1. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be beneficial.
Example: Missing that train was 'a blessing in disguise' because it later met with an accident.
2. A piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: The English test was 'a piece of cake' for her.
3. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid talking about the main point.
Example: Stop 'beating around the bush' and tell me what happened.
4. Break the ice
Meaning: To make people feel more comfortable in a new situation.
Example: The teacher told a joke to 'break the ice'.
5. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working for the day.
Example: We have completed most of the work, so let us 'call it a day'.
6. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example: He visits his hometown 'once in a blue moon'.
7. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To say or do exactly the right thing.
Example: The analyst 'hit the nail on the head' when he identified the main problem.
8. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble or difficulty.
Example: The employee found himself in 'hot water' after breaking the rules.
9. Spill the beans
Meaning: To reveal a secret.
Example: Someone 'spilled the beans' about the surprise party.
10. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.
Example: I am feeling 'under the weather' today.
11. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: To be extremely expensive.
Example: That luxury car 'costs an arm and a leg.'
12. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To work or study late into the night.
Example: She is 'burning the midnight oil' to prepare for the examination.
13. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To face a difficult situation with courage.
Example: He decided to 'bite the bullet' and accept the difficult assignment.
14. By leaps and bounds
Meaning: Very rapidly.
Example: Technology is developing 'by leaps and bounds.'
15. A storm in a teacup
Meaning: A lot of anger or excitement about a small matter.
Example: Their argument was merely 'a storm in a teacup.'
16. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: To make a difficult situation worse.
Example: His careless remarks only 'added fuel to the fire.'
17. Keep an eye on
Meaning: To watch or monitor carefully.
Example: Please 'keep an eye on' the children.
18. Make both ends meet
Meaning: To manage financially with the money available.
Example: Many families struggle to 'make both ends meet.'
19. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: She was 'on cloud nine' after receiving the scholarship.
20. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: At the last possible moment.
Example: He submitted his application 'at the eleventh hour.'
21. Through thick and thin
Meaning: Through good and bad times.
Example: True friends stand by each other 'through thick and thin.'
22. Take with a grain of salt
Meaning: To treat something with some doubt or caution.
Example: You should take rumours on social media with a grain of salt.
23. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It is now your responsibility to take the next action.
Example: I have given you all the information; now 'the ball is in your court.'
24. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Following the wrong course of action or blaming the wrong person.
Example: If you think I caused the problem, you are 'barking up the wrong tree'.
25. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make an additional effort.
Example: Good teachers often 'go the extra mile' to help their students.
26. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret accidentally.
Example: She 'let the cat out of the bag' about the wedding plans.
27. Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: To risk everything on a single plan or opportunity.
Example: It is unwise to put all your eggs in one basket while planning your career.
28. Where there is a will, there is a way
Meaning: Determination makes it possible to overcome difficulties.
Example: She continued working despite many obstacles because she believed that 'where there is a will, there is a way'.
29. A double-edged sword
Meaning: Something that has both advantages and disadvantages.
Example: Social media can be a 'double-edged sword.'
30. Read between the lines
Meaning: To understand a hidden or implied meaning.
Example: You need to 'read between the lines' to understand the author's real message.
***IDIOMS & PHRASES --- PRACTICE SET ---FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS***
1. The new job seemed difficult at first, but it turned out to be __________.
A. a storm in a teacup
B. a blessing in disguise
C. a piece of cake
D. a double-edged sword
2. Stop __________ and tell me exactly why you are late.
A. burning the midnight oil
B. spilling the beans
C. beating around the bush
D. biting the bullet
3. She has been __________ to prepare for the competitive examination.
A. on cloud nine
B. burning the midnight oil
C. in hot water
D. calling it a day
4. The examination was so easy that it was __________ for the candidates.
A. a piece of cake
B. a double-edged sword
C. a storm in a teacup
D. in hot water
5. He revealed the confidential information and __________ about the entire plan.
A. broke the ice
B. spilled the beans
C. read between the lines
D. went the extra mile
6. The minister's statement only __________ and increased the tension.
A. hit the nail on the head
B. added fuel to the fire
C. called it a day
D. made both ends meet
7. After several months of hard work, she finally received the scholarship and was __________.
A. under the weather
B. in hot water
C. on cloud nine
D. at the eleventh hour
8. The company was __________ after violating several government regulations.
A. on cloud nine
B. in hot water
C. through thick and thin
D. by leaps and bounds
9. The government must act quickly because the situation is changing __________.
A. once in a blue moon
B. by leaps and bounds
C. through thick and thin
D. at the eleventh hour
10. My friend supported me __________ during the difficult period of my life.
A. through thick and thin
B. in hot water
C. under the weather
D. by the book
Answer Key
1. B — a blessing in disguise
2. C — beating around the bush
3. B — burning the midnight oil
4. A — a piece of cake
5. B — spilled the beans
6. B — added fuel to the fire
7. C — on cloud nine
8. B — in hot water
9. B — by leaps and bounds
10. A — through thick and thin
***Word Power | Learn the Expression, Understand the Meaning, Master the Language.***