Important Idioms and Phrases Questions :
Directions :
In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom / Phrase in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the given Idiom/ Phrase.
1. The teacher’s announcement to conduct a snap test came as a bolt from the blue to many students.
(1) imaginary
(2) unexpected
(3) forbidden
(4) heavenly
2. to fight tooth and nail
(1) to fight a losing battle
(2) to oppose resolutely
(3) to have a physical fight
(4) to lodge a formal protest
3. To be successful in today’s world, we require the gift of the gab.
(1) ability to speak well
(2) good interpersonal skills
(3) divine help and guidance
(4) a fierce competitive spirit
4. He is accused of sitting on the fence.
(1) observing the scene
(2) resting on fence
(3) hesitating which side to take
(4) sitting back and enjoying the fun
5. Winter was so bad that the nomadic tribesmen found it difficult to keep the wolf from the door.
(1) hunt wild animals
(2) escape starvation
(3) get woollen clothes
(4) walk on ice
6. The company has run into a lot of debts.
(1) incurred
(2) settled
(3) opened up
(4) avoided
7. to lose ground
(1) to become less powerful
(2) to become less popular
(3) to lose foundation
(4) to be without a leader
8. The strawberry dessert you made was out of this world.
(1) extraordinary
(2) ordinary
(3) bitter
(4) tasteless
9. to make one’s blood boil
(1) to make somebody furious
(2) to develop fever
(3) to get excited
(4) to make someone nervous
10. His recent statement is an about turn.
(1) a good announcement
(2) a declaration of war
(3) complete change of opinion
(4) a bold statement
11. to make a mountain of a molehill
(1) to make advantage of a small thing
(2) to give great importance to little things
(3) to get into trouble
(4) to see a thing with prejudiced mind
12. To nip in the bud
(1) to stop something at the start
(2) to trim the flowers
(3) to pluck the flowers
(4) to steal from
13. to add fuel to the fire
(1) to make matters bright
(2) to cause additional anger
(3) to bring matters to a conclusion
(4) to start a revolt
14. To carry the day
(1) To postpone to the next day
(2) To bear grudge
(3) To win a victory
(4) To do things in a hurry
15. He is always praised for his gift of the gab.
(1) being lucky
(2) getting something free
(3) talent for speaking
(4) great skill
16. You must admire the way she sticks to her guns.
(1) maintains her opinion
(2) holds on to the pistol
(3) does not let her weapon go
(4) refuses to shoot
17. The administration found it difficult to cope with the striking employees.
(1) move
(2) compromise
(3) handle
(4) subdue
18. to grease the palm
(1) to rub oil on the hand
(2) to lubricate the machine parts
(3) to bribe
(4) to cut the tree
19. He spoke well though it was his maiden speech.
(1) long speech
(2) brief speech
(3) first speech
(4) emotional speech
20. Pass the buck
(1) Exchange
(2) Refuse to accept responsibility
(3)Make some quick money.
(4)Overtake
21. Most parents find it difficult to make both ends meet because of inflation.
(1) to lead a lavish life
(2) to live within one’s income
(3) to live a miserly life
(4) to lead an active life
22. He promised to look into the matter.
(1) to investigate
(2) to question
(3) to peer closely at
(4) to take care of
23. The two famous writers crossed swords with each other on every issue.
(1) fought physically
(2) crossed the road on meeting
(3) took different routes
(4) disagreed
24. We consider the 14th of February a red letter day.
(1) a day to write with red pens
(2) a day marked in red
(3) a day to write letters
(4) an important day
25. Even though the new clerk was given a difficult task, he remained cool as a cucumber.
(1) not nervous or emotional
(2) caught cold
(3) was happy
(4) was scared
