Idioms and phrases from THE HINDU editorial “Old rivalries: On Maharashtra’s ruling coalition”

Idioms and phrases from THE HINDU editorial “Old rivalries: On Maharashtra’s ruling coalition”

In Maharashtra, political tensions have been showing up at irregular intervals, particularly within the ruling coalition. The immediate trigger for the latest discord was the appointment of a new leader, which many members felt was done without proper consultation. The coalition has been caught in internal strife for some time now, and there are concerns about whether it can put its house in order before the upcoming elections. The parties involved are trying to recover some lost political ground, but the ongoing disagreements may prove to be a significant cause for strife.

The leadership tried to lay the matter to rest by issuing a public statement, but it seems that some members are still milking the issue for political advantage. One key figure, who had previously burnt his bridges with the leadership, is now being courted by rival factions, further complicating the situation.

1)  Showing up at irregular intervals

• Meaning: Appearing or becoming evident unpredictably or at inconsistent times.

• Example: "The software bug kept showing up at irregular intervals, making it hard to diagnose the problem."

2)  Immediate trigger

• Meaning: The event or action that directly causes or initiates something, often suddenly.

• Example: "The immediate trigger for the protests was the government's sudden increase in fuel prices."

3)  Caught in internal strife

• Meaning: Being involved in internal conflicts or struggles within an organization or group.

• Example: "The company was caught in internal strife, with different departments blaming each other for the failure."

4)  Put its house in order

• Meaning: To organize, clean up, or improve the condition of one's affairs or organization, often after a period of disorder.

• Example: "After years of mismanagement, the new CEO promised to put the company’s house in order."

5)  Recovering some lost political ground

• Meaning: Regaining influence, power, or support that had previously been lost in the political arena.

• Example: "The party is trying to recover some lost political ground by addressing issues that resonate with the public."

6)  Cause for strife

• Meaning: A reason or cause for conflict or discord.

• Example: "The new policy became a cause for strife among the board members, leading to heated debates."

7)  Laid the matter to rest

• Meaning: To resolve or end a dispute, controversy, or issue, so that it no longer needs to be discussed.

• Example: "The official statement from the company finally laid the matter to rest."

8)  Milking the issue

• Meaning: To exploit or take advantage of a situation, often for personal gain or to prolong a controversy.

• Example: "The opposition party is milking the issue for all it's worth to gain public sympathy."

9) Burnt his bridges

• Meaning: To destroy or cut off all chances of returning to a previous state or relationship, often by making a decisive or irrevocable decision.

• Example: "After leaving the company in such a dramatic fashion, he had burnt his bridges and could never go back."