List-8
1. To put the cart before the horse
Meaning:-to do first what ought to be done afterwards; to reverse the proper order of things
Use:-By taking the last step first, he tried to put the cart before the horse.
2. To fight like cats and dogs
Meaning:-to be always quarrelling and fighting
Use:-Guru and his wife always fight like cats and dogs.
3. To catch one’s eye
Meaning:-to attract attention
Use:-She caught everyone’s eye at the function.
4. To take the chair
Meaning:-to preside at a meeting
Use:-Mohan took the chair at the meeting of the working committee.
5. To ring the changes
Meaning:-to he continually making alterations and trying new methods
Use:-He never follows old methods and is always ringing the changes.
6. Catch at a straw
Meaning: –a help in dire need
Use:- A drowning man catches at a straw.
7. Chicken-hearted
Meaning:-weak, timid, cowardly
Use:- He appears to be very brave but in fact, he is a chicken-hearted fellow.
8. A chip of the old block
Meaning: –a son resembling his father in the face, disposition, habits etc
Use:-He resembles his father in appearance and actions; he is a chip off the old block
9. Close-fisted
Meaning:-mean, miserly
Use:-Don’t expect any charity from him as he is a close-fisted man.
10. To carry coals to Newcastle
Meaning:-to do anything superfluous or unnecessary
Use:-Newcastle, a great coal port in England. By teaching business tips to that great businessman, you are trying to carry coal to Newcastle.
11. To haul over the coals
Meaning:-to scold severely; to reprimand
Use:-If you make a noise, your teacher will haul you over the coals.
12. Cut your coat according to your cloth
Meaning:-Live within your means make what you possess serve your need)
Use:-If you don’t cut your coat according to your cloth, you will repent.
13. To be cock-sure
Meaning:-to be absolutely certain; extremely self-reliant
Use:-He is cock-sure of getting the First division.
14. Off colour
Meaning:-not in the usual form
Use:-He is off colour and does not appear cheerful.
15. To come off flying colours
Meaning:-to succeed brilliantly
Use:-He came off with flying colours in the final examination.
16. An admirable Crichton
Meaning: –a very talented person
Use:- An admirable Crichton is successful in life.
17. Crocodile tears
Meaning:-hypocritical tears
Use:- He shed crocodile’s tears at his uncle’s death.
18. By hook or crook
Meaning:-by fair means or foul
Use:- He wants to succeed in life by hook or crook
19. 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.
20. To take up the cudgels
Meaning:-to champion or fight for someone
Use:- He has taken up the cudgels against his corrupt officer.
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