English Language

Idioms and Phrases

524 Questions

Idioms and phrases are expressions where the meaning differs from the literal definitions of the individual words. The questions require identifying the correct meaning of underlined expressions within sentences. Mastering this topic is essential to score well in the English language section of competitive exams.

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Idioms and Phrases Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

He is a bit long in the tooth for playing video games. I think he should play some other games!

  1. reaching old age

  2. bit too old

  3. very young

  4. well past his youth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'long in the tooth' refers to being a bit too old. 'Reaching old age' refers to the phrase, 'getting on in years'. 'Well past his youth' refers to the phrase, 'no spring chicken'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Just before the banks sent him a demand notice for recovering their dues, he did a moonlight flit.

  1. left the place quietly and secretly

  2. paid all his debts

  3. used every possible method to stall the notice

  4. asked his friends for contributing money
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'did a moonlight flit' refers to leaving the place quietly and secretly. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

The waiting customers were ready to bite the head off of the clerk as she kept on talking on the phone.

  1. be very angry with someone

  2. get angry

  3. praise them sarcastically

  4. are frustrated with them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'bite the head off' refers to being very angry with someone.  The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

The avowed intent of the new Prime Minister is to reduce inflation and unemployment.

  1. Secret policy

  2. Public declaration of the objectives or goals

  3. Determination to achieve the target after all the expenses or efforts

  4. Reckless determination
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'avowed intent' refers to the public declaration of the objectives or goals. 'Determination to achieve the target after all the expenses or efforts' refers to the phrase 'at all costs'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

The company executives are reputed for going the extra mile, to resolve customer queries and grievances.

  1. to make more effort than is expected

  2. doing without anybody’s help

  3. showing talent and ability

  4. trying every possibility in order to succeed
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, going an extra mile refers to make more effort than is expected. The others are the incorrect meaning of the given phrase. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

At night, my youngest son is afraid of his own shadows! But, the eldest one is not.

  1. nervous about going out at night

  2. so frightened that he is unable to move

  3. perspires a lot due to anxiety

  4. easily frightened
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'afraid of his own shadow' refers to being easily frightened. 'So frightened that he is unable to move' refers to the phrase, 'scared stiff'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

She, as a lawyer, carries a lot of weight. We should try and get her in our panel.

  1. has the power to make others obey, usually by threatening them

  2. is the one who makes all important decisions

  3. is very influential

  4. does everything convincingly
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'carries a lot of weight' refers to being very influential. 'Has the power to make others obey, usually by threatening them' refers to the phrase, 'cracking the whip'. 'Is the one who makes all important decisions' refers to the phrase 'calls the shots'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

He threatened me that he would call his goons, but I knew that he was a paper tiger.

  1. Person who is in complete control of the group

  2. Person less powerful than he appears to be

  3. Person behind an appearance of gentleness, who is inflexible and determined

  4. Mischievous person
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'paper tiger' refers to a person less powerful than he appears to be.  'Person behind an appearance of gentleness, who is inflexible and determined' refers to the phrase 'hand in a velvet glove'. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

There are days in everyone’s life when one stops and thinks – I am having a bad hair day.

  1. worst day of life

  2. a day where the hairstyle goes awry

  3. day when everything seems to go wrong

  4. best day of life
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'bad hair day' refers to the day when everything seems to go wrong. The others are incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

I dropped him a line while I was in town, hoping to see him.

  1. called upon him

  2. wrote him a letter

  3. made a phone call to him

  4. went to meet him
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'dropped him a line' refers to writing a letter. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

We were so desperate for a room that we decided to take pot luck.

  1. Accept whatever was available without checking its merits

  2. Test our luck

  3. Adopt a firm position

  4. Choose the best one available
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'take pot luck' refers to accept whatever is available without checking its merits. 'Adopt a firm position' refers to the phrase 'take a stand'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

If you indulge in politics at your job, you might have to pay dearly at a later stage.

  1. reap rewards

  2. suffer a lot

  3. endure in return for gaining something

  4. accept responsibility for your actions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'pay dearly' refers to suffering a lot. 'Reap rewards' refers to 'pay dividends'. 'Endure in return for gaining something' refers to 'price you have to pay'. 'Accept responsibility for your actions' refers to the phrase, 'answer for'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Top management universities often cherry-pick their students.

  1. make decisions that require little or no thought because the best option is so obvious

  2. accept just anyone as

  3. make difficult decisions between

  4. choosing with great care and selecting only the best
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'cherry-pick' refers to choosing with great care and selecting only the best. 'Make decisions that require little or no thought because the best option is so obvious' refers to the phrase, 'no-brainer'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

He tries hard to be a good father, a good son and a good brother, but still cannot be all things to all people.

  1. someone considered to be worthless

  2. someone who is physically very strong but not very intelligent

  3. a person who undertakes many different kinds of work

  4. someone who pleases or satisfies everyone
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'all things to all people' refers to someone who pleases or satisfies everyone. 'Someone considered to be worthless' refers to the phrase, 'abbreviated piece of nothing'. 'A person who undertakes many different kinds of work' refers to the phrase, 'jack of all trades'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

Directions: Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

If you do not leave the company of these boys, you will come to a bad end.

  1. lose the good reputation

  2. have to accept responsibility for their actions

  3. have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions

  4. have predictably disastrous consequences
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'come to a bad end' refers to predictably disastrous consequences.  'Accept responsibility for their actions' refers to the phrase, 'answer for them'. 'Accept the unpleasant consequences of your action' refers to the phrase, 'face the music'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.