Idioms and Phrases for Bank Exams

By : Akash Mishra

Updated : Oct 8, 2020, 14:38

Idioms are a collection of words which are metaphorical and should not be understood based on their literal meaning. Usually, authors around the world use idioms to make their words and phrases more memorable and interesting. Idioms are used all around the English literature in poems, stories and even in plays. The literal meaning of Idiom is usually different from the actual meaning.

Phrases, on the other hand, are a group of words that forms a unit of a bigger sentence. They are on point and do have a literal meaning, unlike Idioms. Though they are not a complete sentence in themselves, they help to express the sentence in a better way. Phrases are of 8 types: Noun, Verb, Infinitive, Gerund, Appositive, Absolute, Participial and Prepositional.

Idioms and Phrases help us to communicate creatively and interestingly. Having an understanding of Idioms and Phrases can help in understanding poems, stories and plays in English literature. Idioms and Phrases are essential components of some major examinations, including:

SSC CGL
SSC CPO
TOEFL
IBPS PO
IBPS CLERK
IBPS SO
IELTS
UPSC (English Section)

Below, we will discuss with you Idioms and phrases topics for bank exams, Idioms and phrases tips and tricks for bank exams, and Idioms and phrases frequently asked questions and answers for bank exams.

If you are looking for Idioms and phrases questions and answers for bank exams, quiz, syllabus then check out BYJU'S Exam Prep’s official website or app.

Important Topics in Idioms and phrases

Types of Phrases	Usage
Noun	The bewildered tourist couple was lost.
Verb	He was waiting for the rain to stop so that he could go and play.
Gerund	Getting a promotion is fun and exciting
Infinitive	To see Taj Mahal is amazing
Appositive	Giraffes, the tallest animal, can grow up to 6 metres.
Participial	Washed with my clothes, my money is all wet now.
Prepositional	The book was on the table.
Absolute	Picnic basket in hand, she set off for her date.

Some most used Idioms and Phrases along with their meanings

Idioms	Meanings
Rank and File	Ordinary People
A Wee Bit	Little
Out of Woods	Free from difficulties and dangers
Under the Thumb	Under control
Piece of Cake	Easy Job
Beat around the Bush	Avoiding the main subject matter or topic
Kill two birds with one stone	Accomplishing two objectives with the same amount of efforts
Take to one's heels	Run Away
By hook or crook	By fair or foul means
Tooth and Nails	With all one's powers
Leave no stone unturned	Use all available means
In cold blood	Without any emotions
Read between the lines	Understand the hidden meaning
Smell a Rat	Suspect some wrongdoing
In hot water	In problem
In high spirits	Very happy
A big gun	Very Important person
A Brown study	Dreaming
A close shave	A narrow escape
Bring to light	To disclose something
Put a sock in it	When a request is made to be quiet
More holes than swiss cheese	When something is full of difficulties and problems
Best thing since sliced bread	A recent invention makes people's lives easier and better.

Idioms and Phrases Tips and Tricks

Understand the context of Idiom as this will help to remember the particular idiom well.
Do not cram Idioms, instead learn regularly and make yourself familiar with them.
Make a list of Idioms you learn every day in a dairy and revise them daily.
Try learning Idioms by using them in sentences.
Try linking Idioms to stories, and visual images as this will help to remember them.
Some Idioms have interesting and funny origin stories; you can remember such Idioms using their origin stories.

Idioms and Phrases Importance in Competitive Banking Exams

Idioms and Phrases are an essential part of the English section of competitive exams so, they need to be appropriately revised.
Idioms and Phrases form an essential part of GMAT examination and are often asked in sentence correction questions.
Idioms are also part of English section syllabus of CAT, UPSC and college entrance exams.

Most Recommended Books for Idioms and Phrases

There are plenty of good books available in the market which can help you in understanding the meaning and context of Idioms and Phrases. These books are suitable for both exam preparations and general knowledge of Idioms and Phrases:

Books	Authors
English Idioms in Use Intermediate	Michael McCarthy
Oxford Word Skills Advanced Idioms and Phrasal Verbs	Ruth Gairns
Work on your Idioms	Sandra Anderso

Why study Idioms from BYJU'S Exam Prep?

The BYJU'S Exam Prep community allows users to interact with each other and solve each other's doubts. Studying with BYJU'S Exam Prep allows interacting and competing with each other through mock tests and quizzes. They allow their users to access preparation material and previous year exam papers.

Moreover, BYJU'S Exam Prep provides their users with high-quality preparation material and boosts their confidence by providing them with test series and regular live classes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to solve exam questions related to Idioms and Phrases?

Read the whole context in which Idiom is used and then write the meaning of Idiom. Do not solely focus on the literal meaning.

How do Idioms and Phrases question come in competitive exams?

They can be in the form of MCQs or any be used in unseen passages and poems. Usually, unseen poems have Idioms and Phrases used in them.

Do Idioms and Phrases have importance in exam preparation and competitive exams like SSC, Banking, and UPSC?

Yes, Idioms and Phrases are an important part of the English section of competitive exams and may be asked directly in the form of the meaning of Idiom or Indirectly used in paragraph and passages.

Does college entrance exams syllabus include Idioms and Phrases?

Yes, most college entrance exams include questions from Idioms and Phrases.