In the competitive world of entrance examinations, a strong grasp of the English language is paramount. Beyond just vocabulary and grammar, understanding common English phrases and idioms can significantly boost your scores in sections like reading comprehension, cloze tests, and even essay writing. These phrases often carry nuanced meanings that can be tricky if you’re not familiar with them. Mastering them will not only help you interpret questions accurately but also enable you to express yourself more effectively. Let’s delve into some of the most popular English phrases you should know to gain a competitive edge.
Here are some essential English phrases with their meanings and examples:
A dime a dozen
Meaning: Something that is very common and therefore not particularly valuable or special.
Example: “In today’s job market, generic resumes are a dime a dozen; you need something unique to stand out.”
Bite the bullet
Meaning: To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination.
Example: “The project was behind schedule, so the team had to bite the bullet and work extra hours to meet the deadline.”
Break a leg
Meaning: An idiom used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or presentation.
Example: “Before he went on stage for his speech, his friends told him, ‘Break a leg!'”
Call it a day
Meaning: To decide to stop working on something for the day.
Example: “It’s been a long and productive meeting, I think we should call it a day.”
Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Example: “Buying a house in this city can cost an arm and a leg.”
Cut corners
Meaning: To do something in the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way, often by sacrificing quality.
Example: “They tried to cut corners on the construction, which led to safety issues later on.”
Get out of hand
Meaning: To become out of control.
Example: “The protest started peacefully, but it quickly got out of hand.”
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Example: “Her analysis of the economic situation really hit the nail on the head.”
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
Example: “I was trying to keep the party a surprise, but my brother accidentally let the cat out of the bag.”
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Example: “I only see my old college friends once in a blue moon these days.”
Pull yourself together
Meaning: To calm down and regain control of your emotions.
Example: “After the disappointing results, he needed a moment to pull himself together before facing the team.”
Speak of the devil
Meaning: Used when the person you were just talking about unexpectedly appears.
Example: “Did you see John today? Oh, speak of the devil, here he comes!”
Take with a grain of salt
Meaning: To understand that something is unlikely to be completely true or accurate.
Example: “You should take his promises with a grain of salt; he often exaggerates.”
Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.
Example: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I won’t be able to come to work.”
Wrap your head around something
Meaning: To understand a complicated idea or concept.
Example: “It took me a while to wrap my head around the complex quantum physics theory.”
By familiarizing yourself with these and other common English phrases, you’ll not only enhance your language proficiency but also significantly improve your chances of excelling in your competitive examinations. Consistent practice and incorporating these phrases into your daily communication will solidify your understanding and recall. Good luck!
These Are The Most Popular English Phras...
