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Idioms & Phrases SSC CGL 50 MCQ SET:-2
Instructions : Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Q1. Come hell or high water
(A) Not ready to go on adventures
(B) Tired of all kinds of dangers
(C) In spite of any obstacles
(D) Afraid of the challenges
Answer: In spite of any obstacles
Explanation: c)Come hell or high water – in spite of all the difficulties. Eg : He confirmed that come hell or high water, he would crack this examination in his first attempt.
Q2. Out of bounds
(A) Forbidden
(B) Within limits
(C) Tied up
(D) Limitless
Answer: Limitless
Explanation: d)Out of bounds – beyond established limits. Eg : If the ball is out of bounds, it is not within the playing area.
Q3. Keep up appearances
(A) To pretend to be happier or richer so as to conceal the real situation
(B) To spend a lot of time on appearances to lead the fashion world
(C) To deliberately appear shabby and not care to impress people
(D) To waste a lot of money on mindless shopping and not bother about the consequences
Answer: To pretend to be happier or richer so as to conceal the real situation
Explanation: a)Keep up appearance – to pretend to be happier or richer so as to conceal the real situation. Eg : I tried very hard to keep up appearances as I fell further and further into credit card debt.
Q4. In the blink of an eye
(A) Something that is not real
(B) Within a very short period of time
(C) Within a very long period of time
(D) Something that is unavoidable
Answer: Within a very short period of time
Explanation: b)In the blink of an eye – within a very short period of time. Eg : Time seems to go by so fast in the blink of an eye.
Q5. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes for the special event which being planned next week.is
(A) For spreading the news
(B) In the theatre
(C) Unknown to everyone
(D) To complete the arrangements
Answer: Unknown to everyone
Explanation: c)Behind the scene – unknown to everyone. Eg : Everyone sees the glory moment but they do not see what happens behind the scenes.
Q6. Hats off to someone
(A) Give hats to
(B) Announce a prize for
(C) Make new hats f
(D) Congratulations to
Answer: Congratulations to
Explanation: d)Hats off to someone – congratulate someone. Eg : Hats off to Rohit for clearing the CGL examination.
Q7. We enjoyed watching the film because it was a down–to-earth depiction of modern life.
(A) fanciful and dreamlike
(B) pleasing and entertaining
(C) practical and direct
(D) short and meaningful
Answer: practical and direct
Explanation: c)Down-to-earth:- practical and direct. Eg : The players like the coach because he’s down-to-earth and honest with them.
Q8. His guide asked him to pull up his socks if he wanted a good rank.
(A) take care to be more formal
(B) make a greater effort to improve
(C) give attention to his appearance also
(D) dress more carefully and neatly
Answer: make a greater effort to improve
Explanation: b)Pull up his socks – make a greater effort to improve. Eg : He’s going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team.
Q9. Back in saddle
(A) Learn how to ride
(B) Resume duty
(C) Teach someone riding
(D) Put a new saddle
Answer: Resume duty
Explanation: b)Back in the saddle – resume duty. Eg : As Rohit is ill he needs to back in the saddle for some time.
Q10. When they read about the proposed strike of buses they said, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
(A) Prevent them
(B) Call them for talks
(C) Solve the problem
(D) Cancel our plans
Answer: Solve the problem
Explanation: c)Cross that bridge – solve the problem Eg : The job interview is a week away, so I’m not worried about it yet—I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Q11. Vanish into the air
(A) Perpetually postpone
(B) Totally dilute
(C) Completely disappear
(D) Permanently mix
Answer: Completely disappear
Explanation: c)Vanish into the air – completely disappear Eg : We couldn’t find the boy. He seemed to have vanished into the air.
Q12. Take one’s hat off to someone
(A) Indicate disapproval
(B) Express anger
(C) Display humility
(D) Show admiration
Answer: Show admiration
Explanation: d)Take one’s hat off to someone – show admiration. Eg : I take my hat off to that organization for providing help when no one else does.
Q13. Touch all bases
(A) Force someone to do something
(B) Include everything
(C) Stretch your hands high
(D) Imagine you are flying
Answer: Include everything
Explanation: b)Touch all bases – includes everything. Eg : we have touched all the bases in this book.
Q14. The police was able to find guilty but the big fish escaped.
(A) plump men
(B) large-sized ones
(C) tall people
(D) main leaders
Answer: main leaders
Explanation: d)The big fish – main leader Eg : PM Modi became the big fish in the world of politics in 2001.
Q15. Cut to the chase
(A) Talking about the important point and leaving out the detail
(B) Sleeping long hours and spoiling the health
(C) Cutting long pieces and spoiling the dish cooked
(D) Stopping unexpectedly and missing the chase
Answer: Talking about the important point and leaving out the detail
Explanation: a)Cut to the chase – talking about the important point and leaving out the detail Eg : I can see that you are busy so I’ll cut to the chase. I need you to lend me a large amount of money.
Q16. Keep a civil tongue
(A) Speak with great politeness
(B) Maintain silence when needed
(C) Argue with soft words
(D) Express dissent mildly
Answer: Speak with great politeness
Explanation: a)Keep a civil tongue – speak with great politeness Eg : I know that this is a heated topic, but I would ask that all participants in the debate please keep a civil tongue.
Q17. Every cloud has a silver lining
(A) Something irritating is there in any joyous situation
(B) Something promising is there in any difficult situation
(C) Something disheartening is there in any happy situation
(D) Something interesting is there in any colourful situation
Answer: Something promising is there in any difficult situation
Explanation: b)Every cloud has a silver lining – something promising is there in any difficult situation. Or even a very bad situation has a positive or hopeful side. Eg: When Raju was rejected in the interview his father told him not to be disappointed because every cloud has a silver lining.
Q18. Made out of whole cloth
(A) Entirely fabricated though believable
(B) Entirely true and convincing
(C) Entirely false and fabricated
(D) Entirely false though convincing
Answer: Entirely false and fabricated
Explanation: c)Made out of whole cloth – entirely false and fabricated.
Q19. Reinventing the wheel
(A) Examining circumstances that have already been understood
(B) Wasting one’s time for things that have already been satisfactorily done
(C) Analysing various factors of happenings
(D) Disturbing the system which has already been in use
Answer: Wasting one’s time for things that have already been satisfactorily done
Explanation: b)Reinventing the wheel – waste a great deal of time or effort in creating something that already exists. Eg: Some of these ideas are worth pursuing, but there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
Q20. Falling head over heels
(A) Feeling deep sympathy to the needy
(B) Finding fault with others
(C) Falling deeply in love with someone
(D) Fixing models without proper analysis
Answer: Falling deeply in love with someone
Explanation: c)Falling head over heels – falling deeply in love with someone. Eg: It was obvious that Rahul had fallen head over heels in love with kajal.
Q21. Neither fish nor fowl
(A) Something which can neither be supplied easily nor be made available readily
(B) Something which can neither be purchased nor be grown
(C) Something which can neither be eaten nor be preserved
(D) Something which can neither be categorized easily nor be accepted befittingly
Answer: Something which can neither be categorized easily nor be accepted befittingly
Explanation: d)Neither fish nor fowl – something that is difficult to identify\ classify or not recognizable or characteristic of any one particular thing. So, according to the meaning of this idiom option (d) is correct.
Q22. In a fog
(A) Confused and dazed
(B) Sightless and blind
(C) Trapped in foggy weather
(D) Disturbed and unhappy
Answer: Confused and dazed
Explanation: a)In a fog – confused and dazed, Not fully aware of something. Eg: I was in a fog when I saw two similar answers in a single question.
Q23. To take French leave
(A) Welcome the host
(B) Leave with written permission
(C) Leave without any intimation
(D) Acknowledge the host
Answer: Leave without any intimation
Explanation: c) To take French leave: Leave without any intimation Many students take French leave to see IPL matches.
Q24. A hard nut to crack
(A) Easily disappointed
(B) A difficult problem
(C) Easily encouraged
(D) Not restrained
Answer: A difficult problem
Explanation: b) A hard nut to crack – A difficult problem Eg : The questions given in the chapter on mechanics in this book are a hard nut to crack.
Q25. On shank’s mare
(A) On an elephant
(B) On a lion
(C) On a bicycle
(D) On foot
Answer: On foot
Explanation: d)On shank’s mare – Bare Foot It was such a delightful day that we decided to ride shanks’ mare to the fair.
Q26. A snake in the grass
(A) A well-wisher
(B) difficult to find
(C) A good friend
(D) A secret enemy
Answer: A secret enemy
Explanation: d) A snake in the grass- A secret enemy He’s a guy you can’t trust, just like a snake in the grass.
Q27. Blow one’s own trumpet
(A) Praise oneself
(B) Condemn others
(C) Be self-reliant
(D) Follow others
Answer: Praise oneself
Explanation: a) Blow one’s own trumpet -Praise oneself I don’t think blowing your own trumpet will get you this job.
Q28. Spill the beans
(A) Waste money
(B) Give away a secret
(C) Perform magic
(D) Work hard
Answer: Give away a secret
Explanation: b) Spill the beans -Give away a secret I topped the paper but Peter spilled the beans that I cheated in the exam.
Q29. Back to square one
(A) neglect something
(B) Come to the original point
(C) Draw a square
(D) Move ahead
Answer: Come to the original point
Explanation: b) Back to square one: Come to the original point His idea didn’t work, so he had to go back to square one.
Q30. Dead heat
(A) Close contest that ends in a tie
(B) Strong opposition to one’s ideas
(C) A deadly blast of hot air
(D) A strong heat wave
Answer: Close contest that ends in a tie
Explanation: a) Dead heat: Close contest that ends in a tie A national poll shows the presidential race in a dead heat.
Q31. The bee’s knees
(A) Observant
(B) Foolish
(C) Problematic
(D) Extraordinary
Answer: Extraordinary
Explanation: d) The bee’s knees – Extraordinary Have you tried this perfume? It’s the bee’s knees, it really is.
Q32. To throw a fit
(A) Become unconscious
(B) Caution someone about fitness
(C) Express extreme anger
(D) Faint and fall down
Answer: Express extreme anger
Explanation: c) Express extreme anger: To throw a fit Your sister will throw a fit when she sees the mess you’ve made.
Q33. Bring to light
(A) Reveal clearly
(B) Cheer someone
(C) Praise in public
(D) Brighten up
Answer: Reveal clearly
Explanation: a) Bring to light: Reveal clearly CBI will bring to light all details about the cases next Monday.
Q34. Hold water
(A) to be fickle
(B) to be busy
(C) to be valid
(D) to be deep
Answer: to be valid
Explanation: c) Hold water: to be valid Her argument doesn’t hold water if you ask me.
Q35. A close-fisted person
(A) A strong person
(B) A cruel person
(C) A kind person
(D) A miserly person
Answer: A miserly person
Explanation: d) A close-fisted person: A miserly person Ram is a close-fisted person as he never participates in any occasion.
Q36. A bed of roses
(A) A valley full of flowers
(B) An easy and happy situation
(C) A difficult path
(D) A pleasant perfume
Answer: An easy and happy situation
Explanation: b) A bed of roses: An easy and happy situation Life isn’t always a bed of roses it’s a combination of happiness and sorrows.
Q37. To take the bull by the horns
(A) To handle difficulties
(B) To speak arrogantly
(C) surrender to the enemy
(D) To murder someone
Answer: To handle difficulties
Explanation: a) To take the bull by the horns: To handle difficulties Government has to take the bulls by horns to tackle corruption
Q38. To flog a dead horse
(A) To accept the challenge
(B) To waste the efforts
(C) To make the best use of resources
(D) To complete the work
Answer: To waste the efforts
Explanation: b) To flog a dead horse: To waste the efforts You’re flogging a dead horse trying to persuade him to come with us as he hates going out at night.
Q39. Add fuel to the fire
(A) Simplify the problem
(B) Exploit someone
(C) Calm down the situation
(D) To make a bad situation worse
Answer: To make a bad situation worse
Explanation: d) Add fuel to the fire- To make a bad situation worse Arresting the communal leader in such a tense situation will only add fuel to the flames.
Q40. Hobson’s choice
(A) To challenge an unworthy opponent
(B) An apparently free choice where there is no real alternative
(C) To exercise the choice to surrender before the enemy
(D) To be in an aggressive mood when facing a challenge
Answer: An apparently free choice where there is no real alternative
Explanation: b) Hobson’s choice -An apparently free choice where there is no real alternative (the choice between taking what is offered and getting nothing at all. ) Don’t give me a Hobson’s choice, I want real options.
Q41. By and by
(A) Gradually
(B) Suddenly
(C) On the whole
(D) By any means
Answer: Gradually
Explanation: a) By and By- Gradually we’ll get under the tunnel by and by.
Q42. Chicken-hearted
(A) Generous
(B) Cowardly
(C) Selfish
(D) Miserly
Answer: Cowardly
Explanation: b) Chicken-hearted- Cowardly or fearful He is nothing but a chicken-hearted coward.
Q43. Pull a fast one
(A) Believe someone easily
(B) Trick someone
(C) Take quick action
(D) Progress fast
Answer: Trick someone
Explanation: b) Pull a fast one- Trick someone The crowd obviously thought I was trying to pull a fast one to get a better seat.
Q44. See eye to eye
(A) See clearly
(B) Stare at someone
(C) Agree with someone
(D) Be suspicious
Answer: Agree with someone
Explanation: c) See eye to eye- Agree with someone I eye to eye with my boss on the completion of the pending project.
Q45. To paddle one’s own canoe
(A) To take rest
(B) To exercise hard
(C) Depend on oneself
(D) To act in a childish way
Answer: Depend on oneself
Explanation: c) To paddle one’s own canoe -Depend on oneself She is a strong woman and can paddle her own canoe without having a man in her life.
Q46. Like a dying duck in a thunderstorm
(A) Daring
(B) Comfortable
(C) Dejected
(D) Confident
Answer: Dejected
Explanation: c) Dejected-sad and depressed; dispirited Don’t feel like a duck dying in the thunderstorm, you still have a chance to bounce back.
Q47. Look down upon
(A) To look for something underground
(B) To consider someone inferior
(C) To be full of guilt
(D) To look down from a height
Answer: To consider someone inferior
Explanation: b)to consider someone inferior. One cannot lockdown upon one’s opponent.
Q48. Keep a breast of
(A) Keep ahead of
(B) Keep a watch on
(C) Keep up the good work
(D) Keep oneself updated
Answer: Keep oneself updated
Explanation: d)Keep oneself updated While preparing for the government job, One should keep abreast of all government schemes.
Q49. Come to the point
(A) To speak plainly about the real issue
(B) To unravel a mystery
(C) To get reconciled to something
(D) To meet at a designated place
Answer: To speak plainly about the real issue
Explanation: a) Come to the point-To speak plainly about the real issue We all are in a hurry so, directly come to the point.
Q50. Give a piece of one’s mind
(A) To rebuke someone strongly
(B) To advise someone
(C) To share one’s ideas
(D) To donate something valuable
Answer: To rebuke someone strongly
Explanation: a) Give a piece of one’s mind -To rebuke someone strongly I gave him a piece of mind as he was not doing his work even after several requests.