Idioms & Phrases (CSS P&C 2000-20)
Compiled and Edited by Aamir Mahar (BA & SDP)
CSS 2020- English P&C Paper (Solved Idioms) by Aamir Mahar
Tamper with: To fiddle with; to meddle with. I’ve got him believing just what I want him to believe. Don’t tamper with him. Please don’t tamper with the thermostat.
To break the ice: To attempt to become friends with. He tried to break the ice, but she was a little cold. A nice smile does a lot to break the ice.
The (wee) small hours: The early hours of the morning immediately after midnight. They were arrested in the small hours of Saturday morning.
Nip in the bud: To suppress or to destroy something at an early stage. The idea has been nipped in the bud by the local council.
To see eye to eye with: To have similar views or attitudes to something; be in full agreement. The Rangers of Pakistan and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India hardly see eye to eye with each other on any issue, given the rivalry and frequent tensions on the border.
Keep up appearances: To maintain an impression of wealth or well-being. With no idea whether my husband was dead or alive, I had to keep up appearances for the sake of my children.
Prima facie: At first sight (= based on what seems to be the truth when first seen or heard): There is prima facie evidence that he was involved in the fraud.
For good: Permanently; indefinitely; forever. He got locked up again—this time for good. Ahmed left the country for good.