Chapter 72
Advanced Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
72.1 Introduction
Idioms and phrasal verbs are commonly used in spoken and written English. They make language sound natural and fluent.
This chapter helps students understand and use advanced idioms and phrasal verbs confidently in daily conversation and exams.
72.2 Important Points for Students
- Idioms – expressions with special meanings
- Phrasal verbs – verb + preposition/adverb
- Do not translate idioms word by word
- Use them only when the meaning is clear
72.3 50 Advanced Idioms & Phrasal Verbs (with Meaning)
- 1. Break the ice – start a conversation
- 2. Once in a blue moon – very rarely
- 3. Hit the nail on the head – say exactly right
- 4. Burn the midnight oil – work late at night
- 5. Call it a day – stop working
- 6. Look forward to – feel excited about
- 7. Give up – stop trying
- 8. Carry on – continue
- 9. Run out of – have no more left
- 10. Get along with – have a good relationship
- 11. In hot water – in trouble
- 12. Under the weather – feeling unwell
- 13. On cloud nine – very happy
- 14. Take off – become successful
- 15. Put off – postpone
- 16. Cut corners – do something cheaply
- 17. Come across – find by chance
- 18. Back up – support
- 19. Make up your mind – decide
- 20. Turn down – reject
- 21. Piece of cake – very easy
- 22. Cost an arm and a leg – very expensive
- 23. Get over – recover from
- 24. Set up – arrange or start
- 25. Bring up – mention
- 26. In the long run – over time
- 27. Step down – resign
- 28. Look into – investigate
- 29. Put up with – tolerate
- 30. Take part in – participate
- 31. At the end of the day – finally
- 32. Get through – succeed or survive
- 33. Fall apart – break down
- 34. Keep up with – stay updated
- 35. Show up – arrive
- 36. A blessing in disguise – good result from bad event
- 37. Turn out – result
- 38. Break down – stop working
- 39. Give in – surrender
- 40. Take care of – look after
- 41. On the same page – agree
- 42. Go through – experience
- 43. Out of the blue – suddenly
- 44. Bring out – reveal
- 45. Keep an eye on – watch carefully
- 46. Up to date – latest
- 47. Break free – escape
- 48. In charge of – responsible for
- 49. Get ahead – succeed
- 50. Make ends meet – manage expenses
72.4 Exercise — Practice
Section 1 — Fill in the Blanks
- Let us ______ the meeting after lunch.
- He is feeling ______ the weather today.
- put off
- under
Section 2 — True or False
- Idioms should be translated word by word. (True / False)
- Phrasal verbs are common in spoken English. (True / False)
- False
- True
Section 3 — Choose the Correct Meaning
- “Call it a day” means (start work / stop work)
- “Break the ice” means (argue / start talking)
- stop work
- start talking
Section 4 — Make a Sentence
- Use any idiom or phrasal verb in a sentence.
I decided to call it a day after finishing my homework.