English Language

Idioms and Phrases

680 Questions
All Idiom/Phrase Meaning 431 Error Detection in Idioms 73 Synonymous Idiom Replacement 58 Idiom Completion 46 Contextual Usage 22 Foreign Origin Phrase Meaning 1 One-Word Substitution 1 Prepositional Phrase Selection 1

Idioms and Phrases Questions

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: My grandfather moved to the country to get away fron the (busyness and confusion) in the city.

  1. white elephant

  2. horse trading

  3. rat race

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

The 'rat race' refers to a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power, often associated with the frantic pace of city life. 'White elephant' refers to a useless possession.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: The young boy (pretended to be asleep) when his friend came into the room.

  1. went to the dogs

  2. put on the dog

  3. served as a guinea pig

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

To 'play possum' is an idiom meaning to pretend to be asleep or dead to deceive someone, derived from the behavior of opossums. 'Served as a guinea pig' means being a test subject, and 'put on the dog' means to behave in a showy way.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: The man who owns the store is (very dishonest).

  1. as crooked as a dog's hind leg

  2. as clean as a hound's tooth

  3. as stubborn as a mule

  4. bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'as crooked as a dog's hind leg' is used to describe someone who is very dishonest or deceitful. The crookedness of a dog's hind leg is metaphorically associated with lack of straightness or honesty. Other options are distractors: 'as clean as a hound's tooth' means completely honest, 'as stubborn as a mule' means very obstinate, and 'bright-eyed and bushy-tailed' means alert and cheerful.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: We had (an exciting and interesting time) at the conference.

  1. a cock-and-bull story

  2. a whale of a time

  3. the best-laid plans of mice and men

  4. a bull in a china shop
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'a whale of a time' means to have an exceptionally exciting, enjoyable, and interesting time. It emphasizes the magnitude of enjoyment. Distractors: 'a cock-and-bull story' is a fabricated or unbelievable story, 'the best-laid plans of mice and men' refers to plans that often go wrong, and 'a bull in a china shop' describes someone clumsy or destructive.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: My supervisor is always angry so I do not like to (get into an argument with) her.

  1. lock horns with

  2. monkey around with

  3. go hog-wild with

  4. make a monkey out of
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Lock horns with' is an idiom that means to engage in argument or conflict with someone, typically someone in authority. It comes from the image of animals like deer or cattle fighting with their antlers/horns. Distractors: 'monkey around with' means to playfully handle something, 'go hog-wild with' means to do something excessively, and 'make a monkey out of' means to make someone look foolish.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: I knew that our company was (supporting someone who could not win) but still we continued to support our candidate in the election.

  1. killing the fatted calf

  2. making a silk purse out of a sow's ear

  3. backing the wrong horse

  4. separating the sheep from the goats
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Backing the wrong horse' is an idiom that means supporting someone or something that cannot win or succeed. It originates from betting on horse racing where you would lose money if you bet on the losing horse. Distractors: 'killing the fatted calf' means celebrating lavishly, 'making a silk purse out of a sow's ear' means trying to make something good from bad material, and 'separating the sheep from the goats' means distinguishing good from bad.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: She was (very much in love with) the junior accountant in her office.

  1. interested in

  2. double dating

  3. head over heels in love with

  4. stealing the heart of
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Head over heels in love with' is a common idiom meaning to be deeply in love with someone. 'Interested in' is too mild, 'double dating' means going out with two couples, and 'stealing the heart' is related but not the same as being in love.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: The young man seemed to be a wonderful person and before long he had (made the young woman fall in love with him.)

  1. become hung up on the young woman

  2. dumped the young woman

  3. found the young woman Mr. Right

  4. stolen the young woman's heart
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'To steal someone's heart' means to make someone fall in love with you. 'Hung up on' means obsessed with, 'dumped' means rejected, and 'Mr. Right' is a term for an ideal partner.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: The boy (had strong feelings of love for) the girl in junior high school.

  1. hit it off with

  2. had a crush on

  3. was attracted to

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

'To have a crush on someone' means to have strong romantic feelings for them, typically used for young or unexpressed love. 'Hit it off' means to get along well, 'attracted to' is too clinical, and 'dated' means actually went out together.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: After dating for three years they finally decided to (get married).

  1. tie the knot

  2. be good together

  3. kiss and make up

  4. get back together
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'To tie the knot' is a common idiom meaning to get married. 'Be good together' means compatible, 'kiss and make up' means to reconcile after a fight, and 'get back together' means to reunite after separation.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: They were very happy at first but after several years their marriage appeared to be (experiencing problems).

  1. getting serious

  2. on the rocks

  3. a match made in heaven

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

The idiom "on the rocks" is used to describe a relationship or marriage that is experiencing serious problems and is in danger of failing. This matches the context of a marriage that was initially happy but later developed issues. The other options are incorrect: "getting serious" refers to relationship progression, "a match made in heaven" means a perfect couple, and "puppy love" refers to young immature love.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: They planned to (get married) in the summer and buy a house together.

  1. pop the question

  2. kiss and make up

  3. hit it off

  4. walk down the aisle together
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

"Walk down the aisle together" is a wedding idiom meaning to get married. The aisle refers to the central walkway in a church or venue where the bride walks during the wedding ceremony. "Pop the question" means to propose, "kiss and make up" means to reconcile after a fight, and "hit it off" means to get along well when first meeting.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: The woman went (on a date where she didn't know the other person) but it wasn't very successful.

  1. on a double date

  2. on a blind date

  3. out with someone

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

A 'blind date' is a social meeting between two people who have never met before. A 'double date' involves two couples, 'out with someone' is generic, and 'going dutch' refers to splitting the bill.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: Although they had some problems in their relationship they worked very hard to (repair it).

  1. split up

  2. get serious

  3. patch it up

  4. get back together
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'patch it up' means to repair or settle a dispute or problem in a relationship. 'Split up' means to end the relationship, 'get serious' refers to increasing commitment, and 'get back together' implies they had already broken up, which the prompt doesn't state.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets: The couple always appeared to be (an ideal couple).

  1. the perfect couple

  2. the one and only

  3. good together

  4. making eyes at each other
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'the perfect couple' is a common idiom used to describe two people who seem ideally suited for each other. 'The one and only' refers to a unique person, 'good together' is a simple description rather than a specific idiom, and 'making eyes' refers to flirting.