Idioms, Proverbs and Phrasal Verbs

Common English idioms

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the literal meanings of its words. In the CDS English section, the examiner tests three things: the figurative sense of the idiom, the fixed preposition or grammar pattern that goes with it, and whether the idiom fits the logic of the sentence. Learn each idiom as a unit, together with its usual structure. Do not translate it word by word.

Some idioms describe a position or a state of hardship. To be at the receiving end of something means to be the person who suffers criticism, blame or some other unpleasant treatment. A sentence built on this idiom usually contrasts the suffering with a favourable quality, so a contrastive conjunction such as but often follows. Example: Mr. Rao has been at the receiving end of rumours for months, but his colleagues still trust his judgement. To be in eclipse means to lose prominence, success or influence, usually because someone else has overshadowed you. Example: The once-popular singer has been in eclipse since the new band arrived. To feel the pinch means to experience hardship, especially a sudden shortage of money or a fall in income. Example: Many families felt the pinch when fuel prices rose overnight. A big-ticket item is a costly product or service that involves a large sum of money. Example: A new car is a big-ticket purchase for most middle-class households.

Some idioms express a lack of choice or a sense of inevitability. To have no option but to do something means to have no choice except to do it. The structure is no option or choice followed by but and an infinitive. Example: The manager had no option but to postpone the launch. A foregone conclusion is an outcome that is settled in advance and cannot be avoided. Example: After the first round of voting, his victory was a foregone conclusion. A bolt from the blue is a sudden, totally unexpected event, usually a shocking one. Example: The resignation of the minister came as a bolt from the blue. To be on the horns of a dilemma means to be forced to choose between two equally unattractive options. Dilemma is a countable noun here, so it takes the indefinite article a. Example: The government was on the horns of a dilemma: raise taxes or cut essential services.

Some idioms describe how a person behaves. To be a law unto oneself means to act independently of accepted rules, customs or the opinions of others, so that one's conduct is often unconventional or unpredictable. Example: The old painter was a law unto himself and ignored every rule of the art academy. To go by the book means to follow established rules or procedures exactly, without deviation. Example: The auditor insisted on going by the book, even when the case seemed harmless. To be treading on eggshells means to be extremely careful in what one says and does so as not to upset someone. Example: Everyone in the office was treading on eggshells while the director was in a bad mood. To be up in arms means to be strongly angry and to protest vigorously, usually followed by about or against. Example: Residents were up in arms about the proposed factory near the lake. To say one's piece means to state one's opinion fully, often on a matter one feels strongly about. Example: Before the vote, every member was allowed to say his piece. To keep one's ears open in the sense of listening attentively is expressed by pin back your ears, meaning to listen very carefully to what is being said. Example: Pin back your ears, because the instructions will change at noon. To be at somebody's elbow means to stay close to someone in order to assist, advise or support them. Example: The young officer stayed at the colonel's elbow throughout the inspection.

Some idioms describe quantity, speed or time. At the drop of a hat means immediately and without hesitation or lengthy thought. Example: She would agree to travel at the drop of a hat. Everyone and his brother means a very large number of people, an exaggerated expression used when a crowd is present. Example: On the first day of the sale, everyone and his brother came to the market. In the long run means eventually or over an extended period of time. Example: Regular practice may seem slow, but in the long run it produces real skill. Second to none means the best, inferior to no one. The preposition to is required. Example: Her research laboratory is second to none in the country. Forty winks is a short sleep, usually taken during the day. Example: After lunch, my grandfather always takes forty winks on the sofa. Out for the count comes from boxing, where a boxer who cannot rise before the referee finishes counting is knocked out. Figuratively, it describes someone unconscious or in a deep sleep. Example: After the long journey, the children were out for the count in the back seat.

Some idioms describe speech, argument and opinion. Double-talk is deliberately vague, evasive or contradictory speech used to confuse listeners or to avoid stating the truth. The idea of intent to mislead distinguishes it from ordinary ambiguity. Example: The spokesperson's answers were pure double-talk, and no one learned what had actually happened. To feel the feathers fly means to witness a noisy, heated quarrel. The idiom is commonly used with the phrase when the feathers fly. Example: When the two departments met to divide the budget, the feathers flew for hours. A paper tiger is a person, organisation or thing that looks threatening but has no real power. Example: The new rule looked strict, but it was a paper tiger that nobody enforced.

Some idioms describe values, quality or the passing of time. Ways and means are the methods or resources by which something can be achieved. The phrase is collective, so it refers to methods in general, not to one technique. Example: We must find ways and means of reducing waste in the factory. Penny-wise and pound-foolish describes a person who is careful with small sums but careless with large ones. The contrast between the small coin and the larger unit is the key to the meaning. Example: Buying the cheapest equipment but ignoring its repair costs is a case of being penny-wise and pound-foolish. Under the table describes money paid or received secretly, often to avoid detection or to evade the law, as in a bribe. Example: The contractor admitted that he had made some payments under the table. Life in the raw means life in its natural, unembellished and unpolished state, without comfort or disguise. Example: The documentary showed life in the raw in a remote mining village. Feet of clay means a hidden weakness or flaw in a person or thing that is otherwise admired. The idiom comes from the Book of Daniel, where a statue with a golden body has weak feet of clay. Example: The hero of the story was revealed to have feet of clay when his past dishonesty came out. Water has run under the bridge means that much time has passed and circumstances have changed. The preposition under reflects the image of water flowing beneath a bridge. Example: Much water has run under the bridge since we last met in Delhi. Honesty is written on his face means a quality is plainly visible in a person's expression, so the verb is in the passive, with the past participle written. Example: Her kindness is written on her face whenever she meets a child.

For grammar, the most useful rule is that an idiom controls the structure around it. Where there is a will, there is a way is a general proverb, so both clauses stay in the simple present tense. Example: Where there is a will, there is a way, as the teacher often reminds us. After see to it that, the clause takes a present form when the duty is general and continuing. Example: Parents must see to it that their children do not play near the railway tracks. The negative auxiliary must agree with the subject and tense of that clause. Example: The office must see to it that the staff don't leave the lights on. Finally, the expression more than meets the eye, or in the form more than it appears, means that a thing carries a meaning beyond its visible surface. Example: The simple design of the monument holds more than it appears at first sight.

In exam practice, first identify the figurative sense, then check the preposition and grammar, and finally confirm that the chosen option makes the sentence logical. Literal readings are a common trap.

Common English idioms

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the literal meanings of its separate words. In CDS English, idiom items usually ask you either to complete a blank with the correct fixed form or to choose the meaning of a given phrase. Because the wording is fixed, one wrong preposition, article, or verb form makes an option incorrect even when it looks plausible. Learn each idiom as a single unit, together with its preposition and its usual grammatical form.

The following points are frequently tested.