IDIOMS/PHRASES
859. (1) An insecure scheme 866. (4) Interrupt Look at the sentence :
A ho u se o f c ard s = an Butt in = interrupt or intrude He refused to blow his own
organisation or a plan that is on a conversation or activity; trumpet and blushingly declined
very weak and can easily be break in; interject in to speak.
destroyed; an insecure scheme. Look at the sentence : 874. (2) Maintain his own opinion
Look at the sentence : He kept on butting in with silly Stick to his guns = to continue
Their partners began to suspect comments. to have his own beliefs.
that the company was a financial 867. (2) A person who prefers to Look at the sentence :
house of cards. watch television Despite harsh criticism, he is
860. (3) To suspect foul dealings Couch potato = a person who sticking to his guns on this issue.
To smell a rat = to suspect that takes little or no exercise and 875. (2) at a loss
something is wrong; to sense watches a lot of television. At sea = confused.
that someo ne has caused Look at the sentence : Look at the sentence :
something wrong. It is no good you being a couch Reading economic theory leaves
Look at the sentence : potato and having a Dobermann. me feeling at sea.
The minute I came in I smelt a 868. (2) Be in charge 876. (4) Good times and bad times
rat. Sure enough I had been Weal and woe = good and bad
Carry the ball = to be incharge;
robbed. times; the joys and sorrows;
to be considered reliable enough
861. (3) To be wise beyond his years prosperity and misfortune.
to make sure that a job gets
Old head on young shoulders done. Look at the sentence :
= a young person who behaves We all get our share of weal and
Look at the sentences :
like an older person with more woe in life.
experience; to be wise beyong John can’t carry the ball. He isn’t
877. (4) Challenge
his years. organised enough.
Call in/into question = to
Look at the sentences : 869. (3) Reject
cause something or someone to
You can’t put a wise head on Tur n do wn = to reject be evaluated; interrogate; to
young shoulders. Young people something; to deny someone’s cause doubts.
inevitably lack the experience request. Look at the sentence :
and wisdom which come with Look at the sentence : How can you call her honesty
age. The board turned our request into question ?
862. (2) A pointless search down. 878. (1) Live within means
A wild–goose chase = a foolish 870. (1) very close together Make both ends meet = earn just
and ho pel ess search fo r Cheek by jowl = side by side enou gh money to li ve o n;
something. Look at the sentence : manage; survive.
Look at the sentence : Look at the sentence :
They lived cheek by jowl in a
Physicists searching for the one–room flat. They were finding it hard to
hypothetical particle may be on make ends meet.
871. (1) Unreasonable or unaccept-
a wild goose chase. 879. (1) Went out of business
able
863. (3) To be deaf Put up the shutters = cease
Beyond the pale = outside the
Ha rd of hea rin g refe rs to tradi n g for the day or
bounds of acceptable behaviour;
someone who doesn’t hear well; permanently.
improper; unreasonable; objec-
somewhat deaf. Look at the sentence :
tionable.
Look at the sentences : The village post office put up the
Look at the sentence :
You will have to speak distinctly. shutters for the last time.
Dad is a little hard of hearing. The language my father used
880. (4) A very insignificant amount
was beyond the pale.
864. (3) An unknown entry A drop in a bucket = a very
872. (3) Praise oneself small or unimportant amount.
A dark horse = a little known
person or thing that emerges to Blow one’s own trumpet = talk Look at the sentence :
prominence. boastfull y about one’s What we were paid for our work
Look at the sentence : achievements; sing one’s own was a drop i n the bucket
praises. compared to what the company
You can never say, some dark
horse may come along and win Look at the sentence : earned.
a House of Lords seat. He refused to blow his own 881. (2) Find no favour
865. (2) Discourage trumpet and blushingly declined Draw a blank = to fail to get an
Throw cold water = to be to speak. answer or a result.
unenthusiastic or discourage 873. (3) to praise a oneself Look at the sentence :
Look at the sentence : Blow one’s trumpet = talk He asked me for my phone
Our boss never likes to throw boastfully about one’s achieve- number and I drew a blank – I
cold water on our suggestions. ment. just couldn’t remember it.
SEE–786