise to the occasion) |
| (idiom) risk life and limb=Take dangerous chances(There he was on the roof, risking life and limb to rescue the kitten ) |
| (idiom) road rage=sudden violent anger provoked in a motorist by the actions of another driver. |
| (idiom) rob Peter to pay Paul=take something away from one person to pay another; discharge one debt only to incur another(mainstream funding for the college was a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, reducing the budget all around for other colleges) |
| (idiom) rob the cradle=To have a love interest that is significantly younger than oneself in age. (antonym=rob the grave= When a young person is "on the prowl" for an older person) |
| (idiom) rock the boat=If you rock the boat, you do or say something that will upset people or cause problems: Don't rock the boat until the negotiations are finished. |
| (idiom) rocket science=something very difficult to understand.(we want you to get out and vote—it's not exactly rocket science) |
| (idiom) role model=a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated.(a father is a role model for his sons) |
| (idiom) roll up one's sleeves=prepare to fight or work.(my father said he would roll up his sleeves and take on anyone who laid a finger on us) |
| (idiom) roll with the punches=(of a boxer) move one's body away from an opponent's blows so as to lessen the impact. |
| (idiom) rolling in money=be very rich.(he was a tycoon and must have been rolling in money) |
| (idiom) root and branch=used to express the thorough or radical nature of a process or operation.(root-and-branch reform of personal taxation) |
| (idiom) rooted to the spot=Not moving, especially owing to some strong emotion. For example, When the truck bore down on the dog, he was terrified and stood rooted to the spot. |
| (idiom) rotten apple=used to refer to a morally corrupt person in a group, regarded as capable of having an adverse effect on others.(chartered accountants have no time for rotten apples in their professional barrel) |
| (idiom) rough and ready=crude but effective.(a rough-and-ready estimating method) |
| (idiom) rough and tumble=a situation without rules or organization; a free-for-all.(the rough and tumble of political life) |
| (idiom) rough diamond=a person who is generally of good character but lacks manners, education, or style.(my grandfather was a bit of a rough diamond) |
| (idiom) rough justice=treatment or punishment that is not fair. (They're used to rough justice around here) |
| (idiom) round the clock=all day and all night.(I've got a team working around the clock)(24x7) |
| (idiom) roving eye=look amorously(ogle v.) (tendency to ogle) |
| (idiom) rub shoulders(elbows) with=associate or come into contact with another person.(he rubbed shoulders with TV stars at the party) |
| (idiom) rubber hits(meets) the road=The point at which a theory or idea is put to a practical test: the differences between effective and ineffective teachers show up where the rubber meets the road, in the brains of the students. |
| (idiom) rue the day=to feel very sorry about an event: . (After witnessing the massive accident on the road, I rued the whole day) |
| (idiom) rugged individuals=determined to succeed in a difficult situation, even if this means using force or upsetting other people |
| (idiom) rule of thumb=a principle with broad application that is not intended to be strictly accurate/reliable for every situation.It is an easily learned & applied procedure for calculating/recalling some value/for making some determination. |
| (idiom) rule the roost=be in complete control.(In this particular society men rule the roost and women have a low status and few rights) |
| (idiom) run a mile=used with reference to a situation regarded as frightening or alarming.(if someone proposed to me I'd probably run a mile) |
| (idiom) run a taut ship= an organization in an orderly and disciplined manner.(The Manager of the Company runs a taut(nautical word for tight ship) |
| (idiom) run out of steam=lose impetus or enthusiasm.(a rebellion that had run out of steam) |
| (idiom) run rings/circles around them=to do something much better than they do. For example: (The Democrat candidate ran rings around the Republican candidate in their debate on the economy.) |
| (idiom) run riot=behave in a violent and unrestrained way.(a country where freelance gunmen run riot, looting and hijacking food) |
| (idiom) run round in circles=to do something for a long time without achieving anything but purposeless repetition.(the discussion went round and round in circles) |
| (idiom) run the gamut of=A gamut is a full or complete range(A visit with a long-lost cousin might arouse emotions that run the gamut of joy, regret, sorrow, and excitement.) |
| (idiom) run with the hare and hunt with the hounds=try to remain on good terms with both sides in a conflict or dispute. |
| (idiom) running battle=a confrontation which has gone on for a long time. |
| (idiom) run-of-the-mill=lacking unusual or special aspects; ordinary.(a run-of-the-mill job) |
| (idiom) runs in the family= Be characteristic of a family or passed on from one generation to the next(That happy-go-lucky trait runs in the blood, or Big ears run in the family.) |
| (idiom) same wavelength=to think in a similar way to another person( We get on well because we're on the same wavelength.) |
| (idiom) sandwich generation=a generation of people, typically in their thirties or forties, responsible both for bringing up their own children and for the care of their ageing parents. |
| (idiom) scare the (living)daylight out of someone = to frighten someone very much |
| (idiom) science fiction=a genre of speculative fiction dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, parallel universes and extraterrestrial life. |
| (idiom) sci-fi=short for science fiction.(a sci-fi movie) |
| (idiom) scream one's lung out =to scream very loud |
| (idiom) scream(or yell) blue(or bloody)murder=make an extravagant and noisy protest.(if it gets into the papers, she'll be down here screaming blue murder) |
| (idiom) see errors of ways=The condition of having incorrect or false knowledge(the boy was made to see errors of his ways by his advisor) |
| (idiom) see in a new light=view in a way that makes one change the opinion one had before.(he believed that if he could talk to his opponents, he could make them see in a new light.) |
| (idiom) see red=become very angry suddenly(the mere thought of Amal with Neena made her see red) |
| (idiom) sell like hot cakes=to be bought quickly and in large numbers:(Nowadays smart phones are sold like hot cakes) |
| (idiom) serial killer=a person who murders three or more people, usually due to abnormal psychological gratification, with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant break (a "cooling off period") between them. |
| (idiom) set the alarm bells ringing=to make someone feel worried or concerned about something ⇒( The US move has set alarm bells ringing at human rights organisations.) |
| (idiom) settle for=resolve or reach an agreement about (an argument or problem).(the unions have settled their year-long dispute with Hollywood producers) |
| (idiom) shabby-chic=a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their appearance of age and signs of wear and tear or where new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique. |
| (idiom) shadow practice= A great way to improve the sharpness and steadiness of your shots is to shadow practice them.(Sachin Tendulker used to adopt shadow practice of cricket batting since childhood) |
| (idiom) shake sth up=to cause large changes in something such as an organization, usually in order to make improvements:(Technological changes have shaken up many industries.) |
| (idiom) shed light on something=to make somnething clear(Experts hope the plane's flight recorders will shed light on the cause of the crash.) |
| (idiom) sheer negligence=a complete failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances |
| (idiom) sheet lightning=lightning with its brightness diffused by reflection within clouds. |
| (idiom) shock syndrome= child attack-prone (during immunisation) |
| (idiom) shoestring budget=a small amount of money that is considered to be inadequate for its intended purpose. |
| (idiom) shop lifting=the action of stealing goods from a shop while pretending to be a customer.(she had convictions for shoplifting) |
| (idiom) short circuit=an electrical circuit in a device of lower resistance than that of a normal circuit, (an office block had been set on fire by an electrical short circuit) |
| (idiom) short sighted=lacking imagination or foresight.(a short-sighted government) |
| (idiom) shotgun wedding=an enforced or hurried wedding, especially because the bride is pregnant. |
| (idiom) show oneself in true colour=Reveal oneself as one really is, as in "We always thought he was completely honest, but he showed his true colors when he tried to use a stolen credit card" |
| (idiom) side effect=a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical treatment.(many anti-cancer drugs now in use have toxic side effects) |
| (idiom) since time immemorial(অনাদিকাল থেকে) = it has been happening for many centuries(rice is cultivated in tropical countries since time immemorial) |
| (idiom) sine die(অনির্দিষ্টকাল)=with reference to business or proceedings that have been adjourned/ with no appointed date for resumption.(the case was adjourned sine die) |
| (idiom) sine qua non(অপরিহার্য শর্ত)=an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary.(grammar and usage are the sine qua non of language teaching and learning) |
| (idiom) sip n see party =a party mom and dad throw after baby's birth — one that makes it easy for friends to come and go as they please, snack on grab-and-go goodies, meet baby, and honor mom and dad without overdoing it. |
| (idiom) sit down strike= strike during which workers occupy their place of employment and refuse to work or allow others to work until the strike is settled |
| (idiom) sitting duck=a person or thing with no protection against an attack or other source of danger. |
| (idiom) sitting on fence=terms for someone who refuses to make a decision.(The politician, when questioned on abortion, sat on the fence, never giving a clear opinion; he was afraid of losing support from the right or the left.) |
| (idiom) situation to reach to such a pass =to reach a sad or difficult state (I never thought things would come to such a pass as this) |
| (idiom) six-pack=A popular term for the rectus abdominis muscle of body builders,appearance of which is characterised by excessively developed rounded muscle bellies separated by horizontal tendinous intersections,resembling a six pack of beverage cans |
| (idiom) sixth sense=an ability that some people believe they have that seems to give them information without using the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste:.(some sixth sense told him he was not alone) |
| (idiom) skeleton service=the supporting framework, basic structure, or essential part of something.(the concrete skeleton of an unfinished building) |
| (idiom) sketchy plan=not thorough or detailed.(the information they had was sketchy) |
| (idiom) skilled musician=virtuoso(plural - virtuosi)(a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.(a celebrated clarionet virtuoso) |
| (idiom) skinny love=when two people love each other but are too shy to admit it but they still show it. |
| (idiom) sleaze factor=dishonest,immoral or illegal behaviour esp by politicians |
| (idiom) sleigh(t)of hand(কলা-কৌশল)=manual dexterity, typically in performing conjuring tricks.(Great Magician (Sr.) P C Sarkar's sleight of hand was famous and amazing) |
| (idiom) slice/share of the cake=you want a share of any money that is being made from an activity. (Workers of any profitable company always expect larger slice/share of the cake) |
| (idiom) slip of the pen(or the tongue)=a minor mistake in writing (or speech). |
| (idiom) slow on the uptake=they understand things with difficulty(He's a little slow on the uptake, so you may have to repeat the instructions a few times.) |
| (idiom) slow-witted=slow to understand, think, or learn; stupid.(the slow-witted interviewer failed to pounce on his remarks) |
| (idiom) slush fund=fund for illegal purposes/a reserve of money used for illicit purposes, especially political bribery. |
| (idiom) small dogs tall weeds=This expression is used to refer to someone who does not have the ability or the resources necessary to perform a task. |
| (idiom) small fry=insignificant people or things.(he was small fry and privy to nothing) |
| (idiom) Smarketing=process of integrating sales and marketing process of a business to unify the company goals and provide consistent messaging for your brand. |
| (idiom) smartwatch=a mobile device with a touchscreen display, designed to be worn on the wrist.(the main benefit of a smartwatch is that it keeps you constantly updated without you having to whip out your smartphone) |
| (idiom) smell a rat=begin to suspect trickery or deception.(when he died, investigators were called in and soon smelt a rat) |
| (idiom) smoky eyes=(Anyone who wears makeup can appreciate the look of a smouldering, smoky eye.)(smouldering=exuding sexual intent /anger/hatred) |
| (idiom) snail mail=the ordinary postal system as opposed to email. |
| (idiom) sneek peek=an opportunity to see something before it is officially available. |
| (idiom) soap opera=a television or radio drama serial dealing typically with daily events in the lives of the same group of characters. |
| (idiom) social supermarkets=markets that take surplus from other stores {items that are about to expire/dented/mislabeled, etc.} and sell them at significant discounts to patrons who need some sort of economic assistance.( when foods are still edible.) |
| (idiom) socio-economic=relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors.(socio-economic change) |
| (idiom) soft skills=personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. |
| (idiom) solitary confinement=the isolation of a prisoner in a separate cell as a punishment.(she was kept in solitary confinement for three days) |
| (idiom) somebody's name is mud=if someone's name is mud, other people are angry with that person because of something they have done or said Well he'd better turn up tonight or his name will be mud. |
| (idiom) sonic boom=a loud explosive noise caused by the shock wave from an aircraft or other object travelling faster than the speed of sound. |
| (idiom) sorry plight=a distressing condition or situation:(The international community should do more to protect the plight of these people.) |
| (idiom) soul-searching=deep and anxious consideration of one's emotions and motives or of the correctness of a course of action.(my conclusions required a great deal of soul-searching) |
| (idiom) speak of the devil=said when a person appears just after being mentioned. |
| (idiom) speed dating=an organized social activity in which people seeking romantic relationships have a series of short conversations with potential partners in order to determine whether there is mutual interest. |
| (idiom) spick and span=neat, clean, and well looked after.(my little house is spick and span) |
| (idiom) spill the beans=reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly. |
| (idiom) spin doctor=a spokesperson employed to give a favourable interpretation of events to the media, especially on behalf of a political party(Nowadays, mostly venomous speeches of MLAs/MPs/Ministers are euphemisticaly explained by their spin doctors and thus general public are befooled) |
| (idiom) spine chilling=(of a story or film) inspiring terror and excitement.(a spine-chilling tale) |
| (idiom) split second=a brief moment of time(for a split second, I hesitated) |
| (idiom) spoon fed=feed with a spoon.(he is spoon-feeding the chimpanzee as one might feed a baby) |
| (idiom) spring chicken=a young chicken for eating (originally available only in spring). |
| (idiom) spring fever=a term applied to several sets of physical and psychological symptoms associated with the arrival of spring. |
| (idiom) spur of the moment(মুহূর্তমধ্যে)=on impulse; without planning in advance.(I don't generally do things on the spur of the moment) |
| (idiom) stage fright=nervousness before or during an appearance before an audience.(an attack of stage fright) |
| (idiom) staid image=sober and steady image(Soumya is as staid as his name) ; |
| (idiom) standard of living=the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community. |
| (idiom) stark reality=severe reality(the stark reality of death.) |
| (idiom) starry-eyed=naively enthusiastic or idealistic.(starry-eyed romantics) |
| (idiom) start(or get or set) the ball rolling=aware of and quick to respond to new ideas and methods.(maintaining contact with customers keeps me on the ball) |
| (idiom) state of flux= state of continual change;a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction ... |
| (idiom) state-of-the-art technology=the highest level of general development, as of a device, technique, or scientific field achieved at a particular time. |
| (idiom) status quo=the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.(they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo) |
| (idiom) stay one jump ahead=one step in advance of someone or something.(Try to stay one jump ahead of the competition.) |
| (idiom) steal someone's thunder=win praise for oneself by pre-empting someone else's attempt to impress.( to take credit for something that someone else did.) |
| (idiom) steam ahead =with all possible energy and enthusiasm full speed ahead The real estate market has heated up, and building is going full steam ahead |
| (idiom) stepping stone=an action or event that helps one to make progress towards a specified goal.(the school championships are a stepping stone to international competition) |
| (idiom) stick one's neck out=to do something knowing you may not succeed but you find it important enough to try(I’m going to stick my neck out for you and present your idea to the boss). |
| (idiom) sticky situation=A tough situation to get out of, or a sensitive situation. |
| (idiom) stiff upper lip= displays fortitude in the face of adversity, or exercises great self-restraint in the expression of emotion.( He was taught to keep a stiff upper lip, whatever happens.) |
| (idiom) still born=(of an infant) born dead.(a stillborn baby) |
| (idiom) sting operation=a carefully planned operation, typically one involving deception.(five blackmailers were jailed last week after they were snared in a police sting)/sting(v)(হুল ফুিটেয় আঘাত করা)(a bee stings) |
| (idiom) stonewall query=To engage in delaying tactics; stall: |
| (idiom) stony silence=there is no response at all in spite of all the best efforts made to elicit answer/information from him/her. |
| (idiom) stress test=a form of deliberately intense or thorough testing used to determine the stability of a given system or entity. |
| (idiom) strike(or hit) the right(or wrong)note=say /do something in a way that that is very suitable/unsuitable for a particular audience or occasion.(the republicans appeared to strike exactly the right note with the electorate) |
| (idiom) stubborn tantrum= outburst of bad temper (stubborn=showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good reasons to do so.) |
| (idiom) stuck in a time warp= to have not changed even though everyone or everything else has : The house seemed to be stuck in a 19th-century time warp. |
| (idiom) subprime lending=denoting or relating to credit or loan arrangements for borrowers with a poor credit history, typically having unfavourable conditions such as high interest rates.(the sub-prime mortgage market) |
| (idiom) subtle nuance(সূক্ষ্ম পার্থক্য)=a very small difference in color, meaning, or feeling. |
| (idiom) suffice it to say=used to indicate that one is saying enough to make one's meaning clear while withholding something for reasons of discretion or brevity.(suffice it to say that they were not considered suitable for this project) |
| (idiom) sunset policy=In public policy,a sunset provision/clause is a measure within a statute, regulation that provides that the law shall cease to have effect after a specific date,unless further legislative action is taken to extend the law. |
| (idiom) surge pricing=It occurs when a company raises the price of its offering if there is an increase in demand.( Uber raised some eyebrows when they announced that they would be implementing "surge pricing" on New Year's Eve. |
| (idiom) sweep under rug= to conceal something that is embarrassing that you don't want other people to know about. |
| (idiom) tail wagging the dog= The less important or subsidiary factor, person, or thing dominates a situation; the usual roles are reversed: the financing system is becoming the tail that wags the dog. |
| (idiom) tailor-made=Perfectly fitted to a condition, preference, or purpose; made or as if made to order: tailor-made renovations |
| (idiom) take a back seat=occupy an inferior position; allow another to be in control. ( Amita was content to take a back seat and let Mira run the meeting. ) |
| (idiom) take a chance of=behave in a way that leaves one vulnerable to danger or failure.(the bank was prepared to take a chance and lend him 40% of the purchase price) |
| (idiom) take a dim view of=Regard with disapproval.( If information is received and no action is taken the force would take a dim view of that.) |
| (idiom) take a dim view=to disapprove of something (Most bosses take a dim view of long lunches.) |
| (idiom) take a fancy =Be attracted to someone or something,( They took a fancy to spicy foods after their Mexican vacation) |
| (idiom) take a gander=stretch one's neck to see, possibly alluding to the long neck of the male goose. |
| (idiom) take a load of one's mind=the relief from a mental burden gained by saying what one is thinking or by speaking one's mind. (When his killer friend died, the situation took a load of his mind) |
| (idiom) take a nosedive=to go into a sudden rapid drop or decline : (Her popularity took a nosedive) |
| (idiom) take a rain check=used to refuse an offer politely, with the implication that one may take it up at a later date.(they wanted me to come along for the ride but I took a rain check) |
| (idiom) take a stand=Adopt a firm position about an issue( She was more than willing to take a stand on abortion right) |
| (idiom) take a turn for the worse=to become worse: (the political situation suddenly took a turn for the worse) |
| (idiom) take amiss= be offended by (to misinterpret in a bad sense)(Public took the matter amiss ) |
| (idiom) take apart=Examine thoroughly, analyze or dissect( The teacher embarrassed him by taking his thesis apart in front of the class) |
| (idiom) take for a ride=Deceive or cheat someone: it's not pleasant to find out you've been taken for a ride by someone you trusted. |
| (idiom) take it easy=proceed in a calm and relaxed manner.(The student was advised to take it easy after a hard exam to avoid odd situations in succeeding exams) |
| (idiom) take it offline= to talk about something after the current meeting(This discussion doesn't pertain to everyone here, you and I can take it offline.) |
| (idiom) take it on chin=to accept unpleasant events bravely and without complaining. |
| (idiom) take it on the chin=accept misfortune courageously or stoically.(one of her great strengths is her ability to take it on the chin) |
| (idiom) take it upon yourself=to accept a responsibility without being asked to( He took it upon himself to personally thank each person who came to the memorial service.) |
| (idiom) take leave of one's senses=(in hyperbolic use) go mad (she began to beat her chest as though she had taken leave of her senses) |
| (idiom) take lying down=Accept an insult, setback, or rebuke without protest:( she's laughing at me for being weak and I'm not going to take it lying down any longer.) |
| (idiom) take matters into one's own hands(একা একটি সমস্যা মোকাবেলা করা) =To deal with a problem alone, because others responsible have failed to deal with it.(Realising the bleak future of the boy, his father took matters into his own hands) |
| (idiom) take no for an answer=persist in spite of refusals.(My brother insisted our stay at New Delhi for a week and would not take no for an answer) |
| (idiom) take one down a peg or two=To lower someone's inflated ego or self-image, to debase.(He was so rude that someone was bound to knock him down a peg or two.) |
| (idiom) take one's courage in both hands=nerve oneself to do something that frightens one.(taking her courage in both hands, she knocked on the door) |
| (idiom) take one's cue=to use someone else's behavior or reactions as a guide to one's own. (the boy took his cue from his brother) |
| (idiom) take one's life in one's hands=to risk someone's life. If you go into the war zone, you will be taking your life in your hands. |
| (idiom) take one's mind off something/somebody=to cause you to stop thinking about who or what is causing worry That's the good thing about helping other people – it takes your mind off your own problems. |
| (idiom) take sb for a ride=to deceive or cheat someone(: I think we've been taken for a ride) |
| (idiom) take shape=assume a distinct form; develop into something definite or tangible (the past few months have seen the state's health insurance legislation begin to take shape) |
| (idiom) take somebody under your wing=to help and protect someone, especially someone who is younger than you or has less experience than you (One of the older children will usually take a new girl or boy under their wing for the first few weeks.) |
| (idiom) take steps= to move in a matter. (We need to take drastic steps to reduce pollution.) |
| (idiom) take sth as read=to accept that something is true without making sure that it is(I just took it as read that anyone who applied for the course would have the necessary qualifications) |
| (idiom) take stock of situation= review the situation, weigh up, appraise, estimate, (Her father took stock of the situation and then remarked about her marriage) |
| (idiom) take the biscuit(cake)=it has become really bad, annoying or objectionable. Often used when something has worsened. |
| (idiom) take the bloom off something= to remove the enjoyment or ultimate satisfaction from; dampen(the clamour of the school boys in the class took the bloom off the important teaching) |
| (idiom) take the bread out of someone's mouth= to deprive someone of livelihood.(The decision of massive taxation by Govt, takes the bread out of poor people's mouth) |
| (idiom) take the bull/cow by the horns=deal decisively with a difficult or dangerous situation.(she decided to take the bull by the horns and organize things for herself) |
| (idiom) take the easy way out=extricate oneself from a difficult situation by choosing the simplest rather than the most honourable course of action.(she had taken the easy way out by returning the keys without a message) |
| (idiom) take the floor=To get into one's hands, control, or possession,(the artiste was not ready to take the floor) |
| (idiom) take the hind leg off a donkey=A person who is excessively or extremely talkative (we are tired of the speaker, he can talk the hind leg off a donkey) |
| (idiom) take the law into one's own hands=punish someone for an offence according to one's own ideas of justice, especially in an illegal or violent way.(people have been urged to keep calm and not take the law into their own hands) |
| (idiom) take the mickey out of someone=to tease or make fun of someone(Her friends take the mickey out of her as she always remains busy with her dolls) |
| (idiom) take the plunge=commit oneself to a course of action about which one is nervous.(she wondered whether to enter for the race, but decided to take the plunge) |
| (idiom) take the rap=be punished or blamed, especially for something that is not one's fault.(it didn't worry him if someone else took the rap for his misdemeanours) |
| (idiom) take the rap=be punished or blamed, especially for something that is not one's fault.(Mohan decides to rob a bank. When he gets caught, his big brother Tapan takes the rap for the bank robbery.) |
| (idiom) take the rough with the smooth=accept the unpleasant aspects of life as well as the good.(someone with his high profile in sport must take the rough with the smooth) |
| (idiom) take the sting out of something= If something takes the sting out of an unpleasant situation, it makes it less unpleasant:(The new policy of shorter working hours will serve to take the sting out of the pay cut.) |
| (idiom) take the words out of someone's mouth=Anticipate what someone is about to say; also, completely agree with someone.(You took the words out of my mouth when you said he was stupid.) |
| (idiom) take to something like a duck to water= to learn how to do something very quickly and to enjoy doing it (When my son started learning how to swim, he took it like a duck to water) |
| (idiom) take to the cleaners= to cause to lose all or a great deal of one's money or personal property, as through gambling or a bad investment:(He got taken to the cleaners in the poker game last night.) |
| (idiom) take two to tango=to mean that some things need the active cooperation of two parties in some enterprise(We'll never pass this bill unless both parties work out a compromise -- it takes two to tango. |
| (idiom) take under your wing=If you take someone under your wing, you look after them while they are learning something.(I owe a lot to my uncle who took me under his wing when I was young) |
| (idiom) take up cudgel=to argue strongly in support of, or against, someone or something:( Relatives have taken up the cudgels for two British women accused of murder.) |
| (idiom) take wind out of sails=frustrate someone by unexpectedly anticipating an action or remark.(My father's wrong business strategy took the wind out of our sails) |
| (idiom) take with a grain of salt= to view something with skepticism, or to not take it literally.(when we heard that bribery is stopped in Motor Vehicles Dept, I took the news with a grain of salt) |
| (idiom) take your courage in both hands=nerve oneself to do something that frightens one.(taking her courage in both hands, she knocked on the door) |
| (idiom) take(great)pains to do something=to try very hard to so something(: He took great pains to dress well for the occasion) |
| (idiom) take/catch somebody unawares=if something takes you unawares, it happens when you are not expecting it and are not prepared:(The question caught me completely unawares) |
| (idiom) talk sb into sth=to persuade someone to do something: He's against the idea, but I think I can talk him into it. |
| (idiom) talk shop=discuss matters concerning one's work, especially at a social occasion when this is inappropriate.(he and his fellow workers would incessantly talk shop in the village pub) |
| (idiom) talking nineteen to the dozen=it means that the individual is speaking very fast. He/she is talking non-stop and very quickly. When we run into such a person we usually end up with a headache. |
| (idiom) tall story=A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, related as if it were true and factual. |
| (idiom) tar baby=a difficult problem which is only aggravated by attempts to solve it.(disposal of nuclear waste was a problem whose solution was endlessly delayed, a tar baby no one wanted anything to do with) |
| (idiom) tar with the same brush=guilty of the same behavior/ likely to be considered the same as someone else because of similar behavior.(Don't have connections with him or you will have tar with the same brush) |
| (idiom) teach someone a lesson=punish or hurt someone as a deterrent or warning(they were teaching me a lesson for daring to complain) |
| (idiom) tear a strip off = To scold vigorously. (The boss tore a strip off him for arriving late to the meeting) |
| (idiom) tear one's hair out =feel extreme desperation.(dealers are tearing their hair out trying to match customers with cars) |
| (idiom) tech junkie=addicted to technology |
| (idiom) teeth chattering= to make a rapid clicking noise by striking together: His teeth were chattering from the cold. |
| (idiom) teething problems = short-term problems that occur in the early stages of a new project.(the inevitable teething troubles of a new system) |
| (idiom) tell someone a thing or two = some matters, facts, or information:(Why don't you ask Andrew about it? He knows a thing or two) |
| (idiom) tell-tale=person who discloses another's private affairs or misdeeds |
| (idiom) tender-hearted=having a kind, gentle, or sentimental nature.(a loyal and tender-hearted friend) |
| (idiom) terra firma=dry land; the ground as opposed to the air or sea( Shackleton and his men set foot on terra firma after three weeks at sea.) |
| (idiom) test the waters= to find out whether something is likely to be successful before you do or try it: (Candidates like to test the waters before running for office) |
| (idiom) test walking = a walk-through test is a procedure under financial audit performed by auditors.Auditors establish the reliability of a client's accounting & internal control procedures(Walk-through tests can not be considered tests of controls.) |
| (idiom) tete-a-tete=a private conversation between two people.(it so happened that their tête-à-tête was in earshot) |
| (idiom) tete-a-tete=a private conversation between two people.(it so happened that their tête-à-tête was in earshot) |
| (idiom) text walking = habit of walking while texting a message. Text driving (intexticated) = habit of driving while texting a message. Both are bad habits and should be avoided. |
| (idiom) textual harassment = To harass someone through text messages |
| (idiom) thank one's lucky stars=to be thankful for one's luck( I thank my lucky stars that I studied the right things for the test.) |
| (idiom) thanksgiving=the expression of gratitude, especially to God.(he offered prayers in thanksgiving for his safe arrival)(4th Thursday of November..thanksgiving day observed in Canada and USA for blessing of harvest and preceding year) |
| (idiom) that figures!= used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant that has happened: (The spoilt child could not succeed in the exam. That figures!) |
| (idiom) that makes my blood boil=to make someone very angry. It just makes my blood boil to think of the amount of food that gets wasted around here. |
| (idiom) that makes two of us=one is in the same position or holds the same opinion as the previous speaker.(‘I haven't a clue!’ ‘That makes two of us.) |
| (idiom) that takes the biscuit=it has become really bad, annoying or objectionable. (Often used when something has worsened.)(when we reached the front, counter is suddenly closed without notice. That took the biscuit) |
| (idiom) that's going too far = to exceed reasonable limits. (the student has insulted a teacher in public; that'going too far) |
| (idiom) that's the last straw=the last in a series of odd events that finally makes you feel that you cannot continue to accept a bad situation(She's always been rude to me, but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mom) |
| (idiom) that's the way the ball bounces(or the cookie crumbles)=That is the way matters have worked out and nothing can be done about it.(They wanted a baby boy but got a third girl—that's the way the cookie crumbles.) |
| (idiom) that's the way the cookie crumbles=that's the way the situation is, and it must be accepted, however undesirable.(‘It's so unfair.’ ‘That's the way the cookie crumbles.) |
| (idiom) the best of both worlds=a situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two very different things at the same time:(She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both worlds.) |
| (idiom) the bubble has burst=A theory that security prices rise above their true value and will continue to do so until prices go into freefall and the bubble bursts. |
| (idiom) the corridors of power=the offices of the powerful leaders(As personal adviser to the Prime Minister, he thought he’d get his foot inside the corridors of power.) |
| (idiom) the mind boggles=something very confusing, puzzling or hard to comprehend.(An example of mind boggling is when an avid chocolate lover hears that someone doesn't like chocolate) |
| (idiom) the worse for wear=in a poor condition; worn or shabby.(the plane had been kept outside the motel for 30 years and was beginning to look the worse for wear) |
| (idiom) there for the taking = Ready or available for someone to take advantage of:(When the expert of the sports did not participate, other were ready there for the taking) |
| (idiom) there is no accounting for taste=There is no explanation for people's preferences.( Look at that purple and orange car! There's no accounting for taste) |
| (idiom) there is no accounting for taste=when it is difficult to explain why different people like different things, especially things that you do not like(I love working at weekends." "Well, there's no accounting for taste!) |
| (idiom) there is nothing to it=there is no difficulty involved.(My mother will teach how to cook chicken soup; there is nothing to it) |
| (idiom) there is one born every minute=There are many fools and dupes in the world.(I've just had an email from a lady in Nigeria who desperately needed money. I sent her some to help her out.There is one born every minute) |
| (idiom) there wasn't a soul=there was no body (By the time I arrived there wasn't a soul there.) |
| (idiom) there will be the devil to pay=a lot of trouble, difficulty, punishment, anger, etc. If he catches you going through his drawers there'll be the devil to pay! |
| (idiom) thespian culture=culture relating to drama and theatre( a thespian talent) |
| (idiom) thick as thieves=(of two or more people) very close or friendly.(he and his friend were thick as thieves) |
| (idiom) thick-skinned=insensitive to criticism or insults.(I suppose you have to be pretty thick-skinned to be an MP) |
| (idiom) thin end of the wedge= An action or procedure of little importance that is likely to lead to more serious developments:(a charge for nursery classes would be the thin end of the wedge and lead to charges for ordinary schooling) |
| (idiom) thin on the top=to have lost some of the hair on your head:(After initial chemo therapy, the girl has gone a bit thin on the top) |
| (idiom) thing of the past =something that no longer happens: ( Few people use gramophone records nowadays they have become thing of the past) |
| (idiom) things are looking up = things are starting to go well(the past couple of months haven't been easiy for me...but things are looking up) |
| (idiom) think again=reconsider something.(the advisory committee must think again about its approach) |
| (idiom) think better of = to decide that something is not a good idea: Originally we were going to buy his old car, but we thought better of it |
| (idiom) think on one's feet= react to events decisively, effectively, and without prior thought.(When you're called on in class, you have to be able to think on your feet.) |
| (idiom) think outside the box=think in an original or creative way.(To solve this problem, we're going to have to think outside the box.) |
| (idiom) think tank= a body of experts providing advice and ideas on specific political or economic problems.(a think tank devoted to the study of political and economic integration) |
| (idiom) think the sun rises and sets on someone=to think someone is the most important person in the world.(His wife admires her husband she thinks the sun rises and sets on him) |
| (idiom) think the world of =to be very fond of someone or something.(She thinks the world of her little sister.) |
| (idiom) thinking outside/beyond the box=a metaphor(symbolic of something else) that means to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. |
| (idiom) thinly veiled=someone is pretending it is something else, but you can easily see what it really is (He looked at his friend's new car with thinly veiled envy) |
| (idiom) third degree burn=a severe burn characterized by destruction of the skin through the depth of the dermis & possibly into underlying tissues, loss of fluid, and sometimes shock. |
| (idiom) thorn in your side=someone or something that continually causes problems for you:( Money problems have been a thorn in our side since the day we got married.) |
| (idiom) thorny issue=to deal with a difficult or unpleasant problem(Extortion in any road construction has become a thorny issue nowadays) |
| (idiom) thrilled to bits= if you say that someone is thrilled to bits, you are emphasizing the fact that they are extremely pleased about something(I'm thrilled to bits to have won the cash.) |
| (idiom) through thick and thin = under all circumstances, no matter how difficult.(they stuck together through thick and thin) |
| (idiom) throw a tantrum(খেয়ালী বদমেজাজের ঘোর)=an emotional outburst, usually associated with children or those in emotional distress, characterized by stubbornness, crying, screaming, defiance, anger ranting (often committed by toddlers) |
| (idiom) throw a spanner in the works= to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding.( We were hoping to get the project started in June but the funding was withdrawn so that rather threw a spanner in the works) |
| (idiom) throw a wobbly/wobbler= to suddenly behave irrationally or to have a temper tantrum.(My uncle is so fretful that he would throw a wobbly/wobbler for a petty cause) |
| (idiom) throw caution to the wind=act in a completely reckless manner.(you may even throw caution to the wind and try one of our Mystery Trips) |
| (idiom) throw dust in eyes= to mislead or deceive someone by misrepresentation or distraction(. It has been terribly easy to throw dust in our eyes in the past.) |
| (idiom) throw dust in someone's eyes= seek to mislead or deceive someone by misrepresentation or distraction.(the hawker threw dust in the landlady's eyes and stole her valuable ornaments from the house) |
| (idiom) throw good money after bad = incur further loss in a hopeless attempt to recoup a previous loss.(to buy a second hand prolong used old car and to invest money for its thorough repairing is just to throw good money after bad) |
| (idiom) throw in the towel(or sponge)=(of boxers or their seconds) throw a towel (or sponge) into the ring as a token of defeat.(the boxer was told by his trainer that he was going to throw the towel in if he did not start throwing punches) |
| (idiom) throw it over the wall=Business slang for completing your part of a project and then passing it off to the next group(. This phrase is usually said when there is little communication between two groups.) |
| (idiom) throw money at something= to try to solve a problem by indiscriminately spending money on it.( This agency has thrown money at the housing problem, but it has been nothing but a long-term disaster. Don't just throw money at it.) |
| (idiom) throw one's hat into a ring=express willingness to take up a challenge.(he has resisted the temptation to throw his hat in the ring and do both jobs simultaneously) |
| (idiom) throw pearls to pigs=it is wasteful to offer something valuable or useful to someone who does not understand or appreciate it.(Do not throw your pearls to pigs. Otherwise, they will trample them and then tear you.) |
| (idiom) throw something together =make or produce something hastily, without careful planning or arrangement.(the meal was quickly thrown together at news of her guests' arrival) |
| (idiom) thumb rule=a general principle that provides practical instructions for accomplishing or approaching a certain task |
| (idiom) thunderous applause= making or accompanied by a noise like thunder |
| (idiom) tick the right boxes= Fulfil all the necessary requirements( My son entered his new room in Japan, which ticked all the right boxes) |
| (idiom) tickety-boo=in good order; fine.(everything is tickety-boo) |
| (idiom) tickle the ivories = play the piano.(the resident pianist will be tickling the ivories) |
| (idiom) tickled pink =Delighted (I was tickled pink when I got his autograph) |
| (idiom) tidal wave dreams=dreams which commonly appear at times when you are under a lot of pressure or going through a period of significant change. |
| (idiom) tide has turned =change of trend from one thing into another ( It looked as if the team were going to lose, but near the end of the game, our star player turned the tide.) |
| (idiom) tie the knot = to marry a mate.( We tied the knot after all in Kalighat Temple) |
| (idiom) tie yourself up in knots = to become very confused or worried when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem .(They tied themselves up in knots over the seating arrangements for the party.) |
| (idiom) tied to one's apron strings=If you say that someone, especially a man, is tied to his mother's/wife's apron strings, it means that he is strongly influenced and controlled by that person. |
| (idiom) tight spot = to be in a very difficult situation .(Recent continuous taxi strike left the city travellers in a tight spot) |
| (idiom) tight squeeze= A difficulty caused by too little time or space, or too little credit or funds. ( It will be a tight squeeze to get there on time) |
| (idiom) tighten your belt=cut one's expenditure; live more frugally.(she said the poor must tighten their belts) |
| (idiom) till the cows come home=for an indefinitely long time.(those two could talk till the cows came home) |
| (idiom) time after time = to do repeatedly or on many occasions(the pedestrians were cautioned time after time by announcements to use the overbridge) |
| (idiom) time honoured tradition=long-standing, revered/followed as a result of a long tradition/history.(If your family has a 20-year tradition of decorating the Christmas tree,it is an example of something t described as a time-honored tradition) |
| (idiom) time is ticking away = time is passing, especially when there is something that needs to be done or when you are waiting for something to happen. ( The clock ticks away, leaving little time for talks.) |
| (idiom) tip of the iceberg(একটি বড়সমস্যা এর ইঙ্গিত)=Only a hint or suggestion of a much larger or more complex issue or problem: (The money missing from petty cash was only the tip of the iceberg of financial mismanagement.) |
| (idiom) tip toe=walk quietly and carefully with one's heels raised and one's weight on the balls of the feet.(he tiptoed out of the room) |
| (idiom) tit-for-tat= the infliction of an injury or insult in return for one that one has suffered.(the conflict staggered on with tit-for-tat assassinations) |
| (idiom) tittle tattle=casual conversation about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as true |
| (idiom) titular head=a person in an official position of leadership having few actual powers(In India, mostly President has to play the role of titular head having no power) |
| (idiom) to and fro=move constantly backwards and forwards.(the ducks were toing and froing)(also to and fro =moving from one place to another and back again) |
| (idiom) to be in the limelight=to be at the centre of attraction(The actor came in the limelight after his latest film) |
| (idiom) to be on the anvil=to be in a state of discussion, formation, or preparation, as when a scheme or measure is forming, but not matured.(the proposal is still on the anvil) |
| (idiom) to be scathed=to be criticized severely |
| (idiom) to beat around the bush=to talk about something for a long time without coming to the main point. |
| (idiom) to bemoan a fact=expressing discontent or sorrow over(something)(it was no use bemoaning her lot) |
| (idiom) to call a spade a spade=To speak directly and bluntly; to avoid euphemism(The prosecutor said, 'Let's call a spade a spade. You didn't borrow, you stole it") |
| (idiom) to call someone ass hole=doing something not just stupid and annoying, but mean |
| (idiom) to crack exam= to get sure shot success in exam |
| (idiom) to doodle= to draw pictures or patterns while thinking about something else or when you are bored: . |
| (idiom) to draw flak= barrage of criticism (Centre's financial policy drew flak from opposition parties ) |
| (idiom) to eat humble pie=to make a humble apology(to apologize and face humiliation for a serious error. ) |
| (idiom) to explore all avenues=to try everything in order to find a solution or to obtain the desired result(Before declaring the task to be impossible, we have to explore all avenues) |
| (idiom) to fend for oneself=to get along by oneself(to provide for one's own needs) |
| (idiom) to find an alliance for son= to find marriage partner of son |
| (idiom) to finger someone= to tell the police that the person is guilty of a crime. |
| (idiom) to give the shirt off one's back = to give anything that is asked for, no matter the sacrifice required.( Tom would give any of his old army buddies the shirt off his back) |
| (idiom) to give the slip = To evade …( The police chased the guy for two days before he finally gave them the slip and vanished) |
| (idiom) to go berserck=frenziedly violent or destructive(the mob went berserk after hearing news of murder of their leader) |
| (idiom) to go viral = becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet which can be passed through electronic mail and social networking sites (Facebook, etc.) . |
| (idiom) to have bats in the belfry= to be silly and slightly crazy and behave in a confused way.(Belfry=he top of a bell tower on a church, where the bell is housed) |
| (idiom) to have got something on the brain=be obsessed with something.(My brother has cars on the brain) |
| (idiom) to leave someone in limbo= in a state of oblivion(senseless)(After I got hit on the head, I was in limbo for ten minutes.) |
| (idiom) to make a beeline for = to take the most diect route towards..( to head straight toward someone or something.)(She came into the kitchen and made a beeline for the cookies.) |
| (idiom) to make a crib=to make a small bed for a baby or young child with high bars around the sides )(A sleeping baby in his crib.) |
| (idiom) to make both ends meet=earn just enough money to live on.(they were finding it hard to make ends meet) |
| (idiom) to make hay=make good use of an opportunity while it lasts.(they made political hay out of the issue) |
| (idiom) to open a can of worms=to attempt to solve one problem, or to do something, that creates a whole litany of other problems that were not there in the first place. |
| (idiom) to peddle the same maxim=to follow a rule avoided before(a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct(the maxim that actions speak louderthanwords) |
| (idiom) to rule with an iron fist/hand=to control a group of people very firmly, having complete power over everything they do. |
| (idiom) to run amok= to go into a frenzy(I was afraid that if I left the toddler alone she would run amok and have a hard time calming down) |
| (idiom) to sing carols =The word Carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy |
| (idiom) to the best of one's ability=as well as one can.(Mohan must do his job to the best of his abilities) |
| (idiom) to the letter(অিবকল)=with adherence to every detail.(the method was followed to the letter) |
| (idiom) to throw someone a bone= to give him a small concession,favor/gift as a consolation prize for losing the bigger thing that he really wanted.(Kamal didn't get the promotion he applied for,but they threw him a bone & gave him a small raise) |
| (idiom) to wage a war=. to carry on (a battle, war, conflict, argument, etc.): to wage war against a nation. |
| (idiom) toe the line = accept the authority, policies, or principles of a particular group, especially unwillingly.(he knew that he had to toe the official line because he couldn't afford to be put on the dole) |
| (idiom) token gesture=to describe small/unimportant things/actions but meant to show particular intentions/feelings which may not be sincere(The announcement was welcomed as a step in the right direction, but was widely seen as a token gesture) |
| (idiom) tomorrow is another day = said after a bad experience to express one's belief that the future will be better.(there's always hope because tomorrow is another day) |
| (idiom) tone-deaf=(of a person) unable to perceive differences of musical pitch accurately. |
| (idiom) tongue twister=a sequence of words or sounds,typically of an alliterative kind,that are difficult to pronounce quickly and correctly, eg Peter Piper picked a peck of pickledpepper. |
| (idiom) tongue-in-cheek=speaking or writing in an ironic or insincere way.(one suspects that he is writing with tongue in cheek) |
| (idiom) tongue-lashing = a loud or severe scolding.(the incensed boss gave him a tongue-lashing) |
| (idiom) tongues are wagging=Used to convey that people are gossiping about someone or something: this is a small island and tongues are beginning to wag. |
| (idiom) tongue-tied=too shy or embarrassed to speak.(she was tongue-tied in the presence of her parents) |
| (idiom) too big for someone's boots=behaving as if you are more important than you really are: (After getting the plush job, his behaviour is drastically changed. He is really getting too big for his boots). |
| (idiom) too many chiefs, not enough Indians=there are too many bosses, not enough workers, (Usually uttered by yuppies or their parents, quite confident that no one in their circle will end up a mere "Indian") |
| (idiom) too many chiefs, not enough Indians=too many managers and not enough people to do the work(The Scheme was not successful, there were too many chiefs, not enough Indians) |
| (idiom) too much like hard work =one does not want to do because it needs a lot of effort(I don't like gardening - it's too much like hard work.) |
| (idiom) toot(blow)one's own horn= talk boastfully about oneself or one's achievements.(My neighbour always toots her own horn) |
| (idiom) top dog = a person who is successful or dominant in their field.(he was a top dog in the City) |
| (idiom) top notch=of the highest quality; excellent.(a top-notch hotel) |
| (idiom) top of one's lungs=To shout at the top of my lungs means to say something very loudly. (I had to shout at the top of my lungs to make it heard to the noisy public) |
| (idiom) topsy-turvy=upside down.(the fairground ride turned riders topsy-turvy) |
| (idiom) touch and go=(of an outcome, especially one that is desired) possible but very uncertain.(it was touch-and-go whether she could reach the pram before it overturned) |
| (idiom) touch base=briefly make or renew contact with someone.(they are travelling back to Kolkata, where they plan to touch base with relatives) |
| (idiom) touch with a ten-foot pole= Stay far away from, avoid completely(She wouldn't touch raw oysters with a ten-foot pole) |
| (idiom) touch/knock on wood=a superstitious action to ward off any evil consequences or bad luck, perhaps because of some recent action you’ve taken or untimely boasting about your good fortune (“I’ve never been in danger of drowning, touch wood”) |
| (idiom) tough as old boots =very strong, and not easily made weaker: (Our manager is as tough as old boots) |
| (idiom) tough cookie= If you describe someone as a tough cookie, you mean that they are unemotional and are not easily hurt by what people say or do.( She really is a tough cookie.) |
| (idiom) tower(pillar) of strength=a person who can be relied upon to give a great deal of support and comfort to others.(He had been an absolute tower of strength over her sudden departure) |
| (idiom) toy with the idea= you consider doing something but you do not really give it serious thought. (My wife has often toyed with the idea of moving abroad, but she's still here!) |
| (idiom) toy with=Think about, without serious intent (I've been toying with the idea of starting to walk to work.) |
| (idiom) trade secret=a secret device or technique used by a company in manufacturing its products(Famous chefs hardly share their cooking styles in toto - those are their trade secrets) |
| (idiom) trafficking of drugs=illegal trading in drugs (Govt has taken adequate steps to arrest trafficking of drugs) |
| (idiom) trail(v) and trail(n) =a path, track or unpaved lane or road |
| (idiom) train/track of thought=the interconnection in the sequence of ideas expressed during a connected discourse or thought, as well as the sequence itself, especially in discussion how this sequence leads from one idea to another. |
| (idiom) transcendental meditation=meditation and relocation based on Yoga |
| (idiom) trash can=a container for people to put rubbish/garbage in, in the street or in a public building(litter bin) |
| (idiom) trashion=(trash+fashion)a term for art, jewelry, fashion and objects for the home created from used, thrown-out, found and repurposed elements. |
| (idiom) traumatic grief=Normal grief responses experienced in combination with traumatic distress suffered as a result of a loved one dying in a way perceived to be frightening, horrifying, unexpected, violent and/or traumatic. |
| (idiom) travails of labour=(শ্রম বেদনা)(back-breakingly hard mental exertion or physical labor)(Nowadays travails of labour pose serious threat to the industry) /(প্রসববেদনা(The expecting mother is scared of travails during delivery of childbirth) |
| (idiom) travel light = travel with a minimum load or minimum luggage.(she's one of those backpackers who likes to travel light) |
| (idiom) tread water = maintain an upright position in deep water by moving the feet with a walking movement and the hands with a downward circular motion.(they were at the deep end of the pool and trod water to keep afloat) |
| (idiom) treasure trove of empathy,dignity, love and affection(treasure trove=a collection of valuable or pleasing things that is found unexpectedly) |
| (idiom) trial and error method=A method of reaching a correct solution or satisfactory result by trying out various means or theories until error is sufficiently reduced or eliminated. |
| (idiom) trial and error= the process of experimenting with various methods of doing something until one finds the most successful.(pupils learn by trial and error) |
| (idiom) trial balloon=a tentative measure taken or statement made to see how a new policy will be received.(different members of the cabinet are sending up one trial balloon after another) |
| (idiom) trials and tribulations=Tests of one's patience or endurance( She went through all the trials and tribulations of being admitted to law school only to find she couldn't afford to go) |
| (idiom) tribal marketing=a marketing strategy that attempts to create social groups or communities that are centered around a product or service. |
| (idiom) trick or treat= to spoil and spend money on a female, whether it is taking her out to dinner, taking her shopping, or anything else of that sort. |
| (idiom) tricks of the trade=Clever ways of operating a business or performing a task or activity, especially slightly dishonest or unfair ones. ( He knows all the tricks of the trade, cutting the fabric as close as possible) |
| (idiom) tried and tested/trusted=denoting something that has proven in the past to be effective or reliable.(a tried-and-tested recipe) |
| (idiom) trim the flab= to reduce fat ; flab(extra soft flesh on a person's body) |
| (idiom) troll factory=a firm that pays its employees to write online comments fvg/ against something posing as ordinary Internet users(Russia's troll factory runs thousands of fake Facebook and Twitter a/cs to flood social media with anti-Ukrainian) |
| (idiom) trousseau shopping(কনের সাজসজ্জা শপিং)=Bridal shopping ( shopping of a bride for her personal possessions usually including clothes, accessories, and household linens and wares. ) |
| (idiom) truth is stranger than fiction=Sometimes what actually happens is more bizarre than anything that could have been imagined. |
| (idiom) truth will out= The truth always appears eventually, despite all efforts to hide it.( It is impossible to keep something secret forever. - truth will out) |
| (idiom) try someone's patience= to bother someone as if testing the person's patience. (Her constant lateness tries our patience. ) |
| (idiom) tug at the heartstrings=one's deepest feelings of love or compassion:( the kitten's pitiful little squeak tugged at her heartstrings.) |
| (idiom) tumble down=decrepit(ruined) (He lived in a tumbledown house near the forest) |
| (idiom) tunnel vision = the tendency to focus exclusively on a single or limited objective or view.(she has tunnel vision in all matters of opinion and morality)(in the negative sense)(being unable to see more than one way of doing things) |
| (idiom) turn a blind eye=pretend not to notice.(please, don't turn a blind eye to what is happening) |
| (idiom) turn a deaf ear=refuse to listen or respond to a statement or request.(he turned a deaf ear to all appeals) |
| (idiom) turn a hair=remain apparently unmoved or unaffected.(if I was told I'd been sacked tomorrow, I don't think I'd turn a hair) |
| (idiom) turn on the waterworks=to start crying, especially too much or in a way that does not seem sincere.(You can turn on the waterworks all you want - I'm not going to change my mind) |
| (idiom) turn over a new leaf=start to act or behave in a better or more responsible way.(When the boy came back from Correctional Institute, he vowed to turn over a new leaf) |
| (idiom) turn the tables=reverse one's position relative to someone else, especially by turning a position of disadvantage into one of advantage.(police invited householders to a seminar on how to turn the tables on burglars) |
| (idiom) turn turtle=To turn upside down. Commonly used for boats and ships that capsize and turn through 180° so their hulls are above their superstructure, but it can refer to any vehicle in a similar position. |
| (idiom) turn up like a bad penny = an unwanted thing that keeps showing up.(I try to avoid that awakward person but wherever I move he turns up like a bad panny) |
| (idiom) turn up one's nose= . turn your back on someone/something (We offered her a perfectly good job, and she turned her nose up at it.) |
| (idiom) turn up the heat on someone(or something)=to put pressure on someone or something;/apply additional pressure to someone or something. The police turned up the heat on the people who park illegally every day. |
| (idiom) turnaround time =total time taken between the submission of a program/process/thread/task (Linux) for execution and the return of the complete output to the customer/user |
| (idiom) turning Japanese = it is a love song about someone who lost their girlfriend and was going slowly crazy."Turning Japanese is all the clichés about angst and youth and turning into something you didn't expect to." |
| (idiom) turning point=a time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results.(this could be the turning point in his career) |
| (idiom) turnkey project=a type of project that is constructed so that it could be sold to any buyer as a completed product. |
| (idiom) tweet seats=a seat, or one of a block of seats, reserved in cinemas, theaters and sporting events for those who wish to send tweets to Twitter followers about the event while it's in progress. |
| (idiom) twiddle one's thumbs=to do nothing for a period of time, usually while you are waiting for something to happen(I arrived early for the meeting so I was twiddling my thumbs for half an hour.) |
| (idiom) twist in the wind=be left in a state of suspense or uncertainty.(Rather than giving clear public guidance, politicians let NATO commanders twist in the wind) |
| (idiom) twist someone's arms=to get someone to do what you want by making it very difficult for him or her to refuse(I didn’t want to go to the exhibition, but she twisted my arm) |
| (idiom) twittion=(twitter+petition)Where one idiot tries to get a whole bunch of idiots to twitter some sort of response or support to something the Original Idiot (OI) posted |
| (idiom) two can play at that game= used to assert that one is capable of copying other's strategy, to their disadvantage.("When I found out that my husband had been having an affair, I thought "two can play at that game!" - murmured the lady) |
| (idiom) two left feet=Be clumsy, as in I'll never get the hang of this dance; I've got two left feet. This expression conjures up an image of feet that are not symmetrical, as left and right are, therefore causing imbalance or stumbling. |
| (idiom) two peas in a pod=so similar as to be indistinguishable or nearly so.(they were like two peas in a pod, both with the same high cheekbones and hairline) |
| (idiom) two square meals a day=Here a square meal means nourishing or filling meal: two square meals a day=lunch and dinner. Poor people hardly can afford two square meals a day. |
| (idiom) two(or three, four etc) of a kind=the same or very similar.(she and her sister were two of a kind) |
| (idiom) two-faced=insincere and deceitful.(I soon learned that he was two-faced) |
| (idiom) two's a company three's a crowd= A third person spoils the ideal combination of a couple (" No, I won't join you—three's a crowd" . This expression, alluding to a third person spoiling the privacy of a pair of lovers) |
| (idiom) two-time someone=to deceive someone you are having a relationship with by having a secret sexual relationship with someone else at the same time:(I ended the relationship when I found out he was two-timing me.) |
| (idiom) ugly as sin=Physically or morally hideous, as in I can't think why she likes that cat; it's ugly as sin. This simile, first recorded in 1801, replaced the earlier ugly as the devil. |
| (idiom) ulterior motive(ভিবষ্য অিভপ্রায়)=(beyond what is obvious)motive (Sheila had an ulterior motive for trying to help his sister financially) |
| (idiom) uncalled for(অযািচত)=(especially of a person's behaviour) undesirable and unnecessary.(uncalled-for remarks) |
| (idiom) uncharted waters=(of a physical or nonphysical region or area) not yet mapped, surveyed, or investigated: uncharted waters; the uncharted depths of the mind. |
| (idiom) under current= a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendency often contrary to the one publicly shown. |
| (idiom) under close scrutiny=someone/something being watched carefully(Council services are subject to close scrutiny to ensure their efficiency) |
| (idiom) under estimate=estimate (something) to be smaller or less important than it really is.(the government has grossly underestimated the extent of the problem) |
| (idiom) under one's belt=safely or satisfactorily achieved, experienced, or acquired.(he now has almost a year as minister under his belt) |
| (idiom) under privileged=(of a person) not enjoying the same standard of living or rights as the majority of people in a society. |
| (idiom) under scanner= examining something in particular (Detectives are busy in putting the incident under scanner) |
| (idiom) under the influence=(less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired)He was driving while under the influence. |
| (idiom) under the knife=go (or be) under the knife. informal Have surgery.( While women still account for nearly 90 per cent of all plastic surgery patients in the United States, men are increasingly going under the knife.) |
| (idiom) under the weather=slightly unwell or in low spirits.(she was sufficiently under the weather to have to pull out of the championship) |
| (idiom) under water=relating to or denoting a loan with a balance that exceeds the current market value of the loan.(an epidemic of underwater mortgages) |
| (idiom) under your thumb=completely under someone's influence or control.(he was very much under the thumb of his father) |
| (idiom) until hell freezes over=(for an extremely long time or forever.) I will fight for these children till hell freezes over. |
| (idiom) unvarnished truth=a plain and honest way: (You don't expect a politician to tell you the unvarnished truth) |
| (idiom) up and about=no longer in bed (after sleep or an illness)..(My daughter was in hospital for a month but she's up and about again.) |
| (idiom) up in arms=protesting vigorously about something.(teachers are up in arms about new school tests) |
| (idiom) up in the air=(of a plan or issue) still to be settled; unresolved.(the fate of the power station is up in the air) |
| (idiom) up one's sleeve= (of a strategy, idea, or resource) kept secret and in reserve for use when needed ( a few suggestions are up his sleeve) |
| (idiom) up to no good=Someone who is acting suspiciously and/or is doing something naughty(Monica is up to no good, she is messaging more than one guy again) |
| (idiom) up to par=at an expected or usual quality.(I can promise that the tipple will be up to par)(tipple=an alcoholic drink: .) |
| (idiom) up/down one's alley=to be the type of thing that you are interested in or that you enjoy doing:(She loves dancing, so the taught lessons would be right up her alley.) |
| (idiom) uphill battle=If doing something is an uphill battle, an uphill struggle or an uphill task,( it is difficult to do because of obstacles such as opposition from other people.) |
| (idiom) uphill task(কষ্টসাধ্য কাজ)=difficult to do because of obstacles(Getting a permit to open a bar is an uphill battle - unless you know someone on the council) |
| (idiom) upper crust=the upper classes.(a sort of trade school for the upper crust) |
| (idiom) upper/whip hand=A dominating or controlling position(Once you let him get the upper hand there'll be no stopping him,) |
| (idiom) upset the applecart=Spoil carefully laid plans, as in (Now don't upset the applecart by revealing where we're going. ) |
| (idiom) up-to-the minute=incorporating the very latest information or developments(it is fitted with up-to-the-minute security devices) |
| (idiom) use one's noodle/noggin(head)=use one's own intelligence (You can do better in math if you'll just use your head.) |
| (idiom) used to (something)= accustomed to (something)(We were used to follow the rules) |
| (idiom) used to + infinitive =refer to a past habit or situation which no longer exists at the present time.(He used to smoke) |
| (idiom) useful as a chocolate teapot=it is totally useless.(Without a knowledgeable teacher, a school is as useful as a chocolate teaspot) |
| (idiom) user-friendly=(of a machine or system) easy to use or understand.(The search software is user-friendly) |
| (idiom) valedictory speech= a farewell speech(The Principal delivered his valedictory speech with grave voice) |
| (idiom) vanish into thin air= to disappear without a trace. |
| (idiom) vanish into thin air=to disappear without a trace.(During load shedding,most of the gold ornaments of the jewellery shop vanished into thin air) |
| (idiom) variety is the spice of life=Diversity makes life interesting(After my retirement, I have been engaged in various special activities - variety is the spice of life) |
| (idiom) vent your spleen=to divulge a secret, to tell the whole truth” or “to confess.”(My brother is trying to vent his spleen after he became aware of dishonest motive of his boss) |
| (idiom) vertically challenged=(used as a euphemism) short in stature(actually vertically challenged persons are mostly acute in their powers) |
| (idiom) verve, vigour and zeal=spirit or enthusiasm (The child singer sang with supreme verve, vigour and zeal) |
| (idiom) vested interest=a personal reason for involvement in an undertaking or situation, especially an expectation of financial or other gain.(banks have a vested interest in the growth of their customers) |
| (idiom) vicarious sorrow/pleasure(পরার্থ দুঃখ বা আনন্দ)=secondary rank of importance or value(not by performing by oneself) (I read about mountain climbing and felt vicarious excitement) |
| (idiom) vice versa=the other way round (My telephone serves me, and not vice versa.) |
| (idiom) vice-versa=the other way around(in a successful film filled in top acting and melodious songs, singers become famous for the actors or the vice-versa) |
| (idiom) vicious circle=a sequence of reciprocal cause and effect in which two or more elements intensify and aggravate each other, leading inexorably to a worsening of the situation(they were caught in a vicious circle) |
| (idiom) vim and vigour=Ebullient vitality and energy(He was full of vim and vigor after that swim)(vim=enthusiasm) (vigour=physical strength) |
| (idiom) viral marketing=a marketing technique whereby information about a company's goods or services is passed electronically from one Internet user to another. |
| (idiom) virtue is its own reward=When we do something virtuous or good, we don't need any reward or compensation. The knowledge that we have done good is reward enough. |
| (idiom) vis-a-vi(s)(সামনা-সামনি)=in relation to; with regard to.(many agencies now have a unit to deal with women's needs vis-à-vis employment) |
| (idiom) vis-à-vi(s)=face to face with ; opposite to(There's only one answer to your situation vis-à-vis the family and I intend to see that you put it into practice) |
| (idiom) voiced in the wilderness=You're a voice in the wilderness, or a voice crying in the wilderness, if you're expressing an unpopular opinion or insight. |
| (idiom) vote with one's feet=indicate an opinion by being present or absent.(the East Germans voted with their feet in an irresistible move towards freedom) |
| (idiom) vox populi vox dei=the voice of the people is the voice of God. It refers to the idea that the king or the government ought to pay attention to the voice of the people. |
| (idiom) wag the dog=To wag the dog means to purposely divert attention from that would otherwise be of greater importance to something else of lesser significance. |
| (idiom) wait for a raindrop in drought=When someone is waiting for a raindrop in the drought, they are waiting or hoping for something that is extremely unlikely to happen. |
| (idiom) wait for the cat to jump=to delay making a decision or doing something until you know what is going to happen or what other people are going to do . |
| (idiom) waiting for godot=a play by Samuel Beckett, in which 2 characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait for the arrival of someone named Godot who never arrives &while waiting they engage in a variety of discussions& encounter three other characters. |
| (idiom) waiting game=a tactic in which one refrains from action for a time in order to act more effectively at a later date or stage.(policemen were last night playing a waiting game outside the cottage) |
| (idiom) waiting in the wings = If someone or something is waiting in the wings, they are not yet active or important, but are ready or likely to be so soon: The team has several talented young players waiting in the wings. |
| (idiom) wake up and smell the coffee=When someone does not realize what is really happening or is not paying enough attention to events around them, you can tell them to wake up and smell the coffee. |
| (idiom) wake-up call=A wake-up call is warning or a threat or a challenge, especially when it means that people will have to change their behaviour to meet it. |
| (idiom) walk a fine line=If you have to walk a fine line, you have to be very careful not to annoy or anger people or groups that are competing. |
| (idiom) walk a mile in my shoes= (This idiom means that you should try to understand someone before criticizing them) |
| (idiom) walk a tightrope=If you walk a tightrope, you have to be very careful not to annoy or anger people who could become enemies. |
| (idiom) walk all over someone=to treat someone badly and to make them do what you want without respect for their feelings. walk all over someone:( I'm not about to let them walk all over me.) |
| (idiom) walk and chew gum=to be able to do more than one thing at a time Officials say they have to plan for all kinds of possibilities, that they have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. |
| (idiom) walk in the park=An undertaking that is easy is walk in the park. (The integration of the rivers in India is no walk in the park) |
| (idiom) walk into lion's den=a place/situation in which someone must deal with an angry person/group of people(if you step outside at a nightclub for a breath of fresh air right into the middle of a knife fight.So you walked right into the lions den.) |
| (idiom) walk of life=a person's occupation or position within society.(the courses attracted people from all walks of life) |
| (idiom) walk on eggshells=be extremely cautious about one's words or actions(his air of tetchy perfectionism encouraged those around him to walk on eggshells)(tetchy=irritable and bad-tempered.) |
| (idiom) walk the green mile=Someone or something that is walking the green mile is heading towards the inevitable. |
| (idiom) walk the plank=If someone walks the plank, they are going towards their own destruction or downfall. |
| (idiom) walk(or tread)on air=feel elated(most couples feel they are walking on air on their wedding day); elated=make (someone) ecstatically happy. |
| (idiom) walking encyclopaedia=a person who has an impressive knowledge of facts or words.(he was a walking encyclopedia of facts on organized crime) |
| (idiom) walking papers=notice of dismissal from a job.(the reporter has been given his walking papers) |
| (idiom) want head on a platter=if you want someone's head on a plate you are very angry with them and want them to be punished (The manager was furious at what had happened and wanted the worker's head on a platter.) |
| (idiom) warped sense of humour = perverted sense of humour(someone who is warped has thoughts or ideas that most people think are very strange and frightening. ) |
| (idiom) wash one's dirty linen in public=discuss one's personal affairs in public. |
| (idiom) washed-up=no longer effective or successful.(a washed-up actress) |
| (idiom) watch(someone) like a hawk=Keep a vigilant eye on someone, especially to check that they do nothing wrong: she watched them like a hawk because some of them were bound to cheat. |
| (idiom) water down to reduce or temper the force or effectiveness of |
| (idiom) water off a duck's back=easily,without any little effect(The bullets had no effect on the steel door. They fell away like water off a duck's back) |
| (idiom) water under the bridge(over the dam)=events that are in the past and consequently no longer to be regarded as important.(I don't want to talk about that—it's all water under the bridge now) |
| (idiom) wave a dead chicken=to do some useless, unhelpful thing in hopes it will solve a problem. (So the technician waves a dead chicken by trying all sorts of tricks known to be futile, but that make the dept head think an effort is being put forth.) |
| (idiom) wax and wane=undergo alternate increases and decreases(green sentiment has waxed and waned) |
| (idiom) wax lyrical=talk in a highly enthusiastic and effusive way.(he waxed lyrical about his splendid son-in-law)(effusive=showing or expressing gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.) |
| (idiom) waylay=stop or interrupt (someone) and detain them in conversation or trouble them in some (He waylaid me on the stairs) |
| (idiom) ways and means=methods and resources for achieving something.(the company is seeking ways and means of safeguarding jobs) |
| (idiom) weak at the knees=to lose one's strength and feel that one is going to fall over, usually because of seeing or talking about either someone he/she is very attracted to or because of something unpleasant or frightening: |
| (idiom) weal and woe(সুখদু:খ)=Good and bad days. Usage : Weal and woe comes in everybody's life.One should learn to live with them. |
| (idiom) wear and tear= the damage that happens to an object in ordinary use during a period:(The machine is worn out due to normal wear and tear) |
| (idiom) wear heart on sleeve=to be transparent emotionally. When you wear your heart on your sleeve, people can see quite readily what emotions you are feeling because you emote them. |
| (idiom) wear many hats=to undertake much work(In his present job there are so many different responsibilities involved that he has to wear several hats.) |
| (idiom) wear out one's welcome=To visit so often or stay so long as to become a nuisance.(Although my friend invites me quite often to stay in his house at Goa for long ,I do not like to wear out my welcome so easily & I will just visit for a day or 2) |
| (idiom) wear the trousers=be the dominant partner in a relationship.(there's no doubt who'll wear the trousers in that house)(Nowadays mostly wives wear trousers in a family) |
| (idiom) wear thin=be gradually used up or become less convincing or acceptable.(his patience was wearing thin) |
| (idiom) weather the storm=To reach the end of a very difficult situation without too much harm or damage.( My brother lost his job, but somehow his family weathered the storm) |
| (idiom) web rage=caused by such things as slow dial-up connections, busy servers, missing links, excessive results when doing a search, and very often, poorly designed Web sites that make you go through hoops to find what you want. |
| (idiom) wee hour=the early hours of a day, or the period immediately after midnight. |
| (idiom) weeping willow tree=It signifies melancholy, dream and reflection |
| (idiom) weigh one's words=carefully choose the way one expresses something.(In the Seminar, my son weighed his words with confidence and without any misunderstanding) |
| (idiom) well off=wealthy ( Her family are quite well off) |
| (idiom) well spiced=As per some great cooks "Life should be well-spiced and peppered with passion" |
| (idiom) wet behind the ears=lacking experience; immature.(he's a nice young fellow but a bit wet behind the ears) |
| (idiom) wet blanket=a person who spoils other people's fun by failing to join in with or by disapproving of their activities.(don't be a wet blanket) |
| (idiom) wet one's whistle=to have a drink(they meet ostensibly to discuss politics, but also to wet their whistles with brandy and soda) |
| (idiom) wet the baby's head=celebrate a baby's birth with a drink, typically an alcoholic one.(My brother hosted a party to wet his first son's head in Park Hotel) |
| (idiom) what goes around comes around= you will reap what you sow. |
| (idiom) what goes around comes around=the consequences of one's actions will have to be dealt with eventually.(A feeling of what goes around comes around prevails mostly in the minds of deliberate wrong doers) |
| (idiom) what make someone's tick=what motivates someone.(people are curious to know what makes British men tick) |
| (idiom) whatever floats your boat=Do whatever makes you happy or stimulates you.(You have decided to visit Antartica in winter? Well, whatever floats your boat!) |
| (idiom) wheeling and dealing=engage in commercial or political scheming, especially unscrupulously(the wheeling and dealing of the Wall Street boom years) |
| (idiom) wheels fall off=Said about something that has failed, often after a laborious, tiring process.(Whenever my friend started taking narcotic drugs, the wheels feel off his career) |
| (idiom) when the chips are down=when you are in a very difficult or dangerous situation, esp. one that makes you understand the true value of people or things (One day when the chips are down, you will know who your true friends are.) |
| (idiom) when the going gets tough=When the going gets tough, the tough get going – meaning when the situation becomes difficult, the strong will work harder to meet the challenge. Sometimes, when we are in a tough situation, inspirational quote or saying can help us calm down and focus on what we need to do |
| (idiom) when the rubber hits the road=the point at which a theory or idea is put to a practical test.(the differences between effective and ineffective teachers show up where the rubber meets the road, in the brains of the students) |
| (idiom) whiff of stench=a strong and very unpleasant smell.(I cannot endure whiff of stench of rotten fish) |
| (idiom) while the going is good=if you do something while the going is good, you do it while it is still easy to do If you are unsure about marrying him, get out now while the going is good. |
| (idiom) whistle in the dark= to attempt to summon up one's courage or optimism in a difficult situation: (He says his business will improve next year, but he's probably just whistling in the dark.) |
| (idiom) whistle stop or whistle stop tour = a style of political campaigning where the politician makes a series of brief appearances or speeches at a number of small towns over a short period of time. |
| (idiom) whistle-blower=a person who informs on a person or organization regarded as engaging in an unlawful or immoral activity.(The anti-social activities of the slum were reported by a whistle-blower) |
| (idiom) white as a ghost=When you see someone gets really frightened, you say he or she is "white as a sheet/ghost."(At the sight of the horror scene in the film, she became as white as a ghost) |
| (idiom) white Christmas=a Christmas during which there is snow on the ground.(I long to visit London in a white Christmas) |
| (idiom) white elephant=a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of.(a huge white elephant of a house that needed ten thousand spent on it) |
| (idiom) white lie=a harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings.(when I was young, I told little white lies) |
| (idiom) white revolution=growth of milk production(Gujarat State is famous for white revolution) |
| (idiom) white trash=poor white people, (especially those living in the southern US) |
| (idiom) white-collar crime = White-collar crime refers to financially motivated nonviolent crime committed by business and government professionals. |
| (idiom) white-collar job= job linked performance in office, administrative setting(office goers do the white collar job) |
| (idiom) whiz-kid=a young person who is outstandingly skilful or successful at something.(a computer whiz-kid) |
| (idiom) whole new ball game=a completely different situation, often one that is difficult or that you know little about: (We'd done a lot of climbing in Scotland but the Himalayas were a whole new ballgame.) |
| (idiom) why buy a cow when you get milk free=Why pay for something that you can get for free otherwise?( I don't have a car because someone always gives me a ride to work. Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free? ) |
| (idiom) Why keep a dog and bark yourself? =Why pay someone to work for you and then do the work yourself?(My mother purchased a new washing machine but she washes daily dresses by hand.Why keep a dog and bark yourself?) |
| (idiom) whys and wherefores=a reason or explanation.(the whys and wherefores of these procedures need to be explained to students) |
| (idiom) wide off the mark=Inaccurate, wrong(The forecast was off the mark, since unemployment is down) |
| (idiom) widow's peak=a V-shaped point in the hairline in the center of the forehead.(A superstition was there " if a woman's hair grows in a low point on her forehead ('widow's peak') she will outlive her husband." |
| (idiom) wild goose chase=a foolish and hopeless search for or pursuit of something unattainable.(physicists searching for the hypothetical particle may be on a wild goose chase) |
| (idiom) will-o'-the-wisp=a phosphorescent light seen hovering or floating at night on marshy ground, thought to result from the combustion of natural gases/ a person or thing that is difficult or impossible to reach or catch. |
| (idiom) willy-nilly(ভাল লাগুক আর নাই লাগুক)= compulsorily(whether one likes it or not).(Politicians expanded spending programmes willy-nilly) |
| (idiom) win by a nose=at the finish, to win by the length of a nose.( The horse won by a nose) ; to finish just a little better than the next person or business(We won by a nose on that bid.) |
| (idiom) wind up in the wrong hands=to become associated with the wrong person; to become the possession of the wrong person, I don't want these plans to wind up into the wrong hands. This could be dangerous if it fell/wound up into the wrong hands. |
| (idiom) window on the world=reading a book, listening to a news service, viewing a web site etc give you a broader perspective of the world than you would otherwise have. The plants in this garden provide a window to the world of flora diversity. |
| (idiom) window shopping(চোখের সুখ করতে দোকানে দোকানে ঘোরা)=the activity of looking at goods displayed in shop windows, esp without intending to buy anything(Window shopping is a favourite pastime ) |
| (idiom) winning ways=a person having persuasive manner of getting others' afffection easily.(My son has some power of winning ways) |
| (idiom) wipe that smile off=stop smiling/do not smile(Considering the gravity of the situation, at least wipe that smile off your face) |
| (idiom) wipe the slate clean=forget past disagreements or faults and make a fresh start(an amnesty for political offenders which would wipe the slate clean and bury the past) |
| (idiom) wise after the event=understand and assess a situation only after its implications have become obvious.(it is easy to be wise after the event) |
| (idiom) wish the ground would swallow you up=to wish that you could disappear because you feel very embarrassed ..(when I realised my mistake in front of the common people, I wished the ground would swallow me up). |
| (idiom) wish with simple past = To express a regret about the present, we use wish + the past simple (I don't play the piano. I wish I played the piano.) |
| (idiom) wishful thinking= Basically daydreaming. Wishing or imagining something would happen that isn't exactly realistic.(When I met the cancer patient, I wished him long life. That was my wishful thinking) |
| (idiom) with bells on = enthusiastically.(everybody's waiting for you with bells on) |
| (idiom) with one voice=in complete agreement; unanimously.(Conservatives must speak with one voice to get their message across) |
| (idiom) with one's eyes open=fully aware of the possible difficulties or consequences.(I went into this job with my eyes open) |
| (idiom) with tongue in cheek = speaking or writing in an ironic or insincere way.(one suspects that he is writing with tongue in cheek) |
| (idiom) wither on the vine=fail to be implemented or dealt with because of inaction.(that resolution clearly withered on the vine) |
| (idiom) without a hitch=to happen successfully without any problems: (Madhyamik Examinations ended peacefully and without a hitch) |
| (idiom) wolf down=When you eat your breakfast as fast as possible in order to get to school on time, you can say that you wolf down your chowmin. |
| (idiom) wolf in sheep's clothing='a person who looks friendly and harmless, but who is actually a dangerous enemy'.(Beware of that lenient manager, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing) |
| (idiom) wonders will never cease=used, often ironically, as an exclamation of great surprise at something pleasing.(Amidst unemployment, our CM announced recently the news of 4 lacs of youth employed during last year - wonders will never cease) |
| (idiom) wooden spoon=an imaginary prize said to be awarded to the person who is last in a race or other competition.(they finished with the wooden spoon after losing a penalty shoot-out) |
| (idiom) wool-gathering(আনমনা ভাব)=indulgence in aimless thought or dreamy imagining; absent-mindedness.(a vacant daze that leads to formless wool-gathering) |
| (idiom) words fail me=I can't put my thoughts or feelings into words, especially because of surprise or shock( When she showed up at the wedding with all three ex-husbands—well, words fail me.) |
| (idiom) words of one syllable=in simple language avoiding long, difficult, or specialized words: .(Tell the fact to me with words of one syllable) |
| (idiom) work like a charm=be completely successful or effective.(the new sales approach worked like a charm) |
| (idiom) work the system=to do or get what you want despite the rules that make it difficult(Government workers know how easy it is to work the system.) |
| (idiom) work to rule=an industrial action in which employees do no more than the minimum reqd by rules of contract & precisely follow regulations to cause a slowdown rather than to serve their purposes. |
| (idiom) work your fingers to the bone=work very hard.( She worked her fingers to the bone to provide a home and food for seven children.) |
| (idiom) worlds apart=very different or distant.(our daughter's school is worlds apart from school as I knew it in the 1960s) |
| (idiom) worm one's way out of=to avoid doing something that you have been asked to do by making an excuse that is dishonest but clever.(He wormed his way out of going to the meeting.) |
| (idiom) worm's eye view=a view as seen from below or from a humble position.(being assigned to the General Secretariat provided a worm's-eye view of international diplomacy)(opp. Bird's eye view) |
| (idiom) worth its weight in gold= someone/ something that is valuable.(Bandhan Bank is properly run by Mr.Chandra Sekhar Ghosh,he is worth his weight in gold) |
| (idiom) worth one's salt(পেশায় উপযুক্ত)=good or competent at the job or profession specified.(any astrologer worth her salt would have predicted this) |
| (idiom) worth your while=to be an activity or action that you will get an advantage from: (It would be well worth your while to be engaged in the social activity) |
| (idiom) wouldn't be caught dead=someone dislikes something very much: (I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a dress like that – it's like something my grandmother would wear!, the girl shouted) |
| (idiom) wouldn't be caught dead=someone wouldn't be caught dead. someone dislikes something very much: I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a dress like that – it's like something my grandmother would wear! |
| (idiom) wow factor=a quality or feature that is extremely impressive.(its funky, futuristic looks would add a definite wow factor to any kitchen)(FUNKY=smelling strong or musty," and could be used to describe body odor.) |
| (idiom) wrap your brain around=to concentrate on something in an effort to understand (That algebra equation is really difficult. I can't wrap my brain around it) |
| (idiom) wrapped up in oneself= stuck on oneself ( I had become so wrapped up in self-pity that I had completely forgotten the true meaning of this special day.) |
| (idiom) writing on the wall=a premonition, portent, or clear indication, especially of failure or disaster.(Everyone is aware of his precarious condition except himsef who fails to read writing on the wall) |
| (idiom) written all over your face=it is clear what you are feeling:(Guilt was written all over her face.) |
| (idiom) X factor=a noteworthy special talent or quality(there are plenty of luxury cars around, but the S-Type has that special X factor)/a variable in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.(young vote.. X factor) |
| (idiom) xerox subsidy= Euphemism for swiping "free" photocopies at one's workplace.(The office now has a strict policy about xerox subsidy.) |
| (idiom) yellow bellied person=If you're yellow-bellied, you're not brave. (Coward.)/yellow streak person= If someone has a yellow streak, he can sometimes act in a cowardly way and not be very brave. |
| (idiom) yellow flag=a yellow flag flown by a ship to indicate the presence on board of disease. |
| (idiom) yellow pages=a telephone directory, or a section of one, printed on yellow paper and listing businesses and other organizations according to the goods or services they offer. |
| (idiom) yellow press/journalism= a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. |
| (idiom) yellow terror/peril=a color metaphor for race,(the theory that East Asian peoples were a danger to the western world.) |
| (idiom) yeoman's service=efficient or useful help in need (the minister has performed yeoman service for the village) |
| (idiom) yoke around one's neck= Problems that you carry with you. (Have-nots always carry yoke of poverty around their necks) |
| (idiom) you can't teach an old dog new tricks=you cannot make people change their ways.(My old friend fails to learn use of smartphne - you can't teach an old dog new tricks) |
| (idiom) you can't unring a bell=This means that once something has been done, you have to live with the consequences as it can't be undone.(If you throw a skunk into the jury box, you can't instruct the jury not to smell it.) |
| (idiom) you don't know the half of it=You might think that what you have heard is bad, but you do not know the whole story.(You are criticizing me for this? You don't know the half of it) |
| (idiom) your guess is as good as mine = People say this when they don't know the solution or answer to a problem instead of saying, "I don't know." |
| (idiom) your guess is as good as mine=when talking to someone, it means that none knows the answer.(Whether CM is coming to this village? Your guess is as good as mine) |
| (idiom) your nose to the grindstone =work hard and continuously(After a year of keeping your nose to the grindstone, you finally get away for that vacation you've dreamed about) |
| (idiom) your wish is my command=Whatever you wish for I will treat as a command, and will effect.(a henpecked husband always says ''your wish is my command') |
| (idiom) zero tolerance(শূন্য সহনশীলতা)=non-acceptance of antisocial behaviour, typically by strict and uncompromising application of the law.(Govt announced zero tolerance for nuisance into the Parliament Hall) |
