Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT : The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of India's most competitive entrance exams, granting admission to National Law Universities (NLUs). CLAT 2026 is set to take place in December 2025. One key component of the CLAT English Language section is its focus on idioms and proverbs, and having a solid grasp of these can significantly enhance your score in this section. Idioms and proverbs for CLAT often appear in questions related to reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and vocabulary, making them an essential part of your preparation.
In this guide, we will explore the idioms and proverbs for CLAT and Significance 2026 and the key differences between the two. By honing your understanding of idiomatic expressions and timeless proverbs, you will improve your familiarity with this critical area, setting you up for a stronger performance in the CLAT exam.Checkout Law Books from PW Store
Criteria | Phrases | Idioms |
---|---|---|
Meaning | Derived from the combination of its individual words, conveying a literal meaning. | Figurative expressions whose meanings cannot be deduced from the individual words. |
Structure | A grammatical unit that can serve various functions within a sentence (e.g., noun phrase, verb phrase). | Fixed expressions with unique meanings that often require cultural or contextual understanding. |
Usage | Used as components of sentences to express specific ideas or actions. | Add color and expressiveness to language, often reflecting cultural nuances. |
Examples | "The sky is very cloudy today." | "Kick the bucket," meaning to die. |
Idiom | Meaning |
Break the ice | To initiate conversation in a social setting. |
Bite the bullet | To face a difficult situation with courage. |
Burn the midnight oil | To work late into the night. |
Caught between a rock and a hard place | To be in a difficult situation with no good options. |
Hit the nail on the head | To describe exactly what is causing a situation. |
Let the cat out of the bag | To reveal a secret unintentionally. |
Once in a blue moon | Something that happens very rarely. |
Piece of cake | Something very easy to do. |
The ball is in your court | It is your responsibility to take action. |
Throw in the towel | To give up or admit defeat. |
Under the weather | Feeling ill or unwell. |
Spill the beans | To disclose secret information. |
Barking up the wrong tree | To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. |
Cost an arm and a leg | To be very expensive. |
Cut corners | To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality. |
Jump on the bandwagon | To join a popular trend or activity. |
Keep your chin up | Stay positive and optimistic in difficult situations. |
Throw caution to the wind | To take a risk without worrying about the consequences. |
Go the extra mile | To make an extra effort to achieve something. |
A dime a dozen | Something very common and not unique. |
Proverb | Meaning |
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush | It’s better to have a sure thing than to risk it for more. |
Actions speak louder than words | What you do is more important than what you say. |
All that glitters is not gold | Not everything that looks valuable is so. |
A penny saved is a penny earned | Saving money is just as important as earning it. |
When in Rome, do as the Romans do | Adapt to the customs of the place you are in. |
You can’t judge a book by its cover | Don’t judge someone based solely on appearance. |
The early bird catches the worm | Taking action early gives you an advantage. |
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch | Don’t assume success before it happens. |
A stitch in time saves nine | Addressing a problem early can prevent it from worsening. |
Too many cooks spoil the broth | Too many people involved can complicate a task. |
An apple a day keeps the doctor away | Healthy eating can prevent health issues. |
Better late than never | It’s better to do something late than not at all. |
Birds of a feather flock together | People with similar interests tend to associate with each other. |
A picture is worth a thousand words | Images can convey complex ideas more effectively than words. |
Familiarity breeds contempt | Being too familiar with someone can lead to a lack of respect. |
Haste makes waste | Rushing can lead to mistakes and poor results. |
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it | Don’t try to improve something that already works well. |
It takes two to tango | Certain actions or situations require the participation of two parties. |
Out of sight, out of mind | When something is not visible, it is often forgotten. |