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: 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.

  1. He denied his involvement.

  2. He confessed his involvement.

  3. He challenged the authorities to prove his involvement.

  4. He promised to cooperate if he is given a fair treatment.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

To make a clean breast of something means to tell or confess the complete truth.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find out the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase from the four alternatives.

A Spartans life

  1. Life of an ascetic

  2. To work together

  3. To continue

  4. A lot of money
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A Spartan life refers to the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, known for its disciplined, austere lifestyle with few comforts. Ascetic describes a life of self-discipline and abstention from indulgence, which matches the Spartan ideal of simple, rigorous living.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find out the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase from the four alternatives.

To sail under false colours

  1. A hypocrite

  2. To extinguish

  3. In prefect situation

  4. To listen with patience
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To sail under false colors means to pretend to be something you're not, originally from ships flying false flags to deceive enemies. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to have virtues or beliefs they don't actually possess, which matches the idiomatic meaning.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find out the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase from the four alternatives.

White elephant

  1. Concise view

  2. Large and expensive

  3. By the way

  4. To be equal to
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

White elephant refers to a possession that is expensive to maintain, difficult to dispose of, and often more trouble than it's worth. Option B correctly identifies this as something large and expensive, though it could also emphasize the burdensome nature of such possessions.