English Grammar: Idioms And Phrases (“Set-H/I”) | for CSS, PMS, PCS, NTS
Hang one’s head:
(To look ashamed or embarrassed) – we all hung our heads when our team was last in the competition.
Hard and fast:
(Strict) – There are some hard and fast rules in every walk of life, and we must follow them.
Have a bone to pick:
(Have a cause of complaint) – I’ve a bone to pick with you about your behaviour yesterday.
Have one’s back to the wall:
(To be in a very difficult or desperate situation) – He certainly has his back to the wall as he has lost his job and cannot find another one.
Head or tail:
(Any sense) – I could not make head or tail of his account of the accident.
High and Dry:
(out of water; in a dry place; safe) – Just where the eastern curve begins stands Kingscliff, a cluster of white cottages, fronted by a white beach, whereon some half-dozen of stout fishing-smacks are hauled up high and dry.
Hue and cry:
(Noise) – The government wakes up only after people raise a great hue and cry.
In cold blood:
(Without passion; deliberately) – The suggestion of such a contingency – which, of course, meant total failure – in cold blood (without any passion) filled up the cup of the antiquary’s indignation.
Check also: English Grammar MCQs
In consequence of:
(As a result of) – He suffered much in consequence of his youthful follies.
In deep water:
(In difficulties or trouble) – He found himself in deep water when he took over the management of the firm.
In due course:
(At the proper time) – When the boys got promotion, which came in due course.
In full swing:
(At its busiest; busy and thronged) – The street market was in full swing.
In no time:
(Very quickly) – He was able to finish his homework in no time.
In the air:
(Being talked about) – The possibility of the railwaymen going on strikes is in the air.
In the long run:
(In the end) – Truth will be victorious in the long run.
In the nick of time:
(Just in time) – A motorbike came round the corner at high speed and I stopped back into the pavement in the nick of time.
In the nick of time:
(Just in time) – He reached the station in the nick of time.
In the same boat:
(In the same, usually difficult, position or circumstances) – We’re all in the same boat as far as low wages are concerned.
In the seventh heaven:
(Extremely happy) – When she won the prize she was in the seventh heaven.
In the twinkling of an eye:
(in an instant) – The pickpocket took my purse and disappeared in the twinkling of an eye.
In the wake of:
(Following close upon) – Shortage of all types of daily needs occurred in the wake of the railway men’s strike.
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