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.