Idioms 5
1. ALTER EGO: The term alter ego which in Latin means “other self”, refers to a very close and trusted friend who is very much like yourself.
- Over the years, the disciple has become the alter ego of the master.
- Sarita is the alter ego of my sister.
- Jack was the alter ego of Rose in the movie.
- I first met Rajat as a stranger, now he is my alter ego.
- His advisor acts as his alter ego during his absence.
2. ANSWER FOR SOMETHING: If someone has to answer for something, they have to accept responsibility for their actions.
- He will have to answer for his dishonesty.
- One day you will have to answer for, whatever you have done with me.
- I will answer only for my misdeeds.
- She will have to answer for her children’s bad behavior.
3. ANTS IN ONE’S PANTS: People who have ants in their pants are very excited or restless about something.
- I wish he’d relax. He’s got ants in his pants about something today.
- She’s got ants in her pants because she is going to the party tonight.
- I’ve ants in my pants – I can’t wait to get started on my experiment.
- My 10 years old sister has ants in her pants because she is going to Agra to see the Taj with my parents, tomorrow.
- Sunita had ants in her pants because she had a presentation to give in her business class.
4. ANYONE’S CALL: This expression is used when the result of a contest or election is difficult to predict.
- This is a tight match. Who’s going to win is anyone’s call.
- Everything is still chancy. It could be anyone’s call.
- Would you tell me, who is going to win the competition. It’s anyone’s call.
- Who will stand first in the class this year. Though it’s anyone’s call, I expect Rahul will do it.
- Who will win the election, Rakesh or Mohan. It’s anyone’s call.
5. UP IN ARMS: If you are up in arms, you are very angry about something and protest very strongly.
- The population was up in arms over the demolition of the old theater.
- My father gets up in arms for every little thing .
- The people were in arms against the Government hen the oil prices were raised.
- Why do you gets up in arms at every little thing.
- The students were up in arms against the misbehavior of the principal.
6. TO KEEP SOMEONE AT ARMS LENGTH: If you keep someone at arms length,
you do not allow yourself to become friends with them.
- She keeps everyone at arms length.
- Why do you keep him at arms length.
- There could be no specific reason to keep me at arms length.
- Why are the lawmakers keeping the public at the arms length.
- I don’t like those who have a tendency to keep others at arms length.
7. ASKING FOR TROUBLE: Someone who is asking for trouble is behaving so stupidly that they are likely to have problems.
- Driving fast on these roads is really asking for trouble.
- Walking on the road at night is asking for trouble.
- Talking to her about anything is asking for trouble.
- Drinking before driving is asking for trouble.
- Stop talking to me that way, John. You’re asking for trouble.
8. AT ALL COST: If you are determined to achieve something at all cost, you want it regardless of the expense, effort or sacrifice involved.
- The journalist was determined at all cost to get a report from the war zone.
- The Country must defend the borders at all cost.
- I intend to have this car at all cost.
- I want to avoid working at weekend at all cost.
- He appears to have decided that he must stay in power at all cost.
9. AT STAKE: Someone who has a lot at stake is in a risky situation, with a lot to be won or lost.
- He was nervous about signing the agreement because there was a lot at stake.
- That’s very risky investment. How much money is at stake?
- I have everything at stake on this wager.
- About 3000 jobs are at stake if company moves to another state.
- My life is at the stake, now.
10. OF NO AVAIL: Something which is of no avail is not at all helpful or useful.
- The coffee machine wouldn’t work and the instruction leaflet was of no avail.
- I did everything that I could do, but is of no avail.
- His help was of no avail.
- He tried to revive her, but of no avail.
- Working foolishly like this will be of no avail.