Idioms and Phrases

The phrase 'at a stone's throw' is an idiom meaning very close in distance, referencing how far a person can throw a stone. It doesn't mean actually throwing stones or weakening anything - it's purely about proximity.

To cross one's mind means for a thought to suddenly occur or come into someone's mind. 'To occur to oneself' matches this meaning perfectly. 'To ignore' is the opposite, 'To be lost in thought' is different, and option B has a typo and doesn't match the meaning.

To be at ease means to be comfortable, relaxed, or free from worry. 'To be comfortable' directly captures this state. 'To apologise' and 'Do things easily' are unrelated, while 'To take things easy' is similar but more about attitude than current state.

To bury the hatchet is an idiom meaning to make peace and end a conflict or quarrel. The phrase comes from Native American tradition of literally burying weapons. 'To make peace' correctly captures this meaning. 'To kill', 'To crimate' (typo for 'create'? unclear), and 'To avoid' don't match.

To gain ground is an idiom meaning to make progress, become more popular, or advance gradually. 'To succeed slowly and steadily' captures this gradual advancement meaning. The other options are literal misinterpretations or unrelated phrases.

To make both ends meet is an idiom meaning to earn just enough money to cover basic expenses and survive. It refers to making income stretch to cover costs. 'To fulfill the basic needs' correctly captures this meaning of financial survival.

To be in the good books means to be in someone's favor or to be regarded positively by someone. It doesn't refer to actual books or mood - it's about social standing and approval in someone's estimation.

To do something off hand means to do it without preparation, spontaneously, or immediately without prior thought or practice. It refers to improvisation rather than discouragement, hope, or physical reach.

The idiom 'black and blue' refers to the dark bruise marks that appear on skin after being severely beaten. Option B correctly captures this physical meaning. The other options (bitter relations, to pacify, in a mood) are unrelated to the visible effects of physical injuries.

The phrase 'to follow suit' means to do what someone else has done or to act in a similar manner, originating from card games where players must follow the lead suit. Option C precisely states this meaning. Option D 'To follow others' is close but less specific about imitating actions.

The idiom 'to leave someone in the lurch' means to abandon them when they need help most, leaving them in a difficult situation. Option B correctly identifies this meaning of deserting a friend during trouble. The other options are unrelated to abandonment or assistance.

The phrase 'to make the most of' means to use something to its fullest potential or extract maximum benefit from an opportunity. Option A 'To utilise utmost' correctly captures this meaning of thorough utilization. The other options (to hurry, confused, nearly finished) don't relate to maximizing value.

The phrase 'to rise to the occasion' means to step up and handle a challenging situation effectively when it arises. Option B correctly identifies this as meeting an emergency or difficult situation. Option A 'Stand together' suggests unity rather than individual response to challenge.

The idiom 'to turn over a new leaf' means to change one's behavior for the better, often after past mistakes. Option C correctly states this meaning of complete transformation. Option D 'Go to the next page' is a literal misinterpretation - 'leaf' here refers to a page in a book, but metaphorically means starting fresh.

The idiom 'to be under a cloud' means to be under suspicion or viewed with distrust, as if a literal cloud were casting shadows on one's reputation. Option A correctly captures this meaning. Option B 'To be under cover' suggests protection rather than suspicion - the opposite meaning.

The idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' means to reveal a secret that was supposed to be hidden. Option B correctly identifies this meaning of disclosure. The phrase likely originates from marketplace fraud where a cat (worthless) was substituted for a pig (valuable) in a bag.

A 'Fabian policy' refers to a strategy of delaying tactics and avoiding direct confrontation, named after Roman general Fabius Maximus who wore down Hannibal's forces through patience rather than battle. Option A correctly identifies this meaning of postponing decisions. This has nothing to do with Finland.

The phrase 'an uphill task' means a very difficult job that requires great effort, like climbing uphill against gravity. Option B correctly identifies this as a difficult task. Option A 'At the top' and Option C 'To climb' refer to position or action rather than describing the nature of the task itself.

The phrase 'in the blues' means feeling sad, depressed, or melancholic. The term 'blues' in music refers to this emotional state. Option A 'In dumps' correctly captures this meaning of being in low spirits. The other options (confess, exaggerate, confused) are unrelated to emotional sadness.

The idiom 'out of the wood' means to have passed through danger or difficulty and to be safe. When someone is 'out of the wood,' they have successfully navigated a risky situation and are no longer in peril. Option A refers to using force, which is unrelated. Option C means antique, which is incorrect. Option D is too literal.

'The writing on the wall' refers to a warning sign or omen that something bad will happen. It comes from a biblical story where mysterious writing appeared on a wall predicting a king's downfall. Option C 'To signal' is correct as it refers to giving a warning sign. Options A, B, and D are incorrect interpretations.

To 'hit the nail on the head' means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem, or to do exactly the right thing to achieve a desired effect. It means being precisely correct. Option A captures this meaning perfectly. Options B, C, and D are unrelated.

To 'play truant' means to stay away from school or work without permission or good reason. It refers to being absent from duty without authorization. Option B correctly captures this meaning. Options A, C, and D are unrelated to the idiom's actual meaning.

'Above board' means open, honest, and not attempting to hide anything. The phrase comes from card games where players would keep their hands above the table (board) to show they weren't cheating. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are misinterpretations.