EMRS: IDIOMS & PHRASES – 100 MCQs (WITH ANSWERS)

 Below are 100 important Idioms & Phrases MCQs with Answers, specially designed for EMRS / TGT / PGT / CTET / DSSSB level.

IDIOMS & PHRASES – 100 MCQs (WITH ANSWERS)

(Questions 1–100)

1. ‘A burning question’ means —

A. An irrelevant matter

B. A very important issue

C. A funny topic

D. A solved problem

Answer: B

2. ‘To make both ends meet’ means —

A. To meet relatives

B. To run fast

C. To live within income

D. To make profit

Answer: C

3. ‘A hard nut to crack’ means —

A. A difficult problem

B. A sweet person

C. A financial issue

D. A dangerous plan

Answer: A

4. ‘To hit the nail on the head’ means —

A. To damage something

B. To do exactly right

C. To make mistakes

D. To scold someone

Answer: B

5. ‘Once in a blue moon’ means —

A. Frequently

B. Very rarely

C. Always

D. Immediately

Answer: B

6. ‘To burn the midnight oil’ means —

A. To waste time

B. To study or work late

C. To sleep early

D. To quarrel

Answer: B

7. ‘To blow one’s own trumpet’ means —

A. To praise others

B. To criticise others

C. To praise oneself

D. To remain silent

Answer: C

8. ‘To add fuel to the fire’ means —

A. To calm someone

B. To increase anger

C. To stop fighting

D. To help someone

Answer: B

9. ‘To leave no stone unturned’ means —

A. To do incomplete work

B. To try every possible way

C. To give up easily

D. To waste time

Answer: B

10. ‘To take to task’ means —

A. To praise

B. To scold or punish

C. To support

D. To ignore

Answer: B

11. A Herculean task

 means —

A. A job requiring great effort

B. A very simple task

C. A useless job

D. A short task

Answer: A

12. To beat around the bush

 means —

A. To avoid the main point

B. To talk clearly

C. To speak loudly

D. To fight

Answer: A

13. A wild goose chase

 means —

A. A profitable search

B. A foolish and hopeless search

C. A difficult task

D. A lucky chance

Answer: B

14. To cry over spilt milk

 means —

A. To cry loudly

B. To regret something that cannot be changed

C. To be happy

D. To forget past

Answer: B

15. A fish out of water

 means —

A. Someone uncomfortable in a situation

B. A brave person

C. A wealthy man

D. A powerful person

Answer: A

16. To cook someone’s goose

 means —

A. To help someone

B. To ruin someone’s plans

C. To make fun

D. To invite trouble

Answer: B

17. To turn a deaf ear

 means —

A. To listen carefully

B. To ignore

C. To get angry

D. To forgive

Answer: B

18. To hit below the belt

 means —

A. To fight fairly

B. To hit physically

C. To act unfairly

D. To work slowly

Answer: C

19. To smell a rat

 means —

A. To sense something wrong

B. To be confused

C. To be happy

D. To be hungry

Answer: A

20. To stick to one’s guns

 means —

A. To change opinion

B. To remain firm

C. To run away

D. To attack

Answer: B

21. In black and white

 means —

A. In detail

B. On paper; in writing

C. Secretly

D. Confused

Answer: B

22. To break the ice

 means —

A. To start a conversation

B. To end a meeting

C. To become angry

D. To leave quickly

Answer: A

23. To burn one’s fingers

 means —

A. To get injured

B. To suffer from one’s own mistake

C. To become rich

D. To help others

Answer: B

24. To cut a sorry figure

 means —

A. To look foolish

B. To win

C. To earn respect

D. To speak politely

Answer: A

25. To face the music

 means —

A. To listen to songs

B. To face punishment

C. To dance

D. To celebrate

Answer: B

26. To feather one’s nest

 means —

A. To build a house

B. To make money for oneself

C. To help others

D. To travel

Answer: B

27. To get cold feet

 means —

A. To become ill

B. To become afraid

C. To run fast

D. To look smart

Answer: B

28. To keep the wolf from the door

 means —

A. To avoid poverty

B. To invite danger

C. To protect someone

D. To decorate house

Answer: A

29. To look down upon

 means —

A. To admire

B. To hate

C. To respect

D. To think someone inferior

Answer: D

30. To pull someone’s leg

 means —

A. To beat

B. To tease

C. To respect

D. To follow

Answer: B

31. A storm in a teacup

 means —

A. A big problem

B. A small issue blown out of proportion

C. A calm situation

D. A friendly talk

Answer: B

32. To take with a grain of salt

 means —

A. To believe fully

B. To doubt

C. To avoid food

D. To speak softly

Answer: B

33. To turn over a new leaf

 means —

A. To change for the better

B. To become lazy

C. To forget everything

D. To travel

Answer: A

34. To call a spade a spade

 means —

A. To talk diplomatically

B. To speak bluntly

C. To keep secrets

D. To repeat words

Answer: B

35. To throw light on

 means —

A. To hide

B. To clarify

C. To decorate

D. To argue

Answer: B

36. To go to the dogs

 means —

A. To improve

B. To waste away

C. To be energetic

D. To become rich

Answer: B

37. To make a mountain out of a molehill

 means —

A. To exaggerate a small matter

B. To solve a problem

C. To be strong

D. To ignore facts

Answer: A

38. To keep one’s word

 means —

A. To break promise

B. To keep promise

C. To lie

D. To shout

Answer: B

39. To take someone for a ride

 means —

A. To give lift

B. To cheat someone

C. To help

D. To praise

Answer: B

40. To bell the cat

 means —

A. To avoid responsibility

B. To take a risky task

C. To run early

D. To cheat

Answer: B

41. To jump the gun

 means —

A. To delay

B. To start too early

C. To stop working

D. To be confused

Answer: B

42. To cut corners

 means —

A. To do something cheaply/unethically

B. To follow rules

C. To spend more

D. To decorate

Answer: A

43. To go the extra mile

 means —

A. To work lazily

B. To work more than required

C. To avoid work

D. To take rest

Answer: B

44. To let the cat out of the bag

 means —

A. To hide a secret

B. To reveal a secret

C. To punish someone

D. To work hard

Answer: B

45. To hold water

 means —

A. To be true

B. To be false

C. To be empty

D. To leak

Answer: A

46. To make a clean breast of

 means —

A. To accept guilt

B. To deny truth

C. To run away

D. To punish others

Answer: A

47. To kick the bucket

 means —

A. To dance

B. To die

C. To jump

D. To run

Answer: B

48. To go Dutch

 means —

A. To quarrel

B. To share expenses

C. To eat fast

D. To cancel plans

Answer: B

49. To bury the hatchet

 means —

A. To fight

B. To compromise; make peace

C. To argue

D. To hide weapons

Answer: B

50. To throw in the towel

 means —

A. To win

B. To surrender

C. To cry

D. To start again

Answer: B

51. To bite the dust

 means —

A. To survive

B. To be defeated / die

C. To jump

D. To get award

Answer: B

52. To call it a day

 means —

A. To start work

B. To stop working for the day

C. To rest at night

D. To forget everything

Answer: B

53. To spill the beans

 means —

A. To hide truth

B. To reveal secret

C. To cook food

D. To complain

Answer: B

54. A close shave

 means —

A. A big loss

B. A narrow escape

C. A haircut

D. A false alarm

Answer: B

55. A tall order

 means —

A. An easy job

B. A difficult task

C. A funny plan

D. A useless task

Answer: B

56. In hot water

 means —

A. In problem

B. In peace

C. In joy

D. In rest

Answer: A

57. To get into a scrape

 means —

A. To get in trouble

B. To work hard

C. To hide

D. To forget

Answer: A

58. A red-letter day

 means —

A. A very happy and special day

B. A sad day

C. A dull day

D. A working day

Answer: A

59. A cold blanket

 means —

A. A lazy person

B. A person who spoils others’ joy

C. A smart person

D. A polite person

Answer: B

60. At daggers drawn

 means —

A. Very friendly

B. At enmity; ready to fight

C. In confusion

D. In joy

Answer: B

61. A square peg in a round hole

 means —

A. A perfect match

B. A misfit

C. A smart worker

D. A strong person

Answer: B

62. A snake in the grass

 means —

A. A strong enemy

B. A hidden enemy

C. A friend

D. A stranger

Answer: B

63. A wet blanket

 means —

A. A strong person

B. A person who discourages others

C. A funny person

D. A rich person

Answer: B

64. To read between the lines

 means —

A. To read carefully

B. To understand hidden meaning

C. To learn fast

D. To make mistakes

Answer: B

65. To rain cats and dogs

 means —

A. Mild rain

B. Heavy rain

C. No rain

D. Rain with storm

Answer: B

66. To turn the tables

 means —

A. To lose

B. To reverse the situation

C. To eat food

D. To shout

Answer: B

67. To miss the boat

 means —

A. To get chance

B. To miss opportunity

C. To travel

D. To lose control

Answer: B

68. To jump on the bandwagon

 means —

A. To oppose trend

B. To follow trend

C. To think differently

D. To cry

Answer: B

69. To eat humble pie

 means —

A. To get praise

B. To apologize humbly

C. To sing loudly

D. To cheat

Answer: B

70. To grease someone’s palm

 means —

A. To hit

B. To bribe

C. To shake hands

D. To salute

Answer: B

71. To keep one’s fingers crossed

 means —

A. To pray for good luck

B. To cheat

C. To write fast

D. To hide truth

Answer: A

72. To blow hot and cold

 means —

A. To be firm

B. To change moods frequently

C. To help others

D. To sleep

Answer: B

73. To call the shots

 means —

A. To fire gun

B. To make important decisions

C. To sing

D. To run

Answer: B

74. To keep at bay

 means —

A. To control / prevent

B. To invite

C. To join

D. To speak

Answer: A

75. To put on airs

 means —

A. To remain silent

B. To be humble

C. To show off

D. To run away

Answer: C

76. To beat a retreat

 means —

A. To advance

B. To run away from danger

C. To discuss

D. To smile

Answer: B

77. To take the cake

 means —

A. To get reward

B. To be the best or worst in something

C. To eat more

D. To cry

Answer: B

78. To take the bull by the horns

 means —

A. To avoid danger

B. To face difficulty boldly

C. To be afraid

D. To complain

Answer: B

79. To throw dust in someone’s eyes

 means —

A. To help others

B. To deceive

C. To make laugh

D. To insult

Answer: B

80. To smell the roses

 means —

A. To enjoy life

B. To run fast

C. To cry

D. To cheat

Answer: A

81. To foot the bill

 means —

A. To refuse payment

B. To pay the bill

C. To borrow

D. To save

Answer: B

82. To chew the cud

 means —

A. To think deeply

B. To walk fast

C. To eat slowly

D. To sleep

Answer: A

83. To keep an eye on

 means —

A. To watch carefully

B. To ignore

C. To shout

D. To steal

Answer: A

84. To take someone to the cleaners

 means —

A. To help

B. To cheat someone badly

C. To wash clothes

D. To praise

Answer: B

85. To sail through

 means —

A. To pass easily

B. To fail

C. To run

D. To sleep

Answer: A

86. To give the cold shoulder

 means —

A. To welcome warmly

B. To ignore

C. To argue

D. To thank

Answer: B

87. To play second fiddle

 means —

A. To lead

B. To take a subordinate role

C. To shout

D. To relax

Answer: B

88. To live hand to mouth

 means —

A. To live in luxury

B. To live with barely enough

C. To live alone

D. To ignore needs

Answer: B

89. To be in seventh heaven

 means —

A. Very sad

B. Extremely happy

C. Confused

D. Restless

Answer: B

90. To hit the jackpot

 means —

A. To fail

B. To win unexpectedly

C. To shout

D. To lose money

Answer: B

91. To burn bridges

 means —

A. To lose friends

B. To destroy relations permanently

C. To make friends

D. To travel

Answer: B

92. To bury one’s head in the sand

 means —

A. To face facts

B. To ignore reality

C. To enjoy

D. To work hard

Answer: B

93. To bite off more than one can chew

 means —

A. To eat more

B. To take up more work than manageable

C. To run fast

D. To play

Answer: B

94. To pass the buck

 means —

A. To take blame

B. To shift responsibility

C. To speak truth

D. To study

Answer: B

95. To hit the roof

 means —

A. To be happy

B. To become extremely angry

C. To climb

D. To fall down

Answer: B

96. To jump down someone’s throat

 means —

A. To ignore

B. To scold angrily

C. To praise

D. To laugh

Answer: B

97. To keep one’s chin up

 means —

A. To cry

B. To remain cheerful in difficulty

C. To sleep

D. To fight

Answer: B

98. To throw up one’s hands

 means —

A. To surrender in despair

B. To pray

C. To run

D. To clap

Answer: A

99. To rise to the occasion

 means —

A. To fail

B. To perform well during difficulty

C. To sleep

D. To cry

Answer: B

100. To fan the flames

 means —

A. To calm down

B. To make a bad situation worse

C. To run away

D. To help others

Answer: B