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
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