Mastering Idioms for JKSSB Exams: Top 2000 Must-Know List - Part 4” with bold typography and academic study background elements like books and exam notes.
Master the Top 2000 Idioms for JKSSB Exams – Part 4

Mastering Idioms for JKSSB Exams: Top 2000 Must-Know List – Part 4

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.

SNIdiom / PhraseMeaning
301Break new/fresh groundDo or discover something new // To innovate or pioneer
302Break the iceInitiate something // To start a conversation // To make someone comfortable
303Breath of fresh airSomeone or something new and refreshing
304Breathing down his neckWatching all his actions closely
305Breathing the airUseless tasks
306Bring aboutCause to happen
307Bring home the baconTo be successful
308Bring the house downMade the audience applaud enthusiastically
309Bring to one’s kneesTo force to submit
310Broke a lance withTo argue against
311Broke downWept bitterly // cried
312Broke offSuddenly stopped
313Broke Priscian’s headTo use bad grammar
314Broke upDisbanded itself
315Broken reedSupport that failed
316Brought aboutCaused
317brought to bookheld accountable
318Brought upIntroduced for discussion
319Brown studyA mood of deep absorption or thoughtfulness (Reverie)
320Bugs meIrritates me
321Build castles in the airDaydream // Have unrealistic ideas // To create impossible dreams or hopes
322Bull’s-eyeSomething that is the centre of a target
323Burn your boatsDo something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation
324Bury the hatchetTo make peace // forget past quarrels // To settle disputes
325Butt inInterrupt
326Butter fingersTo be clumsy
327Butterflies in the stomachTo be anxious and nervous
328Button her lipStop talking
329By a whiskerBy a small margin
330By and ByGradually
331By and largeIn general // On the whole
332By courtesy ofGiven or allowed by
333By fair means or foulIn any way honest or dishonest
334By fits and startsUnsteady // irregularly
335By hook or by crookBy any means, good or bad // Using whatever methods are necessary
336By leaps and boundsVery quickly // rapidly // Swiftly
337By the same tokenIn the same way
338By the skin of one’s teethBy the narrowest margin // Having a narrow escape
339Call downTo scold
340Call in questionChallenge
341Call it a dayDecide or agree to stop doing something // to give up work and go back to home
342Call offCancel something
343Call onPay a visit
344Call uponTo order
345Called forAsked
346Calls the shotsTo be in control // to be the person in charge
347Came out of his shellBecame more sociable
348Came upwas raised
349Can’t cut the mustardTo be unable to do a job
350Can’t judge a book by its coverWe should not judge something primarily on its appearance
351Cap in handIn a respectful manner
352Capital punishmentDeath sentence
353Carry onContinue doing something
354Carry outComplete something // execute
355Carry the ballBe in charge
356Carry the canTo take the responsibility of some misdemeanour
357Carry the daywin a victory
358Carry weightBe important
359Carve out a nicheDeveloped a specific position for himself
360Cash-strappedImpoverished
361cast a slur upondamaged
362Cast asideTo reject
363Casting pearls before swineOffering good things to undeserving people
364Cat napTo have disturbed sleep // brief sleep
365Cat’s pawA person used as a tool by another
366Catch 22A particular situation in which one cannot do any thing // A difficult situation in which the solution to a problem is impossible
367Catch a tartarTo deal with a person who is more than one’s match
368Catch red handedTo catch someone doing something illegal // Caught in the act of committing the crime
369Catch time by the forelockSeize opportunity
370Cat’s whiskersTo be highly impressive
371Change for the betterAn improvement in the situation
372Change handsPass from one person to another
373Changed coloursTurned pale
374Chapter and verseProvided minute details
375Charley horseCramp
376Chase rainbowsTo pursue unrealistic goals
377Cheek by jowlVery close together
378Chew something overDiscuss or consider something at length
379Chew the fatGossip and make small talk
380Chew the sceneryTo act overly emotional
381Chicken feedVery little money
382Chicken heartedTimid // Cowardly
383Chicken outTo decide not to do something because you are too frightened // withdrew
384Child’s playSomething that is very easy to do
385Children should be seen and not heardChildren should not speak in the presence of adults
386Chill outTo calm down
387Chinks in the armourA weakness that can be taken advantage of
388Clam upto become silent
389Clean handsInnocent
390Clear the airTo deal openly with misunderstandings to get rid of them
391Cloak and daggerAn activity that involves mystery and secrecy
392Close to one’s heartDear and important to oneself
393Closed the book onStopped working on
394Cloven hoofThe evil intention
395Cock and bull storyAn implausible story used as an explanation or excuse // absurd story // Improbable story // Wildly exaggerated or falsified story
396Cold comfortSlight satisfaction
397Comb throughTo carefully look through
398Come aboutTo happen
399Come hell or high waterNo matter what // In spite of any obstacles
400Come in handyTurn 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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