Idioms & Phrases – BARC Recruitment (English Language)
Goal:
- Understand what idioms & phrases are.
- Know why they are useful in communication.
- Master common idioms & how to use them in sentences.
- Practice quick recall for the exam.
1. Simple Explanation
| Term | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Idiom | A fixed phrase whose meaning isn’t obvious from the words themselves. | Break the ice → “Make a start to a conversation.” |
| Phrase | A group of words that form a meaningful unit. It can be a simple idiom or a non‑idiomatic expression. | In the meantime → “While you wait.” |
| Fixed Expression | Another word for idiom. | Under the weather → “Feeling sick.” |
| Proverb | A short saying that gives advice or a moral. | A stitch in time saves nine. |
| Colloquialism | Informal, everyday language. | Gonna → “Going to.” |
Why care?
• Makes writing and speaking colourful and native‑like.
• Helps you understand readers’ true intent.
• BARC exams often test idiom recognition & usage in cloze or paraphrase questions.
2. Key Points
| # | Point | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meaning vs. Literal | Idiom meaning ≠ sum of its words. |
| 2 | Fixedness | Words stay in the same order; small changes make it wrong. |
| 3 | Contextual Clues | Tone, situation, or the rest of the sentence can hint at the idiom’s meaning. |
| 4 | Common Categories | 1) Action (e.g., hit the books) 2) Emotion (e.g., heart in a flutter) 3) Situation (e.g., in hot water) 4) Status (e.g., on cloud nine) |
| 5 | Synonyms & Antonyms | Knowing similar idioms helps you spot them in different wording. |
| 6 | Practice | Read news articles, watch short movies, and note idioms you encounter. |
| 7 | Answering BARC Questions | • For cloze: choose the idiom that fits the context. • For paraphrase: rewrite using simpler words. |
3. Worked Example
BARC‑Style Cloze Question
Sentence:
“When the manager met the junior staff, she decided to _______ to ease the tension.”
| Option | Idiom | Meaning | Which fits? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | take the bull by the horns | Confront the problem directly | Not about easing tension |
| B | break the ice | Start conversation, reduce awkwardness | ✔️ Fits perfectly |
| C | under the weather | Feeling ill | Irrelevant |
| D | hit the books | Study hard | Irrelevant |
Answer: B – break the ice
Explanation:
- The sentence describes the manager easing tension with junior staff → break the ice is the idiomatic expression that means “to initiate conversation or reduce awkwardness.”
- The other idioms either convey a different action or a different situation.
Paraphrase Practice
Original:
“After the meeting, the team felt on cloud nine.”
Paraphrase:
“After the meeting, the team felt extremely happy.”
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Section | What to Remember |
|---|---|
| What is an Idiom? | Fixed phrase, figurative meaning, non‑literal. |
| Common Idioms | <ul><li>Break the ice – start a conversation</li><li>Hit the books – study hard</li><li>On cloud nine – very happy</li><li>Under the weather – sick</li><li>In hot water – in trouble</li></ul> |
| Key Test Tips | • Look for context clues. • Match meaning, not literal words. • Remember fixed word order. |
| Practice | • Fill‑in‑the‑blank with idioms. • Rewrite idiomatic sentences in plain English. |
| Common Pitfall | Assuming the idiom’s meaning is the sum of its words. |
5. Quick Self‑Check Quiz
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | She decided to _______ and start the project. | break the ice |
| 2 | He’s feeling _______ after the flu. | under the weather |
| 3 | They’re _______ after the promotion. | on cloud nine |
| 4 | I need to _______ for the exam. | hit the books |
| 5 | The company is _______ with the new policy. | in hot water |
Tip: Keep a small idiom flashcard set; review 5–10 each day. The more you expose yourself to idioms, the easier they become at the exam. Good luck!