Explore 100 Important Idioms with Example Sentences commonly asked in competitive exams like SSC, RPSC, and teaching exams. This comprehensive guide provides clear meanings and practical usage in simple Indian English—ideal for exam preparation and effective communication.
1. A blessing in disguise – Something good that appears bad at first.
Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; I found a better one.
2. Beat around the bush – Avoid the main topic.
Example: Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me the truth.
3. Hit the nail on the head – Do or say something exactly right.
Example: You hit the nail on the head with your answer.
4. A piece of cake – Very easy task.
Example: The math test was a piece of cake.
5. Break the ice – Start a conversation in a social setting.
Example: He told a joke to break the ice.
6. Barking up the wrong tree – Accusing the wrong person or pursuing the wrong thing.
Example: If you think I stole it, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
7. Bite the bullet – To endure a painful situation bravely.
Example: I had to bite the bullet and take the injection.
8. Burn the midnight oil – Work or study late into the night.
Example: She’s burning the midnight oil for her exams.
9. Cry over spilled milk – Regret something that can’t be changed.
Example: There’s no use crying over spilled milk.
10. Cut corners – Do something poorly to save time or money.
Example: The company cut corners in construction, which caused issues.
11. Devil’s advocate – Someone who argues for the sake of debate.
Example: He played the devil’s advocate during the discussion.
12. Give someone the cold shoulder – Ignore someone deliberately.
Example: She gave me the cold shoulder after the argument.
13. Go the extra mile – Do more than expected.
Example: Teachers often go the extra mile for students.
14. Hit the books – Start studying seriously.
Example: It’s time to hit the books before the final exam.
15. In the blink of an eye – Very quickly.
Example: The accident happened in the blink of an eye.
16. In hot water – In trouble.
Example: He is in hot water now-a-days.
17. Let the cat out of the bag – Reveal a secret by mistake.
Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
18. Make a mountain out of a molehill – Exaggerate a minor issue.
Example: She made a mountain out of a molehill over a small mistake.
19. Once in a blue moon – Very rarely.
Example: We go to the cinema once in a blue moon.
20. On cloud nine – Extremely happy.
Example: She was on cloud nine after getting the job.
21. Pull someone’s leg – Joke or tease someone.
Example: I was just pulling your leg—don’t take it seriously.
22. Put the cart before the horse – Do things in the wrong order.
Example: Buying baby clothes before marriage is putting the cart before the horse.
23. Read between the lines – Understand hidden meaning.
Example: You must read between the lines to understand the poem.
24. Spill the beans – Reveal a secret.
Example: He spilled the beans about our plan.
25. Take something with a grain of salt – Don’t take it too seriously.
Example: Take his stories with a grain of salt.
26. Under the weather – Feeling unwell.
Example: I’m under the weather and need rest.
27. The ball is in your court – It’s your decision now.
Example: I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.
28. A storm in a teacup – A big fuss over nothing.
Example: Their fight was a storm in a teacup.
29. To throw in the towel – To give up.
Example: He threw in the towel after three attempts.
30. Turn a blind eye – Ignore something intentionally.
Example: The manager turned a blind eye to the mistake.
31. Add fuel to the fire – Make a bad situation worse.
Example: His rude reply added fuel to the fire.
32. At the drop of a hat – Instantly, without hesitation.
Example: He’s ready to travel at the drop of a hat.
33. Back to the drawing board – Start again from the beginning.
Example: Our plan failed, so we’re back to the drawing board.
34. Ballpark figure – An approximate estimate.
Example: Give me a ballpark figure for the cost.
35. By the skin of one’s teeth – Just barely.
Example: I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth.
36. Call it a day – Stop working for the day.
Example: We’ve done enough, let’s call it a day.
37. Cross the bridge when you come to it – Deal with a problem when it happens.
Example: Don’t worry now; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
38. Cut to the chase – Get to the point.
Example: Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the budget.
39. Don’t judge a book by its cover – Don’t judge by appearance.
Example: He seems rude, but don’t judge a book by its cover.
40. Every cloud has a silver lining – Something good in every bad situation.
Example: After every failure, remember every cloud has a silver lining.
41. Face the music – Accept the consequences.
Example: He has to face the music for his actions.
42. Get cold feet – Get nervous.
Example: He got cold feet before the performance.
43. Get a taste of your own medicine – Receive the same bad treatment.
Example: He got a taste of his own medicine when others ignored him.
44. Give someone the benefit of the doubt – Believe someone without proof.
Example: Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.
45. Hang in there – Don’t give up.
Example: I know it’s tough, but hang in there.
46. Have a change of heart – Change your opinion.
Example: She had a change of heart about the job.
47. Hit the sack – Go to bed.
Example: I’m tired, I’ll hit the sack now.
48. Ignorance is bliss – Not knowing is sometimes better.
Example: He didn’t know about the problem—ignorance is bliss.
49. In the same boat – In the same situation.
Example: We’re all in the same boat, struggling with the syllabus.
50. Jump the gun – Act too soon.
Example: He jumped the gun and answered before the question ended.
51. Keep your chin up – Stay positive.
Example: Keep your chin up, better days are coming.
52. Know the ropes – Be familiar with something.
Example: It took me a week to know the ropes at work.
53. Let sleeping dogs lie – Don’t bring up past issues.
Example: Don’t ask about the argument, let sleeping dogs lie.
54. Miss the boat – Miss an opportunity.
Example: He missed the boat by not applying on time.
55. Off the record – Unofficial or confidential.
Example: Off the record, the deal is already done.
56. On the fence – Undecided.
Example: He’s still on the fence about joining the course.
57. Out of the blue – Unexpectedly.
Example: He called me out of the blue after ten years.
58. Out of the frying pan into the fire – From a bad situation to worse.
Example: He changed jobs and landed out of the frying pan into the fire.
59. Put your foot in your mouth – Say something embarrassing.
Example: He put his foot in his mouth by insulting the host.
60. Rain on someone’s parade – Spoil someone’s plans.
Example: Don’t rain on my parade with bad news.
61. Raining cats and dogs – Raining heavily.
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs outside.
62. See eye to eye – Agree completely.
Example: We rarely see eye to eye on politics.
63. Sit on the fence – Be undecided.
Example: Don’t sit on the fence; choose a side.
64. Speak of the devil – The person appears while being talked about.
Example: Speak of the devil, here comes Rahul!
65. Steal someone’s thunder – Take credit for another’s work.
Example: He stole my thunder in the meeting.
66. Straight from the horse’s mouth – From the original source.
Example: I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
67. Take the bull by the horns – Face a problem bravely.
Example: It’s time to take the bull by the horns.
68. The last straw – The final problem after a series of issues.
Example: His rude comment was the last straw.
69. Throw caution to the wind – Take a risk.
Example: He threw caution to the wind and invested all his savings.
70. Tie the knot – Get married.
Example: They finally tied the knot last week.
71. To each their own – Everyone has their own preference.
Example: I hate jazz, but to each their own.
72. Too good to be true – Hard to believe.
Example: The offer was too good to be true.
73. Turn over a new leaf – Make a fresh start.
Example: He’s turned over a new leaf after school.
74. Up in the air – Uncertain.
Example: The plan is still up in the air.
75. When pigs fly – Something impossible.
Example: He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.
76. Wrap your head around – Understand something complex.
Example: I can’t wrap my head around this topic.
77. You can’t judge a book by its cover – Don’t judge by appearance.
Example: She seems arrogant, but she’s kind. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
78. Zip your lip – Keep quiet.
Example: Zip your lip during the exam.
79. Break a leg – Good luck!
Example: Break a leg for your performance!
80. By hook or by crook – By any means necessary.
Example: He wants to pass the exam by hook or by crook.
81. Come hell or high water – No matter what happens.
Example: I’ll finish this work, come hell or high water.
82. Drop a bombshell – Announce shocking news.
Example: She dropped a bombshell about quitting.
83. Get out of hand – Become uncontrollable.
Example: The party got out of hand.
84. Have butterflies in your stomach – Feel nervous.
Example: I had butterflies in my stomach before my speech.
85. Keep an eye on – Watch closely.
Example: Keep an eye on your belongings.
86. Let someone off the hook – Not punish someone.
Example: The teacher let him off the hook this time.
87. Make both ends meet – Earn just enough.
Example: It’s hard to make both ends meet on a small salary.
88. No pain, no gain – Effort is necessary for success.
Example: Keep working—no pain, no gain.
89. Once bitten, twice shy – Cautious after a bad experience.
Example: He avoids investment—once bitten, twice shy.
90. Pull strings – Use influence.
Example: He pulled strings to get the job.
91. Smell a rat – Suspect something wrong.
Example: I smell a rat in this deal.
92. The early bird catches the worm – Those who act quickly succeed.
Example: Start your day early—the early bird catches the worm.
93. Throw light on – Explain.
Example: The report throws light on corruption.
94. Turn a deaf ear – Ignore advice.
Example: He turned a deaf ear to warnings.
95. Water under the bridge – Past events no longer important.
Example: Forget it, it’s water under the bridge.
96. Work like a dog – Work very hard.
Example: He worked like a dog to get promoted.
97. Your guess is as good as mine – I don’t know either.
Example: When will the result come? Your guess is as good as mine.
98. A leopard can’t change its spots – A person can’t change their nature.
Example: He’s rude—a leopard can’t change its spots.
99. Add insult to injury – Make a bad situation worse.
Example: He rejected the offer and added insult to injury by laughing.
100. Actions speak louder than words – What you do is more important than what you say.
Example: He promises a lot, but actions speak louder than words.
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