Achieve Excellence in English Formation of 120 Abstract Nouns Abstract nouns can be formed by adding some suffixes with adjectives, verbs and common nouns. Noun/Adj./Verb honest happy healthy child true sad beautiful strong succeed bright bold weak imagine unite please high think prove see speak fail fly perfect practise vary justify bond adverse just human invade like slave exact refuse forgive fortunate flexible invent irritate Abstract honesty happiness health childhood truth sadness beauty strength success brightness boldness weakness imagination unity pleasure height thought proof sight speech failure flight perfection practice variety justification bondage adversity justice humanity invasion likelihood slavery exactness refusal forgiveness fortune flexibility invention irritation Noun/Adject/Verb Abstract great greatness move movement private privacy grow growth real reality active activity admit admission lose loss discover discovery know knowledge short shortage important importance cold coldness laugh laughter poor poverty break breakage marry marriage young youth waste wastage accurate accuracy believe belief improve improvement dismiss dismissal infant infancy owner ownership popular popularity judge judgement stupid stupidity satisfy satisfaction solution solubility amaze amazement agree agreement annoy annoyance attract attractiveness necessary necessity shake shock flatter flattery free freedom concentrate concentration offend offensiveness 9 Noun/Adject/Verb Abstract able ability act action hot heat proud pride educate education live life do deed hate hatred replace replacement respect respectability sweet sweetness punish punishment busy business treat treatment pay payment friend friendship deep depth long length brave bravery noble nobility arrogant arrogance curious curiosity citizen citizenship coward cowardice divide division eminent eminence introduce introduction invite invitation valid validity comfortable comfort create creation criticize criticism compete competition decide decision logical logic legal legality mature maturity manage management moral morality nationalize nationalism www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English List of Collective Nouns S.N. Object 1. bird 2. ant 3. bees 4. crane 5. crow 6. duck 7. eagle 8. falcon 9. flamingo 10. geese 11. hummingbird 12. hawk 13. hens 14. lark 15. nightingale 16. ostrich 17. owl 18. parrot 19. peacock 20. pelican 21. penguin 22. pigeon 23. mosquito 24. quail 25. seagull 26. sparrow 27. swan 28. swift 29. spider 30. vulture 31. antelope 32. ass 33. bat 34. bear 35. buffalo 36. bullock 37. camel 38. cat 39. cattle 40. cheetah 41. cow 42. cubs 43. dear 44. dolphin Collective Noun S.N. flock / fleet / flight / parcel / volary 45. army / colony / swarm 46. swarm / drift / grist 47. sedge / herd / siege 48. murder / hover / muster / parcel 49. flush / paddling / flock 50. convocation 51. cast 52. stand 53. gaggle / flock / plump / team 54. charm / drum / chattering 55. cast / cattle / mew 56. brood 57. exaltation / bevy / flight 58. watch / match / pray 59. pride / flock 60. parliament / stare 61. company / flock 62. pride / muster 63. pod / scoop 64. colony / parcel / rookery 65. flight / flock / kit 66. swarm 67. bevy / drift 68. squabble 69. host / quarrel / tribe / ubiquity 70. herd / bank / bevy / drift 71. flock 72. clutter 73. colony / committee / wake 74. cluster / herd / tribe 75. pace / drove / coffle / herd 76. cloud / colony 77. sloth / sleuth 78. gang / herd / obstinacy 79. drove 80. flock / caravan / herd / train 81. glaring / cluster / clutter 82. herd / drift / drove / mob 83. coalition 84. herd 85. litter 86. herd/ mob/ parcel/ leash 87. pod/ school/ team 88. 10 Object donkey elephant goat kangaroo kitten lamb leopard lion mice oxen rabbit snake acrobat people actor/ player beauty/ lady boy candidate clerk dancer director employee expert gambler judge labourer men musician police sailor singer soldier student tourist aircraft arrow banana book island key mountain shoe star tree Collective Noun herd/ drove herd/ parade flock/ herd/ trip mob/ troop kindle/ litter fall leap pride/ troop/ sault mischief/ nest/ trip team/ drove/ herd colony/ kindle/ warren den/ pit/ bed troupe crowd/ mob cast/ company/ cry bevy blush slate school troupe board staff panel talent bench gang band orchestra posse crew choir squad/ army/ division class flock wing quiver bunch library chain bunch range pair galaxy/ constellation clump/ forest/ grove www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English § § § § A noun that denotes a male is said to be of the Masculine Gender like man, mayor, father, king, nephew etc. A noun that denotes a female is said to be of the Feminine Gender like woman, mayoress, mother, queen, niece etc. A noun that can denote both a male and female is said to be of the Common gender like baby, child, neighbour, bird, person, doctor, parent etc. A noun like book, pen, wood, table, school etc. are of Neuter (Neither male nor female) gender. Masculine actor author bachelor billy-goat bridegroom brother buck bull cock-sparrow drone dog duke drake emperor earl fox father-in-law fiancé gentleman gander god governor grandfather headmaster heir hero steward host husband Feminine actress authoress spinster nanny goat bride sister doe cow hen-sparrow bee bitch duchess duck empress countess vixen mother-in-law fiancée lady goose goddess matron grandmother headmistress heiress heroine stewardess hostess wife Masculine horse king lad landlord lion man manager manservant master mayor milkman monk nephew papa poet postman postmaster priest prince shepherd sir son son-in-law stepfather uncle waiter widower washer man 13 Feminine mare queen lass landlady lioness woman manageress maidservant mistress mayoress milkmaid nun niece mama poetess post woman postmistress priestess princess shepherdess madam daughter daughter-in-law stepmother aunt waitress widow washerwoman www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English How to use Apostrophe Singular Nouns the bag of a passenger Key of Mr Bhatnagar the ticket of the lady the house of Anisha Add ’s a passenger’s bag Mr Bhatnagar’s key the lady’s ticket Anisha’s house Singular Nouns ending in -s Mr Das car Yeats poetry Add ’s or s’ (both correct) Mr. Das’s car or Mr Das’ car Yeat’s poetry or Yeats’ Poetry Plural Nouns bags of the soldiers nest of the birds the gun of the boys Add only ’ the soldiers’ bag the birds’ nest the boys’ gun Plural Nouns not ending in -s pencil of children make up kit of the women the nests of the birds Add ’s children’s pencil the women’s make up kit the birds’ nests Note: We use ' or -s” only with living beings. Apostrophe is not used with non-living objects. 16 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English REGULAR COMPARISON IRREGULAR COMPARISON ancient more ancient most ancient good, well better best beautiful more beautiful most beautiful bad, ill, evil worse worst brilliant more brilliant most brilliant little less, lesser least careful more careful most careful much more most (quantity) careless more careless most careless many more most (number) cheerful more cheerful most cheerful late later latest (time) comfortable more comfortable most comfortable late latter last (position) dangerous more dangerous most dangerous old older oldest (objects) delightful more delightful most delightful old elder eldest (human) difficult more difficult most difficult far farther farthest (distance) enjoyable more enjoyable most enjoyable far further furthest (extent) foolish more foolish most foolish fore former foremost, first frightening more frightening most frightening in inner inmost, innermost generous more generous most generous up upper upmost, uppermost handsome more handsome most handsome out outer, utter utmost, uttermost helpful more helpful most helpful ignorant more ignorant most ignorant important more important most important intelligent more intelligent most intelligent interesting more interesting most interesting pleasant more pleasant most pleasant powerful more powerful most powerful prosperous more prosperous most prosperous sensible more sensible most sensible terrible more terrible most terrible useful more useful most useful valuable more valuable most valuable wonderful more wonderful most wonderful zealous more zealous most zealous * We use "to" with elder. -He is elder to me. (Correct) -He is elder than me. (Incorrect) 27 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English Phrasal Verbs 1. Ask around 2. Break down Meaning/Usage ask many people the same question She asked around but nobody had seen her missing dog. stop functioning (vehicle, machine)/ get upset/ divide into parts Our car broke down while returning. 3. Break in force entry to a building/ interrupt The thief broke into the room without any noise. 4. Break out escape He broke out of the jail within a month. Bring down make unhappy My tenant is bringing me down every month. 6. Bring up raise a child/ start talking on a subject Her grandmother brought her up. 7 Call around To make call to many We called around but could not find the missing bike. 8 Call off cancel The meeting was called off due to emergency. 9 Call on ask for an answer or opinion/ visit someone My mother called on me to ask about lunch. 10 Check in arrive and register at hotel, airport etc. We will get the hotel keys when we check in. 11 Check out 12 Chip in leave a hotel The check-out time of the hotel is 12 pm. help We must chip in these poor kids in getting education. 13 Come across to meet/ find I came across a strange man today. 14 Come apart 15 Come forward separate The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard enough. to come ahead Ashiya came forward to give vote. 16 Cut back consume less I have cut back on sugar to reduce weight. 17 Cut in interrupt/ pull in too closely in front of another vehicle/ start operating The man got angry when that car cut in. 18 Cut off remove with something sharp/ stop providing/ take out of a will I have cut the paper out of the newspaper. 19 Do up fasten, close Do your coat up before you go outside. It’s very cold. 20 End up decide to do We end up going out for rafting. 229 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 21 Fall apart break into pieces The cup fell apart into pieces. 22 Get over/ across communicate Please try to get over my point. 23 Get along/ on like one another We need to get along with each other. 24 Get around move easily You are free to get around in this premises. 25 Get away go on vacation/ do without being noticed I am going to get away this summer vacation. 26 Get over recover from illness, overcome We all need to get over from this deadly virus. 27 Give away 28 Give in disclose a secret Don’t give away the surprise toy. stop quarrelling Either of the party must give in to maintain peace. 29 Give up quit, stop I have already given up smoking. 30 Go after chase to achieve, follow I went after my dream and now I am a published writer. 31 Go against oppose One ought not to go against principles of life. 32 Go over visit Today I will go over that orphanage. 33 Grow apart stop being friends My friend and I grew apart after her marriage. 34 Hand in submit I have to hand it the rent by Saturday. 35 Hand out to distribute to a group of people We will hand out the clothes to the needy. 36 Hang in stay positive To stay hang in, you must believe in almighty. 37 Hang on/ hold on 38 Hang out wait for short time Can you hang on for five minutes. spend time leisurely Lonavala is a good place to hang out. 39 Hang up end a phone call I can’t hang up my wife’s call. I have to go back too. 40 Hold back 41 Hold up prevent from doing/ hide emotions Hold your emotions back. rob The four young men held the bank up. 42 Keep from hide We kept the marks from my father. 230 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 43 Keep out stop from entering Try to keep the animals out from the farm. 44 Keep up continue at same rate Keep your efforts up like this. 45 Let down disappoint/ fail to aid Children must not let down their parents in their old age. 46 Let in allow to enter Can you let the child in because it’s raining outside. 47 Look after 48 Look down take care Please look after my kid in my absence. consider inferior, mock at We must not look down on poor. 49 Look for search I am looking for a new job in this city. 50 Look into investigate The senior officer is looking into the matter. 51 Look out vigilant Look out! The car is coming towards us. 52 Look over examine Can you look over my work for correction? 53 Pass away die The former mayor just passed away in an accident. 54 Pass out faint I was feeling like I will pass out in such a bitter cold. 55 Pass up decline I passed up the job as I was offered less salary. 56 Pay back return owned money Please lend me 100 rupees. I will pay you back soon. 57 Peg out 58 Put off put clothes outside to dry I pegged the washing out after it stopped raining. postpone We are putting off the meeting. 59 Put out extinguish Get the extinguisher to put out the fire. 60 Put together 61 Put up with assemble I will have to put the toys part together of the broken toy. tolerate Both must put up with small tiffs to continue the relationship. 62 Put on wear Put on your shoes to go out. 63 Pull out move into traffic You can’t pull your car out from here. 64 Run into meet unexpectedly I ran into an old school-friend in the playground. 231 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 65 Run over 66 Run out 67 Shop around 68 Take off 69 Turn down 70 Turn off 71 Turn up 72 Try on 73 Use up 74 Wear off 75 Work out drive a vehicle over someone/ do practice I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the driveway. have none left My car ran out of petrol on the way. compare prices Let’s shop around at other places before finalizing. start to fly/ remove Take off your shoes before entering the temple. decrease the volume or heat/ refuse I turned down the flame to let it cook well. switch off Turn off the WIFI` please. appear/ increase the volume or heat Few students have not yet turned up for exam. Wear for trial Try this one on. finish the supply The kids used full pizza up. fade away Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the party. exercise/ be successful/ make a calculation Our plan worked out fine. 232 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English Idioms/Phrases 1 In the pink of health Meaning/Usage healthy I am in the pink of health. How are you? 2 To bell the cat to do a risky job Convincing Kabir for the tour is like bell the cat. 3 Once in a blue moon occasionally I visit her house once in a blue moon. 4 Better half wife My better half will talk to you. 5 Kith and kin close relatives The boy grew up amidst his kith and kin. 6 Apple of my eye who is loving above all My daughter is the apple of my eye. 7 A bed of roses very comfortable Life is not a bed of roses. 8 Apple of discord cause of quarrel Kashmir is an apple of discord between India and Pakistan. 9 Ups and down success and failure He has experienced many ups and downs in life. 10 Pros and cons merits and demerits What are the pros and cons of this policy? 11 An axe to grind selfish interest He has an axe to grind in availing us the passes. 12 Queen’s English standard English Britishers speak Queen’s English. 13 At sixes and sevens in disorder Your books are always at sixes and sevens. 14 A piece of cake an easy task Passing this exam is not a piece of cake. 15 At an eleventh hour making efforts in the last You failed because you put efforts at an eleventh hour. 16 Whole nine yards 17 A dime a dozen 18 Maiden Speech 19 To get rid of 20 Hit the road 21 Burn the midnight oil the entire thing It was an adventurous tour, but we didn't go the whole nine yards. very common Websites on health are a dime a dozen these days. first speech I made my maiden speech in the opening ceremony. to leave something We finally got rid of your younger brother. begin one's journey What time are we hitting the road tomorrow? work hard Ruchi has been burning the midnight oil to complete the project. 233 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 22 Skating on thin ice to be in a risky or dangerous situation He is skating on thin ice by lying to the authority. 23 Behind the eight ball 24 Shoot yourself in the foot 25 Take to your heels 26 Read someone’s mind to be in unfavourable or difficult situation My daughter in law’s rude behaviour put her behind the eight ball. causing trouble to oneself We shot ourselves in the foot by firing that employee. to run away The thief took to his heels when the cops arrived. to understand what someone is thinking Mothers usually read their kids’ minds when they cry. 27 Get someone’s goat 28 Two peas in a pod 29 In a New York minute 30 At a stone’s throw 31 Bridge the gap to make someone annoyed When I part in her space, it really gets her goat. very similar to each other My brother and I are like two peas in a pod. immediately, very quickly I will be there in a New York minute. very close The bank is at a stone’s throw from my house. to make connection where there is a great difference The minister promises to change the tax laws to bridge the gap. to be highly successful She was nervous but she came out with flying colours. to worship Even today people put Gandhiji on the pedestal. to do/say what is right I agree with my manager. I think he's hit the nail on the head. bitterly hostile Both the groups had been at daggers drawn. to act foolishly He played ducks and drakes with fortune. to make supreme effort His friends moved heaven and earth to free him from prison. with no choice I was left with Hobson’s choice except to leave. 32 Come off with flying colours 33 To put on the pedestal 34 Hit the nail on the head 35 At daggers drawn 36 To play ducks and drakes 37 To move heaven and earth 38 Hobson’s choice 39 Bark up the wrong tree to accuse the wrong person He was barking up the wrong tree when he accused me of stealing. 40 Keep one at bay 41 Cat and dog life 42 Cry for the moon 43 Root and branch 44 Turn a blind eye to keep one at distance That kid is very problematic; I am doing my best to keep him at bay. life full of quarrels Raja is living a cat and dog life after marriage. to ask for the impossible Getting a job with no qualification is like crying for the moon. completely Corruption can never go root and branch from our life. to ignore I knew Rehan was taking the money, but I turned a blind eye. 234 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 45 Part and parcel 46 Sum and Substance 47 To keep the pot boiling 48 Born with a silver spoon 49 Spic and span 50 In a nutshell 51 To look blue 52 Bring to light 53 To lose head 54 Men in blue 55 Beating about the bush 56 A wild goose chase 57 At a snail’s pace 58 To leave someone in the lurch an essential part Morning walk is a part and parcel of my life. summary Please give me the sum and substance of his speech. to continue fun Let's keep the pot boiling. to born with wealth Most of the children of this college were born with a silver spoon. neat and clean They kept the hotel spic and span. briefly Tell me your story in a nutshell. I don’t have so much time. feel nervous/depressed You were looking blue on the stage. reveal The inquiry will bring to light all the corruption to lose the balance of mind Raman lost his head on his father’s death. police Let’s move from here. Some men in blue are coming. not to the point You are just wasting my time in beating about the bush. a fruitless attempt We see many making a wild goose chase after jobs. very slowly Things are moving here at a snail’s pace. to leave in difficult situation Go scot free Once my close friend left me in the lurch. to go unpunished 59 60 A slap on the wrist 61 To break the ice 62 Head or tail 63 All in the same boat The thief went scot free. a very mild punishment I got a slap on the wrist for arriving late again. to begin something People who break the ice at the right moment get everything. anything I could not understand even the head or tail of his explanation. when everyone is facing the same challenges 64 In the nick of time He complains of not having money, but we all are in the same boat. at the last moment 65 By hook or by crook 66 A bad hat 67 Weal or woe He got ready for school in the nick of time. by all means Get him for me by hook or by crook. useless and disturbing fellow I dislike him as he is a bad hat. prosperity or adversity Books are our true friends in weal and woe. 235 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 68 An arm and a leg 69 To pocket insult 70 By inches 71 Learn by heart 72 Bag and baggage 73 To end in smoke 74 In the long run 75 Burn hole in one’s pocket 76 Add fuel to fire 77 Cry over spilled milk 78 To have no stone unturned 79 To grease the palm 80 To get into hot water 81 To bury the hatchet very expensive Everything in that hotel costs an arm and a leg. to bear insult A poor man has to pocket insult from time to time. slowly The patient is dying by inches. commit to memory Learn this poem by heart. completely The Muslims left this stare bag and baggage. come to nothing My plan to complete the project ended in smoke. after a period of time Exercise saves health in the long run. willing to spend money Let’s go out to have fun. I want to burn a hole in my pocket. worsen the situation Don't add fuel to fire by laughing at her broken leg. to regret over which can't be undone We made a mistake but there is no point in crying over spilled milk. to do best efforts The police left no stone unturned to nab him. to bribe I had to grease his palm to get my work done. to be in a difficult situation Mr. Sharma got into hot water by taking part in politics. to make peace To have a sweet tooth Let’s bury the hatchet and be friends again. to like sweet food 82 83 A drop in the bucket 84 At the drop of a hat 85 The bone of contention 86 Sharp Tongue Pahal likes candy very much. She must have a sweet tooth. a very small part of something My bonus was just a drop in the bucket. immediately, without delay We are going to leave at the drop of a hat. cause of quarrel The property was the bone of contention between the two brothers. bitter tongue 87 To bring to light Her mother in law is a lady of sharp tongue. to reveal 88 Once for all/For good 89 Black sheep 90 A Cock and bull story All the secret schemes were brought to light by the police. forever Sachin refused to marry her once for all/She left New Delhi for good. an embarrassing person in the family Her brother in law is the black sheep in her family. an unbelievable story She told me a cock and bull story about her car breaking down. 236 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 91 Dog’s life hard and unpleasant life I am tired of living a dog’s life. similar people Reema like all his friends are dishonest. Birds of a feather flock together. something large or expensive Rolls Royce was proved to be a white elephant for Rohan. 92 Birds of a feather 93 White elephant 94 Nip in the bud to destroy in the beginning Bad habits must be nipped in the bud. 95 Lend an ear 96 From rags to riches 97 Lend a helping hand 98 On cloud nine/ Over the moon 99 To blow one’s own trumpet 100 Queen Anne is dead to listen in a sympathetic way Mrs. Shelly always lends a sympathetic ear to her patients. from poverty to wealth The princess certainly moved from rags to riches. to give help to someone Could you lend a hand with this math assignment? very happy I was on cloud nine after hearing my result. speaking highly about oneself I don’t like her as she always blows her own trumpet. old news This news is like queen Anne is dead. 101 To meet the halfway to compromise Sometimes you have to meet the halfway in jobs. 102 A chip on your shoulder 103 A blessing in disguise 104 A bolt from the blue 105 Paint the town red 106 Third degree 107 Explore all avenues 108 A couch potato 109 Hale and hearty 110 At home in 111 Need of the hour 112 Rule of thumb 113 At the bottom of the pile upset for which happened in the past She still has a chip on her shoulder from the tiff we had yesterday. good that is realized later Losing the job turned out to be a blessing in disguise when he got better. unexpected news It came like a bolt from the blue that they are getting divorced. to go out to enjoy John finished his exams today, so he’s gone out to paint the town red. a long period of questioning The goons spent all night at the police station getting the third degree. trying out every possibility We must explore all avenues to get it done. lazy You are becoming a couch potato gradually. healthy My brother in law is hale and hearty now. expert in anything My mother is an expert in singing. in demand To become all-rounder is the need of the hour. a rough estimate Going by a rule of thumb, we are soon going to run short of fuel. in a worse situation The homeless are at the bottom of the pile after severe destruction. 237 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 114 In toto completely The Government has banned old 500 notes in toto. difficult to choose between two options I can’t choose anyone. I am caught between two stools. good enough Your work is up to mark. 115 Caught between two stools 116 Up to mark 117 Pain in the neck someone annoying This assignment is a pain in the neck. 118 Field days 119 Keep the chin up 120 At a snail’s pace 121 In the black 122 Green thumb 123 A yellow streak enjoyable time I had a field day today as my mother in law was out of town. to encourage We have not lost the second chance. Keep the chin up! very slowly Our project failed due to working at a snail’s pace. successful/ profitable This company was once in the black. a talent for gardening She has a green thumb. She grows many plants in her garden. cowardice I didn’t know that you are a yellow streak. 124 Back to square one back to the beginning The condition has broken down and it’s back to square one. 125 Baker's dozen 126 Cry wolf 127 Green with envy 128 Rise to the occasion 129 A big mouth 130 Cut a sorry figure 131 French leave 132 Hand in hand 133 Zero Tolerance 134 Against the clock 135 All bark and no bite 136 All Greek to me thirteen They selected only a baker’s dozen of entries. to call for fake help Don’t cry wolf too often. No one will come. feeling jealous His new car made his neighbour green with envy. to prove equal to She was very weak; she could not rise to the occasion. who can’t keep secret Disclosing all secrets, he has proved himself a big mouth. to be ashamed He has cut a sorry figure in the examination. leave without permission Ritesh was expelled due to French leaves. together Both were walking on the road hand in hand. no crime There are not many reports of crime due to the zero tolerance rule. rushed and short on time With her exam on Monday, she was racing against the clock to finish it. aggressive but reluctant to fight I thought he was a bully at first but he is all bark and no bite. incomprehensible His speech was all Greek to me. 238 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 137 Silver screen cinema He was one of the rock stars of the silver screen. willing to do immediately Most ladies are always ready to go shopping at the drop of a hat. the biggest part of something His younger brother has the lion’s share in the business. 138 At the drop of a hat 139 Lion’s share 140 In full swing actively busy We found the exhibition in full swing. 141 A lame excuse 142 Turn up 143 From hand to mouth 144 Dry run 145 Eat humble pie 146 Keep your chin up unacceptable lies Children often make lame excuses to appear Only ten boys have turned up till now. having very little money His father earned very little, so we lived hand to mouth rehearsal The children will need a dry run before their performance. to admit mistake My idea has failed so I will eat humble encouragement to someone Keep your chin up. Everything will be fine soon. 147 Good Samaritan who help others selflessly Saurabh is a good Samaritan. He often helps others. 148 Kick the bucket 149 Beat a dead horse 150 Chase your tail 151 Whole bag of tricks 152 Fine-tooth comb 153 Fast track something 154 Pass the buck 155 A fish out of water 156 In the twinkling of an eye 157 To throw mud at 158 Ball is in your court 159 Be in two minds to die My friend kicked the bucket due to a heart attack. to waste time doing nothing That person is just beating the dead horse. The relationship is now over. striving hard but getting less I have been chasing my tail since morning to manage the occasion. trying all the clever means to achieve something It was hard to find even after applying the whole bag of tricks. examining carefully The boss examined my report with a fine tooth comb. to put on priority This reform will be put on the fast track by government. to pass the blame Don’t pass the buck. It’s your fault only. uncomfortable After living in Delhi, Rekha became a fish out of water in Jhansi. in a moment The robbers disappeared in the twinkling of an eye. to speak evil of Each party was throwing mud at another party onto you to make any decision I can’t do anything as long as the ball is in his court. unable to decide I was in two minds whether or not to come this morning. 239 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 160 Put two and two together to figure something out from the information He came to know my absence by putting two and two together. a new arrival in the team The new kid on the block turned out to be a good player. to feel ill 161 New kid on the block 162 Under the weather 163 Put the cart under the horse 164 Tie the knot 165 Start from the scratch 166 Shake like a leaf 167 Run out of steam to lose momentum and fail Towards the end of the lecture, he seemed to run out of steam. 168 To spill the beans 169 With open arms 170 A red letter day 171 In vogue 172 To keep in the dark 173 Look down upon to tell a secret The maid spilled the beans in front of the police. a warm welcome My brother welcomed me with open arms. a memorable day 15th August is a red-letter day in the history of India. in fashion Some people blindly follow what’s in vogue. to hide information She kept all of us in the dark about her illness. to consider as unimportant 174 Palmy days 175 Herculean task Many people look down upon us as we are homeless. days of happiness Those palmy days can come again. Keep working. a difficult task 176 A fair-weather friend Don’t give such a herculean task to a child. whose friendship can’t be relied upon I am feeling a little under the weather due to cold outside. 177 Castles in the air 178 Man of letters 179 Bread and butter 180 Body and soul 181 Nook and corner 182 Cats and dogs to have things in the wrong order You are eating dessert first! You have put the cart before the horse. to marry someone When are you going to tie the knot? to start from the beginning I started from scratch and did everything with my own hands. to shake because of nervousness I just saw her shaking like a leaf on the stage. Facebook is full of fair-weather friends. having little chance Before you start building castles in the air, just think about its cost. a knowledgeable person Dr Radhakrishnan was a man of letters. livelihood He is working hard for the sake of bread and butter. complete efforts I have put my body and soul together to achieve success. every possible place Every nook and corner of the city will be flooded with the lights. a loud and noisy rainstorm It’s raining cats and dogs out there! Drop me to coaching by car. 240 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 183 Hat trick three scores in any sports He made hat trick of goals in the game. quickly doing things results in a poor ending. Don’t rush. Haste makes waste. a certain item is no longer available Let’s eighty six this pizza and have some other snacks. 184 Haste makes waste 185 Eighty-six 186 Cup of joe cup of coffee A naive waiter couldn’t understand the order of a cup of joe. 187 Buy a lemon 188 Pull your socks up 189 To keep an eye 190 Give up 191 By hook or by cook 192 At an arm’s length to purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems I bought a lemon and suffering now. to put best efforts He has to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team. to watch carefully Please keep an eye on that suspicious customer. to leave You must give up the habit of telling lies. anyhow I will learn English by hook or by crook. to keep distance Keep liars at an arm’s length. 193 Putting all eggs in one basket don’t put all your means in one possibility Don’t invest all your money in gold. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. 194 Safe and sound 195 In quest of 196 All and sundry 197 Call in sick 198 Without a second thought 199 a bump in the road 200 Around the corner 201 Second to none 202 Read between the lines 203 Have (one’s) plate full 204 Prove one’s mettle 205 Walking on air quite good I returned home safe and sound. in search of He wandered every country in quest of peace; found it within. everyone He invited all and sundry in the wedding. to call someone to tell you will remain absent due to illness She called in sick and told his boss he’d miss the meeting. act immediately He killed them both without a second thought. temporary problem Coronavirus issue is just a bump in the road. Don’t panic about it. very near, coming soon There is a piece of great news just around the corner. better than others "Achieve Excellence in English" book is second to none. understand the real/hidden meaning You need to read between the lines to understand him correctly. full of tasks, overloaded with work The new president is going to have his plate full on joining the office. to prove one’s ability or character She proved her mettle as a teacher in the whole school. extremely happy I was walking on air as I got my first salary. 241 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 206 Second bite at the cherry 207 Rolling in money 208 Come out of your shell 209 Out of work 210 See eye to eye 211 A fashion victim 212 The talk of the town 213 A walking encyclopedia 214 Dead to the world 215 Look on the bright side 216 Evening of life old age My father is in the evening of his life but still seems healthy. 217 Hit the pillow 218 Snake in the grass 219 A brown study 220 Wipe the slate clean 221 Ask for the moon 222 Compare apples and oranges 223 Play with fire 224 From scratch go to sleep Anisha has gone to hit the pillow. false pretending friend Don’t trust him, he is a snake in the grass. involved in your own thoughts He fell into a brown study after that incident. to forget past things One must wipe the slate clean and forgive others. to ask for too much Asking for the car is like asking for a moon from me. to compare incomparable things You are comparing apples and oranges. He is more superior than you. to do something that causes trouble later Don’t play with fire. You will repent later. from beginning Blood is thicker than water I am learning English from scratch. the family bond is closer than anything else 225 another opportunity to do something Will you perform better you get a second bite at the cherry? extremely rich Although he is rolling in money; he does not help the needy. to become less shy and more confident We will have to come out of our shells for success. unemployed He lost his job a year ago and has been out of work. to agree Does she not see eye to eye with her mother? who follows fashion slavishly Children are becoming a fashion victim these days. a person or thing that many people are talking about Virus outbreak is the talk of the town these days. knowledgeable person My teacher is a walking encyclopedia, she knows everything. in deep sleep You can’t wake him up. He’s dead to the world. to see good points in a bad situation Look on the bright side, good time will come. If you ever need help, come to us, after all, blood is thicker than water. 242 www.achieversenglish.com Achieve Excellence in English 1. Practice makes a man perfect Constant practice brings excellence If you are weak in English; Keep trying because practice makes a man perfect. 2. Rome was not built in a day It takes a lot to build anything I spent much in achieving my aim because Rome wasn’t built in a day. 3. Barking up the wrong tree To make the wrong choice. John won’t help you. You are barking up the wrong tree. 4. A house divided against itself can’t stand Divided house doesn’t stand for long Father tried to reconcile the disputes, because he knew that a house divided divided against itself cannot stand. 5. A leopard can't change his spots 6. A penny saved is penny earned You cannot change who you are I doubt very much that marriage will change Ashima for the better. A leopard doesn't change its spots. You save by not spending You must open a Savings Account. A penny saved is penny earned. 7. Actions speak louder than words It's better to do than just talk about it Politicians need to be reminded that actions speak louder than words. 8. Grass is always greener on the other side 9. A fool and his money are easily parted Things which are far from us seem better He realized that grass is always greener on the other side when he found that his new job was not perfect. It's easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money He had spent all of his money of lottery, because a fool and his money are easily parted. 10. To strike while the iron is hot/ Make hay while the sun shines Act with energy at correct time To get success you must make hay while the sun shines. 11. Waving a red rag to a bull A deliberate provocation So anything that sets you off can be a red rag to bull. 12. Get butterflies in your stomach To feel nervous There were butterflies in my stomach when I walked on the stage. 243 www.achieversenglish.com
