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Idioms & Phrases SSC CGL 50 MCQ SET:-3
Instructions : Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Q1. Making the final paper was a really difficult task but by the end of the week, I was able to_____________.
(A) Bark up the wrong tree
(B) Wrap my head around it
(C) Cry my eyes out
(D) Run out of stream
Answer: Wrap my head around it
Explanation: b) wrap my head around it Bark up the wrong tree – to be wrong about the reason for something. Cry my eyes out- cry as if you will never stop. Run out of stream- to stall or become stagnant
Q2. Suman really has __. She moved to a new house just a month back but already has a lovely garden.
(A) A heart of gold
(B) A bad hair day
(C) A foot in the door
(D) Green fingers
Answer: Green fingers
Explanation: d) green fingers – good in gardening A heart of gold- very kind person. A bad hair day – A day when one’s hair is unruly and looks unkempt.
Q3. Pallavi worked really hard for the examination and __ to gain success.
(A) Struck a sour note
(B) Hit the bull’s eye
(C) Beat about the bush
(D) Left no stone unturned
Answer: Left no stone unturned
Explanation: d) left no stone unturned – Try everything possible The university has left no stone unturned for the benefit of students.
Q4. Listen, you need to prioritize. You can’t have your __!
(A) Achilles’ heel
(B) Heebie-jeebies
(C) Paint the town red
(D) Finger in every pie
Answer: Finger in every pie
Explanation: d) finger in every pie – involved in the matter Paint the town red- go out and enjoy Achilles’ heel- weakest point Heebie-jeebies- feeling of nervousness and anxiety
Q5. Initially I thought I could participate in the international Scholars Contest but when I saw the preparatory material I __ .
(A) Missed the boat
(B) Hit the bull’s eye
(C) Got cold feet
(D) Made a scene
Answer: Got cold feet
Explanation: c) got cold feet – loss of courage Miss the boat – miss the opportunity Hit the bull’s eye – hitting the centre of the target Made a scene – to express anger usually violently.
Q6. In my parents’ time, we mostly ate at home and family outings happened …………
(A) Once in a blue moon
(B) Behind the back
(C) In fine feather
(D) Shoulder to shoulder
Answer: Once in a blue moon
Explanation: (a) once in a blue moon- things which happen very rarely Behind the back- to do something without getting permission Shoulder to shoulder- living unitedly In fine feather- in excellent condition
Q7. That student of yours has such sound values. She’s indeed a __ .
(A) Rare bird
(B) Barrel of laughs
(C) Pain in the neck
(D) Pot calling the kettle black
Answer: Rare bird
Explanation: a) rare bird-an exceptional person or thing Barrels of laugh- something that is funny Pain in the neck- irritating Pot calling the kettle black- criticizing someone for a fault that you have too
Q8. Colleges cannot __ to ragging because of the Anti Ragging Act.
(A) Turn a blind eye
(B) Add fuel to the fire
(C) Look forward
(D) Look someone in the eye
Answer: Turn a blind eye
Explanation: a) turn a blind eye- deliberately overlook Add fuel to the fire – to worsen a conflict or difficult situation Look forward- waiting for something eagerly Look someone in the eye – look directly at somebody without fear
Q9. During the staff meeting there was a lot of ruckus since many didn’t __ with the authorities.
(A) See eye to eye
(B) Put their best foot forward
(C) Put their foot down
(D) Move up in the world
Answer: See eye to eye
Explanation: a) see eye to eye- be in full agreement Put their best foot forward – try as hard as one can
Q10. I could make out that the conversation was leading to a fight so I___.
(A) Nipped it in the bud
(B) Cut corners
(C) Killed two birds with a stone
(D) Made a song and a dance
Answer: Nipped it in the bud
Explanation: a) nipped it in the bud Most of the problems can be nipped in the bud if they are detected at an early stage
Q11. The trouble makers took to their heels when they saw the police coming.
(A) Hid themselves
(B) Ran away
(C) Faced them boldly
(D) Prepared to fight
Answer: Ran away
Explanation: b) ran away Seeing the police thief took to their heel.
Q12. When Anshul told everyone that he had resigned his job, all the members in the family were at their wits’ end .
(A) Very serious
(B) Quite angry
(C) Quite perplexed
(D) Absolutely satisfied
Answer: Quite perplexed
Explanation: c) quite perplexed I could not solve this problem even at my wit’s end.
Q13. Full of beans
(A) Being upset
(B) Lively and energetic
(C) Full of crazy ideas
(D) In good health
Answer: Lively and energetic
Explanation: b) lively and energetic After a brisk morning walk, I feel full of beans.
Q14. This is strictly __ but some changes are going to happen in the company in the near future.
(A) Off the rails
(B) Off the key
(C) Off the mark
(D) Off the record
Answer: Off the record
Explanation: d) off the record – not official I think tomorrow is a holiday but it is off the record.
Q15. For a long time he kept his wife in the dark about the true nature of his job.
(A) In high position
(B) In a dark place
(C) In ignorance
(D) In a locked room
Answer: In ignorance
Explanation: c) in ignorance Rohan failed in the examination but he kept his parents in the dark.
Q16. Pie in the sky
(A) Something very small
(B) Something not possible
(C) Difficult to find
(D) An easy situation
Answer: Something not possible
Explanation: b) something not possible Eg: I want to become an actor but it is a pie in the sky.
Q17. Sell like hot cakes
(A) To face hardship
(B) To sell quickly
(C) To agree fully
(D) To deal with a problem
Answer: To sell quickly
Explanation: b) to sell quickly Everytime Pinnacle publishes a new book it is sold like hot cakes.
Q18. In the same boat
(A) At the centre of attention
(B) In a superior position
(C) In the same situation
(D) In disgrace
Answer: In the same situation
Explanation: c) in the same situation After the first round of the competition, Aman and his friend are in the same condition.
Q19. Now that Mr. Krishna Murthy has retired from the company, his daughter is____.
(A) In the doghouse
(B) In the driver’s seat
(C) In the lap of luxury
(D) In the pink
Answer: In the driver’s seat
Explanation: b) in the driver’s seat-situation in the control The case is taking time but you needn’t worry because we are in the driver’s seat
Q20. They talked over the matter of his leaving the job and going for further studies.
(A) Discussed
(B) Fought against
(C) Surveyed
(D) Explained
Answer: Discussed
Explanation: a) discussed I have talked over the strategies with the teammates to win the school inter- house competition.
Q21. Rohit was __ when he took important decisions without consulting the family.
(A) Cutting the red tape
(B) Told to get a new lease of life
(C) In the same boat
(D) Told to fight his own battles himself
Answer: Told to fight his own battles himself
Explanation: d) told to fight his own battles himself- to take complete responsibility for oneself. You are no longer a kid, you have to fight your battle yourself.
Q22. Radha is unable to continue working in this office. Hard work is __ on her health.
(A) Making her meet both ends
(B) Blowing hot and cold
(C) Keeping an eye
(D) Taking a toll on
Answer: Taking a toll on
Explanation: d) taking a toll on/ Studying continuously for a longer period of time can take a toll over your eyes.
Q23. He tries to perform well but good projects done by him are______. He needs to put in extra effort.
(A) On edge
(B) Walking on air
(C) Few and far between
(D) Going with the flow
Answer: Few and far between
Explanation: c) few and far betweensomething that doesn’t happen very commonly/ Sunlight has been far and far between the winters
Q24. The government has decided to __ GST on some items in order to help small traders.
(A) Steer clear of
(B) Roll back
(C) Wash away
(D) Crack down on
Answer: Roll back
Explanation: b) rollback- a reduction or decrease in something Since after your illness you are rolled back your health.
Q25. The residents of my colony __ in trying to find out about the increasing number of car thefts.
(A) Hit a purple patch
(B) Hit the sack
(C) Beat about the bush
(D) Pulled all the stops
Answer: Pulled all the stops
Explanation: d) pulled all the stops- to do something with maximum ability. The company pulled out all the stops for benefiting the customer.
Q26. When you __ it is best to be patient and have faith in your inner strength.
(A) remain on high alert
(B) keep someone at an arm’s length
(C) call a spade a spade
(D) find yourself in troubled waters
Answer: find yourself in troubled waters
Explanation: d) find yourself in troubled waters- a confusing part of the life After school, most of the students are like fish in the troubled water that what to do next.
Q27. Many old projects are __ with a change in company policies.
(A) Beating around the bush
(B) Caught red handed
(C) Getting a new lease of life
(D) Breaking the ice
Answer: Getting a new lease of life
Explanation: c) getting a new lease of life- a period when you feel more energetic than before. Our organisation got a new lease of life by making new franchises
Q28. Factory owners are protesting because they think that the government has __ of plastic manufacturing companies by closing their factories in big cities.
(A) Separated the wheat from the chaff
(B) Made no bones
(C) Been barking up the wrong tree
(D) Upset the apple cart
Answer: Upset the apple cart
Explanation: d) upset the apple cart- to cause trouble Farmers are not trying to upset the apple cart, they just want their demand to be fulfilled.
Q29. In trying to solve the crime, the detective found himself __ Yet the mystery kept deepening.
(A) Beating the bush
(B) Beating his brains out
(C) Letting his hair down
(D) Making room for others
Answer: Beating his brains out
Explanation: b) beating his brains out – to think about something very deeply. Why should your brain beat out fighting the environment?
Q30. The official found himself __ when he could not explain his actions and all the members started attacking him with accusations of cheating.
(A) In the eye of a storm
(B) On the same page
(C) Wet behind the ears
(D) Burning the midnight oil
Answer: In the eye of a storm
Explanation: (a) in the eye of a storm
Q31. Dance to someone’s tune
(A) Argue with others on petty matters
(B) Delay in making a decision
(C) Do what others want you to do
(D) Be engaged in an energetic activity
Answer: Do what others want you to do
Explanation: c) do what others want you to do He wanted to buy a car but his wife didn’t dance to his tune.
Q32. Leave no stone unturned
(A) Leave the path halfway
(B) Not make enough effort
(C) Turn everything upside down
(D) Try everything possible
Answer: Try everything possible
Explanation: d) try everything possible The university has left no stone unturned for the benefit of students.
Q33. To air dirty linen in public
(A) To discuss private affairs in public
(B) To hang out clothes in the open
(C) To continue to complain
(D) To stand up and fight
Answer: To discuss private affairs in public
Explanation: a) to discuss private affairs in public She finally decided not to take the family issue to the court because thought it would air dirty linen in public.
Q34. Throw in the towel
(A) Face the situation
(B) Think of a solution
(C) Admit defeat
(D) Drop something
Answer: Admit defeat
Explanation: c) Admit defeat The Opposing team threw in the towel in the middle of the match.
Q35. Tit for tat
(A) To reward people for the good done
(B) To do harm as done to you
(C) To make someone angry
(D) To take advantage of someone
Answer: To do harm as done to you
Explanation: b) to do harm as done to you I kicked the dog then it bitted me on my leg is a tit for tat action
Q36. Bite your tongue
(A) Talk for a long time
(B) Be impossible to be understood
(C) Get bruises in the mouth
(D) Stop yourself from saying something
Answer: Stop yourself from saying something
Explanation: d) stop yourself from saying something I had to bite my tongue when he said that is an honest person.
Q37. Spill the beans
(A) Create difficulty
(B) Make an excuse
(C) Reveal a secret
(D) Frighten someone
Answer: Reveal a secret
Explanation: c) reveal a secret I topped the paper but Peter spilled the beans that I cheated in the exam.
Q38. As clear as mud
(A) Extremely dirty
(B) Honest and legal
(C) Impossible to understand
(D) Completely suitable for someone
Answer: Impossible to understand
Explanation: c) impossible to understand The next steps are quite complex as clear as mud.
Q39. The crux of the matter
(A) The unknown point
(B) The lesser issue
(C) The critical point
(D) The interesting
Answer: The critical point
Explanation: c) the critical point The crux of the matter is that both sides should understand each other’s feelings.
Q40. Four corners of the earth
(A) From the very beginning
(B) From morning till night
(C) From all parts of the world
(D) From beginning to end
Answer: From all parts of the world
Explanation: c) from all parts of the world Love is present in all four corners of the earth
Q41. Hanging by a thread
(A) In a sorry or humble state
(B) Be extremely weak
(C) Unable to act as desired
(D) Be in a dangerous situation
Answer: Be in a dangerous situation
Explanation: d) be in a dangerous situation/ Our opponent is very strong so the chances to qualify for the final is hanging by a thread
Q42. To shake off
(A) Denounce
(B) To get rid off
(C) To recollect
(D) To pass off
Answer: To get rid off
Explanation: b) to get rid off He tried to hold my hand but I managed to shook him off.
Q43. Going over one’s head
(A) Unable to make a decision
(B) Beyond one’s capacity to understand
(C) Unable to function as one used to
(D) Something one didn’t expect
Answer: Beyond one’s capacity to understand
Explanation: b) beyond one’s capacity to understand The teacher tried to explain the problem but it went over my head.
Q44. Mad as a hatter
(A) Superstitious
(B) Very upset
(C) Eccentric
(D) Old fashioned
Answer: Eccentric
Explanation: c) eccentric The way he served the food in the event was as mad as hatter.
Q45. Feather your own nest
(A) Make money unfairly
(B) Win a competition
(C) Be in a comfortable position
(D) Disturb others in their work
Answer: Make money unfairly
Explanation: a) make money unfairly or to satisfy your needs by wrong way Many people in our country like to feather their own nest from the money they raise for social work.
Q46. Be an old hat
(A) Be superstitious
(B) Be outdated
(C) Be crazy
(D) Be foolish
Answer: Be outdated
Explanation: b) be outdated My grandpa is not an old hat, he has a lot of experience.
Q47. Green thumb
(A) To have talent in gardening
(B) To be envious
(C) To be angry
(D) To have talent in painting
Answer: To have talent in gardening
Explanation: a) to have talent in gardening Ravi has maintained his garden so beautifully. He has a green thumb.
Q48. Head in the clouds
(A) To daydream
(B) To be very tall
(C) To be very lazy
(D) To feel giddy
Answer: To daydream
Explanation: a) to daydream He is not the right person for the job as he has his head high in the cloud.
Q49. To grease the palm
(A) To give support
(B) To bribe someone
(C) To cheat someone
(D) To give a massage
Answer: To bribe someone
Explanation: b) to bribe someone You should not grease the palm of anyone as it will only increase corruption.
Q50. Barking up the wrong tree
(A) To be wrong about the reason for something
(B) To bury money under a tree and forget the place
(C) To be mistaken about the name of a tree
(D) To eat an unpalatable fruit by mistake
Answer: To be wrong about the reason for something
Explanation: a) to be wrong about the reason for something You are barking at the wrong tree as I am not the person who complained against you.