What are GRE Idioms (Idiomatic Expressions and Phrases Examples)?

Did you know that mastering idioms can significantly boost your GRE verbal score? These expressions often sneak into questions, catching even the most prepared test-takers off guard. Yet, many students overlook idioms, treating them as secondary to vocabulary lists and practice tests.

Here’s the brutal truth: if you ignore idioms, you risk missing out on valuable points simply because you didn’t understand a phrase like “hit the nail on the head.” But here’s the good news—familiarizing yourself with common GRE idioms doesn’t have to be daunting. The same applies to learning all the GRE high frequency words. With a bit of strategic learning, you can gain an edge over this tricky part of the exam.

Worried about the cost of Studying Abroad?

Sign up to access 25 game-changing scholarships that could cover your costs.

Make your dream affordable

What are Idioms and Why Are They Relevant for the GRE?

Idioms are more than just quirky phrases—they carry deeper meanings that can challenge any GRE student. Understanding idioms is essential for answering questions correctly, especially in the Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion sections. For example, the idiom “break the ice” doesn’t literally involve ice; it means to lead or start a conversation, which provides a completely different context in the text. This makes learning idiomatic expressions a key part of your GRE prep. Have a clear idea of the GRE exam fee as well.

Why are idioms relevant for the GRE? Simple—idioms frequently appear in complex language formats, and a good understanding of their meaning can make or break your score. It’s a good idea to include a resource that offers a list of idioms as part of your prep. By focusing on the correct interpretation of these phrases and practicing sentence structures, students can effectively prepare for the GRE’s verbal sections. GRE exam dates have to be kept in mind so that you plan accordingly. We recommend community-based theory guides that explain idioms clearly and provide examples to help in your understanding.

Stuck on How to Pick Your Ideal College?

Sign up to access your tailored shortlist and simplify finding your ideal college.

Find your dream school

Top 20 Idiomatic Expressions Examples and Meanings

There are tons of benefits to GRE exam, and one of it is that you get to learn interesting idioms. When preparing for the GRE, understanding idiomatic expressions can be the key to deciphering complex verbal questions. Below is a list of the top 20 idioms, complete with their meanings and examples, to help you grasp the language nuances that could make all the difference on test day. Understand the fact that GRE has a cancel score as well.

• Break the ice – This phrase is used when someone initiates a conversation or activity that relieves tension in a social setting, helping others feel more comfortable. For example, a joke or small talk can break the ice at the beginning of a meeting.
• Spill the beans – This expression means to reveal secret information, often unintentionally. For instance, if someone accidentally tells a surprise party guest about the event, they’ve spilled the beans.
• Hit the nail on the head – To hit the nail on the head means to say or do exactly the right thing. It’s used when someone perfectly identifies the cause of a problem or gives a precise answer.
• Bite the bullet – This idiom suggests enduring a painful or difficult situation with courage and without complaining. For example, if you have to go to the dentist despite hating it, you’d bite the bullet and go anyway.
• Once in a blue moon – Refers to something that happens very rarely. For example, if you rarely eat dessert, you might say you have cake “once in a blue moon.”
• Piece of cake – This expression is used when something is very easy to do. For example, if you find an exam question very easy, you might say it was a piece of cake.
• Let the cat out of the bag – This idiom means to reveal a secret that was meant to be kept hidden. For example, if you tell someone about a secret plan before it happens, you’ve let the cat out of the bag.
• Burn the midnight oil – This phrase means working late into the night, often to meet a deadline. It can be used when someone stays up studying or working on a project.
• Under the weather – If someone is feeling under the weather, it means they are feeling ill or unwell. It’s a subtle way to say you’re not feeling your best.
• The ball is in your court – This idiom indicates that it’s someone else’s turn to take action or make a decision. For example, after receiving an offer, the decision to accept or reject it is in your court.
• By the skin of one’s teeth – This means barely managing to succeed in something or just avoiding failure by a narrow margin. For instance, if you pass an exam with the lowest possible score, you do it by the skin of your teeth.
• Caught between a rock and a hard place – This expression is used when someone is faced with two equally difficult choices or situations. For example, choosing between two conflicting responsibilities can leave you caught between a rock and a hard place.
• Actions speak louder than words – This phrase emphasizes that what people do is more important than what they say. It’s often used to suggest that someone’s actions will reveal their true intentions or feelings.
• Costs an arm and a leg – This idiom describes something that is very expensive. For example, you might say a luxury car costs an arm and a leg due to its high price.
• Cut corners – Cutting corners means doing something in a way that saves time or money but compromises quality. For instance, if you rush a project and don’t do a thorough job, you’ve cut corners.
• Hit the books – This means to study hard, usually in preparation for an exam or test. If you have a GRE exam coming up, you might tell your friends that you’re going to hit the books this weekend.
• Jump on the bandwagon – This phrase means to join others in doing something that has become popular. For example, when everyone starts following a new diet trend, people say they’re jumping on the bandwagon.
• Keep your chin up – This idiom encourages someone to remain positive and optimistic during difficult times. If someone is going through a tough situation, you might tell them to keep their chin up.
• Miss the boat – Missing the boat means missing out on an opportunity. For example, if you delay submitting a job application and the deadline passes, you’ve missed the boat.
• On the ball – If someone is on the ball, they are alert, efficient, and quick to respond to situations. For instance, a person who anticipates problems and solves them quickly is considered to be on the ball.

See how Successful Applications Look Like!

Access 350K+ profiles of students who got in. See what you can improve in your own application!

Benchmark your profile

Expert Tips To Master Idiomatic Expressions for GRE

Mastering idiomatic expressions is essential for success on the GRE exam, especially for non-native speakers. With years of experience and a focus on concise learning, you’re on the path to improving your score. What’s effective is consistent practice with flashcards, Quizlet, and official GRE prep resources. Idioms, like “he’s on the ball” or “it’s raining cats and dogs,” aren’t something you can literally learn from a textbook—you need to see them in context to fully grasp their meaning. You can also seek the help of the right GRE books for the same.

Don’t worry if you don’t know every idiom yet! Practicing with daily quizzes and understanding idioms in GRE tests will help you master this subject. You’ll notice patterns in idiomatic expressions, making them easier to recognize during the exam. That’s why I’m recommending you focus on scientifically proven methods, like practice tests and spaced repetition, to prepare effectively. Success comes from knowing when and how to apply idioms correctly, ensuring that you don’t get stuck on test day.

Start Your University Applications with Ambitio Pro!

Get Ambitio Pro!

Begin your journey to top universities with Ambitio Pro. Our premium platform offers you tools and support needed to craft standout applications.

Unlock Advanced Features for a More Comprehensive Application Experience!

Start your Journey today

Start your Journey today

Conclusion

Mastering idiomatic expressions is essential for navigating the intricacies of the GRE verbal section. By familiarizing yourself with these common idioms, you’ll not only improve your understanding of complex text but also boost your overall score. Keep practicing, and you’ll find that idioms become second nature, giving you an edge on test day.

Conquer the GRE: Ambitio’s Bootcamp is Your Comprehensive Guide! From quantitative reasoning to verbal skills, our bootcamp covers every aspect of the GRE, ensuring you’re fully prepared.

Stuck on How to Pick Your Ideal College?

Sign up to access your tailored shortlist and simplify finding your ideal college.

Find your dream school

FAQs