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.

idiom meaningsphrase substitutionsunderlined phrase interpretationcommon english expressionsidiomatic error detection

Idioms and Phrases Questions

Multiple choice

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.

The business is going from bad to worse and the owner is just hanging on by his fingernails.

  1. encouraging himself to persevere and not give up

  2. gripping something firmly so as not to fall

  3. waiting for some kind of assistance from someone

  4. just managing to avoid danger or failure

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

The phrase 'hanging on by his fingernails' refers to only just managing to avoid danger or failure. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

The musician wanted to cash in on his popularity by opening a chain of music stores.

  1. to earn profit from something

  2. to get attention due to

  3. to increase

  4. to create an atmosphere of great excitement due to
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'to cash in on something' refers to earning profit from something. Create an atmosphere of great excitement refers to the phrase 'causing quite a stir'. 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.

He was out cold when he was brought into the emergency at the hospital.

  1. out in the cold for long

  2. unconscious

  3. cold due to death

  4. about to die due to cold
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'out cold' refers to someone being unconscious. The others are incorrect meanings of the given phrase.

Multiple choice

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.

In today’s world, poverty and misery always come hand in hand.

  1. happen simultaneously

  2. take control of the situation

  3. happen in close association

  4. one after another
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'hand in hand' refers to something happening in close association.

Multiple choice

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 is always easier to pass the buck than to take responsibility for a failure.

  1. disapprove something

  2. be a chronic complainer

  3. asking for help to solve a problem

  4. to pass the blame to someone else
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'pass the buck' refers to blaming someone else. 

Multiple choice

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.

Sumit has worked very hard, but was paid peanuts!

  1. being paid equally good salary

  2. being paid in peanuts

  3. being given very low salary

  4. expecting continued good fortune
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'paid peanuts' refers to being given very low salary. 

Multiple choice

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.

The doctor reached the hospital just in the nick of time as the patient was being wheeled into the operation theatre.

  1. as soon as

  2. at the last possible moment

  3. at a precise time

  4. when asked for
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'in the nick of time' refers to reaching at the last possible moment.

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.

Everywhere, it’s the juniors who bear the brunt of the management's anger.

  1. suffer the most when something goes wrong

  2. produce positive or successful results

  3. enjoy good fortunes

  4. waste their time due to
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'bear the brunt' refers to suffering the most when something goes wrong. 

Multiple choice

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.

As the finals finished, the students decided to push the boat out and party.

  1. to collect money

  2. pool in for a boat

  3. spend a lot of money to celebrate

  4. ignore all rules and regulations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'push the boat out' means to spend a lot of money to celebrate. 

Multiple choice

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.

  1. With unrelenting force

  2. By just claiming things without any proof

  3. Opposing the deal

  4. They think there are better things to do than this deal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase means to give everything you've got, literally every tooth and nail in your body, to win a struggle.

Multiple choice

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.

  1. It has invited severe criticism.

  2. It has been hailed as progressive.

  3. It has been deemed as unnecessary.

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

To 'stir up a hornet's nest' means to start something that invites attacks or criticism.