Table of Contents
IDIOMS AND PHRASES MCQ FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS
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.
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1. Don’t try to throw dust into my eyes. You will not succeed.”
a) to protect my eyes
b) blind me with dust
c) to mislead or confuse me
d) to blind me with dust
2. Don’t mix with the bad hats.
a) people of bad character
b) people selling bad hats
c) people of poor status
d) people with bad hats
3. He broke down when he heard the news of his son’s death.
a) ceased to smile
b) stopped working
c) wept bitterly
d) resigned his job
4. a man of straw
a) a very active person
b) a worthy fellow
c) an unreasonable person
d) a man of no substance
5. The scientist worked for donkey’s years to arrive at the formula.
a) a short time
b) for donkeys
c) for few years
d) a long time
6. He wanted this agreement in black and white.
a) orally
b) in discourse
c) in detail
d) in writing
7. The President gave away the prizes to the winners.
a) released
b) gave back
c) distributed
d) let go
8. I am sure the girls will fight tooth and nail for their rights.
a) without any weapon
b) in a cowardly manner
c) with all their rights
d) with all their might
9. You need to improve your work because it is not up to the mark.
a) according to the required standard
b) as good as the others
c) marked properly and accurately
d) up to the potential displayed
10. The principal of this school is a hard nut to crack.
a) difficult
b) careless
c) kind
d) generous
11. The manager gave his assistant a piece of his mind.
a) advice
b) gist
c) scolding
d) suggestion
12. His observations were beside the mark.
a) criticized
b) valid
c) excellent
d) irrelevant
13. Your report of the matter is all moonshine.
a) acceptable
b) concocted
c) excellent
d) familiar
14. We consider the 14th of February a red letter day.
a) a day marked in red
b) a day to write letters
c) an important day
d) a day to write with red pens
15. At the police station, he showed a clean pair of heels.
a) displayed clean heels
b) kneeled down
c) showed courage
d) ran away
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16. He broke off in the middle of the story.
a) suddenly stopped
b) divided his narrative
c) took time off
d) fainted
17. Your remarks during the discussion added fuel to the fire.
a) ignited the fireplace
b) worsened matters
c) created warmth all around
d) got others angry
18. Why do you fight shy of me ?
a) avoid
b) embarrass
c) shout at
d) fight with
19. My father’s dealings are open and above board.
a) mandatory
b) without any secret
c) very clear
d) to everyone’s liking
20. Winning the competition was quite a feather in my cap.
a) an exciting moment
b) an achievement
c) a joy for my parents
d) rewarding
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21. Some shots were fired at random.
a) for a long time
b) to end quarrel
c) thoroughly
d) without any aim
22. After the public meeting, the crowd went haywire.
a) protested
b) became out of control
c) left the venue
d) were in jubilation
23. I can finish the work by myself, but she always tries to be a backseat driver.
a) person who wants to do things by herself
b) person who falsely accuses others
c) person who gives unwanted advice
d) person who misjudge others
24. When he asked me the way to the cafeteria, I told him to follow his nose.
a) to ask someone else
b) to follow me
c) to go straight ahead
d) to find it by himself
25. They have latched on to tourism as a way of boosting the local economy.
a) discovered
b) exposed
c) explored
d) promoted
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26. Since the children were young, their parents have always taught them to cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth.
a) live life to the full
b) live within one’s means
c) be fair
d) be thrifty
27. I can work for six hours at a stretch.
a) occasionally
b) maximum
c) minimum
d) continuously
28. Look sharp or you will miss the opportunity.
a) pay attention
b) take control
c) make haste
d) be confident
29. It was he who put a spoke in my wheel.
a) helped in the execution of the plan
b) thwarted in the execution of the plan
c) destroyed the plan
d) tried to cause an accident
30. My student is one who knows how many beans make five.
a) is fiercely loyal
b) well informed and intelligent
c) is accurate and precise
d) knows mathematical calculations
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| 1. C 2. A 3. C 4. D 5. D 6. D 7. C 8. D 9. B 10. A 11. C 12. D 13. B 14. C 15. D | 16. A 17. B 18. A 19. B 20. B 21. D 22. B 23. C 24. C 25. D 26. B 27. D 28. A 29. B 30. B |
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