English Language

Idioms and Phrases

325 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: In the following question, four alternatives are given for the underlined idiom or phrase used in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom or phrase.

His decision to pull out of the match was taken on the spur of the moment.

  1. Suddenly

  2. After much deliberation

  3. Foolishly

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Taken on the spur of the moment' means 'taking a decision suddenly or spontaneously'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four alternatives are given for the underlined idiom or phrase used in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom or phrase.

He has given up challenging his elder brother as he always came off second best in the wrestling match.

  1. He won

  2. He lost

  3. The match ended in a tie

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 The phrase means 'to be beaten in a contest or arguement'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, four alternatives are given for the underlined idiom or phrase used in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom or phrase.

As a novelist, he has no political axe to grind.

  1. He does not have a strong opinion

  2. He has no interest at all

  3. He is eager to solve the issue

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Having an axe to grind' means to have a strong opinion about something that influences your actions.

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

Sometimes as you change and learn, you might not make immediate progress, but if the fundamentals are correct you can rest assured that as you 'drill for skill' and start to own the procedure, your career will definitely move to new heights (and so will your personal life).

  1. Put in concerted efforts

  2. Pick up the ability

  3. Master the art

  4. Pick up nuances

  5. Practise the craft
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Options (4) and (2) are not related and are eliminated. The sentence is concerned with learning and not 'mastering' an act, hence, (3) is also eliminated. Option (1) might seem correct, but as the question is concerned with 'skill' it would not relates to efforts. Option (5) is the best suited option.

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better' (Samuel Beckett)

  1. Try try again.

  2. Failures are stepping stones to success.

  3. Failures are learning experiences.

  4. Learn from your mistakes.

  5. Experiences incubate perfection.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The key to this answer is in the last expression, 'Fail better'. This implies that we should learn from our failures and not commit the same mistakes again. This crux is only justified in option (4).

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

The only way to deal with the analysis paralysis is to ride the tide.

  1. Practise what you say.

  2. Take the problem squarely in the face.

  3. Experience is the greatest teacher.

  4. Take decision when the chips are down.

  5. Make hay while the sun shines.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Unless you ride the tide or face the actual difficulty, you cannot solve it.

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

India is sue generis.

  1. India follows the general trend.

  2. India follows the gospel truth.

  3. The Indian miracle is here to stay.

  4. India's growth experience is a broad brush phenomenon.

  5. Indian growth story is one of its own kind.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

'Sue generis' means one of its kind, i.e. unique.

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

Walking the talk, however, is proving harder for the Tory leader.

  1. Practise what you say.

  2. Take the problem squarely in the face.

  3. Experience is the greatest teacher.

  4. Take decision when the chips are down.

  5. Make hay while the sun shines.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The literal meaning of the phrase 'walking the talk' is available in (1).

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

State governments could also queer the pitch.

  1. Put hurdles on the way.

  2. Jump into the fray.

  3. Help solve the problem.

  4. Prove a stumbling block.

  5. Have skeletons in the cupboard.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Again the literal meaning of the phrase 'queer the pitch' is available in (1).