Idioms, Phrases & their Meanings

When preparing for the Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) exams, one of the areas that often challenges candidates is the understanding and usage of idioms and phrases. 

Having a solid grasp of these figurative expressions not only enrich the language but also can give you an edge in the General English section in your exam preparation.

In this post, we’ll delve into some commonly used idioms and phrases that frequently appear in the Kerala PSC exams, helping you build a strong foundation for success.


What Are Idioms and Phrases?


Before diving into the list of idioms, let’s first understand what idioms and phrases are.

Idioms are expressions whose meanings are not derived from the literal meanings of the individual words. 

For example, "a piece of cake" means something that is very easy, not an actual piece of cake.

Phrases are groups of words that convey a particular meaning but might not be complete sentences. They are often figurative, making them a bit tricky for those unfamiliar with them.


 List of Idioms and Phrases for Kerala PSC


Below is the list of some of the idioms and phrases that frequently asked in Kerala PSC exams, along with their meanings.


A

  • A big bug = a person of importance.
  • A bitter pill to swallow = something that is very unpleasant but which must be accepted.
  • A dog's life = a miserable life.
  • A fish out of water = to be in a uncomfortable position.
  • A hard nut / tough nut to crack = a difficult problem; an individual / opponent who is difficult to deal with.
  • A piece of cake = very easy task.
  • A slap on the wrist = a mild punishment.
  • All ears = listening attentively.
  • All in one piece = undamaged, unbroken, or in good condition.
  • An axe to grind = have a selfish motive.
  • At sixes and sevens = confused or difficult.
  • Around the corner / Round the corner = very near; about to happen.


B

  • Bell the cat = to take a  risk.
  • Bite the tongue = avoid talking.
  • Bone of contention = subject of dispute or quarrel;  the subject matter, cause or focal point of a disagreement or argument.
  • Blood ran cold / makes your blood freeze = horrified; something that made you feel very much frightened.
  • Bread and butter = main  source of income; one's livelihood.
  • Break a leg = to wish good luck.
  • Break the ice = to say something to relieve tension in a constrained situation.
  • Burn the midnight oil = work very hard;  to work/study late into the night.


C

  • Caught between a rock and a hard place = to be in a difficult situation where both options are equally undesirable.
  • Cry over spilled milk = to feel sorry or sad about something that has already happened.
  • Culture vulture = someone who is very keen to experience art and literature.
  • Cut a dash = be stylish and impressive.


D
  • Dot the I's and cross the T's = giving finishing touches.


E
  • Ended in a fiasco = complete failure.


F

  • Fish out of water = uncomfortable or awkward in an unfamiliar situation.


G

  • Get the axe = to be fired, discharged, expelled, or rejected; lose the job.
  • Gift of the gab = power of eloquence; the ability to speak easily and confidently; ability to persuade people verbally.
  • Go on a wild goose chase = to do something pointless.


H
  • Head over heels = excited.
  • Hit the nail on the head = said exactly the right thing;  guess aright; land on the right answer.
  • Hit the sack = go to sleep.
  • Hold one's own = maintain one's position or opinion obstinately against all odds.
  • Hot under the collar = angry.

I

  • Ibid = in the same place.
  • Iliad of woes = used when one is confronted with a succession of tragedies
  • In a nutshell =  in short.

J

  • Jack of all trades but master of none = someone who knows something of everything but is not an expert in any field.


K

  • Keep someone at arm's length = avoid being too close or friendly with someone.
  • Keep the wolf from the door = earn enough money to save oneself from starvation.
  • Kick the bucket = to die.


L
  • Leave someone in the lurch = abandon someone in circumstances of danger and difficulty.
  • Let the cat out of the Bag = accidentally reveal a secret.
  • Loaves and fishes = material benefits.
  • Lose heart = lose hope.


M
  • Make a bee line = proceed in a straight line.
  • Make both ends meet = manage to live within one's income.
  • Make eyes at = look lovingly at.
  • Move heaven and earth = make every possible effort.

O
  • On the trot = consecutively.
  • Once in a blue moon = something that happens very rarely; Seldom.

P
  • Palmy days = days of prosperity and happiness.
  • Parish Pump = of local importance.
  • Pay off old scores = settle accounts; to get revenge on someone for a grievance.
  • Pay through the nose = pay heavily or at an exorbitant price.
  • Play with fire = do something dangerous or risky.
  • Put one's foot down = to use one's authority to stop something from happening.
  • Put one's foot in it = say something foolish or make an awkward mistake.

Q
  • Queen's weather = pleasant weather for a special outdoor event. 
  • Quaking in its boots = to tremble with fear or nervousness.


R

  • Rack and ruin = utter destruction.
  • Raining cats and dogs = raining heavily.
  • Rat race = fierce competition for power.
  • Read between the lines = a deeper or hidden meaning in a text or a statement, beyond what is explicitly stated.
  • Red-letter day = a day of special significance or opportunity. 
  • Rhyming slang and rhyming monsters = people those who keep rhyming in conversation, in season and out of season
  • Rise from the ranks = gradually advance to positions of more importance in an organization from lower ranks.

S
  • Salt of the earth = the best, most valuable members of society; those reaching perfection in all ways.
  • Set the Thames on fire = achieve something unusually good.
  • Sit on the fence = avoid making a decision / unable to reach a decision.
  • Spill the beans = to reveal a secret.


T

  • Take a rain check = to refuse an offer politely.
  • Tie yourself up in knots = to become very confused when you are trying to explain something.
  • Turned the corner = to pass through a difficult period and beginning to recover.
  • To be led by the nose = to be submissive; To be completely controlled or influenced by someone else. 
  • To bite off more than one can chew = to take on difficult responsibilities that is beyond one's capability.
  • To cut corners = to do something badly or cheaply to save money or time.
  • To end in smoke = to ruin oneself.
  • To fly off the handle = to lose one’s temper suddenly.
  • To drive home = to emphasize.
  • To have a bee in your bonnet = to be obsessed with something. 
  • To have an axe to grind = to have a selfish interest to serve.
  • To keep one's head above water = keep out of debt.
  • To make stock of = to be scrupulous about.
  • To make both ends meet = just have enough money to meet one's day-to-day needs. 
  • To make wind out of sails = dishearten.
  • To shoulder larger roles = to accept responsibility for more difficult or bad situations.
  • To show white feathers = to show cowardice.
  • To take the reins = to assume command; to take control of something.
                      

U
  • Under the weather = to feel sick.


V
  • Verbal diarrhoea = talking too much or continuously without thinking.


Y

  • Your guess is as good as mine = I do not know; To have no idea of the answer.


W
  • Weathering the storm = to successfully get through a difficult situation with minimal damage.


Mastering idioms and phrases is not just about memorizing definitions; it's about understanding their contextual meaning and learning to use them naturally.

For Kerala PSC aspirants, familiarizing yourself with these idioms and practicing their usage, you’ll not only perform better in the exam but also communicate more effectively in everyday life.


Thanks for reading!!!