25 Important Idioms and Phrases Frequently Asked in Assam Government Job Exams
- Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking about
- Example: You've been quiet for a while – a penny for your thoughts?
- Exam: [APSC 2018]
2. Actions speak louder than words
- Meaning: What people do is more important than what they say
- Example: He always says he'll help, but actions speak louder than words.
- Exam: [Assam Police SI 2019]
3. At the drop of a hat
- Meaning: Immediately, without hesitation
- Example: She’s ready to go on a trip at the drop of a hat.
- Exam: [DHS Assam 2020]
4. Barking up the wrong tree
- Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action
- Example: If you think I took your pen, you are barking up the wrong tree.
- Exam: [APSC 2019]
5. Birds of a feather flock together
- Meaning: People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other
- Example: It's no surprise that they are best friends – birds of a feather flock together.
- Exam: [Assam Secretariat 2018]
6. Blessing in disguise
- Meaning: Something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good
- Example: Missing the flight turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the plane had technical issues.
- Exam: [Assam Police Constable 2020]
7. Burn the midnight oil
- Meaning: To stay up late working on something
- Example: She had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project on time.
- Exam: [APSC 2020]
8. Call it a day
- Meaning: To stop working for the rest of the day
- Example: Let's call it a day and continue tomorrow.
- Exam: [DHS Assam 2019]
9. Cross that bridge when you come to it
- Meaning: Deal with a problem when it arises, not before
- Example: We don’t need to worry about the presentation now; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
- Exam: [Assam Secretariat 2019]
10. Curiosity killed the cat
- Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble
- Example: Don’t go snooping around – curiosity killed the cat.
- Exam: [Assam Police SI 2020]
11. Devil’s advocate
- Meaning: Someone who presents a counter argument or opposes a popular opinion for the sake of debate
- Example: I don't really disagree, but I'll play devil's advocate to see how strong your argument is.
- Exam: [APSC 2020]
12. Every cloud has a silver lining
- Meaning: Every difficult situation has a positive aspect
- Example: Although she lost the job, she found a better one – every cloud has a silver lining.
- Exam: [Assam Police Constable 2019]
13. Hit the books
- Meaning: To study hard
- Example: I have to hit the books tonight; I have an exam tomorrow.
- Exam: [DHS Assam 2020]
14. Hit the nail on the head
- Meaning: To be exactly right about something
- Example: His answer hit the nail on the head.
- Exam: [APSC 2018]
15. In the heat of the moment
- Meaning: Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment
- Example: I said some things I didn't mean in the heat of the moment.
- Exam: [Assam Secretariat 2020]
16. It takes two to tango
- Meaning: Both parties involved in a situation or argument are responsible for it
- Example: They’re both to blame – it takes two to tango.
- Exam: [Assam Police SI 2018]
17. Jump on the bandwagon
- Meaning: To follow a trend or do something because others are doing it
- Example: Everyone is investing in stocks now, so he decided to jump on the bandwagon.
- Exam: [APSC 2019]
18. Let the cat out of the bag
- Meaning: To reveal a secret unintentionally
- Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
- Exam: [Assam Police Constable 2018]
19. Miss the boat
- Meaning: To miss an opportunity
- Example: He missed the boat by not applying for the job sooner.
- Exam: [DHS Assam 2019]
20. Once in a blue moon
- Meaning: Very rarely
- Example: She only comes to visit once in a blue moon.
- Exam: [Assam Secretariat 2018]
21. Pull someone’s leg
- Meaning: To tease or joke with someone
- Example: I was just pulling your leg about the exam being cancelled.
- Exam: [Assam Police SI 2020]
22. Speak of the devil
- Meaning: The person being talked about appears
- Example: Speak of the devil, here comes John now.
- Exam: [APSC 2020]
23. Steal someone’s thunder
- Meaning: To take the credit for someone else’s achievements
- Example: She stole my thunder by announcing her promotion just before I could announce mine.
- Exam: [Assam Police Constable 2020]
24. Take it with a grain of salt
- Meaning: Don’t take what someone says too seriously
- Example: Take what you read online with a grain of salt.
- Exam: [DHS Assam 2018]
25. The last straw
- Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems that makes someone feel they cannot continue
- Example: When he didn’t turn up for the meeting, it was the last straw.
- Exam: [Assam Secretariat 2019]
These idioms and phrases are crucial for your preparation for Assam government job exams and will help you understand the context and usage in various scenarios. Make sure to study and practice them thoroughly to enhance your performance in the exams.