150+ Idioms you Must Know for SSC, Railway, IB Exams, Free PDF Download

IdiomMeaningExampleA piece of cakeVery easyThe test was a piece of cake.Beat around the bushAvoid the main topicStop beating around the bush and answer directly.Cry over spilt milkWorry about something that can’t be changedThere’s no use crying over spilt milk.Hit the nail on the headDo or say something exactly rightYou hit the nail on the head.Break the iceStart a conversation in a social settingHe told a joke to break the ice.Kill two birds with one stoneAchieve two goals with one effortI killed two birds with one stone by shopping while commuting.Once in a blue moonVery rarelyHe visits us once in a blue moon.In hot waterIn troubleShe landed in hot water over the comment.Let the cat out of the bagReveal a secretHe let the cat out of the bag about the surprise.Under the weatherFeeling sickI’m a bit under the weather today.The ball is in your courtIt’s your decision nowI’ve said everything, now the ball is in your court.Bite the bulletAccept something unpleasantYou’ll have to bite the bullet and pay the fine.Burn the midnight oilWork or study late into the nightShe burned the midnight oil before the exam.Make a mountain out of a molehillExaggerate a small issueDon’t make a mountain out of a molehill.Spill the beansDisclose a secretHe spilled the beans about the plan.Take it with a grain of saltDon’t take it too seriouslyTake the news with a grain of salt.Add fuel to the fireMake a situation worseHis comments added fuel to the fire.Hit the sackGo to sleepI’m tired. Time to hit the sack.Come cleanTell the truthHe finally came clean about the theft.Cut cornersDo something poorly to save time or moneyDon’t cut corners when building a house.At the drop of a hatInstantly, without delayHe’s ready to help at the drop of a hat.Back to the drawing boardStart over againThe plan failed, back to the drawing board.Go the extra mileDo more than requiredShe always goes the extra mile at work.Throw in the towelGive upHe threw in the towel after multiple failures.Barking up the wrong treeAccusing the wrong personYou’re barking up the wrong tree.A blessing in disguiseSomething good that seems bad at firstThe rejection was a blessing in disguise.Call it a dayStop working for the dayLet’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.Face the musicAccept the consequencesHe must face the music for his actions.Burn bridgesDestroy relationships permanentlyDon’t burn bridges with your old boss.On cloud nineVery happyShe was on cloud nine after the promotion.In the nick of timeJust in timeHe reached the station in the nick of time.Pull someone’s legJoke or tease someoneAre you pulling my leg?Rome wasn’t built in a dayBig tasks take timeBe patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day.Sit on the fenceStay neutral or undecidedDon’t sit on the fence—choose a side.Through thick and thinIn good times and badShe stood by me through thick and thin.Turn a blind eyeIgnore deliberatelyThe teacher turned a blind eye to cheating.Bite off more than you can chewTake on more than you can handleDon’t bite off more than you can chew.In black and whiteIn written formIt’s all there in black and white.A penny for your thoughtsAsking what someone is thinkingYou’re quiet—a penny for your thoughts?Keep something at bayKeep away or under controlThey managed to keep inflation at bay.Steal someone’s thunderTake credit for someone else’s ideaHe stole her thunder during the meeting.Jump the gunAct too soon without thinkingDon’t jump the gun—wait for instructions.Like a fish out of waterUncomfortable in a new situationI felt like a fish out of water at the party.Zip your lipKeep a secret or stay silentZip your lip and don’t tell anyone.Go down in flamesFail spectacularlyTheir idea went down in flames.Kick the bucketDie (informal)The old man finally kicked the bucket.Miss the boatMiss an opportunityHe missed the boat on that stock investment.Leave no stone unturnedTry everything possibleWe’ll leave no stone unturned to find him.Get cold feetBecome nervous or afraidHe got cold feet before the wedding.