List-23
1.Off colour
Meaning: –not in the usual form
Use:-He is off colour and does not appear cheerful.
2. To show one’s colours
Meaning: –to reveal one’s true intentions by no longer pretending
Use –In the time of my need he showed his colours.
3. To come off flying colours
Meaning: –to succeed brilliantly
Use:-He came off with flying colours in the final examination.
4. To commit to memory
Meaning: –to learn by heart
Use:-He has committed the whole book to memory.
5. Too many cooks spoil the broth
Meaning: –When there are more workers than necessary they are likely to get in each other’s way and the result is apt to be a failure
Use:-He was attended by four doctors, yet he died; too many cooks spoiled the broth.
6. To send to Coventry
Meaning: –to boycott; to refuse to be on familiar terms or to have any dealings with someone
Use:-He tried to be friendly with his class-fellows but they sent him to Coventry.
7. An admirable Crichton
Meaning: –a very talented person
Use:- An admirable Crichton is successful in life.
8. Crocodile tears
Meaning: –hypocritical tears
Use:-He shed crocodile’s tears at his uncle’s death.
9. By hook or crook
Meaning: –by fair means or foul
Use:-He wants to succeed in life by hook or crook.
10. As the crow flies.
Meaning: –in a direct line, the shortest distance between two points
Use:-For reaching the post office, turn left and then go as the crow flies.
11. To take up the cudgels
Meaning: –to champion or fight for someone
Use:-He has taken up the cudgels against his corrupt officer.
12. In curry favour
Meaning: –to seek favour by flattery
Use:-He does not work but tries to curry favour of his officer.
13. Cut and dry
Meaning: –ready-made
Use:-He is in search of a cut and dry formula for success.
14. To cut a dash
Meaning: –to make an impression
Use:-He cut a dash by his excellent performance.
15. A cut-throat
Meaning: –a murderer
Use:-The police has caught the cut-throat who committed two murders.
16. To be at daggers drawn
Meaning: –to be deadly enemies
Use:-Santa Singh and Banta Singh are at daggers drawn over a piece of land.
17. To have the sword of Damocles hanging over one’s head
Meaning: –to be in imminent danger of losing one’s life; to live in constant fear of some impending danger
Use:-As his post is temporary, he has the sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
18. A Daniel—
Meaning: –an imperial judge) (Shakespeare, “Merchant of Venice”; Daniel I-VI)
Use:-The officer is so honest that people call him a Daniel.
19. A dare-devil
Meaning: –a fearless, reckless man
Use:-He fought like a dare-devil in the battle.
20. Up to date
Meaning: –recent, modern
Use:-This is an up to date directory.
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