List of 20 Important Idioms and Phrases Beginning with A
This is the first article of our series English Vinglish in which We are going to cover Idioms & Phrases starting with the letter A.If you have checked previous year SSC Exams (SSC CGL,MTS,CPO,CHSL) you will find approximately 5 questions are asked from Idioms & Phrases.You can say these are the marks which can easily be earned by learning Idioms & Phrases regularly.We are providing you 20 idioms starting with letter A and later we will be providing quizzes as well. Your task is to learn them by heart and if you know any other Idiom starting with letter A post it in the comments so that other students can learn them as well.This article will be beneficial for upcoming SSC CGL 2017 Exams,SSC MTS 2017 Exams and SSC CPO 2017 Exams.
Idioms and Phrases beginning with Alphabet A
1. Achilles heel- दुखती रग
Meaning: vulnerable spot, a small fault or weakness in a person or system that can result in its failure.
Example: The corrupt minister is regarded as the government’s Achilles heel and is expected to resign.
2. A bone of contention- झगड़े की जड़
Meaning: if there is an issue that always causes tension and arguments
Example: A bone of contention between the husband and wife is that the husband always spends too much money.
3. A dead letter-
Meaning: An argument or law not followed by anyone.
Example: The blue laws here are a dead letter; all the stores open on Sundays and holidays
4. At the eleventh hour-आख़िरी वक्त में
Meaning: be too late.
Example: She always turned her term papers in at the eleventh hour.
5. A queer fish-सनकी व्यक्ति
Meaning: a strange person
Example: I knew his father and he was a queer fish too.
6. A worm's eye view-
Meaning: having very little knowledge about something
Example: The novel provides us with a worm's eye view of society.
7. At (on) the heels of
Meaning: close behind or soon after something
Example: As in Mom's birthday comes on the heels of Mother's Day
8. Apple of someone's eyes-आँखों का तारा
Meaning: someone loved very much.
Example: His youngest son was the apple of his eye.
9. Ask for the Moon-
Meaning: to ask for too much.
Example: There's no point hoping for a permanent peace in the area. It's like asking for the moon.
10. Asleep at the switch
Meaning: not to be alert on opportunity
Example: Health experts were asleep at the switch when the disease began to spread rapidly again.
11. At sixes and sevens
Meaning: to be lost and bewildered
Example: Riya is at sixes and sevens since the death of her husband.
12. At someone's beck and call
Meaning: to be always ready to serve
Example: Imagine what it's like to have a cook and a maid at your beck and call.
13. At an arm's length
Meaning: to keep at a distance
Example: Ram always keeps his friends at arm's length, so that no one gets close enough to hurt his feelings.
14. A red letter day
Meaning: an important day
Example: A special occasion, as in When Ram comes home from his tour of duty, that'll be a red-letter day
15. A nine days wonder
Meaning: pleasure for a short time
Example: His music was derided by an older generation convinced that he was a nine-day wonder.
16. Alma Mater
Meaning: Institution where i got my education
Example: She has been offered the position of professor of international economic policy in Delhi , her alma mater.
17. At the drop of a hat
Meaning-Willingness to do something instantly
Example: She expects me to make dinner at the drop of a hat even if I am very busy with office work
18. A cold Fish
Meaning: A person devoid of emotions
Example: Ram isn't very demonstrative, but his mother was a cold fish so he probably gets it from her.
19. A cock and bull story
Meaning: An improbable excuse
Example: She told me some cock-and-bull story.
20. Above board
Meaning: straight; without concealment, legitimate; open.
Example: No tricks, please. We want the deal to be above board completely.
Important point
Every day, set aside some time to study vocabulary. It doesn’t matter how you do it but it is important that you practice daily.We hope this session was helpful for you and We will be bringing more such sessions at 9:00 PM daily till your exam day.
Happy Learning
All the Best!!!
