Explanation: The idiom “bite off more than one can chew” means to take on a task or responsibility that is beyond one’s ability or capacity to manage.

Example: By accepting three projects at once, Rahul bit off more than he could chew.

Explanation: The idiom “round the corner” means very near or about to happen soon. It can refer to a nearby place or an event that is imminent, depending on the context.

Example: The examination is just round the corner, so it’s time to revise.

Explanation: The idiom “burn the midnight oil” means to study or work late into the night, especially to complete an important task.

Example: She burned the midnight oil to prepare for the WBCS examination.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these idioms:

• Burn the midnight oil = study/work late at night
• Sit tight = wait patiently
• Go haywire = stop functioning properly or become chaotic
• Run amok = behave in a wild or uncontrollable manner

Explanation: The idiom “look before you leap” means to think carefully about the consequences before taking any action or making a decision.

Example: Before investing your savings, look before you leap.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these idioms:

• Look before you leap = think carefully before acting
• Sit on the fence = remain undecided
• Make hay while the sun shines = make the most of a favorable opportunity
• Kill the golden goose = destroy a valuable source of long-term benefit through greed or foolishness

Explanation: The idiom “a slap on the wrist” means a light or lenient punishment given for a mistake or offence that deserved a harsher penalty.

Example: The company received only a slap on the wrist for violating the safety rules.

Explanation: The idiom “see eye to eye” means to agree completely or have the same opinion.

Example: After a long discussion, the partners finally saw eye to eye on the new project.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these idioms:

• See eye to eye = agree completely
• Let the cat out of the bag = reveal a secret
• Feel under the weather = feel unwell
• Cut corners = do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or money

Explanation: The idiom “under the weather” means feeling slightly ill or not in good health.

Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’ll stay home and rest.

Explanation: The idiom “make both ends meet” means to earn just enough money to pay for basic living expenses or manage financially with limited income.

Example: With rising prices, many families find it difficult to make both ends meet.

Exam Tip: “Make both ends meet” is commonly used in the context of financial hardship. It means to manage one’s expenses with the available income, not to become rich or save money.

Explanation: The idiom “once in a blue moon” means very rarely or almost never.

Example: He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.

Explanation: The idiom “pull yourself together” means to regain self-control, calm down, or recover from emotional upset.

Example: After hearing the bad news, she took a few minutes to pull herself together before speaking to everyone.

Exam Tip: “Pull yourself together” is commonly used when someone is upset, nervous, or emotional and needs to calm down and regain composure. Do not confuse it with “get angry,” which has the opposite meaning.