Idioms and Phrases Concepts

1. Idioms

What it means: An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words.

Remember: Learn the meaning of the whole phrase, not each word separately.

Example: Bite the bullet = face a difficult situation bravely.

Question: The CEO decided to bite the bullet and announce the layoffs.

Answer: It means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.

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2. Idiomatic Fill in the Blanks

What it means: Some expressions have a fixed form. We must use the correct word to complete the expression.

Remember: Idioms usually cannot be changed freely.

Example: The negotiation reached a ___-end. Neither side would budge.

Answer: Dead-end

Meaning: A situation where there is no progress or solution.

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3. Phrasal Verbs

What it means: A phrasal verb is made by combining a verb with another word such as up, in, out, off, etc. The meaning changes with the combination.

Remember:

• Give up = quit
• Give in = surrender/yield
• Give out = distribute or stop working

Example: After hours of debate, the chairman finally gave ___ to the protesters’ demands.

Answer: Gave in

Meaning: He accepted the demands after pressure.

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4. Choosing the Correct Idiom

What it means: Choose an idiom based on the situation described in the sentence.

Example: Ravi got a job offer immediately after his internship ended.

Options:

• (a) Blessing in disguise
• (b) When it rains, it pours
• (c) Once in a blue moon

Answer: None of these fits perfectly.

• Blessing in disguise = something that seems bad but turns out good
• When it rains, it pours = several things happen at the same time
• Once in a blue moon = something that happens rarely

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5. Proverbs

What it means: A proverb is a short traditional saying that gives advice or expresses a general truth.

Example: A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Meaning: A person who keeps moving from one place or situation to another may not develop strong roots or attachments.

Exam Tip: Do not interpret a proverb literally. Look for its general lesson or message.

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6. Foreign Phrases

What it means: English uses many expressions borrowed from languages such as Latin and French.

Example: The committee decided to maintain the status quo.

Answer: Status quo = the existing state of affairs.

Remember: Foreign phrases are generally tested by their standard meaning, not by literal translation.

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7. Business Idioms

What it means: Business idioms are expressions commonly used in offices, meetings, management, and professional communication.

Example: Let us touch base next week about the project.

Answer: Touch base = make brief contact or have a short discussion.

Common examples:

• Bottom line = the most important result
• Think outside the box = think creatively
• Touch base = contact someone briefly
• Ballpark figure = rough estimate

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