Idioms and Phrases — IBPS PO Prelims Study Notes

Overview

Idioms and Phrases form a recurring scoring area in IBPS PO Prelims, typically appearing within Reading Comprehension passages, Cloze Tests, or as standalone vocabulary questions. Unlike straightforward vocabulary, idioms carry meanings that cannot be deduced from their individual words—"kick the bucket" has nothing to do with buckets or kicking.

For IBPS PO, you need to master approximately 100–150 commonly tested idioms. Questions test whether you understand the figurative meaning and can identify correct usage in context. This is pure memorisation territory, but smart grouping by theme (money, time, failure, success, conflict) makes recall faster. Since 2–4 marks per exam hinge on idiom knowledge, this is high-return revision for minimal effort.

Key Concepts

**Idiom vs. Phrase**: An idiom has a figurative meaning different from its literal words ("break the ice" = start conversation, not shatter frozen water). A phrase is any meaningful word group, which may or may not be idiomatic.

**Phrasal Verbs**: Verbs combined with prepositions/adverbs that create new meanings. "Look after" (care for) differs entirely from "look" alone. IBPS frequently tests these within fill-in-the-blanks.

**Context determines correctness**: Many idioms sound similar but mean opposite things. "In the red" (debt) vs. "in the black" (profit). Always check surrounding sentence tone.

**Fixed structure**: Idioms rarely allow word changes. "A piece of cake" cannot become "a slice of cake" and retain meaning. Spotting wrong variations is a test strategy.

**Formal vs. informal register**: Banking exams prefer idioms suitable for professional writing. "Beat around the bush" is acceptable; slang idioms rarely appear.

**Negative idioms often confuse**: "Leave no stone unturned" (try everything) sounds negative but is positive. Read carefully.

Key Facts — Must-Know Idioms by Category

**Success and Achievement**

Hit the nail on the head — say exactly the right thing
Turn over a new leaf — make a fresh start
Make headway — achieve progress
Come off with flying colours — succeed brilliantly
Burn the midnight oil — work late into the night

**Failure and Problems**

Bite the dust — fail or be defeated
Go down the drain — be wasted completely
Be in hot water — be in trouble
Miss the boat — lose an opportunity
Back to square one — start again from the beginning

**Money and Business**

Break even — neither profit nor loss
Cut corners — reduce quality to save money/time
Foot the bill — pay the expenses
Make ends meet — manage with limited income
Go bankrupt / go belly up — become financially ruined

**Time and Speed**

In the nick of time — just before it's too late
Once in a blue moon — very rarely
At the drop of a hat — immediately, without hesitation
Time flies — time passes quickly
Around the clock — continuously, 24 hours

**Communication and Secrets**

Beat around the bush — avoid speaking directly
Spill the beans — reveal a secret
Let the cat out of the bag — disclose secret information
Read between the lines — understand the hidden meaning
Keep someone in the dark — hide information from someone

**Effort and Action**

Leave no stone unturned — try every possible method
Bite off more than one can chew — take on too much
Pull strings — use influence secretly
Call the shots — make the decisions
Put one's foot down — be firm about something

**Common Phrasal Verbs**

Call off — cancel
Put off — postpone
Carry out — execute/perform
Turn down — reject
Look into — investigate
Come across — find by chance
Break down — stop functioning / lose emotional control
Make up — compensate / invent / reconcile

Worked Examples

**Example 1: Sentence Completion**

*The company's expansion plan went ________ because of insufficient funding.*

Options: (a) down the drain (b) over the moon (c) under the weather (d) off the hook

**Solution**: The sentence indicates failure due to lack of funds. "Down the drain" means wasted/ruined. "Over the moon" means extremely happy. "Under the weather" means unwell. "Off the hook" means freed from obligation. **Answer: (a) down the drain**

---

**Example 2: Meaning-Based Question**

*What does "burn one's bridges" mean?*

(a) Destroy relationships so you cannot return (b) Work very hard (c) Travel extensively (d) Spend money recklessly

**Solution**: This idiom refers to cutting off all options of retreat—doing something that makes going back impossible, like destroying relationships or opportunities permanently. **Answer: (a)**

---

**Example 3: Contextual Usage in RC**

*Passage states: "The CEO decided to grasp the nettle and announce the layoffs directly."*

*Question: The phrase "grasp the nettle" suggests the CEO:* (a) avoided the difficult situation (b) dealt with the problem boldly (c) ignored employee concerns (d) delayed the decision

**Solution**: "Grasp the nettle" means to tackle a difficult problem bravely and directly (nettles sting, so grabbing them requires courage). **Answer: (b)**

Common Mistakes

**Confusing similar-sounding idioms**: "A far cry from" (very different) is confused with "within crying distance" (very close). Fix: Learn idioms in contrasting pairs.

**Assuming literal meanings**: "Throw in the towel" (give up) gets interpreted as something about towels. Fix: Treat every idiom as a single vocabulary unit with its own definition.

**Wrong preposition in phrasal verbs**: "Look after" (care for) vs. "look for" (search) vs. "look into" (investigate). The preposition completely changes meaning. Fix: Memorise verb + preposition as one unit.

**Ignoring sentence tone**: Using "a piece of cake" (easy task) when context describes difficulty. Fix: Always check whether surrounding words suggest positive/negative/neutral tone before selecting.

**Overthinking rare idioms**: If an idiom is unfamiliar, eliminate options you know are wrong. IBPS rarely introduces completely obscure idioms.

Quick Reference

"Break the ice" = initiate conversation / ease awkwardness
"In the nick of time" = at the last possible moment
"Spill the beans" = reveal a secret
"Call off" = cancel; "Put off" = postpone; "Turn down" = reject
"Leave no stone unturned" = try every possible option
"Beat around the bush" = avoid direct communication

Idioms and Phrases