IDIOMS AND PHRASES MCQ FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS

IDIOMS AND PHRASES MCQ FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS

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Idioms and phrases are recognized through experience. Sometimes ordinary words fail to embody the experience or catch the spirit of the special situation. Idioms and phrases are meant for such situations; they enrich a language. Thus, in order to have a native’s command over English, it is necessary to understand idioms. The Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English defines an idiom by calling it as a combination of two or more words which function as a unit of meaning as opposed to non-idiomatic expressions which “are made up of distinct meaningful parts”. Thus, often, the unit of meaning is different from what the words actually suggest. For example, the expression ‘blue blood’ does not mean that blood is blue, but it means ‘to belong to a royal family’. Similarly, the ‘apple of discord’ does not imply any real apple; it means “a cause of quarrel’ or ‘Pandora’s box’ means a cause of several problems and does not imply any real box though it has an association with the box of Pandora. The experience comes out in an idiom in a standardized form.

1. The apple of discord among the brothers was their father’s mansion in the country.

(a) reason for quarrel

(b) hopeful attention

(c) Sincere affection

(d) Fruitful discussion

2. My neighbour’s son is very mischievous and always getting in everyone’s hair.

(a) Throwing things at them

(b) Pulling their hair

(c) Entertaining them

(d) Annoying them

3. The sad part of the agitation is that most of the leaders are only paying lip-service to the issue

(a) saying they agree although they do not support it

(b) partially impressing the crowds

(c) making long speeches for the cause

(d) growing angry and restless with the organisers

4. In spite of the high sounding words, his speech fell flat on the audience.

(a) impressed a lot

(b) appealed to the sentiments of the audience

(c) could not be heard clearly

(d) failed to make an impact

5. My brother has decided to settle in Mumbai for good.

(a) for new opportunities

(b) for better income

(c) for a while

(d) forever

6. All those who carried the day in reality shows failed to make a mark later.

(a) won a victory

(b) made a guest appearance

(c) acted as hosts

(d) participated

7. The aged man preferred to die in harness than lead a rusted life.

(a) to lead a life of comfort

(b) to continue occupation till death

(c) to keep one’s belongings sale

(d) to live in perpetual slavery

8. Simran was under tremendous stress because she had too many irons in the fire.

(a) She had too many clothes to iron

(b) She was involved in many activities

(c) She had made a lot of risky investments

(d) She was suffering from many ailments

9. To take French leave

(a) Welcome the host

(b) Acknowledge the host

(c) Leave with written permission

(d) Leave without any intimation

10. A hard nut to crack

(a) Easily encouraged

(b) Easily disappointed

(c) A difficult problem

(d) Not restrained

11. A snake in the grass.

(a) Difficult to find

(b) A well-wisher

(c) A good friend

(d) A secret enemy

12. On shank’s mare

(a) On a lion

(b) On an elephant

(c) On foot

(d) On a bicycle

13. Blow one’s own trumpet

(a) Follow others

(b) Praise oneself

(c) Condemn others

(d) Be self-reliant

14. Spill the beans

(a) Perform magic

(b) Work hard

(c) Waste money

(d) Give away a secret

15. Back to square one

(a) Neglect something

(b) Come to the original

(c) Draw a square

(d) Move ahead

16. Dead heat

(a) Close contest that ends in a tie

(b) Strong opposition to one’s ideas

(c) A deadly blast of hot air

(d) A strong heat wave

17. The bee’s knees

(a) Observant

(b) Foolish

(c) Problematic

(d) Extraordinary

18. To throw a fit

(a) Become unconscious

(b) Caution someone about fitness

(c) Express extreme anger

(d) Faint and fall down

19. Bring to light

(a) Reveal clearly

(b) Cheer someone

(c) Praise in public

(d) Brighten up

20. Hold water

(a) To be fickle

(b) To be busy

(c) To be valid

(d) To be deep

Answer Key

1. (a)	11. (d)
2. (d)	12. (c)
3. (a)	13. (b)
4. (d)	14. (d)
5. (d)	15. (b)
6. (a)	16. (a)
7. (b)	17. (d)
8. (b)	18. (c)
9. (d)	19. (a)
10. (c)	20. (c)