17 Idioms, Foreign Words
17.1 Introduction
Idioms and foreign words are frequent in management entrance exams.
- Idioms are fixed expressions whose meaning cannot be understood literally.
- Foreign words/phrases are borrowed (mostly from Latin and French) and widely used in English.
This chapter strengthens your ability to decode figurative language, recognize idiomatic usage, and correctly interpret foreign expressions.
17.2 1) Idioms
17.2.1 1.1 What is an Idiom?
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is figurative rather than literal. For example:
- “Kick the bucket” → to die (not literally kicking a bucket).
- “A blessing in disguise” → something that seems bad at first but turns beneficial.
Idioms enrich language and are common in reading comprehension and vocabulary questions.
17.2.2 1.2 Common Idioms
- At the eleventh hour → at the last possible moment.
- Burn the midnight oil → work late into the night.
- Cry over spilt milk → regret something that cannot be undone.
- Once in a blue moon → very rarely.
- Hit the nail on the head → describe exactly the real cause of a problem.
- Let the cat out of the bag → reveal a secret.
- The ball is in your court → it’s your decision or responsibility now.
- Take with a pinch of salt → view with skepticism.
- Cut corners → do something cheaply or carelessly.
- In hot water → in trouble.
17.3 2) Foreign Words in English
17.3.1 2.1 Why important?
Many foreign words (esp. from Latin, French, and German) are standard in academic, business, and legal contexts. Knowing their meanings helps in exams and professional communication.
17.3.2 2.2 Common Foreign Words
- Ad hoc (Latin) → for a particular purpose.
- Bona fide (Latin) → genuine, in good faith.
- Status quo (Latin) → the existing state of affairs.
- De facto (Latin) → in fact, though not officially.
- Vice versa (Latin) → the other way around.
- Cul-de-sac (French) → dead-end street.
- Carte blanche (French) → full freedom to act as one wishes.
- Faux pas (French) → social blunder.
- En route (French) → on the way.
- Rendezvous (French) → meeting or appointment.
- Café (French) → small restaurant.
- Zeitgeist (German) → spirit of the age.
- Kindergarten (German) → children’s school.
- Entrepreneur (French) → business founder.
- Déjà vu (French) → the feeling of having experienced something before.
17.4 3) Practice Questions
17.4.1 Part A – Idioms
- At the eleventh hour
- Too late
- At the last moment
- Very early
- Without notice
- To cry over spilt milk
- Waste time regretting
- To quarrel
- To complain unnecessarily
- To show anger
- To let the cat out of the bag
- Release a pet
- Expose a lie
- Reveal a secret
- Create trouble
- The ball is in your court
- Your turn to decide
- You must play carefully
- You are under pressure
- You are being judged
- Cut corners
- Save money by reducing quality
- Take the easy way
- Be efficient
- Work smart
17.4.2 Part B – Foreign Words
- Ad hoc
- Temporary / special purpose
- Permanent
- Routine
- General
- Bona fide
- False
- Genuine
- Duplicate
- Hidden
- Status quo
- Present state
- Progress
- Change
- Proposal
- Carte blanche
- Full freedom
- Empty card
- Limited choice
- Restriction
- Faux pas
- Fashion
- Social blunder
- Great success
- Secret meeting
17.5 4) Answer Key
Part A – Idioms
1 → (b) At the last moment
2 → (a) Waste time regretting
3 → (c) Reveal a secret
4 → (a) Your turn to decide
5 → (a) Save money by reducing quality
Part B – Foreign Words
6 → (a) Temporary / special purpose
7 → (b) Genuine
8 → (a) Present state
9 → (a) Full freedom
10 → (b) Social blunder
17.6 Summary
- Idioms are figurative expressions; interpret by sense, not literally.
- Foreign words enrich English and are common in exams.
- Learn frequent idioms and foreign terms by grouping them with examples.
This knowledge boosts both vocabulary accuracy and reading comprehension performance.