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 question given below, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

This priceless bracelet was handed down by my mother-in-law to me.

  1. submitted

  2. distributed

  3. returned

  4. passed on

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

This is the correct option as the phrase “handed down” here implies the priceless bracelet was passed on by my mother-in-law to me.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question given below, 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 salesman was forced to leave the company with his tail between his legs after he told a lie about his sales figures.

  1. feeling of humiliation

  2. without any show of emotion

  3. after being severly insulted

  4. chased away

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

With one's tail between one's legs means feeling beaten or humiliated like a frightened or defeated dog as it walks away. This is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question given below, 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 mother drew a blank when she asked her teen aged son about his plans for the weekend.

  1. showed unconcern

  2. planned something

  3. got no response

  4. gave no response

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. It means to get no response from someone when you ask him or her a question.

Multiple choice

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

Anil walks so fast that it is difficult to keep up with him.

  1. resolve differences with

  2. stay at the same level with

  3. meet and unite with

  4. participate with

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as the phrase “keep up with“ implies to ‘stay at the same level with’ him.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question given below, 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 entered the contest with little hope of success but our team came up trumps and we won the trophy.

  1. to have a better performance than expected

  2. to give the best shot at something

  3. to make the best effort

  4. to do anything necessary to prove a point

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. To come up trumps is to complete something well or successfully, to have a better performance or outcome than is expected

Multiple choice

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

According to the police, the burglars broke into the house when the family was away on vacation.

  1. escaped from captivity easily

  2. entered easily without using any force

  3. escaped from the place by force

  4. entered by force

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

This is the correct option as to ‘break into’ implies to enter by force. Here, the burglars entered into the house by force, when the family was away on vacation.

Multiple choice

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

For security checks, please check in one hour before the scheduled departure.

  1. contribute generously

  2. register at the airport

  3. pay bills at the airport and leave

  4. present oneself or volunteer

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as to ‘check in’ at the airport implies to register at the airport for security checks one hour before the scheduled departure.

Multiple choice

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

My mother frowns upon us eating between meals as it spoils our appetite.

  1. to refuse permission for something

  2. to disapprove of something

  3. to consider something as unacceptable

  4. to countermand something

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as to “frown upon” implies to disapprove something, by considering it bad or wrong. Here it is considering eating between meals as bad. 

Multiple choice

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

Raman had to work extra hard for the project because a few team members were not pulling their weight.

  1. To put off their work

  2. To concentrate on their work

  3. To do your share of the work

  4. To leave the work in between
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pulling your weight means to do your share of the work.

Multiple choice

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

Raj was not playing with a full deck when he brought home an elephant.

  1. Lack of enthusiasm

  2. Lack of interest

  3. Lack of frank conversation

  4. Lack<font size="2"> of</font> intellectual ability
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option 4 is correct. Raj was lacking intellectual ability when he brought the elephant.

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, 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 rumours spread against celebrities must be taken with a pinch of salt as media doesn't always reveal the truth.

  1. To add salt to one's meal

  2. To be doubtful about

  3. To consider immature

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

Take with a pinch of salt means to listen to an explanation with considerable doubt. The rumours spread against celebrities must be listened with considerable doubt.

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.

Claiming innocence, he stood his ground in spite of the repeated accusations from the opposition.

  1. Remained standing on the ground

  2. Maintain one’s position and refuse to yield

  3. Tried everything possible

  4. Fought with energy and determination
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase, 'stood to his ground' refers to maintaining one’s position and refusing to yield. 'Fought with energy and determination' refers to the phrase, 'fighting tooth and nail'. The others are the incorrect meanings of the given phrase.