IMPORTANT IDIOMS FOR CIVIL JUDGES EXAMS
1) TAKE
TO TASK
MEANING: upbraid, scold; blame or censure
Sentence: the teacher took Doris to task for turning in such a sloppy
report.
Explanation: This term, dating from the mid-1700s, at first meant either assigning or challenging someone to a task. Its current sense dates from the late 1800
Take to One’s heels
Meaning: run away
Sentence: when the burglar alarm went off they took to their heels.
Explanation:
this expression alludes to the fact that the heels are all
one sees a fugitive running away fast. Although similar expressions turned
up from Shakespeare’s time on, the exact idiom dates only from the first half
of the 1800s
2. Take with a grain or pinch of salt
Meaning: Skeptically, with
reservations
Sentence: I always take Sandy’s
stories about illnesses with a grain of salt---she tends to exaggerate.
Explanation:
this expression is a
translation of the Latin cum grano salis, which Pliny used in describing Pompcy’s
discovery of an antidote for poison (to be taken with a grain of salt). It was
soon adopted by English writers.
4 3. TAKE
ABACK
Meaning: Surprise, shock
Sentence: he was taken aback by her caustic remark.
Explanation:
this idiom comes from the nautical terminology of the
mind-1700s when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a
wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts. Its figurative use
was first recorded in 1829.
t 4. TAKE ILL
Meaning: Become ill
Sentence: It’s my luck to get sick
on vacation.
Explanation: Become disgusted.
We got sick when we learned how much money was wasted. I get sick when I hear
about his debts (the early 1500s) Make one sick.
Get sick to one’s stomach
Be sick, become nauseated, vomit
6 5. TAKE
OFF
Meaning: Remove
Sentence: take off your coat and stay for a while.
Deduct, decrease
He took 20 percent off the original price.
CARRY OR TAKE AWAY
The passengers were taken off one by one.
LEAVE, GO AWAY
I’m taking off now
AS AN IMPERATIVE
Take yourself off right now!
MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY
The dog took off after the car.
BECOME WELL-KNOWN OR POPULAR
That actor’s career has really taken off.
RISE IN FLIGHT
The airplane took off on time.
DISCONTINUE
The real road took off the commuter special.
LIMITATE HUMOROUSLY OR SATIRICALLY
He had a way of taking off the governor that made us howl with laughter
WITHHOLD SERVICE
I’m taking off from work today because of the funeral
7 6. TAKE
OVER
Meaning: assume control, management, or possession of the pilot told his
copilot to take over the controls. Sentence: there’s a secret bid to take over
our company.
8 7. TAKE
FOR
Meaning: to regard as
Sentence: do you take for a fool?
8. TO CONSIDER MISTAKENLY
Don’t take silence for approval.
9. TAKE IN
Meaning: to grant admittance to receive as a guest or an employee.
To accept (work) to be done in one’s house for pay
Took in typing
To convey (a prisoner) to a police station.