The command of idiomatic expressions in any language is pre-requisite for expressive writing and comprehension. Phrasal verbs, idiomatic adjectives and noun phrases and idiomatic pairs of nouns, adjectives and adverbs comprise such a vast portion of idiomatic expressions that it is nearly impossible to deal with them comprehensively in such a short space. However, this chapter contains the most important usages that indispensable for any competitive examination. Students would do well to consult the dictionary for further improvement in this field.

Idioms and Phrases Starting With Letter C:

Here is a list of some idioms starting with C

Carry matters with a high hand (to deal with a person strictly) The owner of the industry carried matters with a high hand and expelled two workers who were caught doing mischief in the office.

Clip one's wings (to weaken the power) My elder sister is very ambitious but my mother will surely clip her wings.

Come home to (to understand) Seema wanted to be a teacher in the college but soon it came home to her that she was not fit for the job as she was only a graduate.

Come to a standstill (come to a sudden stop) When we were going to Mussourie yesterday, our car came to a standstill right in the middle of the journey.

Come off with flying colours (to come out successfully) The final football match was very crucial but finally we won and came off with flying colours.

Cross one's mind (to occur to oneself) In the examination hall it crossed my mind that I had left my pen outside on the table.

Cry for the moon (to wish for something impossible) The hope of winning the lottery amounting to lakhs of rupees is simply crying for the moon.

Curry favour with (win favour of somebody) Neena gave a lot of costly presents to her science teacher to carry favour with him.

Call a spade a spade (to speak plainly) People often get angry when one calls a spade a spade.

Carry the day (to win a victory) After initial setback India carried the day in the Test match.

Cut a sorry figure (to give a poor show) The speaker cut a sorry figure in the meeting.

Cry over spilt milk (repent) Careless students often have to cry over spilt milk during the exams.

Cut one's coat according to one's cloth (to live within one's means) A wise man always cuts his coat according to his cloth if he wants to be successful in his life.

Call names (to abuse) Neeta called me names, so she was severely panished by the teacher.

Curtain lecture (a reproof by wife to her husband) My brother never DA attention to his wife's curtain lecture and does what he thinks.

Chip of the old block (resembling one's parents in habits) My friend is quite helpful like her father, so she is a chip of the old block.

Cave in (yield) Although our team fought bravely, yet had to cave in before the superior power play of the opposite team.

Cloven hoof (the evil intention) The Chinese showed the cloven hoof in 1962.

Cut throat (tough) It is very difficult for Indian Industry to survive in teeth of international cut throat competition.

Call in question (doubt) You should not call in question my honesty

Cheek by jowl (close together) In metropolitan cities it is common that affluence and poverty exist cheek by jowl.

Come to a pass (a difficult situation) The things have come to sucha pass that he is financially ruined.

Close shave (a narrow escape) As he was driving recklessly in a crowded he had a close shave.

Cut and dried (readymade form) There is no cut and dried formula for success in life,

Clinch the issue (decide the matter) When he agreed to leave the house for good, it clinched the issue in favour of his wife.

Carry one's point (win approval) After heated discussion he was able to cam his point.

Chequered/Checkered career (full of ups and downs) Politicians have generally chequered career all along.

Cut both ends (argue in favour of both sides) He is ambiguous because he always cuts both ends.

Cock sure (very sure and certain) He was so cock sure of his success that he applied for the job before the declaration of the result.

Cock a snook (to show impudent contempt) She is so proud of her wealth that she always cocks a snook at the acts of her husband.

Chapter and verse (in full detail, to give proof) He has such a sharp memory that he can narrate the story chapter and verse.

Cool one's heels (to be kept waiting) He had to cool his heels before he could meet the President of the party.

Carrot and stick policy (reward and punishment) A successful businessman follows the carrot and stick policy towards his employees.

Come in handy (to be useful) Take some woollen clothes. They may come handy in Simla.

Illustration: Choose the correct meaning of the given idiom/phrase: Call ones shot.

A. make intentions clear B. call with a shot C. shoot at a call D. to show determination

Answer: D

Illustration: Given below is a sentence with idiom/phrase underlined. In Bold Letter Choose the correct option which best express the meaning of the given idiom/phrase.

He is in the habit of chewing the cud.

A. Accusing other B. crying over spilt milk C. forgetting things D. to muse on

Answer: D

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Directions : - In the sentence an idiom highlighted as blue and bold is give. Choose the correct meaning of the Idioms in the sentences. Sita is not cut out for this kind of work.
A. Trained		B. Suitable
C. Recommended		D. Considered
Right Option : B
View Explanation

Question : 2

Direction : - An idiomatic phrase is given followed by four alternatives. Choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the expression. Chicken out
A. Forget to do something		B. A chicken which has run away
C. Avoid doing something because of fear		D. Catching a chicken which has run away
Right Option : C
View Explanation

Question : 3

Direction : - An idiomatic phrase is given followed by four alternatives. Choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the expression. Call one's shot
A. Make intentions clear		B. Call with a shot
C. Shoot at a call		D. To show determination
Right Option : D
View Explanation