NIEL RKT

Back to the drawing board
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.

Ball is in your court
It is up to you to make the next decision or step

Barking up the wrong tree
Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person

Be glad to see the back of
Be happy when a person leaves.

Beat around the bush
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.

Best of both worlds
Meaning: All the advantages.

A hot potato
Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed

A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking what someone is thinking

Actions speak louder than words
People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.

Add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.

An arm and a leg
Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money.

I Owe You

Meaning/Usage: Similar to giving someone a debt coupon

Explanation: The literal meaning is exactly as it appears. However, this expression is merging all the words together to create a noun phrase. The closest meaning is a debt coupon. The coupon would be a piece of paper that would be a promise to pay back what was borrowed.

"I don't have any money so can I get an I owe you."
"I'll need an I owe you because I don't have any money."
"I used up an I owe you already so he won't let me borrow again!"

A. "Do you want to grab a steak tonight?"
B. "I'd love to, but I won't have any money until payday?"
A. "I'll give you an I owe you until you get your paycheck!"
B. "Thanks man. I appreciate that."

I'm On My Way

Meaning/Usage: Common way of telling someone that you are going to the person.

Explanation: This is very straightforward. It is very commonly used.

"Don't worry I'm on my way."
"Just be patient, I'm on my way."
"I got your message saying you needed my help. I'm on my way."

A. "I thought you were going to come over right after work?"
B. "Sorry, I had to stay late. But don't worry I'm on my way home now."

It's a Piece of Cake

Meaning/Usage: Describes something that is easy to do.

Explanation: In the 1870's, cakes were given as prizes for winning competition. To the winner, it was an easy task. Therefore, "cake" started representing something easy. Another phrase that is similar is "cake walk," which also represents something that is easy.

"That test we took was a piece of cake."
"I put the whole thing together myself. It was a piece of cake."
"I told them I had never done this before and they said it would be a piece of cake."

Nature Calls

Meaning/Usage: This is used when you have to go to the bathroom. Usually referred to p*e ( #1) and not p**p ( #2).

Explanation: Having to go p*e is natural. So it became popular to say "nature calls" instead of saying, "I need to go p*e."

"Can you pull the car over at a rest stop as soon as you can? Nature calls!"
"I have to go to the restroom. Nature calls."
"That little boy is crossing his legs, nature must be calling."

Why so Blue?

Meaning/Usage: Asking someone why they are so sad.

Explanation: The "blue" in this phrase is the same "blue" of being sad.

"Why so blue, is everything ok?"
"You look so depressed. Why so blue?"
"Why so blue? Did he hurt your feelings?"

Hold On a Sec

Meaning/Usage: To tell someone to wait; to slow down; an expression used before providing a different point of view or opinion

Explanation: This is fairly straightforward. "Sec" in this context is one "second." You're basically telling someone to wait because you are about to say something else.

"Hold on a sec, I thought you were staying home tonight?"
"Hold on a sec, are you serious?"
"Hold on a sec. This is different from what you told me yesterday."

I'm Sick of It

Meaning/Usage: To express that you are tired of something; to express you don't like something anymore

Explanation: This is commonly used when something happens so often that you are tired of it.

"I'm not sure about you, but I'm sick of it!"
"I don't know why she's acting that way, but I'm sick of it."
"I'm sick of it. We need to stop arguing so much."

That's easier said than done

Meaning/Usage: This is used when something is easy to say but very hard to do.

Explanation: This phrase is very literal. Often times people tell you to do something that sounds easy, but it is actually hard. So in response, you can say this phrase.

"I want to quit smoking but that's easier said than done."
"She wants me to be more romantic but that's easier said than done."
"I wish I could just retire a wealthy man but that's easier said than done."

Sleep Tight

Meaning/Usage: Get a good nights sleep

Explanation: Comes from the saying, "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite."

"Sleep tight, you have a lot to get done tomorrow."
"I hope you sleep tight after an exhausting day."
"Not sure if she will sleep tight after watching that scary movie."

NO STRINGS ATTACHED
MEANING:- WITHOUT ANY CONDITION
"We are giving away free t-shirts, no strings attached."
"He said he would finish the work for free, no strings attached."
"The grocery store is giving away free candy, no strings attached."

Which of the following sentences are incorrect?

The dropped catch did not affect the result of the game.
OR
The dropped catch did not effect the result of the game.
Effect and Affect

Sudhir and I will go to Delhi.
OR
Sudhir and Me will go to Delhi.
I and Me

I have been living in Delhi since four years.
OR
I have been living in Delhi for four years.
Since and For

I am averse to speaking in public.
OR
I am adverse to speaking in public.
Adverse and Averse

She knew practically each detail of his daily routine.
OR
She knew practically every detail of his daily routine.
Each and Every

We are planning to adopt a child.
OR
We are planning to adapt a child.
Adapt and Adopt

I brought him a glass of water.
OR
I bought him a glass of water.
Bought and Brought

You should listen to your father’s advice.
OR
You should listen to your father’s advise.
Advice and Advise

I saw a man up ahead.
OR
I watched a man up ahead.
See and Watch

Who told you?
OR
Whom told you?
Who and Whom

My cornflakes are made of cereals.
OR
My cornflakes are made of serials.
Cereal and Serial

The wait of the box is 10kg.
OR
The weight of the box is 10kg.
Wait and Weight

HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

Be exact or accurate

Ram is a genius. He hit the nail on the head when he said that the car was overheating because of a leaking radiator.

AT LOGGERHEADS

To differ strongly

The two brothers can never work together. They are always at loggerheads.

FACE THE MUSIC

To face the consequences of one’s action

I lost my father’s pen. I will have to face the music when I reach home.

HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS

Reconsider a decision

Rajiv began to have second thoughts about his decision to study Economics when he realised that he could not even pay attention during the lectures.

GIFT OF THE GAB

The ability to speak well

Pooja was able to keep the audiences amused with her stories. She surely has the gift of the gab.

PULL UP ONE’S SOCKS

To make an effort to improve

Rajesh scored only forty on his English mid-term exams. He needs to pull up his socks if he wants to do well in his finals.

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of its constituent words. Knowledge of idioms is an important part of comprehension of the English language.

TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

Changing for the better

After Ajit was released from prison, he decided to turn over a new leaf and become an honest man.

“Protect your enthusiasm from the negativity and fear of others. Never decide to do nothing just because you can only do little. Do what you can. You would be surprised at what "little" acts have done for our world.”

“Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ”
― Coco Chanel

I Can't Thank You Enough

I can't thank you enough for all that you have done for me."
"Thanks for everything. I can't thank you enough."
"You were a big help today watching the kids. I can't thank you enough."

A. "So how is your car running since I worked on it?"
B. "It is running great! I can't thank you enough. You were such a big help!"

Other Common Sentences

"I really appreciate all that you have done."
"Thank you very much!"

Keep Me in the Loop

I really want to know what happens so keep me in the loop."
"Keep me in the loop so I'm included."
"Thanks for the update. Keep me in the loop."

A. "I am meeting with my boss tomorrow about the presentation."
B. "Keep me in the loop and let me know what he says."
A. "Ok, I will let you know."

Other Common Sentences

"Keep me informed."
"Make sure I am included."

I Beg to Differ

I beg to differ. I don't think that is the right way to handle the situation."
"I beg to differ. You did a really nice job and deserved the promotion."
"I beg to differ. What he did was inexcusable."

A. "I still think we should get a new car."
B. "I beg to differ. The car we have works fine."
A. "I guess you're right. We can wait."

Other Common Sentences

"I disagree with you."
"I politely disagree."

Telling the direcions Left Right and Around the Corner

Take a Left/Right

"Take a left at the next light."
"Take a right at the gas station."
"When you get to Robson Street, take a left."
"After you pass 7-11, take a right at the next light."
"Take a left when you come to a stop sign."

Turn Left/Right

"Turn right on 112th."
"Turn left after you pass McDonalds."
"When you see a church on your left hand side, turn right on the next street."
"Turn left at the next street and immediately take another left."

Just/Right around the corner

"It's just right around the corner on the left side."
"It's right around the corner from the Starbucks over there."
"Go down the street, turn left on Williams Street, and it will be right around the corner from the gas station."

Twenty-four seven

"7-11 is a great store because they are open twenty-four seven."
"If a business doesn't provide twenty-four seven customer support, they will not succeed."
"You better be careful because I'm going to be watching you twenty-four seven."
"They're available twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year."

A: "What web hosting place do you recommend?"
B: "Most of them are pretty good. Just make sure they have twenty-four hour technical support."
A: "All of them have twenty-four seven support. It's a necessity these days."

Other Common Sentences

"The cops are watching this area all-day every-day."
"There's no way to cross the border because they're constantly monitoring all the passage ways.

Go For It

I know you want that job. Go for it!"
"If you want to ask her out you're going to have to just go for it."
"Don't let anyone stand in the way of your dreams. Go for it!"

A. "I really like her. Should I ask her for her phone number?"
B. "Go for it man!" You have nothing to lose."

Other Common Sentences

"Just do it."
"Take action on it."
"Be proactive."

Cat Got Your Tongue

What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"You're being awfully quiet, cat got your tongue?"
"She usually always has an opinion, cat must have gotten her tongue."

A. "What's the matter? You're usually full of advice. Cat got your tongue?"
B. "No I'm just keeping my opinions to myself."

Other Common Sentences

"You have nothing to say?"
"Why are you so quiet?"

It Serves You Right

It serves you right. You were not nice to him."
"It serves him right. He can't expect to win when he cheats during the game."
"It serves you right. You got what you deserved."

A. "Can you believe Kim got fired from work?"
B. "Serves her right. She was always late or calling in sick."
A. "I guess you're right, but I hope she finds a new joB."
B. "Me too."

Other Common Sentences

"You got what you deserved."