Idioms SSC Q. No. 33 (ii)

Idioms and Their Meanings with Example Sentences

1. Make both ends meet: To earn just enough money to live on.

     It's tough to make both ends meet with such low wages.

2. Bolt from the blue: Something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly.

     The news of her sudden resignation came as a bolt from the blue.

3. Unmindful: Not paying attention to something.

     She was unmindful of the noise around her.

4. Pushed to our limits: Forced to endure a difficult situation to the maximum.

     The long hours and heavy workload pushed us to our limits.

5. Keep one going: To continue to live or function.

     He kept going, despite the challenges he faced.

6. Earning my keep: Contributing to the household income.

     She wanted to earn her keep and be independent.

7. Quacking in its boots: To be very nervous or scared.

     He was quaking in his boots before the big presentation.

8. Lose heart: To become discouraged or disheartened.

     Don't lose heart; keep trying.

9. For ages: For a very long time.

     I haven't seen her for ages.

10. Joke on: To play a trick on someone.

     The joke was on him when he realized his mistake.

11. Caught my eye: Attracted my attention.

     The colorful dress caught my eye.

12. Laugh ourselves silly: To laugh very hard.

     We laughed ourselves silly watching the comedy show.

13. He'd had enough: He was tired of something.

     He'd had enough of her complaining.

14. Can't bring myself to: Unable to force oneself to do something.

     I can't bring myself to tell her the bad news.

15. Be all eyes: To watch something very intently.

     The children were all eyes as the magician performed his tricks.

16. Be up to your eyes: To be very busy.

     I'm up to my eyes in work.

17. Have a heart of stone: To be very unkind or unfeeling.

     She has a heart of stone; she never shows any sympathy.

18. Bury the hatchet: To make peace with someone.

     After the argument, they decided to bury the hatchet.

19. Break the ice: To start a conversation or social interaction.

     The host told a joke to break the ice at the party.

20. Turn a blind eye: To ignore something.

     The teacher turned a blind eye to the students' cheating.

21. A baker's dozen: Thirteen.

     We received a baker's dozen of doughnuts.

22. Butter someone up: To flatter someone.

     She tried to butter him up so he would agree.

23. Egg on one's face: To be embarrassed.

     He was left with egg on his face after his failed attempt.

24. Ox of a man: A very strong and sturdy man.

     He's an ox of a man, capable of lifting heavy weights.

25. All's fair in love and war: Anything goes in love and competition.

     In business, all's fair in love and war.

26. Call the shots: To be in charge or control.

     The boss calls the shots in this company.

27. Raining cats and dogs: Raining heavily.

     It's raining cats and dogs outside.

28. Icing on the cake: Something extra that makes a good situation even better.

     Winning the lottery was the icing on the cake of a perfect day.

29. Chalk and cheese: Very different.

     They're chalk and cheese; they have nothing in common.

30. Breaking the ice: Starting a conversation or social interaction.

     The host told a joke to break the ice at the party.