Succinct expressions of complex ideas!
Idioms and phrases are integral components of the English language, offering richness and depth to communication. They provide vivid imagery, cultural context, and succinct expressions of complex ideas. By using idiomatic language, speakers can convey nuanced meanings efficiently, fostering clearer communication and deeper connections between individuals.
Furthermore, idioms serve as cultural markers, reflecting the values, beliefs, and traditions of a community. Mastering idioms enhances language proficiency and facilitates effective cross-cultural communication, enabling individuals to navigate diverse linguistic landscapes with ease and finesse.
1. The expression ‘to turn over a new leaf' means?
1) To change one’s behaviour for the better
2) To take a decision
3) To read something carefully
4) To be cautious
2. You’re sailing a bit close to the wind by speaking to the boss like that !’
The underlined idiom means.
1) travelling very close
2) to be very friendly
3) to get ready for action
4) taking risks that would cause problems
3. She went into the meeting like a bull in a china shop.
Identify the meaning of the underlined part of the sentence.
1) A person who becomes too excited where no excitement is narrated.
2) A person who is rough and clumsy, where skill and care are required.
3) A person who takes a sadistic delight in having innocent people.
4) A person who is very ugly but loves the beautiful things of life.
4. Match the following idioms with their appropriate meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I) A cat nap | 1) A short sleep |
| II) Break a leg | 2) Very jealous |
| III) Green with envy | 3) Good luck |
1) I-2, II-1, III-3 2) I-2, II-3, III-1
3) I-1, II-3, III-2 4) I-3, II-1, III-2
5. Match the following idioms with their appropriate meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I) To the nines | 1) to be sad |
| II) Top banana | 2) Most important person |
| III) Down in the dumps | 3) To the highest degree |
1) I-2, II-1, III-3 2) I-2, II-3, III-1
3) I-1, II-2, III-3 4) I-3, II-2, III-1
6. Which of the following is not true of an idiom?
1) It is a fixed unit.
2) The meaning of it resides in the whole expression.
3) Its elements cannot be varied.
4) Meaning can be built up from its parts.
7. Who has spill the beans about my affair with my classmate? Here, ‘spill the beans’ means
1) told people 2) asked people
3) questioned people 4) answered people
8. The idiom ‘kick the bucket’ means.
1) bucket getting, giving, kicks
2) die 3) take up kicks
4) pass the pick up bucket
9. Match the following idioms with their appropriate meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I) Let the cat out | 1) To reveal facts of the bag |
| II) Bee in the bonnet | 2) Obsessed with something |
| III) Low hanging fruit | 3) Something that is easy to achieve |
1) I-2, II-1, III-3 2) I-1, II-3, III-2
3) I-1, II-2, III-3 4) I-3, II-1, III-2
10. What is the meaning of the underlined idiom in the following sentence? Getting it finished by tomorrow will take some doing.
1) be confusing 2) be difficult
3) be nice 4) be easy
11. Match the following idioms with their appropriate meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I) Hit the road | 1) Very small space |
| II) No room to | 2) To begin a journey swing a cat |
| III) Out of sorts | 3) Slightly ill |
1) I-2, II-1, III-3 2) I-2, II-3, III-1
3) I-1, II-2, III-3 4) I-3, II-1, III-2
12. Match the following idioms with their appropriate meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I) Cast a cloud over | 1) To go mad |
| II) Go banana | 2) Never going to happen |
| III) When pigs fly | 3) To spoil a good situation |
1) I-2, II-1, III-3 2) I-2, II-3, III-1
3) I-1, II-2, III-3 4) I-3, II-1, III-2
13. Match the following idioms with their appropriate meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I) Cool as a cucumber | 1) Source of fun |
| II) A barrel of laugh | 2) Very calm |
| III) Under the weather | 3) Not feeling well |
1) I-2, II-1, III-3 2) I-2, II-3, III-1
3) I-1, II-2, III-3 4) I-3, II-1, III-2
14. Match the following idioms with their appropriate meanings.
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I) A closed book | 1) Sensible and practical |
| II) Fat cat | 2) A wealthy person |
| III) Down-to-earth | 3) Difficult to understand |
1) I-2, II-1, III-3 2) I-3, II-2, III-1
3) I-1, II-2, III-3 4) I-3, II-1, III-2
15. After floods the land fords fished in troubled water by raising rents.
The underlined idiom ‘fished in troubled water’ means.
1) Caught fish in the flood
2) threw fish into the waters
3) took a bath in the flood waters
4) took undue advantage of others difficulties
16. What is the meaning of the phrase ‘The squeaky wheel gets the grease’.
1) The person who complains in a situation is more likely to get something.
2) The person who works harder would be assigned more work.
3) The person, who raises a voice against the injustice will earn nothing.
4) The person who spies to favour someone will be rewarded well.
17. Every one in the office called him 'a bull in a china shop’. What is the meaning of the underlined idiomatic expression?
1) A person, who is very careless and is of no use for the office.
2) An important person, who is very strong and does a lot of work in the office.
3) A person, who is very polite with all the members in the office.
4) A person, who is very careful in everything he does.
18. Bhuvan as a CEO, is a square peg in a round hole. The meaning of the underlined phrase is.
1) None of the above
2) An impossible task
3) A person unsuitable to the position he fills
4) A person who never works
19. The culprit gave the slip to the police and ran away.
The underlined idiom 'gave the slip' means.
1) gave a piece of paper
2) took a slip test
3) slipped before
4) escaped without notice
20. What does the idiom in the following sentence mean?
You cannot get him to fall for your plan.
1) To provide money to take up your plan
2) To be tricked into believing your plan
3) To approve your plan
4) To accept your plan
21. A: No one seems to know what happened to the money.
B: I wouldn’t worry. The truth will out, eventually.
Theunderlined Idiomatic expressionmeans.
1) We worry much about the truth
2) It is not possible to keep a secret or lie for very long time
3) It is impossible to keep a secret or lie for very long time
4) Truth makes people worried
22. ‘Everything must seem strange at first, but you’ll soon......’.
Complete the sentence by choosing the appropriate idiom.
1) Steer a middle course
2) Change tack
3) Try a different tack 4) Learn the ropes
23. Sobhraj could be easily arrested because the police were tipped off in a advance.
1) Toppled over 2) Bribed
3) Given advance information
4) Threatened
24. Do not trust a man who blows his own trumpet.
1) flatters 2) praises others
3) admonishes others 4) Praises himself
25. I am afraid he is burning the candle at both ends and ruining his life.
1) Wasting his money
2) Becoming overgenerous
3) overtaxing his energies
4) losing his objectives
26. The cricket match proved to be a big draw.
1) a keen contest 2) a huge attraction
3) a lovely spectacle
4) a game without any result
27. I met him after a long time, but he gave me the cold shoulder.
1) scolded me 2) insulted me
3) abused me
4) ignored me
Answers
1-1; 2-4; 3-2; 4-3; 5-4; 6-4; 7-4; 8-2; 9-3; 10-2; 11-1; 12-4; 13-1; 14-2; 15-4; 16-1; 17-1; 18-3; 19-4; 20-2; 21-3; 22-4; 23-3; 24-4; 25-3; 26-2; 27-4.
Writer: Putnam Ravi Kumar
