IDIOMS/PHRASES
576. (4) floor : to surprise or confuse 585. (3) know how many beans l He deliberately threw a red her-
somebody so that he may not make five : well informed and ring into the conversation.
sure what to say or do; puzzle intelligent. The best option is clues intend-
l His reply completely floored me. l She knows how many beans ed to distract/mislead.
The best option is puzzled make five. 594. (4) carve out a niche : to work
577. (1) go to the dogs : to go into a The best option is well informed hard in order to have a success-
very bad state ; ruin. and intelligent. ful career, reputation etc.
586. (1) at a stretch : a continuous l In today’s competitive market
l This firm has gone to the dogs
since the new management took period of time. it’s better to carve out a niche
over. l The baby doesn’t sleep for more and try to become
The best option is is ruined than three hours at a stretch. The best option is the best in
578. (1) average out : to balance ; to The best option is continuously. that area.
result in an average amount 587. (3) put a spoke in somebody’s developed a specific position
over a period of time. wheel : to prevent somebody for himself.
l Sometimes I pay, sometimes he from putting their plans into op- 595. (3) to the letter : doing/follow-
pays; it seems to average out our eration. ing exactly what somebody/
budget. l His letter really put a spoke in something says, paying attention
The best option is balance itself our wheel. to every detail.
The best option is thwarted in l I followed your instructions to
579. (1) on second thoughts : used
to say that you have changed the execution of the plan. the letter.
your opinion 588. (4) bear down : to move quickly The best option is in every de-
l You’re not having second towards somebody/something in tail.
thoughts about it, are you ? a determined or threatening 596.(3) to read between the lines : to
The best option is reconsider- way. look for or discover a meaning
ing l The storm bore down and rav- in something that is not openly
aged the island. stated.
580. (2) stir the hornets’ nest : a dif-
The best option is moved quickly l Reading between the lines, I
ficult situation in which a lot of
towards. think she needs money.
people get very angry.
589. (2) a big draw : to get attraction/ The best option is to understand
l His letter to the papers stirred
attention; success the inner meaning.
up a real hornets’ nest.
l The cricket match proved to be 597.(1) put your foot down : to be
The best option is caused anger
a big draw. very strict in opposing what
in many people
The best option is huge attrac- somebody wishes to do.
581. (3) break in : to train some-
tion. l you’ve got to put your foot down
body/ something in something
590. (2) look sharp : be alert and make him stop seeing her.
new that he must do.
The coach told the team they The best option is take a firm
l The young horse was not yet bro- l
would have to look sharp if they stand
ken in (trained to carry a rider).
wanted to win. 598.(4) stand/hold your ground : to
The best option is train
The best option is pay attention. continue with your opinions or
582. (4) null and Void : having no intentions when somebody is op-
legal force ; not valid 591. (1)
posing you.
l The contract was declared null l The new office block has become
l Don’t let him persuade you-
and void. an expensive white elephant
stand your ground.
The best option is not binding The best option is a costly but
The best option is refused to
583. (3) bury the hatchet : to stop useless possession.
yield
being unfriendly and become 592. (3) to cut one’s coat according
to one’s cloth : to only buy what 599. (1) at daggers drawn : if two peo-
friends again
you have enough money to pay ple are at daggers drawn, they are
l After not speaking to each other
for very angry with each other.
for years, the two brothers
l They have been at daggers drawn
decided to bury the hatchet. l we would like a bigger house,
but we must cut our coat ac- for weeks over tactics.
The best option is make peace
cording to our cloth. The best option is angry.
584. (3) be in/get into hot water :
The best option is live within 600. (1) a penelope’s web : a job that
to be in or get into trouble.
one’s means. never ends ; an endless job.
l He found himself in hot water
593. (3) red herring : an unimportant l Debates are a penelopes web.
over his speech about immigra-
tion. fact, idea, event etc. that takes The best option is endless.
people’s attention from the im- 601. (4) pay on the nail : payment
The best option is to get into
portant ones. without delay.
trouble.
SEE–774