Practice Idioms and phrases - general english mcq Online Quiz (set-1) For All Competitive Exams

Q-1)   Bad blood

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:  

ill feeling

Bad blood = feelings of hate between people because of arguments in the past.

Look at the sentence : There has been bad blood between the two families for years.


Q-2)   She played ducks and drakes with her money.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

play ducks and drakes : to waste/squander

⇒ He lost his job for playing ducks and drakes with the fund of corporation.

The best option is spent lavishly


Q-3)   Ruffle somebody’s feather

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

annoy somebody

Ruffle somebody’s feather = to cause someone to be upset.

Look at the sentence : Mohan ruffled a few feathers when he suggested cutting the teacher’s salaries.


Q-4)   Cut short

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

interrupt

Cut short = to have to stop doing something before it is finished.

Look at the sentence : Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of more guests.


Q-5)   Everybody thought Asha and Ashok were a happy couple, but it was all just make believe.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:  

make believe that... : to pretend that something is true.

⇒ l Let’s make believe we’re elves. (dwarfs)

The best option is pretence.


Directions:

In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

[SSC CGL Tier-I 2016]

Q-6)   to spill the beans

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

to spill the beans : reveal secret information indiscreetly.

Here, to reveal a secret is the right option.

Look at the sentence : I spilled the beans about the surprise party, by telling the birthday girl.


Directions:

In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

[SSC CGL Tier-I 2016]

Q-7)   face the music

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

face the music : to accept and deal with criticism or punishment for something you have done.

Here, be punished is the right option.

Look at the sentence : The others all ran off, leaving me to face the music.


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase.

Q-8)   We wanted to keep the gift as a surprise for mother but my sister gave the game away.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase given in bold in the sentence. Choose the one that best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase in the sentence.

[SSC CAPFs SI, ASI 2016)]

Q-9)   My friend got the sack from his first job.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

get the sack from : being told by your employer that you can no longer continue working for a company etc. usually because of something that you have done wrong.

Here, was dismissed from is the right usage.


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase.

Q-10)   to die in harness means to die while

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Q-11)   Get on the nerves

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Q-12)   Ended in a fiasco

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

[SSC Stenographer (Grade 'C' & 'D') 2011]

Q-13)   The piece of parental property has created bad blood between the two brothers.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

bad blood : feelings of hatred/strong dislike

There is no bad blood between us.

The best option is active enmity.


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase as your answer.

[SSC Graduate Level Tier-II 2012]

Q-14)   “If he does not perform his duties properly, I will send him packing,” said the manager.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

send him packing : to tell somebody firmly or rudely to go away

The owner caught his servant taking small things from the store. So, he sent him packing.

The best option is terminate his services.


Directions:

In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Q-15)   Damp squib

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase.

Q-16)   The car broke down just as it reached the edge of a cliff. It was indeed a close shave.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase.

Q-17)   Red-letter day

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Q-18)   Out of date

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase.

Q-19)   When I entered the house everything was at sixes and sevens.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Directions:

In each of the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase as your answer.

Q-20)   Receiving his first award was a shot in the arm for him.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Explanation:

a shot in the arm : something that gives encouragement

The opening of a new research centre will give a much-needed shot in the arm.

The best option is something that gives encouragement