IDIOM AND PHRASES

PHRASE :

A phrase is a group of words that stand together as a grammatical unit , typically as a part of a clause or sentence. A phrase doesn’t contain Subject and verb, consequently, cannot convey a complete thought. Examples :- My cousin Ravi(noun phrase) eats cakes during the week(adveb).

Clause:-

A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a predicate. Every complete sentence is made up of at least one clause. Ravi bought a new computer. (One sentence, one clause) Ravi bought a new computer, but he still has the old one. (One sentence, two clauses) Although he still has his old one, Michael now has a new computer. (Only the second clause is independent.) A phrase contrast with a clause . A clause does contain a subject and verb, and it can convey a complete idea.

IDIOM -

An idiom is a term whose meaning cannot be determined from the literal meanings of the words it is made of. Many idioms are figurative—they’re intended to create an image, association, or other effect in the mind of the listener or reader that goes beyond the literal meaning or expected use of the words involved. It is raining cats and dogs is a common English idiom. Literally, that sentence would mean animals are falling from the clouds.

Some Idiom with Examples

1. Getting fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise. - Getting fired (normally a negative event) turned out to be a good thing.

2. These red poppies are a dime a dozen. - These red poppies are very common.

3. Don’t beat around the bush. - Just say what you really mean.

4. After some reflection, he decided to bite the bullet. - After some reflection, he decided to do the undesirable thing he was avoiding.

5. I’m going to call it a night. - I’m going to bed.

6. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. - He’s holding onto a grudge or grievance that’s making him very angry or callous.

7. Would you cut me some slack? - Don’t be so hard on me.

8. Don’t cut any corners. - Don’t take any shortcuts and produce shoddy work.

9. She let things get out of hand. - She lets things get out of control.

10. I’m going back to the drawing board. - I’m going to start over

11. Hang in there. - Stick with it.

12. Don’t jump the gun. - Don’t do something before the allotted time.

13. He decided to let her off the hook. - If you ask me, they let him off the hook too easily.

14. He missed the boat. - He missed out on an opportunity.

15. I go out for walks once in a blue moon. - I go out for walks very rarely.

16. Pull yourself together, man! - Calm down

17. She seriously rubbed me the wrong way. - I did not like her at all.

18. There he is, speak of the devil. - There he is; we were just talking about him.

19. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. - My patience has finally run out.

20.Well, she’s got the best of both worlds. - She’s receiving benefits from both of her current situations or opportunities.

21. Why are you so bent out of shape? - Why are you so upset?

22. I’m feeling under the weather. - I’m feeling sick.

23. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. - We’ll solve that problem when the time comes.

24. I’m sorry but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it. - I’m sorry but I just can’t seem to understand.

25. Wow, you can say that again. - I totally agree.

Some more Idioms

1. Once in a blue moon: Meaning-Something that happens very rarely Once in a blue moon, the lions can be seen in the interiors of these forests.

2. Break the ice: Meaning- To initiate a social conversation or interaction At the start of the project, the new coordinator tried to break the ice by singing a song.

3. Apple of one’s eye: Meaning- Being cherished more than others are Mohan is adored by his mother for his childlike nature. He is the apple of her eye.

4. Come hell or high water: Meaning- Possible obstacles in your path (will not stop you) Sentence- She has decided that come hell or high water I will become a doctor.

5. Spill the beans: Meaning-To disclose a secret Sentence- Rakhi spilled the beans about the surprise vacation her friends had planned.

6. Piece of cake: Meaning-Something that is easy to understand or do Sentence- Neha thought that the project would be tough, but it turned out to be a piece of cake!

7. Blessing in disguise: Meaning-Something good and useful that did not initially seem that way Sentence-Her accident was a blessing in disguise as it gave her a lot of time to think about her life while she was recovering, and as a result, she made some important decisions that improved her life.

8. Taste of your own medicine: Meaning- When someone receives the same treatment, usually negative, that he/she gives to others Sentence- He is always taunting others and hurting their sentiments. I just wish someone would give her a taste of his own medicine.

9. Golden handshake: Meaning-A big sum of money given to a person when he/she leaves a company or retires Sentence-The management of the company wanted to decrease their staff members. They offered a golden handshake to their aged employees.

10. Mean business: Meaning-Being serious/dedicated Sentence- Many borders are sealed by troops who mean business.

11. Feeling a bit under the weather: Meaning-Feeling slightly ill Sentence-She might not be able to run today, as she is feeling a bit under the weather.

12. Icing on the cake: Meaning-Something that turns good into great Sentence-India’s victory over Pakistan on India’s Independence Day was like icing on the cake.

13. Cost an arm and a leg: Meaning-Be very expensive Sentence-Her laziness made her miss her flight to Mumbai. The next ticket cost an arm and a leg.