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Idioms & Phrases SSC CHSL 50 MCQ SET:-2
Instructions : Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Q1. Up in arms
(A) Throw up arms in joy
(B) Give up fighting and surrender
(C) Angry about something
(D) Divide into armed groups
Answer: Angry about something
Explanation: c) Up in the arms – protesting vigorously about something. Or angry about something Eg: The farmers are up in arms against the new agricultural laws.
Q2. Stir up a hornet’s nest
(A) Destroy a nest
(B) Call for dialogue
(C) Provoke trouble
(D) Lead a revolt
Answer: Provoke trouble
Explanation: c) Stir up a hornet’s nest – to Provoke trouble. Eg: The government has stirred up the hornet’s nest by increasing the GST.
Q3. Actions speak louder than words
(A) What you do reveals the real you
(B) What you don’t say is what you are
(C) What you do is your own business
(D) What you can see may not be true
Answer: What you do reveals the real you
Explanation: a) Actions speak louder than words – actions reveal the real personality of a person than what he speaks. Eg: He keeps saying he spends money wisely, but actions speak louder than words.
Q4. A piece of cake
(A) Something serious
(B) Something easy
(C) Something difficult
(D) Something amusing
Answer: Something easy
Explanation: b) A piece of cake – something that is very easy. Eg: Clearing the exam is not a piece of cake as competition is increasing day by day
Q5. A dime a dozen
(A) Very common
(B) Phenomenal
(C) Uncommon
(D) Expensive
Answer: Very common
Explanation: a) A dime a dozen – very common and of no particular value. Eg: In this season bananas are available at a dime a dozen
Q6. Couch Potato
(A) Overweight
(B) Lazy person
(C) Skinny
(D) Hyperactive
Answer: Lazy person
Explanation: b) Couch potato – lazy person Eg: My son has put on a lot of weight as he is a couch potato
Q7. Bite off more than one can chew
(A) To taste something while cooking
(B) To cheat someone and get away
(C) To eat quickly and run away
(D) To take on more than one can deal with
Answer: To take on more than one can deal with
Explanation: d) Bite off more than one can chew – to take on more than one can deal with Eg: The new employee wants to impress everyone so he bites off more than he can chew
Q8. Like talking to a brick wall
(A) Frightened
(B) Inattentive
(C) Curious
(D) Fascinated
Answer: Inattentive
Explanation: b)Like talking to a brick wall – inattentive. Eg: The teacher felt that teaching the backbenchers was like talking to a brick wall
Q9. It took Rohan a long time to get the hang of the machine in the new factory.
(A) bring someone to run
(B) clean and dry
(C) put up safely
(D) learn how to use
Answer: learn how to use
Explanation: d)Get the hang of – learn how to use. Eg: The senior citizens found it difficult to use the latest mobile phone but soon they got a hang of it
Q10. Fit as a fiddle.
(A) of the right size
(B) singing happily
(C) playing a musical instrument
(D) healthy and strong
Answer: healthy and strong
Explanation: d)Fit as a fiddle- healthy and strong. Eg: Milkha Singh is as fit as a fiddle
Q11. Akshay is likely to take the heat for having miscalculated the expenses.
(A) enjoy warm climate
(B) feel very hot
(C) receive criticism
(D) scold everyone
Answer: receive criticism
Explanation: c)Take the heat – receive criticism. Eg: The new movie is receiving a lot of heat as it has portrayed historical facts in a twisted way.
Q12. To have a gut feeling
(A) To have pain in the abdomen
(B) To experience discomfort
(C) To suffer from inflammation
(D) To feel an instinct or intuition
Answer: To suffer from inflammation
Explanation: c)To have a gut feeling – to feel an instinct or intuition. Eg: After buying books of Pinnacle publications I have a gut feeling that I will clear the
Q13. To restart his cash-strapped company he decided to apply for a bank loan.
(A) impoverished
(B) improving
(C) expensive
(D) expanding
Answer: impoverished
Explanation: a) Cash-strapped:- extremely short of money. Eg: During the lockdown many people were jobless and cash-strapped
Q14. Pull yourself together
(A) Use a rope ladder
(B) Regain composure
(C) Be friendly with everyone
(D) Talk about fitness
Answer: Regain composure
Explanation: b)Pull yourself together- regain composure. Eg : I know you are very upset with this year’s result but you have to pull yourself together and start preparing for next year.
Q15. Add insult to injury
(A) Make a bad situation even worse
(B) Play a prank on someone
(C) Say words that are very offensive
(D) Hurt someone physically
Answer: Make a bad situation even worse
Explanation: a)Add insult to injury- make a bad situation even worse. Eg : The derogatory comment by Raju added insult to injury as it made Sam feel more hopeless.
Q16. Jump on the bandwagon
(A) Get involved in an activity because it is likely to succeed
(B) Do an activity that is fun
(C) Do something because circumstances force you to
(D) Get engaged in an activity that is very important
Answer: Get involved in an activity because it is likely to succeed
Explanation: a)Jump on the bandwagon → get involved in an activity because it is likely to succeed. Eg : Many people were uploading their singing videos on social media so I also jumped on the bandwagon and started uploading my singing video as well.
Q17. If someone is an old hand, then he/she is:
(A) forgetful
(B) aged
(C) experienced
(D) weak
Answer: experienced
Explanation: c)Old Hand- experienced. Eg : You should take some advice from Ramesh as he is an old hand in this subject.
Q18. Sandeep received a new lease of life after moving to Pune.
(A) became energetic again
(B) started looking for a job
(C) started talking healthy food
(D) looked for a group of friends
Answer: became energetic again
Explanation: a) Received a new lease of life – became energetic again. Eg: The government offered a subsidy to the jute industry and then it received a new lease of life.
Q19. Anu jumped the gun and announced their plans at the dinner table.
(A) shouted loudly
(B) started shooting
(C) acted hastily
(D) ate quickly
Answer: acted hastily
Explanation: c) Jumped the gun – acted hastily Eg: The media jumped the gun and declared the man guilty even before the judiciary gave its verdict.
Q20. Looking for a needle in a haystack.
(A) Be interested in sewing and embroidery
(B) Attempting something impossible
(C) Searching for small things to do
(D) Suddenly deciding to do farming
Answer: Attempting something impossible
Explanation: b) Looking for a needle in a haystack – attempting something impossible. Eg : I looked everywhere for my ring at the beach but it seemed to look for a needle in a haystack.
Q21. Not mince (your) words
(A) Say words that are confusing
(B) Eat a lot clumsily
(C) State your opinion clearly
(D) Not to have clarity
Answer: State your opinion clearly
Explanation: c) Not mince your words – state your opinion clearly without hesitation. Eg : I always admire Neeraj’s habit of not mincing the words in a discussion.
Q22. Rub the wrong way
(A) Rub well without oil
(B) Rub incorrectly
(C) Annoy someone
(D) Please someone
Answer: Annoy someone
Explanation: c)Rub the wrong way – to annoy someone. Eg: Diplomacy is an art that every politician should develop or else he may end up rubbing people the wrong way.
Q23. To fall on deaf ears
(A) To be paid attention
(B) To be ignored
(C) To be listened carefully
(D) To be aware of what is going on
Answer: To be ignored
Explanation: b)To fall on deaf ears – to be ignored. Eg: During youth, most advice falls on deaf ears
Q24. Eat humble pie
(A) Make noise while eating
(B) Eat less food
(C) Eat something which is not tasty
(D) Admit that you are wrong
Answer: Admit that you are wrong
Explanation: d)Eat humble pie – apologize, admit that you are wrong. Eg: When he was caught red-handed, he had to eat humble pie.
Q25. Let off the hook
(A) Not made to wait for a long time
(B) Not allowed to take part in an activity
(C) Allowed to escape from blame
(D) Made to pay for one’s actions
Answer: Allowed to escape from blame
Explanation: c)Let off the hook – allowed to escape from blame. Eg : Since it was his first mistake, he was let off the hook with just a warning.
Q26. Parthian shot
(A) Parting hit
(B) Victory
(C) Praise
(D) Say goodbye
Answer: Parting hit
Explanation: a)Parthian shot – parting hit, final insult in an argument. Eg : Needless to say, I am completely nonplussed by your remarks which has the look and feel of a Parthian shot.
Q27. Once in a blue moon
(A) An incident that is scary
(B) Happening only once in a lifetime
(C) Happening only rarely
(D) An unforgettable experience
Answer: Happening only rarely
Explanation: c)Once in a blue moon – happening only rarely. Eg : Rohit is my best friend but we meet once in a blue moon.
Q28. To leave someone in the lurch
(A) To put someone at ease
(B) To come to compromise with someone
(C) Constant source of annoyance to someone
(D) To desert someone in his difficulties
Answer: To desert someone in his difficulties
Explanation: d)To leave someone in the lurch – to desert someone in his difficulties. Eg : Ashish said he would help with the rent, but he left me in the lurch.
Q29. Get something off your chest
(A) Remove something from you as it is troubling you a lot
(B) Have difficulty in doing something that is quite easy
(C) Express something that has been worrying you, and you want to say
(D) Tell people some good news that you know and you want to share
Answer: Express something that has been worrying you, and you want to say
Explanation: c)Get something off your chest – Express something that has been worrying you and you want to say. Example : Rohit had spent two months worrying about it and he was glad to get it off his chest.
Q30. Plain as day
(A) Very simple and easy to do
(B) Visible only in broad daylight
(C) Very obvious and easy to understand
(D) Very interesting to know
Answer: Very obvious and easy to understand
Explanation: c)Plain as day- very obvious and easy to understand . Eg : When the teacher explained the theory everything was as clear as day.
Q31. Call a spade a spade
(A) Plan to attack someone with rude words
(B) Say the truth about something, even if it is not pleasant
(C) Lash out unkindly at someone for no reason
(D) Say things that are untrue and painful
Answer: Say the truth about something, even if it is not pleasant
Explanation: b)Call a spade a spade – Say the truth about something, even if it is not pleasant Eg : Most people do not like me because I always call a spade a spade.
Q32. Be behind the times
(A) Be very old
(B) Not be alert
(C) Always dreaming
(D) Be old fashioned
Answer: Be old fashioned
Explanation: d)Be behind the times – be old-fashioned. Eg : You’re behind the times if you think a visit to the dentist has to be painful.
Q33. Look before you leap
(A) Prepare yourself before jumping
(B) Caution others before taking a step
(C) Pull someone out from a disaster
(D) Think carefully of the consequences
Answer: Think carefully of the consequences
Explanation: d)Look before you leap – think carefully of the consequences. Eg : The company needs to look before it leaps into throwing huge amounts of money at individual projects.
Q34. Chill out
(A) To calm down
(B) To fight
(C) To be angry
(D) To be nervous
Answer: To calm down
Explanation: a)Chill out→ to calm down Eg : Chill out Mohit, You have been selected for the state football team.
Q35. Cool it
(A) To be angry
(B) To wait
(C) To relax
(D) To be nervous
Answer: To relax
Explanation: c) Cool it – to relax. Eg : if you are in a dilemma just cool it yourself and try to solve the problem.
Q36. Go off at a tangent
(A) Go on at great length
(B) Change the subject immediately
(C) Forget things in between
(D) Become boisterous
Answer: Change the subject immediately
Explanation: b)Go off at a tangent – change the subject immediately. Eg : It’s hard to get a firm decision out of Rahul – he’s always going off on a tangent.
Q37. Make a beeline
(A) Stand in a queue
(B) Remain busy
(C) Go straight to
(D) Be crazy
Answer: Go straight to
Explanation: c) Make a beeline – go straight to Eg : When he saw me in the kitchen, he made a beeline for the door.
Q38. Look after
(A) Scold
(B) Resemble
(C) Take care of
(D) Search for
Answer: Take care of
Explanation: c)Look after – take care of Eg : Don’t worry about Raghav, he can look after herself.
Q39. Have you heard the news that Hema is looking for greener pastures?
(A) has been transferred
(B) was feeling rejected
(C) exploring new opportunities
(D) has been fired
Answer: exploring new opportunities
Explanation: c)Looking for greener pastures- exploring new opportunities. Eg : Ram has completed his graduation and he is looking for greener pastures.
Q40. Ashutosh kept a stiff upper lip even when he was reprimanded in the presence of clients.
(A) remained expressionless
(B) started sniggering
(C) behaved insolently
(D) kept shouting
Answer: remained expressionless
Explanation: a)Keep a stiff upper lip – remained expressionless. Eg : He was taught to keep a stiff upper lip, whatever happens.
Q41. Flying off the handle
(A) Day-dreaming
(B) Having lofty ideas
(C) Suddenly becoming enraged
(D) Flying away, being launched from a handle
Answer: Suddenly becoming enraged
Explanation: c)Flying off the handle – suddenly becoming enraged. Eg : You have to be very careful because he flies off the handle very easily.
Q42. To cost an arm and a leg
(A) Not readily available
(B) Easily affordable
(C) Very expensive
(D) To give away an arm and a leg
Answer: Very expensive
Explanation: c)To cost an arm and a leg – very expensive. Eg : I want a new car that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Q43. Sleep on it
(A) To make a decision immediately
(B) To make a wrong decision
(C) To prefer to sleep than take action
(D) To wait before making a decision
Answer: To wait before making a decision
Explanation: d)Sleep on it – to wait before making a decision. Eg : Rohit slept on it before purchasing a laptop.
Q44. Keep your shirt on
(A) To keep busy
(B) To remain cool
(C) To work hard
(D) To celebrate
Answer: To remain cool
Explanation: b)Keep your shirt on – remain cool or calm Eg : no matter what the situation is Dhoni always keeps his shirt on.
Q45. Take something with a pinch of salt
(A) To take long to understand what is being said
(B) To think of oneself as always right
(C) To consider everyone a liar
(D) To believe only part of something
Answer: To believe only part of something
Explanation: d)Take something with a pinch of salt – to believe only part of something Eg : You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt because she tends to exaggerate.
Q46. Full of sound and fury
(A) A fiery and effective speaker
(B) Someone who gets angry very quickly
(C) Merely loud and angry words but ineffective
(D) An angry and unruly mob
Answer: Merely loud and angry words but ineffective
Explanation: c)Full of sound and fury → merely loud and angry words but ineffective. Eg : The town meeting created lots of sound and fury, but no resolution.
Q47. Under the weather
(A) To face bad weather conditions
(B) To feel wronged by friends
(C) Feel strong and energetic
(D) To be in low spirits
Answer: To be in low spirits
Explanation: d)Under the weather → to be in low spirits or to feel ill. Eg : I am feeling under the weather. I think I am getting a cold.
Q48. The straw that broke the camel’s back.
(A) To show strength and continue without a fuss
(B) To be the last in a series of events leading one to feel that it is intolerable
(C) To undertake a difficult journey across a desert
(D) To make a wish for an escape from existing conditions
Answer: To be the last in a series of events leading one to feel that it is intolerable
Explanation: b)The straw that broke the camel’s back – to be the last in a series of events leading one to feel that it is intolerable.
Q49. She declared that it was the last straw and fled.
(A) the situation had become unbearable
(B) it was the last time she would use a straw
(C) the situation was improving
(D) it was last time she would hold a straw
Answer: the situation had become unbearable
Explanation: a)Last straw – unbearable situation. Eg : The last straw was when the company fired most of the managers.
Q50. Upset someone’s applecart
(A) Upsetting someone by dropping the apples
(B) Making someone angry by ruining business
(C) Doing something that fails someone’s plan
(D) Spoiling the apples in someone’s cart
Answer: Doing something that fails someone’s plan
Explanation: c)Upset someone’s applecart – do something that fails someone’s plan Eg : We had planned to hold a get-together in the evening, but bad weather upset the applecart.