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Idioms & Phrases SSC MTS 50 MCQ SET:-4
Instructions : Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Q1. Know something inside out
(A) To know something from a distance
(B) To know something superficially
(C) To know everything about something
(D) To have a slight idea about something
Answer: To know everything about something
Explanation: c) To know everything about something Ravi knows about computer programs inside out.
Q2. Throw in the towel
(A) To decide firmly
(B) To take a shower
(C) To admit defeat or failure
(D) To provoke someone
Answer: To admit defeat or failure
Explanation: c) To admit defeat or failure The Opposing team threw in the towel in the middle of the match.
Q3. Get a foot in the door
(A) To be lucky
(B) To block the path
(C) To be injured
(D) To have a chance to do something
Answer: To have a chance to do something
Explanation: d) To have a chance to do something I think I could get the job if I could only get my foot in the door
Q4. By and Large
(A) By choice
(B) In short
(C) In general
(D) All inclusive
Answer: In general
Explanation: c) In general By and large, the new arrangements have worked well.
Q5. No strings attached
(A) Without condition or restrictions
(B) Forced to do something
(C) Lacking clarity
(D) Involving a choice to be
Answer: Without condition or restrictions
Explanation: a) Without condition or restrictions I really want to give this money to my family with no strings attached
Q6. When pigs fly
(A) A difficult situation
(B) A practical idea
(C) A time that will never come
(D) An argument between two people
Answer: A time that will never come
Explanation: c) A time that will never come I think he’ll pay you back your money – when pigs fly.
Q7. Get the ball rolling
(A) To spin the ball
(B) To cheer someone up
(C) To have an active lifestyle
(D) To start doing something
Answer: To start doing something
Explanation: d) To start doing something The waiter asked, “Who wants to get the ball rolling and order first”.
Q8. A change of heart
(A) To have a second opinion
(B) To have a heart transplant
(C) To fail to fulfill a promise
(D) A change in one’s opinion
Answer: A change in one’s opinion
Explanation: d) A change in one’s opinion Now the government has changed of heart on farm bill 2020 and put it on hold for 2 years.
Q9. To lose one’s head
(A) To be beheaded for disloyalty
(B) To lose self control
(C) To die valiantly in a war
(D) To lose one’s position
Answer: To lose self control
Explanation: b) To lose one’s head -To lose self-control Our boss is usually very calm and does not lose his head even in stressful situations.
Q10. To spill the beans
(A) To give away a secret
(B) To waste food items
(C) To plan a strategy
(D) To drop some food
Answer: To give away a secret
Explanation: a) To spill the beans – To give away a secret I topped the paper but Peter spilled the beans that I cheated in the exam.
Q11. A bull in China shop
(A) A very disciplined and systematic person
(B) A brave person in a group of cowards
(C) An extremely awkward, clumsy person
(D) To be rude and aggressive person
Answer: An extremely awkward, clumsy person
Explanation: c) An extremely awkward, clumsy person You are like a bull in a china shop, a complete misfit in the banking sector.
Q12. Hang up your boots
(A) To dry your shoes
(B) To be rejected
(C) To hang upside down
(D) To take retirement
Answer: To take retirement
Explanation: d) To take retirement MS Dhoni, one of the greatest skippers, has confirmed it’s nearly time to hang up his boots.
Q13. Jump on the bandwagon
(A) To take a long ride
(B) To join a popular trend
(C) To insult someone
(D) To trust someone blindly
Answer: To join a popular trend
Explanation: b) To join a popular trend Many politicians won elections by promising to cut taxes, most of them jumped on the bandwagon.
Q14. Strike while the iron is hot
(A) To wait for someone
(B) To do something unimportant
(C) To act at the right time
(D) To cry at all time
Answer: To act at the right time
Explanation: c) To act at the right time My brother strikes only while the iron is hot and usually gets the best deals.
Q15. Last straw
(A) Final problem in the series
(B) Last cookie in the plate
(C) Final decision
(D) Last person in the queue
Answer: Final problem in the series
Explanation: a) The final problem in the series Ram has always been rude to me, but it was the last straw when he started insulting my brother.
Q16. Cut the mustard
(A) To be pessimistic
(B) To succeed
(C) To be angry
(D) To take shortcuts
Answer: To succeed
Explanation: b) To succeed My brother had applied for the post of an architect in L & T company but did not cut the mustard.
Q17. Off the cuff
(A) To be lazy
(B) To be in a hurry
(C) Without preparation
(D) Without any loss
Answer: Without preparation
Explanation: c) Without preparation Narendra Modi is always able to speak off the cuff about government schemes.
Q18. Best thing since sliced bread
(A) To take on a task that is way too big
(B) To present a counter agreement
(C) To perform satisfactorily
(D) Most useful innovation in a long time
Answer: Most useful innovation in a long time
Explanation: d) Most useful innovation in a long time I love my new phone, it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
Q19. Too close a call
(A) Huddled together
(B) A very narrow margin
(C) Very close to heart
(D) Winning a competition
Answer: A very narrow margin
Explanation: b) A very narrow margin Both of the teams are equally strong and too close to call.
Q20. Get someone’s goat
(A) To cheat someone
(B) To hurt someone
(C) To abuse someone
(D) To irritate someone
Answer: To irritate someone
Explanation: d) To irritate someone I don’t like politics at all and leaders often get my goat.
Q21. Miss the boat
(A) To lose something important
(B) To forget something at home
(C) To miss an opportunity
(D) To miss someone you love
Answer: To miss an opportunity
Explanation: c) Miss the boat – To miss an opportunity Eg : Ravi missed the boat as the selection of the school football team was over.
Q22. A penny for your thoughts
(A) To make a bad situation worse
(B) Start something all over again
(C) Way of asking what someone is thinking
(D) Be glad to see someone leave
Answer: Way of asking what someone is thinking
Explanation: c) A penny for your thoughts -Way of asking what someone is thinking People say a penny for your thoughts when they want to know what someone is thinking.
Q23. Shot in the dark
(A) To shot someone at night
(B) To guess something
(C) To be unaware
(D) To lie about something
Answer: To guess something
Explanation: b) Shot in the dark – To guess something We’re still in the dark about the company’s payment policy.
Q24. Feel a bit under the weather
(A) To be unappreciated
(B) To feel sick or unhealthy
(C) To be calm and impatient
(D) To be happy
Answer: To feel sick or unhealthy
Explanation: b) Feel a bit under the weather To feel sick or unhealthy I was feeling a bit under the weather, so I decided not to go to the movie with my friends.
Q25. To take the bull by its horns
(A) To deal with a difficult situation directly
(B) To accept defeat before a strong
(C) To go on hunting expedition
(D) To keep money in a bank
Answer: To deal with a difficult situation directly
Explanation: a)To take the bull by its horns To deal with a difficult situation directly Government has to take the bulls by horns to tackle corruption
Q26. Come rain or shine
(A) In favourable conditions
(B) In difficult situation
(C) Under any circumstances
(D) during bad weather
Answer: Under any circumstances
Explanation: c) Come rain or shine – Under any circumstances Priyesh runs two miles every morning rain or shine.
Q27. Be glad to see the back of
(A) To be happy to receive gifts
(B) To avoid someone
(C) To be happy when a person leaves
(D) To support someone
Answer: To be happy when a person leaves
Explanation: c) Be glad to see the back of – To be happy when a person leaves Last night we had a farewell party for Ram, but to be honest I’m glad to see the back of him.
Q28. Once bitten, twice shy
(A) Someone who doesn’t learn from his previous experiences
(B) An unpleasant experience induces caution
(C) Someone who is afraid of taking challenges
(D) to keep something precious safely
Answer: An unpleasant experience induces caution
Explanation: b)Once bitten, twice shy -An unpleasant experience induces caution I am really worried about f using the elevator again since I was stuck into it for hours once bitten, twice shy.
Q29. To take the bull by the horns
(A) To face danger boldly
(B) To escape unhurt
(C) To act foolishly
(D) To enjoy risky sports
Answer: To face danger boldly
Explanation: a) to face danger boldly Government has to take the bulls by horns to tackle corruption.
Q30. Gift of the gab
(A) Receive a precious gift
(B) Achieve sudden greatness
(C) Have the ability to adapt
(D) Have the talent to speak well
Answer: Have the talent to speak well
Explanation: d) have the talent to speak well To work in sales and marketing you should possess the gift of the gab.
Q31. Take to task
(A) To assign work
(B) To rebuke
(C) To praise
(D) To give an award
Answer: To rebuke
Explanation: b)to rebuke or to blame someone for something that he has done wrong
Q32. Turn a deaf ear
(A) To pay attention
(B) To listen carefully
(C) To make someone deaf
(D) To pay no heed
Answer: To pay no heed
Explanation: d)to pay no heed How can you turn a deaf ear to the differently-abled poor begging for food?
Q33. Face the music
(A) Face the enemy
(B) Enjoy the harmony
(C) Get appreciation
(D) Face the criticism
Answer: Face the criticism
Explanation: d) face the criticism and pay the penalty for what you have done
Q34. Have one’s hands full
(A) To be very rich
(B) To be very clumsy
(C) To be very busy
(D) To be very generous
Answer: To be very busy
Explanation: c)to be very busy that you can not take on any work
Q35. Pass the hat
(A) To sell something
(B) To collect money
(C) To play a game
(D) To avoid work
Answer: To collect money
Explanation: b) to collect money The main aim of the fund was just to pass the hat.
Q36. As the crow flies
(A) To be uncertain
(B) A long winding path
(C) The shortest route
(D) To be directionless
Answer: The shortest route
Explanation: c) the shortest route I will take you to the station as the crow flies.
Q37. In a pickle
(A) In great pain
(B) In jubilation
(C) In trouble
(D) In deep sorrow
Answer: In trouble
Explanation: c) in trouble By speaking the truth you will never be in a pickle.
Q38. Red-letter day
(A) A very special day
(B) A very hot day
(C) A frightful day
(D) A very cold day
Answer: A very special day
Explanation: a) a very special day Anamika’s birthday on 10th May is a red-letter day for her.
Q39. Through thick and thin
(A) To be scared of small dangers
(B) Passing through a thick forest
(C) Support under all circumstances
(D) To be hard-hearted in times of loss
Answer: Support under all circumstances
Explanation: c) support under all circumstances A true lover will stick to you through thick and thin.
Q40. Rule the roost
(A) To make all the decisions
(B) To be prosperous but generous
(C) To frequently pick a quarrel
(D) To blindly follow others
Answer: To make all the decisions
Explanation: a) to make all the decisions The Boss of the organisation is eligible to rule the roost.
Q41. acid test
(A) A malicious way of taking revenge
(B) A test that shows how to harm someone
(C) Proof that an attack has been made
(D) Definitive proof of truth or falsehood
Answer: Definitive proof of truth or falsehood
Explanation: d)definitive proof of truth or falsehood CCTV footage is an acid test of who stole my car.
Q42. arm’s length
(A) checking the length of fabric
(B) as close as one
(C) avoiding too much closeness
(D) using one’s arm to measure length
Answer: avoiding too much closeness
Explanation: c) avoiding too much closeness One should be at an arm’s length from his mischievous friends.
Q43. hand in glove
(A) Working together in the same office
(B) Wearing gloves while working
(C) In partnership for something dishonest
(D) Doing work in the garden
Answer: In partnership for something dishonest
Explanation: c) in partnership for something dishonest Both the criminals have hands in gloves.
Q44. dark horse
(A) Someone fond of horse racing
(B) Someone who has a wheatish complexion
(C) Someone who breeds racehorses
(D) Someone who unexpectedly succeeds
Answer: Someone who unexpectedly succeeds
Explanation: d) someone who unexpectedly succeeds An independent candidate emerges out to be a dark horse in the election result.
Q45. draw a blank
(A) Be unsuccessful
(B) Be happy about something
(C) Be unable to sketch
(D) Be lucky in a game
Answer: Be unsuccessful
Explanation: a) be unsuccessful The investigation drew a blank to find the real culprit.
Q46. late in the day
(A) Too old to work
(B) Too ripe to eat
(C) Too dark to see anything
(D) Too delayed to be of any use
Answer: Too delayed to be of any use
Explanation: d) too delayed to be of any use He is hardworking but the result of work is late in the day.
Q47. left-handed compliment
(A) Praise that is given directly
(B) Insulting someone in front of others
(C) Insulting remark appearing as praise
(D) Making fun of someone to tease them
Answer: Insulting remark appearing as praise
Explanation: c) insulting remark appearing as praise He said that I played well, but after some time I realised that it was a left-handed compliment.
Q48. bolt from the blue
(A) Winning after losing a game many times
(B) Something sudden that happens unexpectedly
(C) Someone who runs fast and wins a race
(D) Locking the doors to keep the rain out
Answer: Something sudden that happens unexpectedly
Explanation: b) something sudden that happens unexpectedly Without prior notification he left us, it was a boult from the blue.
Q49. put your best foot forward
(A) Take care to dress well
(B) Walk very cautiously
(C) Try as hard as one can
(D) Check every step
Answer: Try as hard as one can
Explanation: c) try as hard as one can
Q50. at snail’s pace
(A) Do something very carefully
(B) Be very persistent
(C) Do something very slowly
(D) Keep your moves secret
Answer: Do something very slowly
Explanation: c) do something very slowly With your driving at a snail’s pace, we will never get there on time.