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Idiomatic and Phrasal Usage

Test your knowledge of English idioms and phrasal expressions by selecting the correct meanings or identifying appropriate idioms in context.

15 Questions Published
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Questions

Question 1 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

He preferred to watch rather than take sides with the opposing sides

Choose the correct idiom/phrase for the underlined part of the given sentence.

  1. sit pretty
  2. sit on the fence
  3. sit on his hands
  4. sit tight
  5. sit back
Question 2 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

These days sales are hard hit by high interest rates using up the disposable income of people.

Choose the correct idiom/phrase for the underlined part of the sentence.

  1. eating their hearts out
  2. eating out of their hands
  3. eating into
  4. eating them up
  5. eating them alive
Question 3 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

He talked nonstop and none of us could get a word in.

Choose the correct idiom/phrase for the underlined part of the sentence.

  1. talked turkey
  2. talked the talk
  3. talked shop
  4. talked nineteen to the dozen
  5. talked down
Question 4 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

He proved to be quite a wet blanket at the party, for he spoke to no one and sat morosely by himself.
Pick the correct answer for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. he was crying
  2. he was unsocial and didn't mix up
  3. he was feeble and foolish
  4. he was addicted to alcohol
  5. he was immature
Question 5 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Since he knew what would happen, I would let him stew in his own juice if I were you.
Pick the correct answer for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. suffer unpleasant consequences for his own actions
  2. worry about something
  3. imbued with
  4. remain in a stifling atmosphere
  5. state of great anxiety or agitation
Question 6 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

I suspect the fellow lives by his wits as he never opens up with anyone.
Pick the correct answer for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. he is extremely frightened
  2. he allows himself to think calmly and clearly in a demanding situation
  3. he is constantly alert and vigilant
  4. he has no settled means of subsistence, but picks up a living by deceit or fraud
  5. he is overwhelmed with difficulties, and is at a loss as to what to do next
Question 7 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

The member suddenly flew off at a tangent and was promptly silenced by the group.
Select the correct meaning for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. made an irrelevant point
  2. diverging from a previous course or line
  3. made a bad situation worse
  4. enraged the people
  5. challenged the other members
Question 8 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Samuel Johnson never forgave Lord Chesterfield for making him cool his heels in his house.
Select the correct meaning for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. rest after a long walk
  2. wait for a long time
  3. be dominated by
  4. give relief to his heels
  5. wait fruitlessly and at the cost of his dignity
Question 9 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Stephen poking fun at me for my blunder was like the pot calling the kettle back; he had goofed up too.
Select the correct meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. stopping to waste time and getting on with something
  2. a large but distant or imaginary reward
  3. deteriorating through neglect
  4. blaming another for a fault that one has in equal measure
  5. a pot used for food or for cooking
Question 10 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Mary began to suspect that a plot was being hatched against her.

Select the correct answer for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. put the wind up
  2. got wind of
  3. took the wind out of other's sails
  4. was wound up
  5. wound down
Question 11 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

She could talk to him until she was blue in the face , but he was not hearing.
Select the correct meaning for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. was depressed
  2. put all her efforts into doing something,but to no avail
  3. spoke continuously and at great length
  4. got an unexpected and shocking news
  5. she declared her nobility of birth
Question 12 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

It is the time that the government seized the nettle and stopped parleying with the separatists.
Select the correct meaning for the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

  1. overcame the difficulties
  2. became bold and aggressive
  3. dealt firmly and strictly
  4. got a hold of the thorns
  5. seized property
Question 13 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

In the manufacture of dyes, the Germans bear the palm.
Select the correct answer for the underlined idiom in the sentence.

  1. are awarded prizes
  2. have others under their control
  3. dispose of the dyes by fraud
  4. persuade others to accept dyes by deception
  5. are preeminent
Question 14 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

I wonder how his work can ever be approved; it's too shoddy for words.

Choose the correct idiom/phrase for the underlined part of the sentence.

  1. pass muster
  2. pass over
  3. pass for
  4. pass the buck
  5. pass off
Question 15 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

You are sure to get into a scrape if you meddle in his affairs.
Choose the correct idiom/phrase for the underlined part of the sentence.

  1. put a spoke
  2. put a good face on
  3. put your hands up
  4. put your foot in it
  5. put in your mind
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