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Idioms are a group of words that are established by usage and are unique to the language. It usually has a different meaning than what it reads. It is a set expression or a phrase, and it does not hold the same meaning when read separately. Idioms do not have literal meanings.
Example:
A snake in the grass
In general terms, it has its usual meaning. But when used as an idiom, the meaning refers to a disloyal person who pretends to be good.
To come off with flying colours
It means to emerge out with brilliant success, but not the literal meaning of coming out with a colourful display!
Next, let us look at some more idioms with meanings:
Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| Boil down to | Amount to | The facts of the case boiled down to a mere fraudulent act |
| Get into hot water | Get into difficulty | James got into hot water because of his laziness |
| Shed crocodile tears | Pretend to cry | He shed crocodile tears when his boss scolded him |
| Peas in a pod | Stay together always | Sheela and her sisters are like peas in a pod |
| Green with envy | Extremely jealous | He was green with envy when his neighbour secured the first rank |
Important!
Idioms convey subtle but coherent meaning for the sentences. For instance, "shed crocodile tears"- how is it coherent? Since a crocodile cannot cry, it cannot have any tears. So it means false tears or pretending to cry.
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