Page 238 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

English - II

Notes 134. Through thick and thin (under all circumstances): If you develop friendship with an individual,
you must stand by him through thick and thin.
135. Spick and span (neat and clean): Do you expect a bachelor’s flat to be spick and span?.
136. A square deal (justice): The youth of the country must be given a square deal by the government.
137. To save one’s skin (to protect oneself): Most of the invigilators do not check the students from
using unfair means as they are only concerned about saving their skin.
138. Small fry (ordinary): Nobody in life cares for small fries.
139. Scapegoat (one who is made to bear the blame): When something goes wrong, everybody wants
to make someone else the scapegoat.
140. A stepping stone (source of advancement): Your success in this examination should only be a
stepping stone for your future plans.
141. A thankless task (a job with no satisfaction or reward): Many lecturers consider teaching to be
a thankless task.
142. Snake in the grass (a hidden enemy): One must be cautious in life, as there are many snakes in
the grass in this world.
143. Lion’s share (major part): The Punjab wants a lion’s share in the Beas river water.
144. Lame excuse (false excuse): The teachers are used to hearing lame excuses of the students.
145. To keep abreast of (to keep in touch): One must keep oneself abreast of the latest developments in
the world.
146. Losing ground (becoming less powerful or acceptable): All the superstitious beliefs are losing
ground with technological advancements.
147. Jack of all trades (one who knows a little about many things): In our world of specialisation, a
jack of all trades cannot be successful.
148. An iron will (strong determination): Our Prime Minister has shown that he has an iron will.
149. A herculean task (a work which needs tremendous efforts): Checking population growth is
really a herculean task.
150. To hold one’s tongue (to be quiet): Many critics of the Prime Minister are holding their tongues
out of fear.

16.2 Idioms and Phrases (Objectives Multiple Choice Type)

Below are given idioms followed by four alternative meanings, marked (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv). Tick
( 9 ) the one which you think is the most appropriate.
1. Fling away
(i) to have an affair (ii) to flase up
(iii) to throw aside violently (iv) to swing
2. To plongh the sands
(i) to be extremely accompanied (ii) to be resourceful
(iii) to be dejected (iv) to busy oneself in an unprofitable position.
3. Long in the tooth
(i) distant journey (ii) rather old (iii) ailment (iv) young
4. Knit one’s brows
(i) to disappoint somebody (ii) to from
(iii) to have a headache (iv) to extress discontentment

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