2000 Important Idioms - Set 05

101. A Herculean task

• Meaning: Very difficult work.

• Sentence Usage 1: Completing the project within the given time frame was a Herculean task, requiring immense effort from the team.

• Sentence Usage 2: Handling the crisis turned out to be a Herculean task for the emergency response team.

102. A high flier

• Meaning: A person who requires great effort, which only a Hercules could perform.

• Sentence Usage 1: The ambitious entrepreneur was known as a high flier, always aiming for challenging and ambitious goals.

• Sentence Usage 2: Achieving success in the highly competitive industry required the mindset of a high flier.

103. A high-flown sentiment

• Meaning: An extravagant, exalted sentiment.

• Sentence Usage 1: The politician's speech was filled with high-flown sentiments about unity and progress.

• Sentence Usage 2: The romantic novel was criticized for its high-flown sentiments that seemed unrealistic.

104. A highly coloured report

• Meaning: A report that is exaggerated or biased.

• Sentence Usage 1: The news article was accused of being a highly coloured report, distorting the facts to create sensationalism.

• Sentence Usage 2: The investigation revealed that the initial police report was a highly coloured account of the incident.

105. A hole-and-corner policy

• Meaning: Secret policy.

• Sentence Usage 1: The government was criticized for adopting a hole-and-corner policy without transparency.

• Sentence Usage 2: The company's sudden decision to downsize was seen as a hole-and-corner policy that caught employees off guard.

106. A hot line

• Meaning: A direct telephone line between heads of government.

• Sentence Usage 1: The leaders established a hot line to facilitate quick communication in times of crisis.

• Sentence Usage 2: The hotline between the two nations played a crucial role in averting a potential conflict.

107. A hot potato

• Meaning: An issue that is embarrassing.

• Sentence Usage 1: The scandal became a hot potato for the company's reputation, requiring immediate damage control.

• Sentence Usage 2: The controversial decision turned out to be a hot potato for the politician, attracting public criticism.

108. A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand

• Meaning: Everyone involved must unify and function together, or it will not work out.

• Sentence Usage 1: The team realized that a house divided against itself cannot stand, so they resolved their internal conflicts to achieve success.

• Sentence Usage 2: The principle of unity was emphasized in the project, as a house divided against itself cannot stand in the face of challenges.

109. An inside job

• Meaning: A theft committed by someone within the organization.

• Sentence Usage 1: The investigation revealed that the theft was an inside job, and the employee was responsible for the missing funds.

• Sentence Usage 2: The security breach was traced back to an inside job, leading to stricter access controls.

110. A jack of all trades

• Meaning: A person with little knowledge of everything.

• Sentence Usage 1: Although he was a jack of all trades, he lacked expertise in any specific field.

• Sentence Usage 2: Being a jack of all trades allowed her to adapt quickly to different roles in the dynamic work environment.

111. A klutz

• Meaning: An awkward, uncoordinated person.

• Sentence Usage 1: He was considered a klutz on the dance floor, tripping over his own feet.

• Sentence Usage 2: Despite being a klutz in sports, he excelled in academic pursuits.

112. A knockdown price

• Meaning: Last bid for an auction.

• Sentence Usage 1: The valuable painting was sold at a knockdown price, surprising the bidders.

• Sentence Usage 2: The antique furniture was offered at a knockdown price to attract more buyers.

113. A knotty problem

• Meaning: One which is difficult to deal with.

• Sentence Usage 1: Solving the environmental crisis proved to be a knotty problem for policymakers.

• Sentence Usage 2: The team brainstormed for hours to find a solution to the knotty problem they were facing.

114. A ladies' man

• Meaning: A man who enjoys the company of women.

• Sentence Usage 1: His charming personality made him a ladies' man, always surrounded by female friends.

• Sentence Usage 2: The character in the novel was portrayed as a ladies' man with a reputation for romantic adventures.

115. A lame duck

• Meaning: A person or enterprise that is not a success.

• Sentence Usage 1: The outgoing CEO was considered a lame duck, as the company's performance declined under his leadership.

• Sentence Usage 2: The new product launch turned out to be a lame duck, failing to meet sales expectations.

116. A latchkey child

• Meaning: A child whose parents are working.

• Sentence Usage 1: Growing up as a latchkey child, she learned to be independent from a young age.

• Sentence Usage 2: The school provided after-school programs for latchkey children whose parents had late working hours.

117. A leading article

• Meaning: A newspaper article.

• Sentence Usage 1: The editorials and leading articles shaped public opinion on the current political situation.

• Sentence Usage 2: The leading article highlighted the importance of environmental conservation in the local newspaper.

118. A leading question

• Meaning: A question which suggests the answer.

• Sentence Usage 1: The lawyer was criticized for asking leading questions to manipulate the witness's testimony.

• Sentence Usage 2: The interviewer avoided asking leading questions to ensure unbiased responses from the participants.

119. A leap in the dark

• Meaning: Unknown danger.

• Sentence Usage 1: Taking on the new project was a leap in the dark, as the team was unsure of the challenges ahead.

• Sentence Usage 2: The decision to invest in the startup was a leap in the dark, with no guarantee of returns.

120. A left-hand compliment

• Meaning: One of doubtful sincerity.

• Sentence Usage 1: The backhanded compliment was a left-hand compliment, leaving the recipient uncertain about the speaker's intentions.

• Sentence Usage 2: Her comment, though seemingly positive, carried a left-hand compliment that raised suspicion.

121. A left-handed compliment

• Meaning: Taunt.

• Sentence Usage 1: His remark about her work was more of a left-handed compliment than genuine praise.

• Sentence Usage 2: The sarcastic tone in his comment turned what seemed like a compliment into a left-handed compliment.

122. A Leopard Can't Change His Spots

• Meaning: You cannot change who you are.

• Sentence Usage 1: Despite promises of reform, some argued that a leopard can't change his spots, and he continued his old habits.

• Sentence Usage 2: The saying "a leopard can't change his spots" was a reminder that certain traits are inherent and challenging to alter.

123. A let-down

• Meaning: A disappointment.

• Sentence Usage 1: The team's poor performance in the final match was a let-down for their fans.

• Sentence Usage 2: After all the anticipation, the movie turned out to be a let-down.

124. A light sleeper

• Meaning: A person who does not sleep deeply.

• Sentence Usage 1: As a light sleeper, she woke up at the slightest noise during the night.

• Sentence Usage 2: Being a light sleeper, he was easily disturbed by the sounds outside.

125. A live wire

• Meaning: A person who is very active.

• Sentence Usage 1: As a manager, he's a live wire, always coming up with innovative ideas and solutions.

• Sentence Usage 2: The conference was lively with the presence of a live wire speaker who engaged the audience.