List-22
1.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 of the old block.
2. Chock full
Meaning: –full to overflowing
Use:-The drains of the city are chock full.
3. Hobson’s choice
Meaning: –no alternative; take what you are offered or none at all
Use:- Girls these days are not given Hobson’s choke at the time of their marriage.
4. To pick and choose
Meaning: –to make a careful selection
Use:-It is not easy to pick and choose a wife.
5. A Cicerone
Meaning: –a guide who takes strangers and tourists over a country and explains to them all the curiosities and features of the place
Use: –A Cicerone enlighted us about the importance of the ancient monument.
6. Cimmerian darkness
Meaning: –profound darkness
Use:-There was Cimmerian darkness in the room.
7. To square the circle
Meaning: –to attempt something impossible
Use:-By trying to reform Harbhajan, you are trying to square the circle.
8. Close-fisted
Meaning: –mean, miserly
Use:-Don’t expect any charity from him as he is a close-fisted man.
9. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: –Adverse conditions do not last forever; brighter days are usually in store
Use:-Don’t lose heart in your adversity as every cloud has a silver lining.
10. To have one’s head in the clouds
Meaning: –to live in dreamland; to have fanciful ideas
Use:-He is not a practical man; he has his head in the clouds.
11. To live in clover; to be in clover
Meaning: –to be living in great luxury
Use:-all the film stars live in clover he is the son of a millionaire and lives in clover.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. To heap coals of fire
Meaning: –to return good for evil
Use: –A saint has no ill will; he heaps coals of fire.
15. The coast is clear
Meaning: –the danger is past; there is no sign of interference
Use:-Don’t be afraid. Everybody is asleep and the coast is clear.
16. Cut your coat according to your cloth
Meaning: –Live within your income; make what you possess serve your needs
Use:-If you don’t cut your coat according to your cloth, you will repent.
17. A cock and bull story
Meaning: –a foolishly incredible story
Use:-Nobody will believe your cock and bull story of having seen a ghost.
18. To be cock-sure
Meaning: –to be absolutely certain; extremely self-reliant
Use:-He is cock-sure of getting first division.
19. To throw cold water upon anything
Meaning: –to discourage effort
Use:-His treachery threw cold water upon my plans.
20. To give the cold shoulder
Meaning: –to rebuff to treat with indifference
Use:-He went to meet his friend with great hope but was given a cold shoulder by him.
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