Idioms and Phrases Questions and Answers
Idioms and phrases is an important concept of English comprehension which is often asked in competitive exams in India. Practicing questions from each topic within the time limit will help candidates in preparation. Candidates preparing for these exams must practice the questions of idioms and phrases to score well in the Verbal Ability section.
In the following article, we are going to discuss some important Idioms and Phrase questions for several competitive exams. A list of important idioms and phrases is also provided below so that the students can revise well.
Table of Content
- What are Idioms?
- Examples of Idioms with Meaning
- What is Phrases?
- Examples of Phrases
- List of Important Idioms and Phrases
- Important Idioms and Phrases Question and Answers
What are Idioms?
An idiom is a phrase or expression in which all of the words have multiple definitions than they often do. Idioms are enjoyable to use since they are a common feature of speech.
Examples of Idioms with Meaning
- The following is the examples of Idioms
- Here are some popular idioms with their meanings
- Back against the wall (Doing something against the wish due to being stuck in a tricky situation)
- Break the ice (Start the conversation)
- Get your act together (Start doing things in an organized and effective way)
- On cloud nine (Being very elated and happy)
- Spill the beans (Reveal a secret)
- Pull someoneās leg (Prank someone)
- Through thick and thin (Displaying full loyalty)
- Donāt cry over spilt milk (Donāt cry over something that canāt be fixed)
- A black sheep (Someone who brings disgrace to the entire family)
- Once in a blue moon (Rare occurrence)
- By the skin of your teeth (Making it barely)
- Go the extra mile (Making an extra effort)
- Straight from the Horseās mouth (Getting information directly from the concerned person)
- Has bigger fish to fry (Has more important things to do)
- Look before you leap (Analyse the consequences before taking a decision)
- Take a rain check (Postponing a plan)
- Play devilās advocate (Arguing for the sake of it)
- Throwing caution to the wind (Taking risks)
What is Phrases?
Pharases are defined as the combination of multiple words that are related to one another and act as a single unit but do not contain a subject-verb pairing.ā A phrase can consist of anywhere from two to ten syllables. It is integrated into a phrase or statement elaborating on a topic by which give additional information.
Examples of Phrases
The following is the examples of Phrases:
- The disabled boy was left out of the entire journey.
- The deceased person was gentle and smart.
- The last time you ate anything since morning.
- You might enjoy a meal with us.
- He was excited to become the leader of the group.
- She was anxious to meet her idol.
- Taking my children for a drive is fun.
List of Important Idioms and Phrases
The following is the list of Important Idioms and Phrases:
S.No | Idioms and Phrases | Meaning |
1 | to have ants in your pants | A person who canāt still calm or remains silent |
2 | to take the bull by the horns | To deal with a difficult situation |
3 | to let the cat out of the bag | To disclose a secret |
4 | to have the cat get your tongue | Doesnāt have words to say or is usually quite |
5 | to be raining cats and dogs | It is used to describe heavily rain |
6 | to have a cow | To become very angry at something |
7 | to wait until the cows come home | Waiting for someone for a long time |
8 | to be in the doghouse | Being in trouble by someone else |
9 | to let sleeping dogs lie | Stop interfering in a situation that doesnāt cause any harm |
10 | to be in a fine kettle of fish | Being in an awkward situation |
11 | to seem a little fishy | Seems suspicious |
12 | to live high on the hog | Living a prosperous and a healthy life |
13 | to eat like a horse | Eat large quantities of food |
14 | to look a gift horse in the mouth | Finding faults in a gift or favour |
15 | to hear it straight from the horseās mouth | Hearing the information from the main source |
16 | to hold your horses | Saying someone to stop or care about their decision |
17 | to put the cart before the horse | Reversing the order or procedure of something |
18 | to change horses in midstream | Choosing a different leader |
19 | Under the weather | Feeling unwell |
20 | Turning a blind eye | To overlook |
21 | Make a beeline | Go quickly and directly to somewhere |
22 | At sixes and seven | If someone is in a state of confusion |
23 | Counting your chickens | When someone should not depend on something |
24 | Pain in the neck | When someone is very annoying |
25 | Like chalk and cheese | When two things are different from each other |
26 | To sit on the fence | When someone delays making a decision |
27 | Once in a blue moon | An incident that happens rarely |
28 | Burn the midnight oil | Work hard for a long time |
29 | Cook the Books | When someone alters the figures |
30 | Decked up | Wearing special clothes to look attractive |
Important Idioms and Phrases Question and Answers
Directions (Q.1-10) : In each of the following questions, fill in the blanks with correct idioms or phrases given in the options.
Q1. We thought the new product launch would be a huge success, but it turned out to be __________.
A. damp squib
B. The apple of my eye
C. The ball is in your court
D. A shot in the dark
Answer: A. A damp squib
Q2. After months of training, she finally ran her first marathon and felt like she had __________.
A. Let the cat out of the bag
B. Hit the nail on the head
C. Bitten off more than she could chew
D. Crossed the finish line
Answer: D. Crossed the finish line
Q3. I had to take the day off work because I was _________.
A. Barking up the wrong tree
B. In hot water
C. Burning the midnight oil
D. Feeling blue
Answer: D. Feeling blue
Q4. Iām not sure if I should take this job offer. Iām afraid I might be __________.
A. Burning the candle at both ends
B. Breaking a leg
C. Cutting corners
D. Biting the hand that feeds me
Answer: C. Cutting corners
Q5. I donāt want to jump to conclusions, but I think my roommate might be __________.
A. Pulling my leg
B. Two-faced
C. Barking up the wrong tree
D. A bull in a china shop
Answer: B. Two-faced
Q6. I donāt know how Iām going to finish this project on time. I feel like Iām __________.
A. Between a rock and a hard place
B. On cloud nine
C. A fish out of water
D. A diamond in the rough
Answer: A. Between a rock and a hard place
Q7. Iāve been studying for this exam for months, so Iām hoping to __________.
A. Hit the ground running
B. Have a field day
C. Be a dark horse
D. Have a lot on my plate
Answer: A. Hit the ground running
Q8. I donāt think we should hire him. He seems like __________.
A. A fish out of water
B. The black sheep of the family
C. A wolf in sheepās clothing
D. The apple of my eye
Answer: C. A wolf in sheepās clothing
Q9. The companyās new CEO has really turned things around. Itās like a __________.
A. Bolt from the blue
B. A mareās nest
C. A shot in the arm
D. A storm in a teacup
Answer: C. A shot in the arm
Q10. Iām sorry, but I canāt help you with your project. Iām already __________.
A. Burning the candle at both ends
B. A diamond in the rough
C. Cutting corners
D. Spreading myself too thin
Answer: D. Spreading myself too thin
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