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Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT 2027 PDF Download with Answers

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

August 7, 2026

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Discover practical techniques to learn Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT 2027. Refer to this guide to improve your skills with mnemonics, context insights, and free study resources.

Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT form a small but scoring part of the Verbal Ability section, historically contributing around 2–4 questions per paper across IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak, and JIPMAT.

An idiom carries a figurative meaning you can't guess from individual words (e.g., "spill the beans" = reveal a secret), while a phrase is a group of words without a subject-verb pair.

The fastest way to master both is contextual learning, thematic clustering, and daily practice with previous-year questions.

Techniques like mnemonics and contextual understanding can also help you learn complex idioms and phrases in a matter of seconds.

Read through the post to thoroughly understand the idioms and phrases for IPMAT 2027 and IPM Aptitude Questions and Answers based on idioms.

Table of Contents

  1. What are Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT Exam 2027?
  2. Complete List of Idioms for IPMAT (Theme-Wise)
  3. Common Phrases for IPMAT 2027
  4. IPMAT Sample Idioms and Phrases Questions
  5. Idioms and Phrases Questions from IPMAT Previous Year Papers
  6. How to Prepare for Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT 2027?

What are Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT Exam 2027?

An idiom is a phrase, saying, or group of words with a metaphorical (not literal) meaning that has become accepted in common usage.

Common Characteristics of Idioms

  • They typically cannot be comprehended by merely translating every word. 
  • Their significances are often grounded in cultural context and historical background. 
  • They usually cannot be changed without altering their meaning. 
  • They are utilized in both formal and casual conversations. 

Common examples of English idioms

  • "Piece of cake" - something that's very easy to do
  • "Beat around the bush" - to avoid talking about something directly
  • "Hit the nail on the head" - to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
  • "Cost an arm and a leg" - something that is very expensive
  • "Spill the beans" - to reveal a secret

On the other hand, phrases are collections of words that function as a unit in a sentence. 

However, it has no verb and no subject.

Common Characteristics of Phrases

  • Lacks a subject-verb combination (for example, "in the morning")
  • Functions as a single part of speech (example., noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or preposition)
  • It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
  • It adds meaning to a sentence without forming a complete thought
  • It may contain a headword with modifiers (e.g., "the tall building")
  • It can be of different types (noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, etc.)

Complete List of Idioms for IPMAT (Theme-Wise)

Learning Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT becomes much easier when they're grouped by themes instead of memorised randomly.

This section categorises commonly asked idioms to help you strengthen your IPMAT Verbal Ability preparation and revise more efficiently before the exam.

Idioms Related to Difficulty and Trouble

Questions based on challenging situations and hardships frequently appear in Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT.

Practising these expressions will improve your vocabulary, comprehension, and overall IPMAT English Preparation, making it easier to interpret passages and answer contextual questions.

Idioms Meaning
Idiom Meaning
In deep water In serious trouble
Between a rock and a hard place Facing two equally difficult choices
Bite off more than you can chew Take on more than you can manage
Out of the frying pan into the fire From a bad situation into a worse one
On thin ice In a risky or precarious position
Barking up the wrong tree Working in the wrong direction

Idioms Related to Time and Speed

Time-related expressions are among the most commonly tested Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT, especially in sentence completion and contextual usage questions.

Understanding these idioms will strengthen your IPMAT Vocabulary and help you answer Verbal Ability questions with greater confidence.

Idioms Meaning
At the drop of a hat Immediately, without delay
In the nick of time Just before it's too late
Against the clock Under severe time pressure
Around the clock Continuously, all day and night
Once in a blue moon Very rarely
At the eleventh hour At the last possible moment

Idioms Related to Effort and Hard Work

Many Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT revolve around determination, perseverance, and hard work.

Learning these commonly used expressions not only improves your English proficiency but also enhances your performance in the IPMAT Verbal Ability section.

Idioms Meaning
Burn the midnight oil Work late into the night
Go the extra mile Put in additional effort
Put your best foot forward Start with full effort and confidence
Learn the ropes Learn the basics of something new
Keep your nose to the grindstone Work hard continuously without distraction

Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT Based on Success, Failure, and Outcomes

Success, failure, and results are popular themes in Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT because they frequently appear in contextual and meaning-based questions.

You can master these idioms by practising IPMAT full-length mocks, which will help you identify the correct usage during the exam.

Idioms Meaning
Piece of cake Something very easy
Hit the nail on the head Describe something exactly and accurately
A blessing in disguise Something good that initially seemed bad
Cut both ways Has both a good and a bad effect
Turn the tide Reverse the direction of a situation
Kick the bucket To die (used in casual/informal contexts)

Idioms Related to Communication and Secrecy

Communication-based expressions are an essential part of Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT and are often tested to assess contextual understanding.

Knowing these idioms will strengthen your IPMAT Vocabulary and improve your ability to interpret conversations and written passages accurately.

Idioms Meaning/th>
Beat around the bush Avoid saying something directly
Spill the beans Reveal a secret, often unintentionally
Cut to the chase Get to the point without delay
Straight from the horse's mouth From a direct and reliable source
Read between the lines Understand a hidden or implied meaning
Let the cat out of the bag Reveal a secret unintentionally
Skeletons in the closet Hidden, often embarrassing, facts from the past

Idioms Related to Emotions

Emotion-based Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT are widely used in everyday English and frequently appear in competitive exams.

Learning these expressions will enrich your IPMAT Verbal Ability and help you understand the tone and intent of passages more effectively.

Idioms Meaning
Under the weather Feeling slightly unwell
In stitches Laughing uncontrollably
Full of oneself Excessively self-confident or arrogant
Over the moon Extremely happy
On cloud nine Extremely happy or elated
Down in the dumps Feeling sad or low
Butterflies in one's stomach Feeling nervous

Idioms Related to Relationships and Similarity

Understanding relationship-based Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT helps you recognise figurative meanings and improves contextual interpretation.

These idioms are useful for strengthening your IPMAT English Preparation and building a richer vocabulary.

Idioms Meaning
Blood is thicker than water Family bonds matter more than other relationships
Bend over backwards Make a great effort to help someone
See eye to eye Fully agree with someone
Break the ice Ease tension in an unfamiliar or awkward situation
Two peas in a pod Two very similar people
Chip off the old block Very similar to one's parent

Idioms Related to Confidence, Luck, and Decisions

Questions based on confidence, luck, and decision-making are common in Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT.

Practising these expressions will improve your IPMAT Vocabulary, boost your verbal reasoning skills, and prepare you for a variety of Verbal Ability questions.

Idioms Meaning/th>
The ball is in your court You are responsible for the next decision
Cross that bridge when we come to it Deal with a problem only when it actually arises
Back to square one Having to start all over again
Hit the jackpot Get an extremely lucky outcome
Weather the storm Endure a difficult period with patience
Storm in a teacup Something unimportant made to look serious
It never rains but it pours Bad (or busy) events tend to happen together
Bite the bullet Face a difficult situation bravely
Throw in the towel Give up

Common Phrases for IPMAT 2027

Unlike idioms, these phrases carry a largely literal or grammatical meaning and are commonly tested in fill-in-the-blank and sentence-correction questions.

Phrases Meaning
In accordance with As required by; following a rule
With reference to Regarding; concerning
By virtue of Because of; due to
In the wake of As a result of; following an event
In light of Considering; taking into account
On behalf of Acting as a representative of
For the sake of For the purpose or benefit of
On the other hand Introducing a contrasting point
By and large Generally speaking
At the outset At the very beginning
In due course At the appropriate time, eventually
In the long run Over an extended period of time
As a matter of fact In reality; actually
With a view to With the intention of
In terms of With regard to; considering
On the verge of Very close to (a state or event)

IPMAT Sample Questions on Idioms and Phrases for 2027

Directions: Choose the correct meaning of the idiom underlined in each sentence.

Q1. The prices are going up by leaps and bounds.

  1. Gradually
  2. Rapidly
  3. Irregularly
  4. Systematically

Answer: b. Rapidly

Q2. His dealings are all above board.

  1. Simple
  2. Friendly
  3. Decent
  4. Open

Answer: d. Open

Q3. To play foul.

  1. To oppose others
  2. To do something wrong
  3. To tackle carelessly
  4. To play rough

Answer: b. To do something wrong

Q4. In deep water.

  1. To feel lonely
  2. To swim in a rive

r c. To act like a coward

  1. In real trouble

Answer: d. In real trouble

Q5. Flesh and blood can bear it no longer.

  1. In life
  2. At top speed
  3. Warning
  4. Human nature

 Answer: d. Human nature

Q6. Apple of discord.

  1. A source of quarrel
  2. A selfish motive
  3. An auspicious day
  4. Almost too late

Answer: a. A source of quarrel

Q7. A white elephant.

  1. False tears of sorrow
  2. A very costly possession
  3. Everyone
  4. A source of quarrel

 Answer: b. A very costly possession

Idioms and Phrases Questions from IPMAT Previous Year Papers

The following are the idioms and phrases questions asked in the IPMAT question paper:

Q1. If you ask me to give a rough estimate for the project cost, ___________, I would say thirty lakhs.

  1. Off-the-mark
  2. Off-the-grid
  3. Off-the-cuff
  4. Off-the-mike

 Answer: c. Off-the-cuff

Q2. The nasty comments made by strangers on social media about the actor made him __________.

  1. Ill at heart
  2. Ill and ache
  3. Ill in heart
  4. Ill at ease

Answer: d. Ill at ease

Q3. The new car has disappointed its buyers in many ways, and good mileage is its only ___________.

  1. Saving grace
  2. Saving face
  3. Saving praise
  4. Saving case

Answer: a. Saving grace

Q4. Meena is very arrogant and class-conscious; she refuses to acknowledge Sunil because she feels he is a man ___________.

  1. Of no importance
  2. Of great importance
  3. Of less importance
  4. Of some importance

 Answer: a. Of no importance

Q5. Some big shots know how to escape the law even after violating it. It is, however, the ___________ who are more often apprehended and punished.

  1. Small fry
  2. Tiny shots
  3. Tiny fish
  4. Small fish

Answer: a. Small fry

Q6. A few brands tailor their pants so that people with prosthetic legs can wear them easily. This is how they __________.

  1. Go to the extra level
  2. Go to the extreme level
  3. Go the extra mile
  4. Go the entire mile

 Answer: c. Go the extra mile

You'll find more practice sets like these in the IPMAT idioms and phrases questions with solutions bank and in the full IPMAT PYQs.

How to Prepare for Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT 2027?

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the collective meaning of its constituent words.

Generally, 2-3 questions are asked about this topic.

To make the most of this section, you should strengthen your understanding of Idioms and phrases for IPMAT.

It is one area where students frequently struggle. 

You cannot answer these questions unless you properly understand Idioms. Below are some of the best ways to learn Idioms.

1. Contextual Understanding

The best way to prepare for essential idioms and phrases for IPMAT exams is to understand the context or situation where a particular idiom is used.

Whenever you read an idiom and go through its meaning, try to link it with a specific problem or context in your knowledge so that whenever that word comes up again, you have a glimpse of the situation.

For example, "storm in a teacup" means something that is not very important but is given importance by many people.

You can link this to the wedding of a Bollywood star.

2. Mnemonics

In this method, we associate idioms with a mnemonic device to help us remember their definition and proper use. "Do a Devon Loch" means "fail when you're almost there.

For example, "Devon Loch, the horse that collapsed just before the finish line.” and “It was shocking how Nadal did a Devon Loch in the last minute of the match against Federer.”

3. Clustering

Learning idioms in groups or clusters, like clusters of idioms meaning almost the same but differing in intensity or referring to a similar situation, like Cut From The Same Cloth, Like Two Peas In A Pod, The Mirror Image Of, and Much Of The Muchness.

They all refer to similarities, basically how two things have similar attributes.

4. Visual Recognition

We, as humans, can recall those things that we have seen visually and for a longer length of time.

You will always recall phrases that make you think of anything aesthetically beautiful.

Interestingly, information and expertise given via those items would have been kept in our memory to this day.

As a result, visual learning is a valuable and successful technique.

You can refer to some of the best examples of learning idioms and phrases for IPMAT through IPMAT 2027 live classroom batches.

Learn more about the Important topics for the IPMAT exam to ace your preparations. Mastering idioms and phrases for IPMAT is essential for excelling in the exam.

By adopting strategic learning methods and utilising available resources, candidates can significantly enhance their understanding and recall of idiomatic expressions.

This not only boosts exam performance but also sharpens language skills in a broader sense.

Key Takeaways:

  • Contextual Understanding: Relate idioms for IPMAT to real-life scenarios to improve recall and comprehension.
  • Mnemonics: Use mnemonic devices to memorise the meanings of complex idioms more effectively.
  • Visual Learning: Incorporate visual cues in your study routine to make learning stick.
  • Clustering: Group similar idioms together to learn them as thematic sets, enhancing memory retention.
  • Practice with Resources: Utilise free booklets and live classes to practice and reinforce learning continuously.
  • Idioms and Phrases for IPMAT is one of the easiest and scoring sections if approached well.

Read: IPMAT Verbal Ability Preparation Tips

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About the Author

Faculty
Lalita Vishwakarma

Content Writer

Lalita Vishwakarma is a professional content writer with 5+ years of experience in the IPMAT and CUET domain. She specializes in creating accurate, student-focused content based on the latest exam patterns, syllabus, and preparation strategies. With strong subject understanding and research-backed insights, she simplifies complex topics into clear, easy-to-follow guidance, helping students prepare with confidence and clarity.... more

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