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Ever wonder where expressions such as mind your p's and q's, chip on his shoulder, living high on the hog, or the whole nine yards exactly mean? This Dictionary of Phrases will help you stop wondering. This dictionary is a collection of expressions that are currently in use. After going through the book, you would know that phrases add to liveliness in conversations.What is a phrase in the first place? A phrase is a sequence of two or more words that form a meaningful combination in a sentence; and is preceded and followed by pauses. Of course, we also use the word phrase to refer to a short group of words that have a particular meaning when they are used together, such as rain cats and dogs, play for time, or a square meal. This type of phrase is often referred to as an idiom.How are phrases useful? They are handy when stuck for an alternative turn of phrase that you haven't already used? This Dictionary of Phrases unblocks you with ideas to choose from. Suppose you are writing about 'air, you might look for phrases on 'air'. Who would benefit reading this dictionary? School and college students besides many journalists, copywriters, and songwriters will find it an invaluable resource when looking for that elusive turn of phrase. Speakers and writers can polish their works to make presentation livelier.

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Publié par	V & S Publishers
Date de parution	01 juin 2015
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9789350574171
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0500€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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CONCISE
DICTIONARY OF
PHRASES
A Perfect Reference for Students of all age groups. Useful guide for aspirants of IAS, CAT, GMAT, Civil Services, IELTS, TOEFL & Other Examinations
Published by:
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© Copyright: ISBN 978-93-505741-7-1
DISCLAIMER
While every attempt has been made to provide accurate and timely information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, unintended omissions or commissions detected therein. The author and publisher make no representation or warranty with respect to the comprehensiveness or completeness of the contents provided.
All matters included have been simplified under professional guidance for general information only without any warranty for applicability on an individual. Any mention of an organization or a website in the book by way of citation or as a source of additional information doesn't imply the endorsement of the content either by the author or the publisher. It is possible that websites cited may have changed or removed between the time of editing and publishing the book.
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It makes sense to elicit advice from well informed sources before implementing the ideas given in the book. The reader assumes full responsibility for the consequences arising out from reading this book. For proper guidance, it is advisable to read the book under the watchful eyes of parents/guardian. The purchaser of this book assumes all responsibility for the use of given materials and information. The copyright of the entire content of this book rests with the author/publisher. Any infringement / transmission of the cover design, text or illustrations, in any form, by any means, by any entity will invite legal action and be responsible for consequences thereon.
Contents
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Publisher’s Note
Considering the growing importance of English in all spheres of life, we recently published an EXC-EL Series (Excellence in English Language) composed of four books - English Vocabulary Made Easy, English Grammar & Usage, Spoken English, and Improve Your Vocabulary. We thought we have done our bit. No sooner, the Series hit the market; a volley of readers sought our help to improve diction, presentation and attractiveness of their conversation - both in writing and speaking.
Being aware that our existence as a publishing house depends solely upon fulfilling readers' expectations and continued patronage, we decided to come out with something that can add spark to any conversation while making it appear interesting. This Dictionary of Phrases is the outcome. There are three more companion dictionaries on - Idioms, Proverbs and Metaphors & Similes.
This book explains the meaning behind hundreds of phrases that you hear or read in English each day. The meanings are shown in italics. In order to keep it concise, this dictionary attempts to present most commonly used phrases. Having an exhaustive one will just overwhelm you with thousands of phrases that nobody uses anymore. English remains immensely popular, attractive, articulate and rich language but its phrases are often 'tough nuts to crack'.
What led us to publish this? Phrases appear in every language, and English has thousands of them. They are often confusing because the meaning of the whole group of words taken together has little, often nothing, to do with the meaning of the words taken one by one. In order to understand a language, you must be aware of what the phrases in that language mean. If you try to figure out the meaning of a phrase literally, word by word, you will get completely befuddled.
We would be happy to have your views and comments for improving the content and quality of the edition.
Introduction
What are Phrases?
In everyday speech, a phrase may refer to any group of words. In linguistics, a phrase is a group of words (or sometimes a single word) that form a constituent, and so function as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence. They have a meaning but do not convey the complete meaning. A phrase is lower on the grammatical hierarchy than a clause. A phrase is always a part of a sentence and usually qualifies a Noun or Verb.
Example
The house at the end of the street is red in colour. At the end of the street-Phrase is a list of Phrases with their respective Meanings. Read, understand and learn as many as you can to speak and write better English, and improve as well as enrich your vocabulary.
A
A Bad Egg
Someone/thing that disappoints one’s expectations.
A Bed of Roses
An easy Situation.
A Bee in Your Bonnet
To be obsessed with something.
A Blot on the landscape
Something that spoils a comfortable situation.
A bolt from the blue
A surprise.
A bun in the oven
To be pregnant.
A bunch of Fives
A fist.
A chip on your shoulder
Keeping a grudge.
A day late and a dollar short
Late and ill prepared.
A different ballpark
Something totally unrelated or of a vastly different scale or scope.
A dime a dozen
When something is extremely simple to obtain.
A dime's worth
An insignificant amount.
A drop in the bucket
An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.
A drop in the ocean
A very small amount in comparison to the amount that is needed.
A dumb priest never got a parish
Those who fail to speak up fail to get what they want.
A few sandwiches short of a picnic
Exhibiting disquiet or unsoundness of mind; not sane; mad.
A fly in the ointment
Something that creates or introduces an impediment
A fools' paradise
False hopes for a foolish person
A gentleman and a scholar
An admirable person.
A golden key can open any door
Sufficient money can accomplish anything.
A good beginning makes a good ending
Good beginnings promise a good end; start off on a good note to reap the benefits at the end.
A good man is hard to find
Men who make good husbands or workers are rare.
A good voice to beg bacon
Said in ridicule of a bad voice.
A great deal
Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.
A house is not a home
A home is not merely a building but requires inhabitants and a friendly atmosphere.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point
A leopard cannot change its spots
One cannot change one's own nature.
A lie has no legs
You can't get away with a lie, the truth will always come out.
A life of its own
An independent existence with some characteristics of life.
A little bird told me
Of information which was gathered from a source not to be overtly exposed.
A million times
By a factor of a million
A nod is as good as a wink
The hint, suggestion etc can be understood without further explaining.
A notch above
Superior to; of a higher quality than.
A number of
Several of.
A Piece of cake
Something that is simple.
A question of
The important question is; the necessary question is.
A riddle wrapped up in an enigma
Something very mysterious and hidden.
A watched pot never boils
A process appears to go more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.
A wide berth
Wide distance.
Abide by
To accept a decision or law and act in accordance with it; to conform to; to acquiesce; as, to abide by an award.
Abide by
To remain faithful to something or someone; to stand to; to adhere.
Abide with
To remain or live with someone.
Able seaman
Ordinary sailor
Abominable snowman
Yeti
Abound in
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
Abound with
To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.
About time
Close to the right time.
About time
Far past the desired time.
About to
Indicates something that will happen very soon; indicates that something is imminent.
About turn
A complete change of opinion, direction, etc.
About turn
An about face; a military command to a formation of soldiers to reverse the direction in which they are facing.
Above and beyond
More than is expected or required.
Above board
Honestly, reputably.
Above one's bend
Out of one's control or power.
Above the law
Exempt from the laws.
Above the salt
Honorable.
Abstract nonsense
Details which involve unnecessary diagrams.
Abut on
To border on.
Accident of birth
The circumstances around one's birth determine a lot about that person.
Accident waiting to happen
Something which will eventually lead to an accident.
According to
Based on what is said or stated.
Account for
Clarify.
Ace in the hole
A hidden strength.
Ace up one's sleeve
A surprise and hidden advantage..
Ache for
To desire; to want.
Acid test
A hard test searching for the truth.
Acknowledge the corn
To agree to have made a small mistake but not the bigger one.
Across the board
To be relevant to everything.
Across the pond
Referring to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Act like a bull in a china shop
To act rudely in a sensitive situation.
Act on
To act decisively on something.
Act one's age
Be mature as your age.
Ac