Previous Year idioms and phrases for SSC CGL CHSL CPO MTS Exam
Add fuel to the fire
Meaning:- to worsen a situation or increase the intensity of a conflict.
Sentence:- His thoughtless remark about her work performance added fuel to the fire, escalating the tension between them during the team meeting.
Batten down the hatches
Meaning:- to prepare for a difficult or challenging situation
Sentence:- With the hurricane approaching, the coastal residents were advised to batten down the hatches, securing their homes and stocking up on supplies.
Bear in mind
Meaning:- to remember or consider something.
Sentence:- As you plan your schedule for the week, bear in mind that the important meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday.
Beat about the bush
Meaning:- to avoid getting to the main point, to speak evasively or indirectly.
Sentence:- Stop beating about the bush and tell me directly if you agree with the proposal or not.
Bite the dust
Meaning:- to suffer a defeat or failure, or to die.
Sentence:- After a long struggle, the once-thriving business finally had to bite the dust, unable to compete in the changing market.
Break the ice
Meaning:- to initiate social interaction in a way that alleviates tension or makes people feel more comfortable.
Sentence:- At the networking event, John told a lighthearted joke to break the ice and encourage conversation among the attendees.
Bury the hatchet
Meaning:- to make peace, resolve a conflict, or end a dispute.
Sentence:- After years of feuding, the two neighbors decided to bury the hatchet and work together to improve their community.
Bone of contention
Meaning:- argument or dispute between individuals or groups.
Sentence:- The proposed changes to the company’s benefits package became a bone of contention among the employees, leading to heated discussions and disagreements in the staff meetings.
born with a silver spoon
Meaning:- someone who is born into a wealthy or privileged family, suggesting a life of comfort and affluence from birth.
Sentence:- Coming from a family of successful entrepreneurs, Jessica was born with a silver spoon, enjoying the benefits of a privileged upbringing and access to the best education.
Bring down the house
Meaning:- to generate an enthusiastic and positive reaction from an audience, often resulting in loud applause, cheers
Sentence:- The singer’s powerful and emotional rendition of the song brought down the house, with the audience erupting into thunderous applause and cheers.
Blow one’s own trumpet
Meaning:- to boast or praise oneself, often in a self-promotional manner.
Sentence:- John is known for his modesty; he never blows his own trumpet, preferring to let his work and achievements speak for themselves.
blaze a trail
Meaning:- to create a new path or to be a pioneer in a particular field, often by introducing innovative ideas or methods.
Sentence:- Elon Musk blazed a trail in the electric car industry with the introduction of Tesla, revolutionizing the way people think about sustainable transportation.
Burn one’s boat
Meaning:- making a decision or taking an action that leaves no option to go back.
Sentence:- By selling his house to fund his startup, John essentially burned his boats, committing himself fully to the success of his business venture with no safety net.
Carry the ball
Meaning:- to take responsibility for something, lead an effort, or be in charge of a particular task or project.
Sentence:- Since Sarah had extensive experience in project management, she was asked to carry the ball on the upcoming product launch, ensuring that everything proceeded smoothly from planning to execution.
Cut the Gordian knot
Meaning:- to solve a complex problem in a direct and decisive way, Remove difficulty, To perform a difficult task
Sentence:- Faced with the intricate legal complications, the lawyer decided to cut the Gordian knot by proposing a simple and effective solution to resolve the dispute.
Cut a sorry figure
Meaning:- to describe someone who looks or behaves in a manner that is pitiful, unimpressive, or deserving of sympathy.
Sentence:- After the defeat in the championship game, the usually confident coach cut a sorry figure as he faced disappointed fans and reporters.
Cut no ice
Meaning:- to have no influence or make no impression, particularly when attempting to persuade or impress someone.
Sentence:- Despite his elaborate excuses, they cut no ice with the strict teacher who insisted on punctuality and adherence to rules.
cast a die
Meaning:- making a final and irrevocable decision or taking a decisive action, with the implication that the outcome is uncertain or risky.
Sentence:- Faced with the challenging career opportunity abroad, Mark had to cast a die and decide whether to leave his stable job for a new adventure.
Catch a tartar
Meaning:- to unexpectedly find oneself dealing with a person who is more formidable, difficult, or troublesome than one initially thought.
Sentence:- John thought the new employee would be easy to manage, but he soon realized he had caught a tartar when he faced the challenges of supervising someone with a strong, independent personality.
call it a day
Meaning:- to decide to stop working on something, usually for the rest of the day or permanently,
Sentence:- After hours of trying to fix the broken computer, John decided to call it a day and seek professional help the next morning.
Cheek by jowl
Meaning:- to describe things or people that are very close together, often in a confined or crowded space.
Sentence:- In the small apartment, the furniture was placed cheek by jowl, leaving little room for movement
Come to grief
Meaning:- experience a failure, disaster, or unfortunate outcome.
Sentence:- After investing all his savings in the risky venture, he came to grief when the market crashed, and he lost everything.
Clip one’s wings
Meaning:- to restrict or limit someone’s freedom or independence, usually by imposing rules or constraints.
Sentence:- After a series of reckless decisions, the manager decided to clip the employee’s wings by closely monitoring all their activities and limiting their decision-making authority.
Doctor the accounts
Meaning:- to manipulate or alter financial records, usually with the intention of deceiving or presenting false information.
Sentence:- In an attempt to inflate the company’s profits, the unethical CFO decided to doctor the accounts by manipulating revenue figures and hiding expenses.
Draw the line
Meaning:- to set a limit or establish a boundary beyond which one is unwilling to go or accept.
Sentence:- I’m happy to help with the project, but I have to draw the line at working overtime every day without proper compensation.
draw a blank
Meaning:- to be unable to recall or think of something, to have no information or answer come to mind.
Sentence:- During the exam, I tried to remember the formula, but I drew a blank, and my mind went completely blank.
die in harness
Meaning:- someone who continues to work or remain active in their responsibilities until the very end of their life or career.
Sentence:- Even after his official retirement age, Professor Thompson chose to continue teaching and researching, expressing his desire to die in harness, contributing to the academic field he loved so much.
drag one’s feet
Meaning:- to act slowly or with reluctance, intentionally delaying progress or decision-making.
Sentence:- Despite the urgency of the project, the team seemed to drag their feet in implementing the necessary changes, causing frustration among the stakeholders.
Eat like a horse (CHSL 2014)
Meaning:- consume large quantities of food.
Sentence:- After a long day of hiking, he sat down at the dinner table and ate like a horse, finishing multiple plates of food without any hesitation.
end in smoke
Meaning:- to come to nothing, fail, or not produce the expected result.
Sentence:- After months of planning, their ambitious business venture ended in smoke when they couldn’t secure the necessary funding.
Face the music
Meaning:- to confront the consequences of one’s actions, especially when those consequences are unpleasant or difficult.
Sentence:- After skipping work for a week without notifying his supervisor, Tom knew he had to face the music when he returned and explain his absence.
Flogging a dead horse (CGL 2011)
Meaning:- to waste time, effort, or resources on something that is no longer productive, useful, or viable (Wasting time in useless effort)
Sentence:- After spending hours trying to fix the old computer, he realized he was flogging a dead horse, as it was beyond repair and would never work again.
Fit like a glove
Meaning:- something fits perfectly or very well.
Sentence:- After the tailor made adjustments to the dress, it now fits like a glove, accentuating her figure perfectly.
Fish in troubled water
Meaning:- someone who takes advantage of a difficult or chaotic situation for personal gain.
Sentence:- During the economic crisis, some unscrupulous businesses were known to fish in troubled waters, exploiting the financial difficulties of others for their own profit.
Fell foul of
Meaning:- to come into conflict with or to violate a rule, law, or standard, leading to negative consequences.
Sentence:- Despite his good intentions, John fell foul of company policy when he accidentally shared confidential information with a colleague.
Feather in one’s cap
Meaning:- A new and additional distinction, a noteworthy achievement or success that adds to a person’s reputation or accomplishments.
Sentence:- Winning the prestigious award for Best Actor was a feather in his cap, recognizing years of hard work and dedication to his craft.
Feather one’s own nest
Meaning:- to accumulate wealth or take advantage of a situation for personal gain, Make money in an improper way
Sentence:- The corrupt official was found guilty of using his position to feather his own nest, diverting public funds for personal benefit.
fight tooth and nail
Meaning:- to resist or contend with great determination and effort, using every available means.
Sentence:- Despite facing numerous challenges, the team fought tooth and nail to secure the contract, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to success.
get cold feet
Meaning:- to become nervous, anxious, or apprehensive, especially before undertaking a significant action or making an important decision.
Sentence:- Tom was excited about the bungee jumping adventure, but as he stood on the platform, he suddenly got cold feet and decided not to go through with it.
Get the sack
Meaning:- be fired or dismissed from a job.
Sentence:- After consistently arriving late to work, despite warnings, Tom eventually got the sack from his employer.
get down to business
Meaning:- to start focusing on and addressing the main or important tasks at hand, especially in a serious and efficient manner.
Sentence:- After the initial greetings and small talk, the team leader signaled everyone to get down to business and start discussing the key issues on the agenda.
get into hot water
Meaning:- to get into trouble or to be in a difficult or risky situation
Sentence:- Sarah realized she would get into hot water with her boss when she accidentally deleted an important file from the company’s database.
Get on someone’s nerves
Meaning:- to irritate or annoy someone.
Sentence:- Her constant complaining and negativity really get on my nerves after a while.
Give the game away
Meaning:- to reveal a secret, disclose information, or make something known that was meant to be kept hidden or confidential.
Sentence:- Trying to contain her excitement, Emily almost gave the game away by hinting at the upcoming promotion during the team meeting.
give a piece of one’s mind
Meaning:- to express one’s thoughts, opinions, or feelings forcefully and directly, often in a critical or confrontational manner. (To reprimand)
Sentence:- After waiting for hours at the customer service counter, I was frustrated and decided to give the manager a piece of my mind about the poor service I had received.
Give a wide berth to
Meaning:- to keep a considerable distance from someone or something, either physically or metaphorically, in order to avoid problems, conflicts, or undesirable situations.
Sentence:- After the recent disagreement, Tom decided to give a wide berth to discussions about politics to maintain a peaceful atmosphere at family gatherings.
Give a hand
Meaning:- to offer assistance or help to someone.
Sentence:- John was struggling with carrying the heavy boxes, so I offered to give him a hand
Go for the jugular
Meaning:- to attack someone fiercely and decisively, usually in a way that aims for a critical and vulnerable point.
Sentence:- In the debate, the politician decided to go for the jugular, aggressively highlighting his opponent’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities to gain an advantage.
Go to the dogs (CHSL 2014) (CGL 2014)
Meaning:- a situation or thing has deteriorated or become worse over time (Ruin / to go to in very bad situation) (CGL 2014)
Sentence:- Once a thriving and respected company, their business has gone to the dogs in recent years due to mismanagement and declining product quality.
gift of the gab
Meaning:- ability to speak fluently, persuasively, and in a charming manner.
Sentence:- John’s gift of the gab helped him excel in sales, as he could effortlessly engage with customers and convince them to buy the products.
grease the palm
Meaning:- to give money to someone, especially as a bribe or to influence their behavior.
Sentence:- The businessman tried to grease the palms of the local officials to expedite the approval process for his new construction project.
Have a finger in every pie
Meaning:- to be involved or have influence in many different activities or affairs.
Sentence:- As a successful entrepreneur, she seemed to have a finger in every pie, managing various businesses and projects simultaneously.
have something up one’s sleeve
Meaning:- to have a secret plan or strategy, typically something kept hidden until the right moment.
Sentence:- During the negotiations, Sarah seemed calm, but little did her opponents know, she had a brilliant counterproposal up her sleeve that surprised everyone.
Hold one’s horses (CGL 2014)
Sentence:- to wait, be patient, or stop rushing into a situation. It’s used to advise someone to slow down and exercise patience rather than acting hastily.
Meaning:- Before you make any decisions about your future, you should hold your horses and carefully consider all your options.
Keep the wolf away from the door
Meaning:- to prevent financial hardship or stave off poverty.
Sentence:- After losing his job, Mark took on a part-time position to keep the wolf away from the door and continue supporting his family.
Keep a level head
Meaning:- to stay calm, composed, and rational, especially in difficult or challenging situations.
Sentence:- During the crisis, it’s essential to keep a level head and make decisions based on careful consideration rather than reacting impulsively.
Keep an open house
Meaning:- be welcoming and receptive, especially to visitors or guests.
Sentence:- Despite their busy schedule, the couple always keeps an open house, inviting friends and family to drop by anytime for a cup of coffee and a chat.
Kick up a row
Meaning:- to create a disturbance, cause a commotion, or start a noisy argument or disagreement.
Sentence:- When they discovered that someone had taken their reserved seats, they decided to kick up a row with the event organizers.
Like a phoenix
Meaning:- to describe a process of rejuvenation, renewal, or rebirth after a period of decline or destruction.
The phoenix is a mythical bird in folklore that is said to burst into flames upon death and then be reborn from its ashes
Sentence:- After facing a series of setbacks, the company rose again like a phoenix, rebranding itself and experiencing a remarkable turnaround in the market.
leave no stone unturned
Meaning:- to make every possible effort or to thoroughly investigate every aspect of a situation.
Sentence:- In their quest to find the missing child, the search and rescue team vowed to leave no stone unturned, combing through the entire area with meticulous attention to detail.
leave in the lurch
Meaning:- to abandon or leave someone in a difficult or uncertain situation, often without help or support.
Sentence:- After promising to help with the project, Alex suddenly resigned and left his colleagues in the lurch, scrambling to complete the work without his assistance.
miss the bus
Meaning:- to miss an opportunity, to be too late for something, or to fail to take advantage of a situation.
Sentence:- After delaying his decision to invest in the stock market, John realized he had missed the bus when the market experienced a significant boom, and the opportunity for substantial profits was gone.
Make a clean breast
Meaning:- confess or reveal the truth about something, especially when it involves admitting to a mistake or wrongdoing.
Sentence:- After months of hiding the truth, Mark finally decided to make a clean breast of his financial troubles to his family, explaining the extent of his debts and seeking their support.
Make a beeline
Meaning:- to go directly and quickly towards a specific destination or objective or goal
Sentence:- .As soon as the concert ended, the enthusiastic fans made a beeline for the stage in the hope of getting an autograph from their favorite artist.
Make a mockery
Meaning:- to treat something with contempt or ridicule, often by making it seem absurd or ridiculous.
Sentence:- By ignoring safety protocols, the employee made a mockery of the company’s commitment to a secure work environment.
Make a mountain of a mole hill
Meaning:- to exaggerate or overreact to a small or insignificant issue
Sentence:-When Jenny discovered a small scratch on her new car, she tended to make a mountain out of a mole hill by worrying excessively about the damage and the cost of repairs.
Make both ends meet
Meaning:- means to have enough income or resources to cover one’s expenses, to balance one’s budget, or to manage financially.
Sentence:- Despite the economic challenges, Mark worked two jobs to make both ends meet, ensuring that he could pay the bills and support his family.
make one’s blood boil
Meaning:- to cause intense anger, frustration, or indignation.
Sentence:-The blatant injustice of the situation made his blood boil as he witnessed the unfair treatment of innocent people.
nip it in the bud
Meaning:- to stop a problem or issue at an early stage, before it can develop into something more serious or difficult to handle.
Sentence:- The manager decided to nip the conflict in the bud by addressing the issue during the team meeting before it could escalate further.
Putting the cart before the horse
Meaning:- doing things in the wrong order or prioritizing tasks incorrectly.
Sentence:- Planning the decorations for the party before even sending out invitations is like putting the cart before the horse
put a spoke in one’s wheel
Meaning:- to obstruct or hinder someone’s plans or efforts, disrupting their progress or success.
Sentence:- Sarah was making excellent progress on the project, but her colleague’s unexpected absence put a spoke in her wheel, causing delays and additional challenges.
put up the shutters
Meaning:- to close down a business, usually temporarily for the day or permanently.
Sentence:- As the clock struck midnight, the tired store owner decided to put up the shutters, ending another long day of business.
Putting one’s foot down
Meaning:- to assert oneself firmly, especially when it comes to making a decision or enforcing a rule.
Sentence:- After years of compromise, Sarah finally decided to put her foot down and insist on a change in the project’s direction for the benefit of the team.
pull a long face
Meaning:- to look unhappy, disappointed, or disapproving.
Sentence:- When I told him about the canceled vacation plans, he pulled a long face, clearly upset by the news.
pull a fast one
Meaning:- to deceive or trick someone in a clever or sly manner.
Sentence:- Alex thought he could pull a fast one by pretending to be sick to avoid the meeting, but his boss caught him playing golf instead.
Pour cats and dogs (Constable 2013)
Meaning:- Rain heavily
Sentence:- When I left the house this morning, it was pouring cats and dogs, so I had to grab an umbrella.
paled into insignificance
Meaning:- something becomes much less important, impressive, or noteworthy when compared to something else
Sentence:- His previous achievements paled into insignificance when he won the prestigious international award, marking a defining moment in his career.
Pay on the nail
Meaning:- to make an immediate or prompt payment, usually in cash.
Sentence:- When the repair was completed, the customer insisted on paying on the nail, providing cash right away to settle the bill.
Pay through nose
Meaning:- to pay a very high price for something, often more than the item or service is worth.
Sentence:- After forgetting to book his flight in advance, John had to pay through the nose for a last-minute ticket to the popular tourist destination.
play fast and loose
Meaning:- to behave in a deceitful or untrustworthy manner, often by taking advantage of situations or bending the rules.
Sentence:- John was fired from his job for playing fast and loose with company funds, jeopardizing the financial stability of the entire organization.
Rides the high horse
Meaning:- to act arrogantly or with a superior attitude, often looking down on others.
Sentence:- Ever since she got promoted, Sarah has been riding the high horse, acting as if she is better than her colleagues.
rule the roost
Meaning:- to be in charge or to dominate in a particular situation.
Sentence:- After receiving a promotion, Sarah quickly began to rule the roost in the office, making important decisions and leading the team with confidence.
Rub up the wrong way
Meaning:- irritate or annoy someone
Sentence:- His constant criticism and negative comments tend to rub up the wrong way with his teammates, creating tension in the workplace.
Reading between the lines
Meaning:- understanding an implicit or hidden meaning in something that is said or written, often by paying attention to subtle or unstated information.
Sentence:- In his resignation letter, the employee thanked the company for the opportunities but, reading between the lines, it was clear that he was dissatisfied with the working conditions.
Rest on laurels
Meaning:- complacent or self-satisfied attitude based on past success.
Sentence:- After winning the championship, the team decided not to rest on their laurels but instead continued to train hard for the upcoming season, recognizing the need for ongoing improvement.
Rise with the lark
Meaning:- to wake up very early in the morning, at or before dawn.
Sentence:- Since starting her new job, Sarah had to rise with the lark to catch the early train for her daily commute.
Set the record straight
Meaning:- to clarify or correct a misunderstanding, misconception, or false information.
Sentence:- After the rumors spread about her involvement in the scandal, Sarah decided to set the record straight by issuing a public statement explaining the true events.
Set the Thames on fire
Meaning:- to describe someone who is exceptionally talented or has achieved something remarkable and impressive.
Sentence:- His groundbreaking inventions and revolutionary ideas have truly set the Thames on fire in the world of technology.
Spilling the beans
Meaning:- revealing a secret or disclosing confidential information.
Sentence:- Tom couldn’t contain his excitement and ended up spilling the beans about the surprise proposal he had planned for Mary.
Shot in the arm
Meaning:- provides a boost, encouragement, or revitalization.
Sentence:- The successful completion of the challenging project was a real shot in the arm for the team, boosting their confidence and morale.
Sail in the same boat
Meaning:- to be in a similar situation or to share the same circumstances or difficulties as someone else.
Sentence:-After the economic downturn, many small businesses were struggling to survive, and our company was sailing in the same boat.
See eye to eye
Meaning:- to fully agree or have the same opinion as someone else.
Sentence:- Although they were friends, they didn’t always see eye to eye on political matters, leading to lively discussions and debates.
sweep under the carpet
Meaning:- to hide or ignore problems, mistakes, or issues instead of addressing them.
Sentence:- After the financial scandal, the company tried to sweep the issue under the carpet, hoping to avoid public scrutiny and maintain a positive image.
Sit on the fence
Meaning:- to avoid taking a side or making a decision in a dispute or controversy. It implies staying neutral or undecided.
Sentence:- Instead of expressing a clear opinion on the matter, he chose to sit on the fence, unwilling to commit to either side of the argument.
Show a clean a pair of heels
Meaning:- escape from a situation, often by running quickly.
Sentence:- When the security guard approached, the thief showed a clean pair of heels, darting through the crowded market and disappearing before anyone could catch him.
Shed crocodile tears (CHSL 2011) (CHSL 2015)
Meaning:- to pretend to cry or show false or insincere sympathy or sadness
Sentence:- After he was caught cheating on the exam, he shed crocodile tears, claiming he didn’t mean to cheat and was truly sorry, but nobody believed his insincere apology.
Stick to guns
Meaning:- to remain firm and resolute in one’s beliefs, decisions, or actions, especially in the face of opposition, criticism, or challenges.
Sentence:- Even though there were disagreements among the team members, Sarah decided to stick to her guns and implement the strategy she believed would lead to success.
smell a rat
Meaning:- to suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being deceitful or dishonest.
Sentence:- When the financial reports suddenly showed a significant discrepancy, the auditor began to smell a rat and decided to investigate the company’s accounts more thoroughly.
Strike a bargain
Meaning:- to reach an agreement or make a deal, often after negotiating terms.
Sentence:- After hours of discussion, the two parties managed to strike a bargain that satisfied both sides in the business deal.
strain every nerve
Meaning:- means to make an extreme effort, to exert oneself to the utmost degree, or to work very hard to achieve something.
Sentence:- Despite the challenging circumstances, Sarah strained every nerve to meet the tight deadline for the project, working late into the night and giving it her all.
throw cold water
Meaning:- to discourage or dampen enthusiasm, excitement, or optimism about something.
Sentence:- Despite the team’s initial enthusiasm for the new project, the manager threw cold water on the proposal by highlighting its potential challenges and risks.
Take the bull by the horns (CHSL 2015)
Meaning:- to confront a difficult or challenging situation directly and with determination, rather than avoiding it (to face a difficulty courageously)
Sentence:- She decided to take the bull by the horns and confront her fear of public speaking by signing up for a public speaking course.
talking through one’s hat
Meaning:- speaking foolishly or making statements without a good understanding of the subject.
Sentence:- During the debate, the candidate started talking through his hat when asked about economic policies, revealing a lack of knowledge and coherence in his responses.
take to heart
Meaning:- take something seriously or to be deeply affected or influenced by it emotionally.
Sentence:- She took the criticism to heart and worked hard to improve her performance in the next project.
Take a French leave
Meaning:- to leave a gathering or situation without saying goodbye or without obtaining permission.
Sentence:- After the party, John decided to take a French leave, slipping away quietly so as not to disturb the remaining guests.
take a leap in the dark
Meaning:- to take a risk or undertake a venture without knowing the outcome or consequences.
Sentence:- Despite the uncertainty surrounding the new career path, Jack decided to take a leap in the dark and pursue his passion for photography, leaving behind the stability of his corporate job.
turn up one’s nose at
Meaning:- to express disdain or contempt for something, often by displaying a haughty or superior attitude.
Sentence:- Despite the humble offering, she turned up her nose at the suggestion of taking public transportation, insisting on using her private car instead.
Turn a deaf ear
Meaning:- ignore or pretend not to hear something, usually used when someone is avoiding listening to advice, requests, or criticism.
Sentence:- Even though his friends warned him about the potential consequences, Mike turned a deaf ear to their advice and went ahead with his risky investment.
Turn an honest living
Meaning:- to earn a livelihood or make a living through legitimate and ethical means, without engaging in dishonest or illegal activities.
Sentence:- After years of struggling with various schemes, Jake decided to turn an honest living by starting his own small business and working hard to build a reputable and lawful source of income.
Vote with your feet
Meaning:- to express your opinion or preference by taking action, especially by leaving a situation or organization.
Sentence:- When customers are dissatisfied with a product or service, they often vote with their feet by choosing to take their business elsewhere.
make / play ducks and drakes of
Meaning:- to squander or recklessly waste resources, often in a thoughtless or extravagant manner.
Sentence:- Despite winning the lottery, John made ducks and drakes of his fortune, spending lavishly on extravagant purchases without considering his financial future.