Unit:4

Vocabulary Building:
Words often misspelt
Words that are often misspelt refer to words that are frequently spelt incorrectly by many
people due to their spelling patterns, unusual letter combinations, or similar-sounding words.
These words can cause confusion and mistakes in writing and may require additional effort to
learn and memorize the correct spelling. It is important to be aware of such words and make a
conscious effort to spell them correctly to avoid errors and miscommunications in written
communication

Misspelt word Correct word

Arithmatic Arithmetic
Entreprenuer Entrepreneur
Jelousy Jealousy
Formidible Formidable
Indomitible Indomitable
Courtecy Courtesy
Exageration Exaggeration
Surender Surrender
cornal colonel
leftinant lieutenant
twelth twelfth

Several words may be confusing because they appear similar in pronunciation but have
different meanings. The following sentences contain words that are frequently mistakenly
interchanged.
1. Accept: agree
Except: to exclude
Except for the manager, everyone in the hotel accepted the mistake.
2. Accede: agree
Exceed: surpass
If you do not accede to the government's request, you will exceed your limit.
3. Adapt: adjust
Adopt: take an idea, habit, etc.
To adapt yourself to a new culture, you need to adopt the ways of that culture.
4. Advice: opinion
Advise: to counsel
Whether you accept or reject my advice, I will advise you.
5. Affect: change, influence
 Effect: result
The devastating tsunami has affected the lives of thousands of people and its effect can be
seen in several countries of the world.
6. Allusion: reference
Illusion: false belief
He always makes an allusion to his leader’s ideas because he has the illusion that his leader is
the wisest person in the world.
7. All ready: all prepared
Already: by this time
You should be all ready to proceed because you are already late.
8. Ascent: the act of climbing up
Assent: consent
Your ascent to this challenging position shows that you have assented to the changes needed
to become a high-profile executive.
9. Formally: officially
Formerly: previously
If you want to join this organisation formally, you need the recommendation of an existing
member of this society or of a person who was formerly a member of this society.
10. Lose: misplace
Loose: not fastened
If your networking is loose, you will lose customers.
11. Addition: An increase
Edition: A version of a published book
12. Appraise: Estimate the value or quality of something
Apprise: Inform
13. Confidant: A person you trust and share your feelings and secrets with
Confident: Being certain of your abilities or having trust in people, plans, or
the future
14. Foreword: Introductory note
Forward: Front of something
15. Flounder: Move in a confused way
Founder: One who establishes something
16. Stationary: Not moving
Stationery: Writing materials
17. Disburse: Payout
Disperse: Scatter
18. Eminent: Distinguished
 Imminent: About to happen
19. Disinterested: Neutral/Unbiased/Impartial
Uninterested: Bored/Unwilling
20. Alter: Change
Altar: A raised platform
21. Berth: A bed on a train
Birth: The process of being born
22. Desert: Dry area of land covered with sand
Dessert: Sweet food eaten at the end of a meal
23. Principal: Main
Principle: Law
24. Stair: A flight of steps
Stare: Look fixedly
25. Farther: A greater distance
Further: Additional
Farther and further express distance but in an ‘additional’ sense only further is used.
Don’t go any farther / further.
He made no further remarks.
He gave no further reason.

Attaché or attaché case

Attaché: someone who works in an embassy and deals with a particular subject. As a cultural
attaché.
Attaché case: a rectangular case with hard sides, used especially for carrying business
documents.
Pass mark or Passing mark
Pass mark (=the mark you need to pass an exam) (Passing mark is incorrect in this sense
however in US English it may be used.)
Consider the difference as below;
How would students react to you setting a pass mark of say 80%?
He completed 192 of 303 throws for 3,023 yards and 28 touchdowns, the second-best passing
mark in the nation.
One Word Substitution
1. One who is against the religion - Heretic
2. One who eats human flesh - Cannibal
3. One who lives at the same time - Contemporary
4. One who is more than a hundred years old - Centenarian
5. One who lives on others - Parasite
6. One who is settled in another country - Immigrant
7. One who knows many languages – Polyglot
8. One who sells sweets and pastries – Confectioner
9. One who has become dependent on something or drugs – Addict
10. Something no longer in use – Obsolete
11. Words written on a tomb – Epitaph
12. A person who is unable to pay debts – Insolvent
13. A short poem or speech addressed to the spectators after the conclusion of the
drama/Concluding part of a literary work – Epilogue
14. Act of deceiving somebody to make money –Fraud
15. Succession of rulers belonging to one family – Dynasty
16. To seize control of a vehicle to force it to go to a new destination or demand
something –Hijack
17. Lasting only for a moment – Momentary
18. One who is indifferent to pleasure or pain –Stoic
19. Killing of a child – Infanticide
20. One who studies election trends using opinion polls – Psephologist
21. A doctor who treats children – Paediatrician
22. One who can think about the future with imagination and wisdom – Visionary
23. A building where an audience sits – Auditorium
24. The study of maps – Cartography
25. The study of the origin and history of words – Etymology
26. Belonging to all parts of the world – Cosmopolitan
27. One who hates mankind – Misanthrope
28. A person who believes in total abolition of war – Pacifist
29. One who collects coins – Numismatist
30. One who believes in no government and therefore incites disorder in a state –
Anarchist
31. One who secretly listens to talks of others – Eavesdropper
32. One who stays away from school or work without permission –Truant
33. A person without training or experience in a skill or subject –Novice
34. The study of religion and religious ideas and beliefs – Theology
35. Dry weather with no rainfall – Drought
36. Too much official formality – Red-tapism
37. A remedy for all diseases – Panacea
38. Something that is poisonous and unhealthy – Toxic
39. The worship of idols or images – Idolatry
40. A place where nuns live and work – Convent
41. One who destroys images or attacks popular beliefs – Iconoclast
42. Feeding on food made of both plant and flesh –Omnivorous
43. The habit of always admiring oneself – Narcissism
44. Property handled down after the death of a person – Inheritance
45. Building in which a dead body is kept for a time – Mortuary
46. The first public speech delivered by a person – Maiden speech
47. Study of insects – Entomology
48. The sound of the funeral bell –Knell
49. One who loves books – Bibliophile
50. A wall built to prevent the sea or a river from flooding an area –Dyke
51. One who walks in sleep – Somnambulist
 52. A government by officials – Bureaucracy
53. A person who never takes alcoholic drinks – Teetotaller
54. A tank where fish or water plants are kept – Aquarium
55. One who believes in giving equal opportunity to women in all fields – Feminist
56. Place of burial (especially not in the churchyard) – Cemetery
57. A person who is always hopeful and looks upon the brighter side of things –Optimist
58. The use of many words where only a few are necessary – Circumlocution
59. Occurring at night/ awake and active at night – Nocturnal
60. Arrangement in order of occurrence – Chronological

61. To do something at the exact appointed time – Punctual

62. A child whose parents are dead – Orphan

63. That can be spread by touch – Contagious

64. A short time ago – Recently

65. One who is very careful about spending money - Frugal

Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are the verbs that consist of a verb and a or more particles. Particles are small
words which we already know as prepositions and adverbs. Thus, phrasal verbs consist of
two and occasionally three words: a base verb and at least one particle (preposition or
adverb). Many phrasal verbs are idiomatic: in other words, the meaning of the verb and
particle is different from the base verb on its own. For example, the meanings of “give up”
and “give in” are quite different from the meaning of give.
Literal or non-literal meaning
Literal meaning
Look at the following example, where the verb and particle keep their separate literal
meaning. He looked up and saw a plane. Here the meaning of the verb and the particle have
not changed. So here we have a literal meaning.
He looked up = He looked + up (in the direction of the sky).
Non-literal meaning
Sometimes when you meet combinations of verb and particle, it is impossible to guess the
meaning in the context from the meaning of the verb and the meaning of the particle. The
addition of the particle(s) connotes a different meaning. For example “fall through” (meaning
“to fail to happen” or “not happen”)
We found a buyer for our house, but then the sale fell through.
In the following sentence, look up = to find information in a reference book.
He looked up all the new words in the dictionary.
“Hold up” can mean 'to cause a delay' or 'to try to rob someone'. The original meaning of hold
(for example, to hold something in your hands) no longer applies.
Types of phrasal verbs/ Use of a phrasal verb
There are five main types of phrasal verbs. These are:
1. Intransitive phrasal verbs (= phrasal verbs which do not need an object). For
example: You're driving too fast. You ought to slow down.
I got up at 7.00 today.
2. Transitive phrasal verbs (separable) (= phrasal verbs which must have an object) If
someone or something is written between the verb and particle, this shows that they
can be separated. Where the object can come in one of two positions:
2.1 Between the verb and the particle(s). For example:
I think I'll put my jacket on.
2.2 After the particle. For example:
I think I'll put on my jacket.
However, if the object is a pronoun (he, she, it, etc), it must usually come between the verb
and the particle. For example:
I think I'll put it on. (NOT I think I'll put on it.)
3. Transitive phrasal verbs where the object must come between the verb and the
particle. For example: Our latest designs set our company apart from our rivals.
4. Transitive phrasal verbs where the object must come after the particle.
(inseparable) If someone or something is written after the particle, this shows that
they cannot be separated. For example: John takes after his mother.
Why do you put up with the way he treats you?
5. Transitive phrasal verbs with two objects, one after the verb and one after the
particle. For example: They put their success down to good planning.
Note: one should be very careful to use the phrasal verb. The wrong place and kind of object
either make the sentence grammatically wrong or change the meaning of the sentence. You
must know the grammar patterns of phrasal verbs.
Look up (intransitive) = to become better.
I hope things will start to look up in the new year
Look something up (something as an object) =
to try to find a piece of information by looking in a book or on a computer.
If you don't know what the word means, look it up in a dictionary.
Look someone up (someone as an object) = to visit someone you have not seen for
a long time when you are visiting the place where they live.
Look me up next time you're in Jaipur.

Some transitive phrasal verbs can be used in the passive, but the object cannot come between
the verb and the particle. For example:
Active: The soldiers blew up the bridge / The soldiers blew the bridge up.
Passive: The bridge was blown up by the soldiers.
Active: Switch the lights off before you leave / Switch off the lights before you leave.
Passive: The lights must be switched off before you leave.
Active: It's time they did away with these silly rules.
Passive: It's time these silly rules were done away with. (where the subject is either not
known or not needed)
Some phrase verbs

1. Account for (tr) == give a good reason for, explain satisfactorily (some action or
expenditure):
A treasurer must account for the money he spends.
He has behaved in the most extraordinary way; I can't account for his actions at all
I can't account for his behaving like that.
2. Allow for (tr) = make provision in advance for, take into account (usually some
additional requirement, expenditure, delay etc.):
Allowing for depreciation your car should be worth £2,000 this time next year.
3. Ask for
(a) Ask for = ask to speak to:
Go to the office and ask for my secretary.
(b) Ask for = request, demand:
The men asked for more pay and shorter hours.
4. Ask someone in (object before in) = invite him to enter the house:
He didn't ask me in: he kept me standing at the door while he read the message.
5. Ask someone out (object before out) = invite someone to an entertainment or to a
meal (usually in a public place):
She had a lot of friends and was usually asked out in the evenings, so she seldom spent an
evening at home.
6. Back away (intr) = step or move back slowly (because confronted by some danger or
unpleasantness): When he took a gun out everyone backed away nervously.
7. Back out (intr) = withdraw (from some joint action previously agreed on),
discontinue or refuse to provide previously promised help or support:
He agreed to help but backed out when he found how difficult it was.
8. Blow out (tr) = extinguish (a flame) by blowing:
He blew out the candle.
9. Blow up (tr or intr)
(a) = destroy by explosion, explode, be destroyed:
They blew up the bridges so that the enemy couldn't follow them. (blew the bridges up)
Just as we got to the bridge it blew up.
Blow up (b) = fill with air, inflate, pump up:
The children blew up their balloons and threw them into the air. (blew the balloons up)
10. Break down = (a) cause to collapse by using force:
The firemen had to break down the door to get into the burning
(b) Used of people, it normally implies a temporary emotional collapse:
He broke down when telling me about his son’s tragic death.
(c) It can express collapse of mental resistance:
At first, he refused to admit his guilt hut when he was shown the evidence he broke down and
confessed.
(d) When used of health it implies a serious physical collapse:
After years of overwork his health broke down and he had to retire.
(e) It is very often used of machines:
The car broke down when we were driving through the desert and it took us two days to
repair it.
(f) It can be used of negotiations:
The negotiations broke down (were discontinued) because neither.
11. Break in (intr), break into (tr)
(a) = enter by force:
Thieves broke in and stole the silver.
The thieves broke into the house when the owner was on holiday.
(b) = interrupt someone by some sudden remark:
I was telling them about my travels when he broke in with a story of his own.
12. Break out (intr)
(a) = begin (used of evils such as wars, epidemics, fires etc.):
War broke out on 4 August.
(b) = escape by using force from a prison etc.:
They locked him up in a room but he broke out. (smashed the door and escaped)
13. Bring up (tr)
(a) = educate and train children:
She brought up her children. (brought her children up)
(b) = mention: At the last committee meeting, the treasurer brought up the question of
raising the annual subscription. (brought the question up)
14. Call in
Call somebody in (tr) = to ask for someone in authority to come and deal with a situation.
The company called in a team of experts to help it sort out its problems.
Call something in (tr) = to ask for money that you have lent to be repaid.
The company continued to trade at a loss and the bank decided to call in its loan.
Call in (intr) = to telephone somewhere, especially the place where you work, to tell them
what you are doing or where you are.
During the break I called in to the office.
15. Call off (tr) = cancel something not yet started, or abandon something already in
progress:
They had to call off (= cancel) the match as the ground was too wet to play on. (call the
match off)
16. Call out (tr) = summon someone to leave his house to deal with a situation outside.
The police couldn 't control the mob so troops were called out.
17. Call up (tr)
(a) = summon for military service:
In countries where there is conscription men are called up at the age of eighteen, (call up
men/call men up)
(b) = telephone:
I called Tom up and told him the news. (called up Tom)
18. Care for (tr) = like (seldom used in the affirmative):
He doesn't care for films about war.
19. Carry on (intr) = continue (usually work or duty):
I can't carry on alone any longer: I'll have to get help.
20. Carry on with (tr) continue:
The doctor told her to carry on with the treatment.
21. Carry out (tr) = perform (duties), obey (orders, instructions), fulfil (threats):
You are not meant to think for yourself; you are here to carry out my orders.
22. Clean out (tr) a room/cupboard/drawer etc. =clean and tidy it thoroughly:
I must clean out the spare room. (clean the spare room out)
23. Clean up (intr) clean and tidy something thoroughly:
These painters always clean up when they've finished.
24. Clear away (tr) = remove articles, usually in order to make space:
Could you clear away these papers? (clear these papers away)
Clear away (intr) = disperse:
The clouds soon cleared away and if became quite warm.
25. Come across/upon (tr) = find by chance:
 When I was looking/or my passport I came across these old photographs.
26. Come along/on (intr) = come with me, accompany me. 'Come on' is often said to
someone who is hesitating or delaying:
Come on, or we'll be late.
27. Come away (intr) = leave (with me):
Come away now. It's time to go home.
Come away/off (intr) = detach itself:
When I picked up the teapot the handle came away in my hand.
28. Come in (intr), come into (tr) = enter:
Someone knocked at my door and I said, 'Come in.'
29. Come into something
(a) = to receive money, land, or property from someone after they have died.
She’ll come into quite a lot of money when her father dies.
(b) = to be involved in something
Josie doesn’t come into the movie until quite near the end.
30. Come round (intr)
(a) = finally accept a previously opposed suggestion:
Her father at first refused to let her study abroad but he came round (to it) in the- end.
(said she could go)
(b) = come to my (your/his etc.) house;
I'll come round after dinner and tell you the plan.
31. Cut in (intr) = slip into traffic lane ahead of another car when there isn't room to do
this safely: Accidents are often caused by drivers cutting in.
32. Cut off (tr) = disconnect, discontinue supply (usually of gas, water. electricity etc.)
The Company has cut off our electricity supply because we haven't paid our bill. (cut our
supply off)
33. Die away (intr) = become gradually fainter till inaudible:
They waited till the sound of the guard's footsteps died away.
34. Do away with (tr) = abolish:
The government should do away with the regulations restricting drinking hours.
35. Draw back (intr) = retire, recoil
It's too late to draw back now.
36. Drop in (intr) = pay a short unannounced visit:
He dropped in for a few minutes to ask if he could borrow my books.
37. Enter for (tr) = become a competitor/candidate (for a contest, examination, etc,):
Twelve thousand competitors have entered for the next Jaipur Marathon.
 38. Fade away (intr) = disappear, become gradually fainter (usually of sounds):
The band moved on and the music faded away.
39. Fall out (intr) = quarrel:
The thieves are falling out.
40. Fill in/up forms etc. = complete them:
I had to fill in three forms to get my new passport, (fill three forms in)
41. Find out (tr) = discover as a result of conscious effort;
In the end I found out what was wrong with my wi-fi.
42. Fix up (tr) = arrange:
the club has already fixed up several matches for next season. (fixed several matches up)
43. Get about (intr) = circulate; move or travel in a general sense:
The news got about that he had won the first prize in the state lottery and everybody began
asking him for money.
44. Get away (intr) = escape, be free to leave:
Don’t ask him how he is because if he starts talking about his health, you'll never get away
from him.
45. Get away with (tr) = perform some illegal or wrong act without being punished,
usually without even being caught:
He began forging cheques and at first, he got away with it but in the end, he was caught and
sent to prison.
46. Get up (intr) = rise from bed, rise to one's feet, mount:
I get up at seven o' clock every morning.
Get up (tr) = organize, arrange (usually an amateur entertainment or a charitable enterprise):
They got up a concert in aid of cancer research.
47. Go for (tr) = attack:
The cat went for the dog and chased him out of the hall.
48. Go in for (tr) = be especially interested in. practise; enter for (a competition):
This restaurant goes in for vegetarian dishes, (specializes in them)
She plays a lot of golf and goes in for all the competitions.
49. Go on (intr) = continue a journey:
Go on till you come to the crossroads.
Go on (intr), go on with (tr), go on + gerund = continue any action:
Please go on playing; I like it.
Go on with the treatment. It is doing you good
50. Hang about/around (tr or intr) = loiter or wait (near):
He hung about/around the entrance all day.
Jump at (tr) = accept with enthusiasm (an offer or opportunity):
He was offered a place in the Himalayan expedition and jumped at the chance.
51. Keep on = continue:
I wanted to explain but he kept on talking and didn't give me a chance to say anything.
52. Knock out (tr) = hit someone so hard that he falls unconscious.
In the finals of the boxing championship, he knocked out his opponent, who was carried out
of the ring. (knocked his opponent out)
53. Look after (tr) = take care of:
Will you look after my parrot when I am away?
54. Make for (tr) = travel towards:
The escaped prisoner was making for the coast.
55. Make off (intr) = run away (used of thieves etc.):
The boys made off when they saw the policemen.
56. Pick out (tr) = choose, select, distinguish from a group:
Here are six rings. Pick out the one you like best. (pick it out)
57. Put aside/by (tr) = save for future use (usually money)
He puts aside Rs 1000/- a month to pay for his summer holiday, (puts it aside)
Don't spend all your salary. Try to put something by each month.
58. Ring up (tr or intr) = telephone:
I rang up the theatre to book seats for tonight, (rang the theatre up)
If you can't come ring up and let me know.
59. Ring off (intr) = end a telephone call by putting down the receiver:
He rang off before I could ask his name.
60. See about (tr) = make inquiries or arrangements:
I must see about getting a room ready for him.
61. See somebody off = accompany an intending traveller to his train/boat/plane etc.:
The station was crowded with boys going back to school and parents who were seeing them
off.
62. Take off (tr) = remove (when used of clothing 'take off' is the opposite of 'put on'):
He took off his coat when he entered the house and put it on again. (look his coat off)
63. Take to (tr)
(a) = begin a habit
He took to drink, (began drinking too much)
(b) = seek refuge/safety in:
When they saw that the ship was sinking the crew took to the boats. After the failure
of the coup many of the rebels took to the hills and became guerillas.
64. Talk over (tr) = discuss:
Talk it over with your wife and give me your answer tomorrow. (talk over my suggestion/talk
my suggestion over)
65. Wait on (tr) = attend, serve food at home or in a restaurant):
The man who was waiting on us seemed very inexperienced, he got all our orders mixed up.
66. Wind up (tr or intr) = bring or come to an end (used of speeches or business
proceedings):
The headmaster wound up (the meeting) by thanking the parents. (wound the meeting up)
67. Work out (tr) = find by calculation or study, the solution to some problem or a
method of dealing with it; study and decide on the details of a scheme:
He used his calculator to work out the cost. (work the cost out)

Idioms
An idiom is an expression where the meaning is different from the meaning of the individual
words. Idioms are a type of formulaic language. Formulaic language consists of fixed
expressions which you learn and understand as units rather than as individual words. For
example, to have your feet on the ground is an idiom meaning 'to be sensible':
"Tara is an intelligent girl who has both her feet firmly on the ground."
A lot of idioms are formed using phrasal verbs. For example:
After he left me, it took me a long time to pick up the pieces (= It took me a long time to
return to a normal life).
Many idioms are colloquial, which means that they are used in informal conversation rather
than in writing or formal language. For example:
"I won't tell anyone your secret. My lips are sealed."
 1. A creature of habit = a person who likes to do the same thing at the same time on a
regular basis.
My sister goes to bed at exactly 10.30 every night; she's a creature of habit.
2. A live wire = a person who is lively and full of energy and enthusiasm.
Most of the group are very quiet - we need a live wire like Jez to get us talking.
3. The salt of the earth = a good, reliable, honest person.
Mrs Andrews runs the business and people think she's the salt of the earth.
4. The scum of the earth = a person or group considered to be extremely unpleasant or
evil.
Drug dealers are the scum of the earth.
5. Nobody's fool = a person who is too clever to be tricked by other people.
He's tough, ambitious, and he's nobody's fool he's our best hope as a manager.
6. A cold fish = a person who shows little emotion or seems unfriendly.
He's a bit of a cold fish. He hardly ever speaks to us or even smiles.
7. A man/woman of his/ her word = a person who always does what he/she has
promised to do.
If he said he would help you, I'm sure he will; he's a man of his word.
8. Have egg on your face = be embarrassed because something you tried to do went
wrong.
If this plan fails, I'll have egg on my face.
9. Out of the frying pan, (and) into the fire = used to say that somebody who was in a
bad situation is now in an even worse situation.
My last job was hard enough but this one is awful- it's out of the frying pan, into the fire!
10. Couch potato = a person who spends too much time watching TV.
That boy's a real couch potato!
11. Bite off more than you can chew = try to do too much or do something that is too
difficult.
He'll never cope in that job. He's bitten off more than he can chew.
12. Butter wouldn't melt (in somebody’s mouth) = used to say that somebody looks
innocent, kind, etc. but really, they are not.
She tells lies and then acts as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
13. Have a finger in every pie = be involved and influential in a lot of different
activities.
He's one of these businessmen who's got a finger in every pie.
14. Cry over spilt milk = waste time worrying about something that has already
happened and that cannot be changed.
I left the matter, as it's no use crying over spilt milk.
15. Full of beans = having a lot of energy.
He's 65 but he's still full of beans.
16. Beauty sleep = sleep that you need in order to feel healthy and look attractive.
I'm off to bed. I need my beauty sleep.
17. A storm in a teacup = a lot of anger and worry about something unimportant.
Is it a genuine problem, or just a storm in a teacup?
18. Take the bull by the horns = face a difficult situation in a very direct and confident
way.
When he was in hardships, he took the bull by the horns.
19. Part and parcel = a necessary part of an event or experience which cannot be
avoided.
Delivery delay is part and parcel of post office working.
20. Fight like cat and dog = argue violently all the time.
During their conversation they fight like cat and dog.
21. Go the extra mile = make an extra big effort or do things that are more than is strictly
necessary.
Sofia is a wonderful nurse. She'll always go the extra mile for her patients.
22. At sixes and sevens = in a state of confusion (informal)
We're at sixes and sevens at work this week.
23. Chalk and cheese = totally different (informal)
Although the twins look the same, when you talk to them you realise they're like chalk and
cheese.
24. Hustle and bustle = crowds and noise
It's great to leave the hustle and bustle of the city at the weekend.
25. Every nook and cranny = every small place.
We had a great holiday and explored every nook and cranny of the island.
26. Every cloud has a silver lining = there is something good in every bad situation
He was upset when he didn't get admission at IIT Bobay, but at last he got admission at
JECRC. His father said “Yeah. Every cloud has a silver lining.”
27. It never rains but it pours = problems always happen together.
When my mother was suffering from stroke, she also got a fracture in her leg and I thought it
never rains but it pours.
28. All's fair in love and war = all behaviour is acceptable in extreme situations,
especially in romantic situations and competitions
Sure, it was underhanded to steal his customers, but all's fair in love and war.
29. Fiddle while Rome burns = to enjoy yourself or continue working as normal and not
give any attention to something important and unpleasant that is happening that you
should be taking action to prevent:
Thanks to low payment people are starving to death but the management remains fiddling
while Rome is burning, and fiddling with their faces towards the flames at that.
30. Rome wasn't built in a day = it takes a long time to do important things properly.
I'm really impatient to finish decorating my flat, but Rome wasn't built in a day!
31. No pain no gain = there must be some suffering in order to succeed
I have to study hard and do a lot of exams to become an accountant, but no pain no gain.
32. First come, first served = the first to arrive will get something
We don't have enough tickets for everybody, so it's a case of first come, first served.
33. Ignorance is bliss = You may be happier sometimes when you do not know all the
facts about a situation.
He never keeps up with the news or cares about the troubles in the world because he believes
that ignorance is bliss.
Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise.
34. You can lead a horse to water {but you can't make it drink) = You can give
someone the opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it. The
second part of the idiom (but you can't make it drink) is often not actually said.
You can't educate kids who aren't interested. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make
it drink.
35. Carry/take coals to Newcastle = to supply something to a place or person that
already has a lot of that particular thing:
Karen wanted to give his father a magazine subscription for his birthday, but I said that
would be like carrying coals to Newcastle, since he already has fifteen or twenty
subscriptions.
36. A flash in the pan = [something that happened only once and was not repeated
Winning the cup in 1998 was just a flash in the pan - they haven't won a match since then!
37. Baptism of fire = very difficult first experience of something.
Our new IT manager had a baptism of fire on her first day at work - all the computers
crashed!
38. Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb = might as well do something more
serious as you are going to be punished anyway.
You 're already late, so just take all day off. You might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.
39. Shedding crocodile tears = just pretending to be upset about the situation.
For a long time, the politicians have been shedding crocodile tears on the poor plight of
farmers.
40. Achilles' heel = one weak point
I think Indian economy is in top gear, but corruption seems to be our Achilles' heel.
41. The green-eyed monster = jealousy
Their relationship was ruined by the green-eyed monster.
Ago: O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The
meat it feeds on.
42. Burn the candle at both ends = to work or do other things from early in
the morning until late at night and so get very little rest.
His doctor said that his illness was brought on by stress and recommended that he should stop
burning the candle at both ends.
43. By/in leaps and bounds = If someone or something
gets better by/in leaps and bounds, he, she, or it improves very quickly:
Her Spanish has come on (= improved) in leaps and bounds this year.
44. First refusal = To give someone the opportunity to buy something before offering it
to anyone else.
If you decide to sell your car, could you give me first refusal.
45. When someone was a (mere) twinkle in their father's eye = at a time before
someone was born.
I never knew my grandparents—they died when I was a twinkle in my father's eye.
46. A golden handshake = a large payment made to someone when they leave their job,
either because their employer has asked them to leave, or as a reward for good service
when they retire.
Did Charlie get a golden handshake when he left the company?
47. At the cutting edge = the most up-to-date and advanced.
We have to try to develop a product that is truly at the cutting edge.
48. Blue-sky thinking = creative thinking
Management are going away for a weekend of blue-sky thinking about the company's future.
49. Burn the midnight oil = work or study until very late at night.
Try not to burn the midnight oil the night before an exam. It's best to get an early night.
 50. Let sleeping dogs lie = to ignore a bad situation from the past because you don't want
new problems.
Although I personally still don't agree with the new office layout, I'm going to let sleeping
dogs lie.
51. Pays him chickenfeed = To pay someone a very small amount of money, often
implying unfair compensation.
The restaurant pays its kitchen staff chickenfeed, even though they work long hours in hot
conditions
52. Easier said than done = Refers to a task or action that may sound simple or easy to
accomplish, but in reality, it is quite difficult or challenging
It's easy to say that we should all exercise more, but finding the time and motivation is easier
said than done.
53. To bell the cat = to be brave enough to do something that will be good for
a group that you are part of, but is dangerous or difficult:
The political corruption desperately needed to be uprooted /abolished, but who would have
the courage to bell the cat?