Effectiveness Revisited

Effectiveness revisited

explore all avenues	If you explore all avenues, you try out every possibility in order to obtain a result or find a solution. We can't say it's impossible until we've explored all avenues.
fast track something	If you decide to fast track something, such as a task or project, you give it high priority so that the objective is reached as quickly as possible. In view of the number of homeless, it was decided to fast track the construction of low-cost housing.
fine-tooth comb	To go over something with a fine-tooth comb means to examine it closely and thoroughly so as not to miss any details. The police are examining the scene of the crime with a fine-tooth comb.
get it down to a fine art	When you learn to do something perfectly, you get it down to a fine art. Entertaining her husband's business associates is not a problem for Jane;  she's got that down to a fine art!
get one's act together	If you get your act together, you organize your affairs better than you have done previously and deal with things more efficiently. Jack's plan won't work unless he gets his act together.
get off the ground	If you get something off the ground, you put it into operation after having organized it. After a lot of hard work, we finally got the campaign off the ground.
get ducks in a row	If you get your ducks in a row, you get things well organized. We need to get our ducks in a row if we want our project to succeed.
get the show on the road	If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show on the road. OK, we've got all we need, so let's get the show on the road.
go the extra mile	If you go the extra mile, you do more than what is expected of you. You can count on Tom; he's always willing to go the extra mile.
go to (great) pains (or lengths)	When trying to achieve something, if you go to great pains or great lengths, you do everything that is possible in order to succeed. The two parties went to great lengths to reach an agreement.
half the battle	This expression refers to a significant part of the effort or work needed to achieve something. We've already obtained a loan for the project - that's half the battle!
think on your feet	A person who thinks on their feet is capable of adjusting rapidly to new developments and making quick decisions, Good lawyers need to be able to think on their feet when pleading a case.
not let grass grow under feet	If someone does not let the grass grow under their feet, they do not delay in getting something done. As soon as he received the permit, he started to build.  He never lets the grass grow under his feet!
keep your fingers on the pulse	If you keep a finger on the pulse, you are constantly aware of the most recent events or developments. A successful investor keeps his finger on the pulse of international business.

Efficiency Reloaded

Continuing with our theme of Efficiency, Here are a few more Idioms to showcase Efficiency

explore all avenues	If you explore all avenues, you try out every possibility in order to obtain a result or find a solution. We can't say it's impossible until we've explored all avenues.
fast track something	If you decide to fast track something, such as a task or project, you give it high priority so that the objective is reached as quickly as possible. In view of the number of homeless, it was decided to fast track the construction of low-cost housing.
fine-tooth comb	To go over something with a fine-tooth comb means to examine it closely and thoroughly so as not to miss any details. The police are examining the scene of the crime with a fine-tooth comb.
get it down to a fine art	When you learn to do something perfectly, you get it down to a fine art. Entertaining her husband's business associates is not a problem for Jane;  she's got that down to a fine art!
get one's act together	If you get your act together, you organize your affairs better than you have done previously and deal with things more efficiently. Jack's plan won't work unless he gets his act together.
get off the ground	If you get something off the ground, you put it into operation after having organized it. After a lot of hard work, we finally got the campaign off the ground.
get ducks in a row	If you get your ducks in a row, you get things well organized. We need to get our ducks in a row if we want our project to succeed.
get the show on the road	If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show on the road. OK, we've got all we need, so let's get the show on the road.
go the extra mile	If you go the extra mile, you do more than what is expected of you. You can count on Tom; he's always willing to go the extra mile.
go to (great) pains (or lengths)	When trying to achieve something, if you go to great pains or great lengths, you do everything that is possible in order to succeed. The two parties went to great lengths to reach an agreement.
half the battle	This expression refers to a significant part of the effort or work needed to achieve something. We've already obtained a loan for the project - that's half the battle!
think on your feet	A person who thinks on their feet is capable of adjusting rapidly to new developments and making quick decisions, Good lawyers need to be able to think on their feet when pleading a case.
not let grass grow under feet	If someone does not let the grass grow under their feet, they do not delay in getting something done. As soon as he received the permit, he started to build.  He never lets the grass grow under his feet!
keep your fingers on the pulse	If you keep a finger on the pulse, you are constantly aware of the most recent events or developments. A successful investor keeps his finger on the pulse of international business.

Effectiveness and Efficiency

Efficiency or capacity to get work done in less amount of time or efforts and effectiveness the capability to produce desired results are terms very often used and confused in our day to day life.
Many a times different idioms are used to highlight efficiency or Lack of it.
Here are a few idioms on efficiency.

acid test	To refer to something as' the acid test' means that it will prove how effective or useful something is. The training course was very interesting but the acid test will come when I start my new job.
(whole) bag of tricks	If you use your (whole) bag of tricks to do something, you try (all) the clever methods you know in order to succeed. Let's call on George and his bag of tricks; maybe he can help us solve the problem.
on the ball	If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to deal with things quickly and intelligently. We need someone who is really on the ball to head the fund-raising campaign.
to the best of one's ability	When someone does something to the best of their ability, they do it as well as they possibly can. I felt nervous all through the interview, but I replied to the best of my ability.
kill two birds with one stone	If you kill two birds with the one stone, you succeed in doing two things at the same time. By studying on the train on the way home, Claire kills two birds with one stone.
take the bull by the horns	To take the bull by the horns means that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem. When the argument turned into a fight, the bar owner took the bull by the horns and called the police.
can't hold a handle to	If one person can't hold a candle to another, they are much less competent or do not perform as well as the other. John is very intelligent but he can't hold a candle to his brother Paul when it comes to sports.
chase your (own) tail	Someone who is chasing their (own) tail is spending a lot of time and energy doing many things but achieving very little. He's been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still  not ready.
like clockwork	To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like clockwork means that everything happens exactly as expected. Meals are always served on time.  In their home everything runs like clockwork.
cut the ground from under feet	When someone cuts the ground from under another's feet, they do something which weakens their position or spoils their plans. When we launched the new product, we cut the ground from under our competitors' feet.
dab hand at something	If you're a dab hand at something, you're very good at doing it. Why don't you call Suzy? She's a dab hand at organizing barbecues.
deliver the goods	If a person delivers the goods, they do what is expected of them or what they have promised to. Let's hope that new whiz-kid the boss hired can deliver the goods!
do nothing by halves	When a person does everything they are engaged in completely and thoroughly, they are said to do nothing by halves. When she cooks, it's a four-course meal - she does nothing by halves!
do the trick	If something does the trick, it does exactly what is needed, or achieves the desired effect. Another coat of paint should do the trick.

Phrasal Verbs

  

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and preposition, a verb and an adverb, or a verb with both an adverb and a preposition. A phrasal verb has a meaning which is different from the original verb. That's what makes them confusing. A few Phrasal Verbs are mentioned here for your understanding and usage.

1. Go on – continue; stop saying those things; not so; I don’t believe you. (Also literal).

I wish class would finish, but my professor’s lecture just keeps going on and on and on!

Jenny: I saw Seung-min steal 40,000 won! Tim: Go on! I’ve known Seung-min for 5  years and I know he wouldn’t do such a thing.

2. Carry out – to perform a task; to perform an assignment. (Also literal.)

The next step involves staff learning complex commands to tell the machine to carry out a sequence of tasks.

 Grandma, let me help you carry out the boxes to the car.

3. Set up – to establish someone as something; to help establish; to provide something  for someone to start up something

After the dictator lost control of the country a new government needed to be set up.

My father gave me some money to help me start up my new business.

4. Pick up – to clean; to learn/obtain; to get busy; to go faster

The truck picked up momentum as it rolled down the mountain.

I picked up the toys from the floor and returned them to the toy box.

It took me 3 months to learn to play that song, but my brother picked it up in 2 days!

5. Go back – to return to one’s origin/previous location; to break a promise

He was an artist and his only dream was one day to go back home and paint.

I'd rather die than go back out the way I was.

My friend really hurt my feelings when he went back on his promise and told everyone my  secret.

6. Come back –to (have) return(ed) to one’s origin/previous location; to retort; a return success

I'll wait until you come back, and then we can do it together.

Whenever someone says something rude to me I can never come back with a good comeback.

7. Go out – to try out for something (usually sports); to go out of fashion; to go out with someone for entertainment; to date someone. (Also literal.)

When couples start dating they usually go out on the town and have dinner, watch a movie, or other such activities.

When I was in 10th grade I wanted to play for the school soccer team so I went out for it and made the team.

I hated the mullet hair style. I am so glad that it has gone out of fashion!

8. Point out – to select or indicate someone or something (from a group).

Most of these rules, I should point out, were created to protect you.

The victim pointed out the criminal from a police lineup.

9. Find out - discover; learn of; to discover facts about someone or something; to learn a fact

She will find out whether or not Geoffrey has accepted her as a student.

One of the best ways to learn is to find out how other people do things.

10. Come up – to happen unexpectedly. (Also literal.)

I planned on visiting you last night, but something came up and I was unable to visit.

When snorkeling I can only stay underwater for 1 minute and then I must come up for air.

Analogies : : ART

Analogy based questions are considered difficult in Verbal Aptitude section of all the exams. One of the reasons for this is the connection of one word with the other. We need to know the meaning of both the words as well as understand the relationship too.

In this section, we will see a few words related with a theme.

Every time we will consider a theme and the different words which may be used from the theme.

Theme of the day is  ART .

Appliqué: cut-out decorative design sewn on a cloth 
Batik: hand-dyed patterns on fabric
Calligraphy: highly decorative hand-writing
Cartoon: humorous sketch or drawing
Collage: artwork using various materials
Ceramics: manufacturing of work of arts by firing of earth ware, porcelain or brick
Chase (v): to decorate metal by engraving
China: delicate porcelain ware such as cups and plates
Crocheting: knitting with a hooked needle
Crockery: earth ware plates, cups etc.
Damascening: craft of making gold inlays
Daguerreotype: early form of silver plate photography which is now obsolete
Decoupage: decorating surfaces with paper cut outs
Embossing: decorating surfaces with raised ornamentation
Engraving: cutting of designs into hard surface
Etching: making designs on a metal plate or glass by the corrosive action of acid
Filigree: ornamental work of delicate, intricate design with thin metal wire
Firing: baking ceramic objects in hot oven
Gild (v): to cover a surface with a thin layer of gold
Holography: three-dimensional photography using split laser beam
Ikebana: Japanese art of arranging flowers in artistic designs
Intaglio: Engraved design on a plate surface
Lapidary: gem cutting
Lace: a delicate fabric made of yarn: gold or silver ornamental braid
Logo: a name, symbol or a trademark
Montage: a single pictorial composition made by juxtaposing many pictures or designs
Origami: Japanese decorative art of creating shapes by folding paper
Papier-Mâché: decorative object made from pulped paper
Parquet: art work on floor made with an inlay of wood of different colors
Pottery: clay objects hardened by heat
Rebus: a representation of words in the form of pictures
Refractory: having high heat resistance
Sampler: cloth with decorative embroidery
Serigraphy: screen printing on silks
Silhouette: an out line that appears dark against a light back ground
Still-life: photo graph of inanimate objects
Stone ware: high fired clay pottery
Tapestry: heavy decorative cloth hung on a wall
Terra cotta: hard, brown-red unglazed earthen ware
Veneer: a thin layer of finely grained wood over another surface

Analogies

Analogy based questions are considered difficult in Verbal Aptitude section of all the exams. One of the reasons for this is the connection of one word with the other. We need to know the meaning of both the words as well as understand the relationship too.

In this section, we will see a few words related with a theme.

Every time we will consider a theme and the different words which may be used from the theme.

To begin with we have a theme Theater for today.

Terms Associated with Theater

Acrobat: expert performer of physical feats

Act: a major division of a play

Amphitheater: a round, outdoor space with raised steps around a stage

Apron: section of stage floor closest to audience

Aside: actor’s lines spoken to audience, not to other actors

Audition: brief trial performance held to appraise an actor’s musician’s talent or suitability

Auditorium: room, hall or building used for performances

Backdrop: curtain painted as scenery hung at the rear of the stage

Backstage: wings, dressing rooms and other areas out of the audience view

Barnstormer: traveling actor

Bill: performance or piece shown in the theater

Burlesque: satire, a variety entertainment featuring comic skits, striptease or magic

Cabaret: dancing, skits performed in a bar or a café

Cameo: small role played by a famous actor

Cast: a set of actors in a play

Chorus: a group of singers

Circuit: locations at which a touring company gives dramatically performances

Circus: traveling troupe of acrobats, clowns and trained animals

Contortionist: circus acrobat capable of assuming unnatural positions

Costume: an actor’s dress

Cue: a word or phrase or action signaling an actor’s line, entrance or exit

Debut: an actor’s first performance

Denouement: final resolution of a story’s plot

Diva: leading woman singer in a grant opera

Ensemble: a group of actors performing together

Epilogue: brief section at the conclusion of a play

Extra: an actor in a minor, non-speaking role

Farce: low comedy based on absurd situation

Finale: final scene or musical number of a performance

Harlequin: masked, comic character

Histrionic: acting in a highly theatrical and in a exaggerated style

Impresario: manage or director of a theater company

Improvisation: unrehearsed or impromptu performance

Intermission: interval between acts

Masque: elaborate costume play

Melodrama: dramatic form that exaggerate emotions

Mime: actor who uses gesture and bodily movements to silently portray a character

Monologue: speech delivered at length by one actor

Mug: to make exaggerated, often comic, facial expression while acting

Musical: light dramatic entertainment featuring musical interludes

Pantomime: performance without spoken words

Plot: arrangement of narrative events in a play

Premiere: first performance of a play

Preview: performance of a play before its official opening

Prima Donna: principal woman singer

Prompt: to supply an actor with a forgotten line

Repertoire: stock of plays performed by a company

Revue: series of comic kits, songs, dances

Scenario: outline of a play’s action

Scene: uninterrupted action within a play

Skit: short, informal comic piece

Slapstick: low comedy dependant ob physical humor

Soliloquy: monologue expressing a character’s inner thoughts addressed to the audience

Stooge: comic foil

Tableau: stage pictures created by actors posing motionless

Thespian: an actor

Troubadour: wandering medieval singer

Understudy: actor versed in another’s part, ready to step in if needed

Usher: theater attendant who guides audience members to their seats

Vaudeville: theatrical entertainment that features a variety of performance

Vaudevillian: performer of comic roles

We will be sharing words with other themes alternatively.