The SSC CGL English section frequently tests candidates on idioms and phrases. To help you prepare effectively, we’ve compiled 25 tricky idioms, their meanings, and tricks to memorize them easily.
Why Learn Idioms & Phrases for SSC CGL?
Frequently Asked in Exams: Idioms appear in fill-in-the-blanks, sentence improvement, and comprehension-based questions.
Enhances Vocabulary & Fluency: Knowing idioms improves both reading comprehension and speaking skills.
Boosts Score in English Section: Mastering idioms can help you quickly answer tricky vocabulary-based questions.
25 Difficult Idioms & Phrases for SSC CGL
1. Hobson’s Choice
Meaning: No real choice; accepting what is given or nothing at all.
Trick: Imagine a shop where you have only one option—take it or leave it.
Example: The manager gave me a Hobson’s choice—either accept the pay cut or resign.
2. Flogging a dead horse
Meaning: Wasting time on something that has already failed.
Trick: Imagine someone hitting a dead horse hoping it will run.
Example: Trying to reopen the case is like flogging a dead horse.
3. Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Meaning: Caught between two equally bad choices.
Trick: Picture someone standing between a dangerous devil and a deep sea—both risky.
Example: He was stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea—either betray his friend or lose his job.
4. Don’t cry wolf
Meaning: Don’t give false alarms or make fake complaints.
Trick: Comes from The Boy Who Cried Wolf story—people stop believing lies.
Example: If you keep calling in fake emergencies, no one will believe you when it’s real.
5. A Pyrrhic victory
Meaning: A win that comes with heavy losses.
Trick: Imagine a battle where victory costs so much that it feels like losing.
Example: The legal battle was a Pyrrhic victory—he won the case but lost his reputation.
6. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To end a quarrel and make peace.
Trick: Imagine two enemies burying a weapon (hatchet) as a symbol of peace.
Example: After years of rivalry, the two leaders finally buried the hatchet.
7. Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
Meaning: To support both sides in a conflict for personal gain.
Trick: Imagine a person who both helps the hunted animal and the hunter.
Example: You can’t run with the hare and hunt with the hounds—pick a side.
8. Turn the tables
Meaning: To change a situation in your favor.
Trick: Imagine a chessboard flipping and your opponent now being at a disadvantage.
Example: With strong evidence, the lawyer turned the tables on the prosecution.
9. Pull out all the stops
Meaning: To make every possible effort.
Trick: Think of an organ player pulling all the stops to make the loudest sound.
Example: The company pulled out all the stops for the product launch.
10. Throw down the gauntlet
Meaning: To challenge someone boldly.
Trick: Knights used to throw down their gloves (gauntlets) to issue challenges.
Example: The new CEO threw down the gauntlet by setting high targets for the employees.
11. Cast pearls before swine
Meaning: To offer something valuable to someone who doesn’t appreciate it.
Trick: Imagine giving precious pearls to pigs that don’t understand their worth.
Example: Giving him career advice is like casting pearls before swine.
12. A storm in a teacup
Meaning: A big fuss over a small issue.
Trick: Imagine a storm inside a tiny teacup—it looks dramatic but is small.
Example: The media made the celebrity’s comment into a storm in a teacup.
13. A leopard can’t change its spots
Meaning: A person’s true nature cannot be changed.
Trick: Imagine a leopard trying to remove its spots—impossible!
Example: He promised to be honest, but a leopard can’t change its spots.
14. In the doldrums
Meaning: In a period of depression or stagnation.
Trick: Doldrums is an ocean region with no wind, causing ships to get stuck.
Example: After losing his job, he was in the doldrums for months.
15. Feather in one’s cap
Meaning: A significant achievement.
Trick: Warriors added feathers to their caps to signify victories.
Example: Winning the award was another feather in her cap.
16. At one’s wit’s end
Meaning: Completely confused or frustrated.
Trick: Imagine someone so stressed that they have no ideas left.
Example: She was at her wit’s end trying to fix the computer.
17. Wild goose chase
Meaning: A hopeless or futile pursuit.
Trick: Imagine chasing a wild goose that you’ll never catch.
Example: Searching for the lost files was a wild goose chase.
18. Cut the Gordian knot
Meaning: To solve a complex problem quickly and decisively.
Trick: Alexander the Great cut a tangled knot instead of untying it.
Example: The judge cut the Gordian knot by giving a clear verdict.
19. Catch-22
Meaning: A no-win situation where rules contradict each other.
Trick: Comes from the novel Catch-22—where a soldier can’t escape duty due to contradictory rules.
Example: Without experience, he couldn’t get a job, but without a job, he couldn’t gain experience—a real Catch-22.
20. Break a lance with someone
Meaning: To argue or compete with someone.
Trick: Imagine knights breaking lances in jousting competitions.
Example: He broke a lance with his boss over company policies.
21. To move heaven and earth
Meaning: To make every possible effort.
Trick: Imagine someone trying to move the entire universe!
Example: He moved heaven and earth to clear the SSC CGL exam.
22. Skeleton in the closet
Meaning: A hidden secret that can cause embarrassment.
Trick: Picture a skeleton hidden in a cupboard, waiting to be exposed.
Example: Every politician has a skeleton in the closet.
23. Bell the cat
Meaning: To take a risky but necessary action.
Trick: Mice plan to put a bell on a cat but no one dares to do it.
Example: Everyone complains about the manager, but no one is ready to bell the cat.
24. Fly in the ointment
Meaning: A minor flaw that ruins something good.
Trick: Picture a fly landing in a bottle of expensive ointment.
Example: The only fly in the ointment of his job offer was the low salary.
25. Call a spade a spade
Meaning: To speak openly and honestly.
Trick: Imagine calling a spade (tool) exactly what it is, without sugarcoating.
Example: She always calls a spade a spade, even if it offends people.
Final Thoughts!
Idioms and phrases can seem tricky at first, but with visualization, regular revision, and mock tests, you can master them for SSC CGL.
Mastering these tough idioms and phrases for SSC CGL will give you an edge in the English section.
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Also Read –
50 Must-Know Vocabs for SSC CGL