Question 1

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To let the grass grow under the feet

Grass takes some time to grow
Grass changes the colour of things
To neglect one's opportunity
Timely action is undesirable

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 2

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

A chip off the old block

A piece of work
An old friend
Characteristics of one's ancestors
A good bargain

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 3

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To hit the nail on the head

Say the right thing
Give someone very harsh punishment
Make a man unconscious
Do the wrong thing

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 4

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To see eye to eye with

To agree
To stare fixedly
To be angry
To take revenge

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 5

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To take somebody for a ride

To provide entertainment
To keep company
To deceive or humiliate him
To exploit a person

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 6

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To frame a person

To befool someone
To make one appear guilty
To praise someone
A narrow escape

Answer

Correct Option: B

Question 7

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To burn one's fingers

To deliberately harm someone
To get injured in an incident
To suffer from meddling in something
To pay a heavy price

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 8

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To get into hot waters

To be impatient
To suffer a huge financial loss
To get into trouble
To be in a confused state of mind

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 9

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

By the rule of thumb

By the use of force
By the use of trickery
By cheating and deception
By practical experience which is rather rough

Answer

Correct Option: D

Question 10

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

A snake in the grass

Secret or hidden enemy
Unforeseen happening
Unrecognisable danger
Unreliable person

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 11

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To wash dirty linen in public

To discuss personal matters of a scandalous nature before unknown persons
To not use the bathroom for washing clothes even when it is provided
To wash clothes when they become dirty
Old and torn dirty clothes should not be washed, but thrown away

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 12

Directions: Choose the correct meaning of the given idiomatic expression.

To throw dust in someone's eyes

To show false things
To make blind
To harm someone
To deceive someone

Answer

Correct Option: D

Question 13

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

From hand to mouth

Something repeated often
Dealing on eatable
One who eats too frequently
To live just on necessities

Answer

Correct Option: D

Question 14

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To worship the rising sun

To honour a man who is coming in power
To honour the promising people
To indulge in flattery
To reverse the natural order of thing

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 15

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

By fair or foul means

Without using common sense
Without difficulty
In any ways, honest or dishonest
Having been instigated

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 16

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To go to the root of a matter

To go deep to know the cause of
To dig the foundation deep
To sow the seeds
To work hard from the beginning

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 17

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To shed crocodile tears

To weep bitterly and long
To express sorrow which appears deep but is not real
To behave like a cunning person
To deceive by tales of misfortune

Answer

Correct Option: B

Question 18

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth

Born in luxury
Born prematurely
Born with defects
Born untimely

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 19

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To put heart and soul into a thing

To make dead alive
To have a lot of sympathy
To put all one's energy into a thing
To make the best use of an opportunity

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 20

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

The pros and cons

For and against a thing
Foul and fair
Good and evil
Former and latter

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 21

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To sail under false colours

To pretend to be what one is not
To hide oneself
To conceal the reality
To undertake an air journey

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 22

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To take to one's heels

To run away
To become fashionable
To move around
To be bold to face serious situation

Answer

Correct Option: A

Question 23

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To blow hot and cold

Changing weather
To be untrustworthy
To be inconsistent
To be rich and poor frequently

Answer

Correct Option: C

Question 24

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

To pour oil in troubled water

To foment trouble
To add to the trouble
To instigate
To calm a quarrel or arguement

Answer

Correct Option: D

Question 25

Directions: Choose the alternative that explains the given idiomatic expression.

A man of straw

Screw crow
A man who can be relied upon
A boastful man
A man of little substance

Answer

Correct Option: D

Description: English Idioms & Phrases Test for those who want to be improve their English skill.
Number of Questions: 25
Created by:
Tags: English UPSC Idioms and Phrases Improvement based on Idioms and Phrases Bank. B.Ed M.Ed MBA

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