1. Acid Test
Meaning
- Acid test proves the effectiveness of something.
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Example - I practiced hard at the dance
sessions but the acid test will come when the master will assess our solo
performances.
2. Cut the ground from under feet
Meaning - When you cut the ground from
under someone's feet, you do something which weakens their position.
Example - When team India hit more than 360 runs in the ODI, they cut the ground from under the opponent's feet.
3. Chase your tail
Meaning - Spending a lot of time and energy
doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little.
Example - He's been chasing his tail all
week collecting data but the report is still not ready
4. Whole bag of tricks
Meaning - Means trying all the clever means
to achieve something.
Example - It was really difficult to find
the information even after applying the whole bag of tricks.
5. Deliver the goods
Meaning - Do what is expected or promised.
Example - I have given my car to a new
mechanic for repair, hope he delivers the goods.
6. Fine-tooth comb
Meaning - Examining something carefully to
not miss out any details.
Example - The boss examined my report with
a fine tooth comb before submitting it to the senior management.
7. Explore all avenues
Meaning - Trying out every possibility to
get a result.
Example - It is a difficult thing to do but
if we really want it done, we must explore all avenues.
8. Fast track something
Meaning - Rating something higher on your
priority list to achieve the desired result.
Example - In view of the seriousness of the
crime, the civil society is pressing up on a fast track decision from the
court.
9 . Get ducks in a row
Meaning - Getting your things well
organized.
Example - To ensure a successful product
launch, we must get our ducks in a row.
10. Get the show on the road
Meaning - Putting up a plan or idea into
action.
Example - Now that we have compeleted all
the legal formalities, let's get the show on the road.
11. Keep your fingers on the pulse
Meaning - Being constantly aware of the
most recent developments.
Example - An entrepreneur must keep his
fingers on the pulse of the market to be successful.
12. Mean business
Meaning - Being serious about what you
announce.
Example - Now that all our policies about
work are put up on intranet, we mean business.
13. Think on your feet
Meaning - Adjusting quickly to changes and
making fast decisions.
Example - A good sales man must be able to
think on his feet to close the deal.
14. Sail through something
Meaning - Being successful in doing
something without difficulty.
Example - The presentation at the national
conference was extremely important for the company. We sailed through it.
15. Tricks of the trade
Meaning - Clever or expert way of doing
something.
Example - Being into the construction
business for last 10 years, I know all tricks of the trade.
16. Not let grass grow under feet
Meaning - Don't delay in getting something
done.
Example - As soon as he finished all the
registration formalities, he put the house on sale. He doesn't let the grass
grow under his feet.
17. Work like a charm
Meaning - Works very well or has the
desired effect.
Example - I had cloves from my sore throat
and they worked like a charm.
18. Back-room boys
Meaning - People who perform important work
but have no contact with the public.
Example - Our back room boys deserve an
applause for the success of this advertisement.
19. Dead wood
Meaning - People or things which are no
longer useful or necessary.
Example - The company bought in a lot of
new computers. They no longer want the dead woods.
20. Get the axe
Meaning - lose the job.
Example - The projects team was undergoing
a major restructuring, recruitment executives were the first to get the axe
21. Plum job -
Meaning - Desirable position which is
well-paid and considered relatively easy .
Example - This looks like a plum job but it
has its own bunch of complications
22. Shape up or ship out
Meaning - This expression is used to warn
someone that if they do not improvetheir ways, they will have to leave their
job.
Example - When Tom started neglecting the
customers, he was told to shape up or ship out
23. Golden handshake
Meaning - Big sum of money given to a
person when they leave a company or retire.
Example - The management of various PSUs
wanted to cut down on the man power. They offered a golden hand shake to many
of their aged employees.
24. Separate sheep from goats
Meaning - Examining a group of people and
deciding their suitability
Example - Audition test was conducted by
the director to separate sheep from goats.
25. Waiting in the wings
Meaning - Waiting for an opportunity to
take action, mostly to replace someone else in their job.
Example - The senior manager is going to
retire in next 2 months. Two of his juniors who are waiting in the wings will
have a fierce competition.
26. Eat, sleep and breathe something
Meaning
- Being so enthusiastic and passionate about somehting that you think
about it all the time.
Example
- My son has recently learnt cycling. He eats, sleeps and breathes it
now.
27. With bells on
Meaning
- When you are delighted and eager to go somewhere, you are said to go
with bells on.
Example
- The new year party at the beach is most awaited. I will be there -
with bells on.
28. Fever pitch
Meaning
- When a feeling is very intense and exciting, it is said to be at a
fever pitch.
Example
- His love for music had reached a fever pitch before he became a world
known musician.
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29. Blood, sweat and tears
Meaning - Something that requires a lot of
effort and hard work.
Example - Being the team of Indian cricket
team is not just a matter of luck for him, it is his blood, sweat and tears
which has got him here.
30. Have on the brain
Meaning - Thinking or talking about it all
day long.
Example - He has just got engaged. Now, he
has his fiance on his brain all the time.
31. Fling yourself into -
Meaning - Doing something with a lot of
energy and enthusiasm.
Example - Flinging himself into the
exercise routine is the reason for his good physique.
32. Raring to go
Meaning - Being very eager and enthusiastic
about the idea of doing something.
Example - My kids wish to see the animals.
They are raring to go to zoo.
33. Xerox subsidy
Meaning - Using the office photocopier for
personal use.
Example - The office now has a strict
policy about xerox subsidy.
34. Get a grip on yourself
Meaning - Controlling your feelings to deal
with a situation.
Example - Reema saw her jwellery and cash
missing from the almirah. After the initial shock, she got a grip on herself
and called up the police.
35. Hang on by fingernails
Meaning - Continuing to do something in a
very difficult situation.
Example - The market of watches has
suffered a big loss after the arrival of mobile phones. The survivors are just
hanging on by their fingernails.
36. Pull out all the stops
Meaning - Doing everything you can to make
something successful.
Example - The deadline for the project is
fast arriving; we have pulled out all the stops for timely completion.
37. Buckle down
Meaning - Doing some hard work with
determination and full attention.
Example - Getting through the exam for
civil services is possible when you have buckled down yourself.
38. First out of the gate
Meaning - Being the first one to make a
start at something.
Example - John and his friends had decided
to voice their opinion against the new economic policy. John was the first one
to be out of the gate.
39. Going places
Meaning - Exhibiting talent and ability
that will lead to a successful future.
Example - Rakesh was a performer at the
school sports club. It was obvious that he was going places.
40. Have one's heart set on
Meaning - Possessing a determination to
obtain something.
Example - He has not become a renowned
cardiologist just by chance. He has his heart set on it after his father passed
away with a cardiac arrest.
41. Make headway
Meaning - Progress in what you are trying
to achieve.
Example - The police have made a headway
with their investigation in the terror attack on the city last friday.
42. Punch above one's weight
Meaning - Performing beyond your ability.
Example - He was not the best swimmer
around but he could win the gold medal at the state swimming competition by
working hard and punching above his weight in the finals.
43. Sink your teeth into
Meaning - doing something with a lot of
energy and enthusiasm.
Example - Marie joined the badminton
coaching classes. She sank her teeth into the practice sessions.
44. Stand one's ground
Meaning - Maintaining your position.
Example - He stood his ground in support of
his friend inspite of several family interferences.
45. Close to home
Meaning - A comment which is true and makes
you uncomfortable is close to home.
Example - Tom's comment about his friend's
unethical activities was quite close to home. He looked quite embarassed.
46. Carry the torch for
Meaning - Having strong feelings for
someone who cannot be yours.
Example - He has been carrying a torch for
Mamta, who is now married to Nitin, since they studied together in college.
47. Cork up something
Meaning - Failing to express your emotions.
Example - She did not let her grief pour
out when her father passed away. Its not good for her to cork up his feelings.
48. Cut to the quick
Meaning - Hurting someone deeply or
offending them.
Example - Joe had worked for 10 years with
all his loyalty for his company. He was cut to the quick when his boss held him
responsible for the theft.
49. Fish out of water
Meaning - Feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar
surroundings.
Example - Being a french, I felt like a
fish out of water in the group of Japanese
50. Bee in one's bonnet
Meaning - Carrying an idea which constantly
occupies your thoughts.
Example - She is not happy in Africa. She
has a bee in the bonnet about moving to Dubai.
ALL THE BEST......
ALL THE BEST......
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