IDIOMS/PHRASES
338. (3) scapegoat : fall guy 348. (2) for better or worse : used 358. (4) under the thumb of : under
l Her supporters see her as a for saying that something can- the control of
scapegoat for a policy that failed. not be changed, whether the re- l The committee in firmly under
The best option is fall guy. sult is good/bad his thumb and will agree to what-
339. (1) point-blank : very definite l He trusts everyone, for better ever he asks.
and direct and not very polite; or worse. The best option is under control
blunt The best option is always. of.
l He blocked himself in the bath- 349. (2) a hard nut to crack : a diffi- 359. (4) fall flat : fail to amuse peo-
room and refused point-black to cult problem/situation to deal ple or to have effect that was in-
come out. with tended
The best option is directly. l This assignment is a hard nut l Most of his jokes fell flat.
340. (2) strike a bargain : reach an to crack. The best option is to fail to pro-
agreement; negotiate a deal The best option is a difficult duce intended effect.
l They argued for sometime and problem. 360. (3) carry weight : important in-
then struck a bargain. 350. (3) hand in glove : working fluence/strength
The best option is to negotiate closely with somebody, especia- l Her opinion carries a lot of
a deal. ly in a secret and/or illegal way weight with the boys.
341. (1) had better : used for telling l The teacher and the Principal The best option is be important.
somebody what you think he work hand in glove. 361. (3) to pass away : to die
‘should’ do The best option is very intimate. l My aunt passed away last week.
l You had better finish your milk 351. (1) a lame excuse : weak and The best option is die.
now. difficult to believe; unconvenc-
362. (2) turn down : to reject/to refuse
The best option is should. ing
l The board turned down the de-
342. (3) took to heart : to be very up- l He always gives lame excuses.
mand laid down by the union.
set by something that somebody The best option is unsatisfacto-
The best option is reject.
says or does; be serious ry explanation.
363. (1) die hard : strongly opposing
l She took the rejection of college 352. (2) at a loss : not knowing what
change and new ideas
to heart. to say/do
l These ancient traditions die hard
The best option is seriously. l I was so surprised that I was at
in the isolated communities of
343. (4) give me a hand with : to help a loss for words.
rural India.
with The best option is unable
The best option is unwilling to
l Let me know when you are shift- 353. (2) in black and white : in writ- change.
ing and I’ll give you a hand with ing or in print
364. (2) turn up : to be found; to ap-
your luggage. l I want you to put your offer in pear; to happen; to arrive
The best option is help me with. black and white.
l The invitations will be sent out
344. (1) at the eleventh hour : at a The best option is in writing. and we’ll see who turns up.
late stage; at the last moment 354. (1) stand by : to help somebody
l She always revises for her ex-
The best option is appear.
or be friends with him, even in
ams at the eleventh hour. 365. (3) bad – blood : feeling of hatred
difficult situations
The best option is at a late stage. l There is no bad blood between
l I’ll stand by you at any cost.
345. (4) a shot in the dark : a guess; us.
The best option is support.
something you do without know- The best option is feeling of
ing what the result will be 355. (4) to give vent to : to express hatred.
a feeling, especially anger, stro-
l When I applied for this job, it 366. (2) by fits and starts : irregularly
gly
was just a shot in the dark. l A sincere student works regu-
l Suman gave vent to her feeling
The best option is an attempt larly, not by fits and starts.
to guess something. by shouting at Sheela.
The best option is irregularly.
346. (4) in a nutshell : say/express The best option is express.
367. (3) to put an end to : to close;
in a very clean way, using few 356. (3) part and parcel : an essen-
to cease
words tial part of something
l We all wanted the two brothers
l He described his visit to Kerala l Touring is a part and parcel of
to put an end to their argument.
in a nutshell. my job.
The best option is stop.
The best option is brief. The best option is essential ele-
368. (3) to hail from : to come from
347. (1) from the bottom of my heart : ment.
l He hails from a small town in
in a way that is sincere 357. (2) to get wind : to hear about
Punjab.
l I thanked the boy from the bot- something secret or private
tom of my heart for helping me The best option is come from.
l The police got the wind of the
carry the vegetables home. illegal drug deal. 369. (1) took exception : to object;
The best option is sincerely. objected
The best option is come to know.
SEE–765