Idioms

Idioms

Definition

An idiom is a phrase with a special meaning which is different from the meanings of the individual words in the phrase. For example, 'bite the bullet' has nothing to do with a bullet or biting it, but means 'accept the unpleasant truth with courage or resignation'.
Idioms are very frequently used in both oral and written communication.

Idiom Examples

​Study the meanings of the following idioms.

​Idiom	​Meaning
​The gift of the gab	​The ability to talk fluently for a long time
​A hair's breadth	​A very short distance
​The last straw	​An additional problem, misfortune, etc. that finally overcomes a person.
​A hot spot	​A country or area where there may soon be a war or other trouble.
​A hard nut to crack	​Someone who is very difficult to deal with.
​A square deal	​Just and fair treatment, especially in business
​The rat race	​A constant, competitive struggle to be more successful than other people in a business, a profession, etc.
​A low profile	​Attitude or behaviour that does not assert itself greatly or attract much public notice.

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The former leader of the party is keeping ​

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so that attention can be fully focused on the current leader.

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You can try to get him to change his mind, but you'll find him ​ ​

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Sam was depressed after he was retrenched, but when his wife left him it was ​

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After working in a big company for some years, he decided that he had had enough of ​

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and retired to enjoy a more peaceful life.

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A salesman with ​

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is likely to be successful in his job.

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She went all out and was just within ​

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of winning the race.

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As a war correspondent, he was sent to ​

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to gain first hand coverage.

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The workers voted to go on strike because they felt they had not been given ​ ​

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by management.