IDIOMS/PHRASES
The best option is to give im- l Please stop running me down all l He is prepared to face the music
portance to little things. the time. for his conduct at the meeting.
212. (1) hand in glove : working The best option is criticise. The best option is face the un-
closely with somebody, especial- 221. (2) to make both ends meet : to pleasant consequences.
ly in a secret and/or illegal way earn just enough money to be 230. (2) on the brink of : at the point of
l The teacher and the Principal able to buy the things you need l The economy, today, is on the
work hand in glove. l I have to work at two jobs to brink of collapse.
The best option is in close rela- make both ends meet. The best option is at the point
tionship. The best option is to live with- of.
213. (2) to add fuel to the fire : a in one’s income. 231. (3) in high spirits : cheerful; full
thing that is said or done that 222. (1) pore over : to examine; to of hope and enthusiasm
makes something, especially an look at or read something very l When she came to know that
argument, continue or get worse carefully she would receive a award that
l Shouting at a crying child just l She pored over the reports, look- evening, she was in high spir-
adds fuel to the fire. ing for errors. its.
The best option is to cause ad- The best option is go through. The best option is cheerful.
ditional anger. 223. (4) crossed swords : to fight or 232. (3) catch red-handed : at the time
214. (2) wear and tear : the damage argue with somebody of doing something wrong or com-
to objects, furniture, property, l Reena and Meena always cross mitting a crime
etc. that is the result of normal swords with each other. l Many car thieves are caught red-
use The best option is disagreed. handed.
l This sofa shows a lot of wear and 224. (1) standstill : a situation in The best option is at the time
tear, we should replace it. which all activity or movement of committing the crime.
The best option is damage. has stopped 233. (3) left me in the lurch : to fail
l The accident brought the work to help somebody when he is re-
215. (3) gift of the gab : the ability to
to a standstill. lying on you to do so
speak easily
The best option is complete halt. l I hope they can find someone to
l My brother really has the gift of
225. (1) cool as a cucumber : very replace me at work. I don’t want
gab. He can convince anyone of
calm and controlled, especially to leave them in the lurch.
anything.
in a difficult situation The best option is abandoned me
The best option is talent for
l The politician kept cool as a cu- when I needed help.
speaking.
cumber throughout the interview 234. (1) grease anybody’s palm :
216. (4) went a long way : to last a with the aggressive journalist. bribe; to give somebody money
long time; covers a large area The best option is not nervous in order to persuade him to do
l Your plan went a long way in or emotional. something dishonest
helping us with our problem. 226. (3) a close shave : a narrow es- l If you want to get something
The best option is helped con- cape done around here, you have to
siderably. l The car passed so close to us; it grease anybody’s palm.
217. (3) cope with : to deal success- was really a close shave. The best option is bribe.
fully with something difficult; The best option is narrow escape 235. (4) a man of letters : a scholar
manage from danger. and a writer
l I don’t think I can cope with any 227. (1) had gone down the drain : to l He was a distinguished states-
more trouble. be wasted; to get very much man and a man of letters.
The best option is handle worse; go down the plug hole The best option is proficient in
218. (3) at the eleventh hour : at the l All his savings are going down literary art.
last possible moment; just in time the drain ever since he has tak- 236. (2) to pay off old scores : get
en to gambling. revenge on someone for some
l She always revises for her ex-
ams at the eleventh hour. The best option is was lost for- grievance
ever. l Rishabh was satisfied as he had
The best option is at the very
last moment. 228. (3) gift of the gab : the ability to paid off old scores by beating
speak easily Rohan’s little sister.
219. (3) maiden speech : first speech
l My brother really has the gift of The best option is to take re-
l Margret Thatcher’s maiden gab. He can convince anyone of venge.
speech was one of the most suc- anything.
cessful ones. 237. (2) wears his heart on his sleeve :
The best option is ability to to allow your feelings to be seen by
The best option is first speech. speak impressively. other people
220. (4) run down : to criticize some- 229. (1) face the music : to bear the l As she wears her heart on her
body/something in an unkind consequences for something you sleeve, it is easy to hurt her feel-
way have done ings.
SEE–760