The Ultimate English Idioms List for Competitive Exams

Lesson 67 Details

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Lesson 67 - Mask Toggle

Emoji	Expression	Meaning	Example Sentence

#1981 - ••••••	have the upper hand idiom ••••••	to have control or advantage over someone ••••••	After the merger, the larger company had the upper hand. ••••••
#1982 - ••••••	throw one’s weight around idiom ••••••	to use one’s power or influence aggressively ••••••	He likes to throw his weight around at work to get things done. ••••••
#1983 - ••••••	under someone’s thumb idiom ••••••	completely controlled or dominated by someone ••••••	He’s totally under his boss’s thumb. ••••••
#1984 - ••••••	hold all the cards idiom ••••••	to be in a strong position to control or influence a situation ••••••	In the negotiations, the buyer held all the cards. ••••••
#1985 - ••••••	gain the upper ground idiom ••••••	to achieve a position of advantage or superiority ••••••	The opposition gained the upper ground after the scandal. ••••••
#1986 - ••••••	crack the whip idiom ••••••	to use authority to make people work harder or obey rules ••••••	The new manager is cracking the whip to improve productivity. ••••••
#1987 - ••••••	tighten the screws idiom ••••••	to put pressure on someone to make them behave or act a certain way ••••••	The government tightened the screws on tax evaders. ••••••
#1988 - ••••••	be in the driver’s seat idiom ••••••	to be in control of a situation ••••••	After the merger, our company is in the driver’s seat. ••••••
#1989 - ••••••	the powers that be idiom ••••••	people or organizations who hold authority or control ••••••	The decision depends on the powers that be. ••••••
#1990 - ••••••	play dirty idiom ••••••	to use unfair or dishonest methods to win ••••••	Politicians often play dirty during elections. ••••••
#1991 - ••••••	run for office idiom ••••••	to campaign for a political position ••••••	She decided to run for office next year. ••••••
#1992 - ••••••	mud-slinging idiom ••••••	the act of criticizing someone, especially in politics, to harm their reputation ••••••	The debate turned into mud-slinging very quickly. ••••••
#1993 - ••••••	the upper hand idiom ••••••	to have control or an advantage over someone ••••••	The ruling party has the upper hand in this situation. ••••••
#1994 - ••••••	toe the line idiom ••••••	to obey rules or follow the official policy ••••••	All members are expected to toe the line with party policy. ••••••
#1995 - ••••••	the political hot potato idiom ••••••	a controversial issue that no one wants to handle ••••••	Corruption has become a political hot potato in the country. ••••••
#1996 - ••••••	throw one’s hat into the ring idiom ••••••	to announce one’s intention to compete or take part, especially in politics ••••••	He finally threw his hat into the ring for the mayoral election. ••••••
#1997 - ••••••	a smoke-filled room idiom ••••••	a place where powerful people make secret political decisions ••••••	The policy was decided in a smoke-filled room, not in public. ••••••
#1998 - ••••••	a thorn in the flesh idiom ••••••	something or someone that causes continuous trouble or annoyance ••••••	The new regulations have been a thorn in the flesh for small business owners. ••••••
#1999 - ••••••	A pack of lies idiom ••••••	A complete set of false statements. ••••••	His excuse was nothing but a pack of lies. ••••••
#2000 - ••••••	to break out in a cold sweat idiom ••••••	to suddenly become very nervous or afraid ••••••	I broke out in a cold sweat before giving my first public speech. ••••••
#2001 - ••••••	hang by a thread idiom ••••••	to be in a very dangerous or uncertain situation ••••••	After the accident, his life was hanging by a thread. ••••••
#2002 - ••••••	feel it in one's bones idiom ••••••	to have a strong feeling or intuition about something ••••••	I feel it in my bones that something bad is going to happen. ••••••
#2003 - ••••••	a shot in the arm idiom ••••••	something that gives encouragement or energy ••••••	The new funding was a real shot in the arm for the project. ••••••
#2004 - ••••••	give someone a dose of their own medicine idiom ••••••	to treat someone the same bad way they treated others ••••••	He was rude to everyone, so I gave him a dose of his own medicine. ••••••
#2005 - ••••••	the doctor ordered idiom ••••••	exactly what is needed or wanted ••••••	After a long day, a cup of coffee was just what the doctor ordered. ••••••
#2006 - ••••••	out of sorts idiom ••••••	feeling slightly unwell or upset ••••••	He’s been out of sorts since he caught that cold. ••••••
#2007 - ••••••	a weight off your shoulders idiom ••••••	relief after dealing with a stressful situation ••••••	Finishing the project felt like a weight off my shoulders. ••••••
#2008 - ••••••	keep it together idiom ••••••	to stay composed during difficult times ••••••	Even after hearing the bad news, he managed to keep it together. ••••••
#2009 - ••••••	Go overboard idiom ••••••	To do something to an excessive degree. ••••••	He went overboard decorating his office for the holidays. ••••••
#2010 - ••••••	Sail through something idiom ••••••	To do something easily or successfully. ••••••	She sailed through her exams with top marks. ••••••