Important Idioms

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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 ➺


poles apart

Meaning: completely different and opposite.

Example: In personality and culture, the couple are poles apart. Read more ➺


in lieu of

Meaning: place of, in place of, or instead of.

Example: The employee received a cash payment in lieu of vacation days she was unable to take. Read more ➺


faux pas

Meaning: embarrassing or tactless action or remark.

Example: Jenny realized she had committed a faux pas when the guest of honor left in a huff. Read more ➺


code of conduct

Meaning: set rules and regulations governing a group of people.

Example: The code of conduct of that organization requires people to pass through the security office before entering. Read more ➺


rise to the occasion

Meaning: achieve extraordinary results under pressure.

Example: I know I will rise to the occasion when challenges arise. Read more ➺


man of straw

Meaning: a person who is disregarded as lacking character or morality.

Example: He's just a man of straw, easily manipulated by powerful people. Read more ➺


blind alley

Meaning: a street, road, or alley that closes at one end.

Example: I've been researching this problem for days, and I think I'm in a blind alley. There doesn't seem to be any way around it. Read more ➺


as broad as long

Meaning: it remains the same regardless of how you view it.

Example: Can we go today or tomorrow? It is as broad as it is long, so you choose. Read more ➺


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