Idioms and Phrases : Part 1

 Idioms and Phrases : Part 1 (for SSC CGL, CHSL, WBCS, WPPSC, POLICE & other SPSC exam)

1) A hard / tough  nut to crack - difficult to deal with - The problem is a hard / tough nut to crack.

2) Be in the pink - fit and healthy - She looks in the pink. / I am in the pink now.

3) Sharp practice - dishonest behaviour (but not illegal), especially in business -  Mr. Das accused me of sharp practice.

4) Make a big fuss - to pay a lot of attention - She made a big fuss about a small problem. / When I reached there, she made a big fuss of me.

5) Be barking up the wrong tree - to make the wrong choice, to follow the wrong path - You are barking up the wrong tree if you think she will help you.

6) Add insult to injury - to make a bad situation worse - Her application was rejected, and to add insult to injury, she was sacked from the job for being late.

7) A storm in a tea cup - much excitement (especially anger) over some trivial matter - The argument turned out to be a storm in a tea cup at last.

8) Tempest in a teapot - much excitement (especially anger) over some trivial matter - The argument turned out to be a tempest in a teapot at last.

9) Keep / Hold someone at arm's length - to not allow someone to become too friendly - She keeps all men at arm's length to avoid attachment. 

10) Rule the roost - to have complete control - The wife rules the roost in that house.

11) Scrape the barrel - compel to use the last or worst option as there are no other options available - As all the candidates who came for interview were inexperienced, the company had to scrape the barrel.

12) A dime a dozen - to be common and of little value - Stories like this are a dime a dozen.

13) Beat about the bush - discuss a matter without coming to the point - Don't beat about the bush, come to the point.

14) To prime the pump - encourage growth or success of something - Introduction of new tax system will prime the pump of the economy.

15) Have your back against the wall - to be in trouble or bad situation - The company has its back against the wall and it will be bankrupt soon.

16) Walking on air - to feel extremely happy - After getting the job, he was walking on air.

17) Walking into the lion’s den - to put oneself in a difficult or dangerous situation - When I was going towards the stage, I felt that I was walking into the lion's den.

18) Walk / Be on eggshells - to be very careful about one's own action - Whenever my mother-in-law visits me I am walking on eggshells in my own house.

19) Be waiting in the wings - to be ready to do something - The young, talented players are waiting in the wings for the final match.

20) Bad iron - bad luck - The night turned out to be a bad iron to me when I lost my phone.