Idioms and Phrases



Idiom may be defined as expression peculiar to a language. It plays an important part in all languages.

Many verbs, when followed by various prepositions, or by adverbs, acquire an idiomatic sense.

Example-1:

He backed up his friends’ claim.

In this sentence, the verb ‘back’ has been paired with the preposition ‘up’ and is giving the meaning ‘supporting’. Whereas the verb ‘back’ means another meaning.

He supported his friends’ claim.

This kind of expression is called
Idiomatic expression.

Examples:

In few of the following these sentences the idioms are colored
blue and their meanings are given in the bracket.

• The present disturbances will soon
blow over . (Pass off)
• The police produced the evidences to
bear out the charge of murder. (Substantiate)
• You must not
build your hopes upon his promises. (Rely upon)
• The matter has been
cleared up . (Explained)
• I readily
closed with his offer. (Accepted)
• He is ready to
dispose off his car. (Sell)
• Rust has
eaten away the plate. (Corroded)
• They
fixed upon him to do the work. (Chose)
• My good behavior so far
gained on my father. (Won the favor of)
• Please
hear me out . (Hear me to the end)

NOTE:

As in the previous sentence, few other words may be used between the two parts of the idioms.

Now, let us see how few verbs get their idiomatic formations when they are paired with the prepositions.

Key-Word based idioms have been listed below. Take the particular link to the page of corresponding list of idioms.

Bear| Break| Bring| Call| Carry| Cast| Come| Cry| Cut| Do| Fall| Get
Give| Go| Hold| Keep| Knock| Lay| Let| Look| Make| Pass| Pick| Pull
Put| Run| See| Set| Speak| Stand| Strike| Take| Talk
Tell| Throw| Turn| Work




The idioms have been listed
alphabetically below. Take the particular link to the page of corresponding list of idioms.


A| B| C| D| E| F| G| H| I| J| K| L| M

N| O| P| Q| R| S| T| U| V| W| X| Y| Z


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