Idioms and Phrases For CLAT 2027

Use of Idioms and Phrases For CLAT 2027

You can use idioms and phrases to give more interest and flavour to your writing or speaking. However, since there can be different meanings of these idioms or phrases in other cultures, it is always advisable to be careful when using them. It is always safer to check the meaning of the idiom or phrase in a dictionary.

What is your understanding of the terms idioms and phrases?

Idioms are word combinations that collectively convey a metaphorical sense different from the literal meaning of the words. For example, the idiom "kick the bucket" denotes death although neither the word "kick" nor "bucket" itself does so.

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Phrases: In spite of being word combinations, phrases lack any figurative meaning. For example, the sentence "the cat sat on the mat" means literally the same.

• "The early bird gets the worm." (People who get up early have an advantage over those who don't.)

• "A picture is worth a thousand words." (A visual representation of something can be more effective than a long explanation.)

• "Actions speak louder than words." (What people do is more important than what they say.)

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Importance of Idioms and Phrases for CLAT 2027

English Language constitutes 20% of the total CLAT marks and hence is very significant.One key aspect of the English section is Idioms and Phrases. Knowing these well can give you an advantage over other law students. Idioms and Phrases make writing more interesting and attractive to readers and hence, idioms and phrases for CLAT become one of the most important topics in the English language section.

Difference between Idioms and Phrases

Below are the differences between Idioms and Phrases.

Importance of Idioms and Phrases

The Idioms and Phrases section is one of the most important topics in the CLAT 2027 English Language Section. Below are the importance of Idioms and Phrases.

• Helps Language and Vocabulary: Idioms and phrases aid you in comprehending and speaking the English language, which is vital for the language part of the CLAT exam.

• Popular in English Questions: Questions that are directly based on idioms and phrases, like finding out the correct meaning, usage, and identification in context-related texts are common in the CLAT.

• Helps in Comprehension: Read comprehensions are usually replete with idioms. Knowing idioms makes it easier for you to understand what the paragraph or sentence means.

• Helps in Multiple Choice Questions: In objective type questions, knowing the idiomatic idiom makes it easy for you to quickly come up with the right answer and rule out wrong answers.

• Aids in Legal Language Interpretation: Knowledge of formal and idiomatic terms comes in handy in interpreting tough legal sections or articles because they are commonly used in legal English.

• Time-saving during exam: Identifying idioms will help you understand the meaning quickly, saving time on decoding it, especially since it is a timed exam such as CLAT.

• Improve your Work and Communication: The use of idioms improves your effectiveness and makes your work interesting, whether the CLAT includes descriptive writing or not in future assignments in legal writing.

Few Common Idioms and Phrases for CLAT 2027

Here are the most important and common idioms in English, with their meanings and examples.

1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

It's better to have something you know you can get than to risk not getting something better.

Example: I know this job doesn't pay much, but it's a good opportunity and I'm not going to give it up just because I might get a better offer elsewhere. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

2. A penny for your thoughts.

I'm curious about what you're thinking.

Example: I was just sitting here, staring at the wall, and I wondered what you were thinking. A penny for your thoughts.

3. A picture is worth a thousand words.

A visual representation of something can be more effective than a long explanation.

Example: I don't really understand what you're trying to say, but I think I'll get it if you draw me a picture. A picture is worth a thousand words.

4. Actions speak louder than words.

What people do is more important than what they say.

Example: I know you say you're sorry, but I need to see you make some changes in your behaviour before I can believe you. Actions speak louder than words.

5. All good things must come to an end.

Nothing lasts forever.

Example: I know we're having a great time, but all good things must come to an end. We'll have to say goodbye eventually.

6. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Healthy foods can help you stay healthy.

Example: I've been eating an apple a day for the past month, and I haven't been sick once. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

7. Barking up the wrong tree.

You're looking in the wrong place for something.

Example: I've been trying to find my keys all day, but I'm barking up the wrong tree. They're probably in my pocket.

8. Beggars can't be choosers.

If you don't have much, you can't be picky about what you get.

Example: I know this apartment is small and the rent is high, but beggars can't be choosers. I'm lucky to have a place to live.

9. Bite the bullet.

Do something that you don't want to do, but know that you have to do.

Example: I know I have to give a presentation in front of the whole company, but I'm really nervous. I just have to bite the bullet and do it.

10. Boiling mad.

Very angry.

Example: I was boiling mad when I found out that my car had been stolen.

11. Break a leg.

Good luck.

Example: Good luck on your big audition! Break a leg!

12. Bring home the bacon.

Earn money to support your family.

Example: My husband is the one who brings home the bacon in our family.

13. Burn the midnight oil.

Work late into the night.

Example: I've been burning the midnight oil trying to finish this project.

14. Can't have your cake and eat it too.

You can't have or do two mutually exclusive things.

Example: I want to lose weight, but I also want to eat cake. I can't have my cake and eat it too.

15. Come hell or high water.

No matter what happens.

Example: I'm going to the party, come hell or high water.

16. Cut your losses.

Accept that you've lost something and move on.

Example: I've lost a lot of money on this investment, but I think it's time to cut my losses and move on.

17. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Don't celebrate success before it's actually happened.

Example: I'm really excited about the new job, but I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch. I need to make sure I get the offer first.

18. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Don't risk everything on one thing.

Example: I'm not going to put all my eggs in one basket. I'm going to apply for multiple jobs just in case.

19. Easy come, easy go.

Money or other things that are easily earned are also easily lost.

20. Once in a blue moon

Very rarely.

Example: He only comes to visit us once in a blue moon.

21. Beat around the bush

To avoid discussing something directly or getting to the main point.

Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened to my car!

22. Costs an arm and a leg

Something that is extremely expensive.

Example: The new iPhone costs an arm and a leg, but I really want to buy it.

23. Hit the nail on the head

To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

Example: When Sarah said the project failed due to poor communication, she really hit the nail on the head.

24. Spill the beans

To reveal a secret or private information.

Example: I trusted Tom with my secret, but he spilled the beans to everyone at the party.

25. Under the weather

Feeling sick or unwell.

Example: I won't be coming to work today, I'm feeling a bit under the weather.

26. Pull yourself together

To calm down and behave normally after being upset.

Example: I know the interview is important, but you need to pull yourself together and stop panicking.

27. Piece of cake

Something that is very easy to do.

Example: The math test was a piece of cake, I finished it in half the time.

28. Back to square one

Having to start something over again from the beginning.

Example: The client rejected our proposal, so we're back to square one.

29. Call it a day

To stop working on something.

Example: We've been working for 12 hours straight, let's call it a day.

30. Jump on the bandwagon

To join an activity that has become very popular or fashionable.

Example: Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of cryptocurrency investment these days.

31. Rain on someone's parade

To spoil someone's plans or happiness.

Example: I don't want to rain on your parade, but I think your business idea needs more work.

32. The ball is in your court

It's your turn to take action or make a decision.

Example: I've sent you my proposal, now the ball is in your court.

33. Out of the blue

Suddenly and unexpectedly.

Example: Out of the blue, my old friend from school called me yesterday.

34. Get your act together

To organise yourself so you can deal with things more effectively.

Example: You need to get your act together if you want to pass this semester.

35. Take it with a grain of salt

To not completely believe something you are told.

Example: You should take everything he says with a grain of salt; he tends to exaggerate.

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Some Rare Idioms and Phrases for CLAT 2027

Listed below are some rare idioms and phrases for CLAT 2027 that might help students in their preparation.

1. To be in seventh heaven.

This idiom means to be very happy or content. It is thought to have originated in the Bible, where the seventh heaven is the highest heaven and the dwelling place of God.

2. To have a screw loose.

This idiom means to be crazy or eccentric. It is thought to have originated in the 18th century, when people believed that mental illness was caused by screws loose in the brain.

3. To be up a gum tree.

This idiom means to be in a difficult or confusing situation. It is thought to have originated in Australia, where gum trees are tall and difficult to climb.

4. To have a bee in one's bonnet.

This idiom means to be obsessed with something. It is thought to have originated in the 19th century, when people believed that bees were attracted to madness.

5. To be pulling someone's leg.

This idiom means to be teasing or joking with someone. It is thought to have originated in the 18th century, when people would pull the legs of animals to make them dance.

6. To be in a pickle.

This idiom means to be in a complicated situation.

7. To be between a rock and a hard place.

This idiom means to be in a situation where there is no good option.

8. To be on the horns of a dilemma.

This idiom means to be in a difficult situation with two equally bad choices.

9. To be up the creek without a paddle.

This idiom means to be in a hopeless situation.

10. A fly in the ointment

This idiom means a small but irritating flaw that spoils the whole.

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