IDIOMS/PHRASES
l I cut my teeth on editing and l He was much sought after as a 279. (1) on the spur of the moment :
proof-reading. throat specialist, particularly by suddenly, without planning in ad-
The best option is to gain expe- singers. vance
rience. The best option is in great de- l We decided to go on the spur of
263. (4) carrot and stick : reward and mand. the moment.
punishment 272. (3) all at sea : confused and not The best option is to act at once.
l I had to take the carrot-and-stick knowing what to do 280. (1) to bring to light : to make
approach to discipline my kids. l I’m all at sea with these new new information known to peo-
The best option is reward and rules and regulations. ple
punishment. l After careful investigation all the
The best option is puzzled.
264. (4) grease his palms : bribe facts of the case were brought
273. (4) to hit below the belt : to be
to light.
l If you want to get something unfair/cruel (attack)
done around here, you have to The best option is to reveal.
l The boxer hit the contender be-
grease someone’s palms. 281. (4) to hit the jackpot : being
low the belt and the crowd be- successful; to win a large amount
The best option is bribe him. gan to behave furiously. of money in a game of chance
265. (2) pull strings : to control events The best option is to attack un- l He hit the jackpot in a big con-
or the actions of other people; to fairly. test.
use your influence in order to get
274. (1) pot-luck dinner : a meal to The best option is to make mon-
an advantage for somebody
which each guest brings some- ey quickly.
l His father pulled some strings
food, which is then shared out 282. (3) to burn the candle at both
to get him out of jail.
among the guests ends : to work very hard and
The best option is use personal stay up very late at night
l All the friends want to get togeth-
influence.
er. So, they decided to arrange a l Jenny has been burning the can-
266. (2) keep your head : to be able dle at both ends for weeks,
pot-luck dinner.
to act in a calm or sensible way working two jobs during the
The best option is dinner where
l When the boat capsized, the week.
everybody brings something to
boatsman asked everyone to The best option is to work hard.
eat.
keep his head. 283. (1) status – quo : the situation
The best option is remain calm. 275. (4) at one’s beck and call : al-
as it is now, or as it was before
ways ready to obey somebody’s
267. (3) ran in the same groove : to a recent change
orders
be in harmony l We don’t want to admit more stu-
l The success of any institution lies
l There were a dozen of maids
dents to the school; we like the
in the fact that both the man- and waiters at our beck and
status quo.
agement and the staff run in the call.
The best option is unchanged
same groove. The best option is to be domi- position.
The best option is moved in har- nated by someone. 284. (3) by fair means or foul : us-
mony. 276. (4) to explore every avenue : to ing dishonest methods if honest
268. (3) a bird’s eye view : a view of investigate every possible means ones do not work
something from a high position to find a solution to a given prob- l He was determined to become
l We got a bird’s eye view of the lem or to achieve a desired out- the Chief Minister, by fair means
town as the plane made its de- come or foul.
scent. l We’ve explored all avenues but The best option is in any way
The best option is an over view. I just can’t see how we can con- honest or dishonest.
269. (2) by fits and starts : impul- tinue living in this house. 285. (4) to look down one’s nose :
sively and irregularly The best option is to try every to behave in a way that suggests
l A sincere student works regular- opportunity. that you think that you are bet-
ly, not by fits and starts ter than somebody or that some-
277. (3) a red-letter day : an impor-
thing is not good enough for you;
The best option is irregularly. tant day
to regard with contempt
270. (2) build castles in the air : l 15th August is a red-letter day l My cousin looks down his nose
plans or dreams that are not like- in the history of India. because we’re homeless.
ly to happen or come true The best option is an important The best option is to regard with
l I really like to sit on the porch in or joyful occasion in one’s life. contempt.
the evening, building castles in 286. (2) to shed crocodile tears : to
278. (3) to have something up one’s
the air. pretend to be sad about some-
sleeve : to have a secret plan
The best option is daydream. thing but is not really sad at all
l I have something up my sleeve
271. (3) sought after : wanted by l The child wasn’t really sad, but
that will solve all your problems.
many people, because it is of she shed crocodile tears anyway.
The best option is to have a se-
very good quality or difficult to The best option is to pretend
cret plan.
get or to find grief.
SEE–762