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

It's easy, once you've got the ..........

  1. aptitude

  2. knack

  3. flair

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

Knack means a skill, aptitude, or ability to do something easily, often learned through practice or experience. 'Get the knack of' is an idiomatic expression meaning to figure out how to do something skillfully.

Multiple choice

He has a ............. for languages.

  1. aptitude

  2. knack

  3. flair

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

Flair means a natural talent, distinctive style, or special aptitude. When someone has 'a flair for' something, they possess a special, often creative or stylish talent for it that sets them apart.

Multiple choice

She showed a natural ............ for the work.

  1. aptitude

  2. knack

  3. flair

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

Aptitude means a natural ability, talent, or capacity for learning, especially in a particular area. 'Natural aptitude' is a common collocation describing innate potential or talent.

Multiple choice

Instead of discussing their problems, they bottle ...... all their anger and resentment.

  1. in

  2. out

  3. with

  4. up

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

The correct phrase is 'bottle up,' meaning to suppress or contain emotions rather than expressing them. This metaphor comes from bottling liquid - containing it under pressure. The context of hiding anger and resentment makes 'bottle up' the perfect choice. Other particles don't work with 'bottle' here.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question. What did the dragon want to do?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Then they both fell asleep.

  1. retire early

  2. go to sleep early

  3. wanted to work

  4. call it a day
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The dragon explicitly states what he wants to do after the spider incident: 'I feel a little weak still, so, if you don't mind, I shall retire early.' This directly matches option A. The other options are not mentioned or implied in the passage.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four given alternatives, choose the correct meaning of the following Idiom/expression:

To smell a rat

  1. To detect bad smell

  2. To misunderstand

  3. To suspect a trick or deceit

  4. To see hidden meaning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'to smell a rat' means to suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being deceitful. Suspecting a trick or deceit is the correct interpretation. It has nothing to do with actual smells or misunderstanding.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that carries the correct meaning of the underlined phrase in the following sentence: High prices are a flea in the ear of a frustrated wife.

  1. Irritating

  2. exciting

  3. difficult

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

The phrase 'flea in the ear' means something irritating or annoying that won't go away - like a flea buzzing in your ear. In the context, high prices are an ongoing irritation to the frustrated wife. It's similar to 'thorn in the side' or 'bugging someone'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that carries the correct meaning of the underlined phrase in the following sentence: Without moral training the youth are good for nothing.

  1. the future

  2. senseless

  3. trained

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

The phrase 'good for nothing' is an idiom that means completely worthless or serving no useful purpose. Among the options, only 'useless' correctly captures this meaning. 'The future' and 'trained' are positive concepts, while 'senseless' suggests irrationality rather than worthlessness.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that carries the correct meaning of the underlined phrase in the following sentence: He is a communist to the skin.

  1. completely

  2. artificially

  3. in pretense

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

'To the skin' is an idiom meaning completely or thoroughly, suggesting something goes to the very core or essence of a person. Saying someone is a communist 'to the skin' means they are completely and utterly committed to communism in their beliefs and identity.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that carries the correct meaning of the underlined phrase in the following sentence: It does not pay to talk tall in high society.

  1. humble

  2. humiliate

  3. boast

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

'Talk tall' is an idiom meaning to speak boastfully, brag, or make grand claims about oneself. The sentence warns that boasting in high society doesn't lead to positive outcomes. 'Boast' correctly captures this meaning of arrogant or exaggerated speech.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that carries the correct meaning of the underlined phrase in the following sentence: It is out of order to celebrate a conspicuous wedding.

  1. improper

  2. proper

  3. great

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

'Out of order' means improper, unacceptable, or not following correct procedure or etiquette. Celebrating a conspicuous (showy) wedding when modesty is expected would be considered improper behavior. 'Proper' is the opposite of what the phrase means.