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1 edition

ENGLI
FOR ENTRY TEST AND EXAMS
BY: SHAMSUL AMIN

2018

CONTENTS: /BANKOFMCQS
 IDIOMS
 PAIR OFWWORDS
WW.BANKOFMCQS.BLOGSPOT.COM /BankOfMCQs
 PUNCTUATIONS 03421963944
 TENSES CHART
 DIRECT INDIRECT
NARRATION
 PROVERBS
 VOCABULARY
 PHRASES
 BANK OF MCQS 1

Contents
IDIOMS .......................................................................2
Pairs of Words ...........................................................10
PUNCTUATION ......................................................17
TENSES CHART......................................................22
DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH ...................23
1000 ENGLISH PROVERBS ...................................30
VOCABULARY GROUPING .................................49
Beginner Phrases .......................................................58
 BANK OF MCQS 2
IDIOMS
Idioms may be defined as expressions peculiar to a language.
They play an important part in all languages.
Many verbs, when followed by various prepositions, or ad
verbs, acquire an idiomatic sense; as,
He backed up (supported) his friend's claim.
The present disturbances will soon blow over (pass off)
The police produced evidence to bear out (substantiate) the charge of murder.
You must not build your hopes upon (rely upon) his promises.
The matter has been cleared up (explained).
I readily closed with (accepted) his offer.
He is ready to dispose off (sell) his car for Rs. 1,20,000.
Rust has eaten away (corroded) the plate.
They fixed upon (chose) him to do the work.
My good behaviour so far gained on (won the favour of) the emperor that I began to
conceive hopes of liberty.
The habit of chewing tobacco has been growing upon (is having stronger and
stronger
hold over) him.
Please hear me out (i.e., hear me to the end).
I have hit upon (found) a good plan to get rid of him.
About an hour ago I saw a fellow hanging about (loitering about) our bungalow.
These events led up to (culminated in) the establishment of a republic.
During excavations one of the workmen lighted upon (chanced to find, discovered)
a gold
idol.
During her long illness she often longed for (desired) death.
I could not pervail on (persuade, induce) him to attend the meeting.
For years I could not shake off (get rid of) my malaria.
I threatened to show him up (expose him).
All eyes turned to him because he was the only person who could stave off
(prevent,
avert) the impending war.
He is sticking out for (persists in demanding) better terms.
I must think the matter over (i.e., consider it.)
Train up (educate) a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not
depart
from it.
That fellow trumped up (concocted, fabricated) a story.
He seems to be well off (in comfortable circumstances).
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
 BANK OF MCQS 3
Bear
 Satish bore away (won) many prizes at the school sports.
 The new leader has been able to bear down (overthrow, crush) all opposition.
 His evidence bears out (confirms, corroborates) the evidence of the first
witness.
 In his misfortune God gave him strength to bear up (to keep up spirits, not to
despair).
 A religious hope bears up (supports) a man in his trials.
 His evidence did not bear upon (was not relevant to) the inquiry.
 I trust you will bear with (have patience with, show forbearance to) me a few
minutes
 more.
Break
 He broke down (failed) in the middle of his speech.
 He broke off (stopped suddenly) in the middle of his story.
 I gave him no cause to break with (quarrel with) me.
 The burglars broke into (entered by force) the house.
Bring
 His folly has brought about (caused) his ruin.
 Idleness and luxury bring forth (produce, cause) poverty and want.
 He brought forward (adduced) several cogent arguments in support of his
scheme.
 That building brings in (yields as rent) Rs. 7000 a month.
 Our teacher often tells us a story to bring out (show) the meaning of a lesson.
 The publishers have recently brought out (published) a cheap edition of their
new
 dictionary.
 He found great difficulty in bringing her round (converting her) to his views.
 She brought up (reared) the orphan as her own child.
Call
 His master called for (demanded) an explanation of his conduct.
 New responsibilities often call out (draw forth) virtues and abilities
unsuspected before.
 Call in (summon, send for) a doctor immediately.
 He called on me (paid me a brief visit) yesterday.
 The old man could not call up (recollect) past events.
Carry
 He agreed to carry out (execute) my orders.
 His passion carried him away (i.e., deprived him of self-control).
 His son carried on (managed) his business in his absence.
 BANK OF MCQS 4
 Many persons were carried off (killed) by plague.
Cast
 The ship was cast away (wrecked) on the coast of Africa.
 He was much cast down (depressed) by his loss.
Come
 How did these things come about (happen)?
 How did you come by (get) his purse?
 When does the Convocation come off (take place)?
 At last the truth has come out (transpired).
 The taxes come to (amount to) a large sum.
 The question came up (was mooted or raised for discussion) before the
Municipal
 Corporation last week.
 I expect he will come round (recover) within a week.
 I hope he will come round (agree) to our views.
Cry
 Men of dissolute lives cry down (depreciate) religion, because they would not
be under
 the restraints of it.
 He cried out against (protested against) such injustice.
 The young author is cried up (extolled) by his friend.
Cut
 He was cut off (died) in the prime of life.
 You must cut down (reduce) your expenditure.
 He is cut out for (specially fitted to be) a sailor.
 His wife's death cut him up (afflicted him, distressed him) terribly.
Do
 I am done for (ruined).
 Having walked twenty miles, he is quite done up (fatigued, exhausted).
Fall
 At last the rioters fell back (retreated, yielded).
 At my friend's tea-party I fell in with (met accidentally) a strange fellow.
 The measure falls in with (happens to meet) the popular demand.
 The scheme has fallen through (failed) for want of support.
 I am told the two brothers have fallen out (quarrelled).
 It is said that the standard of efficiency in public service has recently fallen off
 (deteriorated).
 In the second school-term the attendance fell off (diminished).
Get
 His friends expected that he would get off (escape) with a fine.
 BANK OF MCQS 5
 It is hard to get on with (agree or live sociably with) a suspicious man.
 The thief got away (escaped) with my cash-box.
 I can't get out (remove) this stain.
 The revolt of the tribal chiefs has been got under (subdued).
 The dog tried to get at (attack) me.
 He has got through (passed) his examination.
 They soon got the fire under (under control) by pouring buckets of water over
it.
 You were lucky to get out of (escape from) his clutches.
Give
 We are credibly informed that the murderer has given himself up (surrendered
 himself) to the police.
 The doctors have given him up (i.e., have no hope of his recovery).
 Soon after it was given forth (published, noised abroad), and believed by
many, that the
 King was dead.
 The fire gave off (emitted) a dense smoke.
 The strikers seem determined, and are not likely to give in (submit, yield).
 It was given out (published, proclaimed) that he was a bankrupt.
 The horses gave out (were exhausted) at the next milestone.
 The rope gave way (broke, snapped) while the workmen were hauling up the
iron pillar.
 He would not listen to me at first, but at last he gave way (yielded.) .
 The Governor gave away (distributed, presented) the prizes.
 Give over (abandon) this foolish attempt.
 In his cross-examination, he ultimately gave himself away (betrayed himself).
Go
 You cannot always go by (judge from) appearances.
 It is a good rule to go by (to be guided by).
 He promised to go into (examine, investigate) the matter.
 Have you anything to go upon (i.e., any foundation for your statement)?
 We have no data to go upon (on which to base our conclusions).
 The story won't go down (be believed).
 The concert went off well (was a success).
 The auditor went over (examined) the balance sheet.
 The poor woman has gone through (suffered) much.
 I must first go through (examine) the accounts.
Hold
 The rebels held out (offered resistance) for about a month.
 He holds out (gives) no promise of future prospects.
 BANK OF MCQS 6
 They were held up (stopped on the highway and robbed) by bandits.
 The subject is held over (deferred, postponed) till next meeting.
Keep
 A few boys were kept in (confined after school-hours).
 I was kept in (confined to the house) by a bad cold.
 They kept up (carried on) a long conversation.
 Little disputes and quarrels are chiefly kept up (maintained) by those who
have nothing
 else to do.
 He is trying his best to keep up (maintain) the reputation of his family.
 The rubber syndicate keeps up (maintains) the price.
 She kept on (continued) talking.
 I shall keep back (conceal) nothing from you.
Knock
 He has knocked about (wandered about) the world a great deal.
 The dressing-table was knocked down (sold at an auction) for Rs. 900.
 We were greatly knocked up (exhausted) after our steep climb.
Lay
 The rebels laid down (surrendered) their arms.
 He had laid out (invested) a large sum in railway shares.
 Foolish people, who do not lay out (spend) their money carefully, soon come,
to grief.
 He is laid up (confined to his bed) with fever.
 He resolved to lay by (save for future needs) a part of his income.
Let
 I was let into (made acquainted with) her secret.
 This being his first offence he was let off (punished leniently) with a fine.
Look
 His uncle looks after (takes care of) him.
 He looks down upon (despises) his poor cousins.
 Look up (search for) the word in the dictionary.
 The old man is looking forward to (expecting with pleasure) the visit of his
 grandchildren.
 I will look into (investigate) the matter.
 I look on (regard) him as my son.
 Some look to (rely on) legislation to hasten the progress of social reforms.
 Look to (be careful about) your manners.
 Prices of piece-goods are looking up (rising).
 His friends look up to (respect) him.
 He will not look at (i.e., will reject) your offer.
 BANK OF MCQS 7
Make
 Contentment makes for (conduces to) happiness.
 He made over (presented, gave in charity) his bungalow to the Islam
Orphanage.
 I cannot make out (discover) the meaning of this verse.
 I cannot make out (read, decipher) his handwriting.
 You have failed to make out (prove) your case.
 Some time ago the two brothers quarrelled, but they have now made it up
(become reconciled).
Pass
 He generally passed by (overlooked) the faults of his subordinates.
 The crew of the boat passed through (underwent) terrible sufferings.
 He passed himself off as (pretended to be) a nobleman.
 He passes for (is regarded as) a great Pundit.
Pick
 The Committee picked out (selected) the best players for the team.
 He lost twenty pounds in sickness, but is now picking up (regaining or
recovering health).
Pull
 Unless we pull together (co-operate, work together in harmony) we cannot
succeed.
 My cousin pulled through (passed with difficulty) the examination.
 The doctor says the patient will pull through (recover from his illness).
 It is far easier to pull down (demolish) than to build up.
 He was pulled up (scolded, rebuked) by the President
Put
 He puts on (assumes) an air of dignity.
 Please put out (extinguish) the light.
 He was put out (vexed, annoyed) when I refused his request for a loan.
 The plaintiff was put out (disconcerted) when the suit was dismissed.
 He tried to put me off (evade me, satisfy me) with promises.
 He has put in (made, sent in) a claim for compensation.
 While travelling I had to put up with (endure) a good deal of discomfort.
 I cannot put up with (tolerate) his insolence.
 They put him up to (incited him to) mischief.
 I am sorry to put you to (give you) so much trouble.
 He put off (postponed) his departure for a week.
 The measure was put through (passed) without opposition.
Run
 On account of overwork he is run down (enfeebled).
 BANK OF MCQS 8
 He always runs down (disparages) his rivals.
 The lease of our premises has run out (expired, come to an end).
 He has run through (squandered away) his fortune.
 The tailor's bill has run up to (amounted to) a large amount.
 He has run into (incurred) debt.
 Recently my expenses have run up (increased) considerably.
 The cistern is running over (overflowing).
See
 I saw through (detected) the trick.
 It is hard to see into (discern) his motive.
 His friends were present at the station to see him off (witness his departure) .
Set
 The High Court set aside (annulled) the decree of the lower court.
 He immediately set about (took steps towards) organizing the department.
 He set off (started) for Peshawar early this morning.
 The frame sets off the picture (i.e., enhances its beauty by contrast).
 He has set up (started business) as a banker.
 I have enough capital to set me up (establish myself) in trade.
 He hired a palatial bungalow and set up for (pretended to be) a millionaire.
 I was obliged to set him down (snub him).
 You may set down (charge) his loss to me.
 Who set you on (instigated you) to do it?
 These seats are set apart (reserved) for ladies.
 In his speech on prohibition, he set forth (explained, made known) his views
at length.
 The robbers set upon (attacked) the defenceless travellers.
 Winter in England sets in (begins) about December.
Speak
 In Mumbai there is no free library to speak of (worth mentioning).
 I was determined to speak out (express my opinion freely).
Stand
 They are determined to stand up for (vindicate, maintain) their rights.
 Let this matter stand over (be deferred or postponed) for the present.
 It is hard but I think I can stand it out (endure it to the end without yielding).
 He is always standing up for (championing the cause of) the weak and
oppressed.
 We shall be formidable if we stand by (support) one another.
Strike
 He is struck down with (attacked by) paralysis.
 BANK OF MCQS 9
 The Medical Council struck off (removed) his name from the register of
medical
 practitioners.
 While we were planning a family picnic, my sister struck in (interrupted) with
the
 suggestion that we invite our neighbour's children as well.
Take
 The piano takes up (occupies) too much room.
 It would take up (occupy) too much time to tell you the whole story.
 He takes after (resembles) his father.
 At present I am reading the Essays of Bacon, but it is sometimes difficult to
take in (comprehend, understand) his meaning.
 Recently he has taken to (become addicted to) opium eating.
Talk
 We talked over (discussed) the matter for an hour.
 I hope to talk him over (convenience him by taking) to our view.
Tell
 I am afraid your antecedents will tell against you (i.e., prove unfavourable to
you).
 The strain is telling upon (affecting) his health.
Throw
 My advice was thrown away (wasted) upon him, because he ignored it.
 The bill was thrown out (rejected) by the Assembly.
 In disgust he threw up (resigned) his appointment.
 When he became rich he threw over (abandoned or deserted) all his old
friends.
Turn
 The factory turns out (produces, manufactures) 20,000 lbs of cloth a day.
 If he is lazy, why don't you turn him off (dismiss him).
 He turned out (proved) to be a sharper.
 His very friends turned against (became hostile to) him.
 Who can say what will turn up (happen) next?
 He promised to come, but he never turned up (appeared).
Work
 We tempted him with many promises, but nothing would work on (influence)
 him.
 He worked out (solved) the problem in a few minutes.
 He is sure to work up (excite) the mob.
 He worked upon (influenced) the ignorant villagers.
 BANK OF MCQS 10
Pairs of Words Sugar is made from beet also.
Accede Beneficent
He acceded to my request. God is beneficent to all.
Exceed Beneficial
We should not exceed the limits of The new health policy is beneficial for
morality. the people.
Access Berth
He is proud of his access to the minister. reserved a berth in the Pakistan Mail.
Excess Birth
Excess of everything is bad. What is your date of birth?
Adapt Beside
A clever man adapts himself to the There is a park beside our house.
situation. Besides
Adopt Besides this, I have another evidence to
Some pakistanis have adopted western prove my claim.
ways of life. Born
Accept Allama Iqbal was born in Sialkot.
accepted his request to dinner. Borne
Except The cost of his education was borne by
All except Ali were present. his brother.
Admit Brake
admit that he is honest. The brakes of my cycle are loose.
Confess Break
He confessed his guilt in the court. He tried very hard but could not break
Artist the stick.
A famous artist has painted this picture. Bridal
Artiste Her bridal dress was worth-seeing.
Shazia Manzoor is a popular TV artiste. Bridle
Averse It is difficult to control a horse without a
He is averse to criticism. bridle.
Adverse Calendar
was angered by his adverse remarks. bought next year‟s calendar from
Ballet market.
Chinese ballet is worth-seeing. Calender
Ballot He works in a calender factory.
We put our ballot papers in the box. Cannon
Beat Cannons thundered in the battlefield.
Do not beat about the bush and come to Canon
the point. His behaviour is against all canons of
Beet morality.
 BANK OF MCQS 11
Canvas The patient has been in coma for the last
These shoes are made of canvas. ten days.
Canvass Comma
People are canvassing for the election of Do not put a comma at the end of the
their candidate. sentence.
Cast Common
The fisherman cast his net in the river. This piece of land is a common property
Caste of all the villagers.
There is no caste system in Islam. Mutual
Cease They came to a mutual agreement to
The engine of their car ceased working. help each other in the hour of need.
Seize Complement
He seized the thief by the neck. Man and woman are complement of
Ceremonial each other.
The priest was wearing a ceremonial Compliment
dress. Please pay my compliments to your
Ceremonious father.
He is always ceremonious to his seniors. Confidant
Cession have full confidence on my confidant.
No country can allow the cession of any Confident
of its provinces. The boy was very confident of his
Session success in the examination.
The budget session will be held shortly. Corporal
Childish Corporal punishment in schools is not
am fed up with his childish habits. allowed nowadays.
Childlike Corporeal
The old man is child like in his Food and water are the corporeal needs
behaviour. of man.
Cite Council
The teacher cited many examples from The college council is the highest body
history. in a college.
Site Counsel
The new site for the college has been The son acted upon his father‟s counsel
selected. and succeeded.
Coarse Cue
This dress is made of coarse cloth. The actor got the cue and acted
Course accordingly.
Some questions in today‟s paper are out Queue
of course. Please stand in the queue and wait for
Coma your turn.
 BANK OF MCQS 12
Custom Devise
Every country has its own customs. They are trying to devise a machine for
Habit sowing of rice.
Smoking is a bad habit. Dew
Dairy Dews fall gently.
have bought this milk from a dairy Due
shop. She could not go to the college due to
Diary illness.
She keeps a diary to record important Die
events. The doctor cured the patient who was
Decided about to die.
Please, give me your decided opinion in Dye
this matter. Some men dye their hair.
Decisive Dose
Three decisive battles were fought at The doctor gave him three doses of
Panipat. medicine.
Defer Doze
The case of his pension has been The watchman was found dozing in the
deferred. night.
Differ Draft
differ with you on this matter. The draft of my book is ready.
Defy Draught
Napoleon defied the whole of Europe The traveler took a few draughts of cool
for more than a decade. water.
Deify Dual
The Greeks deified their heroes. Our principal is performing dual duties
Dependant nowadays.
He has many dependants to look after. Duel
Dependent The prince was killed in a duel.
Akram can not marry because he is Economic
dependent. The economic condition of Pakistan is
Descent improving.
While coming down the descent, his Economical
foot slipped and he fell down. We should be economical in what we
Dissent spend.
The meeting could not decide the matter Edible
because of dissent among the members. We use edible oil for cooking.
Device Audible
Scientists have invented a new device to His voice was hardly audible.
control the traffic. Eligible
 BANK OF MCQS 13
You are eligible for this post. Gentlemen do not use foul language.
Illegible Fowl
His handwriting is illegible. He has kept many fowls in his mini zoo.
Emigrant Gait
Many English emigrants have settled in He walks with an awkward gait.
Australia. Gate
Immigrant Please open the main gate.
Asian immigrants are maltreated in Gamble
Britain. He gambled away all his money.
Eminent Gambol
Allama Iqbal was an eminent poet. The children were gamboling in the
Imminent ground.
War in that region is imminent. Hail
Enviable The travelers were caught in a hail
His health is enviable. storm.
Envious Hale
We should not be envious to others. Even in his old age, he is hale and
Faction healthy.
Many factions of the students were Heard
going towards the playground. We heard a noise outside.
Fiction Herd
Your story seems to be a fiction. A herd of cows is grazing in the field.
Fair Hew
We are planning to see the village fair People are hewing down the trees.
tomorrow. Hue
Fare The rainbow has many hues.
The railway fares have increased. Historic
Famous The President made a historic speech
Allama Iqbal is very famous in other yesterday.
countries also. Historical
Notorious We visited many historical places in
A notorious robber was killed by the Lahore.
villagers yesterday. Human
Feat Human nature never changes.
The juggler showed many feats in the Humane
circus. He is very humane and forgiving.
Feet Idle
The children washed their feet after Do not waste your time by remaining
returning from the playground. idle.
Foul Idol
 BANK OF MCQS 14
Hindus worship many idols. Meet
Imaginary could not meet my friends on the last
Your fears are unreal and imaginary. day in the college.
Imaginative Metal
The writer of this book has an Iron is a useful metal.
imaginative mind. Mettle
Impassable The soldiers collected their mettles and
The road to Kaghan Valley becomes defeated the enemy.
impassable in winter. Miner
Impossible He is miner by profession.
Nothing is impossible in this world. Minor
Ingenious Minors are not allowed to play with this
He found an ingenious way to save toy.
himself. Moral
Ingenuous He has a good moral character.
Be fair and ingenuous in your dealing Morale
with others. The morale of our army is very high.
Judicial Official
A judicial inquiry was held in this case. My elder brother is a government
Judicious official.
Your advice is very judicious. Officious
Lessen He is always officious to his seniors.
The doctor tried to lessen his pain. Ordinance
Lesson The government has issued a new
All the students have learnt their lesson. ordinance.
Lovable Ordnance
He is noble and loveable. There is an ordnance factory in Wah.
Lovely Patrol
It is a lovely scene on the mountains. The guards are on patrol duty today.
Main Petrol
Write down the main idea of this poem. met him near the petrol pump.
Mane Populous
The hunter clutched the manes of the Karachi is a populous city.
lion. Popular
Marry Imran Khan was a popular cricketer.
She will marry her son next month. Pore
Merry There are numerous pores in human
Eat, drink and be merry. skin.
Meat Pour
This butcher sells fresh meat. Please pour some milk in the cup.
 BANK OF MCQS 15
Principal She bought a pencil from a stationery
Our principal is on leave today. shop.
Principle Storey
The chairman of this organization is We live in the upper storey of this
man of principles. building.
Profit Story
Some merchants earned undue profit by The teacher told us an interesting story
hoarding sugar. today.
Prophet Straight
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the last This road leads straight to our college.
prophet of God. Strait
Rain The ship is sailing through the strait of
The rivers are in flood because of heavy Gibraltor.
rains. Tenor
Rein The peaceful tenor of his life was
The rider pulled the rein of the horse to broken by the death of his son.
stop it. Tenure
Respectable The tenure of this post is three years.
Women enjoy a respectable place in our Vacation
society. We will go abroad during the summer
Respectful vacation.
He is respectful to his elders. Vocation
Right Gardening is his father‟s vocation.
Your answer is not right. Vain
Rite Ali tried hard to cross the river but in
In Pakistan minorities are free to vain.
perform their rites. Vein
Soot Human body has a network of veins.
Sweep the soot out of the chimney. Vale
Suit According to some scholars, this world
He wore a blue suit on his wedding. is a vale of tears.
Soul Veil
He put his heart and soul in his work. Many women cover their faces by veils.
Sole Vine
Akbar is the sole owner of this factory. France is famous for its vineyards.
Stationary Wine
The sun is stationary and our earth Wine is unlawful in Islam.
revolves around it. Wander
Stationery Do not wander in the sun.
 BANK OF MCQS 16
Wonder He wondered at my difficult He has become weak because of illness.
question. Week
Way There are seven days in a week.
There is no easy way to success. Yoke
Weigh The farmer yoked the oxen to the
Please weigh your luggage on the plough.
scales. Yolk
Weak like the yolk of an eg
 BANK OF MCQS 17
PUNCTUATION
Punctuation (derived from the Latin punctum, a point) means the right use of
putting
in Points or Stops in writing. The following are the principal stops:-
(1) Full Stop or Period (.)
(2) Comma (,)
(3) Semicolon (;)
(4) Colon (:)
(5) Question Mark (?)
(6) Exclamation Mark (!)
Other marks in common use are the Dash:- Parentheses ( ); Inverted Commas or
Quotation Marks" ".

The Full Stop represents the greatest pause and separation. It is used to mark the
end of a declarative or an imperative sentence; as,
Dear, patient, gentle, noble Nell was dead.
The Full stop can be used in abbreviations, but they are often omitted in modern
style.
M.A. or MA
M.P. or MP
U.N.O. or UNO
Note that in current English Mr and Mrs occur without a full stop, as these have
come to
be regarded as the full spellings.

The Comma represents the shortest pause, and is used :-

(1) To separate a series of words in the same construction; as,
England, France and Italy formed an alliance.
He lost lands, money, reputation and friends.
It was a long, dull and wearisome journey.
He wrote his exercise neatly, quickly and correctly.
Note:- A comma is generally not placed before the word preceded by and.
(2) To separate each pair of words connected by and; as,
We should be devout and humble, cheerful and serene.
High and low, rich and poor, wise and foolish, must all die.
(3) After a Nominative Absolute; as,
This done, she returned to the old man with a lovely smile on her face.
The wind being favourable, the squadron sailed.
The genius making me no answer, I turned about to address myself to him a second
time.
 BANK OF MCQS 18
(4) To mark off a Noun or Phrase in Apposition ; as,
Paul, the apostle, was beheaded in the reign of Nero.
Milton, the great English poet, was blind.
Pandit Nehru, the first prime Minister of India, died in 1964.
Page 313
(5) To mark off words used in addressing people
Come into the garden, Maud.
How are you, Mohan?
Lord of the universe, shield us and guide us.
But when the words are emphatic, we ought to use the Note of Exclamation; as,
Monster! by thee my child's devoured!
(6) To mark off two or more Adverbs or Adverbial phrases coming together ; as,
Then, at length, tardy justice was done to the memory of Oliver.
(7) Before and after a Participial phrase, provided that the phrase might be
expanded into
a sentence, and is not used in a merely qualifying sense; as,
Caesar, having conquered his enemies, returned to Rome.
(8) Before and after words, phrases, or clauses, let into the body of a sentence; as,
He did not, however, gain his object.
It is mind, after all, which does the work of the world.
His behaviour, to say the least, was very rude.
His story was, in several ways, improbable.
Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me.
The essay-writers, whose works consisted in a great measure of short moral
dissertations, set the literary taste of the age.
The people of Orleans, when they first saw her in their city, thought she was an
angel.
(9) To indicate the omission of a word, especially a verb; as,
Rama received a fountain pen; Hari, a watch.
He was a Brahmin; she, a Rajput.
He will succeed; you, never.
(10) To separate short co-ordinate clauses of a Compound sentence; as,
The rains descended, and the floods came.
Men may come and men may go, but I go on for ever.
I came, I saw, I conquered.
The way was long, the wind was cold.
The minstrel was infirm and old.
When there is a conjunction the comma is sometimes omitted; as,
He came and saw me.
(11) To mark off a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence; as,
 BANK OF MCQS 19
"Exactly so," said Alice.
He said to his disciples, "Watch and pray."
"Go then," said the ant, "and dance winter away."
(12) Before certain co-ordinative conjunctions; as,
To act thus is not wisdom, but folly.
(13) To separate from the verb a long Subject opening a sentence; as,
Page 314
The injustice of the sentence pronounced upon that great scientist and discoverer, is
now
evident to us ail.
All that we admired and adored before as great and magnificent, is obliterated or
vanished.
(14) To separate a Noun clause-whether subject or object preceding the verb; as,
Whatever is, is right.
How we are ever to get there, is the question,
That he would succeed in his undertaking, no one ever doubted.
(15) To separate a clause that is not restrictive in meaning, but is co-ordinate with
the
Principal clause; as,
Sailors, who are generally superstitious, say it is unlucky to embark on a Friday.
During my stay in Sri Lanka I visited Mihintale, which is regarded as the
cradle of Buddhism.
When the Adjective clause is restrictive in meaning the comma should not be
applied; as,
This is the house that Jack built.
The Lord is nigh upto them that are of a broken heart.
The echoes of the storm which was then raised I still hear grumbling round me.
The design was disapproved by everyone whose judgement was entitled to respect.
(16) To separate an Adverbial clause from its Principal clause; as,
When I was a bachelor, I lived by myself.
If thou would 'st be happy, seek to please.
When the Adverbial clause follows the Principal clause the comma is frequently
omitted;
as,
Seek to please if thou would'st be happy

The Semicolon represents a pause of greater importance than that shown by the
comma. It is used :-
(1) To separate the clauses of Compound sentence, when they contain a comma; as,
He was a brave, large-hearted man; and we all honoured him.
 BANK OF MCQS 20
(2) To separate a series of loosely related clauses; as,
Her court was pure ; her life serene;
God gave her peace; her land reposed.
Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we
shun; today we desire what tomorrow we fear.

The Colon marks a still more complete pause than that expressed by the Semicolon.
It is used (sometimes with a dash after it): -
(1) To introduce a quotation; as,
Bacon says :- “Reading makes a full man, writing an exact man, speaking a ready
man.”
(2) Before enumeration, examples, etc; as,
The principal parts of a verb in English are: the present tense, the past
Tense, and the past participle.

The limitation of armaments, the acceptance of arbitration as the natural solvent of

international disputes, the relegation of wars of ambition and aggression to the
categories
of obsolete follies : these will be milestones which mark the stages of the road.
(3) Between sentences grammatically independent but closely connected in sense;
as,
Study to acquire a habit of thinking: no study is more important.

The Question Mark is used, instead of the Full Stop, after a direct question; as,
Have you written your exercise?
If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you trickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison
us, do
we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not have revenge?
But the Question Mark is not used after an indirect question; as
He asked me whether I had written my exercise.

The Exclamation Mark is used after Interjections and after Phrases and Sentences
expressing sudden emotion or wish ; as,
Alas ! -- Oh dear !
What a terrible fire this is !
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! -- Long live the King !
Note:- When the interjection O is placed before the Nominative of Address, the
Exclamation Mark, if employed at all, comes after the? noun; or it may be placed at
the
end of the sentence; as,
 BANK OF MCQS 21
O father ! I hear the sound of guns.
O Hamlet, speak no more !

Inverted Commas are used to enclose the exact words of a speaker, or a quotation;
as,
"I would rather die," he exclaimed, "than join the oppressors of my country."
Babar is said by Elphinstone to have been "the most admirable prince that ever
reigned in Asia."
If a quotation occurs within a quotation, it is marked by single inverted commas; as,
"You might as well say," added the March Hare, "that 'I like what I get' is the same
thing
as 'I get what I like,”

The Dash is used:-

(1) To indicate an abrupt stop or change of thought; as,
If my husband were alive – but why lament the past ?
(2) To resume a scattered subject; as,.
Friends, companions, relatives - all deserted him.
219. The Hyphen - a shorter line than the Dash - is used to connect the parts of a
compound word; as,
Passer-by, man-of-war, jack-of-all-trades.
It is also used to connect parts of a word divided at the end of a
line.

Parentheses or Double Dashes are used to separate from the main part of the
sentence a phrase or clause which does not grammatically belong to it; as,
He gained from Heaven (it was all he wished) a friend.
A remarkable instance of this kind of courage - call it, if you please,
resolute will - is given in the history of Babar,

The Apostrophe is used:-

(1) To show the omission of a letter or letters; as, Don't, e'er, I've.
(2) In the Genitive Case of Nouns.
(3) To form the plural of letters and figures.
Dot your i's and cross your t's.
 BANK OF MCQS 22
TENSES CHART
Present Past Future
Tense Present indefinite Past indefinite Future indefinite
tense tense tense
st
Form of 1 form + s/es 2nd form 1st form
verb
Helping ------ --------- Will / shall
verb
Tense Present continuous Past continuous Future continuous
tense tense tense
Form of 1st form +ing 1st form +ing 1st form +ing
verb
Helping Is / are Was / were Will be / shall be
verb
Tense Present perfect tense Past perfect tense Future perfect tense
Form of 3rd form 3rd form 3rd form
verb
Helping Has / have Had Will have / shall have
verb
Tense Present perfect Past perfect Future perfect
continuous tense continuous tense continuous tense
Form of 1st form +ing 1st form +ing 1st form +ing
verb
Helping Has been / have been Had been Will have been/shall
verb Since/ for Since/ for have been
Since / for
 BANK OF MCQS 23
DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
 Direct Speech → repeating the words
 Indirect speech → Reporting the words

Direct Speech / Quoted Speech

The technique of reproducing the exact words spoken by a person is called the use
of the direct speech OR When the actual words of the speaker are reproduced, it is
called direct speech.

There are two parts of direct narration;

1. Reporting speech: The part of sentence which are written inside Commas
(“‟).
2. Reported speech: The part of sentence which are written outside Commas
(“‟).
Example:
 Ali said, “ I am playing Cricket.”
 He said, „I am going to school.‟

Indirect Speech / Reported Speech

When the words spoken by a person are reproduced or rewritten in our own words
by changing the tense and the person whenever necessary, it is called the i9ndirect
speech OR When the main idea of a speaker‟s words is reported by another person
and the exact words are not quoted, it is called indirect speech or reported speech.
Example:

 Ali said that he was playing.

 He said that he was going to school.

Rules for changing Direct into Indirect Speech:

• Quotation marks or „inverted commas‟ are used for direct speech.
Example: Ali cried „I have cut my finger!‟.
 BANK OF MCQS 24
• Quotation marks are not used for indirect or reported speech.
Example: Ali cried that he had cut his finger.
• Question marks and exclamation marks are not used in reported speech.
Examples:Ali asked „Is it bleeding very much?‟. (direct)
Ali asked if it was bleeding very much. (indirect)

A. If the reporting verb is in present OR future tense, the tenses of the

Direct Speech do not change.
DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
Simple present + Simple present +
simple present simple present
He says, “I go to He says that he goes
school every day.” to school every day.
Present perfect + Present perfect +
simple present simple present
He has said, “I go to He has said that he
school every day.” goes to school every
day.
Future + simple Future + simple
present present
He will say, “I go He will say that he
to school every goes to school every
day.” day.

B. When the reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense, all the Present
Tenses in the Direct Speech are changed into Past Tense.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Simple present Simple past
He said, “I go to school He said (that) he went
every day.” to school every day.
Present Past
progressive/continuous progressive/continuous
He said, “I am going to He said (that) he was
school every day.” going to school every
day.
Present perfect Past perfect
 BANK OF MCQS 25
He said, “I have gone He said (that) he had
to school every day.” gone to school every
day.
Present perfect Past perfect
continuous continuous
He said, “I am going to He said (that) he had
school for 3 one hour” been going to school for
one hour.

Simple past Past perfect

He said, “I went to He said (that) he had
school every day.” gone to school every
day.
Past Past Perfect
progressive/continuous progressive/continuous
He said, “I was going He said (that) he had
to school every day.” been going to school
every day,
Past Perfect Past Perfect
He said, “I had gone to He said (that) he had
school” gone to school,

Modal verb forms also sometimes change:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

can could
He said, “I can go to He said (that) he could
school every day.” go to school every day.
may might
He said, “I may go to He said (that) he might
school every day.” go to school every day.
must had to
He said, “I must go to He said (that) he had to
school every day.” go to school every day.
should should
He said, “I should go to He said (that) he should
school every day.” go to school every day.
ought to ought to
 BANK OF MCQS 26
He said, “I ought to go to He said (that) he ought to
school every day.” go to school every day.

Exceptions to the rule stated above:

If the reported speech express a universal truth or habitual fact, its tense
remain unchanged:
The teacher said, “The earth goes round the sun.”
The teacher said that the earth goes/went round the sun.
She said, “Girls are usually more sincere than boys” She
said that girls are usually more sincere than boys.

C. Rules for the Change of Pronouns in Indirect Speech:

First person pronouns in the direct speech change according to the subject of the
reporting verb in the indirect speech.
He told her, “I want to meet your father.”
He told her that he wanted to meet my father.
I said, “I am going.”
I said that I was going.
Second person pronouns in the direct speech change according to the object of the
reporting verb in the indirect speech.
I told him, “You are a stupid.”
I told him that he was a stupid.
Third person pronouns in the direct speech will not change in the indirect speech.
She said, “I am going.”
She said that she was going.
D. Words which get changed when the Direct Speech is changed into
Indirect Speech. Expressions of time if reported on a different day
this (evening) that (evening)
today yesterday ...
these (days) those (days)
Now Then
(a week) ago (a week) before
last weekend the weekend before last / the
previous weekend
Here There
next (week) the following (week)
 BANK OF MCQS 27
tomorrow the next/following day

E. How the Commands and the Requests in the Direct Speeches are
changed when the Direct Speeches are changed into indirect Speeches?

In reporting commands and requests, the indirect speech is introduced by some verb
expressing commands and requests, and the Imperative Mood is changed into
Infinitive Mood.

Examples:

Direct: Raja said to Rani, “Go away.”

Indirect: Raja ordered Rani to go away.

Direct: He said to Marya, “Please wait here till I return.”

Indirect: He requested Marya to wait there till he returned.

Direct: “Call the first witness”, said the Judge.

Indirect: The Judge commanded them to call the first witness.

Direct: He shouted, “Let me go.”

Indirect: he shouted to them to let him go.

Direct: He said, “Be quite and listen to my words”.

Indirect: He urged them to be quite and listen to his words.

F. In reporting exclamation and wishes, the Indirect Speech is introduced

by some verb expressing Exclamation and Wishes.
Examples:

Direct: He said, “Alas! I am undone”.

Indirect: He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.

Direct: Alice said, “How clever I am?”

Indirect: Alice exclaimed that he was very clever.
 BANK OF MCQS 28
Direct: He said, “Bravo! You have done well.”
Indirect: he applauded him, saying that he had done well.

G. While reporting Interrogative Sentences, beginning with Auxiliary Verbs,

indirectly, observe the following rules:-
1. The Reporting Verb - say - is changed into - ask or inquire, demand, etc.
2. Remove the comma and the inverted commas and start the reported
speech with the conjunction - if or whether.
3. Change the interrogative form of the reported speech into Assertive form
(Helping Verb after Subject).
4. Nouns or Pronouns in the vocative case are treated as objects of their
verbs.
5. Other general rules are observed too.

6. Observe the following examples:

a. The Visitor said to me, "Is your father at home?" (Direct)
The visitor asked me if my father was at home. (Indirect)
b. Netaji said to his men, "Are you ready to die for your country?" (Direct)
Netaji asked his men if they were ready to die for their country. (Indirect)
c. The host said to the guest, "Would you like to have a cup of tea?" (Direct)
The host asked the guest if he would like to have a cup of tea. (Indirect)
d. Sohan said, "May I use your pen, Mohan?" (Direct)
Sohan asked Mohan if he might use his pen. (Indirect)
e. The clerk said to his officer, "Shall I type this letter again, Sir?" (Direct)
The clerk asked his officer respectfully if he should type that letter again.
(Indirect)

H. While reporting Interrogative Sentences, starting with (What, Why,

How, When… etc) indirectly,
Observe the following rules:
1. The Reporting Verb - say - is changed into - ask or inquire - etc. if there is an
Object after the Reporting Verb.
2. If the question begins with wh-word, no conjunction is used to introduce the
indirect speech.
 BANK OF MCQS 29
3. Remove the comma and the inverted commas and start the Reported Speech with
the Interrogative word itself.
4. Change the Interrogative Form of the Reported Speech into Assertive form
(Helping Verb after Subject).
5. Nouns and Pronouns in the vocative case are treated as Objects of their verbs.
6. Other general rules are to be observed too.

Observe the following examples:

1. The teacher said to Gopal, "Why are you late?"
The teacher asked Gopal why he was late.
2. Geeta said to Suresh, "Why did you break my slate?" Geeta
asked to Suresh why he had broken her slate.
3. He said to me, "How have you done this sum?"
He asked me how I had done that sum.
4. She asked me what my name was.
She said to me, "What is your name?"
5. Ram said to her, "Where do you live?"
 BANK OF MCQS 30
1000 ENGLISH PROVERBS
24. A cursed cow has short horns.
25. A danger foreseen is half avoided.
1. A bad beginning makes a bad ending.
26. A drop in the bucket.
2. A bad corn promise is better than a 27. A drowning man will catch at a
good lawsuit. straw.
3. A bad workman quarrels with his 28. A fair face may hide a foul heart.
tools. 29. A fault confessed is half redressed.
4. A bargain is a bargain. 30. A fly in the ointment.
5. A beggar can never be bankrupt. 31. A fool always rushes to the fore.
6. A bird in the hand is worth two in the 32. A fool and his money are soon
bush. parted.
7. A bird may be known by its song. 33. A fool at forty is a fool indeed.
8. A black hen lays a white egg. 34. A fool may ask more questions in
9. A blind leader of the blind. an hour than a wise man can answer in
10. A blind man would be glad to see. seven years.
11. A broken friendship may be 35. A fool may throw a stone into a
soldered, but will never be sound. well which a hundred wise men
12. A burden of one's own choice is noti. cannot pull out.
felt.
36. A fool's tongue runs before his wit.
13. A burnt child dreads the fire.
14. A cat in gloves catches no mice. 37. A forced kindness deserves no
thanks.
15. A city that parleys is half gotten.
38. A foul morn may turn to a fair day.
16. A civil denial is better than a rude
grant. 39. A fox is not taken twice in the same
snare.
17. A clean fast is better than a dirty
40. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
breakfast.
18. A clean hand wants no washing.. i. 43. A friend is never known till needed.
19. A clear conscience laughs at false 41. A friend to all is a friend to none.
accusations. 42. A friend's frown is better than a
20. A close mouth catches no flies. foe's smile..
21. A cock is valiant on his own 43. A good anvil does not fear the
dunghill. hammer.
22. A cracked bell can never sound 44. A good beginning is half the battle.
well. 45. A good beginning makes a good
23. A creaking door hangs long on its ending.
hinges. 46. A good deed is never lost.
 BANK OF MCQS 31
47. A good dog deserves a good bone. 74. A little body often harbors a great
48. A good example is the best sermon. soul.
49. A good face is a letter of 75. A little fire is quickly trodden out.
recommendation. 76. A man can die but once.
50. A good Jack makes a good Jill. 77. A man can do no more than he can.
51. A good marksman may miss. 78. A man is known by the company he
52. A good name is better than riches. keeps.
53. A good name is sooner lost than 79. A man of words and not of deeds is
won. like a garden full of weeds.
54. A good name keeps its luster in the 80. A miserly father makes a prodigal
dark. son.
55. A good wife makes a good 81. A miss is as good as a mile.
husband. 82. A new broom sweeps clean.
56. A great dowry is a bed full of 83. A nod from a lord is a breakfast for
brambles. a fool.
57. A great fortune is a great slavery. 84. A penny saved is a penny gained.
58. A great ship asks deep waters. 85. A penny soul never came to
59. A guilty conscience needs no twopence.
accuser. 86. A quiet conscience sleeps in
60. A hard nut to crack. thunder.
61. A heavy purse makes a light heart. 87. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
62. A hedge between keeps friendship 88. A round peg in a square hole.
green. 89. A shy cat makes a proud mouse.
63. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. 90. A silent fool is counted wise.
64. A hungry belly has no ears. 91. A small leak will sink a great ship.
65. A hungry man is an angry man. 92. A soft answer turns away wrath.
66. A Jack of all trades is master of 93. A sound mind in a sound body.
none. 94. A stitch in time saves nine.
67. A Joke never gains an enemy but 95. A storm in a teacup.
often loses a friend. 96. A tattler is worse than a thief.
68. A lawyer never goes to law himself. 97. A thief knows a thief as a wolf
69. A lazy sheep thinks its wool heavy. knows a wolf.
70. A liar is not believed when he 98. A thief passes for a gentleman when
speaks the truth. stealing has made him rich.
71. A lie begets a lie. 99. A threatened blow is seldom given.
72. A light purse is a heavy curse. 100. A tree is known by its fruit.
73. A light purse makes a heavy heart. 101. A wager is a fool's argument.
 BANK OF MCQS
102. A watched pot never boils.
103. A wise man changes his mind, a
fool never will.
104. A wolf in sheep's clothing.
105. A wonder lasts but nine days.
106. A word is enough to the wise.
107. A word spoken is past recalling.
108. Actions speak louder than words.
109. Adversity is a great schoolmaster.
110. Adversity makes strange
bedfellows.
111. After a storm comes a calm.
112. After dinner comes the reckoning.
113. After dinner sit (sleep) a while,
after supper walk a mile.
114. After rain comes fair weather.
115. After us the deluge.
116. Agnes come on horseback, but go
away on foot.
117. All are good lasses, but whence
come the bad wives?
118. All are not friends that speak us
fair.
119. All are not hunters that blow the
horn.
120. All are not merry that dance lightly.
122. All are not saints that go to
church.
121. All asses wag their ears.
122. All bread is not baked in one oven.
123. All cats are grey in the dark (in the
night).
124. All covet, all lose.
125. All doors open to courtesy.
126. All is fish that comes to his net.
127. All is not lost that is in peril.
128. All is well that ends well.
32
129. All lay load on the willing horse.
130. All men can't be first.
131. All men can't be masters.
132. All promises are either broken or
kept.
133. All roads lead to Rome .
134. All sugar and honey.
135. All that glitters is not gold.
136. All things are difficult before they
are easy.
137. All truths are not to be told.
138. All work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy.
139. "Almost" never killed a fly (was
never hanged).
140. Among the blind the one-eyed man
is king.
141. An apple a day keeps the doctor
away.
142. An hole in a lion's skin.
143. An hole is but an hole, though laden
with gold.
144. An hole loaded with gold climbs to
the top of the castle.
145. An empty hand is no lure for a
hawk.
146. An empty sack cannot stand
upright.
147. An empty vessel gives a greater
sound than a full barrel.
148. An evil chance seldom comes
alone.
149. An honest tale speeds best, being
plainly told.
150. An hour in the morning is worth
two in the evening.
 BANK OF MCQS 33
151. An idle brain is the devil's 179. As well be hanged for a sheep as for
workshop. a lamb.
152. An ill wound is cured, not an ill 180. As you brew, so must you drink.
name. 181. As you make your bed, so must you
153. An oak is not felled at one stroke. lie on it. 184. As you sow, so shall
154. An old dog barks not in vain. you reap.
155. An open door may tempt a saint. 182. Ask no questions and you will be
156. An ounce of discretion is worth a told no lies.
pound of learning. 183. At the ends of the earth.
157. An ox is taken by the horns, and a 184. Bacchus has drowned more men
man by the tongue. than Neptune .
158. An unfortunate man would be 185. Bad news has wings.
drowned in a teacup. 186. Barking does seldom bite.
159. Anger and haste hinder good 187. Be slow to promise and quick to
counsel. perform.
160. Any port in a storm. 188. Be swift to hear, slow to speak.
161. Appearances are deceitful. 189. Beauty is but skin-deep.
162. Appetite comes with eating. 190. Beauty lies in lover's eyes.
163. As drunk as a lord. 191. Before one can say Jack Robinson.
164. As innocent as a babe unborn. 192. Before you make a friend eat a
165. As like as an apple to an oyster. bushel of salt with him.
166. As like as two peas. 193. Beggars cannot be choosers.
167. As old as the hills. 194. Believe not all that you see nor half
168. As plain as the nose on a man's what you hear.
face. 195. Best defense is offense.
169. As plain as two and two make four. 196. Better a glorious death than a
170. As snug as a bug in a rug . shameful life.
171. As sure as eggs is eggs. 197. Better a lean peace than a fat
172. As the call, so the echo. victory.
173. As the fool thinks, so the bell 198. Better a little fire to warm us, than a
clinks. great one to burn us.
174. As the old cock crows, so does the 199. Better an egg today than a hen
young. tomorrow.
175. As the tree falls, so shall it lie. 200. Better an open enemy than a false
176. As the tree, so the fruit. friend.
177. As welcome as flowers in May. 201. Better be alone than in bad
178. As welcome as water in one's shoes. company.
 BANK OF MCQS 34
202. Better be born lucky than rich. 226. Bind the sack before it be full.
203. Better be envied than pitied. 227. Birds of a feather flock together.
204. Better be the head of a dog than the 231. Blind men can judge no colours.
tail of a lion. 228. Blood is thicker than water.
205. Better deny at once than promise 229. Borrowed garments never fit well.
long. 230. Brevity is the soul of wit.
206. Better die standing than live 231. Burn not your house to rid it of the
kneeling. mouse.
207. Better early than late. 232. Business before pleasure.
208. Better give a shilling than lend a 233. By doing nothing we learn to do ill.
half-crown. 234. By hook or by crook.
209. Better go to bed supperless than rise 235. By the street of 'by-and-bye' one
in debt. arrives at the house of 'Never'.
210. Better late than never. 236. Calamity is man's true touchstone.
211. Better lose a jest than a friend. 237. Care killed the cat.
212. Better one-eyed than stone-blind. 238. Catch the bear before you sell his
213. Better the devil you know than the skin.
devil you don't. 239. Caution is the parent of safety.
214. Better the foot slip than the tongue. 240. Charity begins at home.
215. Better to do well than to say well. 241. Cheapest is the dearest.
216. Better to reign in hell, than serve in 242. Cheek brings success.
heaven. 243. Children and fools must not play
217. Better unborn than untaught. with edged tools.
218. Better untaught than ill-taught. 244. Children are poor men's riches.
219. Between the cup and the lip a 245. Choose an author as you choose a
morsel may slip. friend.
220. Between the devil and the deep 246. Christmas comes but once a year,
(blue) sea. (but when it comes it brings good
221. Between two evils 'tis not worth cheer).
choosing. 247. Circumstances alter cases.
222. Between two stools one goes (falls) 248. Claw me, and I will claw thee.
to the ground. 249. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
223. Between the upper and nether 250. Company in distress makes trouble
millstone. less.
224. Betwixt and between. i. 255.. Confession is the first step to
225. Beware of a silent dog and still repentance.
water.
251. Counsel is no command..
 BANK OF MCQS 35
252. Creditors have better memories than 277. Don't have thy cloak to make when
debtors. it begins to rain.
253. Cross the stream where it is 278. Don't keep a dog and bark yourself.
shallowest. 279. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
254. Crows do not pick crow's eyes. 280. Don't put all your eggs in one
255. Curiosity killed a cat. basket.
256. Curses like chickens come home to 281. Don't sell the bear's skin before
roost. you've caught it.
257. Custom is a second nature. 282. Don't trouble trouble until trouble
258. Custom is the plague of wise men troubles you.
and the idol of fools. 283. Don't whistle (halloo) until you are
259. Cut your coat according to your out of the wood.
cloth. 284. Dot your i's and cross your t's.
260. Death is the grand leveler. 285. Draw not your bow till your arrow
261. Death pays all debts. is fixed.
262. Death when it comes will have no 286. Drive the nail that will go.
denial. 287. Drunken days have all their
263. Debt is the worst poverty. tomorrow.
264. Deeds, not words. 288. Drunkenness reveals what
265. Delays are dangerous. soberness conceals.
266. Desperate diseases must have 289. Dumb dogs are dangerous.
desperate remedies. 290. Each bird loves to hear himself
267. Diligence is the mother of success sing.
(good luck). 291. Early to bed and early to rise makes
268. Diseases are the interests of a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
pleasures. 292. Easier said than done.
269. Divide and rule. 293. East or West ? home is best.
270. Do as you would be done by. 294. Easy come, easy go.
271. Dog does not eat dog. i. 300.. Eat at pleasure, drink with
272. Dog eats dog. measure.
273. Dogs that put up many hares kill 295. Empty vessels make the greatest
none. (the most) sound.
274. Doing is better than saying. 296. Enough is as good as a feast.
275. Don't count your chickens before 297. Envy shoots at others and wounds
they are hatched. herself.
276. Don't cross the bridges before you 298. Even reckoning makes long friends.
come to them.
 BANK OF MCQS 36
299. Every hole loves to hear himself 325. Evil communications corrupt good
bray. manners.
300. Every barber knows that. 326. Experience is the mother of
301. Every bean has its black. wisdom.
302. Every bird likes its own nest. 327. Experience keeps a dear school, but
303. Every bullet has its billet. fools learn in no other.
304. Every country has its customs. 328. Experience keeps no school, she
305. Every dark cloud has a silver lining. teaches her pupils singly.
306. Every day is not Sunday. 329. Extremes meet.
307. Every dog has his day. 330. Facts are stubborn things..
308. Every dog is a lion at home. 331. Faint heart never won fair lady.
309. Every dog is valiant at his own 332. Fair without, foul (false) within.
door. 333. Fair words break no bones.
310. Every Jack has his Jill. 334. False friends are worse than open
311. Every man has a fool in his sleeve. enemies.
312. Every man has his faults. 335. Familiarity breeds contempt.
313. Every man has his hobby-horse. 336. Far from eye, far from heart.
314. Every man is the architect of his 337. Fasting comes after feasting.
own fortunes. 338. Faults are thick where love is thin.
315. Every man to his taste. 339. Feast today and fast tomorrow.
316. Every miller draws water to his own 340. Fine feathers make fine birds.
mill. 341. Fine words butter no parsnips.
317. Every mother thinks her own 342. First catch your hare.
gosling a swan. 343. First come, first served.
318. Every one's faults are not written in 344. First deserve and then desire.
their foreheads. 345. First think, then speak.
319. Every tub must stand on its own 346. Fish and company stink in three
bottom.. days.
320. Every white has its black, and every 347. Fish begins to stink at the head.
sweet its sour. 348. Follow the river and you'll get to
321. Every why has a wherefore. the sea.
322. Everybody's business is nobody's 349. Fool's haste is no speed.
business. 350. Fools and madmen speak the truth.
323. Everything comes to him who 351. Fools grow without watering.
waits. 352. Fools may sometimes speak to the
324. Everything is good in its season. purpose.
 BANK OF MCQS 37
353. Fools never know when they are 376. Good words without deeds are
well. rushes and reeds.
354. Fools rush in where angels fear to 377. Gossiping and lying go hand in
tread. hand.
355. For the love of the game. 378. Grasp all, lose all.
356. Forbearance is no acquittance. 379. Great barkers are no biters.
357. Forbidden fruit is sweet. 380. Great boast, small roast.
358. Forewarned is forearmed. 381. Great cry and little wool.
359. Fortune favors the brave (the bold). 382. Great spenders are bad lenders.
360. Fortune is easily found, but hard to 383. Great talkers are great liars.
be kept. 384. Great talkers are little doers.
361. Four eyes see more (better) than 385. Greedy folk have long arms.
two. 386. Habit cures habit.
362. Friends are thieves of time. 387. Half a loaf is better than no bread.
363. From bad to worse. 388. "Hamlet" without the Prince of
364. From pillar to post. Denmark .
365. Gentility without ability is worse 389. Handsome is that handsome does.
than plain beggary. 390. Happiness takes no account of time.
366. Get a name to rise early, and you 391. Happy is he that is happy in his
may lie all day. children. 401. Hard words break no
367. Gifts from enemies are dangerous. bones.
368. Give a fool rope enough, and he 392. Hares may pull dead lions by the
will hang himself. beard.
369. Give every man thy ear, but few thy 393. Harm watch, harm catch.
voice. 376. Give him an inch and he'll 394. Haste makes waste.
take an ell. 395. Hasty climbers have sudden falls.
i. 377.. Give never the wolf the weather to 396. Hate not at the first harm.
keep. 397. Hatred is blind, as well as love.
370. Gluttony kills more men than the 398. Hawks will not pick hawks' eyes.
sword. 399. He begins to die that quits his
371. Go to bed with the lamb and rise desires.
with the lark. i. 410.. He cannot speak well that cannot
372. Good clothes open all doors. 381. hold his tongue.
Good counsel does no harm. 400. He carries fire in one hand and
373. Good health is above wealth. water in the other.
374. Good masters make good servants. 401. He dances well to whom fortune
375. Good words and no deeds. pipes.
 BANK OF MCQS 38
402. He gives twice who gives in a trice. 423. He that fears every bush must never
403. He goes long barefoot that waits for go a-birding.
dead man's shoes. 424. He that fears you present wiil hate
404. He is a fool that forgets himself. you absent.
405. He is a good friend that speaks well 425. He that goes a borrowing, goes a
of us behind our backs. sorrowing.
406. He is happy that thinks himself so. i. 437.. He that goes barefoot must not
407. He is lifeless that is faultless. plant thorns.
408. He is not fit to command others that 426. He that has a full purse never
cannot command himself. wanted a friend.
409. He is not laughed at that laughs at 427. He that has a great nose thinks
himself first. everybody is speaking of it.
410. He is not poor that has little, but he 428. He that has an ill name is half
that desires much. hanged.
411. He jests at scars that never felt a 429. He that has no children knows not
wound. what love is.
412. He knows best what good is that 430. He that has He head needs no hat.
has endured evil.
431. He that has no money needs no
413. He knows how many beans make purse.
five.
432. He that is born to be hanged shall
414. He knows much who knows how to never be drowned.
hold his tongue.
433. He that is full of himself is very
415. He laughs best who laughs last. empty.
416. He lives long that lives well. 434. He that is ill to himself will be good
417. He must needs swim that is held up to nobody.
by the chin. 435. He that is warm thinks all so.
418. He should have a long spoon that 436. He that knows nothing doubts
sups with the devil. nothing.
419. He smells best that smells of 437. He that lies down with dogs must
nothing. rise up with fleas.
420. He that comes first to the hill may 438. He that lives with cripples learns to
sit where he will. limp.
421. He that commits a fault thinks 439. He that mischief hatches, mischief
everyone speaks of it. catches.
422. He that does you an i!i turn will 440. He that never climbed never fell.
never forgive you.
441. He that once deceives is ever
suspected.
 BANK OF MCQS 39
442. He that promises too much means 462. He who would eat the nut must first
nothing. crack the shell.
443. He that respects not is not 463. He who would search for pearls
respected. must dive below.
444. He that seeks trouble never misses. 464. He will never set the Thames on
445. He that serves everybody is paid by fire.
nobody. 465. He works best who knows his trade.
446. He that serves God for money will 466. Head cook and bottle-washer.
serve the devil for better wages. 467. Health is not valued till sickness
447. He that spares the bad injures the comes.
good. 468. His money burns a hole in his
448. He that talks much errs much. pocket.
449. He that talks much lies much. 469. Honesty is the best policy.
450. He that will eat the kernel must 470. Honey is not for the hole's mouth.
crack the nut. 471. Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.
451. He that will not when he may, when 472. Honour and profit lie not in one
he will he shall have nay. sack.
452. He that will steal an egg will steal 473. Honours change manners..
an ox. 474. Hope is a good breakfast, but a bad
453. He that will thrive, must rise at five. supper.
454. He that would eat the fruit must 475. Hope is the poor man's bread.
climb the tree. 476. Hunger breaks stone walls.
i. 467.. He that would have eggs must 477. Hunger finds no fault with cookery.
endure the cackling of hens. 478. Hunger is the best sauce.
455. He who is born a fool is never 479. Hungry bellies have no ears.
cured. 480. Idle folks lack no excuses.
456. He who hesitates is lost. 481. Idleness is the mother of all evil.
457. He who likes borrowing dislikes 482. Idleness rusts the mind.
paying. 483. If an hole (donkey) bray at you,
458. He who makes no mistakes, makes don't bray at him.
nothing. 484. If ifs and ans were pots and pans...
459. He who pleased everybody died 485. If my aunt had been a man, she'd
before he was born. have been my uncle.
460. He who says what he likes, shall 486. If the blind lead the blind, both shall
hear what he doesn't like. fall into the ditch..
461. He who would catch fish must not 487. If the sky falls, we shall catch larks.
mind getting wet.
 BANK OF MCQS 40
488. If there were no clouds, we should 509. Iron hand (fist) in a velvet glove.
not enjoy the sun. 510. It is a good horse that never
489. If things were to be done twice all stumbles.
would be wise. 511. It is a long lane that has no turning.
490. If we can't as we would, we must do 512. It is a poor mouse that has only one
as we can. hole.
491. If wishes were horses, beggars 513. It is an ill bird that fouls its own
might ride. nest.
492. If you agree to carry the calf, they'll 514. It is an ill wind that blows nobody
make you carry the cow. good.
493. If you cannot bite, never show your 515. It is a silly fish, that is caught twice
teeth. with the same bait.
494. If you cannot have the best, make 516. It is easy to swim if another holds
the best of what you have. up your chin (head).
495. If you dance you must pay the 517. It is enough to make a cat laugh.
fiddler. 518. It is good fishing in troubled waters.
496. If you laugh before breakfast you'll 519. It is never too late to learn.
cry before supper. 520. It is no use crying over spilt milk.
497. If you run after two hares, you will 521. It is the first step that costs.
catch neither. 522. It never rains but it pours.
498. If you sell the cow, you sell her 523. It's as broad as it's long.
milk too. 524. It's no use pumping a dry well.
499. If you throw mud enough, some of 525. It's one thing to flourish and another
it will stick. to fight.
500. If you try to please all you will 526. It takes all sorts to make a world.
please none. 527. Jackdaw in peacock's feathers.
501. If you want a thing well done, do it 528. Jest with an hole and he will flap
yourself. you in the face with his tail.
502. Ill-gotten gains never prosper. 529. Judge not of men and things at first
503. Ill-gotten, ill-spent. sight.
504. In every beginning think of the end. 530. Just as the twig is bent, the tree is
505. In for a penny, in for a pound. inclined.
506. In the country of the blind one-eyed 531. Keep a thing seven years and you
man is a king. will find a use for it.
507. In the end things will mend. 532. Keep your mouth shut and your ears
508. In the evening one may praise the open.
day.
 BANK OF MCQS
533. Keep your mouth shut and your i. 576.. Little pigeons can carry great
eyes open.
534. Last, but not least.
535. Laws catch flies, but let hornets go
free.
536. Learn to creep before you leap.
537. Learn to say before you sing.
538. Learn wisdom by the follies of
others.
539. Least said, soonest mended.
i. 553.. Leaves without figs.
540. Let bygones be bygones.
541. Let every man praise the bridge he 571. Look before you leap, but having
goes over.
542. Let sleeping dogs lie.
543. Let well (enough) alone.
544. Liars need good memories.
545. Lies have short legs.
546. Life is but a span.
547. Life is not a bed of roses.
548. Life is not all cakes and ale (beer 577. Love is blind, as well as hatred.
and skittles).
549. Like a cat on hot bricks.
550. Like a needle in a haystack.
551. Like begets like.
552. Like cures like.
553. Like father, like son.
554. Like draws to like.
555. Like master, like man.
556. Like mother, like daughter.
557. Like parents, like children.
558. Like priest, like people.
559. Like teacher, like pupil.
560. Little chips light great fires.
561. Little knowledge is a dangerous
thing.
41
messages.
562. Little pitchers have long ears.
563. Little strokes fell great oaks.
564. Little thieves are hanged, but great
ones escape.
565. Little things amuse little minds.
566. Live and learn.
567. Live and let live.
568. Live not to eat, but eat to live.
569. Long absent, soon forgotten.
570. Look before you leap.
leapt never look back.
572. Lookers-on see more than players.
573. Lord (God, Heaven) helps those
(them) who help themselves.
574. Lost time is never found again.
575. Love cannot be forced.
576. Love in a cottage.
578. Love me, love my dog.
579. Love will creep where it may not
go.
580. Make haste slowly.
581. Make hay while the sun shines.
582. Make or mar.
583. Man proposes but God disposes.
584. Many a fine dish has nothing on it.
585. Many a good cow has a bad calf.
586. Many a good father has but a bad
son.
587. Many a little makes a mickle.
588. Many a true word is spoken in jest.
589. Many hands make light work.
590. Many men, many minds.
591. Many words hurt more than swords.
 BANK OF MCQS
592. Many words will not fill a bushel. 622. Never cast dirt into that fountain of
593. Marriages are made in heaven.
594. Measure for measure.
595. Measure thrice and cut once.
596. Men may meet but mountains
never.
597. Mend or end (end or mend).
598. Might goes before right.
599. Misfortunes never come alone
(singly).
600. Misfortunes tell us what fortune is.
601. Money begets money.
602. Money has no smell.
603. Money is a good servant but a bad 632. New lords, new laws.
master.
604. Money often unmakes the men who 634. No flying from fate.
make it.
605. Money spent on the brain is never i. 651.. No great loss without some small
spent in vain.
606. More haste, less speed.
607. Much ado about nothing.
608. Much will have more.
609. Muck and money go together.
610. Murder will out.
611. My house is my castle.
612. Name not a rope in his house that
was hanged.
613. Necessity is the mother of
invention.
614. Necessity knows no law.
615. Neck or nothing.
616. Need makes the old wife trot.
617. Needs must when the devil drives.
618. Neither fish nor flesh.
619. Neither here nor there.
620. Neither rhyme nor reason.
621. Never cackle till your egg is laid.
42
which you have sometime drunk.
623. Never do things by halves.
624. Never fry a fish till it's caught.
625. Never offer to teach fish to swim.
626. Never put off till tomorrow what
you can do (can be done) today.
627. Never quit certainty for hope.
628. Never too much of a good thing.
629. Never try to prove what nobody
doubts.
630. Never write what you dare not sign.
631. New brooms sweep clean.
633. Nightingales will not sing in a cage.
635. No garden without its weeds.
gain.
636. No herb will cure love.
637. No joy without alloy.
638. No living man all things can.
639. No longer pipe, no longer dance.
640. No man is wise at all times.
641. No man loves his fetters, be they
made of gold.
642. No news (is) good news.
643. No pains, no gains.
644. No song, no supper.
645. No sweet without (some) sweat.
646. No wisdom like silence.
647. None but the brave deserve the fair.
648. None so blind as those who won't
see..
649. None so deaf as those that won't
hear.
 BANK OF MCQS
650. Nothing comes out of the sack but
what was in it.
651. Nothing is impossible to a willing
heart.
652. Nothing must be done hastily but
killing of fleas. 669. Nothing so bad,
as not to be good for something.
653. Nothing succeeds like success.
654. Nothing venture, nothing have.
655. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the
storm.
656. Of two evils choose the least.
657. Old birds are not caught with chaff.
658. Old friends and old wine are best.
659. On Shank's mare.
660. Once bitten, twice shy.
661. Once is no rule (custom).
662. One beats the bush, and another
catches the bird.
663. One chick keeps a hen busy.
664. One drop of poison infects the
whole tun of wine.
665. One fire drives out another.
666. One good turn deserves another.
667. One law for the rich, and another
for the poor.
668. One lie makes many.
669. One link broken, the whole chain is
broken.
670. One man, no man.
671. One man's meat is another man's
poison.
672. One scabby sheep will mar a whole
flock.
673. One swallow does not make a
summer.
674. One today is worth two tomorrow.
43
675. Open not your door when the devil
knocks.
676. Opinions differ.
677. Opportunity makes the thief.
678. Out of sight, out of mind.
679. Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
680. Packed like herrings.
681. Patience is a plaster for all sores.
682. Penny-wise and pound-foolish.
683. Pleasure has a sting in its tail.
684. Plenty is no plague.
685. Politeness costs little (nothing), but
yields much.
686. Poverty is no sin.
687. Poverty is not a shame, but the
being ashamed of it is.
688. Practice what you preach.
689. Praise is not pudding.
690. Pride goes before a fall.
691. Procrastination is the thief of time.
692. Promise is debt.
693. Promise little, but do much.
694. Prosperity makes friends, and
adversity tries them.
695. Put not your hand between the bark
and the tree.
696. Rain at seven, fine at eleven.
697. Rats desert a sinking ship.
698. Repentance is good, but innocence
is better.
699. Respect yourself, or no one else
will respect you.
700. Roll my log and I will roll yours.
701. Rome was not built in a day.
702. Salt water and absence wash away
love.
 BANK OF MCQS
703. Saying and doing are two things.
721. Score twice before you cut once.
704. Scornful dogs will eat dirty
puddings.
705. Scratch my back and I'll scratch
yours.
706. Self done is soon done. 725. Self
done is well done.
707. Self is a bad counselor.
708. Self-praise is no recommendation.
709. Set a beggar on horseback and he'll
ride to the devil.
710. Set a thief to catch a thief.
711. Shallow streams make most din.
712. Short debts (accounts) make long
friends.
713. Silence gives consent.
714. Since Adam was a boy.
715. Sink or swim!
716. Six of one and half a dozen of the
other.
717. Slow and steady wins the race.
718. Slow but sure.
719. Small rain lays great dust.
720. So many countries, so many
customs.
721. So many men, so many minds.
722. Soft fire makes sweet malt.
723. Something is rotten in the state of
Denmark .
724. Soon learnt, soon forgotten.
725. Soon ripe, soon rotten.
726. Speak (talk) of the devil and he will
appear (is sure to appear).
727. Speech is silver but silence is gold.
728. Standers-by see more than
gamesters.
44
729. Still waters run deep.
730. Stolen pleasures are sweetest.
731. Stretch your arm no further than
your sleeve will reach.
732. Stretch your legs according to the
coverlet.
733. Strike while the iron is hot.
734. Stuff today and starve tomorrow.
735. Success is never blamed.
736. Such carpenters, such chips.
737. Sweep before your own door.
738. Take care of the pence and the
pounds will take care of themselves.
739. Take us as you find us.
740. Tarred with the same brush.
741. Tastes differ.
742. Tell that to the marines.
743. That cock won't fight.
744. That which one least anticipates
soonest comes to pass.
745. That's a horse of another colour.
746. That's where the shoe pinches!
747. The beggar may sing before the
thief (before a footpad).
748. The best fish smell when they are
three days old.
749. The best fish swim near the bottom.
750. The best is oftentimes the enemy of
the good.
751. The busiest man finds the most
leisure.
752. The camel going to seek horns lost
his ears.
753. The cap fits.
754. The cask savours of the first fill.
755. The cat shuts its eyes when stealing
cream.
 BANK OF MCQS
756. The cat would eat fish and would 779. The higher the ape goes, the more
not wet her paws.
757. The chain is no stronger than its
weakest link.
758. The cobbler should stick to his last. 781. The last straw breaks the camel's
759. The cobbler's wife is the worst
shod.
760. The darkest hour is that before the 783. The longest day has an end.
dawn.
761. The darkest place is under the
candlestick.
762. The devil is not so black as he is
painted.
763. The devil knows many things
because he is old.
764. The devil lurks behind the cross.
765. The devil rebuking sin.
766. The dogs bark, but the caravan goes 790. The nearer the bone, the sweeter the
on.
767. The Dutch have taken Holland !
768. The early bird catches the worm.
769. The end crowns the work.
770. The end justifies the means.
771. The evils we bring on ourselves are
hardest to bear.
772. The exception proves the rule.
773. The face is the index of the mind.
i. 793.. The falling out of lovers is the
renewing of love.
774. The fat is in the fire.
775. The first blow is half the battle.
776. The furthest way about is the
nearest way home.
777. The game is not worth the candle..
778. The heart that once truly loves
never forgets.
45
he shows his tail.
780. The last drop makes the cup run
over.
back.
782. The leopard cannot change its spots.
784. The mill cannot grind with the
water that is past.
785. The moon does not heed the
barking of dogs.
786. The more haste, the less speed.
787. The more the merrier.
788. The morning sun never lasts a day.
789. The mountain has brought forth a
mouse.
flesh.
791. The pitcher goes often to the well
but is broken at last. 812. The pot calls
the kettle black.
792. The proof of the pudding is in the
eating.
793. The receiver is as bad as the thief.
794. The remedy is worse than the
disease.
795. The rotten apple injures its
neighbours.
796. The scalded dog fears cold water.
797. The tailor makes the man.
798. The tongue of idle persons is never
idle.
799. The voice of one man is the voice
of no one.
800. The way (the road) to hell is paved
with good intentions.
 BANK OF MCQS 46
801. The wind cannot be caught in a net. 829. To be up to the ears in love.
802. The work shows the workman. 830. To be wise behind the hand.
803. There are lees to every wine. 831. To beat about the bush.
804. There are more ways to the wood 832. To beat the air.
than one. 833. To bring grist to somebody's mill.
805. There is a place for everything, and 834. To build a fire under oneself.
everything in its place. 835. To buy a pig in a poke.
806. There is more than one way to kill a 836. To call a spade a spade.
cat. 837. To call off the dogs.
807. There is no fire without smoke. 838. To carry coals to Newcastle.
808. There is no place like home. 839. To cast pearls before swine.
809. There is no rose without a thorn. 840. To cast prudence to the winds.
810. There is no rule without an 841. To come away none the wiser.
exception. 842. To come off cheap.
811. There is no smoke without fire. 843. To come off with a whole skin.
812. There's many a slip 'tween (== 844. To come off with flying colours.
between) the cup and the lip. 845. To come out dry.
813. There's no use crying over split 846. To come out with clean hands.
milk. 847. To cook a hare before catching him.
814. They are hand and glove. 848. To cry with one eye and laugh with
815. They must hunger in winter that the other.
will not work in summer. 849. To cut one's throat with a feather.
816. Things past cannot be recalled. 850. To draw (pull) in one's horns.
817. Think today and speak tomorrow. 851. To drop a bucket into an empty
818. Those who live in glass houses well.
should not throw stones. 852. To draw water in a sieve.
819. Time and tide wait for no man. 853. To eat the calf in the cow's belly.
820. Time cures all things. 854. To err is human.
821. Time is money. 855. To fiddle while Rome is burning.
822. Time is the great healer. 856. To fight with one's own shadow.
823. Time works wonders. 857. To find a mare's nest.
824. To add fuel (oil) to the fire (flames). 858. To fish in troubled waters.
825. To angle with a silver hook. 859. To fit like a glove.
826. To be born with a silver spoon in 860. To flog a dead horse.
one's mouth. 861. To get out of bed on the wrong side.
827. To be head over ears in debt. 862. To give a lark to catch a kite.
828. To be in one's birthday suit.
 BANK OF MCQS 47
863. To go for wool and come home 888. To put a spoke in somebody's
shorn. wheel.
864. To go through fire and water 889. To put off till Doomsday.
(through thick and thin). 890. To put (set) the cart before the
865. To have a finger in the pie. 887. To horse. 913. To rob one's belly to cover
have rats in the attic. one's back.
866. To hit the nail on the head. 891. To roll in money.
867. To kick against the pricks. 892. To run with the hare and hunt with
868. To kill two birds with one stone. the hounds.
869. To know everything is to know 893. To save one's bacon.
nothing. 894. To send (carry) owls to Athens .
870. To know on which side one's bread 895. To set the wolf to keep the sheep.
is buttered. 896. To stick to somebody like a leech.
871. To know what's what. 897. To strain at a gnat and swallow a
872. To lay by for a rainy day. camel.
873. To live from hand to mouth. 898. To take counsel of one's pillow.
874. To lock the stable-door after the 899. To take the bull by the horns.
horse is stolen. 900. To teach the dog to bark.
875. To look for a needle in a haystack. 901. To tell tales out of school.
876. To love somebody (something) as 902. To throw a stone in one's own
the devil loves holy water. garden.
877. To make a mountain out of a 903. To throw dust in somebody's eyes.
molehill. 904. To throw straws against the wind.
878. To make both ends meet. 905. To treat somebody with a dose of
879. To make the cup run over. his own medicine.
880. To make (to turn) the air blue. 906. To use a steam-hammer to crack
881. To measure another man's foot by nuts.
one's own last. 907. To wash one's dirty linen in public.
882. To measure other people's corn by 908. To wear one's heart upon one's
one's own bushel. sleeve.
883. To pay one back in one's own coin. 909. To weep over an onion.
884. To plough the sand. 910. To work with the left hand.
885. To pour water into a sieve. 911. Tomorrow come never.
886. To pull the chestnuts out of the fire 912. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
for somebody. 913. Too much knowledge makes the
887. To pull the devil by the tail. head bald.
 BANK OF MCQS 48
914. Too much of a good thing is good 941. What is got over the devil's back is
for nothing. spent under his belly.
915. Too much water drowned the miller 942. What is lost is lost.
. 943. What is sauce for the goose is sauce
916. Too swift arrives as tardy as too for the gander.
slow. 944. What is worth doing at alt is worth
917. True blue will never stain. doing well.
918. True coral needs no painter's brush. 945. What must be, must be.
919. Truth comes out of the mouths of 946. What the heart thinks the tongue
babes and sucklings. speaks.
920. Truth is stranger than fiction. 947. What we do willingly is easy.
921. Truth lies at the bottom of a well. 948. When angry, count a hundred.
922. Two blacks do not make a white. 949. When at Rome, do as the Romans
923. Two heads are better than one. do.
924. Two is company, but three is none. 950. When children stand quiet, they
925. Velvet paws hide sharp claws. have done some harm.
926. Virtue is its own reward. 951. First deserve and then desire.
927. Wait for the cat to jump. 952. First think, then speak.
928. Walls have ears. 953. Fish and company stink in three
929. Wash your dirty linen at home. days.
930. Waste not, want not. 954. Fish begins to stink at the head.
931. We know not what is good until we 955. Follow the river and you'll get to
have lost it. the sea.
932. We never know the value of water 956. Fool's haste is no speed.
till the well is dry. 957. Fools and madmen speak the truth.
933. We shall see what we shall see. 958. Fools grow without watering.
934. We soon believe what we desire. 959. Fools may sometimes speak to the
935. Wealth is nothing without health. purpose.
936. Well begun is half done. 960. Fools never know when they are
937. What can't be cured, must be well.
endured. 961. Fools rush in where angels fear to
938. What is bred in the bone will not go tread.
out of the flesh. 962. For the love of the game.
939. What is done by night appears by 963. Forbearance is no acquittance.
day. 964. Forbidden fruit is sweet.
940. What is done cannot be undone. 965. Forewarned is forearmed.
966. Fortune favors the brave (the bold).
 BANK OF MCQS 49
967. Fortune is easily found, but hard to 974. If you sell the cow, you sell her
be kept. milk too.
968. Four eyes see more (better) than 975. If you throw mud enough, some of
two. it will stick.
969. Friends are thieves of time. 976. If you try to please all you will
970. From bad to worse. please none.
971. From pillar to post. 977. If you want a thing well done, do it
972. Gentility without ability is worse yourself.
than plain beggary.
973. If you run after two hares, you will
catch neither.

VOCABULARY GROUPING
4.facile (make easy)
Artistic Words 5.facilitate (make easier)
1.batik (a method of printing patterns on About Birds (Calm, peaceful)
cloth) 1.allay (soothe)
2.bonsai ( art of growing small trees) 2.clement (pleasent)
3.bowdlerize ( editting,cutting) 3.conciliatory (make calm)
3.bravura (artistic skill) 4.halcyon (happy)
4.braille (writing systm for blinds) 5.cosset (cuddle)
5.cameo (sculpture) 6.mitigate (alleviate)
6.caricature (funny drawings) 7.placate (calm)
7.cause celebre (drama) 8.sedate (calm)
8.cartographer (map maker) 9.relief (soothe)
9.chassis (framework) 10.tranquile(calm)
10.filigree (delicate decoration) 11..phlegmetic (calm)
11.lapidary (precious stones) 12.hackless (birds neck feather)
12.macrame (art of typing knots in 13.downy (soft)
strings) 14.cygnet (a young swan)
13.origami (art of paper folding) 15.gull ( sea bird)
14.surrealism (style and movemnt in art Basic
and literature) 1.capital (basic)
Skill ful Words 2.congential (essential/adjacent)
1.adroitness (capabilty) 3.dormant (basic)
2.dexterous (on the right) 4.inherent (basic)
3.prowess (skill) 5.intrinsic (basic)
 BANK OF MCQS 50
6.latent (dormant) 13.grapevine (climbing plant)
7.primal (basic) 14.viticulture (science of growing
Swirl grapvines)
1.churn (blender) Unchangeable
2.skew (twist) 1.fate accompli (something which cant
3.swivel (spin) b changed)
4.trundle (rotate) 2.kasmet (fate)
5.undulate (oscillate) building words
6.undulating (wavy) 1.cay ( small island)
7.vortex (swirl) 2.catacomb (underground tunnel)
8.wry (twisted) 3.dam (safety wall)
Weak 4.fascia (flat surface)
1.craven (weak) 5.funicular (a railway on steep slop)
2.debilty( physical weakness) 6.joist (support, piller)
3.paper tiger (straw men) 7.undergrid (support)
4.wan (weak) 8.gable (peak of building side wall)
Unimportant Things 9.mansard (gable roof)
1.bauble (cheap piece of jewellry) 10.mausoleum (tomb)
2.duece (draw) 11.mesa (plain)
3.feckless (useless) 12.pallazo (grand italian building)
4.litter (rubbish) 13.pilaster (piller)
5.otiose (useless) church
6.picayune (trivial) 1.basilica (a large church)
7.sediment (solid residue) 2.seminary (school for preist training)
8.sisphean (useless) 3.behest (instruction ,order)
9.tchotchkes (cheap jewelry) 4.prelate (priest)
10.trifle (unimportant) 5.diocese ( a district for which a bishop
Botanical things is responsible)
1.arboreal (relating 2 trees) 6.candelabrum (candle stand)
2.bonsai (art of growing small trees) 7.laity (all membrs of a church)
3.bloom (flower) 8.benediction (a christian prayer for
4.burgeoning (bud growing quikly) blessing)
5.forid (rosy) 9.importune (demand,beg)
6.botanical (relating to plants) 10.senomination (a branch of church)
7.sward (area of grass) 11.encyclical (statemnt issued by pope
8.green (grassy) to bisho, letter)
9.xyloid (realting 2 wood) confusing words
10.bouquet (bunch of flowers) 1.addle (confuse)
11.pampess (grass land) 2.confound (astonish)
12.steppe (large plain) 3.discombulate (puzzle)
 BANK OF MCQS 51
4.inscrutable (enigmetic) 3.onyx (black)
5.morass (marsh ,muddle) 4.ruddy (rosy)
6.nary (not a single) 5.tinge (colour)
7.palavar (confusion) 6.xanthic (yelow)
conflict decorative words
1.antagonist ( a person who strongly 1.cintrive (invent)
oppose) 2.emblazon (decorate)
2.contravene (oppose) 3.emboss (imprint)
3.contra (against) 4.fabricate (invent)
4.discrepancy (conflict) 5.filigree (delicate decoration)
5dissention ( dispute) 6.garnish (decorate)
6.dissent (argue) 7.gild (paint gold)
7.dissenter (bojector) 8.glaze (paint )
8.dissonence (conflict) 9.innovate (create)
9.oxymoran (contradiction) 10.motif (design)
10.paradox ( dispute) 11.renovate (modernize)
misunderstanding 12.tessellate (decorative)
1.abstruse (difficult to understand) foolish
2.arcane (enigmetic) 1.crass (insentitive)
3.elusive (ambiguous) 2.dead head (fool)
4.misapprehension (confusion) 3.dunce (ass)
clothing words 4.flibbertigibet (silly)
1.attire (outfits) 5.galoot (ugly men)
2.batik (a method of printing patterns 6.inanity (silliness)
oon cloths) 7.mumbo jumbo (non sence)
3.coif (skull cap) 8.obtuse (stupid)
4.habiliments (garments) ethical words
5.sampler (needle work,piece of 1.august (eminent)
embroidry) 2.beneficence (politeness)
6.sarong (lungi ,dhoti ) 3.benign (gentle)
7.surplice 9gown. a wide loose clothe) 4.chivalry (courtesy)
8.cardigan (sweater) 5.cordial (freindly)
9.yarmulke (jewish cap) 6.cordiality (warmth)
10.guise (style of dress) 7.decorum (polite)
11.portmanteau (siutcase ,bag) 8.dote (love)
12. other general words about clothing 9.ethic (morality)
are ( apparel ,garb , raiment ) 10.giuleless (honest)
colours 11.humane (kind)
1.claret (red colour) 12.largess (generoisty)
2.green (grassy) 13.magnanimous (generous)
 BANK OF MCQS
14.renege (default on)
15.sensibility (feelings)
16.treacly (over emotional)
17.urbane (sophisticated)
18.veracity (truth)
strong / strengthen / inflaxible
1.adamentine (infexible)
2.coercive (forcefull)1.classic (
3.crenellate (fortified)
4.intrasigent(resolute)
5.onerous (tough)
6.robust (strong)
7.tenacious (strong)
8.under gird (support)
9.unregenerate(inflexible)
fightning / murder / killing / attack
1.bonk (slap)
2.contusion (injury)
3.cut and run (quick escape flee )
4.genocide (mass murder)
5.hammers & tongs (fight with energy)
6.immolate (kill)
7.toust (fight)
8.onslaught (violant attack)
9.paroxysm(attack)
10.querulous (petulant)
11.tussle(fight)
12.vendetta (feud)
13.whiplash (hit with whip)
14.jack knife (blade)
15.shrapnel (bullet)
best choice /classic / perfect
1.classic (perfect)
2.copacetic (perfect)
3.infaliable (perfect)
4.jingoism (extreme petroitism)
5.irrefutable (certain)
6.optimum (best)
7.paragon (outstanding)
8.peerless (matchless)
52
9.quintessential (ideal)
10.sui generis(unique)
11.surrealistic(classic)
12. uber (paragon)
13.vintage (best choice)
14.unmitigate (perfect)
15.idealist (dreamer )
fashion
1.comely (beautiful)
2.contemporary (modern)
3.lulu (outstanding women)
4.lissome (thin and attractive)
5.manicured (neat)
6.modish (stylish )
7.rakish (dashing )
8.renovate (modernize)
9.voguism (passion for fashion)
flattering
1.blandish (flatter)
2.cosset (pamper)
3.coquetry (flirting)
4.fawning (servile)
5.glib (smooth talking)
6.sycophant (toady)
7.wheedle (coax)
cheat & tricky
1.artifice (cunning)
2.bamboozle (cheat)
3.beguile (fool)
4.covert (hidden)
5.gambit (scheme)
6.mountebank (quack)
7.perfidious(cunning)
8.parfidy( duplicity)
9.scam (cheat)
10.stratagem (trick)
dishonesty
1.devious (dishonesty)
2.duplicitous (deceptive)
3.finagle (decieve)
 BANK OF MCQS
4.sandbagger (cunning)
5.mulct (cheat)
6.venality (fraud)
7.disingenuous (dishonest)
greek mythology
1.adonis (handsom men)
2.amazon (strong women)
3.asgard (mythical heaven)
4.bacchanal (marry making)
5.hector (bully)
6.cerebrus (mythical dog)
7.dryad (nymph)
8.edda (collections of ballads)
9.herculean (difficult)
10.hydra (mythical snake)
11.ichor (blood of gods)
12.nibelung (dwarf)
13.nike (greek goddess of success)
14.titan (giant)
15.xanadu (dreamland)
enthusiasm
1.alacrity (eagerness)
2.auspicious (encourging)
3.avid (eager)
4.brio (zest)
5.effervescent (excited)
6.exhortation (motivation)
7.galvanize (motivate)
8.impetuous (impulsive)
9.impetus (motivation)
10.incentive (motivation)
11.stimuli (motivation)
12.verve (enthusiasm)
funny / happy
1.buoyant (happy)
2.cloudnine (bliss)
3.droll (funny)
4.falicity (joy)
5.halcyon (happy)
6.jocund (happy)
53
7.jocular (funny)
8.mirth (great joy)
9.sanguine (hpoefull)
10.srendipity (good luck)
11.riff (joke)
parts / segments
1.bifurcate (split)
2.segment (section)
3.lions share (largest part of something)
4.quarter (one of four part)
5.quintile (distribution)
6.sunder (divide)
7.sub division (lower group)
8.smithereens (fragments)
hatred
1.disdain (hate)
2.execrable (hatefull)
3.heinous ( odious)
4,malevolence (hostility)
5.misanthrope (hater of man kind)
6.scorned (disliked)
bad manners
1.anomie (lack of moral standerd)
2.barbaric (cruel)
3.feral( wild)
4.gaudy (insipid)
5.implacable (cruel)
6.iniquity (evil)
7.paddy (rage)
8.peccadelo (small fault)
9.rakish (immoral)
10.virago (aggresive women)
11.xnthipe (virago)
12.xenophobic(intolerant)
doubt full
1.askance (indirect glance)
2.cynical (doubtfull)
3.impugn (dispute)
4.sceptic (cynic)
5.scruple (hasitation)
 BANK OF MCQS
6.skeptical (doubt full)
7.premonition (feeling about bad
suspician)
hotels & bars
1.bistro (cafe)
2.smorgasbord (self service meal)
3.spa (resort)
4.table d' hote (fixed price meal)
food
1.palatable (appetizing)
2.seder (jewish feast)
3.patisseria (cake shop)
4.potable (drinkable)
5.provender (food)
lazy
1.belated (happening late)
2.defer (late)
3.inertia (inactive)
4.jejune (dull)
5.menial (unskilled)
6.torpid (inactive)
7.vegetative (do nothing)
8.pedestrian (dull)
9.immolize (disable)
insulting
1.aspersion (unpleasent)
2.blasphemous (insulting)
3.contumely (insult)
4.decry (criticize)
5.mordant (bitter)
6.trashtalk (insulting)
scold
1.admonition (rebuke)
2.berate (scold)
3.broadside (salvo)
4.chastise (scold)
5.exhortation (warning)
6.kibitz (make unwanted comnts)
7.pan (criticize)
8.vituperative (blame)
54
athletics
1.aerobic excercise (excercise in which
oxygen is inhaled)
2.calisthenics (gymnestics)
3.decathlon (atheletic contest)
4.fartlek (atheletic training)
5.regatta (boat racing)
6.taichi (chinese systm of excercise)
7.rope-a-dope (strategy)
justify / clear / confirm / verify
1.corroborate (confirm)
2.elucidate (clear)
3.evocative (suggestive)
4.ineradicable (accepted)
5.justify (explain)
6.lucidity(clarity)
7.moot (debateable)
8.postulate (put 4ward)
9.stipulate (impose)
10.syllogism (argument)
false / fake
1.apocryphal (false)
2.faux (fake)
3.spurious (fake )
4.stilted (false)
5.superficial (artificial)
6.specious (false)
implant
1.embed (fixing)
2.embeded (place solidily)
3.inculcate (imprint)
4.jell (set)
flexible / posiible / suitable
1.feasible (practicle)
2.felicituous (suitable)
3.opportune (favourable)
4.uncanny (remarkable)
5.viability (possible)
display / show off
1.diorama (display case)
 BANK OF MCQS 55
2.diptych (pointing 2 pennels) 7.atrophy (washing away)
3.flaunt( to show pride) 8.caesarean (surgical birth)
4.manifestation (display) 9.capsule (pill)
5.pomp (display) 10.catharsis(purging)
6.vista (view) 11.chrmosomes(structure with genes)
mixture & collection 12.coccyx (tailbone)
1.potpourri (blend) 13.contiguous (adjacent)
2.motley (mixed) 14.contusion (anjury)
3.mosaic (collage) 15.crescent (sickle shaped)
4.infusion ( solution obtained by 16.corpuscles (cells in blood)
soaking) 17.fermentation (bubbling)
5.archives (collections of historical 18.glaucoma (eye disorder)
documents) 19.glucose (sugar energy)
6.batter (mixture used for making 20.holistic -medicine (preventive
cakes) medicine)
7.battery (large number of similar 21.hallux (1st digit onfoot)
things) 22.herbicide (wed killer)
8.collage (collection of pictures) 23.homeopathy (treatment with small
9.heterogeneous (mixed) amount of medicine)
10.medley (mixture) 24.hypertension (high blood pressure)
11.melange (blend) 25.hypothermia (low blood presure)
12.montage (collage) 26.ichor (pus)
music related 27.inoculate (vaccine)
1.aria (a song for one voice) 28.ligament (connection)
2.diva (famous female singer) 29.lineage (ancestory)
3.jig (dance) 30.metabolism(chemical process)
4.dulcet (melodious) 31.orthotics(orthopodic)
5.etude (piece of music) 32.paramedic (medical assistence)
6.trilogy (drama) 33.placebo (inactive)
7.euphonious (pleasent to listen) 34.pollex(1st digit of hand)
8.leitmotif (tune in music) 35.quadricep (thigh muscle)
medical terms 36.remedial (healing)
1.acupuncture (pricking) 37.sanatorium (hospital)
2.angina (chest pain due to low supply 38.sciatica (pain in legs)
of blood) 39.septic (infected)
3.anaphylactic (highly sensitive) 40.somatic (material)
4.aneurysm (extreme swelling of artery) 41.symbiosis (association)
5.antibody (material which fight with 42.therapeutic (healing)
diseases) 43.traction (grip)
6.articulated (joint segments) 44.triage (sorting out patient)
 BANK OF MCQS
45.vascular (cantaining vessels)
46.venomous (poisonous)
47.ventricle (heart chamber)
48.virulent (lithal)
49.xeric (deficient in moisture)
science related
1.aerobic excercise (excercise for good
health)
2.aeridynamic (to reduce air resistence)
3.ampere (unit of cuurent)
4.avoirdupois (system of weights)
5.carapace (animals hard shell)
6.chiaroscure (contrast btween light and
shade)
7.catalyst (agitator)
8.comatose(in coma)
9.demographics (data of population)
10.electrolyte (solution conducting
cuurent)
11.fistmele (seven inches)
12.flux (constant change)
13.lathe (tunning tool)
14.lipid (an oily organic compound)
15.nuclear family (extended family )
16.nip and tuck (medical operation in
which skin is made tighter)
17.odometer (speedometer)
18.palpitation(pulse)
19.peripheral (outer edging)
20.perphery (edge)
21.permeate(pervade)
22.polyunsaturated (low in chlesterol)
23.vulcanize (solidify)
noisy words
1.bray (yell)
2.clamorous (noisy)
3.hue and cry (clamour)
4.kerfuffle (unnecessary excitement)
5.rambunctious (loud)
6.resound (echo)
56
7.vociferous (vocal)
8.woof (yell)
9.obstreperous (noisy)
10.resonance (echo)
11.stentorian (loud)
paper related
1.origami (art of paper folding)
2.paper tiger (weak person)
3.papier -mache (paper mixed with
glue)
4.pad (notebook)
5.papyrus (earliest form of paper used
by egyptians)
6.buckle (fastener)
7.staples (paper fasteners)
religious words
1.avatar (embodiment of hindu deity)
2.denomination (branch of christian
church)
3.incarnate (taking of human form)
4.fakir (a religious muslim or hindu)
5.piety (holiness)
6.prig (person having strong belief )
7.sanctity (holiness)
8.shaman (healer)
9.liturgy (ritual)
10.monotheism (belief in one GOD)
11.caliph (dynasty)
12.imam (religious leader)
13.jihad (holywar)
14.infidal (unbeleiver)
15.maverick (free spirit)
roads / tracks / traffic
1.berm (a raised area of ground)
2.jitney (bus carrying passengers)
3.juggernat (a large truck)
4.camber (a slight curve in road)
5.cul-de-sac (street clased at one end)
6.grid lock (traffic jam)
 BANK OF MCQS 57
7.chicane (a sharpe double bend car 4.putrid (stinking)
racing) 5.scutwork (dirty work)
8.dead end (road clased at one end) teacher / guide
9.understeer (a motor vehicle tendency 1.adonis (striking youth)
to turn less sharply than expected) 2.guru (hindu or sikh religious teacher)
10.tail gate (back door of a vehicle) 3.imam (religious leader)
11.velodrome(a track for cycle racing) 4.shaman (religious specialist)
travelling / visit 5.docent (guide)
1.beadeker (guid book for travelrs) 6.mentor(guide)
2.commute (travel to work) 7.regime (rule)
3.itinerate (nomadic) 8.lodestar (guiding star)
4.junket (a trip) knowledge / inteligent
5.journeyman (learner) 1.acumen (wisdom)
6.junta (group of military officers) 2.adage (wise saying )
7.sojourn (stay,visit) 3.apprehension (understanding)
8.stay (visit,holiday) 4.incisive (intelligent)
respect 5.judicious (wise)
1.accolade (honour) 6.ken (knowledge)
2.impute (attribute) 7.nuance (slight difference)
3.laud (praise) 8.sagacity (wisdom)
4.cachet (value) 9.perapicacious (wise)
5.meritorious (excellent,praise worthy) 10.wunderkind (genious)
6.deferential (polite) lecture / speech
7.encomium (praise) 1.discourse (speech)
8.venerable (respected) 2.harangue (long lecture )
9.obeisance (bow,respect) 3.jeremiad (long sad complaint)
10.repute (prestige) 4.peroration (speech)
greedy prevention
1.mean (bad) 1.militate (prevent)
2.predatory (raptorial) 2.preclude (prevent)
3.rapacious (greedy) 3.regnent (controlling)
4.voracious (greedy) 4.pre-empitive (preventive)
5.voraciousness (greedliness) increase
jealousy 1.accrue (to increase overa period)
1.covet (desire) 2.ameliorate (enhance)
2.ennui (disatisfaction) 3.amenities ( comforts)
dirty 4.enhance (increase)
1.frowsy (untidy) 5.crescendo (a grdual increase)
2.murky(dirty) 6.stagflation (increase in prices)
3.opaque(cloudy) top point / juncture / low point
 BANK OF MCQS
1.tipping point (climax)
2.transcend (top)
3.vertex (top)
4.juncture (a particular point moment)
5.nadir (lowest point)
6.menial (lowly)
7.relegate (downgrade)
wine words
1.claret (red wine)
2.cuvee (a single batch of wine)
3.sec (tasteless champagne)
4.vinter (somebody who sells wine)
walk
1.ambulatory (adapted for walking)
2.divagate (stray)
3.mosey (ambell)
4.sidle (sneak)
persons
1.actuary (accountant)
2.aboiginal (belonging to 1 place)
3.arbiter (a person who settles disputes)
4.hawk (a war like person)
5.dark horse (winner)
6.innocuous (harmless)
58
7.kahuna (important person)
acceptance
1.acquiesce (to accept without arguing)
2.assimilate (make an idea acceptable)
3.assume (accept that something is true)
4.condone (to accept something that is
morally bad)
5.premise(assumptions)
6.supposition (idea)
imaginative
1.afflatus (strong creative impluse)
2.chimerical (fabulous)
3.el dorado (an imaginary place of great
wealth)
4.figment (fancy)
5.mesmerise (captivate)
throwing
1.cast (act of throwing something)
2.defenestration (act of throwing)
3.enait (to send out something)
4.jettision (throw out)
5.precipitate (throw)
6.prune (trim)

Beginner Phrases ~

10 Ways to Say Hello & Goodbye

1. Hello 10 Informal Ways to Say Yes and No
2. Hi 1. Yeah
3. (informal) Hey 2. Yup
4. Hi there 3. Mm-hmm!
5. (informal) Howdy 4. Uh-huh!
6. Bye 5. Sure!
7. Bye-bye 6. Nope
8. (informal) See ya later 7. Nah
9. Take care 8. Mm-mm
10. Have a good one 9. Uh-uh
 BANK OF MCQS 59
10. No way! 10. I owe you one. (this means you
want/need to do a favor for the other
10 Ways to Ask How Someone Is person in the future)
1. How are you?
2. How‟s it going? 10 Ways to Respond to “Thank You”
3. How ya doin‟? 1. You‟re welcome.
4. How are things? 2. No problem.
5. How‟s life? 3. No worries.
6. How have you been? 4. Don‟t mention it.
7. How‟s your family? 5. My pleasure.
8. What‟s up? 6. Anytime.
9. What‟s new? 7. It was the least I could do.
10. What have you been up to lately? 8. Glad to help.
9. Sure!
10 Ways to Say How You Are 10. Thank you. (use this when you
1. I‟m fine, thanks. How about you? ALSO have something to thank the other
2. Pretty good. person for)
3. Not bad.
4. Great! 5 Phrases for Apologizing
5. Couldn‟t be better! 1. I‟m sorry that… [ex. I was so rude
6. Can‟t complain. yesterday]
7. I‟ve been busy. 2. It‟s my fault. (= I am taking
8. Same as always. responsibility for the problem)
9. Not so great. 3. Oops, sorry.
10. Could be better. (for very small problems)
4. I should have… [ex. called you and
Note: The way to respond to “What’s told you I‟d be late]
up?” and “What’s new?” is typically 5. (formal) I apologize for… [ex. the
“Not much.” delay]
10 Ways to Say Thank You 5 Ways to Respond to an Apology
1. Thanks. 1. That‟s OK.
2. Thanks a lot. 2. It happens.
3. Thank you so much. 3. No problem.
4. Thanks a million! 4. Don‟t worry about it.
5. Thanks for your help. / Thanks for 5. I forgive you. (for serious problems)
helping me.
6. I really appreciate it. 10 Phrases for Introductions
7. I‟m really grateful. 1. I just wanted to introduce myself.
8. That‟s so kind of you. I‟m… [your name]
9. I can‟t thank you enough. (for 2. I don‟t think we‟ve met before. My
extremely important things) name‟s… [your name]
3. This is…
4. I‟d like you to meet…
 BANK OF MCQS
5. Have you met… ?
6. I‟d like to introduce you to…
7. Nice to meet you.
8. It‟s a pleasure to meet you.
9. Likewise.
10. And you.
#1 and #2 are used to introduce
yourself; #3-#6 are used to introduce
someone else. #9 and #10 can be used
as a response to #7 and #8.
6 Ways to Show Interest
1. Really?
2. That‟s interesting.
3. Uh-huh.
4. Right.
5. Gotcha.
6. Sure.
You can use these phrases to show the
other person that you are listening. ~ 9
~ Use #4, #5, #7, and #8 when you’re not
5 Ways to End a Conversation Politely
1. It was nice chatting with you.
2. Well, it‟s getting late.
3. Anyway, I should get going.
4. (formal) Sorry, but I‟m afraid I need
to…
5. I‟m sorry to cut you off, but I actually
gotta run. (cut you off = interrupt you)
10 Phrases for Telephone Calls
1. Hi, this is Jane.
2. (formal) May I speak with John
Smith?
3. (informal) Is John there?
4. I‟m calling about…
5. I‟m returning your call.
6. (formal) One moment, please.
7. (informal) Hang on a sec.
60
8. He‟s not here. Would you like to
leave a message?
9. Could you ask him to call me back?
10. Thanks for calling.
50 More Telephone Phrases
10 Phrases for Asking for Information
1. Can you tell me...?
2. Could you tell me...?
3. I'd like to know...
4. Do you know...
5. Do you have any idea...?
6. Could anyone tell me...? (use this
phrase when asking a group of people)
7. Would you happen to know...?
8. I don't suppose you (would) know...?
9. I was wondering…
10. I‟m calling to find out… (use this
phrase on the telephone)
sure if the other person has the
information.
5 Ways to Say “I don‟t know”
1. I have no idea/clue.
2. I can‟t help you there.
3. (informal) Beats me.
4. I‟m not really sure.
5. I‟ve been wondering that, too.
10 Phrases for Asking for Someone‟s
Opinion & Giving Your Opinion
1. What do you think about...?
2. How do you feel about…?
3. What's your opinion of...?
4. What are your views on...?
5. In my opinion…
6. I'd say...
7. Personally, I think/believe...
8. If you ask me...
9. The way I see it...
10. From my point of view…
 BANK OF MCQS
5 Phrases for Not Having an Opinion
1. I‟ve never given it much thought.
2. I don‟t have strong feelings either
way.
3. It doesn‟t make any difference to me.
4. I have no opinion on the matter.
5. (very informal) Whatever.
10 Phrases for Agreeing
1. Exactly.
2. Absolutely.
3. That‟s so true.
4. That‟s for sure.
5. I agree 100%
6. I couldn‟t agree with you more.
7. That‟s exactly what I think. / That‟s
exactly how I feel.
8. (informal) Tell me about it! / You‟re
telling me!
9. (informal) I‟ll say!
10. I suppose so. (use this phrase for
weak agreement – you agree, but
reluctantly)
Note: Avoid the common error of
saying “I’m agree” – the correct
phrase is “I agree” or “I’m in
agreement” – the second one is more
formal.
10 Phrases for Disagreeing
1. I don‟t think so.
2. I beg to differ.
3. I‟m afraid I don‟t agree.
4. I‟m not so sure about that.
5. That‟s not how I see it.
6. Not necessarily.
7. Yes, but… [say your opinion]
8. On the contrary.
9. (very informal) No way!
10. (very strong) I totally disagree.
61
5 Phrases for Responding to Good
News
1. Congratulations!
2. That‟s great!
3. How wonderful!
4. Awesome!
5. I‟m so happy for you!
5 Phrases for Responding to Bad News
1. Oh no…
2. That‟s terrible.
3. Poor you. (Use this to respond to bad
situations that are not too serious)
4. I‟m so sorry to hear that.
5. I‟m sorry for your loss. (Use this only
if someone has died)
10 Phrases for Invitations
1. Are you free… [Saturday night?]
2. Are you doing anything… [Saturday
night?]
3. Let me check my calendar.
4. (informal) Do you wanna… [see a
movie?
5. (formal) Would you like to… [join
me for dinner?]
6. I‟d love to!
7. Sounds great!
8. I‟d love to, but I have another
commitment.
9. I don‟t think I can.
10. Maybe another time.
5 Ways to Make & Respond to an Offer
1. (more formal) Would you like a
drink?
2. (informal) Do you want some water?
3. Can I get you something to eat?
4. That‟d be great, thanks.
(= yes)
5. No, thanks. I‟m OK.
(= no)
 BANK OF MCQS
6 Phrases for Talking About Future
Plans
1. I‟m going to…
2. I‟m planning to…
3. I hope to…
4. I‟d like to…
5. I might… / I may… Click here for
the difference between may and might
6. I‟m thinking about… Click here for
the different prepositions to use after
“think”
10 Ways to Talk about Likes & Dislikes
1. I love… [soccer]
2. I‟m really into… [soccer]
3. I live for… [soccer]
4. [soccer] is my thing.
5. I‟m crazy about… [soccer]
6. I‟m not a huge fan of… [modern art]
7. [Modern art] isn‟t my cup of tea.
8. I don‟t really care for… [modern art]
9. I‟m not into… [modern art]
10. I can‟t stand… [modern art] (this
phrase expresses strong dislike)
5 Ways to Make a Suggestion
1. How about… [ex. trying something
new]?
2. Why don‟t you… [ex. talk to your
boss]?
3. Maybe we should… [ex. do more
research].
4. I‟d recommend… [ex. going to the
doctor].
5. Have you thought about… [ex.
buying a new computer]?
10 Phrases for Asking/Talking about
Jobs
1. Where do you work?
2. What do you do? / What do you do
for a living?
3. I work at… [Microsoft].
62
4. I‟m a/an… [accountant].
5. I‟m unemployed. / I‟m between jobs
at the moment.
6. I‟m looking for work.
7. I‟m a stay-at-home mom/dad.
8. I run my own business.
9. I‟m a freelance…
[writer/designer/etc.]
10. I‟m retired.
Essential Job Vocabulary:
www.espressoenglish.net/lesson-1-
essential-job-vocabulary
10 Phrases for Describing Relationships
1. I‟m single.
2. I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
3. We‟re engaged. (= going to get
married)
4. We‟re getting married in June.
5. I‟m married.
6. I‟ve been married for… [10 years].
7. I‟m divorced.
8. I‟m widowed. (= my husband/wife
has died)
9. I‟m not looking for anything serious.
10. I‟m not quite over my ex. (= I still
have feelings for my ex-
boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-husband/wife)
~ Intermediate Phrases ~
5 Ways to Ask for Clarification
1. Pardon?
(if you didn’t hear or understand what
the person said)
2. Would you mind repeating that?
3. What do you mean?
(asking for more information)
4. I‟m not sure I follow you.
(= I don’t understand)
5. Could you explain… ?
5 Ways to Check if the Other Person
Understands You
 BANK OF MCQS
1. Do you understand what I‟m saying?
2. Does that make sense?
3. Do you know what I mean?
4. Are you with me so far? (often used
in the middle of a long explanation or
instructions)
5. Is that clear? (often used after giving
orders, or expressing disapproval or
another negative attitude)
5 Ways to Ask for Help
1. I need a little help.
2. Could you help me out?
3. Could you give me a hand? (usually
used for physical tasks)
4. Could you spare a couple minutes?
5. Could you do me a favor?
5 Ways to Ask Someone Else to Do
Something
1. (more formal) Would you mind…
[opening the window]?
2. Could you please… [turn off the
lights]?
3. (informal) Can you… [pass me the
chicken]?
4. Please… [send me the information].
5. I‟d appreciate it if you could… [wash
the dishes].
5 Ways to Interrupt Someone
1. Sorry to interrupt, but…
2. Excuse me – could I talk to you for a
minute? / do you have a minute? (when
interrupting a conversation between two
other people, to talk to one of them)
3. Could I jump in here? (use this when
interrupting a discussion among many
people)
4. Sorry – I just want to say that…
5. (formal) May I have a word?
10 Ways to Encourage Someone
63
1. Keep up the good work!
2. That was a nice try. (say this after
someone made a good effort but failed)
3. That‟s a real improvement.
4. You‟re on the right track.
5. You‟ve almost got it.
6. You‟re doing great.
7. Don‟t give up! / Hang in there!
(when someone is currently having
difficulties)
8. You can do it!
9. Give it your best shot. (best shot =
best try, best effort)
10. Nice job! / You did great!
(after the person has done something
good)
5 Phrases for Complaining
1. I‟m not happy about this.
2. I‟m sorry, but this is unacceptable.
3. I‟m not very satisfied with... [ex. this
product / this situation]
4. (informal) I can‟t stand it when…
[ex. the internet is slow]
5. (informal) This sucks.
10 Phrases for Remembering,
Reminding, & Forgetting
1. I‟ll always remember… / I‟ll never
forget…
2. If I remember correctly… / As far as
I can recall…
3. I have a vague recollection of…
4. It‟s on the tip of my tongue. (=I’m
trying to remember, but I can’t quite
remember)
5. My mind went blank. (= I couldn’t
remember/think of anything)
6. It doesn‟t ring a bell. (=it doesn’t
sound familiar)
7. Please remember to… / Please don‟t
forget to…
 BANK OF MCQS
8. I‟d like to remind you about…
9. You haven‟t forgotten to/about…
have you?
10. It completely slipped my mind! (= I
completely forgot about it!)
10 Phrases for Saying Something is
Easy & Difficult
1. It‟s a piece of cake.
2. It‟s a cinch.
3. It‟s a breeze.
4. Anyone can do it.
5. There‟s nothing to it.
6. It‟s hard.
7. It‟s a bit tricky.
8. It‟s really tough.
9. It‟s not a walk in the park.
10. It‟s very demanding. (= it takes a lot
of time and energy)
10 Expressions about Age
1. She‟s in her early twenties. (=20-23
years old)
2. He‟s in his late thirties. (=37-39
years old)
3. She just turned six.
4. Act your age! (use this when an adult
is being immature, acting like a child)
5. I‟m not as young as I used to be.
6. I‟m not over the hill yet! (over the
hill = an informal expression to say
“old”)
7. He‟s no spring chicken. (= he’s not
young)
8. She‟s wise beyond her years. (she is
young, but she has the wisdom of an
older person)
9. I‟m having a senior moment. (= I’m
being forgetful)
10. He lived to a ripe old age. (= a very
old age)
10 Phrases for Shopping
64
1. Do you have… ?
2. Where can I find… ?
3. I‟m just browsing. (browsing =
looking casually)
4. I‟m looking for…
5. How much is this?
6. Is this on sale?
7. Can I try it on? (use this to ask if you
can put on clothing to see if it’s the
right size)
8. I‟ll take it!
9. Do you take credit cards?
10. I‟d like to return/exchange this.
10 Phrases for Talking about Food
1. I‟m starving! (= I’m very hungry)
2. Let‟s grab a bite to eat.
3. How about eating out tonight? (eat
out = eat at a restaurant)
4. I brought some snacks.
5. This soup is delicious!
6. Could I have another helping of…
[potatoes]? (another helping = another
portion)
7. I‟ll have… (use this phrase for
ordering in a restaurant)
8. Could we get the check, please?
9. I‟m full. (= I’m satisfied)
10. I‟m stuffed. (= I ate a LOT, maybe
too much!)
10 Phrases for Talking About TV
1. Where‟s the remote? (remote =
remote control)
2. Is there anything good on?
3. Can I change the channel?
4. I‟ve already seen this episode.
5. This is a rerun. (rerun = an old
episode that was already shown on TV
previously)
6. I love this show!
7. There are too many commercials.
 BANK OF MCQS
8. Stop channel-surfing. (channel-
surfing = changing the channel quickly)
9. Check the TV guide. (the TV guide
has the information about the TV
programming and schedule)
10. It‟s the season finale! (= the final
episode of the season)
10 Phrases You‟ll Hear in the Airport
1. Do you have any bags to check?
2. Would you like a window seat or an
aisle seat? (aisle = corridor)
3. Here‟s your boarding pass. (boarding
pass = the paper that permits you to
enter the plane)
4. Your flight leaves from gate 15.
5. Your seat number is 8F.
6. Flight 800 is now boarding.
(boarding = passengers can enter the
plane)
7. Your flight has been delayed.
8. Your flight has been canceled.
9. This is the final call for flight 800.
10. What is the purpose of your trip?
More Travel English:
http://www.espressoenglish.net/travel-
english-conversations-in-the-airport
10 Ways to Talk About Price
1. It cost a fortune.
2. It cost an arm and a leg.
3. That‟s a rip-off. (= overpriced; far
more expensive than it should be)
4. I can‟t afford it. (= I don’t have
enough money to buy it)
5. That‟s a bit pricey.
6. That‟s quite reasonable. (= it’s a
good price)
7. It‟s 20% off. (= there’s a 20%
discount)
8. That‟s a good deal. (= a good value
for the amount of money)
9. It was a real bargain.
65
10. It was dirt cheap. (= extremely
inexpensive)
5 Phrases for Hot Weather
1. It‟s nice and warm today.
2. It‟s absolutely boiling! (boiling =
extremely hot)
3. We‟re having a real heat wave. (heat
wave = many consecutive days of hot
weather)
4. The sun‟s really strong today.
5. It‟s hot and humid.
5 Phrases for Cold Weather
1. It‟s a little chilly.
2. It‟s freezing. (= extremely cold)
3. The temperature‟s dropping.
4. Make sure to bundle up. (bundle up =
put on warm clothes for protection
against the cold)
5. We‟re expecting some winter
weather. (winter weather = snow, hail,
sleet, ice, etc.)
5 Phrases for Talking about Rain
1. It‟s drizzling. (= raining lightly)
2. It‟s pouring. (= raining heavily)
3. It‟s raining cats and dogs. (= raining
heavily)
4. I got caught in a downpour.
5. I think the rain‟s letting up. (letting
up = getting lighter and stopping)
10 Ways to Say You‟re Tired
1. I‟m exhausted.
2. I‟m dead tired.
3. I‟m pooped.
4. I‟m spent.
5. I‟m beat.
6. I‟m running on fumes. / I‟m running
on empty.
7. I can hardly keep my eyes open.
8. I‟m off to bed.
9. I‟m gonna hit the sack. (hit the sack =
go to bed)
 BANK OF MCQS
10. It‟s bedtime for me.
5 Phrases for Promises & Resolutions
1. I really should…
2. I promise that I‟ll…
3. I swear I‟ll / I won‟t… (a very strong
promise)
4. No matter what happens, I‟m going
to…
5. Come hell or high water, I‟ll…
#4 and #5 express your determination
to do something, even if obstacles
appear.
10 Excuses for Being Late
1. Sorry I‟m late.
2. I overslept. (= I slept longer than I
should have)
3. My alarm didn‟t go off.
4. I had to wait ages for a bus. (ages = a
very long time)
5. The bus was late.
6. The traffic was terrible.
7. I couldn‟t find a parking spot.
8. I got lost coming here.
9. I was tied up in a meeting. (tied up =
occupied, impossible to escape)
10. I just lost track of time. (= I didn’t
notice what time it was)
5 Ways to Say Someone is Correct
1. That‟s right.
2. That‟s spot on.
3. You‟ve hit the nail on the head. /
You‟ve nailed it.
4. I suppose so. (use this when you
agree, but you are not completely
convinced)
5. I‟m afraid you‟re right. (use this in
response to bad news, to say the bad
news is correct)
5 Ways to Say Someone is Wrong
66
1. I‟m afraid that‟s not quite right.
2. I‟m afraid you‟re mistaken.
3. No, you‟ve got it wrong.
4. No, that‟s all wrong.
5. (informal – rude) Baloney. / Bullshit.
5 Ways to Say Someone is Smart
1. He‟s really sharp.
2. She‟s brilliant.
3. He‟s very bright.
4. She‟s a genius.
5. He‟s a smart cookie.
5 Ways to Say Someone is Stupid
1. He‟s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
2. She‟s a few cards short of a deck.
3. He‟s a bit slow.
4. She‟s a complete idiot.
5. He‟s really dumb.
~ Advanced Phrases ~
10 Ways to Avoid Answering a
Question
1. No comment.
2. I‟m not at liberty to say. (= I don’t
have permission to give the information)
3. Wait and see. (= you will discover the
answer later)
4. Let me get back to you. (= I will give
you the answer later)
5. I‟m sorry, that‟s confidential.
6. I‟m sorry, that‟s personal.
7. I‟d rather not talk about it.
8. It‟s none of your business.
9. Mind your own business.
10. Why do you want to know?
#8 and #9 are rather rude – telling the
other person to stop inquiring about
your life ~ 27 ~
15 Phrases for Being Rich & Poor
1. He‟s short on cash.
 BANK OF MCQS
2. He‟s broke. (= he has no money)
3. His bank account is overdrawn.
4. He‟s just scraping by. (= he is just
barely surviving on little money)
5. He makes minimum wage. (= he
earns the minimum salary)
6. He‟s pinching pennies.
7. He‟s scrimping and saving.
8. She‟s very wealthy.
9. She‟s quite well-off.
10. She‟s loaded.
11. She‟s filthy rich.
12. She inherited a fortune.
13. She‟s making a killing.
14. She‟s raking in the cash.
15. She‟s rolling in dough.
#6 and #7 express the idea that the
person is trying to conserve money,
when they have very little money.
10 Phrases for Talking about Statistics
1. The crime rate rose.
2. The crime rate went up.
3. There was a sharp increase in crime.
(sharp = sudden and large)
4. There was a gradual rise in crime.
5. There was a spike in crime. (spike =
a sudden increase and then decrease)
6. The crime rate reached its peak. (peak
= the highest point)
7. The crime rate plateaued. (plateaued
= stayed at the same level)
8. There was a slight decrease in crime.
9. The crime rate dropped.
10. The crime rate plummeted. (=
decreased a lot, very quickly)
10 Ways to Say Someone‟s Talented
1. She was born to… [dance].
2. He‟s a natural.
3. She could do it in her sleep.
4. He knows it inside out.
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5. She knows [New York] like the back
of her hand.
6. She‟s a walking encyclopedia of…
[philosophy].
7. He‟s in a class of his own.
8. He‟s the best in the business.
9. She‟s very gifted.
10. He‟s a [chemistry] whiz.
10 Phrases for Telling Someone to Wait
1. Could you give me a minute?
2. (informal) Hang on a sec / Just a sec.
3. Hold on...
4. Let me see/think…
5. I'll be right with you.
6. Bear with me.
7. That‟ll have to wait.
8. Be patient.
9. Not so fast!
10. Hold your horses!
#9 and #10 are used for cautioning
someone to wait and not make a bad
decision or take reckless action. ~ 29 ~
10 Phrases for Estimating & Guessing
1. If I had to take a guess, I‟d say…
[she‟s about 35 years old].
2. It‟s difficult to say, but I think… [our
customers are more satisfied].
3. Off the top of my head, I‟d say… [the
company has 500 employees]. (= what I
remember/estimate, without checking
the actual statistics)
4. It‟s about… [10 miles away].
5. It‟s around… [three hours long].
6. I wouldn‟t be surprised if… [Peter
asks Jill to marry him].
7. There‟s a good chance… [it‟ll rain
tomorrow].
8. I have a feeling/hunch… [the boss
won‟t be happy about this]. (hunch = an
instinctive feeling)
9. I bet… [he‟ll be late].
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10. Your guess is as good as mine. (= I
don’t know)
10 Phrases for Decisions
1. I‟m debating between… [option A
and option B]
2. I can‟t make up my mind.
3. I‟m on the fence. (= I’m in the
middle, I don’t know what to decide)
4. I‟ll take that into consideration.
5. On the other hand…
6. I‟m having second thoughts. (= I’m
reconsidering my decision)
7. I changed my mind.
8. He convinced/persuaded me to…
9. Looking back, I know it was the right
decision.
10. It‟s up to you. (= You can decide)
10 Phrases for Good Luck & Bad Luck
1. Good luck!
2. Better luck next time. (say this after
someone fails, and you hope they do
better next time)
3. Just my luck! (this is a sarcastic
phrase meaning that something
UNLUCKY happened)
4. Lucky you!
5. That was a stroke of luck. (= a
sudden event of good luck)
6. Some people have all the luck. (say
this when someone else is constantly
lucky, and you feel like you’re not
lucky)
7. As luck would have it… (= by
chance)
8. He‟s down on his luck. (= he’s
having a long period of bad luck or
difficulty)
9. No such luck. (= something good that
could have happened, didn’t happen)
10. What rotten luck!
10 Phrases for Worries & Relief
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1. I‟m scared that…
2. I can‟t help thinking that… (use this
for thoughts that you try to avoid, but
they keep coming into your mind)
3. It‟s been keeping me up at night. (use
this when you’re so worried about
something that you can’t sleep)
4. What if… ?
5. Whew!
6. Thank goodness!
7. What a relief!
8. You had me worried for a moment.
9. You have no idea what a relief it is.
10. That‟s a huge load off my mind.
10 Phrases for Talking about the Future
1. It‟ll happen any day now.
2. It‟s right around the corner.
3. …in the near future.
4. It will/won‟t happen in our lifetime.
(= in the next 40-50 years)
5. It‟s a sign/taste of things to come. (=
it indicates how things will be in the
future)
6. I‟m counting down the days until…
(= I’m excited about the future event, I
can’t wait for it to happen)
7. Sooner or later… / It‟s bound to
happen eventually. (= it will definitely
happen sometime in the future)
8. I‟ll get around to it. (= I’ll do it
sometime in the future, but I don’t know
exactly when)
9. I‟ll do it right away. / I‟ll get right on
it. (= I’ll do it immediately)
10. Time will tell. (in the future, we will
know if something is true/false or
good/bad)
#1, #2, and #3 are used to say
something will happen soon.
10 Phrases for Compliments
#1-3 are used for complimenting a
person’s appearance #4-6 for
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complimenting a person’s cooking #7-
8 for complimenting a person’s home
#9-10 for complimenting a person’s
children.
1. You look nice. / You look amazing!
2. What a beautiful
[necklace/dress/etc.]!
3. I like your [shirt/shoes/haircut/etc.]
4. The lasagna is delicious.
5. You‟re a fantastic cook.
6. My compliments to the chef!
7. What a nice apartment!
8. You have a beautiful home.
9. He‟s/She‟s so cute!
10. Your kids are a lot of fun.
15 Phrases for Certainty & Probability
1. I‟m absolutely sure.
2. I‟m positive that…
3. I have no doubt that…
4. I‟m a hundred percent certain.
5. I‟m convinced that…
6. Chances are that… (= this will
probably happen)
7. Odds are that… (= this will probably
happen)
8. I seriously doubt it.
9. I don‟t think so.
10. Probably not.
11. It‟s not very likely.
12. There‟s not much chance of that.
13. I‟d be very surprised if that
happened.
14. I wouldn‟t bet on it. (= there’s a
small chance it could happen… but it
probably won’t happen)
15. That‟ll never happen.
10 Ways to Say Something is
Interesting/Boring
1. It‟s fascinating.
2. It‟s intriguing.
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3. I couldn‟t tear myself away.
4. I couldn‟t put it down. (this phrase is
used for en extremely interesting book)
5. I was so into it, I lost track of time.
6. It does nothing for me.
7. I was bored to tears.
8. I was bored to death.
9. I was dying of boredom.
10. It‟s about as exciting as watching
paint dry. (= it’s very boring)
10 Phrases for Cheering Someone Up
1. What‟s the matter?
2. What‟s wrong?
3. Are you all right?
4. You look a bit down. (= a little sad)
5. Is there anything I can do to help?
6. Cheer up! / Chin up!
7. It‟s not so bad.
8. Everything will be OK.
9. Look on the bright side. (= consider
the positive aspects)
10. It‟s not the end of the world. (this
phrase is used when someone is upset
about something small and trivial)
7 Phrases for Disappointment
1. What a pity!
2. What a shame.
3. How disappointing.
4. That‟s too bad.
5. Bummer.
6. It was a real letdown.
7. It didn‟t live up to my expectations.
10 Ways to Say You Don‟t Believe
Someone
1. Yeah, right.
2. You're kidding.
3. You're pulling my leg.
4. That's a bit of an exaggeration.
5. He‟s stretching the truth.
6. He‟s not telling the whole truth.
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7. She‟s being economical with the
truth. (= she’s lying or not telling the
entire truth)
8. His story is fishy.
9. That's an outright lie.
10. That's a pack of lies.
10 Expressions for Bad People
1. He‟s a creep. (= unpleasant,
suspicious, makes you afraid/uneasy)
2. He‟s a pervert. (= someone with
disgusting sexual tendencies)
3. He‟s a sicko.
4. He‟s a scumbag.
5. He‟s an asshole.
6. He‟s a jerk.
7. He‟s a bastard.
8. She‟s a bitch. (= she’s irritating and
unpleasant)
9. She‟s a psycho. (= crazy, irrational)
10. She‟s a slut. (= she has sex with a
lot of people)
10 Words for Describing Speaking
1. He yelled.
2. She screamed.
3. I whispered. (= spoke in an extremely
quiet voice)
4. We chatted. (= had an informal
conversation)
5. He mumbled. (= spoke in a low
voice, not clearly, without opening his
mouth much)
6. My kids whined. (= complained)
7. He rambled. / He went on and on. (=
talked too much without stopping)
8. She stammered.
9. I snapped at my husband. (= said a
quick and angry remark)
10. He muttered. (= spoke in a low
voice, usually making complaints or
negative comments)
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10 Phrases for Facial Expressions
1. She was beaming. (= she had a big,
radiant smile)
2. The kids were smiling from ear to
ear.
3. He looked puzzled. (= confused)
4. She grinned. (= had a small smile)
5. He winced when the doctor gave him
an injection. (= had a quick expression
of pain)
6. She gave me a dirty look. (= looked
at me angrily)
7. She blushed. (= her face turned red
because she was embarrassed)
8. His eyes were glazed over. (= he
appeared
9. Why the long face? (an informal
expression to ask why someone looks
sad or upset)
10. Her expression was unreadable. (=
you can’t know what she is feeling)
10 Phrases to Describe Offending or
Upsetting People
1. They got off on the wrong foot. (=
when they first met, they didn’t get
along)
2. He got on the teacher‟s bad side.
3. She took offense at his comment.
4. He has a chip on his shoulder. (= he
is easily offended)
5. She got bent out of shape.
6. He left in a huff.
7. She got her panties in a wad.
8. He has a short fuse. (= he gets angry
easily)
9. She dissed my mother. (= she
insulted/disrespected my mother)
10. He got his nose out of joint.
#5, #7, #10 all mean the person got
irritated/annoyed
10 Phrases for Bad Travel Experiences
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1. My flight was overbooked.
(overbooked = there were too many
passengers and not enough seats)
2. My flight was delayed/canceled.
3. My luggage was lost.
4. I was jet-lagged. (= I felt tired
because of the time zone difference
between my origin and destination)
5. My hotel was in a seedy area. (seedy
= possibly unsafe)
6. I was mugged. (= I was robbed on
the street)
7. The weather was miserable.
8. I got the runs. (= diarrhea)
9. The place was a tourist trap. (= made
only for tourists; not authentic)
10. I couldn‟t wait to get back home.
10 Phrases for Drinking (Alcohol)
1. It‟s on me. (= I’ll buy you a drink)
2. I‟d like to make a toast. (= I’d like to
honor a person/event/idea)
3. Here‟s to… (your health / the New
Year / our success)!
4. Another round of drinks, please.
5. Put it on my tab. (tab = bill to pay
later, before you leave)
6. He‟s a bit tipsy. (= a little bit drunk)
7. He‟s completely
sloshed/wasted/plastered. (= completely
drunk)
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8. She‟s trying to drown her sorrows. (=
drinking alcohol for relief from
pain/sadness)
9. I‟m the designated driver. (= I’m not
drinking alcohol because I will drive
other people home later)
10. I had a hangover. / I was hung over.
(= the bad feeling you have the morning
after drinking too much)
15 Comparative Idioms
1. It‟s as light as a feather.
2. It‟s as dry as a bone.
3. It‟s as flat as a pancake.
4. He‟s as mad as a hornet.
5. It‟s as old as the hills.
6. It‟s as quick as lightning.
7. She‟s as sick as a dog.
8. He‟s as strong as an ox.
9. They‟re as different as night and day.
10. She‟s as stubborn as a mule.
11. He‟s as proud as a peacock.
12. She‟s as white as a sheet. (usually
used when someone is very afraid or
very sick)
13. It‟s as solid as a rock.
14. It‟s as good as new. (used after
something broken has been repaired)
15. It‟s as clear as mud. (= it’s not clear
at all