idioms and phrases - G 7

List - 7

121. To rise to the occasion ( to prove worthy of expectations )

  ** After Indira's assassination, Rajiv Gandhi had risen to the occasion.

122. To run the gauntlet ( to expose oneself to criticism )

  ** If you do this work, you will have to run gauntlet.

123. To rub shoulders ( to mix up freely ) Raju can rub shoulders with any stranger.

124. To stem the tide of ( to check )

  ** Our government should try its best to stem the tide of terrorism.

125. To spread like a wild fire ( to spread rapidly )

  ** The bitterness between one community and another is spreading like a wild fire.

126. To stir a finger ( to make a least effort )

  ** He wants to pass I. A. S. examination only by stirring his finger.

127. To show a clean pair of heels ( to run away out of fear )

  ** The cowards show a clean pair of heels in the battle field.

128. To see eye to eye ( to agree )

  ** In the expenditure of the Boys' Fund amount, the Principal did not see eye to eye with the President.

129. To strike while the iron is hot ( to act at a favourable opportunity )

  ** Last night theft has occurred at his place. He should immediately lodge a report with the police, to strike while the iron is hot.

130. To set at naught ( to challenge, to disregard )

  ** If dharma is set at naught, nothing will exist in limits.

131. To turn over a new life ( to change for the better )

  ** The Principal has turned over a new leaf in the history of the college.

132. To throw cold water ( to discourage )

  ** He wanted to go to America, but his father threw cold water on his aspirations.

134. To turn a deaf ear ( to disregard )

  ** His father advised him to give up smoking, but he turned a deaf ear.

135. To turn the tables ( to reverse position )

  ** The invention of big sputniks had turned the tables in favour of Russia.

136. To take to one's heels  ( to flee )

  ** As soon as the thief saw the police, he took to his heels.

137. To take French leave ( to go away without permission )

  ** The clerk who was on French leave yesterday, has been punished.

138. To throw light upon ( to explain )

  ** In Ramcharit Manas, Tulsidas has thrown light upon the life of Ram.

139. To talk tall ( to boast )

  ** Kuldeep always talks tall.

140. To take aback (to astonish )

  ** I was taken aback to see the magician climbing up the rope hung in the air.

141. To take the bull by the horns( to make a bold attack on a dangerous thing )

  ** He faced the dacoits boldly and thus he took the bull by the horns.

142. To take anything to heart ( to take a thing seriously )

  ** Vimal is an intelligent boy. He took my advice to heart.

143. To wash dirty linen in public ( to reveal private affairs in public )

  ** You have been insulted by him but do not wash this dirty linen in public.

144. To win laurals ( to be victorious )

  ** A debate took place in the college. Naresh won laurels in it.

145. To wear one's heart upon one's sleeves ( to show one's innermost feelings to everybody )

  ** He is in the habit of wearing his heart upon his sleeves. It is a weakness in his personality.

146. To worship the rising sun ( to honour the man who is coming into power )

  ** The newly appointed Principal has taken over the charge. The staff have started worshipping the rising sun.

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