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Idioms & Phrases SSC CGL 50 MCQ SET:-1
Instructions : Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Q1. Raise the bar
(A) To grow taller
(B) To raise the price
(C) To win a competition
(D) To set higher goals
Answer: To set higher goals
Explanation: Raise the bar- to set higher goals Example- The increasing number of appearing candidates has raised the bar for the competition.
Q2. Bang for the buck
(A) Dash against something
(B) More value for money
(C) Less value for money
(D) A sorrowful heart
Answer: More value for money
Explanation: Bang for the buck- more value for money Example- I didn’t get the bang for the buck that I expected on the sale of my car.
Q3. To walk on air
(A) To feel very depressed
(B) To be completely free
(C) To be very happy
(D) To be very rich
Answer: To be very happy
Explanation: To walk on air- to be very happy Example- Rohit was walking on air because he got selected in the Income Tax Department.
Q4. To take a chill pill
(A) To ask a doctor for medication
(B) To drink cold water
(C) To gulp a tablet for a cold
(D) To calm down
Answer: To calm down
Explanation: To take a chill pill- to calm down Example- Ram was behaving very furiously on a trivial matter so I told him to take a chill pill.
Q5. Want to curl up and die
(A) Want to die comfortably
(B) Unable to sleep well
(C) Feel terribly ashamed and sorry
(D) Too tired from physical labour
Answer: Feel terribly ashamed and sorry
Explanation: Want to curl up and die- feel terribly ashamed and sorry Example- I just wanted to curl up and die when I accidentally broke his new mobile phone.
Q6. Be at a loss for words
(A) Habituated to using difficult words
(B) Not aware of the language
(C) Not know what to say
(D) Lost the urge to speak
Answer: Not know what to say
Explanation: Be at a loss for words- not know what to say Example- Raj is at a loss for words so I cannot understand his explanation for the fault
Q7. Full of beans.
(A) A dish made of French beans
(B) Full of cowardice
(C) A storeroom full of vegetables
(D) Full of energy
Answer: Full of energy
Explanation: Full of beans- full of energy Example- Whenever I meet Rajan in the gym he always remains full of beans.
Q8. To cut a long story short
(A) Like to tell long stories
(B) Like to tell short stories
(C) Tell something briefly
(D) Tell something in a roundabout way
Answer: Tell something briefly
Explanation: To cut a long story short- Tell something briefly Example- Ram wanted to be a doctor but, to cut a long story short, he ended up as a pharmacist.
Q9. Apple of one’s eye
(A) Someone who plays all sports
(B) Someone with great respect
(C) Someone very precious or dear
(D) Someone who behaves courteously
Answer: Someone very precious or dear
Explanation: Apple of one’s eye- Someone very precious or dear Example- Aryan Khan is the apple of his father’s eye.
Q10. To the nines
(A) To be exalted
(B) To be jealous
(C) To great depths
(D) To perfection
Answer: To perfection
Explanation: To the nines- to perfection Example- Tarun is dressed to the nine for the party.
Q11. At the eleventh hour
(A) At 11:00 a.m.
(B) At 11:00 p.m.
(C) At the very last minute
(D) One hour before midnight
Answer: At the very last minute
Explanation: At the eleventh hour- At the very last minute Example- I told Ravi to change his habit of finishing every project at the eleventh hour.
Q12. A storm in a teacup
(A) Unnecessary tension
(B) Disarranging the cutlery
(C) Lot of fuss that will soon be forgotten
(D) A sudden storm during teatime
Answer: Lot of fuss that will soon be forgotten
Explanation: A storm in a teacup- a lot of fuss that will soon be forgotten Example- I really think you are making a storm in a teacup over this small issue.
Q13. Pipe dream
(A) A dream or idea that is loudly proclaimed
(B) A dream or idea that is nearly accomplished
(C) A dream or idea that is unlikely to happen
(D) A dream or idea that keeps getting repeated
Answer: A dream or idea that is unlikely to happen
Explanation: Pipe dreama dream or idea that is unlikely to happen Example- It is a pipe dream if you think a donkey can beat a cheetah in a race.
Q14. Herculean task
(A) A job that only weak people are assigned
(B) A job that makes everyone feel proud
(C) A job that requires a lot of talking and information
(D) A Job that requires a large amount of physical strength
Answer: A Job that requires a large amount of physical strength
Explanation: Herculean task- a job that requires a large amount of physical s trength Example- Cracking the SSB test after the CDS exam is really a herculean task.
Q15. Spick and span
(A) Far and near
(B) Noisy and loud
(C) Fast and efficient
(D) Neat and clean
Answer: Neat and clean
Explanation: Spick and span- neat and clean Example- Ram’s house is so spick and span that you will hardly find anything untidy.
Q16. Go easy on something
(A) Fill one’s plate easily
(B) Use only a small amount of
(C) Take as much as one wants
(D) Eat slowly and liberally
Answer: Use only a small amount of
Explanation: Go easy on something- use only a small amount of Example- Mohit will respond in a better way if his father goes easy on him.
Q17. Pat on the back
(A) Friendly tap to push someone
(B) Praise or approval for doing something good
(C) Good massage for aches and pains
(D) Mild form of disapproval or blame
Answer: Praise or approval for doing something good
Explanation: Pat on the back- praise or approval for doing something good Example- I got a pat on the back from my father for scoring good marks in exams.
Q18. Wild goose chase
(A) A safari to spot rare animals
(B) A long search for hidden prey
(C) A worthless hunt or chase
(D) Going to watch uncommon birds
Answer: A worthless hunt or chase
Explanation: Wild goose chase- a worthless hunt or chase Example- Abhishek looking for his lost phone may be on a wild goose chase
Q19. A kick in the teeth
(A) Severe toothache
(B) A grave setback
(C) Removing tooth cavities
(D) Hitting someone hard
Answer: A grave setback
Explanation: A kick in the teeth- a grave setback Example- Losing my job after my car broke down was a real kick in the teeth.
Q20. A stumbling block
(A) Putting stones along the way
(B) An obstacle to progress
(C) Skipping over a hurdle
(D) Removing stones on the way
Answer: An obstacle to progress
Explanation: A stumbling block- an obstacle to progress Example- Unemployment is a stumbling block in the developing country.
Q21. Lion’s share
(A) The strongest and richest partner in a group
(B) The part that must be left for the guests in a party
(C) The greatest and most desirable portion of something
(D) The sound produced by a lion when it is attacking a prey
Answer: The greatest and most desirable portion of something
Explanation: Lion’s share- the greatest and most desirable portion of something Example-Military and nuclear research have received the lion’s share of public funding.
Q22. A live wire
(A) An influential and powerful person
(B) A very active or energetic person
(C) A dangerous and evil person
(D) An angry and bad-tempered person
Answer: A very active or energetic person
Explanation: A live wirea very active or energetic person Example- Nakul being a live wire does not get tired easily during physical activities.
Q23. Sit on the fence
(A) Create Conflicts
(B) Protect Something
(C) Avoid making a decision
(D) Poke fun at people
Answer: Avoid making a decision
Explanation: Sit on the fence- avoid making a decision Example- You can’t sit on the fence any longer – you have decide whose side you’re on
Q24. Fair and square
(A) By and means available
(B) According to the rules
(C) Beautiful in appearance
(D) Calm and quiet
Answer: According to the rules
Explanation: Fair and square- according to the rules Example- The X party won the recently held election in a fair and square way.
Q25. A bad egg
(A) Someone who is dishonest and unreliable
(B) Someone who regularly makes mistakes
(C) Someone who doesn’t like eggs
(D) Someone who likes to break eggs
Answer: Someone who is dishonest and unreliable
Explanation: A bad egg- someone who is dishonest and unreliable Example- I had already warned you not to trust Shivam on financial matters.
Q26. Tide someone over
(A) Complete a voyage successfully
(B) Give temporary help, usually financial
(C) Ask someone for financial assistance
(D) Get a boat ready to cross a river or water body
Answer: Give temporary help, usually financial
Explanation: Tide someone over- give temporary help, usually financial. Example- Can you lend me some money to tide me over till next month?
Q27. To pay lip service
(A) To ask for permission
(B) To be insincere
(C) To make loud statements
(D) To talk out of turn
Answer: To be insincere
Explanation: To pay lip service- to be insincere Example- Tarun did not offer any help so far and only paid lip service to the cause.
Q28. To get the ball rolling
(A) To match an opponent
(B) To keep working until late
(C) To play a ball game well
(D) To begin a process
Answer: To begin a process
Explanation: To get the ball rolling- to begin a process Example- Ram is shy, so he always waits for other people to get the ball rolling.
Q29. Through thick and thin
(A) With ego and pride
(B) Under all conditions
(C) With all kinds of people
(D) With humility
Answer: Under all conditions
Explanation: Through thick and thin- under all conditions Example- You should have to work hard through all thick and thin to qualify this exam.
Q30. On the horizon
(A) The successful beginning of a business venture
(B) A plan for the distant future
(C) An event that is likely to end soon
(D) An event that is likely to happen soon
Answer: An event that is likely to happen soon
Explanation: On the horizon- an event that is likely to happen soon Example- We have some new and fresh plans on the horizon.
Q31. On cloud nine
(A) Extremely happy
(B) Flying with a parachute
(C) Frequently flying by air
(D) Extremely sad
Answer: Extremely happy
Explanation: On cloud nine- extremely happy Example- Rohit is on cloud nine as he got selected in the Excise Department.
Q32. Draw the line at something
(A) Agreeing to an idea
(B) Accept something up to a particular point
(C) Coming to a conclusion
(D) Making pencil sketches
Answer: Accept something up to a particular point
Explanation: Draw the line at somethingaccept something up to a particular point Example- Mukesh is going to draw the line about working more than 180 hours a month.
Q33. A fish out of water
(A) Feel as if you are unable to breathe
(B) Feel like going to an unfamiliar and new place
(C) Feel comfortable in any kind of place
(D) Feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings
Answer: Feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings
Explanation: A fish out of water- feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings Example- When Raj shifted to the USA from a small village in India, he was like a fish out of water.
Q34. To be light years away
(A) An extremely long time from now in the past or future
(B) To be too distant for human beings to reach
(C) An unlikely event that happened suddenly
(D) When something seems like it is about to happen in the near future
Answer: To be too distant for human beings to reach
Explanation: To be light years away- to be too distant for human beings to reach Example- The nearest star to our sun, Proxima Centauri, is 4.2 light years away.
Q35. A square deal
(A) A fair agreement
(B) An unfair agreement
(C) A nice decoration
(D) A dishonest transaction
Answer: A fair agreement
Explanation: A square deal- a fair agreement Example- The team leader tries to get a square deal for all its employees.
Q36. On edge
(A) Keeping things safely
(B) Doing exercises regularly
(C) Nervous and unable to relax
(D) Playing a tiring game
Answer: Nervous and unable to relax
Explanation: On edge- Nervous and unable to relax Example- I was on edge last week waiting to see my SSC exam result.
Q37. The gift of the gab
(A) Loves to give gifts
(B) Writes very well
(C) Used to grabbing others’ gifts
(D) Talks well and persuasively
Answer: Talks well and persuasively
Explanation: The gift of the gab- talks well and persuasively Example- One must have the gift of the gab if one wants to become a good communicator.
Q38. Feel at sea
(A) Feel comfortable while travelling by water
(B) Feel angry
(C) Feel seasick
(D) Feel lost or confused
Answer: Feel lost or confused
Explanation: Feel at sea- feel lost or confused Example- The manager should not feel at sea if he wants to complete his presentation.
Q39. Twiddling one’s thumbs
(A) Feeling hungry
(B) Feeling bored
(C) Feeling angry
(D) Feeling sad
Answer: Feeling bored
Explanation: Twiddling one’s thumbsfeeling bored Example- Rohit arrived early for the meeting so he was twiddling his thumbs for an hour.
Q40. Out of the blue
(A) Beat someone black and blue
(B) Loves to wear only blue colour clothes
(C) Completely honestly
(D) Completely unexpectedly
Answer: Completely unexpectedly
Explanation: Out of the blue- completely unexpectedly Example- One day, out of the blue, Rohan called me up.
Q41. To fan the flames
(A) To resolve the issue amicably
(B) To call for help to solve an issue
(C) To cool the situation
(D) To make a bad situation worse
Answer: To make a bad situation worse
Explanation: To fan the flames- to make a bad situation worse Example- The politician’s comments are really going to fan the flames of hatred among the public.
Q42. To fight tooth and nail
(A) To fight or compete with great ferocity and intensity
(B) To silently leave the scene of battle
(C) To keep the enemy guessing about the weapons used
(D) To use unusual weapons to fight
Answer: To fight or compete with great ferocity and intensity
Explanation: To fight tooth and nail- to fight or compete with great ferocity and intensity Example- I am going to fight tooth and nail for that seat in the Excise department.
Q43. The eradication of corona virus is still a far cry.
(A) very near
(B) very easy
(C) very fast
(D) very distant
Answer: very distant
Explanation: A far cry- very distant Example: The climate in Delhi is a far cry from that of Mussoorie.
Q44. Living in a fool’s paradise
(A) To believe wrongly that your situation is good
(B) To be fooled by someone
(C) To live in luxuriously after fooling someone
(D) To live in a world of imagination
Answer: To believe wrongly that your situation is good
Explanation: Living in a fool’s paradise- To believe wrongly that your situation is good Example: Rahul was living in a fool’s paradise that he was preparing very well for UPSC, but he was shocked to see the result when he failed the exam.
Q45. She may be the Principal but it is the school administrator who rules the roost.
(A) is dependent upon her
(B) is totally submissive
(C) is proved right
(D) is in complete control
Answer: is in complete control
Explanation: Rule the roost- is in complete control Example: Ram is very bossy; he always wants to rule the roost.
Q46. To put one’s foot in one’s mouth
(A) To deliberately provoke someone
(B) To accidentally embarrass or upset someone
(C) To gather all of one’s resources
(D) To be disorderly and stupid
Answer: To accidentally embarrass or upset someone
Explanation: To put one’s foot in one’s mouth- to accidentally embarrass or upset someone Example: I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked her about her boyfriend.
Q47. Caught red-handed
(A) Caught by someone wearing a red wristband
(B) Caught in the act of doing something illegal
(C) Caught stealing red objects like apples and tomatoes
(D) Caught with a hand covered in blood
Answer: Caught in the act of doing something illegal
Explanation: Caught red-handed- Caught in the act of doing something illegal Example: The inspector caught the smugglers red-handed while doing illegal transactions.
Q48. To be all ears
(A) To have extra-large ears
(B) To be inquisitive and curious
(C) To be impatient about something
(D) To be ready and eager to listen
Answer: To be ready and eager to listen
Explanation: To be all ears- to be ready and eager to listen Example: You should be all ears to the announcement otherwise you will miss the important information.
Q49. Wash your dirty linen in public
(A) Hang Clothes outside
(B) Discuss private matters in front of others
(C) Fight with everyone unnecessarily
(D) Complain about everything
Answer: Discuss private matters in front of others
Explanation: Discuss private matters in front of others Example :- I never understand why he washes all his dirty linen in public in his group discussions.
Q50. Newton’s work in the field of physics speaks volumes about his genius.
(A) conveys a great deal
(B) advertises his work
(C) claims fame and honour
(D) does not gives a detailed report
Answer: conveys a great deal
Explanation: to convey a great deal without using words. Example :- The statistics speak volumes about what is going on with today’s young people.