Sunday 13 March 2011

SOME IMPORTANT IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS



1.       To add fule to the fire – To increase the existing excitement. “His speech only added fule to fire.”


2.       To give oneself airs     -  To be conceeited or arrogant in behaviour. “Now hebegan to give himself airs.”
3.       To keep up appearances – In bad time to appear outwardly  the  the same as before, as regards wealth or prosperity. “ Though he lost all his property, he tried to keep up appearances in the circle of his friends.”
4.       To have an axe to grind – To have some personal interest to serve. “ In the first place, let me  assure you , gentlemen, that I have no axe of mine to grind.”
5.       To turn one’s back upon – To Desert; forsake. “ He turned his back upon the poor orphan who was under his care.”
6.       To bear in mind – To remember; recollect. “ Bear in mind our long standing friendship.”
7.       To beat about the bush – To convey one’s meaning in an indirect way. “Don’t beat about the bush; come straight to the point. Say what you have to say.”
8.       To beat the air – To struggle in vain. “ In trying to defeat Ahmad, you are only beating that air.”


9.       To blow hot and cold in the same breath – To praise and to blame at the same time. “ Don’t take his remarks seriously; he blows hot and cold in the same breath.”
10.   To blow one’s own trumpet – To praise oneself loudly; to sing one’s praise. “ Let him blow his own trumpet if he so pleases; it does not befit my dignity to do so.”
11.   To break news – To communicate disagreeable news very carefully. “ At last I had to break to Aftab the news of his brother’s failure a third time.”
12.   To break the ice – To break through reserve or stiffness. “ All were silent for some time. At last I broke the ice and began the conversation.”
13.   To breath one’s last – To die. “ He breathed his last on Sunday.”
14.   To bring Home to – To make one thoroughly understand. “ I tried my best to bring my plan home to my friend.”
15.   To bring to a standstill – To cause to stop wholly. “ The riots in Aligarh have brought business to a standstill.”

No comments:

Post a Comment