Idioms and Phrases Vocab Test

A balancing act is a situation requiring careful balancing of opposing groups, views, or activities. This is the correct phrase in the given context. Market research is a balancing act where the researcher often has to deal with decisions that have conflicting consequences.

To set aside is to declare invalid or overrule something. This is the correct answer in the given context. The Supreme Court set aside the decree of the High Court and dismissed the case.

Someone who is very enthusiastic and who works very hard is known as an eager beaver. This is the correct idiom in this context. The new manager is an eager beaver, always the first to come and the last to leave.

To be put out is to feel vexed or annoyed. This is the correct answer. The journalist was put out when we refused his request for an interview.

This idiom refers to an important or highly-ranked person in a small group or organisation. This is the correct answer. He could easily get a job with a big multinational instead of the small firm he works in, but he enjoys being a fish in a small pond.

A figment of one's imagination is an appearance, event or incident that is not considered to be real but only imaginary. This is the correct answer in this context. Lots of people present saw the shot being fired from the moving car, so it is not a figment of my imagination.

Something intact or unharmed is considered all in one piece. This is the correct answer in this context. Given all the airport delays and bad weather on our way back from Badrinath, we were glad to come back all in one piece.

This is the correct answer. To lose heart is to become discouraged. The rescuers worked hard for the first few days after the massive landslide, but then they lost heart when they were unable to find any more survivors.

This is the correct answer. To raise the ante to increase what is at stake or under discussion in a dispute or conflict. The small country raised the ante in the border dispute with its neighbouring countries by acquiring nuclear weapons.

To bog down is to become stuck and be unable to progress. This is the correct answer. The negotiations between the trade union and the management bogged down because of the paid leave issue.

This is the correct answer. A red herring is an unimportant matter that draws attention away from the main subject. Talking about the religious issue was a red herring- by the politicians to avoid the real problems of the country.

The old boy's network is an informal system through which men are thought to use their positions of influence to help others who went to the same school or university as they did or who share a similar social background. This is the correct answer in the given sentence as the sentence refers to modern times as well. It is necessary to be part of the old boy's network to get a job at the law firm even in these modern times.
The old boy's network is an informal system through which men are thought to use their positions of influence to help others who went to the same school or university as they did, or who share a similar social background. This is the correct answer in the given sentence as the sentence refers to modern times as well. It is necessary to be part of the old boy's network to get a job at the law firm even in these modern times.

This is the ct answer. To be in a precarious state or condition is to hang in balance. Minal's life is hanging in the balance after being hit by the speeding truck.

This is the correct answer as the sentence refers to an indication from the courts. Bench in a court refers to the judge. The idiom sitting on the bench means the judge for the court. There was no indication by the court of who would be sitting on the bench during the important trial.

This is the correct answer. To talk through one's hat is to say something without knowing or understanding the facts. The journalist is talking through his hat about the effects of the disinvestment schemes of the government and does not know what he is talking about.

This is the correct answer. A dead duck is someone in a hopeless situation or condition. Raju Ramalingam is a dead duck because as soon as the police catch him he will have to go to jail for a long time.

This is the correct answer. To be thick-skinned is to be insensitive, not easily upset or hurt. A person who is thick skinned can get involved with the dirty politics of the organisation.

This is the correct answer. To laugh up one's sleeve is to laugh quietly to oneself. We were laughing up our sleeves when we realised that Naman was going to clean the bathrooms before his mother arrived.

To on the rocks is to be in a state of difficulty, to be having problems. This is usually used for a relationship. Thus, this is the correct answer. Anu and Manoj have been married for fifteen years, but lately their marriage has been on the rocks.

This is the correct answer. To hit the books is to study hard. Arindam has been hitting the books regularly before his IAS entrance exams.