OMTEX CLASSES: Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Vocabulary Idioms

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English Vocabulary: Idioms

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

(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

(d) do what is expected or promised

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

(b) casually seeing

(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

(d) getting things well organized

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

(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

(b) exploits others without any expertise

(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

(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

(d) to have a strong desire

Question 9

They finally saw eye to eye on buying a Microwave oven.

(a) became angry

(b) agreeing with someone

(d) felt pity

Question 10

When pigs fly she will go for skydiving.

(a) something that will never happen

(b) something that will happen once

(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

(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

(b) to be conscious about one’s health

(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

(d) to think and react quickly

Question 14

Kavya sailed through the IELTS and obtained her visa to go to Canada.

(a) to succeed very easily

(b) to accomplish with lots of efforts

(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

(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

(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

(d) feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings

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

(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

(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

(b) will cause injury

(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

(d) immediate success

Question 22

We won a wooden spoon at the exhibition.

(a) a spoon made of teak wood

(b) spoon carved on a trunk

(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

(b) go around the world with minimum cost

(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

(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

(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.