LET'S GO THROUGH THESE CAD-WORDS......

By Ranjana S.

1. Crescendo:-

We should refrain using crescendo as in- It is the crescendo of his power. Here using climax would be a better option. Why? ---Crescendo should be used only when WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOUNDS which get louder and louder up to a climax. Crescendo is a celebrated music term.

2. Alter-the "other “word:-

In Latin, the word for "other" is alter and you'll get to hear a number of impressive words using "alter."

(a) Alternate:- You skip one and choose the other, so as to speak- You prefer playing soccer on alternate Sundays.

(b)Alternative:-You have no other option.

I have no other alternative; I must complete this work on hand.

(c) Altruist: - You have discovered the treasure of true contentment. You advocate kindness, benevolence and concern yourself with the welfare of others. You choose to relegate your concerns at the backburner as of now; but miss a heartbeat if your next fellow isn't doing good. You are an altruist.

Altruists practice altruism.

(d)Alteration:- Is a change... I have altered my way of thinking from a negative mind set to a more positive one.

When you alter your plans, you make other new plans.

(e) Altercation: - a spat or a verbal dispute. When you do not conform to the ideologies expressed by other, and violently disagree you have a verbal spat. It's because you can't align your ideas and opinions with the other person and vehemently disagree. Altercation has stronger emotions than the emotions displayed during a dispute or quarrel. During an altercation the underlying emotions are more heated, angry and hot tempered. The persons involved in an altercation, do not shy away from using profanities.

(f) Alter ego: - It is your other self. Generally it refers to someone with whom you share a special bond and are very close with. You both share the same ideologies, think alike, react the same in a given situation, do the same things, possess the same hobbies, think alike and share the same temperament. It can be said that you are the mirror images of each other. Such a friend or soul friend can be termed as your alter ego.

3. Due to:- 

You'll see many explanations about "due to" in many grammar books by which we swear with. They say that "due to" should be used as an adjective.

Instead of saying--- Due to his arrogance, he was terminated from the services.

We must say--- His termination was due to his arrogance.

Here "due to" qualifies the word "termination. “ However, many good writers make no bones about using "due to" instead of "owing to" or "because of. “

If we choose to write the below mentioned sentences they are deemed to be incorrect---

The event was interrupted intermittently due to bad weather.

Due to a breakdown in negotiations, the strike ensued.

The correct sentences would be---- (grammar passionates will abide by these sentences in comparison to the above mentioned ones)

The intermittent interruption of the event was due to..................

The ensuing of the strike was due to....................

Nevertheless, some great writers feel no contentions about using "due to"instead of "owing to" or "because of" so it opens the door for us to do the same.

This topic still makes an interesting and intriguing ingredient for debates...Is there one in the offing. Folks!!! I don't intend to be at the receiving end :)

Power Packed Words Denoting Collections :-)

By Ranjana S.

An ARMY, a REGIMENT, a BATTALION, of soldiers.

A BALE of cotton.

A BAND of musicians.

A BASKET of fruits or flowers.

A BENCH of judges.

A BEVY of girls or women.

A BOARD of trustees, examiners, directors.

A BROOD of chickens.

A BUNCH of grapes, flowers, keys, plantains.

A BOUQUET of flowers.

A BUNDLE of sticks, hay.

A CARAVAN of merchants, pilgrims, travellers.

A CENTURY of years.

A CHAIN of mountains.

A CHEST of drawers.

A CLASS of students, persons.

A CLOUD of locusts.

A CLUMP of trees.

A CLUSTER of grapes, stars, islands.

A CODE of laws.

A COMPANY of soldiers, merchants.

A CONGRESS of representatives or delegates.

A CONSIGNMENT of goods.

A CREW of people.

A CONSTELLATION of stars.

A TEAM of players, oxen, horses.

A SWARM of bees, ants.

A SUITE( pronounced sweet) of apartments, rooms.

A SUIT of clothes.

A DROVE of cattle.

A VOLLEY of bullets or shots.

A TROOP of school children or scouts or horsemen, soldiers( when on the move).

A TRAIN of wagons, followers, carriages.

A SHOWER of blessings, insults, blows, rain, arrows.

A STRING of camels.

A SHOAL/SCHOOL of fish.

A SHEAF of corn, arrows.

A SERIES of events.

A RANGE of hills, mountains.

A PRIDE of lions, peacocks.

A PEAL of bells.

A PARTY of friends.

A PACK of playing cards, hounds.

A MULTITUDE of people.

A MOB of riotous people.

A LITTER of pigs, puppies.

A LIBRARY of books.

A LEAGUE of nations.

A HORDE of pirates, robbers, savages.

A HIVE of bees.

A HERD of goats, deer, cattle.

A HEAP of sand, stones or junk.

A GROUP of islands.

A GARLAND of flowers.

A GANG of convicts, thieves, robbers, workmen, labourers, prisoners.

A GALAXY of stars.

A FLOCK of sheep, geese.

A FLIGHT of steps, stairs, birds.

A FLEET of ships.

A FALL of rain or snow.

A FAGGOT of sticks.

Idioms derived from the names of BODY PARTS.....Part-2

By Ranjana S

1. Nose: 

(a) Pay through the nose ( pay an exorbitant price)---If you really want that swanky car, you have to pay through your nose for it.

(b) Lead (someone) by the nose (make a person do whatever one wants) ---The husband leads his wife by the nose.

2. Mouth: 

(a) Make one's mouth water (make one wish to eat) --- These lip smacking dishes simply make my mouth water.

(b)Live from hand to mouth (only be able to fulfill one's basic needs, especially for food) ---He is out of job and, hence, to maintain a family of six he lives from hand to mouth.

3. Lip:

(a) There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip (a saying which says, things can easily go wrong before one gets what one wants or expects)---He presumes that he will get a sweeping victory in the election but there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and lip.

(b) One's lips are sealed (one will not discuss and disclose something) ---I would like to divulge what I know but my lips are sealed.

4. Leg: 

Pull someone's leg (make fun of someone, especially making him believe something that is untrue) -Peter said to you that your left year is bigger than the right one; don't believe in him, as he is just pulling your leg.

5. Knee: 

Bring someone to his knees (force someone to submit) ---The Maratha warriors brought the Mughal empire to their knees.

6. Heel: 

Take to one's heels (run away) ---The robbers took to their heels when the policemen arrived.

7. Heart: 

(a) Take something to heart (become very pensive and disillusioned) ---You should not take his barbs and jibes to heart.

(b) Heart and soul (completely) ---She devoted herself heart and soul in establishing that school.

(c) Take heart (become encouraged) ---The captives took heart when they heard that army personnels reached at the isolated place.

(d)Learn/Know something by heart (learn facts, poems, speeches etc., so that one has it completely in one's memory---She has learnt the dates of battles by heart.

(e) From the bottom of one's heart (very sincerely) ---When I found Judy's lost solitaire, she thanked me from bottom of her heart.

8. Head :

( a) Above/Over someone's head (too difficult for someone to understand) ---What the educator taught was well above the heads of her students; she would have made a simpler delivery.

(b) Head and shoulder above (other people)... (Very much better, cleverer etc., than other people) -She is head and shoulder above her colleagues.

(c) Lose one's head (become excited or angry or to act foolishly in a crisis) ---I am sorry that I lost my head when I saw you rebuking Jemmy without any reason.

(d)Keep one's head (remain calm and sensible in a sudden difficulty) ---She kept her head even when she found that her shop was ablaze.

9. Hand: 

(a) Fall into the hands of someone (be caught, captured etc. by someone)---He fell into the hands of a band of robbers.

(b)Give somebody a big hand (applaud for somebody loudly and generously) ---The audience gave the performers a big hand.

(c) Give/Lend a helping hand(help, aid or assist someone)---I am always eager to lend a helping hand to this women empowerment project.

10. Finger :

( a) Be/have something at one's finger tips (know all the details of a topic or subject thoroughly) ---Everything related to the history of the movement is at her fingertips.

(b) Work one's fingers to the bone (work very hard) ----If you want to bag the yearly contract, you might as well work your fingers to the bone on the project in hand.

(c) Slip through someone's fingers (an opportunity missed by someone) ---Let not the last chance of winning her back slip through your fingers.

(d)Lay a finger on somebody (touch someone however slightly with intent to harm) ---I will not excuse you this time if you lay a finger on that child who's already scared of you.

(e)Burn one's fingers or get one's fingers burnt (suffer, often financially, as a result of foolish behavior) He got his fingers all burnt by investing a lion's share of his savings in the share market, which crashed badly.

contd.....

Part....3....next week..... :)

Are you a czar or czarina???.....Master these words and be one

By Ranjans S.

Calendar or Calender or Colander:

• Calendar---A list showing the days and months of the whole year. Pirelli Tyres were famous for their calendars showcasing photographs of beautiful women.
• Calender---It's a machine used for processing paper.
• Colander---It is used in the kitchen to strain vegetables.

Chauvinism and Chauvinist:

Nicholas Chauvin, a soldier in the French camp was a passionate follower of Napolean Bonaparte. He drew a lot of flak owing to his veneration to Napolean. Hence an incorrigible and blatant patriot is called Chauvinist.

Chauvinism refers to boastfulness about any other affiliate besides one's country. Nicholas advocated this dangerous and blind patriotism.

However, now women's liberation movement has taken over this word. You might have heard-MCP---Male Chauvinist Pig....used by liberated women crying their hearts out and chanting this acronym, in favour of their less liberated womenfolk counterparts, who have suffered, even in the slightest, at the hands of men.....

So MEN BEWARE!!!If you deny equal rights for women, you'll be termed as an MCP 

Conjugal:

Phew!!!.....Marital disputes are ubiquitous nowadays, and no one seems to be in a mood to reconcile :(

The wait is long!!!....till then let's pronounce this word properly....

CONjugal i.e  the state of being married.

Consummate:

Note how the pronunciation changes the meaning of a word. When it is pronounced conSUMat, it means fully skilled and perfect.

He is a consummate musician.

When you say CONsumayt, it means to complete something.

This book is a consummation of ten years' of hard work.

You also use this word to show that marriage is consummated/ complete by sexual intercourse.

Though they are married, their marriage is yet not consummated.

Next week more interesting words discussions in the offing....till then loads of love to my newly annointed czars and czarinas..... :)

Idioms derived from the names of the parts of the body---Part----1

By Ranjana S.

Backbone:

1. Have the backbone (firmness, strength)--Mr. Thompson is useless as a leader, as he does not have a backbone to take a firm stand.
2. Be the backbone: (chief support) ---She is the backbone of this huge organization.

Arm:

1. Keep at arm's length (refraining from becoming too friendly with someone) --- He keeps his quarrelsome neighbors at arm's length.
2. With open arms: (with affection, sincerity and enthusiasm) --- He welcomed his estranged wife with open arms.

Back:

1. With one's back to the wall (in a difficult position forced to defend oneself) ---The landlady         employed goons to force him to vacate the house. Since he had no support, he fought alone           with his back to the wall.
2. Turn one's back upon :( unwilling to help)--She requested her colleague to help her out, but he turned his back upon her.
3. Break the back of something :( finish the hardest part of the work) ---Do not fret; we have already broken the back of this heavy work.
4. Put someone's back up :( make him angry) ---Her offending behavior put my back up.
5. Put one's back to something (work with full of enthusiasm and energy) ---We need to meet the deadline, so put your back to the work.

Breast:

Make a clean breast of (confess a wrongdoing) ---Earlier he refuted all accusations regarding committing the offence, but later he decided to make a clean breast of it.

Brain:

Beat one's brain (think intently and hard) ---I beat my brains to solve the riddle but failed.

Cheek:

1. Turn the other cheek (accept violent attack without being violent oneself) ---Mahatma Gandhiji espoused the non-violence policy; means if somebody hits you just turn the other cheek.
2. Cheek by jowl (close together) ---The school students are packed cheek by jowl in the school bus.

Chin:

Keep one's chin up (remain cheerful in difficult circumstances) ---We shouldn't lose hope while facing the vicissitudes life throws on us; instead we should surmount them keeping our chins up.

Chest:

Get something off one's chest (speak out the thing that is worrying one) ---If you are undergoing a challenge, you might as well get it off your chest.

Ear:

1. Turn a deaf ear :( refuse to listen to somebody or something)---She turned a deaf ear to our caveat and hence encountered this damaging situation.
2. Up to one's ears in: (deeply involved in) ---She is up to her ears in debt.

Elbow:

Elbow one's way through something (force one's way by using an elbow) --- The conference room was so crowded that I had to elbow my way through the crowd to reach the dais.

Eye:

1. Before/Under one's eyes ( in one's presence)----These unfavorable things are occurring under your own eyes, yet you are keeping silent.
2. Have an eye to (have as one's object) ----Wherever she goes, she has an eye to business.
3. In the eyes of somebody (in the judgment of somebody) ----In my eyes he seems to be a diligent and honest person.
4. Keep an eye on (keep a watch on) ---Keep an eye on this person, as his conduct is not free from suspicion.
5. Open somebody's eyes to (cause someone to realize) ---- You did a good job to open the eyes of the board to the corruption that was going on in the organization.
6. If you had half an eye (If you weren't so unobservant) ----If you had half an eye, you could have very well identified the discrepancies in this document.

MIND IT....

By Ranjana S.

Can you come up with words which use ANIMUS in their formation....Read on...

What is the Latin word for MIND---ANIMUS.

Anima relates to the spirit, soul and principles of life. Words like animals, animate, animation, inanimate etc. can be derived from the source Anima. If you are aware of the roots, you'll be able to comprehend words built on them.

Now, let's talk about MAGNUS----great and large.

Put together magnus and animous....you'll get--- MAGNANIMOUS.

MAGNANIMOUS people are benevolent, large hearted with noble minds and souls. They are the ones who are averse to taking petty revenges. The noun is MAGNANIMITY.

What's the opposite of MAGNANIMOUS??

The ones who have petty thinking, tiny mind and soul----PUSILLANIMOUS.

In Latin pusillus means---tiny. Pusillanimous means petty and mean intention. The noun is---PUSILLANIMITY.

Can you come up with other words built on animus/mind??.......

(a) Animosity---hatred, ill-feeling, rancour, malevolence, malice, grudge, acrimony, enmity, hostility....

There is real animosity between Rita and Sam.

If Richard bears you no animosity, then why are you illtreating him.

(b) Animus---Etymologically, the Latin word means mind. However, words do get degenerated over time. Now it means an unfriendly mind.

Freeda bore no animus towards Gary, though he has tried to ruin her life( a perfect example of magnanimity).

(c) Equanimity---equal mind, peaceful mind which is calm and composed.

If you maintain equanimity in these trying times, you are going to bounce back with resolute power.

Latin word: aequus

(d) Unanimous---of one mind.

The board members unanimously decided upon the course of action to be taken.

Latin word: unus

Some Eureka words.....!!!!

By Ranjana.S.

• Unequivocal or unequivocable:

Unequivocal means there isn't a slightest doubt and that something is crystal clear.

The members of the board accepted the unequivocal decision.

Although you may hear it in your circle unequivocable can't be found in the dictionary, because there is no such word.

• Board:

How do we say-The board has not yet come.

The board have not yet come.

Both are correct, however you can't have it both the ways and quote--" The board has not communicated their decision". If you use has, it has to be followed by "its decision".

When we talk about individual members of the board....the word gets plural:

"The boards are unable to reach to a conclusion".

"The board is dining together".

•  Gobbledygook:

It is believed that President Roosevelt introduced this word. This word is much used in the US and in the UK as well.

This word basically attacks the official and academic writing or speaking that is confounding owing to the use of polysyllables--using too many long words.

• May or Might:

May refers to the present and future-might refers to the past.

It may rain today.

It might have rained yesterday.

Might is also used conversationally to suggest in a polite or aggressive manner something, to compel someone to do something.

While you go shopping, you might pick up the vegetables.

You might help your miffed wife in cooking.......trusted tip for marital bliss :)

Phrasal verbs.... Starting with "C" contd.....

By Ranjana S.

1. Come off (get detached): The button of my coat has come off.
2. Come off (take place): The prize distribution comes off next Tuesday.
3. Come of (to descend from, to become of): The fighters came of the race of Marathas.
4. Alice came of age and claimed her property.
5. Come to (amount to): How much the charges come to?
6. Come round (agree): After a lot of discussion and deliberation he came round to our views.
7. Come about ( happen): We aren't aware how these things  came about.
8. Come across (meet): On my way to the market, I came across an old friend of mine.
9. Come by (get): How did you come by that scratch on your forehead?
10. Come down (price lowered): The price of gold has come down recently.
11. Come out( appear, be known): In this case the truth has come out.
12. Come on (start): The rain has just come on.
13. Carry weight (to possess authority): His proposal carries weight.
14. Carry the day (to be successful): The Indian cricket team carried the day at Australia.
15. Carry out (execute): I will be more than willing to carry out all your instructions.
16. Carry off (taken away, die): Many persons are carried off every year by cancer.
17. Carry off (win): She is sure to carry off this tournament.
18. Carry on (manage): In her absence, I carried on the affairs of the trust efficiently.
19. Cut up (affect): The old woman was greatly cut up by her son's untimely demise.
20. Cut down (reduce): As prices soar, cut down the monthly expenses.
21. Cut in (interrupt): While she was speaking, the students kept on cutting in.
22. Cut out (to separate, debar): The lioness cut out the deer from the herd and pounced upon it.
23. Cut off (die): Keats was cut off in the prime of life.
24. Call on (borrow from): May I call on you for Rs.5000/-.
25. Call on (pay a visit): I shall call on your home next Tuesday.
26. Call upon (announce): The anchor called upon me to make a speech.
27. Call up (Telephone): Call up the grocer and order these grocery items.
28. Call up (recollect): I'm unable to call up past events.
29. Call in (send for): He called in for the doctor as his mother fell in.
30. Call for (demand):  The Principal called for an explanation from the student for his inappropriate conduct.
31. Call forth (bring out): Adversity calls forth the best qualities in a man.

40 common Adverb Phrases...fill in your vocab Kitty!!

By Ranjana S.

1. With one voice: (unanimously) His proposal was refuted with one voice by the board members.
2. To the full: (fully) We enjoyed our vacations to the full.
3. To the backbone :( thoroughly) She was lazy to the backbone.
4. To and fro :( backwards and towards) The toddler walked to and fro in the room.
5. To the contrary :( against what has been said) I have nothing to say to the contrary.
6. There and then :( on the spot) The burglar was nabbed there and then.
7. Through and through :( thoroughly) He has read all the resource papers through and through.
8. "So far as" or " As far as“:( in my experience) So far as I know him, he will not reconcile with you.
9. Sooner or later :( eventually) Sooner or later, you will reap the benefits of your exemplary work.
10. Over and above :( besides) Over and above being honest, he is humble.
11. On the whole :( generally speaking) On the whole, my write up was considered superior to his.
12. Once and for all: (finally) Let us settle this matter once and for all.
13. On the one hand.....on the other hand: On the one hand, you are anxious to meet your father, on the other   hand, you are scared to show him your results.
14. Once and again: I have told you once and again not to watch horror shows.
15. On the contrary: It's crystal clear that he doesn't love her, on the contrary he hates her.
16. In time:  I request you to reach the party in time.
17. Off and on: (irregularly) I've been learning French off and on.
18. Little by little: Little by little the volume of water in the tank has increased.
19. In the least: (at all) I was not infuriated in the least by her demeanour.
20. In every respect (in every way): You make us feel at home in every respect.
21. Now and then (occasionally): He travels to Amsterdam, now and then.
22. Into the bargain (besides): He not only lost his job, but lost all his finances, into the bargain.
23. Far and away (or out and away): ( beyond all comparisons) He is far and away the best batsman in our  team.
24. Hither and thither: We walked hither and thither in the mall.
25. Far and near: He sought for his missing mother far and near.
26. Far and wide: Nelson Mandela's fame spread far and wide.
27. First and foremost :( before anything else) First and foremost garner acumen of your subject, and then venture out to teach.
28. For long: I've been waiting for the decision for long.
29. For certain: I know for certain that she will attend the event.
30. Before long :( in a short time) Before long, he will return.
31. By no means: (in no way) He can, by no means, can take you for granted.
32. By and by :( after a time) By and by you will come to know me as a person.
33. By the way :( incidentally) By the way, I want to share my feelings with you.
34. By far: (in a very great degree or by a great difference) He is by far the best person I've ever met.
35. At present :( now) We can't divulge any information at present.
36. As a matter of fact: ( in reality)She does not look more than twenty nine,as a matter of fact,she is forty.
37. At any rate :( in any position) I shall come to visit you at any rate, rain or shine.
38. All of a sudden:( suddenly)All of a sudden, the roof collapsed.
39. All the same :( nevertheless) He doesn't seem to me all that bright, all the same( nevertheless) we may admit him.
40. Above all :( before all) Above all,  be vocal about your thoughts.
41. Above board: (straightforward, without concealment) Everything that he did was far and above board.
42. Again and again :( over and over again)I have told you again and again, not to go alone to isolated places.

45 PPP....Prepositional phrases power

By Ranjana S.

Let's take a look at some prepositional phrases:

1. According to: The students performed according to the educator's instructions.
2. At the conclusion of: The participants will get refreshments at the conclusion of the program.
3. At enmity with: Sid is at enmity with me.
4. At home in: He is at home in grammar.
5. At the mercy of: Every fresher in college is at the mercy of seniors.
6. At the risk of: The boatman saved the boy at the risk of his own life.
7. At the top of: After she won the competition; in excitement, she shouted at the top of her voice.
8. At variance with( as opposed to): His words are at variance with the facts.
9. Because of: I could not attend the party because of my brother's illness.
10. By dint of: Ishu won the scholarship by dint of hard work.
11. By force of : She made her way in life by force of integrity and honesty.
12. By means of: He got to the roof by means of ladder.
13. By the side of: Peter stood by the side of his mother.
14. By(or in) virtue of: He claims leave with pay by( or in) virtue of his performance and exemplary work.
15. By way of: I write this by way of keeping you abreast with the latest affairs.
16. For fear of: He ran away for fear of being nabbed and put behind bars.
17. For the sake of: Raima quarrelled with her brother for the sake of a few rupees.
18. For the purpose of: I went to the book store for the purpose of buying some books.
19. From want of: The plants died from want of water.
20. In view of: In view of the weather, the match will now be held tomorrow.
21. Instead of: He should now work instead of idling away his time.
22. In sight of: Our students were very happy when at last they came in sight of the museum.
23. In spite of: In spite of creating value for the organization,she was laid off.
24. In respect of: In respect of service she is my junior.
25. In regard to: I have nothing to say in regard to this matter.
26. In quest of: Carnivores go out hunting in quest of prey.
27. In point to: She is my senior in point of age.
28. In order to: I took leave from my work in order to help my mom.
29. In opposition to: Joe acted in opposition to his mother's wishes.
30. In lieu of: The school was closed on Tuesday in lieu of last Saturday.
31. In honor of: The city was resplendent with lights in honor of the President 's visit.
32. In the hope of: Patrica went to Germany in the hope of meeting her uncle.
33. In the heart of: My school is situated in the heart of the city.
34. In the garb of: He came to meet his sweetheart in the garb of a monk.
35. In the guise of: The emperor travelled across his land in the guise of a mason.
36. In front of: A stranger was standing in front of the gate.
37. In favor of: My sensei is in favor of empowering the youth.
38. In defence of: The accused had nothing to say in defence of his conduct.
39. In course of : From being ingenious and naive, I have become wise  in course of time.
40. In consideration of: In consideration of his many meritorious services to the country, he was elected to be he President.
41. In accordance with: I have executed my duties in accordance with the instructions given to me.
42. In consequence of: In consequence of her child's illness, she had to take a long leave.
43. In connection with: He has gone to Abu Dhabi in connection with his job.
44. In common with : He was punished in common with( in the same way as) the rest.
45. In case of( or in the event of): In case of( or in the event of) his demise, his son will succeed him.

Some mind boggling phrasal verbs - Part 1

By Ranjana S.

why do we use phrasal verbs and why are they popular?....

Phrasal verbs add meaning to your speech and writing. They are popular because they are easy to use, emotive and informal....

Part 1

Alphabet B

Read on.....

1. Bear down: (crush): The fighter very conveniently bore down all opposition.

2. Bear away: (win): The student bore away the first prize.

3. Bear (somebody) out (confirm somebody's statement): Your friend will bear me out on this matter.

4. Bear up (keep up spirits, not give way): The tiny tot bore up wonderfully in the journey.

5. Break away (run away): The horse broke away from the stable.

6. Break down (fail): His health broke down last summer.

7. Break in (train): I want a trainer to break in my children. (also illegal or violent entry into a house. etc.)The police broke and nabbed the thieves.

8. Break into (enter by force): The burglars broke into the jewellery shop.

9. Break off (stop suddenly): Arnold broke off in the middle of his speech.

10. Break open (break by force): The police broke open the door and nabbed the burglars.

11. Break out (appear suddenly): Cholera has broken out in the city.

12. Break through (make a way through): She was successful in breaking through all obstacles.

13. Break up (come to an end): The conference broke up at 7 pm.

14. Break up (disperse): The police broke up the meeting.

15. Break up (at the end of term for vacation): We are going to break up tomorrow.

16. Break upon (come upon suddenly): The police broke upon the perpetrators of the crime and arrested them.

17. Break with (quarrel with): I don't want to break with her at your behest.

18. Bring about (cause to happen): His dishonesty brought about his ruin.

19. Bring in (yield): His business brings in but a small income.

20. Bring on (cause): Intemperance in diet brings on many ailments.

21. Bring out (publish): The publisher is bringing out a revised edition of this book.

22. Bring round (cause someone to regain consciousness): If she faints again, bring her round with smelling       salts.

23. Bring round to (persuade): At last I brought him round to my way of thinking.

24. Bring up (raise for discussion): The matter was brought up in the Council.

25. Bring up( rear, educate): Harry's kids are well brought up.

Idioms related to animals...contd

Idioms ...

1. Cow: (a) Cow someone into something or cow someone into doing something (make someone do as one desires by intimidating or threatening them): The youth were cowed into total submission.

(b) Till the cows come home (for a long time): All the girls can sit and talk here till the cows come home.

2. Cat: (a) Rain cats and dogs (raining incessantly) Today it's raining cats and dogs.
(b) Let the cat out of the bag (reveal a secret by mistake):
I wanted the date of my brother's impending wedding to be a secret, but my niece let the cat out of the bag.
(c) A cat and dog existence ( a life in which partners are constantly quarrelling): Mr. and Mrs. Abraham lead a cat and dog existence.

3. Tiger: Fight like a tiger (attack someone or defend oneself fiercely): Shivaji Maharaja fought like a tiger to get what he wanted.

4. Wolf: (a) Cry wolf (say there's danger when there's none): Jennifer goes on crying wolf as if there's a crisis when there's none.
(b) Keep the wolf from the door (have enough money to avoid hunger and need):
They earn so little that it, is difficult for them to keep the wolf from the door.

5. Monkey: (a) Monkey around/about with something (play or interfere with something in a careless fashion): She is monkeying about her father's cellphone and I fear, she might damage it.
(b) Monkey round/ about (behave in a mischievous way): Stop monkeying about; nobody likes it here.

6. Rat: (a) Smell a rat (have a feeling that something is amiss and wrong somewhere: Before the police could set up a trap for the criminal, he smelt a rat and eloped from there.
(b) Rat race (a never ending, fierce competition for wealth and success): Simran got tired of the prevalent rat race in the city and, hence, retired to live in her ancestor's house in the village.

7. Mouse: Play cat and mouse or play a cat and mouse game with someone (keep someone in a state of suspense or uncertain expectation) : The workers on strike are playing cat and mouse with the management; at one moment they agree to resume work and the very next moment they fall back on their promises.