Idioms And Phrases | CrackEase

Idioms and Phrases

Understanding Idioms and Phrases

Idioms and phrases share similar usage but are not identical.
Idioms are fixed expressions whose overall meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of the words. They often describe behaviours, attitudes, or cultural ideas (e.g., beat around the bush).
Phrases are groups of words that function together as a unit and may have a meaning that is clearer from the words themselves (e.g., deep down means 'at a deeper level').
Both idioms and phrases enrich language and are widely used in spoken and written English to convey ideas compactly and vividly.

Idioms And Phrases - Rules:

Key points about idioms and phrases:

They are often cultural — meaning can depend on native usage.
Idioms are usually fixed in form (you can’t change the words without losing the meaning).
Phrases can be more flexible and are often built from common word combinations.
Both add color to writing and speech and are frequently tested in verbal ability sections.

When answering questions, focus on the intended (figurative) meaning rather than the literal wording.

Difference between Idioms & Phrases

Short difference: An idiom is an expression whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. A phrase is a small group of words that together convey a single idea — sometimes literal, sometimes figurative.

Examples of Idioms and Phrases
Idioms	Phrases
Being comfortable in one’s skin Meaning: feeling comfortable and confident about yourself.	Deep down Meaning: at a deeper level (emotionally or mentally).
Beat around the bush Meaning: to avoid talking about the main point; to delay coming to the subject.	Group of men and women Meaning: simply a description of a mixed group (literal phrase).

List of Idioms and Phrases

S.No	Idioms & Phrases	Meaning
1	To cut a sorry figure	To make a poor impression
2	With a high hand	In an overbearing or authoritative manner
3	Burn one’s fingers	To suffer because of one’s own actions; get into trouble
4	Chip on your shoulder	To be easily offended because of past grievances
5	Piece of cake	Something very easy
6	Golden handshake	A large severance payment given on retirement or resignation
7	Spill the beans	To reveal a secret
8	Blessing in disguise	Something that seems bad at first but turns out good
9	In the doldrums	In low spirits; depressed
10	Break the ice	To initiate conversation or reduce tension in a social situation
11	Hear it on the grapevine	To hear rumors
12	Be on cloud nine	To be extremely happy
13	At the drop of a hat	Willing to do something immediately
14	Afraid of one’s own shadow	Very easily frightened
15	A house of cards	A weak or unstable plan or structure
16	Pour oil on troubled waters	To calm down a tense situation; make peace
17	Don’t put all your eggs in one basket	Don’t risk everything on a single venture
18	Blow up	To explode; to become very angry
19	Back up	To support or make a copy for safety
20	Back upon	To be relevant or depend on
21	Break off	To end or discontinue
22	Call forth	To evoke or provoke
23	Call out	To shout or challenge
24	Call upon	To formally ask or invite
25	Carry on	To continue
26	Cast away	To discard or throw aside
27	Catch up with	To reach the same level as someone
28	Come off	To happen or succeed
29	Cry down	To belittle or criticize
30	Cut out	Designed for; suitable
31	Drop in	To visit casually
32	Drop out	To leave or withdraw (e.g., from school)
33	Fall down	To fall from a higher position to a lower one
34	Fall under	To be classified as; to come under
35	Get along	To manage or progress; to have a friendly relationship
36	Get on with	To continue doing something; to have a good relationship
37	Knock out	To defeat or render unconscious
38	Keep something at bay	To keep something away or under control
39	Out on a limb	In a risky or exposed position
40	Piece of cake	Something very easy (repeat for emphasis)

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