Introduction: The Strategic Importance of Idioms in JKSSB Exams
In the highly competitive landscape of JKSSB recruitments—whether you are eyeing a post in the Patwari, Junior Assistant, Police Constable, or Finance Inspector cadres—every single mark is a step closer to your dream career. While most aspirants dedicate months to mastering Jammu & Kashmir GK and Mathematics, the General English section often remains the “silent separator” in the final merit list.
Among the various components of English, Idioms and Phrases frequently pose the greatest challenge. Unlike standard vocabulary, the meaning of an idiom cannot be deduced by looking at individual words. For instance, “crying over spilled milk” has nothing to do with dairy, and “beating around the bush” has nothing to do with gardening. In the heat of the examination hall, these figurative expressions can become “stumbling blocks” if you aren’t well-prepared.
However, mastering idioms is not about memorizing a dictionary; it is about recognizing patterns and understanding their contextual usage. This comprehensive guide is designed to simplify that process. We have filtered through Previous Year Questions (PYQs) and the official JKSSB syllabus to bring you a curated selection of idioms that are most likely to appear in your 2026 exams.
By the end of this post, you will not only understand the meanings of these phrases but also how to apply them accurately in “fill-in-the-blanks” and “sentence correction” formats. Let’s turn this “Herculean task” into a “piece of cake.”
Essential Idioms and Phrases: Categorized for JKSSB Aspirants
To make this section truly comprehensive, don’t just dump a list of words. Break them down into thematic categories. This helps the brain build associations, making it much easier to remember them during the high pressure of the exam.
| SN | Idiom / Phrase | Meaning |
| 301 | Break new/fresh ground | Do or discover something new // To innovate or pioneer |
| 302 | Break the ice | Initiate something // To start a conversation // To make someone comfortable |
| 303 | Breath of fresh air | Someone or something new and refreshing |
| 304 | Breathing down his neck | Watching all his actions closely |
| 305 | Breathing the air | Useless tasks |
| 306 | Bring about | Cause to happen |
| 307 | Bring home the bacon | To be successful |
| 308 | Bring the house down | Made the audience applaud enthusiastically |
| 309 | Bring to one’s knees | To force to submit |
| 310 | Broke a lance with | To argue against |
| 311 | Broke down | Wept bitterly // cried |
| 312 | Broke off | Suddenly stopped |
| 313 | Broke Priscian’s head | To use bad grammar |
| 314 | Broke up | Disbanded itself |
| 315 | Broken reed | Support that failed |
| 316 | Brought about | Caused |
| 317 | brought to book | held accountable |
| 318 | Brought up | Introduced for discussion |
| 319 | Brown study | A mood of deep absorption or thoughtfulness (Reverie) |
| 320 | Bugs me | Irritates me |
| 321 | Build castles in the air | Daydream // Have unrealistic ideas // To create impossible dreams or hopes |
| 322 | Bull’s-eye | Something that is the centre of a target |
| 323 | Burn your boats | Do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation |
| 324 | Bury the hatchet | To make peace // forget past quarrels // To settle disputes |
| 325 | Butt in | Interrupt |
| 326 | Butter fingers | To be clumsy |
| 327 | Butterflies in the stomach | To be anxious and nervous |
| 328 | Button her lip | Stop talking |
| 329 | By a whisker | By a small margin |
| 330 | By and By | Gradually |
| 331 | By and large | In general // On the whole |
| 332 | By courtesy of | Given or allowed by |
| 333 | By fair means or foul | In any way honest or dishonest |
| 334 | By fits and starts | Unsteady // irregularly |
| 335 | By hook or by crook | By any means, good or bad // Using whatever methods are necessary |
| 336 | By leaps and bounds | Very quickly // rapidly // Swiftly |
| 337 | By the same token | In the same way |
| 338 | By the skin of one’s teeth | By the narrowest margin // Having a narrow escape |
| 339 | Call down | To scold |
| 340 | Call in question | Challenge |
| 341 | Call it a day | Decide or agree to stop doing something // to give up work and go back to home |
| 342 | Call off | Cancel something |
| 343 | Call on | Pay a visit |
| 344 | Call upon | To order |
| 345 | Called for | Asked |
| 346 | Calls the shots | To be in control // to be the person in charge |
| 347 | Came out of his shell | Became more sociable |
| 348 | Came up | was raised |
| 349 | Can’t cut the mustard | To be unable to do a job |
| 350 | Can’t judge a book by its cover | We should not judge something primarily on its appearance |
| 351 | Cap in hand | In a respectful manner |
| 352 | Capital punishment | Death sentence |
| 353 | Carry on | Continue doing something |
| 354 | Carry out | Complete something // execute |
| 355 | Carry the ball | Be in charge |
| 356 | Carry the can | To take the responsibility of some misdemeanour |
| 357 | Carry the day | win a victory |
| 358 | Carry weight | Be important |
| 359 | Carve out a niche | Developed a specific position for himself |
| 360 | Cash-strapped | Impoverished |
| 361 | cast a slur upon | damaged |
| 362 | Cast aside | To reject |
| 363 | Casting pearls before swine | Offering good things to undeserving people |
| 364 | Cat nap | To have disturbed sleep // brief sleep |
| 365 | Cat’s paw | A person used as a tool by another |
| 366 | Catch 22 | A particular situation in which one cannot do any thing // A difficult situation in which the solution to a problem is impossible |
| 367 | Catch a tartar | To deal with a person who is more than one’s match |
| 368 | Catch red handed | To catch someone doing something illegal // Caught in the act of committing the crime |
| 369 | Catch time by the forelock | Seize opportunity |
| 370 | Cat’s whiskers | To be highly impressive |
| 371 | Change for the better | An improvement in the situation |
| 372 | Change hands | Pass from one person to another |
| 373 | Changed colours | Turned pale |
| 374 | Chapter and verse | Provided minute details |
| 375 | Charley horse | Cramp |
| 376 | Chase rainbows | To pursue unrealistic goals |
| 377 | Cheek by jowl | Very close together |
| 378 | Chew something over | Discuss or consider something at length |
| 379 | Chew the fat | Gossip and make small talk |
| 380 | Chew the scenery | To act overly emotional |
| 381 | Chicken feed | Very little money |
| 382 | Chicken hearted | Timid // Cowardly |
| 383 | Chicken out | To decide not to do something because you are too frightened // withdrew |
| 384 | Child’s play | Something that is very easy to do |
| 385 | Children should be seen and not heard | Children should not speak in the presence of adults |
| 386 | Chill out | To calm down |
| 387 | Chinks in the armour | A weakness that can be taken advantage of |
| 388 | Clam up | to become silent |
| 389 | Clean hands | Innocent |
| 390 | Clear the air | To deal openly with misunderstandings to get rid of them |
| 391 | Cloak and dagger | An activity that involves mystery and secrecy |
| 392 | Close to one’s heart | Dear and important to oneself |
| 393 | Closed the book on | Stopped working on |
| 394 | Cloven hoof | The evil intention |
| 395 | Cock and bull story | An implausible story used as an explanation or excuse // absurd story // Improbable story // Wildly exaggerated or falsified story |
| 396 | Cold comfort | Slight satisfaction |
| 397 | Comb through | To carefully look through |
| 398 | Come about | To happen |
| 399 | Come hell or high water | No matter what // In spite of any obstacles |
| 400 | Come in handy | Turn out to be useful. |
Conclusion: Turning Knowledge into Results
Mastering idioms and phrases is often described as a “Herculean task” by many JKSSB aspirants, but as we have seen, it is entirely manageable with the right approach. In the context of the OMR-based or CBT exams conducted by the Board, these questions are designed to test your “linguistic intuition” rather than just your memory.
The secret to scoring full marks in this section lies in context. Instead of rote learning, try to visualize the scenarios where these idioms are used. Whether you are sitting for the Patwari, Junior Assistant, or Constable exams, remember that the English section is your best opportunity to save time for more complex sections like Mathematics or Mental Ability.
Final Revision Strategy:
- The 5-a-Day Rule: Don’t try to learn 100 idioms in one sitting. Master five idioms every morning and try to use them in a sentence before the day ends.
- Analyze PYQs: JKSSB has a habit of repeating themes. Keep an eye on idioms related to “Hard Work,” “Success,” and “Conflict.”
Success in JKSSB exams is a marathon, not a sprint. By “burning the midnight oil” today and refining your vocabulary, you are ensuring that on the day of the result, you are not just a candidate, but a selected officer.