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

Directions: In the given question, the same idea has been expressed in three different ways. Which of the versions is/are grammatically and idiomatically correct?

(A) Some people are simply not to be managers. (B) Some people are simply not cut to be managers. (C) Some people are simply not cut out to be managers.

  1. Only A

  2. Only B

  3. Only C

  4. Both A and B

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

The correct idiomatic expression is 'not cut out to be'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the given question, the same idea has been expressed in three different ways. Which of the versions is/are grammatically and idiomatically correct?

(A) The International Herald Tribune which is co-owned by the Washington Post and The New York Times, is headquartered in Paris. (B) The International Herald Tribune, that is co-owned by the Washington Post and The New York Times, is headquartered in Paris. (C) The International Herald Tribune, co-owned by the Washington Post and The New York Times, is headquartered in Paris.

  1. Only A

  2. Only B

  3. Only C

  4. Both A and B

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

'Which' ought to be preceded by a comma; the opposite is true of 'that'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the given question, the same idea has been expressed in three different ways. Which of the versions is/are grammatically and idiomatically correct?

(A) Eye for eye ends up making the whole world blind. (B) An eye for eye ends up making whole world blind.
(C) An eye for an eye ends up making the whole world blind.

  1. Only A

  2. Only B

  3. Only C

  4. Both A and B

  5. Both A and C

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

Use the indefinite article before 'eye' and the definite article before 'whole world'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

Walking the talk, however, is proving harder for the Tory leader.

  1. Practise what you say.

  2. Take the problem squarely in the face.

  3. Experience is the greatest teacher.

  4. Take decision when the chips are down.

  5. Make hay while the sun shines.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The literal meaning of the phrase 'walking the talk' is available in (1).

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

State governments could also queer the pitch.

  1. Put hurdles on the way.

  2. Jump into the fray.

  3. Help solve the problem.

  4. Prove a stumbling block.

  5. Have skeletons in the cupboard.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Again the literal meaning of the phrase 'queer the pitch' is available in (1).

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

The only way to deal with the analysis paralysis is to ride the tide.

  1. Practise what you say.

  2. Take the problem squarely in the face.

  3. Experience is the greatest teacher.

  4. Take decision when the chips are down.

  5. Make hay while the sun shines.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

If you do things practically, the theoretical problems also get solved easily.

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

Thinking within an accepted tradition is one thing; to challenge the tradition itself is another.

  1. Society needs iconoclasts, not conformists.

  2. Marshalling the notes of a lecture is one experience; the opportunity to argue with a teacher is another.

  3. Traditions are important, but blind faith is abhorrence.

  4. Out of the box thinking is highly valued.

  5. Compartmentalised thinking is often counter-productive.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Learning is not all about mimicking the wisdom of others. It needs to go beyond 'what is established wisdom.

Multiple choice

Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.

It is not enough to be dilettantes in everything without striving also to be craftsmen in something.

  1. One must not be jack of all trades.

  2. One must practise an art till one achieves perfection.

  3. One must try to gain expertise in something or the other.

  4. One has to go deep into things to understand them.

  5. One must try to learn one craft or the other.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The argument states that being a jack of all trades is not enough. One has to be a master of one.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the option that gives the apt meaning of the idiom or phrase.

Not let the grass grow under one's feet

  1. to remain neutral

  2. not related to

  3. unconcerned

  4. waste no time in acting
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'not let the grass grow under one's feet' means to act quickly, remain busy, and waste no time in pursuing a task. If grass grows under your feet, it implies you have been standing still for too long. Therefore, the correct meaning is to waste no time in acting.