List of Important Idioms and Phrases beginning with Alphabet A
1. Achilles heel
Meaning: vulnerable spot, a small fault or weakness in a person or system that can result in its failure.
Example: The corrupt minister is regarded as the government’s Achilles heel and is expected to resign.
2. A bone of contention
Meaning: if there is an issue that always causes tension and arguments
Example: A bone of contention between the husband and wife is that the husband always spends too much money.
3. A dead letter
Meaning: An argument or law not followed by anyone.
Example: The blue laws here are a dead letter; all the stores open on Sundays and holidays
4. At the eleventh hour
Example: She always turned her term papers in at the eleventh hour.
5. A queer fish
Meaning: a strange person
Example: I knew his father and he was a queer fish too.
6. A worm's eye view
Meaning: having very little knowledge about something
Example: The novel provides us with a worm's eye view of society.
7. At (on) the heels of
Meaning: close behind or soon after something
Example: As in Mom's birthday comes on the heels of Mother's Day
8. Apple of someone's eyes
Meaning: someone loved very much.
Example: His youngest son was the apple of his eye.
9. Ask for the Moon
Meaning: to ask for too much.
Example: There's no point hoping for a feeling of permanent peace in the area. It's like asking for the moon.
10. Asleep at the switch
Meaning: not to be alert on the opportunity
Example: Health experts were asleep at the switch when the disease began to spread rapidly again.
11. At sixes and sevens
Meaning: to be lost and bewildered
Example: Riya is at sixes and sevens since the death of her husband.
12. At someone's beck and call
Meaning: to be always ready to serve
Example: Imagine what it's like to have a cook and a maid at your beck and call.
13. At an arm's length
Meaning: to keep at a distance
Example: Ram always keeps his friends at arm's length, so that no one gets close enough to hurt his feelings.
14. A red-letter day
Meaning: an important day
Example: A special occasion, as in When Ram comes home from his tour of duty, that'll be a red-letter day
15. A nine days wonder
Meaning: pleasure for a short time
Example: His music was derided by an older generation convinced that he was a nine-day wonder.
16. Alma Mater
Meaning: Institution where I got my education
Example: She has been offered the position of professor of international economic policy in Delhi, her alma mater.
17. At the drop of a hat
Meaning-Willingness to do something instantly
Example: She expects me to make dinner at the drop of a hat even if I am very busy with office work
18. A cold Fish
Meaning: A person devoid of emotions
Example: Ram isn't very demonstrative, but his mother was a cold fish so he probably gets it from her.
19. A cock and bull story
Meaning: An improbable excuse
Example: She told me some cock-and-bull story.
20. Aboveboard
Meaning: straight; without concealment, legitimate; open.
Example: No tricks, please. We want the deal to be above board completely.
This article tends to be beneficial for the following exams - REET, UPTET, CTET, Online Classroom Program TET, DSSSB, KVS etc.
You may read the suggested books:
| Serial No. | Book Name | Author Name |
| 1. | IDIOMS and PHRASES Anglo | Roshan Tolani |
| 2. | Popular English Idioms and Phrases: English Idiomatic Expressions | Manik Joshi |
| 3. | Idioms, Phrases & Proverbs with Hindi Meanings & Usage | H S Bhatia and P S Bhatia |
Thanks!
Download the BYJU’S Exam Prep App Now.
The most comprehensive exam prep app
#DreamStriveSucceed
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Comments
write a comment