Idioms and Phrases
The verbal ability test very often has questions asking students to interpret the meaning of idioms. This test should familiarize you with some of the most common idioms.
Questions
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
He visits his native place once in a blue moon.
- Seldom
- Always
- Very often
- Never
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
The officer took him to task for his neglect of duty.
- dismissed him
- suspended him
- promoted him
- rebuked him
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
He got the loan sanctioned by greasing the palms of the officers concerned.
- By bribing the officers
- By using the RTI
- By pleading with the officers
- By threatening the officers with dire consequences
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
He is known for his gift of the gab.
- He has a talent for speaking impressively.
- He is a bad speaker.
- He suffers from stage fright.
- He is known for his sense of humour.
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
You will have to eat your words if you do not speak cautiously.
- retract your statement
- confirm your statement
- keep your promise
- be humiliated
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
At last he made a clean breast of his involvement in the affair.
- He denied his involvement.
- He confessed his involvement.
- He challenged the authorities to prove his involvement.
- He promised to cooperate if he is given a fair treatment.
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
The trust vote will be an acid test for the government.
- <font face="Arial">Difficult test
</font> - Critical test
- Unavoidable test
- Unnecessary test
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
A good friend will stand by you through thick and thin.
- He will be with you in good times
- He will be with you in both good and bad times
- He will be with you when he needs you
- He will not stand by you at all
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
As soon as they saw the police, the thieves took to their heels.
- They went into hiding
- They fled
- They decided to fight with the police
- They surrendered
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
The Left parties have been opposing tooth and nail the Indo-US nuclear deal.
- With unrelenting force
- By just claiming things without any proof
- Opposing the deal
- They think there are better things to do than this deal
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
His remarks about the country's foreign policies have stirred up a hornet's nest.
- It has invited severe criticism.
- It has been hailed as progressive.
- It has been deemed as unnecessary.
- None of these
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
They at last decided to bury the hatchet and go on with their own lives.
- Pick up a fight and bury the hard feelings
- Stop all hostilities and become friends
- Become estranged and forget about the issues
- Become angry and keep the unresolved issues
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
We should take a leaf out of the books of great men.
- learn some lessons from other people's lives
- snub others and ignore their problems
- imitate others in all their vices
- show disrespect to others
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
I don't know if we could trust him as he plays fast and loose.
- he is very idealistic
- he is a manipulator
- he is very impractical
- he is recklessly irresponsible
Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.
When are you two planning to tie the knot?
- to get engaged
- <font face="Arial">to enter a contract</font>
- <font face="Arial">to get married</font>
- to start a war of tug
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
I was at my wit's end when they told me that they no longer needed my service.
- I lost my temper
- I was very happy
- I was quite upset
- I was sad
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
You can' t expect him to play second fiddle to anyone.
- obey anyone
- respect anyone
- play a subservient role
- please anyone
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
He tried to put a spoke in my wheel, but failed in the attempt.
- to restrict my progress
- to help me
- to reason with me
- to befriend me
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
He was in favour of quitting the job, but his mother put her foot down and he had to give up the idea.
- rebuked him
- tried to reason with him
- admitted that he had enough reason to quit
- took a firm stand
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
Your argument does not hold water.
- doesn't seem credible
- is exaggerated
- is true
- None of these
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
She is a beautiful looking girl with a voice to die for.
- extremely good
- extremely bad
- extremely soft
- extremely rare
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
He saw red when he realised that his son had gotten into bad company.
- became angry
- became embarrassed
- became anxious
- became quiet
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
I was planning to start a business, but he threw cold water on my project.
- encouraged me
- discouraged me
- prevented me
- supported me
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
It was rumoured that many theives were working hand in glove with the police.
- not identified
- have a practical approach
- are working together
- are friends
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
He got the better of his opponent in the wrestling match.
- defeat someone
- be defeated
- part on good terms
- to be no longer on talking terms