Reading a newspaper is one of the best ways to learn any language. Especially when you’re trying to improve your English, newspapers play a vital role. With a wide range of sentence structures, expressions, and vocabulary, daily news helps strengthen your language skills naturally.
But many of us find it difficult to understand certain idioms & phrases from newspapers. These expressions often carry deeper meanings that are not immediately obvious.
So here is our simple attempt to decode those idioms used in daily newspapers headlines and articles. To make your learning easier, richer, and more enjoyable. Let’s learn those phrases and idioms used in today’s news – 18th November 2025.
Idioms & Phrases from Newspapers – 18th November 2025
Shoot up
Where it appeared: This phrase appeared in a Hindustan Times article discussing the sudden increase in Mumbai’s auto-rickshaw fares after a technical issue affected CNG supply.
Original news line: “The report stated, “Mumbai auto fares shoot up as disruptions hit CNG supply.”
Meaning: Rise very quickly or sharply
How to use: “After the announcement, prices shot up overnight.”
City-wide chaos
Where it appeared: This phrase was used in a Hindustan Times story highlighting how the CNG pipeline disruption led to widespread confusion and long queues across Mumbai.
Original news line: “The article explained that the CNG shortage “triggered city-wide chaos for commuters.”
Meaning: Disorder or confusion affecting the entire city
How to use: “The protest caused city-wide chaos, bringing traffic to a standstill.”
Die in crash
Where it appeared: This line appeared in multiple national news outlets covering the tragic bus-tanker collision involving Indian pilgrims travelling in Oman
Original news line: The headline reported, “42 Indians die in crash after bus collides with tanker.”
Meaning: To lose life in an accident
How to use: “Several people died in the crash on the highway.”
Lone survivor
Where it appeared: This phrase was featured in the same accident coverage reported by The Indian Express, focusing on the one person who escaped the fatal crash.
Original news line: The report mentioned, “One passenger emerged as the lone survivor of the deadly accident.”
Meaning: The only person who survives a dangerous or fatal event
How to use: “He was the lone survivor of that tragic accident.”
Back-to-back wins
Where it appeared: This phrase appeared in the sports section of Hindustan Times, covering rider Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia’s performance in consecutive MotoGP races.
Original news line: The article stated that the victory “gave Aprilia rare back-to-back wins this season.”
Meaning: Wins in two consecutive events
How to use: “They secured back-to-back wins this season.”
Systematic attempt to end
Where it appeared: This phrase was used in The Hindu while reporting accusations surrounding mass deletions in the MGNREGA job-card database.
Original news line: The report included a statement saying the deletions appear to be “a systematic attempt to end the rural employment scheme.”
Meaning: A deliberate, organized effort to terminate something
How to use: “There seems to be a systematic attempt to end the programme.”
Highly unusual
Where it appeared: This line appeared in the same Hindu report, quoting officials who questioned the sudden spike in deleted MGNREGA job cards.
Original news line: The article described the deletion pattern as “highly unusual, given the timing and volume.”
Meaning: Very strange or abnormal in a way that attracts attention
How to use: “It is highly unusual for so many names to be removed in one month.”
Hunt them down … even from depths of patal
Where it appeared: This phrase was quoted in NDTV while reporting Home Minister Amit Shah’s response to a recent blast and his promise to take severe action.
Original news line: “‘The coverage quoted him saying, “We will hunt them down, even from the depths of patal, and punish them.”
Meaning: To pursue relentlessly, even if someone hides very deeply (“patal” = underworld)
How to use: “The authorities promised to hunt them down even from the depths of patal.”
Vows strict action
Where it appeared: This appeared in the same NDTV political report covering Amit Shah’s statement after the attack.
Original news line: The article mentioned that the Home Minister “vows strict action against those responsible.”
Meaning: Promises to punish or deal very severely
How to use: “The company vows strict action against any data breach.”
Close to being finalized
Where it appeared: This phrase featured in The Hindu BusinessLine in a story about ongoing India–US trade negotiations.
Original news line: “The news report said, “The first phase of the India–US trade deal is close to being finalised.
Meaning: Almost completed
How to use: “Our agreement is close to being finalized.”
If you enjoyed learning these idioms and want to explore more, check out my recent post on 25+ Powerful Idioms for Exercise and Fitness.