Idioms in English - SEG

1. Call a spade a spade

Meaning: to speak clearly, directly and truthfully about something, even if it's not pleasant

Examples:

(a) We have to call a spade a spade and acknowledge the corruption found in our country. 

(b) I've to call a spade a spade. John didn't borrow the money, he stole it. 

2. Carry the day 

Meaning: to be victorious or successful

Examples: 

(a) In 1192, Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan and carried the day. 

(b) In the revolt of 1857, the British defeated the Mughals and carried the day. 

3. Call (someone) on the carpet

Meaning: to scold, reprimand or criticise someone for not being able to do something

Examples: 

(a) The professor called John on the carpet because he couldn't submit his assignment on time. 

(b) When I failed one paper, my parents called me on the carpet and strictly forced me to study hard. 

4. Can't cut the mustard

Meaning: to not be able to succeed or work in a satisfactory manner

Examples: 

(a) John keeps mixing up things, he just can't cut the mustard. 

(b) Sheela keeps on making grammatical mistakes in her essay, she can't cut the mustard. 

5. Clear the decks

Meaning: to finish unnecessary things so that one can get ready to deal with more important tasks 

Examples: 

(a) John, clear the decks and then start revising the lesson. 

(b) We cleared the decks and then we went to meet the big client came in the afternoon. 

6. Not get a word in edgeways 

Meaning: to not be able to speak any word because someone else keeps on speaking and doesn't give the chance to speak

Examples: 

(a) No one could get a word in edgeways because the professor was continuously talking. 

(b) John's talking so much that I can't get a word in edgeways. 

7. Get it off one's chest 

Meaning: to say something that one wanted to say for a long time

Examples: 

(a) I had to get something off my chest. How could she treat me like that at the meeting yesterday? 

(b) John, tell me about it. Get it off your chest. 

8. Take a load off one's mind 

Meaning: to relieve one or diminish stress or worry 

Examples: 

(a) Sir, thanks for your explanation. It really takes a load off my mind. 

(b) I'm quite sure it will definitely take a load off your mind to get your exams over and be done with. 

9. Get off on the wrong foot 

Meaning: to make a bad start 

Examples: 

(a) John got off on the wrong foot when he was one hour late to the interview, but he promised that he would be on time for his work once selected. 

(b) I got off on the wrong foot when I was late to the class, but I promised that I would be on time. 

10. Get bent out of shape

Meaning: to be extremely angry or upset

Examples: 

(a) My brother got bent out of shape when I broke his phone. 

(b) John's father got bent out of shape when he heard John failed three papers. 

11. Face the music

Meaning: to accept the consequence, responsibility and  criticism for something wrong you've done 

Examples: 

(a) If John lies to his professor, he will have to face the music.

(b) If we don't pay attention to the pollution emitted by our company, we will have to face the music. 

12. Learn the ropes 

Meaning: to learn how to do a particular job or task 

Examples: 

(a) John's a quick learner. It took him only a few days to learn the ropes. 

(b) We have a limited number of workers so we expect our new workers to learn the ropes very quickly. 

13. Leave no stone unturned

Meaning: to try every possible way

Examples: 

(a) I'm quite sure that John will leave no stone unturned to crack the entrance exam. 

(b) Our parents leave no stone unturned to better our life. 

14. Lead someone by the nose

Meaning: to completely control someone 

Examples: 

(a) I don't like the way your father leads you by the nose. 

(b) Their nation has been led by the nose in foreign affairs. 

15. Dead in the water

Meaning: (something) to be unable to function effectively

Examples: 

(a) The economy of the country is dead in the water for the time being.

(b) Our project is out of funds and dead in the water now. 

16. Lead someone astray

Meaning:  to lead someone in the wrong direction or negatively influence someone 

Examples: 

(a) John's wife, Sheela was led astray by her strong feelings. 

(b) Raman is leading his friends astray. 

17. Lead with one's chin 

Meaning: to behave, say or do something without caution

Examples: 

(a) My friend, John says what he thinks, he never minds leasing with his chin. 

(b) Don't lead with your chin when it comes to translating some holy book. 

18. Leave in the lurch 

Meaning: to leave someone without help or protection when they need it very much

Examples: 

(a) Sheela felt she had been left in the lurch by her colleagues. 

(b) I'm sorry, John. I didn't mean to leave you in the lurch. 

19. Live from hand to mouth

Meaning: to earn just enough money to live on and nothing extra

Examples: 

(a) People who live from hand to mouth can't afford expensive cars. 

(b) We live From hand to mouth because my father earns very little. 

20. Nip something in the bud 

Meaning: to stop or prevent something in the beginning

Examples: 

(a) The government nipped the rebellion in the bud by arresting all the leaders. 

(b) We should nip this money problem in the bud.

Exercise 1

Use the following idioms and phrases in your own sentences. 

1. Nip something in the bud

2. Call a spade a spade

3. Carry the day

4. Call someone on the carpet

5. Can't cut the mustard

Exercise 2

Give the meanings of the below given idioms and phrases. 

1. Clear the decks 

2. Get a word in edgeways

3. Get something off one's chest 

4. Take a load off one's mind

5. Get off on the wrong foot