Idiom and Phrases – Concepts for Verbal Aptitude

Idiom Phrases are a frequent feature in verbal ability tests, but not so much in placement exams. These expressions or sayings have meanings that differ from the literal meanings of their individual words, which can make them challenging to understand at first. Mastering idioms can help students better understand English-language nuances, improve reading comprehension, and convey ideas more effectively in writing and speech.

Why Learning Idioms Is Important

  1. Enhances Language Fluency: Knowing idioms allows you to understand and use language in a way that sounds natural to native speakers.
  2. Improves Comprehension Skills: Many texts use idiomatic language, especially in dialogue or informal writing. Understanding idioms helps with interpreting these contexts accurately.
  3. Useful for Aptitude Tests: In exams, idioms are often included in sentence completion, error detection, or reading comprehension sections.

Types of Idioms and How to Understand Them

Idioms can be grouped into categories based on the context in which they’re commonly used:

  1. Everyday Idioms: Used in day-to-day conversations.
    • Example: “Break the ice” means to initiate a conversation in a social setting.
  2. Workplace/Professional Idioms: Common in business or professional environments.
    • Example: “Hit the ground running” means to start a project with immediate energy and enthusiasm.
  3. Idioms Expressing Emotions: Used to describe feelings or moods.
    • Example: “Over the moon” means extremely happy.
  4. Idioms with Animals, Colors, or Nature Elements: Often metaphorical and descriptive.
    • Example: “White elephant” refers to something expensive but useless.

Strategies for Learning Idioms

  1. Memorize with Context: Understand the context in which an idiom is typically used. Visualizing a scenario where the idiom would fit can help reinforce its meaning.
  2. Group Similar Idioms: Learn idioms with similar themes together (e.g., idioms related to success, failure, or emotions).
  3. Practice with Example Sentences: Using idioms in sentences helps cement their meanings and gives you a feel for when they’re appropriate to use.
  4. Use Flashcards or Quizzes: Create flashcards with the idiom on one side and its meaning and an example sentence on the other. This can make learning faster and more engaging.

Common Idioms with Meanings and Examples

Here are some frequently tested idioms with explanations and example sentences:

  1. Break the ice
    • Meaning: To initiate a conversation in a social setting, especially when people feel shy or uncomfortable.
    • Example: “At the party, John told a funny story to break the ice.”
  2. Bite the bullet
    • Meaning: To face a painful or unpleasant situation with courage.
    • Example: “She had to bite the bullet and admit she made a mistake.”
  3. Burn the midnight oil
    • Meaning: To work late into the night, often studying or completing a project.
    • Example: “During exam season, many students burn the midnight oil.”
  4. Cry over spilled milk
    • Meaning: To waste time feeling upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
    • Example: “It’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s focus on fixing the problem.”
  5. Hit the nail on the head
    • Meaning: To be exactly right or accurate about something.
    • Example: “Her analysis really hit the nail on the head regarding the company’s issues.”
  6. In the same boat
    • Meaning: To be in the same difficult situation as someone else.
    • Example: “We’re all in the same boat when it comes to the new policies at work.”
  7. Under the weather
    • Meaning: Feeling slightly unwell or sick.
    • Example: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I might stay home today.”
  8. Once in a blue moon
    • Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
    • Example: “She visits her hometown once in a blue moon since she lives so far away.”
  9. A blessing in disguise
    • Meaning: Something that initially seems bad but turns out to be good in the end.
    • Example: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; it led her to a better career opportunity.”
  10. Cut to the chase
    • Meaning: To get to the main point without wasting time.
    • Example: “Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the important matters.”

Practice Questions with Answers

Example 1

  • Choose the most appropriate meaning for the idiom in bold:
    • “After years of procrastination, she decided to bite the bullet and start her own business.”
      • (a) Avoid the challenge
      • (b) Face the difficult decision
      • (c) Cancel the plan
      • (d) Postpone it further
    • Answer: (b) Face the difficult decision

Explanation: “Bite the bullet” means to face a difficult situation with determination.

Example 2

  • Fill in the blank with the appropriate idiom:
    • Our team worked so hard that they were __________ by the end of the week.
      • Options: (a) Over the moon, (b) Under the weather, (c) In the same boat, (d) On cloud nine
    • Answer: (b) Under the weather

Explanation: “Under the weather” is used to describe feeling unwell, which fits the context of hard work leading to fatigue.

Example 3

  • What does the idiom “once in a blue moon” mean?
    • Options: (a) Frequently, (b) Occasionally, (c) Rarely, (d) Constantly
    • Answer: (c) Rarely

Explanation: “Once in a blue moon” refers to something that happens very rarely.

Tips for Mastering Idioms

  1. Use Idioms in Daily Conversations: The more you use idioms, the more natural they’ll feel, and you’ll remember their meanings better.
  2. Watch Movies and Read Books: Idiomatic language is often used in informal dialogues and narration, making movies, novels, or even shows a good source for exposure to idioms.
  3. Practice with Sample Tests: Practice questions with idioms help you get used to how they are used in test formats, especially in sentence completion or comprehension contexts.
  4. Create Personal Associations: Relate each idiom to a personal experience or scenario in your mind. If “crying over spilled milk” reminds you of a specific memory, you’ll likely remember the idiom more effectively.

Refer Idiom Phrases questions here: https://www.learntheta.com/aptitude-questions-idiom-phrases/

Dive into next topic: https://www.learntheta.com/aptitude-critical-reasoning/

LearnTheta is an AI-powered practice platform designed to help students to crack Placement Aptitude Tests. Read it in mode detail here: https://www.learntheta.com/placement-aptitude/

Practice
Scroll to Top