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IT is never a wise idea to get into an argument. Yet, at times, one is unavoidable. To be effective in an argument, one has to structure it properly. While, some idioms help in doing this, others are useful is describing arguments accurately. On the one hand. On the other hand: these two terms are used to describe two different ways of looking at the same issue. On the one hand, TV is harmful for children because it discourages the reading habit. On the other hand, it is useful as an educational tool. Be that as it may: to say that you accept that something is true but is still doesn’t change your opinion. I agree that there are many career options before the youth today. Be that as it may, most still opt for engineering or medicine. In a nutshell: to describe something as briefly as you can. Radhika wants to keep her job, but her husband wants her to quit. That, in a nutshell, is why they quarrel so often these days. Pros and cons: advantages and disadvantages of a situation. I have driven a motorcycle all my life but now I am seriously considering the pros and cons of going in for a car. Vicious circle: a problem that cannot be solved because it causes another problem which in turn causes the first problem again. People who are nervous while facing interviews, tend to fumble while giving answers and then because they fumble, they become even more nervous. It is a vicious circle. Open a can of worms: cause a lot of trouble for yourself. When the newspaper published reports of the involvement of the chief minister’s son in the hit-and-run case, it unwittingly opened a can of worms. Acid test: the key test which proves the value, quality or truth of something. Critics have liked the film, but the acid test of its popularity would be the box office. Other side of the coin: a different and usually opposite view of a situation that you have previously talked about. Many engineers in the Silicon Valley have made it to the millionaires club, but the other side of the coin is the long hours of work they have to put in. Tie yourself up in knots: become confused trying to explain something. My physics teacher ties himself up in knots trying to explain complex theories. Brought/called to account: forced to explain your actions and probably be punished. Many voices in the media are demanding that all those involved in the Telgi scam should be called to account. Give someone the benefit of doubt: believe something good about someone, rather than something bad when you have the option of doing either. I think my maid stole my watch, but since I do not have proof, I would give her the benefit of doubt. Go round in circles: make no progress in an argument or discussion. For want of conclusive proof, the hearing in the murder case kept going round in circles. Won’t budge/give an inch: refuse to change your opinion or agree to even small changes that another person wants. I keep asking my parents to increase my curfew time, but they won’t budge an inch. Exercise Which idioms best fit in with these situations: You talk to your friend about the advantages and disadvantages of quitting your job and moving to another town. You feel that your mother is too strict with you so you rebel against her rules and this makes her even stricter. At the end of a debate, the speaker sums up his argument in a few sentences. A cola company comes up with a new drink and sells it in the market for the first time to judge its popularity. A huge sum of money is found missing and the head of the accounts section is called to explain where it has gone. The meeting has been on all day, but in the absence of new ideas, the participants keep going over the same ground. The negotiations have reached a dead end because neither side is willing to make any concessions. I think the prank my students played on me today was Rahul’s idea, but since I don’t know for sure, I am not going to scold him. (Reference: Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms) |
