Phrases and Idioms MCQs for Competitive Examination
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given phrase/idiom.
Q. 41
At someone’s expense
(A) Paid for by someone
(B) To blame a crime on someone else
(C) The unlucky person who lose a race
(D) If one person benefits it is always at the loss of another
Answer: (A) Paid for by someone
Q. 42
Carry on
(A) Bring
(B) Continue
(C) Complete something
(D) To take in
Answer: (B) Continue
Q. 43
At large
(A) A very big opportunity
(B) A criminal escaped or not yet captured
(C) To have a big heart
(D) A big appetite
Answer: (B) A criminal escaped or not yet captured
Q. 44
Head over heels
(A) To do things exactly opposite of what is expected
(B) Madly in love
(C) To do stupid things
(D) To unknowingly dive into an unpleasant situation
Answer: (B) Madly in love
Q. 45
A bone of contention
(A) The only part to which two arguing parties agree
(B) An issue over which there is continuing disagreement.
(C) A very expensive inherited property.
(D) To be happy with only a few things.
Answer: (B) An issue over which there is continuing disagreement
Q. 46
Zip your lip
(A) Keep quiet about something.
(B) To talk fast.
(C) To not think before speaking.
(D) The silence before a storm.
Answer: (A) Keep quiet about something
Q. 47
A walk of life
(A) An easy comfortable life not necessarily prosperous.
(B) The most important day of your life.
(C) A person’s occupation or position within society.
(D) Walking is the best form of exercise.
Answer: (C) A person’s occupation or position within society
Q. 48
Cut to the chase
(A) Come to the point.
(B) To run after somebody.
(C) To cut out the important bits of information.
(D) To take a short cut.
Answer: (A) Come to the point
Q. 49
Be in force
(A) To enjoy a short period of fame or power.
(B) In great strength or numbers.
(C) A hateful act done in a haste.
(D) Be the current winner
Answer: (B) In great strength or numbers
Q. 50
Make a scene
(A) To perform beautifully in front of an audience.
(B) Make a public disturbance or excited emotional display.
(C) To narrate an elaborate false story.
(D) Describe a scene in so much detail that it comes vividly
Answer: (B) Make a public disturbance or excited emotional display
Q. 51
Ask for a trouble
(A) Act in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties.
(B) Be the self-appointed guardian of your neighbourhood.
(C) A clumsy person who keeps making mistakes.
(D) A person who has no work
Answer: (A) Act in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties
Q. 52
Drive someone up the wall
(A) To help someone achieve success.
(B) To overcome an obstacle by going over it.
(C) To close someone’s path of escape.
(D) Make someone very irritated or angry
Answer: (D) Make someone very irritated or angry
Q. 53
At the top of your lungs
(A) Be a habitual smoker.
(B) Be breathless after an exhausting physical task.
(C) Feel suffocated in a very crowded place.
(D) Extremely loudly.
Answer: (D) Extremely loudly
Q. 54
The wheels have come off
(A) To use something so much that it wears out.
(B) Things start to fail or go wrong, especially after a period of success.
(C) To do a shoddy job which is destined to fail.
(D) Make an excuse to avoid doing a task.
Answer: (B) Things start to fail or go wrong, especially after a period of success
Q. 55
Silver bullet
(A) A very expensive solution used only as the last measure.
(B) A simple and seemingly magical solution to a complicated problem.
(C) A solution which is worse than the problem.
(D) A thing of beauty but which is actually deadly.
Answer: (A) A very expensive solution used only as the last measure
Q. 56
Beat about the bush
(A) Talks sensibly
(B) Talks continuously
(C) Speak well
(D) Does not talk specifically
Answer: (D) Does not talk specifically
Q. 57
A wet blanket
(A) A safety net of precaution from fires.
(B) A person who discourages enjoyment or enthusiasm.
(C) An extremely uncomfortable place to sleep.
(D) A trick to shoo away unwelcome guests.
Answer: (B) A person who discourages enjoyment or enthusiasm
Q. 58
A thorn in the flesh
(A) A minor discomfort which is easily ignored.
(B) To fight despite being injured.
(C) A source of continual annoyance or trouble.
(D) A person within
Answer: (C) A source of continual annoyance or trouble
Q. 59
A ray of hope
(A) Even in a very bad situation, one should try to see a good thing.
(B) Good days are sure to follow difficult ones.
(C) Be very happy even if the reason is very small.
(D) Something that provides a small amount of optimism in a difficult situation.
Answer: (D) Something that provides a small amount of optimism in a difficult situation
Q. 60
Mind your language
(A) To speak first and think later.
(B) To put a lot of efforts to understand what the other person is trying to say.
(C) Tell someone to speak politely.
(D) To speak grammatically incorrect language.
Answer: (C) Tell someone to speak politely