Important Idioms

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gain ground

Meaning: make progress or advance in a particular area or situation.

Example: The new policy is gaining ground among community leaders. Read more ➺


whistle blower

Meaning: An individual who reveals confidential information: Someone, often an employee, who exposes illegal or unethical behavior within an organization to the public or authorities.

Example: The whistle blower provided documents proving that the company was dumping toxic waste into the river. Read more ➺


carry weight

Meaning: to have influence or importance in a particular situation.

Example: Her opinion carries weight in the committee's final decisions. Read more ➺


sit in judgment

Meaning: to judge the morality or worthiness of someone or something without having official authority.

Example: He has no right to sit in judgment on how others live their lives. Read more ➺


kid gloves

Meaning: to handle or treat someone in a very delicate or cautious manner.

Example: He handled the sensitive issue with kid gloves to avoid causing offense. Read more ➺


balancing act

Meaning: an effort to manage multiple conflicting or competing elements or interests simultaneously.

Example: Being a working parent is a daily balancing act between professional responsibilities and family needs. Read more ➺


brand spanking new

Meaning: completely new or unused.

Example: I just bought a brand spanking new car yesterday. Read more ➺


accidentally on purpose

Meaning: performing an action intentionally and pretending to either oneself or to the world that as an accident.

Example: She accidentally on purpose spilled coffee on her ex's new girlfriend's dress. Read more ➺


a shot in the dark

Meaning: a guess without much information or certainty.

Example: It's hard to tell the time without a clock, but I'll take a shot in the dark and say it's past midnight. Read more ➺


rank and file

Meaning: the ordinary staff members of an organization, and not the leaders or officers.

Example: The rank-and-file members need to unite and fight against the savage management. Read more ➺


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