| 1. With open arms | (cordially, warmly) When my cousin came back from England after ten years he was welcomed with open arms by all the relatives. |
| 2. Win laurels | (to win distinction) Dr. Tagore won laurels in the world of literature. |
| 3. White elephant | (anything with less utility and more expenditure) The Public Sector Undertakings have proved white elephants to our economy. |
| 4. Well disposed to | (friendly or helpful to somebody) One is always well disposed to those who are honest and hard working. |
| 5. Writing on the wall | (signal, warning) The factory owner read the writing on the wall and closed down the factory. |
| 6. ‘When the crunch comes | (the moment of decision) Brave persons never despair when the crunch comes. |
| 7. Willy Nilly | (whether one wishes or not) Willy Nilly, she has to agree to the views of her husband all the time. |
| 8. Window shopping | (to look at goods displayed but not for buying) Though I did not have any mind to make purchases, I just went out window shopping in the evening. |
| 9. Wear and tear | (damage caused by use) Wear and tear of the machinery is known as depreciation in accountancy. |
| 10. Weal and woe | (joy and sorrow) We must learn to bear weal and woe of life patiently. |
| 11. Wash hands of | (to have nothing to do) I have washed hands of your affairs because you do not take me seriously. |
| 12. Wide berth | (keep away) We should give a wide berth to bad characters. |
| 13. Will o’ the wisp | (elusive, unreal) To Romantic poets reality appears to be will o’ the wisp. |
| 14. Wry face | (disappointed look) He made a wry face when he was refused admission to the college of his choice. |
| 15. Win hands down | (win easily) Australia won hands down in the Davis Cup finals. |
| 16. Within an ace of | (close to something) When our team was within an ace of victory, Iraq scored a last minute goal to draw the game. |
| 17. Wear the trousers | (dominant) It is Leena who wears the trousers and her husband simply obeys her. |
| 18. Wee hours | (at dawn) The old couple was murdered in the wee hours of the day. |
| 19. With a high hand | (oppressively) He was a king who ruled his subjects with a high hand. |
| 20. Wet blanket | (any person that dampens enthusiasm) The principal proved a wet blanket while the students were on picnic. |
| 21. Wild goose chase | (unprofitable) All the efforts of the government to remove illiteracy in India is like a wild goose chase. |
| 22. Wind fall | (sudden gain) The legacy left by his uncle proved a wind fall for Arnav. |
| 23. Wide berth | (keep away) We should give a wide berth to bad characters. |
| 24. Wrangle over an ass’ shadow | (to quarrel over trifles) Their long friendship ended because they wrangled over an ass’ shadow. |