Welcome to Online English Section with explanation in AffairsCloud.com. Here we are providing here some important idioms and phrases, which is BASED ON IBPS PO/CLERK/LIC AAO/RRB & SSC CGL EXAM and other competitive exams.
to hold still: not to move
- Please hold still while I adjust your tie.
- If you don’t hold that camera still, you’ll get a blurred picture.
to know by sight: to recognize
This idiom is used when the person has been seen previously but is not known personally. The person must be used to separate the idiom.
- I have never met our new neighbors; I simply know them by sight.
- The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again.
to be the matter: to be unsatisfactory, to be improper, to be wrong
In a question, this idiom is used with what or something. In an answer, something or nothing is usually used.
- Â A: What is the matter, Betty? You look very upset.
- Â B: Yes, something is the matter. I’ve lost my purse!
- Â A: Is something the matter, Charles? You don’t look well.
- Â B: No, nothing is the matter. I’m just a little under the weather.
to bring up: to rear, to raise from childhood ; to mention, to raise an issue, to introduce a topic
-  Parents should bring up their children to be responsible members of society.
-  Sarah wanted to bring the scheduling problem up at the club meeting, but finally she decided against doing so.
- One of the students brought up an interesting point related to the subject in our textbook.
to get lost: to become lost; to go away in order not to bother
The second definition provides a very informal, even rude, meaning that should be used only with close friends. It is sometimes used in a joking manner.
- While driving in Boston, we got lost and drove many miles in the wrong direction.
- Todd kept bothering me while I was studying, so I told him to get lost.
- Â Lisa joked that she wanted her sister to get lost forever.
to hold up: to delay, to make late ; to remain high in quality
- Â A big accident held up traffic on the highway for several hours.
- Â Deidre is amazed at how well her car has held up over the years.
to run away: to leave without permission; to escape
- The young couple ran away and got married because their parents wouldn’t permit it.
- That cat is just like a criminal — it runs away from anyone who tries to come near!
to rule out: to refuse to consider, to prohibit
- Heather ruled out applying to college in Texas because she would rather go to school in Canada.
- I’d like to watch a good movie on TV tonight, but a ton of homework rules that out.
by far: by a great margin, clearly
- Â Jacquie is by far the most intelligent student in our class.
- Â This is by far the hottest, most humid summer we’ve had in years.
to see off: to say good-bye upon departure by train, airplane, bus, etc. (also:Â to send off)
A noun or pronoun must divide the idiom.
- We are going to the airport to see Peter off on his trip to Europe.
- When I left for Cincinnati on a business trip, no one came to the train station to send me off.
to see out: to accompany a person out of a house, building, etc.
A noun or pronoun must again divide the idiom.
- The Johnsons were certain to see their guests out as each one left the party.
- Would you please see me out to the car? It’s very dark outside.
no wonder: it’s no surprise that, not surprisingly
This idiom derives form reducing it is no wonder that…
- No wonder the portable heater doesn’t work. It’s not plugged into the electrical outlet!
- Jack has been out of town for several weeks. No wonder we haven’t seen him recently.
