Idioms and Phrases

DHAKA BOARD 1995:

Beggar description – Too strange or unusual to be described.

The beauty of the sunset was beggar description.

Catch sight of – To see something or someone, usually unexpectedly.

I caught sight of my old friend in the crowd.

Go away – To leave or depart from a place.

Please go away and leave me alone.

To be in the swim – To be involved or participating in something.

She is always in the swim of things at work.

Get into – To start or become involved in something.

He got into trouble for not completing his homework.

Put off – To delay or postpone something.

We had to put off the meeting until next week.

On account of – Because of something or someone.

He missed the bus on account of the heavy rain.

Cut out – To remove something, often by cutting. It can also mean to stop doing something.

She cut out the picture from the magazine.

You should cut out smoking for better health.

DHAKA BOARD 1994:

As soon as – Immediately after something happens.

I will call you as soon as I arrive.

To keep body and soul together – To manage to live, often with difficulty, by earning enough money to cover basic needs.

He worked several jobs just to keep body and soul together.

At first sight – When you see something for the first time.

She fell in love with him at first sight.

A lot of – A large number or amount of something.

She has a lot of books on her shelf.

Leave off – To stop doing something.

I told him to leave off talking so loudly.

In front of – Ahead of or facing something.

The car is parked in front of the house.

Ten to one – Almost certainly, a strong probability.

Ten to one, she will win the race.

Run the risk of – To do something that might have a negative or dangerous result.

You run the risk of getting sick if you don't wear a coat in the cold.

DHAKA BOARD 1993:

On the instant – Immediately, right away.

The teacher answered the question on the instant.

In case of – In the event of or if something happens.

In case of emergency, call this number.

On the sly – Secretly, without anyone knowing.

He bought a gift for her on the sly.

Turn inside out – To turn something so that the inner part is on the outside.

She turned the shirt inside out to remove the stain.

At all – In any way or at any time.

I don’t like chocolate at all.

In a row – Consecutively, without interruption.

He won three games in a row.

Cut out – To remove or eliminate something.

He cut out the unhealthy foods from his diet.

DHAKA BOARD 1992:

All around – Everywhere or in all directions.

There were flowers all around the garden.

As though – In a way that seems like something.

She looked at him as though she knew the secret.

In the least – Not at all.

I’m not afraid in the least.

As much as – To the same extent, or to the extent of.

He is as much as a teacher as a friend to me.

Out of the question – Impossible or not allowed.

A vacation this year is out of the question due to my work.

Send for – To ask someone to come to you.

She sent for the doctor when she felt sick.

Beggar description – Too strange or difficult to describe.

The beauty of the landscape beggars description.

DHAKA BOARD 1991:

Look upon – To consider or regard something in a particular way.

I look upon her as my best friend.

All day long – Throughout the entire day.

He worked all day long without taking a break.

Catch sight of – To see something or someone briefly or unexpectedly.

I caught sight of a rare bird in the forest.

By all means – Absolutely, certainly.

By all means, feel free to use my phone.

On the sly – Secretly, without others knowing.

He on the sly changed the meeting time without telling anyone.

On account of – Because of something.

He couldn’t come on account of being sick.

In any case – Regardless of what happens, anyway.

In any case, we need to finish this project by Friday.

In quest of – Searching for something.

The explorers were in quest of a lost treasure.

DHAKA BOARD 1990:

As soon as – Immediately after something happens.

As soon as I finish my homework, I will go out.

To keep body and soul together – To manage to survive, often with difficulty.

She works two jobs to keep body and soul together.

To speak ill of – To say bad things about someone or something.

It’s wrong to speak ill of others behind their backs.

Of one's own accord – Without being asked or forced.

He left of his own accord, without anyone telling him to do so.

On the look-out for – Actively searching for something or someone.

I am on the look-out for a new job.

In pursuit of – Looking for something or trying to achieve something.

The students were in pursuit of knowledge.

Make up one's mind – To decide something.

He made up his mind to study abroad.

COMILLA BOARD 1994:

Take pity on – To feel sorry for someone and help them.

She took pity on the poor child and gave him some food.

At once – Immediately, without delay.

He called for help at once when he saw the fire.

At the sight of – When seeing something or someone.

At the sight of her favorite food, she smiled happily.

For an instant – For a very short time.

For an instant, I thought I had lost my wallet.

For the first time – When you do something for the very first occasion.

I rode a bike for the first time yesterday.

Come over – To visit or arrive at someone's place.

She decided to come over and spend the afternoon with us.

Lie close to – To be near or very close to something.

The house lies close to the river.

A reason why – The explanation or cause for something.

Can you give me a reason why you are late?

COMILLA BOARD 1994:

Look upon – To consider or regard something in a certain way.

I look upon her as my best friend.

As though – In a manner that suggests something.

She spoke as though she knew everything about the subject.

As a punishment – Something done as a form of discipline.

He had to clean the whole house as a punishment for being late.

Make up one's mind – To decide on something after thinking carefully.

She made up her mind to go to the party.

On the sly – Secretly or without others knowing.

He on the sly borrowed my phone without asking.

Learn by heart – To memorize something completely.

She learned the poem by heart for the school recital.

In a row – Consecutively or one after another.

He won three games in a row.

Send for – To request someone to come.

She sent for the doctor when she felt unwell.

COMILLA BOARD 1993:

Listen to – To pay attention to what someone is saying.

I always listen to my teacher carefully in class.

At all – In any way or under any circumstances.

I don't like chocolate at all.

Catch sight of – To see something or someone briefly.

I caught sight of a rare bird in the forest.

Take one to task – To criticize or tell someone off for something.

The teacher took him to task for not completing his homework.

Cut off – To remove or separate something.

The phone line was cut off during the storm.

Of one's own accord – Doing something by choice, not because of pressure.

She left the meeting of her own accord.

Out of the question – Not possible or acceptable.

Going on vacation this month is out of the question because of work.

Skim through – To read or look at something quickly, not in detail.

I skimmed through the book to get the main idea.

COMILLA BOARD 1992:

At once – Immediately.

I need you to come here at once.

To keep body and soul together – To manage to survive or make a living.

He works two jobs to keep body and soul together.

A great deal – A large amount or to a large extent.

She helped me a great deal with my project.

As though – In a way that seems like something.

She looked as though she had seen a ghost.

At the sight of – When you see something or someone.

At the sight of the cake, the children became excited.

To give up – To stop trying or to quit.

He decided not to give up on his dreams.

Of course – Certainly, without a doubt.

Of course, I'll help you with your homework.

In the midst of – In the middle of something.

She was in the midst of a conversation when I called.

COMILLA BOARD 1991:

Out of the question – Impossible or not allowed.

A holiday this year is out of the question due to my exams.

Beggar description – Too difficult or impossible to describe.

The beauty of the sunset beggars description.

At all – In any way.

I don't mind at all if you borrow my book.

Look upon – To consider or regard someone or something in a particular way.

I look upon my teacher as a mentor.

On account of – Because of something.

The match was canceled on account of rain.

In the habit of – Doing something regularly or often.

She is in the habit of taking a walk every morning.

As soon as – Immediately after something happens.

I will call you as soon as I arrive.

Of one's own accord – To do something voluntarily, without being forced.

He left the party of his own accord.

COMILLA BOARD 1990:

Get out – To leave or escape from a place.

Get out of here before the rain starts!

A mammoth task – A very large and difficult task.

Cleaning the entire house was a mammoth task.

At once – Immediately.

Please answer my question at once.

In a spirit of – Doing something with a particular attitude or feeling.

He helped in a spirit of generosity.

Catch sight of – To see something briefly.

I caught sight of the actor in the crowd.

Beyond one's means – Too expensive or difficult to afford.

The car he bought was beyond his means.

One after another – In succession, one following the other.

The children came in one after another for the performance.

Step in – To intervene or get involved in a situation.

I had to step in and help with the situation.

RAJSHAHI BOARD 1995:

A great deal – A large amount or to a large extent.

She helped me a great deal with my project.

On board – To be part of or involved in a team or plan.

The new teacher is on board with the school's plan to improve learning.

By the time – When something happens, or by the time something is completed.

By the time we got to the station, the train had already left.

By all means – Certainly or without any doubt.

You can borrow my book by all means.

Cut off – To remove or separate something from something else.

The phone was cut off because we didn't pay the bill.

Insist on – To demand something strongly.

She insisted on going to the park even though it was raining.

Get into – To become involved in something or to start doing something.

He got into trouble for not following the rules.

Grow out – To stop doing something or wearing something as you get older.

She grew out of wearing her favorite dress.

RAJSHAHI BOARD 1994:

As soon as – Immediately after something happens.

I will call you as soon as I finish my homework.

Cut out – To stop doing something, or to remove something.

I cut out junk food to stay healthy.

Get up – To rise from a sitting or lying position.

She gets up early every morning to exercise.

As much as – To the same degree or extent.

I love the movie as much as you do.

Skim through – To read something quickly, without focusing on details.

I skimmed through the magazine to see the pictures.

At any rate – In any case, or whatever happens.

At any rate, we need to finish the work before tomorrow.

At last – After a long wait or effort.

At last, the rain stopped, and we could go outside.

A lot of – A large amount or number of something.

There were a lot of people at the concert.

RAJSHAHI BOARD 1993:

A great deal – A large amount or to a large extent.

He has a great deal of experience in managing projects.

To be in the swim – To be involved in something, especially a group or activity.

I want to be in the swim of things at the new office.

At least – A minimum or lower bound of something.

I will help you at least for an hour.

Of course – Certainly, without any doubt.

Of course, I'll help you with your homework.

Cut off – To disconnect or stop something.

They cut off the water supply for repairs.

At all – In any way or to any extent.

I don't like pineapple at all.

All around – Everywhere or in all directions.

There were flowers all around the garden.

Take care of – To look after something or someone.

He took care of his little sister while their parents were away.

RAJSHAHI BOARD 1992:

On board – To be part of or involved in something.

We are happy to have you on board for the project.

By the time – When something happens or by the time something is completed.

By the time we reached the party, everyone had left.

At first sight – The first time you see something or someone.

It was love at first sight when they met.

All over – Everywhere, or finished.

The papers were all over the floor.

As well as – In addition to.

She likes singing as well as dancing.

With an air – In a way that seems a particular way.

He walked into the room with an air of confidence.

At length – After a long time or in detail.

The teacher explained the topic at length.

In place of – Instead of something or someone.

He used a pencil in place of a pen.

RAJSHAHI BOARD 1991:

Take a hand – To become involved in something, or to help.

I decided to take a hand in organizing the event.

A little bit – A small amount.

Just add a little bit of salt to the soup.

Turn white – To become pale from fear or shock.

Her face turned white when she heard the news.

Send for – To request someone to come.

She sent for the doctor when she felt sick.

On the sly – Secretly or without others knowing.

He on the sly borrowed my phone.

Pile up – To accumulate or gather in a large amount.

The books piled up on the desk.

In case of – If something happens, or as a precaution.

In case of emergency, call 911.

Take pity on – To feel sorry for someone and help them.

She took pity on the homeless man and gave him some food.

RAJSHAHI BOARD 1990:

In pursuit of – To try to achieve or find something.

He is in pursuit of a new job.

Look upon – To consider or regard something in a particular way.

I look upon her as my best friend.

By accident – Happening without intention or planning.

I found the lost book by accident.

Of one's own accord – To do something willingly, without being asked.

He left the party of his own accord.

At all – In any way or to any extent.

I didn’t enjoy the movie at all.

Beggar description – Too difficult or impossible to describe.

The beauty of the sunset beggars description.

On account of – Because of something.

The match was canceled on account of rain.

Catch sight of – To see something briefly.

I caught sight of a bird I had never seen before.

JESSORE BOARD 1995:

Day after day – Continuously for many days.

He worked hard day after day to finish the project.

At the sight of – Upon seeing something.

She smiled at the sight of her birthday cake.

In season – The time when something is available or at its best.

Strawberries are in season during the summer.

Cut out – To stop or remove something.

I decided to cut out sweets from my diet.

In the habit of – Doing something regularly.

He is in the habit of reading before bed.

As a result – Because of something that happened.

He missed the bus, and as a result, he was late for class.

All in a row – In a straight line or sequence.

The books were arranged all in a row on the shelf.

Catch sight of – To see something for a brief moment.

I caught sight of my friend in the crowd.

JESSORE BOARD 1994:

Tumble down – To fall or collapse.

The old building tumbled down in the storm.

Look upon – To consider or think about something in a certain way.

I look upon him as a great leader.

As though – As if.

She acted as though she knew everything.

Go across – To move from one side to another.

We need to go across the street to reach the park.

Put on – To wear something or to increase.

He put on his jacket before going outside.

At least – A minimum or lower limit.

You should eat at least one vegetable with every meal.

All the rest – Everything else.

We had pizza, salad, and all the rest for dinner.

No one else – Nobody except.

He was the only one who knew the secret, no one else.

JESSORE BOARD 1993:

At all – In any way or to any extent.

I don’t like broccoli at all.

As soon as – Immediately after something happens.

I will call you as soon as I arrive.

Catch sight of – To briefly see something.

I caught sight of the bird flying away.

To keep body and soul together – To have enough money or resources to survive.

She works two jobs to keep body and soul together.

A lot of – A large amount or number of something.

There are a lot of books in the library.

Cut off – To remove or stop something.

The electricity was cut off due to the storm.

Of course – Certainly, or without a doubt.

Of course, I will help you with your homework.

JESSORE BOARD 1992:

By all means – Certainly, without a doubt.

You can borrow my pen by all means.

On the sly – Secretly or without others knowing.

He on the sly borrowed my phone without asking.

Make up one's mind – To decide.

She finally made up her mind to go to the party.

Go across – To move from one side to another.

We have to go across the river to reach the village.

Pull down – To demolish or take apart.

They are going to pull down the old building.

As though – Like or in the same way as.

She looked at me as though I had said something strange.

Take a look at – To look at something.

Take a look at this picture; it’s beautiful!

At last – After a long wait.

At last, the rain stopped.

JESSORE BOARD 1991:

To speak well of – To praise someone or something.

He always speaks well of his colleagues.

At first sight – The first time you see something or someone.

It was love at first sight for them.

Bill of fare – The menu in a restaurant.

The bill of fare had many delicious dishes to choose from.

A lot of – A large amount or number of something.

She has a lot of friends.

To go ahead – To continue or proceed with something.

You can go ahead and start without me.

To put on – To wear or to perform.

She put on her favorite dress for the party.

JESSORE BOARD 1990:

Leave off – To stop doing something.

Please leave off talking during the movie.

A great deal of – A large amount of something.

She has a great deal of experience in teaching.

Take one to task – To scold or criticize someone.

The teacher took him to task for not doing his homework.

Take care of – To look after or manage something.

She took care of her sick pet.

Pull down – To demolish or destroy something.

They pulled down the old house to build a new one.

On account of – Because of.

The match was canceled on account of the rain.

At all – In any way or to any extent.

I don’t like ice cream at all.