CAT EXAM| Verbal ability| Idioms and Phrases

 Idioms and Phrases

1. Decked up – put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive
2. Doing the rounds – to be passed from one person to another
3. Between the cup and the lips – On the point of achievement
4. A damp squib – Complete failure
5. Put off – an evasive reply, to delay doing something, especially because you do not want to do it
6. A dime a dozen – Anything that is common and easy to get
7. Cast iron stomach– Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything
8. A mare’s nest– A false invention
9. Takes a beating – to be damaged because of performing badly or being criticized
10. A chip on your shoulder – Being upset for something that happened in the past
11. A toss-up – A result that is still unclear and can go either way
12. An iron hand – By force
13. A taste of your own medicine – When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others
14. At the drop of a hat – Willing to do something immediately
15. A man of straw – A weak person
16. Bite your tongue – To avoid talking
17. An eyewash – A pretence
18. At sixes and seven– Persons who are having different opinions
19. Bite off more than you can chew – To take on a task that is way too big to handle
20. Can’t cut the mustard– Someone who isn’t ad