Phrases and Idioms

Meaning

701.

past - A shady past

A past that one had committed a criminal or immoral act and is best kept secret.

702.

pay – pay one’s respects

Show one’s polite consideration by calling or visiting.

703.

pay – pay one’s way

To finance one’s own cost or expenses.

704.

payment – payment in kind

Using goods or services instead of money as settlement

705.

peace – hold one’s peace

Remain silent, even under provocation.

706.

peace – keep the peace

To maintain law and order.

707.

peace – make one’s peace

Restore friendly relations with someone after a personal dispute.

708.

peace – rest in peace

Used in funeral service as part of a prayer.

709.

per - as per usual

As usual.

710.

pick – pick a fight

Force a fight.

711.

pick – pick a lock

Use something other than the key to open a lock.

712.

pick – pick holes in

Criticize adversely; find fault with.

713.

pick – pick one’s nose

To remove mucus from one’s nose with one’s finger.

714.

pick – pick one’s teeth

To remove bits of food from one’s teeth with something pointed.

715.

pick – pick someone’s pocket

To steal secretly from someone’s pocket.

716.

pity - for pity’s sake

Used to show one’s growing irritation.

717.

plate – on a plate

Getting something without working for it.

718.

plate – on one’s plate

Having so much to occupy one’s time.

719.

play – come into play

To have significant effect.

720.

play – out of play

When a ball goes out of the allowed area of play.

721.

play – play for time

To gain time by employing delaying tactics.

722.

play – play it cool

To behave in a relaxed or unconcerned manner.

723.

play – play it safe

Avoid taking unnecessary risks.

724.

play – play on words

To make use of ambiguous words to amuse or confuse.

725.

play – play second fiddle

Play a subordinate role.

726.

play – play the fool

Acting in a silly way.

727.

play – play with fire

Do something that could have serious consequences.

728.

plunge – take the plunge

To finally commit oneself to doing something after much hesitation.

729.

point - belabour the point

Discuss at length.

730.

point - beside the point

Irrelevant; not important.

731.

point – case in point

An example used to clarify the topic being discussed.

732.

point – point the finger

To openly accuse, blame or implicate someone.

733.

poke – poke fun at

Make fun of or ridicule someone.

734.

pole - be poles apart

Entirely different from each other.

735.

poor – the poor man’s …..

An inferior or cheaper substitute for someone or something as mentioned.

736.

pop -  pop the question

To propose marriage to someone.

737.

pot-luck - take pot-luck

Be willing to take or eat whatever is available.

738.

pound – pound of flesh

Something that’s one’s entitled but which will make them to suffer to demand.

739.

practice – practice makes perfect

Perfection comes from habitual doing of something.

740.

premium –  at a premium

Not readily available; at a higher than usual price.

741.

press –  go to press

To get something printed.

742.

press – at the press

In the process of printing.

743.

press – off the press

Printed; issued.

744.

press – press the flesh

To shake hands with people

745.

press – send to press

Send to be printed.

746.

pressed –  pressed for time

Not having enough time.

747.

price – at any price

Regardless of the risk involved or what may happen.

748.

prick – prick of conscience

Feeling of deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

749.

print – appear in print

Have one’s work published.

750.

print – out of print

No longer available in printed form.

751.

proportion – out of proportion

More than what it should be; exaggerated.

752.

proportion – sense of proportion

The ability to judge the relative importance of things.

753.

puck –  pluck a pigeon

To rob a foolish or gullible person.

754.

pull – pull one’s face

Change one’s facial expression to reflect one’s feelings.

755.

pull – pull one’s punches

To be less forceful, harsh, etc. than one is capable.

756.

pull – pull one’s rank

Abuse one’s senior position to exact obedience, etc.

757.

pull – pull someone’s leg

To playfully cause someone to believe something that is not true.

758.

pull – pull the plug

Prevent something from continuing.

759.

pure – pure and simple

Absolutely by itself, nothing short of.

760.

push - at a push

With difficulty but can be done.

761.

push – push one’s luck

To assume one will continue to be successful.

762.

quite - not quite

Not completely or totally.

763.

rack – rack and ruin

Deteriorate due to neglect.

764.

raise – raise the dust

To cause a disturbance.

765.

rank – rank and file

Ordinary members of an organization.

766.

ransom - a king’s ransom

A huge amount of money.

767.

rate - at this rate

If things continue to happen in this way

768.

raw – in the raw

In its realistic state; naked.

769.

read - a good read

Something that people enjoy reading.

770.

ready - at the ready

Available to put into immediate service.

771.

record - for the record

For something to be recorded and remembered.

772.

record – off/on the record

Not made/made as official record.

773.

red - in the red

To have no money in one’s account.

774.

red – red letter day

A special day that makes you very happy.

775.

red - the red planet

Mars

776.

regard – in this regard

Connected with something mentioned previously or just said.

777.

regard – with regard to

Referring to something one is speaking or writing about.

778.

rein – take the reins

Take over the responsibility.

779.

reinvent – reinvent the wheel

To waste time in devising what is already in existence.

780.

respect – in respect of

Concerning; with reference to; in relation to.

781.

respect – with respect to

Referring to.

782.

rest – rest on oars

Rest after a spell of labour.

783.

rest – rest one’s case

End one’s presentation of evidence in a court of law.

784.

ride – be riding high

Successful and popular.

785.

ride – ride herd on

Keep watch over.

786.

ride – ride roughshod over

Treat someone without consideration of their feelings.

787.

right – as of right

It is one’s right.

788.

right - right-hand man

An important assistant.

789.

right – the right stuff

The necessary or required qualities.

790.

rise – give rise to

Cause something to happen.

791.

rise – on the rise

Increasing in value, success, prices, etc.

792.

rise – rise and shine

Get out of bed early and quickly.

793.

risk – risk one’s neck

To do something that involves the possibility of being killed.

794.

risk – run the risk

Expose to the possibility of something dangerous or unpleasant happening.

795.

rock – on the rocks

Fraught with problems and is likely to fail.

796.

rock – rock the boat

To disrupt the existing situation.

797.

root - put down roots

To become settled in a place.

798.

rope – know the ropes

Know all of something through experience

799.

rough – a rough diamond

A person who is of good character but lacks good manners.

800.

rough – in the rough

In a natural or difficult state