List-10
1. To make both ends meet
Meaning:-to keep expenses within one’s income
Use:-these days it is difficult for a poor man to make both ends meet.
2. An eye for an eye
Meaning:-tit for tat: to return evil for evil; retaliate
Use:- He believes in the principle of an eye for an eye.
3. The fairer sex
Meaning:-Women
Use:-many battles have been fought for the sake of the fairer sex.
4. To fall through
Meaning:-to fail
Use:-The plan fell through for want of funds.
5. To fall upon
Meaning:-to attack
Use:-the lion fell upon the lamb.
6. A feather in one’s cap
Meaning:-an honour; a distinction
Use:-He added another feather in his cap by getting the first division.
7. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning:-People of similar tastes and dispositions crave each other’s company
Use:-Most of his friends are of his age, for birds of a feather flock together.
8. To feather one’s nest
Meaning:-to provide for the future
Use:-He has feathered his nest by saving a lot of money.
9. To play second fiddle
Meaning:-to take a subordinate position
Use:-lie plays second fiddle to his wife.
10. A fish out of water
Meaning:-anyone in an awkward embarrassing situation
Use:-Â In the strange company, he felt like a fish out of water.
11. By fits and starts
Meaning:-spasmodically; nor continuous; intermittently
Use:-He is not regular; he works by fits and starts.
12. To flog a dead horse
Meaning:-To try to revive interest in something already stale and beyond hope of resuscitation
Use:-Your plan will not work; don’t flog a dead horse.
13. To foot the bill
Meaning:-to pay the bill
Use:-When we eat in a restaurant, we jointly foot the bill.
14. To put one’s foot down
Meaning:-to put a stop to
 Use:-Rahim Khan wanted to many Radha but his father put his foot down.
15. To play to the gallery
Meaning:-to Endeavour to gain cheap popularity
Use:-By talking of danger from China, we should not play to the gallery.
16. The game is up
Meaning:-All is lost; everything has failed
Use:-He tried to escape but soon the game was up.
17. To play the game
Meaning:-to act fairly and honourably
Use:-He plays the game in every situation.
18. Out of date
Meaning:-obsolete
Use:-This kind of coat is now out of date. A fountain pen is now almost out of date.
19. To take up the gauntlet
Meaning:-to accept the challenge
Use:- Mohan challenged him to a wrestling match and he took up the gauntlet
20. To run the gauntlet
Meaning:-to receive blows from all sides; to be criticized on all quarters
Use:- He has run the gauntlet because of his habit of gambling.
Download the above Idiom List in PDF (Printable)
