Meaning- in a very difficult position. Usage- Ramesh had to choose between confessing that he hadn’t studied or trying to fake it . He was between the devil and the deep blue sea. Origin- in the early 17th century the …
Meaning- either partner in marriage. Usage- He doesn’t make any decision until check with his better half. Origin- Puritans were English Protestants in the 16th and the 17 centuries who favoured strict religious discipline. They said each person was made …
Meaning- cruel, unfair,hurtful Usage – Saying he wasn’t very good at English just because he made one mistake was really heating below the belt. Origin- The sport of boxing can be dangerous. Prizefighters can get seriously injured if the official …
BEAT A DEAD HORSEMeaning- to pursue a useless goal. Usage-He was trying to convince his father, but he was beating a dead horse. Origin- This saying goes back to the ancient Roman playwright Plaitus who used in 195B.C. in one …
BEAT AROUND THE BUSHMeaning- to answer something in a roundabout way. Usage- stop beating around the bush. Why haven’t you done your work. Origin- This expression goes all the way back to the 1500s when hunters hired people called beaters …
BARK UP THE WRONG TREEMeaning- to direct your attention or efforts toward the wrong person or thing; to have the wrong idea about something. Usage- I hope proving these idioms to all of you I’m not barking up the wrong …
BABE IN THE WOODSMeaning- an inexperienced person. Usage- In this big city, amidst the lockdown,he found himself a babe in the woods. Origin- In 1595 a story called ” The children in the wood” was published in England. It was …
AXE TO GRIND Meaning- something to gain for yourself for a selfish reason; flattery or trickery used to get a favour from another person. Usage- He always flatters me ,but I think he has an axe to grind . Story- …
Meaning – a very difficult burden that you can’t get rid of or a reminder of something you did that was wrong . Usage- Everywhere I go ,my mother makes me take my bratty little sister . She’s an albatross …