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Idioms and Phrases Questions and Answers

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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.

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 someone’s leg (Prank someone)
  • Through thick and thin (Displaying full loyalty)
  • Don’t cry over spilt milk (Don’t cry over something that can’t 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 Horse’s 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 devil’s 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.” 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 can’t 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   Doesn’t 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 doesn’t 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 horse’s 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. I’m not sure if I should take this job offer. I’m 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 don’t 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 don’t know how I’m going to finish this project on time. I feel like I’m __________. 
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. I’ve been studying for this exam for months, so I’m 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 don’t 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 sheep’s clothing 
D. The apple of my eye 

Answer: C. A wolf in sheep’s clothing

Q9. The company’s new CEO has really turned things around. It’s like a __________. 
A. Bolt from the blue 
B. A mare’s nest 
C. A shot in the arm 
D. A storm in a teacup 

Answer: C. A shot in the arm

Q10. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you with your project. I’m 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



Last Updated : 03 Nov, 2023
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