MAKE
SENTENCES USING COMMON PHRASES AND IDIOMS:
Frame
sentences to illustrate the meaning of the following phrases:
2011
Hard and fast: (strict)
Our factory has a hard and fast rule
against smoking.
In short: (In a few words)
In short, he wants it to run on you.
Null and void: (Invalid, without legal
effect)
The declaration was null and void as it was proclaimed in
completely illegal circumstances.
Apple of discords: (Something that causes unhappiness or
trouble)
His great and wealthy enterprise constantly
formed an apple of discord.
With a view to: (Having the intention, purpose, or desire of
doing something in the future)
They had to reflate with a view to
stimulate their domestic economy
On the spur of the moment: (on sudden
impulse)
We just jumped in a car on the spur of
the moment and drove to the seaside.
Bone of contention: (a cause of quarrel)
After my grandfather died his will was a
bone of contention in the family.
2012
Apple of one’s eye: (a thing or person which someone loves
above all others)
She was a very charming little girl and a very
bright student, and was the apple of her teachers' eyes.
Hold Good: (valid or applicable)
The law must hold good for every person in society, not just
those who earn the most money.
Black
Sheep:(a member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to it)
Rachel is the black sheep in the family because she is an
artist whereas everyone else is an economist.
In lieu of: (instead of)
They took cash in lieu of the prize they
had won.
To the backbone: (in every manner or respect)
Though he grew up in America, Henry is still British to the
backbone.
Blue Blood: (Nobility of rank)
The new student is very arrogant because
his blood is blue.
Bag and baggage: (with all one’s belongings)
The day he quit his job, John walked out, bag and baggage.
2013
Touch and go: (possible but very certain)
It's touch and go whether he'll be ready for stage
rehearsals.
Once in a blue moon: (something that happens very seldom; on
rare occasion)
The earthquakes hits once in a blue moon in this part of the
earth, we never felt it.
Take to one’s heels: (to run away)
They took to their heels when they saw
the policeman approaching.
Throw light on: (to clarify or help people understand
something)
The above statement throws light on
certain issues.
Hard and fast: (binding and clearly defined)
There are no hard and fast rules, but rather traditional
guidelines as to who pays for what.
2014
In favour of: (supporting a person or an idea)
They voted in favour of the prohibition of smoking in public
areas.
On the contrary: (something that is contrary o opposite)
There are no signs of ageing; on the contrary.
Bring to book: (to reprimand or require someone to give an
explanation of his conduct)
It is time they were brought to book.
Get over (recover from or overcome)
He is still getting over the shock of being made
redundant.
In cold blood: (without feeling or mercy; ruthlessly)
He had killed them in cold blood
2015
By dint of: (by means of)
He succeeded by dint of hard work.
In black and white: (in writing)
My daughter is still very young to
understand the shades of grey, she talks in black and white.
2016
Lion’s
share: (a major share)
My sister grabbed the lion's share of the pizza.
2017
At a loss: (puzzled or uncertain what to think, say, or do)
The government is at a loss to know how to tackle the
violence.
At daggers drawn: (bitterly hostile towards each other)
She and her mother were at daggers
drawn.
Between the lines: (to understand
someone’s real feelings or intentions from what they say or write)
Anyone who knew her well might have been able to read between
the lines of her lighthearted message.
By virtue of: (because or as a result of)
He had won the game by virtue of his strength of will.
Man of letters: (a male scholar or author)
He was a known orator and a man of letters.
Storm in a teacup: (great outrage or excitement about a
matter that is not important)
He insisted the row was a 'storm in a teacup'.
Bury the hatchet: (end a quarrel or conflict and become
friendly)
If I were you, I'd bury the hatchet.
Sticks at nothing: (to be willing to do anything in order to
get or achieve something)
He will stick at nothing to make
money.
Face the music: (be confronted with the unpleasant consequences
of one’s actions)
Mary broke a dining-room window and had
to face the music when her father got home.
Tooth and nail: (to try very hard to get something one wants)
I am going to fight tooth and nail for that promotion.
2018:
By
fits and starts: (stops and then starts again)
Military technology advances by fits and starts.
Cats and dogs: (to rain very heavily)
It rains cats and dogs when the Monsoon
comes in India.
Salt
of the earth: (a very good and honest person)
Your grandmother is the salt of the
earth.
Bolt from the blue: (sudden calamity)
His sudden death came as a bolt from the
blue.
2019
Cold-hearted: (lacking affection or warmth; unfeeling.)
I had no idea you could be so cold-hearted.
Out of the blue: (without
warning; unexpectedly.)
She phoned me out of the blue.
Cross Over: (a point or place of crossing from one
side to the other.)
Madonna has made a crossover from rock music to the movies.
Good riddance: (said to express relief at being free of an
unwanted person or thing.)
He has gone back to London in a huff and good riddance.
Absentminded:
(lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions : )
He was gloomy and absent-minded.