IDIOMS AND PHRASES Objective Exercise MCQ with Solutions Part-1

IDIOMS AND PHRASES 
Objective Exercise 
MCQ with Solutions 

Previous Year Questions
Part-1

Directions: In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase.

Q1.

For his alleged involvement in espionage , he is under a cloud these days.

(a)experiencing cloudy weather

(b)enjoying favourable luck

(c)under suspicion

(d)under observation

Q2.

We have appealed to him again and again there is no use flogging a dead horse now.

(a)repeating our request

(b)making him see reason

(c)beating about the bush

(d)wasting time in useless effort

Q3.

We should not look down upon the wretched of the earth.

(a)sympathise with

(b)hate intensely

(c)be indifferent to

(d)regard with contempt

Q4.

Because of his misbehavior, he is hound to face the music.

(a)get finished

(b)get reprimanded

(c)feel sorry

(d)listen to the music

Q5.

The working of the factory was disrupted on account of a token strike by farm workers.

(a)total strike

(b)carefully planned strike

(c)short strike held as a warning

(d)sudden call of strike

Q6.

By opposing his proposal he fell foul of him.

(a)quarrel with

(b)felt annoyed with

(c)agreed with

(d)got into trouble with

Q7.

Those who work by fits and starts seldom show good results.

(a)rarely

(b)disinterestedly

(c)irregularly

(d)regularly

Q8.

The new manager thought that he would give employees enough rope for the first six months after which he would check the work done himself.

(a)many directives and orders

(b)sufficient advice

(c)all the material they needed

(d)enough freedom for action

Q9.

He Was all at sea when he began his new Job.

(a)happy

(b) sad

(c) puzzled

(d) triumphant

Q10.

The sweeping statement by the boss left the conscientious workers disgusted.

(a)rash statement

(b)unpremeditated statement

(c)thoughtless statement

(d)generalized statement

Q11.

The failure of crops in successive years put the farmer in a tight corner.

(a)in a closed room

(b)in a small field

(c)In a difficult situation

(d)in a meadow

Q12.

The effort to trace the culprit was a wild goose chase.

(a) fruitful hunting

(b)futile search

(c)ideal seeking

(d)genuine effort

Q13.

The story does not hold water.

(a)does not deserve appreciation

(b)does not fulfill the requirements

(c)cannot be believed

(d)cannot be valued

Q14.

Raj couldn't pay the bill, so he asked the owner to put It on the cuff.

(a)on credit

(b)against his credit card

(c)In his bank account

(d)in his friend’s account

Q15.

His statement is not and out a lie.

(a)totally

(b) simply

(c) merely

(d) slightly

Q16.

The luxury car that they bought turned out to be a white elephant.

(a)a rare article

(b)useful mode of transport

(c)costly or troublesome possession

(d)a proud possession

Q17.

If you are fair and square In your work you will definitely prosper.

(a)active

(b)honest

(c)business like

(d)authoritative

Q18.

There is no love lost between any two neighboring countries in the world.

(a)stop loving

(b)not on good terms

(c)forming a group

(d)have good understanding

Q19.

The heavy downpour played havoc in the coastal area.

(a)caused destruction

(b)caused diseases

(c)caused floods

(d)caused hardship

Q20.

To have a green thumb means

(a)one’s nails are painted green

(b)one is artistic

(c)to have a natural interest in gardening

(d)one has a green tattoo on the thumb

Q21.

When he saw the snake he took to his heels.

(a)ran away in fear

(b)went slowly

(c)walked in fear

(d)jumped fast

Q22.

He has to abide by the hard and fast rule of the company.

(a)flexible

(b) strict

(c) difficult

(d) honest

Q23.

She goes to her mother’s house off and on.

(a)frequently

(b) rarely

(c) occasionally

(d) sometimes

Q24.

The robber murdered, the woman in cold blood for the sake of the jewels.

(a)a murder done without feeling

(b)a murder done in revenge

(c)a murder done in great anger

(d)a murder done in enmity

Q25.

Indians was going places in the field of software technology.

(a)going abroad

(b)going to spaces

(c)talented and successful

(d)friendly and amicable

Q26.

The poet drew on his fancy not his knowledge of Nature, when he Wrote his poem on birds.

(a)used his understanding

(b)used his knowledge

(c)used his imagination

(d)used his skill

Q27.

My neighbour had to pay through his nose for a brand new car.

(a)Pay huge loans

(b)Pay a reasonable price

(c)Pay an extremely high price

(d)Make a quick buck

Q28.

Very ambitious people do not like to rest on their laurels.

(a)To be unhappy

(b)To be motivated

(c)To be impatient

(d)To be complacent

Q29.

If he phones again, I am going to give him a piece of my mind.

(a)To be nice to him

(b)To take revenge on him

(c)To reprimand him

(d)To support him

Q30.

The party high command wanted to stave off an open battle.

(a)postpone

(b)wait and see

(c)allow it to take its own course

(d)prevent

Q31.

Ramesh takes after his father.

(a)follows

(b) imitates

(c) obeys

(d) resembles

Q32.

They made no hones about acknowledging their debt to his genius.

(a)did not have any hesitation in

(b)did not have any faith in

(c)demanded compensation for

(d)had problems in

Q33.

It is evident from the minister’s statement that heads will roll in the Secretariat.

(a)transfers will take place

(b)heads will be cut off

(c)people will die

(d)dismissals will occur

Q34.

During the last moments of his life, the criminal made a clean breast of everything he had done.

(a)showed his breast

(b)fought like a hero

(c)confessed without reserve

(d)faced bravely

Q35.

She tries very hard to keep up with heir rich neighbours.

(a)to imitate

(b)to keep in touch

(c)to avoid

(d)to be on par

Q36.

He went on sowing wild oats he reaped suffering in his later life.

(a)Inviting troubles as a boy

(b)warning others as a youngster

(c)irresponsible pleasure seeking In young age

(d)sowing grains called oats when young

Q37.

I don't know why she has become stand-offish recently.

(a)angry

(b)hilarious

(c)indifferent

(d)unmanageable

Q38.

Why don’t you put an end to blowing your own trumpet ?

(a)playing your own trumpet to produce music

(b)making too much noise

(c)praising your own abilities and achievements

(d)None of these

Q39.

I knew he had an axe to grind and turned down his offer of help.

(a)a blunt axe

(b)a sharp tongue

(c)a private interest to serve

(d)a tendency to fight

Q40.

The saint’s life was an open book.

(a)an uncomplicated one

(b)On that held no secrets

(c)an example to all

(d)an interesting biography

Q41.

Reading between the lines realized that my friend wanted to keep something from me.

(a)looking for meanings that are not actually expressed

(b)reading carelessly

(c)reading with anxiety

(d)glancing over the lines

Q42.

Sometimes, it happens that we have to give the devil his due.

(a)to give credit to even a notorious person

(b)to give encouragement even to the enemy

(c)to invite the devil

(d)to stand in the way of the devil

Q43.

The king had been made to eat humble pie.

(a)to eat slowly

(b)to have an excellent dish

(c)to eat a good pie

(d)to apologies

Q44.

He was given Hobson's choice by the employer.

(a)excellent choice

(b)no real choice at all

(c) choice to live or die

(d)first choice

Q45.

He has a very nice manner, but you would better take what he says with a grain of salt.

(a)to listen to something with considerable doubt

(b) to talk sensibly

(c)to criticise

(d)to complement

Q46.

He didn’t tell me directly, but reading between the lines. I think he is not happy with them.

(a)reading slowly and haltingly

(b)understanding the sense rather than the actual words

(c)understanding the meaning of words and not the sense

(d)reading superficially

Q47.

Gopi works by fits and starts.

(a)consistently

(b)irregularly

(c)in high spirits

(d)enthusiastically

Q48.

I cannot put up with your misconduct any longer.

(a)excuse

(b) refuse

(c)accept

(d) tolerate

Q49.

I did not mind what he was saying, he was only talking through his hat.

(a)talking nonsense

(b)talking ignorantly

(c)talking irresponsibly

(d)talking Insultingly

Q50.

He is so furious that he would go through fire and water to revenge himself on his foe.

(a)approach everybody for help

(b)avail himself of any opportunity

(c)use any conceivable method

(d)undergo any risk

Q51.

The watchdogs were asleep when the bulls ran riot.

(a)behaved cleverly

(b)acted without restraint

(c)wandered aimlessly

(d)had the best of time

Q52.

In spite of the immense pressure exerted by the militants, the Government, has decided not to

give in.

(a)accede

(b) yield

(c) oblige

(d) conform

Q53.

The young and the old satcheek by jowl in the large audience.

(a)very near

(b) very far

(c) tongue tied

(d) irritated

Q54.

We wanted to keep the gift as a surprise for mother but my sister gave the game away.

(a)lost the game

(b)gave out the secret

(c)played badly

(d)withdrew from the game

Q55.

I don't think the law will interfere with us as we are just trying to turn an honest penny.

(a)make a legitimate living

(b)make a good living

(c)have dealings in white money

(d)become more honest

Q56.

a dark horse.

(a)an unforeseen competitor

(b)a black horse

(c)a nightmare

(d)an unknown person

Q57.

to rim across

(a)to have an appointed meeting

(b)to meet by chance

(c)to run in the playground

(d)to run very fast

Q58.

to get one’s own back

(a)to get one's revenge

(b)to get control over someone

(c)to get one’s position back

(d)to get hold of someone

Q59.

to steer clear of

(a)drive carefully

(b)avoid

(c)explain clearly

(d)escape

Q60.

to beat a retreat

(a)to withdraw in defeat or humiliation

(b)to withdraw after scoring a victory

(c)to march back after a ceremonious parade

(d)to run away in fear

Q61.

to blaze a trail

(a)to lead the way as a pioneer

(b)to light a track

(c)to set up a fire

(d)to wear a blazer while running

Q62.

Red-letter day

(a)a colourful day

(b)fatal day

(c)happy and significant day

(d)hapless day

Q63.

have the last laugh

(a)be of a cheerful nature

(b)laugh only after understanding something

(c)to be victorious at the end of an argument

(d)to crack the final joke

Q64.

turn a deaf ear

(a)disregard

(b) defy

(c) disobey

(d) dismiss

Q65.

to smell a rat

(a)to experience bad smell

(b)to misunderstand

(c)to see a hidden meaning

(d)to suspect a trick

Q66.

A few days before his death, he made a clean breast of everything.

(a)confessed

(b)took off his shirt

(c)suffered

(d)spoke ill

Q67.

I am done for.

(a)ruined

(b) rewarded

(c) answered

(d) questioned

Q68.

For a healthy and lasting friendship one must be on the level.

(a)equally rich

(b)mentally compatible

(c)honest and sincere

(d)ready for sacrifices

Q69.

The foolish young man soon made ducks and drakes of the vast property his father left him.

(a)squandered

(b)distributed

(c)spent

(d)gave in charity

Q70.

All his ventures went to the winds.

(a)dissipated

(b)spread all over

(c)got speed of the winds

(d)became well-known

Q71.

at one's wit’s/wits' end

(a)to work hard

(b)to be intelligent

(c)to get puzzled

(d)to be stupid

Q72.

to take someone to task

(a)to scold someone

(b)to assign work to someone

(c)to take someone to his place of work

(d)to praise someone for the work done

Q73.

to face the music

(a)to be greeted rudely

(b)to be offered warm hospitality

(c)to enjoy a music programme

(d)to bear the consequences

Q74.

to blow one’s own trumpet

(a)to play on one’s own trumpet

(b)to praise one’s own self

(c)to create noisy disturbances

(d)to have a high-pitched voice

Q75.

to run one down

(a)to be in a hurry

(b)to be weak and tired

(c)to disparage someone

(d)to run down a lane

Q76.

at snail's pace

(a)to do things very slowly

(b)to walk like a snail

(c)to lack interest in work

(d)to do things in methodical manner

Q77.

to turn a deaf ear

(a)to be hard of hearing

(b)to be indifferent

(c)to be attentive

(d)to be obstinate

Q78.

to take to one's heels

(a)to run off

(b)to show one’s heels

(c)to turn around

(d)to walk leisurely

Q79.

to have something up one's sleeves

(a)having a practical plan

(b)having an Important project

(c)having an ambitious plan

(d)having a secret plan

Q80.

to end in smoke

(a)to have a smoking session

(b)to be on Are

(c)to come to nothing

(d)to bum slowly

Q81.

As the bomb exploded people ran helter-skelter.

(a)in great fear

(b)in disorderly haste

(c)in haste

(d)in great sorrow

Q82.

He was progressing by leaps and hounds because of his hard work.

(a)rapidly

(b) slowly

(c) peacefully

(d) strongly

Q83.

Our founder had done a Herculean task by constructing this great educational Institution.

(a)a work of no worth

(b)an effortless job

(c)a work requiring very great effort

(d)a work requiring very great intelligence

Q84.

My close friend got the sack from his first job recently.

(a)resigned

(b)got rid of

(c)was demoted from

(d)was dismissed from

Q85.

I can no longer put up with her insolence.

(a)endure

(b) evade

(c) suppress

(d) assume

Q86.

She is a fair-weather friend.

(a)a good friend

(b)a1 friend who meets difficulties calmly

(c)a friend deserts you In difficulties

(d)a favourable friend

Q87.

to die in harness means to die while

(a)riding a horse

(b)in a stable

(c)in a uniform

(d)still in service

Q88.

to keep under wraps means to keep something

(a)covered

(b) protected

(c) unpacked

(d) secret

Q89.

After independence Indian agriculture rose like a phoenix due to the Green Revolution.

(a)with a new life

(b)with a start

(c)with royal gait

(d)with vengeance

Q90.

His failure at the election has been a sore point with him for a long time.

(a)something which hurts

(b)something that brings fear to

(c)something memorable for

(d)something pleasurable to

Q91.

The student is on the Verge of breakdown.

(a)on the brink of

(b)at the outset of

(c)in the midst of

(d)at the risk of

Q92.

My repeated attempts to get refund from the civic authorities were of no avail.

(a)unsuccessful

(b)postponed

(c)useless

(d)delayed

Q93.

He was progressing by leaps and bounds because of his hard work.

(a)rapidly

(b) slowly

(c) peacefully

(d) strongly

Q94.

to emerge out of thin air means to

(a)appear suddenly

(b)descend gradually

(c)fall down quickly

(d)enter from space

Q95.

The news of the accident came as a bolt from the blue.

(a)something unexpected

(b)something unpleasant

(c)something horrible

(d)something unexpected and unpleasant

Q96.

The story of the train accident as narrated by one of the survivors made my flesh creep.

(a)thrilled me

(b)horrified me

(c)excited me

(d)frightened me

Q97.

He has resigned his job and burnt his boats so far as government service is concerned.

(a)felt dejected

(b)blasted his hopes

(c)ruined himself

(d)left no means of retreat

Q98.

He cannot hold a candle to his elder brother.

(a)equal to

(b)not as clever as

(c)cannot be compared to

(d)duller than

Q99.

The question of higher membership fees was brought up at the last meeting.

(a)discussed at great length

(b)introduced for discussion

(c)criticised vehemently

(d)vaguely referred to

Q100.

His arguments cut no ice with me.

(a)had no influence on me

(b)did not hurt me

(c)did not benefit me

(d)did not make me proud

Answers

1 c 2 d 3 d 4 b 5 c 6 d 7 c 8 d 9 c 10 c

11 c 12 b 13 c 14 a 15 a 16 c 17 b

18 b 19 a 20 c 21 a 22 b 23 c 24 a

25 c 26 c 27 c 28 d 29 c 30 a 31 d

32 a 33 a 34 c 35 b 36 c 37 c 38 c

39 c 40 b 41 a 42 b 43 d 44 b 45 a

46 b 47 b 48 d 49 a 50 d 51 b 52 b

53 a 54 b 55 a 56 a 57 b 58 a 59 b

60 d 61 a 62 c 63 c 64 c 65 d 66 a

67 a 68 c 69 a 70 a 71 c 72 a 73 d

74 b 75 c 76 a 77 b 78 a 79 d 80 c

81 b 82 a 83 c 84 d 85 a 86 c 87 d

88 d 89 a 90 a 91 a 92 c 93 a 94 a

95 d 96 b 97 d 98 c 99 b 100 a