Samacheer Kalvi 12th English: Idioms
A comprehensive guide to understanding and using idioms from the Tamilnadu State Board New Syllabus. Master these expressions to enhance your language skills and score better in your examinations.
Choose the Suitable Meaning
Question 1
It was really difficult for the police to find all the evidence even after applying the whole bag of tricks.
(a) all evidence
(b) Every possible technique ✓ Correct Answer
(c) all circumstances
(d) all struggles
Question 2
I have given my bike to a new mechanic for service, hope he delivers the goods.
(a) give the bike
(b) to create a bike
(c) produce bike
(d) do what is expected or promised ✓ Correct Answer
Question 3
My class teacher examined my paper with a fine-tooth comb before handing it to the external examiner.
(a) examining in great detail ✓ Correct Answer
(b) casually seeing
(c) carelessly reviewing
(d) examining with indifference
Question 4
I must get all the ducks in a row before my final exams.
(a) getting disoriented
(b) getting freebies
(c) caring for ducks
(d) getting things well organized ✓ Correct Answer
Question 5
When the management wanted to cut down on the man power, they offered a golden hand shake to many of their aged employees.
(a) extension of job
(b) renewal of contract
(c) large amount of money given to a person when they leave ✓ Correct Answer
(d) give part-time work
Question 6
My son has recently learnt painting. He eats, sleeps and breathes it now.
(a) being enthusiastic and passionate about something that you think about it all the time ✓ Correct Answer
(b) exploits others without any expertise
(c) does things only for money
(d) does things without conviction
Question 7
The day of the most awaited trip was nearing. I will be there – with bells on.
(a) being studies
(b) being enthusiastic ✓ Correct Answer
(c) being shrewd
(d) being cunning
Question 8
He has not become a renowned neurologist just by chance. He has his heart set on it after he saw his grandfather suffer from Parkinson’s disease.
(a) to have a weak wish
(b) to be unsure of oneself
(c) to be indifferent
(d) to have a strong desire ✓ Correct Answer
Question 9
They finally saw eye to eye on buying a Microwave oven.
(a) became angry
(b) agreeing with someone ✓ Correct Answer
(c) wanted revenge
(d) felt pity
Question 10
When pigs fly she will go for skydiving.
(a) something that will never happen ✓ Correct Answer
(b) something that will happen once
(c) something that will happen very soon
(d) something that will happen
Question 11
I don’t like to cut corners with my recipes when I have guests for dinner.
(a) to finish something effectively
(b) to finish something quickly
(c) to do something in the quickest or cheapest way ✓ Correct Answer
(d) to do something with a lot of efforts
Question 12
A farmer must keep his fingers on the pulse of the market to be successful.
(a) to be well-informed about current events ✓ Correct Answer
(b) to be conscious about one’s health
(c) to be cautious
(d) to take care of the elder’s health
Question 13
A good candidate will be able to think on his feet to get selected in an interview.
(a) to reach a destination quickly
(b) to walk faster
(c) to know the correct directions
(d) to think and react quickly ✓ Correct Answer
Question 14
Kavya sailed through the IELTS and obtained her visa to go to Canada.
(a) to succeed very easily ✓ Correct Answer
(b) to accomplish with lots of efforts
(c) to take the long route
(d) to like sailing
Question 15
The new CEO has made a headway in improving the company’s profits.
(a) to have headaches
(b) to be injured in the head
(c) to make progress ✓ Correct Answer
(d) to run in a race
Question 16
Jagan had worked sincerely for 10 years for his company. He was cut to the quick when his boss held him responsible for the loss in business.
(a) reduce the salary
(b) deeply wound or distress ✓ Correct Answer
(c) accidentally injure someone
(d) disregard the efforts taken
Question 17
Being absent for a week due to illness, I felt like a fish out of water in the Science class.
(a) to kill a fish
(b) desire to play in water
(c) desire to go swimming
(d) feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings ✓ Correct Answer
Question 18
He heard the news about his father’s accident but kept a stiff upper lip.
(a) being angry
(b) to remain resolute and unemotional in adverse situations ✓ Correct Answer
(c) to not respond
(d) to bite the lips
Question 19
The wickets of the opponent team fell down very fast, victory seemed to be in the bag at the end of 10 overs.
(a) carry a big bag
(b) hiding something
(c) as good as secured ✓ Correct Answer
(d) keep something securely
Question 20
The decision of the judges in the final round of selection of participants will make or break him.
(a) to bring success or ruin ✓ Correct Answer
(b) will cause injury
(c) will mitigate pain
(d) will help
Question 21
The new movie hit the box office with a flying start and collected the highest revenue on day one.
(a) immediate failure
(b) introduction scene with a flight
(c) more number of flight scenes
(d) immediate success ✓ Correct Answer
Question 22
We won a wooden spoon at the exhibition.
(a) a spoon made of teak wood
(b) spoon carved on a trunk
(c) imaginary prize for the last person in a competition ✓ Correct Answer
(d) a movement made in the shape of a spoon
Question 23
Being successful in the textile industry, they are now having the world by its tail.
(a) very successful person who can choose from a lot of opportunities ✓ Correct Answer
(b) go around the world with minimum cost
(c) having enough money to go around the world
(d) have become world-famous
Question 24
He has to pay back to so many creditors because he lived beyond the means.
(a) very miserly
(b) spend more money than one can afford ✓ Correct Answer
(c) lived in relatives house
(d) lived an eccentric life
Question 25
Her stressful behaviour in tough situations is because she has lived in an ivory tower.
(a) lived a luxurious life
(b) lived in a palace
(c) aloof from the realities and practicalities of life ✓ Correct Answer
(d) lived in a joint family
Common Idioms and Their Meanings
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A hot potato | A controversial issue or situation that is awkward to deal with. |
| A penny for your thoughts | A way of asking what someone is thinking. |
| At the drop of a hat | Without any hesitation; instantly. |
| Back to the drawing board | When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over. |
| Ball is in your court | It is up to you to make the next decision or step. |
| Barking up the wrong tree | Looking in the wrong place; accusing the wrong person. |
| Beat around the bush | Avoiding the main topic; not speaking directly about the issue. |
| Best of both worlds | Enjoying all the advantages of two different situations. |
| Bite more than you can chew | To take on a task that is way too big. |
| Blessing in disguise | Something good that isn't recognized at first. |
| Burn the midnight oil | To work late into the night. |
| Wouldn't be caught dead | To dislike something very much. |
| Caught between two stools | When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives. |
| Costs an arm and a leg | Something is very expensive. |
| Cry over spilled milk | Complaining about a loss from the past that cannot be changed. |
| Curiosity killed the cat | Being too inquisitive can lead to unpleasant situations. |
| Cut corners | To do something badly or cheaply to save money. |
| Devil's Advocate | To present a counter-argument, even if it's not one's own opinion. |
| Don’t put all eggs in one basket | Do not put all your resources into one single possibility. |
| The whole nine yards | Everything; all of it. |
| Elvis has left the building | The show has come to an end. It's all over. |
| Straight from the horse’s mouth | To hear something from the authoritative or original source. |
| A far cry from | Very different from something. |
| Feel a bit under the weather | To feel slightly ill. |
| Take with a grain of salt | Not to take what someone says too seriously. |
| Hear it on the grapevine | To hear rumors about someone or something. |
| Hit the nail on the head | To do or say something exactly right. |
| Hit the sack / sheets / hay | To go to bed. |
| In the heat of the moment | Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment. |
| Jump on the bandwagon | Join a popular trend or activity. |
| Keep something at bay | To keep something away or prevent it from coming closer. |
| Kill two birds with one stone | To accomplish two different things at the same time. |
| Last straw | The final problem in a series of problems that makes a situation unbearable. |
| Steal someone’s thunder | To take credit for something someone else did. |
| Let the cat out of the bag | To accidentally reveal a secret. |
| Make a long story short | To come to the point, leaving out details. |
| Miss the boat | To miss an opportunity. |
| Not a spark of decency | Someone who has no manners. |
| Not playing with a full deck | Someone who lacks intelligence. |
| On the ball | When someone understands the situation well. |
| Piece of cake | An activity that is very easy or simple. |
| Put wool over other’s eyes | To deceive someone into thinking well of them. |
| Add insult to injury | To act in a way that makes a bad situation worse. |
| Sit on the fence | To dislike choosing or making a decision. |
| Speak of the devil | The person you have just been talking about arrives. |
| Back to the wall | To be in a difficult or desperate situation with no escape. |
| Don’t judge a book by its cover | You cannot judge something based on its appearance. |
| Give the benefit of the doubt | To believe someone’s statement, without proof. |
| Below the belt | An unfair or unsporting remark or action. |
| Have cold feet | To be nervous or frightened about a big event. |
Glossary of Terms
Click on a term below to see its definition.
Preventing success or development; harmful or unfavorable. Example: "Adverse weather conditions."
Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant. Being remote from the realities of life.
A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., "rain cats and dogs," "see the light").
To make something bad less severe, serious, or painful. Example: "Drainage schemes have helped to mitigate this problem."
A specialist doctor who treats diseases of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles.
Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering. Example: "She was resolute in her decision to study abroad."
The subjects in a course of study or teaching, or a summary of topics in a course.
The body of words used in a particular language or known to a person.