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

‘To play second fiddle’ means

  1. to play the violin

  2. to meddle with something

  3. to take a subordinate part

  4. to cheat
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

To play second fiddle means to take a subordinate part.

Multiple choice

Directions: For the word given above the table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (1, 2, 3, 4) with their corresponding usage on the right (a, b, c, d). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usage correctly matched.

EARTHMeaning| Usage| | 1. soil, ground| a. He filled the pot with earth.| | 2. coarse or unrefined| b. The criminal seems to have gone to earth and the police don't know where he is.| | 3. to go into hiding| c. Moving is no problem because all my earthly possessions fit into my car.| | 4. worldly or materialistic | d. His earthy jokes sometimes offend people.|
  1. 1. a
    2. d
    3. b
    4. c
  2. 1. b
    2. c
    3. a
    4. d
  3. 1. d
    2. b
    3. c
    4. a
  4. 1. d
    2. a
    3. b
    4. c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

For usage 'a', 'he filled the pot with earth', the earth refers to the soil, ground, the granular or crumble part of land. Thus, appropriate meaning suited for this term is given in '1'. This possible match or pair is available only in option (1). Therefore, option (1) is correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Identify the correct idiom or phrase to complete the sentence.

The Indian cricket team __________Pakistan cricket team.

  1. beat in pants of

  2. beat pants

  3. beat off the pants of

  4. beat the pants off

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

'To beat the pants off' is an informal expression meaning to defeat someone completely and decisively. In the context of cricket, it means the Indian team overwhelmingly defeated the Pakistan team in a match.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom which is underlined.

Take a leaf out of his book and start practicing to be a more fluent English speaker.

  1. to gain advantage from someone's approach

  2. copy someone

  3. follow someone

  4. not to believe the person
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'take a leaf out of his book' means to imitate or copy someone's behavior, approach, or example. It comes from the idea of taking a page from someone's book to replicate their methods. Option B 'copy someone' correctly captures the essential meaning, though it's less idiomatic than the original expression.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom which is underlined.

One can't treat all the children alike. They are all a different kettle of fish.

  1. not the same

  2. persons of different tastes

  3. persons of different attitudes

  4. not similarly docile
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'a different kettle of fish' means something completely different or distinct from what was previously discussed or expected - it emphasizes contrast and uniqueness. Option A 'not the same' correctly captures this meaning of being fundamentally different from others.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom which is underlined.

I have no time for nonsense. Just give me the lowdown.

  1. the main points

  2. full disclosure

  3. the important details

  4. some clues
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'The lowdown' means the complete, truthful information about something - especially the hidden or confidential details. In this context, the speaker wants full disclosure without any nonsense or evasion. 'Main points' and 'important details' are too general, while 'some clues' suggests incomplete information. 'Full disclosure' best captures the idiom's meaning of complete truth.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, an idiom or a phrases has been given, followed by four alternatives, choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given idiom or phrase.

To turn the other cheek

  1. To sulk and suffer

  2. To respond to violence with violence

  3. To respond to violence with non-violence

  4. To be indifferent to peace overtures
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 To turn the other cheek is usually used to describe the action of a person who does not repond to violence with violence.

Multiple choice

Directions: The given sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

To be a good orator, you don’t have to play to the galleries.

  1. To offend audiences

  2. Appease select audience

  3. To appeal to the public with lower taste

  4. To go prepared to the hall
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 'To play to the galleries' means to please people by doing or saying things that will make people admire you, instead of doing and saying something important.