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Idioms And Phrases

An idiom (मुहावरा) is an expression, word, or phrase that differs from what its composite words denotations would suggest.
For example, an English speaker would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die" and also to actually kick a bucket. An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words. In another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements.
Example-
           1- Kick the bucket
           2- Spill the beans
The meaning of these expressions is different from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which they are made. Their meaning are however used figuratively.
They mean respectively:
          to die
           to tell people secret information


Lists of idioms

1-A gentleman at large: an unreliable person
   He is a gentleman at large, you must not trust him.

2-A man of straw: A weak person
   The assistant being a man of straw, his advice were often discarded by his colleagues.

3-A damp squib:Complete failure
   The talk with Pakistan on terrorism is a dump squib.

4-A green horn: Inexperienced
   Though a green horn in politics, he appears to win the election this time.

5-ABC:Very common knowledge
   He doesn't know ABC of politics.

6-Again and again: Repeatedly
   One who tries again and again gets success positively.

7-An iron hand: By force
    Indera Gandhi put down the opposition with an iron hand.

8-Bag and baggage: with all goods
   He returned his village bag and baggage.

9-Body and Soul: Entirely
    She devoted body and soul to win the medal.

10-Cats and Dogs: heavy rain
   It has been raining cats and dogs for the last three hours.

11-Cock and bull story: untrue story
   All his excuses seems a cock and bull story.

12-Fair and square:Honest
   He is fair and square in the dealings.

13-Far and wide:Everywhere
   Many tourists come to see the Taj from far and wide.

14-Few and far between:Very rare
   His visits to his parents are few and far between because of his busy schedule.

15-First and foremost:Highest priority
   To be sincere and devoted is the first and foremost requirement of a good employee.

16-Fishy:Doubtful
   There seems to be something fishy going on.

17-Flesh and blood: Human nature
   I am only flesh and blood as anybody else.

18-Give in :Surrender
   He is a brave man , he will not give in easily.

19-Hard and fast:Certain
   There is no hard and fast rules to sanction to loan in the banks.

20-Head and Shoulder:Superior
   Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is head and Shoulder above his counterparts.


21-Ins and Outs:Full detail
   Before starting any new business you must know all the ins and outs.

22-Leave no stone unturned:Make all possible efforts
   I shall leave no stone unturned to get the promotion.

23-Like a fish out of water:In very difficult and unsuitale situation
   Ram was given an unremunerative post. He is feeling like a fish out of water.

24-Lock and Key:In safe place.
   He keeps jewellery under lock and key.

25-Milk and Water: Weak
   Policy of this co is nothing more then a milk and water policy.

26-Need of the hour:Necessity of time
   Providing full security for the residents of borders area is the need of the hour.

27-Often and Often:frequently
   She visits her parents often and often

28-Once and again:Repeatedly
   I have told you once and again that I have no money to purchase the car the moment.

29-Over and Above:Besides
    I paid him rupees ten thousands over and above what he demanded.

30-Pins and needles: Small items
   It is unwise to use swords and scissors where pins and needles can do.

31-Pros and cons:Merits and demerits
   Before signing this agreement you must understand all pro sand cons well.

32-Queer fish:Strange person
   He is such a queer fish that we can't expect anything positive from him.

33-Rain or Shine:Favourable and unfavourable circumstances
   Rain or shine , I will speak oppose the proposal.

34-Right and Left:In all ways
   The robbers looted the village right and left and fled away.

35-Rooot and Branch:Complete
   Poverty among the public is the root and branch of all the crimes.

36-The die is cast:Decided finally
   The die is cast there is not point of discussing over it now.

37-Through fire and water: In all sort of difficulties.
   He can go through fire and water to achieve his goal.

38-To and fro:going and coming.
   Backward and forward what are the to and fro taxi charges for Gurgaon to Delhi.

39-Toil and Moil:Hard labour
   It require too much of toil and moil to secure first position.

40-Tom dick and Harry:Everyone
   Every tom dick and harry knows that Sachin is the greatest cricketer.

41-Ups and Downs:Prosperity and Adversity
    There are ups and downs in every business.