Idioms with their meanings

Some Useful Idioms with their meanings.

A hot potato
Speak of an issue which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed. 

A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking what someone is thinking Actions speak louder than words
People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say. 

Add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation. 

An arm and a leg
Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money. 

At the drop of a hat
Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly. 

Back to the drawing board
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over. 

Ball is in your court
It is up to you to make the next decision or step. 

Barking up the wrong tree
Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person Be glad to see the back of Be happy when a person leaves. 

Beat around the bush
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue. 

Best of both worlds
Meaning: All the advantages. Best thing since sliced bread
A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan. 

Bite off more than you can chew
To take on a task that is way to big. 

Blessing in disguise
Something good that isn't recognized at first. 

Burn the midnight oil
To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting. 

Can't judge a book by its cover
Cannot judge something primarily on appearance.

VERB Test Multiple Choice Questions

VERB Test Multiple Choice Questions

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Preposition Worksheet

Preposition Worksheet

Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

1. The turban and the beard easily distinguish a Sikh ——————— others.

a) to
b) from
c) with
d) in

2. The laboratory should be furnished ———————- all necessary equipment.

a) in
b) of
c) with
d) out

3. She is keen ———————- building a career in music.

a) on
b) in
c) at
d) from

4. She is a disgrace ——————- her family.

a) to
b) for
c) at

d) on

5. He was the first to alight ——————- the train.

a) on
b) from
c) in
d) with

6. He is busy ——————– his studies.

a) in
b) with
c) of
d) off

7. He is addicted ——————– drugs.

a) to
b) in
c) on
d) for

8. The hotel is adjacent ——————- the railway station.

a) to
b) at
c) in
d) for

9. During his speech, he alluded ——————– a story in the Vedas.

a) to
b) at
c) in
d) with

10. You must apologize ——————— him.

a) with
b) to
c) for

d) with

11. The inspector commented favorably ——————– our work.

a) on
b) in
c) with
d) for

12. I congratulated him —————— his success.

a) in
b) on
c) for
d) with

Answers

1. b) from
2. c) with
3. a) on
4. a) to
5. b) from
6. b) with
7. a) to
8. a) to
9. a) to
10. b) to
11. a) on
12. b) on

Phrases Avoid giving Information

    Avoid giving Information

No comment.

This Phrase is often used by politicians and celebrities when they are asked difficult or embarrassing questions by journalists.

I'm not at liberty to say.

I'm sorry, that's confidential.

We use these phrases to say there is a rule that prevents you giving information.

Wait and see.

This Phrase is refusing to tell somebody something about the near future. We often use it when we are preparing a surprise for somebody.

(Sorry) That's personal.

This Phrase is telling the other person that you consider the information to be private. You are also criticising the other person for asking.

I'd rather not talk about it.

This Phrase is a more polite way to say that the information is private and you don't want to talk about it.

Mind your own business.

Never you mind.

These Phrases are not very polite and are criticising the other person for asking for private information.

I'll tell you when you're older.

Parents often say phrase to their children to avoid answering difficult or embarrassing questions. Usually they have no intention of ever answering the question.

Phrases for Asking people to Wait

Asking people to Wait

Hang on a moment / a mo./Hold on

Give us a second.

Half a moment / a mo.

These Phrases are quite informal but polite in tone. You are busy and expect to be able to help them

quite soon.

I'll be right with you.

This Phrase is especially useful in customer service situations where you want to ask a customer to wait for a few minutes.

Sorry, I'm a bit tied up right now.

This Phrase is really saying how busy you are but at the same time you are asking people to wait. It is quite polite.

Wait and see.

This Phrase is refusing to tell somebody something about the near future. We often use it when we are preparing a surprise for somebody.

You'll just have to be patient.

Give me a chance.

These Phrases are less polite and are suggesting that you think the other person is being too impatient.

Don't be so impatient.

This Phrase is more impolite and you are actually directly criticising the other person for being impatient.

We wish to apologise for the delay to...

This Phrase is a formal announcement that you might hear on a train or plane in the UK. It is followed by a noun phrase.

Phrases - Agreeing With People

Phrases - Agreeing With People

I'm with you on that one.

This Phrase is used mainly in informal situations and shows quite strong agreement.

I couldn't agree more.

This Phrase can be used in both formal and informal situations and shows very strong agreement.

Yes, absolutely.

This Phrase shows very strong agreement.

I'd go along with that.

You've got a point there.

These Phrases show that the speaker agrees a bit less strongly and can be used both formally and informally.

Hear, hear !

We often hear phrase in the parliament in debates between politicians. In other contexts it sounds quite formal and old fashioned.

I think so too.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

This Phrase shows total agreement with what the speaker has said and is also complimentary about the way it was said.

Great minds think alike.

This Phrase is an old saying and compliments the speaker as well as agreeing.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

This Phrase is suggesting that you were thinking of saying the same thing just before the other speaker said it first.

Phrases for Expressing Habits

      Phrases for Expressing Habits

I spend a lot of time...

You'll always find me...

These phrases are followed by a gerund (-ing) Example: I spend a lot of time reading.

I (often) tend to...

This phrase is followed by the infinitives (- to + V1) Example: I Often tend to watch TV.

___ is a big part of my life.

This Phrase needs a noun or gerund in the blank space. Example: Dancing is a big part of my Life.

Or Books are a big part of my life.

I always make a point of...

Whenever I get the chance, I...

These phrases show that the speaker likes doing these things and tries to do them a lot.

I have a habit of..

This Phrase suggests that the speaker often does something but that it's not intentional. It may be a bad habit.

I can't (seem to) stop...

I'm always...

I can't help...

These Phrases are habits that the speaker thinks are bad but cannot stop.

Phrases for Refusing

     Phrases for Refusing

No way

Absolutely not

No Chance

These Phrases are expressing strong refusals.

Not if you paid me

This Phrase is also a strong refusal and suggests that money will not change the speaker's mind.

Get lost

This Phrase is very informal and quite rude.

No, full stop

This Phrase is used to say that the refusal is final and no more discussion will take place.

Not likely

I don't want to

These Phrases are not as final as phrase 6 but it is quite likely that the speaker will not change their mind

I'd rather not

No but thanks for asking

These Phrases are quite polite ways of refusing.

Phrases for Apologizing

Phrases for Apologizing

Sorry.

This Phrase is a general short apology. We use this when we bump into people on the street. At other times, it sounds too weak.

I'm (so / very / terribly) sorry.

In this phrase, we use 'so', 'very' and 'terribly' to make the meaning stronger. 'Terribly' is the strongest. If we use one of the words in brackets, it is stressed.

Ever so sorry.

This Phrase is quite formal but it's a stronger apology than just 'sorry'.

How stupid / careless / thoughtless of me.

We use this phrase to criticise ourselves and the mistake that we have just made.

Pardon (me)

That's my fault.

Sorry. It was all my fault.

We use these phrases to take all the responsibility for what happened. The latter Phrase is a little stronger.

Please excuse my (ignorance)

We use this phrase to apologise for our lack of knowledge or ability. We can replace the word in brackets with other nouns, e.g. carelessness, forgetfulness.

Please don't be mad at me.

This Phrase is asking the other person not to get angry. The tone is quite informal.

Please accept our (sincerest) apologies.

This Phrase is often used in formal letters. The word 'sincerest' makes the apology very strong and very formal.

English Phrases for Business Telephone Calls

    English Phrases for Business Telephone Calls

Taking a call

When you answer the phone at your job, you’ll want to always greet the caller professionally. Here are two formats you might use to do so.

Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon. [Company name], [your name] speaking, how may I help you?

For example, if your name is Arun and you work at a company called Maxcom India, you might say:

Good morning! Maxcom India, Arun speaking. How may I help you?

This quickly tells the caller who you are, and then lets them explain why they’re calling.

[Company name], [your name] speaking.

This second one is a shorter greeting: Maxcom India, Arun speaking.

You can also use “This is [your name]” as another way to say “[Your name] speaking.”

Making a call

Sometimes you are the one initiating (beginning) a phone call. You may have more time to prepare in this case. You can use one of the formats below for greeting people when you call them:

Hello, this is [your name] from [company name].

For example, if you are Arun and you work at ABC Travels, you might say:

“Hello, this is Arun from ABC Travels.

You may want to include your surname (last name) if you know the caller doesn’t know you very well.

Hi, it’s [your name] from [company name].

You may also say “Hi, it’s Arun Kumar from ABC Travels” to start a phone conversation.

Asking for somebody

It’s important to know exactly who you want to talk to and you can use one of the options below.

May I speak to [person’s name]?

This first phrase is a question, and slightly more polite than the next option. Here’s an example:

May I (please) speak to Mr. Dinesh?

I’d like to speak to [person’s name], please.

For example, “I’d like to speak to Mr. Dinesh, please.”

You may use this one when you’re quite sure the person is available to talk to you.

Giving reasons for calling

At the beginning of the phone conversation it’s best to clarify why you are calling. This helps both speakers talk about what’s relevant.

I’m calling to ask about/discuss/clarify…

I’m calling to ask about your current printing promotion.

I just wanted to ask…

I just wanted to ask if you need any more articles for next month’s magazine.