If you wish to know more about presentation skills, check the below mentioned articles:
- How to learn Public speaking fast
- Styles of Public Speaking
- How to overcome fear of Public Speaking
- Public speaking series
- Public Speaking tips for Introverts
- Why is public speaking Important
- How to improve public speaking
- Transition phrases in English
- Idioms in English
If you wish to download the full list of transition phrases, fill the form and get the list:
English Idiom
1. Off the record
Meaning: Statements that are not official or attributable; unofficial; confidential
Example: She has accepted her fault off the record and so it could not be used by the lawyer in the court.
2. Oldest trick in the book
Meaning: This trick/method is well-known and widely used
Example: The granny told me the oldest trick in the book for treating cough is drinking the turmeric milk.
3. Off the cuff
Meaning: Spontaneous; unprepared
Example: You were handling off the cuff interviews very well and so you got a job.
4. Old habits die hard
Meaning: It is difficult for people to change their accustomed behaviour.
Example: He retired last month, but still gets ready at the same time in the morning as old habits die hard.
5. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Rarely
Example: Jeane had a difficult relationship with her father and she spoke to him once in a blue moon.
6. Open the floodgates
Meaning: Uncontrollable things can be released
Example: The biggest fear of economists about relaxing price control has opened the floodgates to inflation.
7. Out of the blue
Meaning: Happen unexpectedly
Example: She had given up all hope when out of the blue she got a call from Harvard.
8. Out on a limb
Meaning: Make a risky or difficult decision (leaving the doer in an uncomfortable situation)
Example: He is out on a limb with his project and nobody supports his idea.
9. Over the top
Meaning: Inappropriate and totally excessive.
Example: Don’t you think her sari is way over the top for a simple occasion of this type.
10. Pen is mightier than the sword
Meaning: communication and words have a greater impact than war
Example: A simple quote which I read in the book put an end to the long cold war and so pen is mightier than the sword.
11. Push one’s luck
Meaning: Trying to improve one’s situation ( risking spoiling it)
Example: She has my permission to go to her friends’ place but she can’t push her luck by planning a night out.
12. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Heavily raining
Example: They had to cancel the trip as it was raining cats and dogs here.
13. Reap the harvest
Meaning: Indirectly benefit from past actions or suffer from them.
Example: When she cleared IIT-JEE, she reaped the harvest of all her hard work.
14. Roll up one’s sleeves
Meaning: To be ready for hard work
Example: My sister said she would roll up her sleeves and do whatever it takes to support the family.
15. See eye to eye
Meaning: to agree with
Example: I am glad my roommate saw eye to eye on the choice of the furniture.
16. Shot in the dark
Meaning: It just a pure guess (that may or may not be close to the truth)
Example: I didn’t know too much about programming, so I merely shot in the dark while answering the interviewer’s question.
17. Sink your teeth into
Meaning: Be energetic and enthusiastic when you do something.
Example: She immediately sank her teeth into her new job.
18. Skating on thin ice
Meaning: Take a risk or say something that could cause trouble.
Example: You should not say anything that hurts his self esteem or you could be skating on thin ice.
19. Stand in a good stead
Meaning: To contribute to someone’s well-being.
Example: Being fluent in French makes you stand in good stead when applying for a Job in Germany.
20. Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning: Taking action when the time is right
Example: The price of gold is at its lowest in the last 10 years. Strike while the iron is hot and invest in it.
21. Take a back seat
Meaning: Make a conscious decision to be less important
Example: I have finally decided to take a back seat and let my sister run the family business.
22. Take with a grain/pinch of salt
Meaning: Having doubts about the accuracy of information
Example: There is always a lot said about celebrities in the media, but we should take this information with a grain of salt.
23. Take a nosedive
Meaning: Decrease in value rapidlyExample: The price of shares took a nosedive when there was a war between Iran and Iraq.
24. Take the plunge
Meaning: Take a chance on something of interest despite the risks involved
Example: She finally took the plunge and started working on her new project.
25. Taste of one’s own medicine
Meaning: React in the same manner in which you were treated (unpleasantly)
Example: Those who often disrespect others should get a taste of their own medicine.
26. Think the world of
Meaning: Have a great admiration for someone
Example: Reeta is a wonderful science teacher – children think the world of her.
27. Tight spot
Meaning: A situation that is difficult
Example: The recent case by a customer put the company in a tight spot.
28. Tongue in cheek
Meaning: (
Example: The comment by him was taken more seriously than intended. It was just tongue in cheek.
29. Pigs might fly
Meaning: Something that won’t happen.
Example: I will talk to her
30. Walk on eggshells
Meaning:
Example: Famous personalities are scrutinized
31. Want someone’s head on a platter
Meaning:Example: That student has really misbehaved and so I want his head on a platter.
32. Watch (someone) like a hawk
Meaning:
Example: The examiners watch the students like
33. Water under the bridge
Meaning:
Example: The partners had a big fight last week but that water is under the bridge now.
34. Wave a dead chicken
Meaning:
Example:
35. Weak in the knees
Meaning:
Example: The shock of being called by the principal made him go weak in the knees.
36. Wear many hats
Meaning:
Example: Rita has such a talent that she can wear many hats while working in the office.
37. Weather the storm
Meaning:Example: As per the current global market conditions, the Indian economy is weathering the storm pretty well.
Meaning:
Example: Rather
39. Whale of a time
Meaning:
Example: We will have a whale of a time in
40. Whistle in the dark
Meaning:
Example : when she was attacked from behind, she blew a whistle in the dark
41. Why keep a dog and bark for yourself
Meaning:
Example: Even when my sister had a printer she wrote notes manually. I even asked her Why keep a dog and bark
42. Wide off the mark
Meaning:Example: Your answer was wide off the mark so it was difficult for me to give a better rating to it.
43. Wild goose chase
Meaning:
Example: You try to find out who the anonymous caller is, but it turns out to be a wild goose chase.
44. Wipe the slate clean
Meaning:
Example: When my father came to Delhi, he decided to
45. Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning:
Example: I thought of her as
46. Work your fingers to the bone
Meaning:
Example: You totally deserve success as you worked your fingers to the bone when you started working.
47. Worm’s eye view
Meaning:
Example: The freshers get only a worm’s eye view
48. Worth one’s salt
Meaning:
Example: Everyone deserves respect as all are worth
49. Wrap one’s brain around
Meaning:
Example:
50. Zero in on something
Meaning:
Example: The supervisor immediately zeroed in on the non-punctual employees of the organization.
To know more about courses, fill the below form:
Important Links:
Check out the Courses at Anju Jindal.
Check the series for tips on learning English.
I have got more career and communication advice and inspiration for you at www.anjujindal.com.
The famous courses I have for people are English Speaking program, Fearless communicator blueprint, Career growth blueprint.
To know about the same just message “course” by clicking on this link.
You can also ask questions during the live. So, to be part of the live, do join the community career growth mastermind.
About the Author: Anju Jindal
Anju is a trainer, entrepreneur, and also career growth specialist who helps students, working professionals, women, and Job seekers to reach out to their goals by implementing a Career Growth plan