Idioms and Phrases

The idiom 'a fool's paradise' refers to a state of illusory happiness or false sense of security. It describes someone who lives in a fantasy world, believing things are better than they actually are, often ignoring reality or unpleasant truths.

It means "to tip the office-boy"

The idiom 'take it ill' means to be offended or upset by something someone has said or done. It is typically used when someone takes personal offense at a remark or action, interpreting it as disrespectful or insulting.

To scale up means to measure or weigh something accurately. In older usage, scale referred to weighing instruments, so scaling up was the act of measuring weight. The other options (to kill, to die for, to deepen) are unrelated to the measurement meaning.

It refers to ​think ​slowly and ​carefully about something. 

Dead as a dodo means something that is extinct or completely dead, i.e. obsolete.

In a delicate state means hanging by a hair or in a precarious situation. The phrase hanging by a hair perfectly captures the fragility and uncertainty of a delicate state. The other options (hanging in balance/fire, looming large) either don't convey the precariousness or are misused.

With might and main means with full vigour or using all available strength and energy. The word 'main' here means force or power, so the phrase emphasizes putting complete effort into something. The other options (big blow, hard blow, penetrating) are too literal and miss the idiomatic meaning.

To get at means to reach, access, or gain access to something. The phrase suggests making contact with or arriving at the object in question. The other options (to advance, to proceed, to escape) suggest different types of movement that don't capture the sense of reaching or accessing.

In abeyance means in suspension or temporarily set aside, inactive. The legal term abeyance refers to a state of temporary inactivity or pending status. The other options (in absence, in no time, in a nutshell) represent different concepts entirely - absence, speed, or summarization.

In a jam means in trouble or in a difficult situation. The colloquial usage of jam refers to being stuck or trapped in an unfavorable circumstance. The other options (bad, hindrance, eatable) either don't capture the sense of trouble or are completely unrelated meanings.

To cut a sorry figure means to be ridiculed, humiliated, or appear foolish in front of others. Backbiters (people who speak negatively about others behind their backs) naturally face social consequences and end up being mocked or looked down upon by genuine friends. The other options (nominal head, fight to finish, struggle) don't capture the social humiliation aspect.

'At bottom' means what lies deep inside. So, 'inwardly' is the correct answer.

To burn one's fingers means to incur loss, especially in financial matters, and learn a painful lesson. The speaker lost money through speculative dealing and became penniless. The other options (get into unexpected trouble, burn one's finger literally, get confused) either don't capture the financial loss meaning or are too literal.

To end in smoke means to give no practical result or fail completely despite effort. Just as smoke vanishes without leaving substance, the building project produced nothing tangible. The other options (to fall, to catch fire, ended in destruction) are too literal or suggest different outcomes than the idiom's meaning.

The lion's share means the largest or most dominant portion of something. Leaders often expect to receive the biggest part of rewards or resources. The other options (the stronger one, smaller part, worthy part) don't capture the meaning of receiving the majority portion.

A cipher means a person or thing of little importance, something negligible or insignificant. In office settings, a cipher has no real influence or significance. The other options (peon, small creature, humorous) don't capture the meaning of being unimportant or negligible.

Flesh and blood means human nature or human limitations - what mortal humans can physically or emotionally endure. The phrase emphasizes that normal human beings have limits to what they can suffer or tolerate. The other options (warning, in life, at top speed) don't capture the concept of human nature or mortal limitations.

To 'dash hopes' means to destroy, ruin, or frustrate someone's expectations. The verb dash in this context is used metaphorically to mean suddenly disappointing or thwarting, not literally killing or causing failure.

'Break the ice' is a common idiom meaning to initiate a conversation or social interaction to relieve tension or awkwardness between people who don't know each other well. It doesn't refer to actual ice or conflict.

Globetrotters refers to people who travel frequently to many different countries around the world. The word combines 'globe' (world) and 'trotter' (one who travels), not great persons, foreign countries, or important people.

'Of his own accord' means doing something voluntarily, willingly, or by one's own choice without being forced or compelled. The phrase emphasizes personal agency and voluntary action.

'Hazy ideas' refers to unclear, vague, or confused thoughts. Just as haze reduces visual clarity, hazy ideas lack precision and clarity in thinking. It doesn't mean vulgar, masculine, or dangerous ideas.

'Hanky-panky' refers to trickery, manipulation, or dishonest behavior - often involving subtle deception. The phrase suggests underhanded or playful but deceptive activities, not obsession or diversification.

'Mincing matters' means not speaking directly or plainly - using indirect, overly careful, or evasive language. To mince words is to avoid being straightforward or explicit in communication.