Idioms 1

Idioms  1. Acid Test: Meaning - Acid test proves the effectiveness of something. Example - I practiced hard at the dance sessions but the acid test will come when the master will assess our solo performances. 2. Cut the ground from under feet : Meaning - When you cut the ground from under someone's feet, you do something which weakens their position. Example - When team India hit more than 350 runs in the ODI, they cut the ground from under the opponent's feet. 3. Chase your tail: Meaning - Spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little. Example - He's been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still not ready 4. Whole bag of tricks - Meaning - Means trying all the clever means to achieve something. Example - It was really difficult to find the information even after applying the whole bag of tricks. 5. Deliver the goods - Meaning - Do what is expected or promised. Example - I have given my car to a new mechanic for repair, hope he delivers the goods. 6. Fine-tooth comb - Meaning - Examining something carefully to not miss out any details. Example - The boss examined my report with a fine tooth comb before submitting it to the senior management. 7. Explore all avenues Meaning - Trying out every possibility to get a result. Example - It is a difficult thing to do but if we really want it done, we must explore all avenues. 8. Fast track something - Meaning - Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the desired result. Example - In view of the seriousness of the crime, the civil society is pressing up on a fast track decision from the court. 9 . Get ducks in a row - Meaning - Getting your things well organized. Example - To ensure a successful product launch, we must get our ducks in a row. 10. Get the show on the road - Meaning - Putting up a plan or idea into action. Example - Now that we have completed all the legal formalities, let's get the show on the road. 11. Keep your fingers on the pulse - Meaning - Being constantly aware of the most recent developments. Example - An entrepreneur must keep his fingers on the pulse of the market to be successful. 12. Mean business - Meaning - Being serious about what you announce. Example - Now that all our policies about work are put up on intranet, we mean business. 13. Think on your feet - Meaning - Adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions. Example - A good sales man must be able to think on his feet to close the deal. 14. Sail through something - Meaning - Being successful in doing something without difficulty. Example - The presentation at the national conference was extremely important for the company. We sailed through it. 15. Tricks of the trade : Meaning - Clever or expert way of doing something. Example - Being into the construction business for last 10 years, I know all tricks of the trade. 16. Not let grass grow under feet - Meaning - Don't delay in getting something done. Example - As soon as he finished all the registration formalities, he put the house on sale. He doesn't let the grass grow under his feet. 17. Work like a charm - Meaning - Works very well or has the desired effect. Example - I had cloves from my sore throat and they worked like a charm. 18. Back-room boys - Meaning - People who perform important work but have no contact with the public. Example - Our back room boys deserve an applause for the success of this advertisement. 19. Dead wood - Meaning - People or things which are no longer useful or necessary. Example - The company bought in a lot of new computers. They no longer want the dead woods. 20. Get the axe - Meaning - lose the job. Example - The projects team was undergoing a major restructuring, recruitment executives were the first to get the axe. 21. Plum job - Meaning - Desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy. Example - This looks like a plum job but it has its own bunch of complications. 22. Shape up or ship out - Meaning - This expression is used to warn someone that if they do not improve their ways, they will have to leave their job. Example - When Tom started neglecting the customers, he was told to shape up or ship out. 23. Golden handshake - Meaning - Big sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire. Example - The management of various PSUs wanted to cut down on the man power. They offered a golden hand shake to many of their aged employees. 24. Separate sheep from goats - Meaning - Examining a group of people and deciding their suitability Example - Audition test was conducted by the director to separate sheep from goats. 25. Waiting in the wings - Meaning - Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace someone else in their job. Example - The senior manager is going to retire in next 2 months. Two of his juniors who are waiting in the wings will have a fierce competition.