English Vocabulary : Idioms and Phrases-3
1) Burn one's fingers = To lose on account of foolish behaviour.
You will burn your fingers if you refuse to obey the orders of your boss.
2) Burn the candle at both ends = To work very hard, early and late.
You will ruin your health as you are burning the candle at both ends.
3) Behind one's back = In the absence of
Modern friends praise you to your face and condemn you behind your back.
4) Hoping against hope = Continue hoping ; especially when all grounds for hope is lost.
Even though he did badly in the exam, he is hoping against hope that he will pass.
5) Build castles in the air = Make imaginary schemes.
Those who simply build castles in the air hardly achieve anything worth-while in life.
6) Hit below the belt = unfair act.
Spreading a false rumour about someone is hitting below the belt.
7) Be in someone's good books = Be favoured by someone.
He is in the boss's good books ever since he finalised an important deal.
8) A bolt from the blue = Something unexpected.
The news of his favourite hero's death came to us like a bolt from the blue.
9) By hook or by crook = By all means ; fair or foul.
The aim of the majority of the students is to pass an examination by hook or by crook.
10) Break the ice = Break the silence.
There was a perfect silence in the hall ; but when the hero came broke the ice by receiving him.
