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English Grammar›Ch 10: Idioms & Phrases›Idioms: Colours and Food
Master essential figurative phrases for SSC and Defence exams.
Idioms are phrases where the figurative sense is more important than the literal words. In exams, identifying the correct context of meaning is crucial for scoring. Always look for the hidden message behind the words.
Memory Hooks
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In the red | In debt | The bank is in the red. |
| Spill the beans | Reveal a secret | Don't spill the beans yet. |
| Green with envy | Very jealous | She was green with envy. |
Apple of eye
(A favorite person)
A favorite person
He is the apple of his mother's eye.
Piece of cake
(Something very easy)
Something very easy
The math test was a piece of cake.
Out of blue
(Totally unexpected)
Totally unexpected
The news came out of the blue.
Red-letter
(A significant day)
A significant day
Graduation is a red-letter day.
In the red means to be very angryIn the red means to be in debt
Don't confuse red with anger here; it is about financial loss.
Spill the beans means to drop foodSpill the beans means to tell a secret
Examiners often give literal meanings as options to trick you.
Bread and butter means a breakfastBread and butter means main income
It refers to the means of livelihood, not actual food.
Q1.The news of his resignation came 'out of the blue'.
Q2.Writing this report was a 'piece of cake' for him.