IDIOMS AND IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (PART 1)

 

IDIOMS AND IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (PART 1) 

Generally, an idiom or an idiomatic expression is a group of words used figuratively, with distinct meaning. The meaning of idioms cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of each word in the group, but used collectively to give a discrete or distinct connotation.  Idioms are used to enrich a language, and are also used to enhance writing and speech.

1.     To let the grass grow under one’s feet.

Meaning:         

To waste time in doing things, instead of doing them promptly.

2.     Palm Off.

Meaning:

To sell or dispose of counterfeit or inferior items, with the intent to deceive buyers that they are genuine.

3.     Give a widow’s mite.

Meaning:

To give/donate all that one has.

4.     A green horn.

Meaning:

Inexperienced (or an inexperienced person).

5.     Play to the gallery.

Meaning:

To win cheap popularity or to behave in a way intended to make people admire or support (such person).

6.     Live in a fool’s paradise.

 

Meaning:

To live or be under illusion (fantasy, daydream).

7.     Kill two birds with one stone.

Meaning:

To achieve two aims or targets with one action.

8.     Show true colour.

Meaning:

Show the real character or disposition of a person.

9.     See eye to eye.

Meaning:

To agree (on something)

10.   A wet blanket.

Meaning:

A person who says or does something that stops other people from enjoying themselves.

11.    Get under somebody’s skin.

Meaning:

To annoy someone.

12.     Let off the book.

Meaning:

Allow an accused person to go unpunished.

13.    To be at the crossroads.

Meaning:

Be at a point of making important decisions.

14.   A closed book.

Meaning:

A subject about which one knows or understands nothing.

15.   Slog one’s guts out; or sweat one’s guts out; or work one’s guts out.

Meaning:

To work very hard (in order to achieve something desired).

16.    Shadow of one’s former self.

Meaning:

To have less health or strength, or less influence, than one did before.

17.    Cock and bull story.

Meaning:

A story which is clearly not true, especially one given as an excuse.

18.    Too clever by half.

Meaning:

To be too sure or over-confident of one’s own intelligence in a way that annoys other people.

19.    Get cold feet.

Meaning:

To suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something very important.

20.   At sixes and sevens.

Meaning:

To be in a confused, messy or difficult situation.

21.    Tear one’s hair out.

Meaning:

To worry a lot (about something or problem).

22.    To read (somebody) the riot act.

Meaning:

To speak angrily to a person/persons about something they have done, and

warn them that they will be punished if they do it again.

23.    To read between the lines.

Meaning:

To try to understand someone's real feelings or intentions from what he/she says or writes.

24.   To back the wrong horse.

Meaning:

To make the wrong decision and support a person or action that is later unsuccessful.

25.   Economical with the truth.

Meaning:

Avoiding to state the true facts about a situation, or unwilling to say all that one knows about a situation.

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