6 More Idioms You Not Want to Miss

We are committed to providing you important study material in a tricky way, in this regard today we are proving 6 more idioms which are important for upcoming exams like SSC, IBPS and SBI bank exam.

Make a virtue of necessity: If you make a virtue of necessity, you pretend that you did it out of goodness. However, in fact, you did it because you had no choice. The school forced Seth to pay a hefty sum for his child’s admission. Mr Seth made a virtue of necessity and said he made a voluntary contribution to the charitable cause of education.

The tail wagging the dog: Normally, what happens? The dog wags the tail, one of its parts. But sometimes the reverse may happen. A situation is described as a tail wagging the dog when a minor part of something is controlling or determining the course of the whole. The regional party has only two MPs but it is driving the coalition—a case of the tail wagging the dog.

The writing on the wall: The writing on the wall refers to clear signs that warn of failure, disaster or defeat. For example, signs that a business is unlikely to be able to exist much longer. The world of the future will be technology-driven. Non-technical personnel should see the writing on the wall and re-orient themselves.

Water under the bridge: If an event or incident is water under the bridge, it has happened and cannot be changed now. So there is no point in worrying about it. The mistake cannot be undone. My fiiend bought land and later realised it was a bad buy. But it’s water under the bridge now.

Meet one’s Waterloo: The Battle of Waterloo has an important place in history. Napoleon Bonaparte, who was considered to be invincible, finally met defeat in this battle. His French army was humbled by Wellington’s British forces.

Idiomatically, if you meet your Waterloo, you lose an important contest, to your own severe disadvantage. The Australian cricket team met its Waterloo in its series against India.

Make waves: If you make waves, you cause trouble. You disturb a peaceful Situation. Fundamentalists raise one bogey after another and make waves.

Give way: This idiom has several meanings:

1. If X gives way to Y, it is replaced by Y. The reason: either X is old-fashioned or Y is more important. In most of the offices, typewriters have given way to computers.

2. If something gives way, it collapses. The bridge could not bear the burden of four trucks at a time. So it gave way.

3. If You give way to something, you eventually agree to allow it, even though you really disagree or disapprove of it. We have often seen Politicians giving way to the strikers’ demands.

4. If you give way to an emotion, you allow yourself to give vent to your feelings. You lose control of yourself. Don’t give way to anger in an Interview.