SSC English Free Study Material: Idioms & Phrases (Set-4)

An Idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative meaning, which is totally different from its literal meaning. There are thousands phrases in English as other language do also have. It generally refers to your English language understanding. SSC used to frame 2-3 questions out of this topic. So, practice maximum numbers of Idioms assures to score 4-6 marks in SSC exams with reading them once.

In the following text, we have shared 50 phrases that are frequently used in English literature and important from the competitive exam point of view. Let us take a tour of them-

SSC English Free questions: Idioms & Phrases

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1) All right- Acceptable, fine; yes, okay

2) Alpha and omega- First and last letter of Greek alphabet, means beginning and end

3) An arm and a leg- Very expensive, A large amount of money

4) An axe to grind- To have a dispute with someone

5) An eye wash- A pretence

6) An iron hand- By force

7) Apple to my eye- Someone who is cherished above all others

8) As a matter of fact- Really, actually (also: as to)

9) As for- Regarding, concerning (also: as to)

10) As high as a kite- Anything that is high up in the sky

11) As soon as- Just after, when

12) As usual- as is the general case, as is typical

13) At all- To any degree (also: in the least)

14) At heart- Basically, fundamentally

15) At last- Finally, after a long time

16) At least- A minimum of, no fewer (or less) than

17) At odds- In dispute

18) At sixes and seven- Persons who are having different opinions

19) At the drop of a hat- Willing to do something immediately

20) Back and call- At the service

21) Back and forth- In a backward and forward motion

22) Back seat driver- People who criticize from the sidelines, much like someone giving unwanted advice

23) Back to square one- Having to start all over again

24) Back to the drawing board- When an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over

25) Bag and baggage- with all goods

26) Baker’s dozen- Thirteen

27) Bank on- Depend on, count on

28) Barking up the wrong tree- A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve

29) Bated breath- In anxiety, expectancy

30) Beat a dead horse- To force an issue that has already ended

31) Beating around the bash- Avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue

32) Bend over backwards- Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything

33) Between a Rock and a Hard place- Stuck between two very bad options

34) Between Scylla and Charybdis- Choice between two unpleasant alternatives

35) Between the cup and the lips- On the point of achievement

36) Bite off more than you can chew- To take on a task that is a way to big

37) Bite your tongue- To avoid talking

38) Black and white- In writing

39) Blood is thicker than water- The family bond is closer than anything else

40) Blow hot and cold- Having no stand, shows favour at one time and unfavour at another

41) Blue moon- A rare event or occurrence

42) Body and soul- Entirely

43) Break a leg- A superstitious way to say ‘Good Luck’ without saying ‘Good Luck’,

44) Buy a lemon- To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it

45) By & by- Gradually

46) By all means- Certainly, definitely, naturally (also: of course); using any possible way or method

47) By far- By a great margin, clearly

48) By fits and starts- Irregularly

49) By heart- By memorizing

50) By hook or by crook- By any means