Phrases and Idioms MCQs for Competitive Examination
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given phrase/idiom.
Q. 1
Dance to someone’s tune
(A) Argue with others on petty matters
(B) Delay in making a decision
(C) Do what others want you to do
(D) Be engaged in an energetic activity
Answer: (C) Do what others want you to do
Q. 2
Leave no stone unturned
(A) Try everything possible
(B) Leave the path halfway
(C) Not make enough efforts
(D) Turn everything upside down
Answer: (A) Try everything possible
Q. 3
Throw in the towel
(A) Think of a solution
(B) Face the situation
(C) Drop something
(D) Admit defeat
Answer: (D) Admit defeat
Q. 4
To air dirty linen in public
(A) To hang out clothes in the open
(B) To stand up and fight
(C) To discuss private affairs in public
(D) To continue to complain
Answer: (C) To discuss private affairs in public
Q. 5
Tit for tat
(A) To reward people for the good done
(B) To do harm as done to you
(C) To make someone angry
(D) To take advantage of someone
Answer: (B) To do harm as done to you
Q. 6
Bite your tongue
(A) Be impossible to be understood
(B) Get bruises in the mouth
(C) Talk for a long time
(D) Stop yourself from saying something
Answer: (D) Stop yourself from saying something
Q. 7
As clear as mud
(A) Honest and legal
(B) Extremely dirty
(C) Completely suitable for someone
(D) Impossible to understand
Answer: (D) Impossible to understand
Q. 8
Spill the beans
(A) Reveal a secret
(B) Create difficulty
(C) Makes an excuse
(D) Frighten someone
Answer: (A) Reveal a secret
Q. 9
The crux of the matter
(A) The lesser issue
(B) The unknown point
(C) The interesting thing
(D) The critical point
Answer: (D) The critical point
Q. 10
Four corners of the earth
(A) From morning till night
(B) From all parts of the world
(C) From the very beginning
(D) From beginning to end
Answer: (B) From all parts of the world
Q. 11
Hanging by a thread
(A) In a sorry or humble state
(B) Be extremely weak
(C) Unable to act as desired
(D) Be in a dangerous situation
Answer: (D) Be in a dangerous situation
Q. 12
To shake off
(A) To denounce
(B) To get rid of
(C) To pass off
(D) To recollect
Answer: (B) To get rid of
Q. 13
Going over one’s head
(A) Beyond one’s capacity to understand
(B) Unable to function as one used to
(C) Unable to take a decision
(D) Something one didn’t expect
Answer: (A) Beyond one’s capacity to understand
Q. 14
Mad as a hatter
(A) Superstitious
(B) Very upset
(C) Eccentric
(D) Old fashioned
Answer: (C) Eccentric
Q. 15
Sit on the fence
(A) To be in a tricky situation
(B) To be relaxed and comfortable
(C) Halting between two opinions
(D) To be defeated and dejected
Answer: (C) Halting between two opinions
Q. 16
Be an old hat
(A) Be superstitious
(B) Be outdated
(C) Be crazy
(D) Be foolish
Answer: (B) Be outdated
Q. 17
Head in the clouds
(A) To be very lazy
(B) To daydream
(C) To fell giddy
(D) To be very tall
Answer: (B) To daydream
Q. 18
Green thumb
(A) To have talent in gardening
(B) To have talent in painting
(C) To be envious
(D) To be angry
Answer: (A) To have talent in gardening
Q. 19
To grease the palm
(A) To give support
(B) To give a message
(C) To cheat someone
(D) To bribe someone
Answer: (D) To bribe someone
Q. 20
To win laurels
(A) To be victorious in a game
(B) To memorize
(C) To be disappointed
(D) To earn great prestige
Answer: (D) To earn great prestige