Idioms and Phrases:
Idiomatic Pairs
of Adverbs
1. Again and again (very often)
* One must
try again and again to achieve one's goal.
2. Once for all (finally)
2. Once for all (finally)
* I
have settled the matter once for all.
3. By and by (gradually)
3. By and by (gradually)
* By
and by he has won three promotions.
4. Over and above (besides)
4. Over and above (besides)
* He was awarded rupees five hundred over and above a shield.
5. Ever and anon (now and then)
* He
comes to me ever and anon.
6. Off hand ( without forethought )
6. Off hand ( without forethought )
* Very
few people can talk on literary topics off hand.
7. By heart ( to commit to memory )
7. By heart ( to commit to memory )
* Our
ancestors used to learn every-thing by heart.
8. Far and wide ( everywhere )
8. Far and wide ( everywhere )
* Mrs.
Gandhi's fame haspread far and wide.
9. Few and far between (very small in number)
9. Few and far between (very small in number)
*
Persons of Tulsi's merit are few and far between.
10. First and foremost (of greatest priority)
10. First and foremost (of greatest priority)
* Our first and foremost duty should be to unite the country as a
whole.
11. Hither and thither (here and there)
11. Hither and thither (here and there)
* The
teacher wandered hither and thither in the class to check the exercise-books.
12. On the spur of the moment (at once)
12. On the spur of the moment (at once)
* He
replied the letter on the of the moment.
13. Off and on (occassionally)
13. Off and on (occassionally)
* I
visit the library off and on.
14. Out and out (completely)
14. Out and out (completely)
* This
book is out and out a standard book.
15.Through and through (completely)
15.Through and through (completely)
*
Seeing the lion, Mohan was frightened through and through.
16. Once and again (repeatedly)
16. Once and again (repeatedly)
* The
teacher told the student once and again to be punctual in the class.
17. To and fro (backward and forward)
17. To and fro (backward and forward)
* The
fox was wandering to and fro in search of food.
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