idioms & phrases section 9 Detailed Explanation And More Example

Answer: (a)

the seamy side : unpleasant aspect; sordid; unattractive aspect of something.

Here, unpleasant aspect is the right option

Look at the sentences : Mary saw the seamy side of life when she worked as a volunteer in the homeless shelter.

Lying and stealing are part of the seamy side of life.

Answer: (a)

too many chiefs and not enough Indians : an inefficient situation.

Here, an in efficien situation is the right option

Look at the sentence : Some demand arbitrary reductions in management staff, believing there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

Answer: (c)

fall back on : resort to something; have recourse to when in difficulty; turn to; employ.

Here, resort to something is the right option

Look at the sentence : When necessary, instinct is the most reliable resource you can fall back on.

Answer: (b)

build castles in the air : thinking of some impossible task; dream; make plans or hopes that have very little chance of happening.

Here, dream is the right option.

Look at the sentence : She keeps talking about her long time ambitions, but it's all castles in the air.

Answer: (c)

go to rack and ruin : to become worse; worsen; decline; deteriorate; get into a bad condition.

Here, get into a bad condition is the right option

Look at the sentence : Their tenants had let the property go to rack and ruin.

Answer: (b)

palm off : to persuade somebody to accept something that has no value; to dispose off with the intent to deceive.

Here, to dispose off with the intent to deceive is the right option.

Look at the sentence : Make sure he doesn’t try to palm you off with faulty goods.