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Idioms and Phrases

Description: The verbal ability test very often has questions asking students to interpret the meaning of idioms. This test should familiarize you with some of the most common idioms.
Number of Questions: 25
Created by:
Tags: English MBA Bank PO Vocabulary Grammar
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Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

He visits his native place once in a blue moon.

  1. Seldom

  2. Always

  3. Very often

  4. Never

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'Once in a blue moon' refers to something happening very rarely. Seldom too means something that happens rarely or not too often. No other option fits...never is too extreme.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

The officer took him to task for his neglect of duty.

  1. dismissed him

  2. suspended him

  3. promoted him

  4. rebuked him

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The phrase 'took to task' means to scold someone angrily or severely.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

He got the loan sanctioned by greasing the palms of the officers concerned.

  1. By bribing the officers

  2. By using the RTI

  3. By pleading with the officers

  4. By threatening the officers with dire consequences

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 'Greasing the palms' means to bribe someone.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

He is known for his gift of the gab.

  1. He has a talent for speaking impressively.

  2. He is a bad speaker.

  3. He suffers from stage fright.

  4. He is known for his sense of humour.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 Gab means tongue. 'Gift of the gab' means to have the art of speaking.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

You will have to eat your words if you do not speak cautiously.

  1. retract your statement

  2. confirm your statement

  3. keep your promise

  4. be humiliated

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'To eat your words' means to admit that you said something wrong.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

At last he made a clean breast of his involvement in the affair.

  1. He denied his involvement.

  2. He confessed his involvement.

  3. He challenged the authorities to prove his involvement.

  4. He promised to cooperate if he is given a fair treatment.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

To make a clean breast of something means to tell or confess the complete truth.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

The trust vote will be an acid test for the government.

  1. Difficult test

  2. Critical test

  3. Unavoidable test

  4. Unnecessary test

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 An acid test means a decisive and important test.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

A good friend will stand by you through thick and thin.

  1. He will be with you in good times

  2. He will be with you in both good and bad times

  3. He will be with you when he needs you

  4. He will not stand by you at all

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 Through thick and thin times means through both good and bad times.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

As soon as they saw the police, the thieves took to their heels.

  1. They went into hiding

  2. They fled

  3. They decided to fight with the police

  4. They surrendered

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The phrase means to run away.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

The Left parties have been opposing tooth and nail the Indo-US nuclear deal.

  1. With unrelenting force

  2. By just claiming things without any proof

  3. Opposing the deal

  4. They think there are better things to do than this deal

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The phrase means to give everything you've got, literally every tooth and nail in your body, to win a struggle.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

His remarks about the country's foreign policies have stirred up a hornet's nest.

  1. It has invited severe criticism.

  2. It has been hailed as progressive.

  3. It has been deemed as unnecessary.

  4. None of these

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

To 'stir up a hornet's nest' means to start something that invites attacks or criticism.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

They at last decided to bury the hatchet and go on with their own lives.

  1. Pick up a fight and bury the hard feelings

  2. Stop all hostilities and become friends

  3. Become estranged and forget about the issues

  4. Become angry and keep the unresolved issues

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

'To bury the hatchet' means to forget about arguments and disagreements with someone and to become friends with them again.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

We should take a leaf out of the books of great men.

  1. learn some lessons from other people's lives

  2. snub others and ignore their problems

  3. imitate others in all their vices

  4. show disrespect to others

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

If you take a leaf out of someone's book, it implies you are copying or imitating the individual.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

I don't know if we could trust him as he plays fast and loose.

  1. he is very idealistic

  2. he is a manipulator

  3. he is very impractical

  4. he is recklessly irresponsible

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The phrase 'plays fast and loose' means to act without enough care or attention.

Directions: Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase.

When are you two planning to tie the knot?

  1. to get engaged

  2. to enter a contract

  3. to get married

  4. to start a war of tug

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

'To tie the knot' means to get married.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

I was at my wit's end when they told me that they no longer needed my service.

  1. I lost my temper

  2. I was very happy

  3. I was quite upset

  4. I was sad

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

'Wits' mean mental resources; the phrase 'at wit's ends' means to be so upset that you don't know what to do.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

You can' t expect him to play second fiddle to anyone.

  1. obey anyone

  2. respect anyone

  3. play a subservient role

  4. please anyone

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

To play second fiddle means to have a less important position than someone else.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

He tried to put a spoke in my wheel, but failed in the attempt.

  1. to restrict my progress

  2. to help me

  3. to reason with me

  4. to befriend me

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The phrase means to spoil someone's plans and stop them from doing something.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

He was in favour of quitting the job, but his mother put her foot down and he had to give up the idea.

  1. rebuked him

  2. tried to reason with him

  3. admitted that he had enough reason to quit

  4. took a firm stand

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

To put one's foot down means to take a resolute stand and be determined.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

Your argument does not hold water.

  1. doesn't seem credible

  2. is exaggerated

  3. is true

  4. None of these

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The phrase 'not hold water' means to not seem to be true or reasonable.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

She is a beautiful looking girl with a voice to die for.

  1. extremely good

  2. extremely bad

  3. extremely soft

  4. extremely rare

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 When we say something is worth dying for, it is an acknowledgement of how good it is.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

He saw red when he realised that his son had gotten into bad company.

  1. became angry

  2. became embarrassed

  3. became anxious

  4. became quiet

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Red signifies danger or anger.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

I was planning to start a business, but he threw cold water on my project.

  1. encouraged me

  2. discouraged me

  3. prevented me

  4. supported me

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 To throw cold water over something means to dampen the spirit or to discourage someone.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

It was rumoured that many theives were working hand in glove with the police.

  1. not identified

  2. have a practical approach

  3. are working together

  4. are friends

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

 'Hands in gloves' means together.

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

He got the better of his opponent in the wrestling match.

  1. defeat someone

  2. be defeated

  3. part on good terms

  4. to be no longer on talking terms

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

To get the better of someone means to become superior to them or win out.

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