2000 Important Idioms - Set 03

51. A dead letter

• Meaning: No longer in use; ineffective.

• Sentence Usage 1: The old policies became a dead letter, as they no longer addressed the current needs of the organization.

• Sentence Usage 2: The law proved to be a dead letter, lacking enforcement and impact.

52. A deadlock

• Meaning: A position in which no progress can be made.

• Sentence Usage 1: The negotiations reached a deadlock as both parties refused to compromise on their demands.

• Sentence Usage 2: The dispute between the two countries resulted in a diplomatic deadlock.

53. A die-hard

• Meaning: Stubborn.

• Sentence Usage 1: He's a die-hard supporter of the team, even in the face of multiple losses.

• Sentence Usage 2: The politician remained a die-hard advocate for his controversial policies.

54. A different kettle of fish

• Meaning: To describe a person, thing, or situation as a different kettle of fish means that it is completely different from what was previously mentioned.

• Sentence Usage 1: Managing a small team is one thing, but leading a large department is a different kettle of fish.

• Sentence Usage 2: Teaching high school students and college students are a different kettle of fish; the approach needs to be adapted.

55. A Dime A Dozen

• Meaning: Anything that is common and easy to get.

• Sentence Usage 1: In this digital age, smartphones are a dime a dozen; everyone has one.

• Sentence Usage 2: Basic computer skills are a dime a dozen in the job market.

56. A dog in the manger policy

• Meaning: To give pain to others unnecessarily.

• Sentence Usage 1: Implementing strict rules without reason is like a dog in the manger policy.

• Sentence Usage 2: The manager's refusal to grant leave to employees created a dog in the manger policy, causing frustration.

57. A double agent

• Meaning: A person who works secretly for two opposing sides.

• Sentence Usage 1: The spy operated as a double agent, providing information to both intelligence agencies.

• Sentence Usage 2: Trusting someone with a history of being a double agent is risky in the world of espionage.

58. A Doubting Thomas

• Meaning: A skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something.

• Sentence Usage 1: He's a doubting Thomas; he won't believe the results until he sees the data himself.

• Sentence Usage 2: Being a doubting Thomas in matters of faith, she questioned everything before accepting.

59. A drop in a bucket

• Meaning: Something that isn't very important.

• Sentence Usage 1: The small donation was just a drop in a bucket compared to the funds needed for the project.

• Sentence Usage 2: Cleaning up a single beach is a drop in a bucket when addressing the larger issue of pollution.

60. A Drop in the Bucket

• Meaning: A very small part of something big or whole.

• Sentence Usage 1: The initial investment was just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall project cost.

• Sentence Usage 2: Completing one assignment is a drop in the bucket of the semester's workload.

61. A drop in the ocean

• Meaning: To refer to an amount as a drop in the ocean means that it is very small compared to the amount needed or expected.

• Sentence Usage 1: The funds raised were a drop in the ocean compared to the overall cost of the charity project.

• Sentence Usage 2: Planting a few trees is a drop in the ocean when combating deforestation.

62. A drug in the market

• Meaning: Unsaleable from lack of demand.

• Sentence Usage 1: The outdated model became a drug in the market as newer and more advanced versions were released.

• Sentence Usage 2: The product, once popular, is now considered a drug in the market due to changing consumer preferences.

63. A drug on the market

• Meaning: Goods on the market for which there is no demand.

• Sentence Usage 1: The company decided to discontinue the product as it became a drug on the market.

• Sentence Usage 2: Outdated technology quickly becomes a drug on the market as consumers seek the latest innovations.

64. A fair hand

• Meaning: Good handwriting.

• Sentence Usage 1: The calligrapher had a fair hand, creating beautifully written invitations for the event.

• Sentence Usage 2: Having a fair hand is essential for a career in graphic design or illustration.

65. A fair-weather friend

• Meaning: One who has never encountered a storm at sea.

• Sentence Usage 1: He turned out to be a fair-weather friend, disappearing when challenges arose.

• Sentence Usage 2: True friends stand by you during difficult times; fair-weather friends are nowhere to be found.

66. A far cry

• Meaning: A long way or distance.

• Sentence Usage 1: The proposed solution was a far cry from what was needed to address the complex issue.

• Sentence Usage 2: The reality was a far cry from the idealistic vision presented by the marketing team.

67. A fatal disease

• Meaning: A disease that ends in death.

• Sentence Usage 1: Unfortunately, the patient was diagnosed with a fatal disease, and the prognosis was not favorable.

• Sentence Usage 2: The spread of the virus became a fatal disease, leading to a public health crisis.

68. A feather in one's cap

• Meaning: An achievement to be proud of.

• Sentence Usage 1: Winning the championship was a feather in his cap, marking a significant accomplishment in his career.

• Sentence Usage 2: Completing the project ahead of schedule was a feather in the team's cap.

69. A fish out of water

• Meaning: In an uncomfortable position.

• Sentence Usage 1: At the formal event, the comedian felt like a fish out of water among the dignitaries.

• Sentence Usage 2: Being the only student from a different country, he often felt like a fish out of water in the new school.

70. A flying visit

• Meaning: Hasty and brief visit.

• Sentence Usage 1: Due to the tight schedule, the celebrity paid a flying visit to the charity event.

• Sentence Usage 2: The business executive made a flying visit to the overseas branch to address urgent matters.

71. A fly in the ointment

• Meaning: Cause of a problem.

• Sentence Usage 1: The unexpected technical issue was a fly in the ointment during the product launch.

• Sentence Usage 2: Despite the successful event, the last-minute cancellation was a fly in the ointment.

72. A fool and his money are easily parted

• Meaning: It's easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money.

• Sentence Usage 1: Falling for get-rich-quick schemes often proves that a fool and his money are easily parted.

• Sentence Usage 2: The scam artist targeted individuals who believed the saying that a fool and his money are easily parted.

73. A fool's paradise

• Meaning: State of joy based on false hope.

• Sentence Usage 1: Believing that the economic downturn would not affect them, some investors lived in a fool's paradise.

• Sentence Usage 2: Being unaware of the potential risks, he was living in a fool's paradise regarding the stability of his job.

74. A forced landing

• Meaning: An aircraft landing made in an emergency.

• Sentence Usage 1: Due to engine failure, the pilot had to make a forced landing in a nearby field.

• Sentence Usage 2: The passengers applauded the pilot's skillful execution of a forced landing, avoiding a potential disaster.

75. A fly in the ointment

• Meaning: Cause of a problem.

• Sentence Usage 1: The unexpected technical issue was a fly in the ointment during the product launch.

• Sentence Usage 2: Despite the successful event, the last-minute cancellation was a fly in the ointment.