Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 With Meaning

Idioms and Phrases are key components of the CLAT English section, and mastering them can give you a significant advantage over other law aspirants. Understanding these expressions is essential for scoring well, as they often feature in reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and vocabulary-based questions. This article will delve into the definitions of idioms and phrases, highlight the differences between them, and provide an overview of how they are asked in CLAT Exam.

Idioms and Provers for CLAT

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of India’s most competitive entrance exams for National Law Universities (NLUs) admission. CLAT 2026 Exam Date has not been announced yet. However, CLAT 2026 will likely be held on December 7, 2025. As part of its CLAT English Language section often includes questions related to idioms and proverbs. A strong understanding of these can significantly boost your score in this section. Let’s dive into idioms and proverbs, their importance in CLAT 2026, and their key differences.

What is an Idiom?

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning is not deducible from the individual meanings of the words. It often carries a figurative meaning, making it different from its literal interpretation. Idioms are used to convey messages more vividly or expressively. Example: Break the ice- This doesn’t mean literally breaking ice, but it refers to initiating conversation or making people feel more comfortable.

What is a Proverb?

A proverb is a short, commonly known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice. Proverbs are typically passed down through generations and reflect cultural wisdom.

Example: A stitch in time saves nine- It means that taking care of problems early can prevent them from becoming bigger issues.

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Importance of Idioms and Proverbs in CLAT 2026

Candidates must understand that idioms and proverbs play very important part in CLAT Exam and they must learn it during their CLAT Preparation. Here are some reasons why Idioms and Proverbs are important in CLAT:

• Enhances Vocabulary Understanding: Both idioms and proverbs are integral to the English language. Understanding them improves your ability to comprehend complex passages and makes your language skills stronger.
• Test of English Comprehension: CLAT focuses on assessing your command of the English language, including the ability to understand figurative expressions. Idioms and proverbs are frequently tested in this section.
• Helps in CLAT Logical Reasoning: Some CLAT questions may use idioms or proverbs in context, requiring you to deduce the meaning based on the situation or passage, which is crucial for reasoning questions.
• Boosts Reading Comprehension: Recognising idioms and proverbs quickly in reading comprehension passages will help you understand the text better and answer questions more accurately.
• Competitive Edge: Mastery of idioms and proverbs gives you an edge in answering questions faster and more accurately, especially in time-bound exams like CLAT.

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Difference Between Idioms and Proverbs

Candidates can check the difference between Idioms and proverbs below:

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Most Important Idioms and Proverbs for CLAT 2026 with Meaning

Here’s a list of the most important idioms and proverbs that are likely to be asked in CLAT 2026. Understanding their meanings and usage can give you an edge in the exam.

Important Idioms for CLAT 2026

• A blessing in disguise: Something that seems bad but turns out to be good.
• A penny for your thoughts: A way of asking what someone is thinking.
• A piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.
• Add fuel to the fire: To make a bad situation worse.
• At the drop of a hat: To do something instantly, without any delay.
• Bite the bullet: To endure a painful or difficult situation.
• Break the ice: To initiate conversation or start a relationship.
• Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night.
• Call it a day: To stop working for the day.
• Caught between a rock and a hard place: To be faced with two difficult choices.
• Cry over spilt milk: To be upset about something that cannot be undone.
• Cut to the chase: Get to the point without wasting time.
• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: Don’t assume something will happen before it does.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: Don’t risk everything on a single venture.
• Easier said than done: Something that seems easy but is difficult to accomplish.
• Elephant in the room: An obvious problem or issue that everyone is ignoring.
• Every cloud has a silver lining: There’s always something good in every bad situation.
• Face the music: To accept the consequences of one’s actions.
• Hit the nail on the head: To do or say something exactly right.
• In the heat of the moment: Acting impulsively during an emotionally charged situation.
• Jump on the bandwagon: To join others in doing something popular or fashionable.
• Keep your fingers crossed: To hope that something will happen the way you want it to.
• Kick the bucket: To die.
• Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret.
• Make a long story short: To summarise or say something in a brief manner.
• Once in a blue moon: Something that happens very rarely.
• Out of the blue: Something happening unexpectedly.
• Pull someone’s leg: To tease or joke with someone.
• Raining cats and dogs: Raining heavily.
• Spill the beans: To reveal a secret.
• Take the bull by the horns: To confront a difficult situation head-on.
• The ball is in your court: It’s up to you to take the next step.
• The best of both worlds: A situation where you can enjoy the benefits of two different things.
• The last straw: The final problem or difficulty that causes a breakdown.
• Throw in the towel: To give up or admit defeat.
• Through thick and thin: Through all kinds of situations, both good and bad.
• Under the weather: Feeling ill or sick.
• Walking on air: Feeling extremely happy or elated.
• Beat around the bush: To avoid directly addressing a topic.
• Cold feet: To feel nervous or anxious about something.
• The early bird catches the worm: Success comes to those who prepare well.
• Hit the sack: To go to bed or sleep.

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Important Proverbs for CLAT 2026

• A bird in hand is worth two in the bush: It’s better to keep what you have than risk losing it by pursuing something uncertain.
• A chain is only as strong as its weakest link: A group or system is only as strong as its weakest part.
• A fool and his money are soon parted: A foolish person will easily lose money.
• Actions speak louder than words: What people do is more important than what they say.
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away: Healthy habits prevent illness.
• Better late than never: It’s better to do something late than not at all.
• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: Don’t assume you will get something before you do.
• Easy come, easy go: Things gained easily are often lost just as easily.
• Haste makes waste: Acting too quickly can lead to mistakes.
• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: Don’t interfere with something that’s working fine.
• Look before you leap: Think carefully before taking action.
• Practice makes perfect: Consistent effort leads to improvement.
• The grass is always greener on the other side: People tend to think others’ situations are better than their own.
• Time is money: Time should be valued because it’s a limited resource.
• Too many cooks spoil the broth: Too many people involved in something can ruin it.
• What goes around comes around: What you do to others will eventually come back to you.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do: Adapt to the customs of the place you're in.
• You can’t have your cake and eat it too: You can’t have two conflicting things at the same time.
• A penny saved is a penny earned: Saving money is as valuable as earning it.
• Better safe than sorry: It’s better to be cautious than take risks.
• Beggars can’t be choosers: Those in need should accept whatever help is offered.
• Cleanliness is next to godliness: Being clean is morally good.
• Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: Don’t harm those who help you.
• Every cloud has a silver lining: Every difficult situation has a positive aspect.
• You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink: You can offer someone the opportunity to do something, but you can’t force them to do it.

Mastering idioms and proverbs is crucial for excelling in the English Language section of CLAT 2026. Not only do they help improve your vocabulary and comprehension, but they also enable you to understand and interpret complex passages more effectively. By familiarizing yourself with these 50 essential idioms and proverbs, you’ll be well-prepared for the challenges the exam throws your way.

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