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    Concise Dictionary Of Phrases: Using Phrases to write attractive English
    Concise Dictionary Of Phrases: Using Phrases to write attractive English
    Concise Dictionary Of Phrases: Using Phrases to write attractive English
    Ebook162 pages1 hour

    Concise Dictionary Of Phrases: Using Phrases to write attractive English

    By V&S Publishers

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    About this ebook

    Ever wonder where expressions such as mind your p's and q's, chip on his shoulder, living high on the hog, or the whole nine yards exactly mean? This Dictionary of Phrases will help you stop wondering. This dictionary is a collection of expressions that are currently in use. After going through the book, you would know that phrases add to liveliness in conversations.
    What is a phrase in the first place? A phrase is a sequence of two or more words that form a meaningful combination in a sentence; and is preceded and followed by pauses. Of course, we also use the word phrase to refer to a short group of words that have a particular meaning when they are used together, such as rain cats and dogs, play for time, or a square meal. This type of phrase is often referred to as an idiom.
    How are phrases useful? They are handy when stuck for an alternative turn of phrase that you haven't already used?This Dictionary of Phrases unblocks you with ideas to choose from. Suppose you are writing about 'air, you might look for phrases on 'air'.
    Who would benefit reading this dictionary? School and college students besides many journalists, copywriters, and songwriters will find it an invaluable resource when looking for that elusive turn of phrase. Speakers and writers can polish their works to make presentation livelier.
    #v&spublishers
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherV&S Publishers
    Release dateDec 5, 2018
    ISBN9789350574171
    Concise Dictionary Of Phrases: Using Phrases to write attractive English

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    Book preview

    Concise Dictionary Of Phrases - V&S Publishers

    Y

    Publisher’s Note

    Considering the growing importance of English in all spheres of life, we recently published an EXC-EL Series (Excellence in English Language) composed of four books - English Vocabulary Made Easy, English Grammar & Usage, Spoken English, and Improve Your Vocabulary. We thought we have done our bit. No sooner, the Series hit the market; a volley of readers sought our help to improve diction, presentation and attractiveness of their conversation - both in writing and speaking.

    Being aware that our existence as a publishing house depends solely upon fulfilling readers' expectations and continued patronage, we decided to come out with something that can add spark to any conversation while making it appear interesting. This Dictionary of Phrases is the outcome. There are three more companion dictionaries on - Idioms, Proverbs and Metaphors & Similes.

    This book explains the meaning behind hundreds of phrases that you hear or read in English each day. The meanings are shown in italics. In order to keep it concise, this dictionary attempts to present most commonly used phrases. Having an exhaustive one will just overwhelm you with thousands of phrases that nobody uses anymore. English remains immensely popular, attractive, articulate and rich language but its phrases are often 'tough nuts to crack'.

    What led us to publish this? Phrases appear in every language, and English has thousands of them. They are often confusing because the meaning of the whole group of words taken together has little, often nothing, to do with the meaning of the words taken one by one. In order to understand a language, you must be aware of what the phrases in that language mean. If you try to figure out the meaning of a phrase literally, word by word, you will get completely befuddled.

    We would be happy to have your views and comments for improving the content and quality of the edition.

    Introduction

    What are Phrases?

    In everyday speech, a phrase may refer to any group of words. In linguistics, a phrase is a group of words (or sometimes a single word) that form a constituent, and so function as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence. They have a meaning but do not convey the complete meaning. A phrase is lower on the grammatical hierarchy than a clause. A phrase is always a part of a sentence and usually qualifies a Noun or Verb.

    Example

    The house at the end of the street is red in colour. At the end of the street-Phrase is a list of Phrases with their respective Meanings. Read, understand and learn as many as you can to speak and write better English, and improve as well as enrich your vocabulary.

    A

    A Bad Egg

    Someone/thing that disappoints one’s expectations.

    A Bed of Roses

    An easy Situation.

    A Bee in Your Bonnet

    To be obsessed with something.

    A Blot on the landscape

    Something that spoils a comfortable situation.

    A bolt from the blue

    A surprise.

    A bun in the oven

    To be pregnant.

    A bunch of Fives

    A fist.

    A chip on your shoulder

    Keeping a grudge.

    A day late and a dollar short

    Late and ill prepared.

    A different ballpark

    Something totally unrelated or of a vastly different scale or scope.

    A dime a dozen

    When something is extremely simple to obtain.

    A dime's worth

    An insignificant amount.

    A drop in the bucket

    An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem.

    A drop in the ocean

    A very small amount in comparison to the amount that is needed.

    A dumb priest never got a parish

    Those who fail to speak up fail to get what they want.

    A few sandwiches short of a picnic

    Exhibiting disquiet or unsoundness of mind; not sane; mad.

    A fly in the ointment

    Something that creates or introduces an impediment

    A fools' paradise

    False hopes for a foolish person

    A gentleman and a scholar

    An admirable person.

    A golden key can open any door

    Sufficient money can accomplish anything.

    A good beginning makes a good ending

    Good beginnings promise a good end; start off on a good note to reap the benefits at the end.

    A good man is hard to find

    Men who make good husbands or workers are rare.

    A good voice to beg bacon

    Said in ridicule of a bad voice.

    A great deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

    A house is not a home

    A home is not merely a building but requires inhabitants and a friendly atmosphere.

    A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

    Even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point

    A leopard cannot change its spots

    One cannot change one's own nature.

    A lie has no legs

    You can't get away with a lie, the truth will always come out.

    A life of its own

    An independent existence with some characteristics of life.

    A little bird told me

    Of information which was gathered from a source not to be overtly exposed.

    A million times

    By a factor of a million

    A nod is as good as a wink

    The hint, suggestion etc can be understood without further explaining.

    A notch above

    Superior to; of a higher quality than.

    A number of

    Several of.

    A Piece of cake

    Something that is simple.

    A question of

    The important question is; the necessary question is.

    A riddle wrapped up in an enigma

    Something very mysterious and hidden.

    A watched pot never boils

    A process appears to go more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.

    A wide berth

    Wide distance.

    Abide by

    To accept a decision or law and act in accordance with it; to conform to; to acquiesce; as, to abide by an award.

    Abide by

    To remain faithful to something or someone; to stand to; to adhere.

    Abide with

    To remain or live with someone.

    Able seaman

    Ordinary sailor

    Abominable snowman

    Yeti

    Abound in

    To have something in great numbers or quantities; to possess in such abundance as to be characterized by.

    Abound with

    To have

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