English idioms, phrases, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of the English section of various competitive exams such as CDS NDA AFCAT SSC CGL CPO SI and Bank exams. So let’s take a look at the most popular and important idioms used frequently in English Newspapers with their meaning and example sentences. Also Read: Commonly Used Idioms and Phrases
Also Check: Best Resources for Idioms & Phrases & Objective English Preparation for AFCAT CDS NDA SSC CGL CPO SI Exam
Cut Someone Off At The Knees: to severely weaken or undermine someone’s power or confidence - किसी को कमजोर या हतोत्साहित करना
Example: The sudden budget cuts cut the project off at the knees.
Face the Music: to accept the consequences of one’s actions - अपने कार्यों के परिणाम स्वीकार करना
Example: The corrupt officer had to face the music after being caught.
Give Someone the Boot: to fire or expel someone from a job or place - किसी को निकाल देना
Example: The lazy employee was given the boot after repeated warnings.
Pull the Plug: to stop something from continuing - किसी चीज को अचानक रोक देना
Example: The company pulled the plug on the failing project.
Game-Time Decision: a decision made at the last moment based on circumstances - अंतिम क्षण में लिया गया निर्णय
Example: The coach made a game-time decision to change the strategy.
Work Behind the Scenes: to influence or contribute secretly without public attention - पर्दे के पीछे काम करना
Example: The advisor worked behind the scenes to resolve the conflict.
Scrape Past: to barely succeed or pass - मुश्किल से सफल होना
Example: He scraped past the final exam with minimum marks.
Scratch the Surface: to deal with only a small part of a problem - सतही रूप से देखना
Example: The investigation has just scratched the surface of the issue.
Damp Squib: something that fails to meet expectations or is disappointing - निराशाजनक
Example: The much-hyped event turned out to be a damp squib.
Ahead Of The Curve: being more advanced or innovative than others - दूसरों से आगे होना
Example: The company stays ahead of the curve by adopting new technology early.
Pick Up Sticks: to pack up belongings and move to a new place - स्थान बदलना
Example: After retirement, they picked up sticks and moved to the countryside.
Gung Ho: extremely enthusiastic and dedicated - उत्साही
Example: She remained gung ho about the project despite the challenges.
Tight-Lipped: unwilling to speak or reveal information - चुप या गोपनीय
Example: He remained tight-lipped about the company's future plans.
Spic and Span: completely clean and tidy - पूरी तरह साफ-सुथरा
Example: The house was spic and span before the guests arrived.
Ease Out: to gradually remove someone from a position - हटाना
Example: The company eased out the manager after the merger.
Comb Through: to search something very carefully and thoroughly - ध्यानपूर्वक खोजना
Example: The police combed through the evidence to find the culprit.
Kick Up: to cause a fuss or commotion - हंगामा करना
Example: The protesters kicked up a storm over the new policy changes.
Under Siege: being attacked or criticized continuously - हमले या आलोचना का सामना करना
Example: The politician was under siege from the media after the scandal.
Airbrush The Truth: to make something seem better by hiding flaws - सच को छिपाकर बेहतर दिखाना
Example: The report airbrushed the truth about the company's financial struggles.
Out Of The Ordinary: unusual or exceptional - असामान्य या विशेष
Example: His talent for music is truly out of the ordinary.
Run For Their Money: to give strong competition or challenge - कड़ी टक्कर देना
Example: The new team gave the champions a run for their money.
Wheel In: to bring something or someone into a situation, often unexpectedly - शामिल करना
Example: They wheeled in an expert to solve the issue quickly.
Endure A Horror Run: to experience a very difficult or unpleasant period - कठिन या बुरा समय सहन करना
Example: The team endured a horror run of five consecutive losses.
Under Cloud: being under suspicion or in disgrace - शक या बदनामी के घेरे में
Example: He has been under cloud since the fraud allegations surfaced.
At The Crack Of Dawn: very early in the morning - सुबह बहुत जल
Example: She wakes up at the crack of dawn to go jogging.
Spill The Beans: to reveal a secret or confidential information - राज़ खोल देना
Example: She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Take A Swipe: to criticize or attack someone or something - आलोचना करना
Example: He took a swipe at the government’s new policy.
Take A Clean Sweep: to win everything or achieve complete success - पूरी तरह से जीत हासिल करना
Example: Our team took a clean sweep in the championship.
Wind Something Up: to bring something to an end or finish it - समाप्त करना
Example: Let's wind up the meeting before it gets too late.
Take Two To Tango: both people involved in a situation are responsible for it - दोनों जिम्मेदार हैं
Example: The argument won't end unless they both apologize; it takes two to tango.
Add Fuel To Fire: to make a bad situation worse - आग में घी डालना
Example: His rude comment added fuel to the fire during their argument.
Under Wraps: kept secret or not revealed to others - गुप्त
Example: The project details are still under wraps for now.
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Also Read: Commonly Used Idioms and Phrases
