Directions (Qs. 1 - 23): In the following question, an idiomatic expression and its four possible meanings are given. Find out the correct meaning of the idiom.
1. Bite the bullet
A) To get something over with because it is inevitable
B) Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable
C) Doing something poorly in order to save time or money.
D) Don't be so critical
Explanation: Bite the bullet: To get something over with because it is inevitable.
E.g: Their manager had been putting off the budget meeting but decided to bite the bullet and have the meeting this week.
Ans: A
2. Get your act together
A) Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can move on.
B) Trust what someone says
C) Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can move on
D) Start over
Explanation: Get your act together: Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can move on
E.g: She's so disorganized - I wish she'd get her act together.
Ans: C
3. Let someone off the hook
A) Doing a good job
B) You have to work for what you want
C) To not hold someone responsible for something
D) Tell something briefly
Explanation: Let someone off the hook: To not hold someone responsible for something
E.g: They didn't have enough evidence to prosecute my brother so he's off the hook.
Ans: C
4. To get bent out of shape
A) To get upset B) Running fastly
C) My patience has run out
D) Taking hasty decision
Explanation: To get bent out of shape: To get upset
E.g: I'm not getting bent out of shape because people don't respect my opinion.
Ans: A
5. Barking up the wrong tree
A) Believe what people do and not what they say
B) Spreading greenery
C) To be mistaken, to be looking for solutions in the wrong place.
D) Cutting trees
Explanation: Barking up the wrong tree: To be mistaken, to be looking for solutions in the wrong place.
E.g: He must face the fact that he is barking up the wrong tree.
Ans: C
6. The early bird gets the worm
A) It looks good from a distance, but when you look closer, there are problems.
B) Nothing is entirely free
C) Eating a lot of worms
D) The first people who arrive will get the best stuff
Explanation: The early bird gets the worm: The first people who arrive will get the best stuff
E.g: We'll want to be at the theater early for the best seats – the early bird gets the worm!
Ans: D
7. The best thing since sliced bread
A) A really good invention
B) Slicing all breads
C) Eating bread as staple food
D) Thinking narrowly
Explanation: The best thing since sliced bread: A really good invention
E.g: I've bought a new touchscreen computer, it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, I can't believe I ever worked without it”.
Ans: A
8. The whole nine yards
A) Everything, all the way.
B) The big issue, the problem people are avoiding
C) Using entire land
D) Finishing work in time
Explanation: The whole nine yards: Everything, all the way.
E.g: When I was little, my family always had lots of pets - dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, rabbits - the whole nine yards.
Ans: A
9. A snowball effect
A) No chance at all
B) Events have momentum and build upon each other
C) Effect on people
D) Losing opportunities
Explanation: A snowball effect: Events have momentum and build upon each other
E.g: The city hopes that these improvements will have a snowball effect and spur private investment in the community.
Ans: B
10. Fortune favors the bold
A) Raising voice B) Take risks
C) Take granted D) Increasing level
Explanation: Fortune favors the bold: Take risks
E.g.: In this industry fortune favors the bold. You cannot expect to be a successful action stuntman without being brave during scenes.
Ans: B
11. Shape up or ship out
A) Create content B) Learn and apply
C) Work better or leave D) Shaping skills
Explanation: Shape up or ship out: Work better or leave
E.g: your behaviour has not been good enough, you need to shape up or ship out!
Ans: C
12. The pot calling the kettle black
A) Run fast B) Busy C) It's too late
D) Someone criticizing someone else he is just as bad
Explanation: The pot calling the kettle black: Someone criticizing someone else he is just as bad
E.g: Sean called me a liar – that's the pot calling the kettle black!
Ans: D
13. Well begun is half done
A) Getting a good start is important
B) In good times and in bad times
C) Half time
D) Near to death
Explanation: Well begun is half done: Getting a good start is important
E.g: You've already written a good introduction. Well begun is half done.
Ans: A
14. To feel under the weather
A) Careless nature B) To not feel well C) Hot weather D) Important news
Explanation: To feel under the weather: to not feel well
E.g: I don't feel like hanging out today. I'm feeling a bit under the weather.”
Ans: B
15. To cut corners
A) Leaving alone B) Cutting everything
C) Solemnise D) To do something badly or cheaply.
Explanation: To cut corners: to do something badly or cheaply.
E.g: I don't like to cut corners when I have company for dinner.
Ans: D
16. Stealing someone's thunder
A) Taking credit for someone else's achievements.
B) Heavy rainfall C) Stealing things
D) Shouting at each other
Explanation: Stealing someone's thunder: Taking credit for someone else's achievements.
E.g: Samira stole my thunder when he said he'd done all the work.
Ans: A
17. Can’t cut the mustard
A) In all possible ways or by all means
B) Someone who is not adequate enough to compete or participate.
C) Trying to avoid a subject/ person/ situation
D) To keep oneself informed and up-to-date
Explanation: Can’t cut the mustard: Someone who is not adequate enough to compete or participate.
E.g: “I really like Ajay, but he just can't cut the mustard.
Ans: B
18. A sitting duc
A) Duck sitting at the bank of river
B) Explain something explicitly
C) Being extremely happy making the sentence contextually
D) A person or thing with no protection against an attack or other source of danger
Explanation: A sitting duck: a person or thing with no protection against an attack or other source of danger
E.g: With their bullets all gone, the soldiers were sitting ducks for the enemy.
Ans: D
19. Grow into
A) Become as a result of natural development or gradual increase
B) Reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly
C) To stop up one's mouth and be quiet
D) Start something and proceed at a fast pace with enthusiasm
Explanation: Grow into: become as a result of natural development or gradual increase.
E.g: "Rome began as a city and grew into a huge empire"
Ans: A
20. Iron out
A) To postpone or arrange a later date
B) To resolve by discussion
C) Waste one's time or efforts
D) Dead and buried
Explanation: Iron out: to resolve by discussion
E.g: They had ironed out their differences.
Ans: B
21. Wet behind the ears
A) Threatening, aggressive, but not willing to engage in a fight
B) Expressing that something is not understandable
C) Young and without much experience
D) To require help from other every now and then because of
Explanation: Wet behind the ears: young and without much experience
E.g: he's a nice young fellow but a bit wet behind the ears.
Ans: C
22. Water under the bridge
A) A prior issue that is now resolved or considered resolved.
B) To happen very rarely C) Feeling sad
D) An imaginary situation
Explanation: Water under the bridge: a prior issue that is now resolved or considered resolved.
E.g: Yes, we did have our disagreements, but that's water under the bridge.
Ans: A
23. Back against the wall
A) Get organized and do things effectively
B) Go to sleep
C) Being grumpy or angry about something
D) Stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape
Explanation: Back against the wall: Stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape.
E.g: He owes money to everyone - he really has his back to the wall now.
Ans: D
