Idioms and Phrases Practice Test Questions - Verbal Ability -- Free Practice

Question 1

Choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the idiom: Add insult to injury

A

Looking in the wrong place✓✗

B

To be cautious✓✗

C

To worsen an unfavourable situation✓✗

D

A blunder✓✗

Explanation

"Add insult to injury" means to make a bad situation even worse.

Question 2

Choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom: If you think that I stole your project, you're barking up the wrong tree, as I wasn't home this weekend.

A

Looking in the wrong place✓✗

B

Accusing wrong person✓✗

C

Being pretentious✓✗

D

Both A and B✓✗

Explanation

"Barking up the wrong tree" means pursuing a mistaken course, which here means both looking in the wrong place and accusing the wrong person.

Question 3

Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: I think the "last straw" was a sunglass site that we've been working on for some time now.

A

Being upset✓✗

B

Feeling amazed✓✗

C

Final problem in a series of problems✓✗

D

Taking chances✓✗

Explanation

"The last straw" refers to the final problem in a series that makes a situation unbearable.

Question 4

Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: Once the project worked out, our leadership felt we could extend it to the "whole nine yards" into engineering.

A

Everlasting job✓✗

B

Everything✓✗

C

Left forever✓✗

D

Nothing✓✗

Explanation

"The whole nine yards" means everything; all of it.

Question 5

Four alternatives are given for the idioms/ phrases underlined in the sentence. Choose the one that best expresses the meaning of the idiom.

She penned her feelings in a letter and posted it to him. Now, the ball was in his court.

A

the final decision rested on him✓✗

B

her letter had reached him✓✗

C

he had nothing to say✓✗

D

he was caught in a trap✓✗

Explanation

"The ball is in someone's court" means it is now that person's turn to make the next decision or move. Here the letter has been posted, so the decision rests on him.

Option B is wrong because the idiom does not talk about the letter reaching him.
Option C is wrong because the idiom does not mean that he has nothing to say.
Option D is wrong because the idiom does not mean that he is caught in a trap.

Question 6

Four alternatives are given for the idioms/ phrases underlined in the sentence. Choose the one that best expresses the meaning of the idiom.

She was so intimidated by the presence of the school principal that she forgot her memorized lines and started to beat around the bush.

A

to run around a nearby bush in fright✓✗

B

to talk indirectly, without coming to the main point✓✗

C

to stammer✓✗

D

to tap her feet in despair✓✗

Explanation

"To beat around the bush" means to avoid the main point and talk indirectly. So the girl talked without coming to the point.

Option A is wrong because the idiom has nothing to do with running around a real bush.
Option C is wrong because stammering is a speech problem and is not what the idiom means.
Option D is wrong because tapping the feet is not what the idiom means.

Question 7

Four alternatives are given for the idioms/ phrases underlined in the sentence. Choose the one that best expresses the meaning of the idiom.

Ravi shifted into a new house. His new LCD television cost him an arm and a leg.

A

very little✓✗

B

was very expensive✓✗

C

he hurt himself while carrying in the TV set✓✗

D

was fairly priced✓✗

Explanation

"An arm and a leg" means a very high price. So the television was very expensive.

Option A is wrong because the idiom means the opposite, a very high cost.
Option C is wrong because the idiom is not about physical injury.
Option D is wrong because the idiom means a very high price, not a fair price.

Question 8

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

Management tried very hard to convince the shareholders but facts spoke louder than words.

A

Too many facts presented confused the audience✓✗

B

The management spoke very little and left the shareholders to understand the facts on their own.✓✗

C

The managers spoke so loudly that the audience found it difficult to understand the real facts.✓✗

D

The organization was not doing well and it was proven by the facts, though the management kept saying that the organization was doing well✓✗

Explanation

"Facts speak louder than words" means that actions and evidence prove something better than what is said. The management said the organisation was doing well, but the facts showed it was not.

Option A is wrong because the idiom does not talk about presenting too many facts.
Option B is wrong because the idiom does not mean that management said little.
Option C is wrong because the idiom is not about loud voices.

Question 9

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

The parent was lecturing the child on discipline; you could take one look at the child and understand that he was being bored to death.

A

The parent was a boring person✓✗

B

The child found the topic of death very boring✓✗

C

The child found the father’s lecture on discipline very boring✓✗

D

The child thought that discipline was a very boring topic✓✗

Explanation

"Bored to death" means extremely bored. So the child found the father's lecture on discipline very boring.

Option A is wrong because the idiom does not say the parent is a boring person.
Option B is wrong because the idiom does not refer to the topic of death.
Option D is wrong because the child was bored by the lecture, not by discipline as a topic.

Question 10

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

Despite the heated argument over property matters recently, there is no bad blood between the brothers.

A

They argued so much that they cursed their own blood.✓✗

B

The brothers are actually not siblings.✓✗

C

The brothers really love each other.✓✗

D

The brothers have no ill feeling towards each other.✓✗

Explanation

"Bad blood" means ill feeling between people. So there is no ill feeling between the brothers.

Option A is wrong because the idiom does not mean cursing one's own blood.
Option B is wrong because the idiom has nothing to do with the brothers not being siblings.
Option C is wrong because "no bad blood" means no ill feeling, and does not say they love each other.

Question 11

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

I have been working with him for the last ten years. He is my man Friday.

A

He is my best friend.✓✗

B

I party with him every Friday night.✓✗

C

He is my right-hand man.✓✗

D

He knows all my secrets.✓✗

Explanation

"Man Friday" means a trusted helper or right-hand man. So he is the speaker's right-hand man.

Option A is wrong because the idiom does not mean a best friend.
Option B is wrong because the idiom has nothing to do with parties on Fridays.
Option D is wrong because the idiom does not mean knowing all his secrets.

Question 12

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

At the party she spoke for a long time and did not give anyone else a chance. Finally when she left they were glad to see the back of her.

A

They were glad that now there would be some peace.✓✗

B

They were glad to have her back.✓✗

C

They were glad that she would be back.✓✗

D

They were glad that she had left.✓✗

Explanation

"To be glad to see the back of someone" means to be pleased that the person has left. So they were glad that she had left.

Option A is wrong because this is about peace, and does not give the meaning of the idiom.
Option B is wrong because the idiom means the opposite of being glad to have her back.
Option C is wrong because the idiom means the opposite of being glad that she would return.

Question 13

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

Only after he had tried buying tiles from the swanky two-storey store did he realize that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

A

The owners of the place were not courteous and misbehaved; hence a swanky building does not mean great service.✓✗

B

The price was not as high as he thought; hence a swanky building does not always mean high prices.✓✗

C

A swanky building may look formidable or appealing from outside, but the reality may be different when you enter.✓✗

D

The tiles were not as good as he thought; hence a swanky store does not always sell good tiles.✓✗

Explanation

"You can't judge a book by its cover" means you should not judge by outward appearance. A swanky building may look good outside while the reality is different.

Option A is wrong because the idiom is not about the owners' behaviour.
Option B is wrong because the idiom is not about prices.
Option D is wrong because the idiom is not about the quality of tiles.

Question 14

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been underlined. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

I was the only person in the group who could not speak fluently in Spanish. I felt like a third wheel.

A

It was the third time I had become uncomfortable in a Spanish-speaking group.✓✗

B

I felt special because I stood out from the rest.✓✗

C

I felt uneasy.✓✗

D

I felt like an unwelcome extra person.✓✗

Explanation

"A third wheel" means an unwelcome extra person in a group of two. Because she could not speak Spanish, she felt like an unwelcome extra person.

Option A is wrong because the idiom does not talk about the number of times.
Option B is wrong because the idiom does not mean feeling special.
Option C is wrong because this is too general and does not give the meaning of the idiom.

Question 15

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

I had warned you all along that you were not studying hard enough. You never listened. What is the use of crying over spilt milk now?

A

You did not study seriously earlier despite my warnings. Now the exam is over and you have not done well.✓✗

B

Since the exam is already over, there is nothing you can do now. So stop lamenting over the fact that you did not study earlier.✓✗

C

Don’t cry over how badly you have fared in your exam. There is always another chance.✓✗

D

What is the point of studying now that the exam is over?✓✗

Explanation

"Crying over spilt milk" means being upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. So there is nothing to do now, and lamenting is useless.

Option A is wrong because this restates the situation and does not give the meaning of the idiom.
Option C is wrong because this gives advice about another chance, which is not the meaning.
Option D is wrong because this is about studying now, which is not the meaning.

Question 16

A situation is provided below, followed by a idiom or proverb. Choose the one which fits the situation best.

The secret is out.

A

The cat is out of the bag.✓✗

B

The cat jumped out of the bag.✓✗

C

The cat jumped and now is out.✓✗

D

Out of the bag the cat has jumped.✓✗

Explanation

"The cat is out of the bag" means that a secret has been revealed.

Option B is wrong because "The cat jumped out of the bag" is not an idiom.
Option C is wrong because "The cat jumped and now is out" is not an idiom.
Option D is wrong because "Out of the bag the cat has jumped" is not an idiom.

Question 17

A situation is provided below, followed by a idiom or proverb. Choose the one which fits the situation best.

A bad or horrifying experience will scar a person for a lifetime and he (s)he will avoid a similar situation in future.

A

Fire is a good servant but a bad master✓✗

B

A burnt child dreads the fire✓✗

C

A burnt cow dreads the fire✓✗

D

Burnt stables mean fearful horses✓✗

Explanation

"A burnt child dreads the fire" means that a person who has had a bad experience avoids it in future.

Option A is wrong because "Fire is a good servant but a bad master" means fire is useful when controlled.
Option C is wrong because "A burnt cow dreads the fire" is not the standard proverb.
Option D is wrong because "Burnt stables mean fearful horses" is not a standard proverb.

Question 18

A situation is provided below, followed by a idiom or proverb. Choose the one which fits the situation best.

If you repay injustice with injustice, it will only make matters worse.

A

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.✓✗

B

Handsome is as handsome does.✓✗

C

Two wrongs don’t make a right.✓✗

D

Let not injustice beget injustice.✓✗

Explanation

"Two wrongs don't make a right" means repaying a wrong with another wrong does not fix things.

Option A is wrong because "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones" is about criticising others when you have faults.
Option B is wrong because "Handsome is as handsome does" means people should be judged by their deeds.
Option D is wrong because this is not a standard proverb.

Question 19

A situation is provided below, followed by a idiom or proverb. Choose the one which fits the situation best.

Bad things may happen. So be prepared but have a positive attitude as well.

A

You can’t always get what you want.✓✗

B

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.✓✗

C

All good things must come to an end.✓✗

D

Poor expectations, great hopes.✓✗

Explanation

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst" means to expect good results but be ready for bad ones.

Option A is wrong because "You can't always get what you want" is about disappointment.
Option C is wrong because "All good things must come to an end" is about things ending.
Option D is wrong because "Poor expectations, great hopes" is not a standard proverb.

Question 20

A situation is provided below, followed by a idiom or proverb. Choose the one which fits the situation best.

You cannot live totally on your own. You will need the help of someone at one point or another.

A

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.✓✗

B

Too many cooks spoil the broth.✓✗

C

No man is an island.✓✗

D

Good fences make good neighbors.✓✗

Explanation

"No man is an island" means that no one can live entirely alone and everyone needs others.

Option A is wrong because "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" is advice about enemies.
Option B is wrong because "Too many cooks spoil the broth" is about too many people working on a task.
Option D is wrong because "Good fences make good neighbors" is about keeping boundaries.

Question 21

A situation is provided below, followed by a idiom or proverb. Choose the one which fits the situation best.

The written word carries more weight and can influence more minds into submission than brute force.

A

Cunning can win more bets than power.✓✗

B

The pen is mightier than the sword.✓✗

C

Achieve with words what you cannot achieve by action.✓✗

D

The written word weigheth more than the sword.✓✗

Explanation

"The pen is mightier than the sword" means that writing has more influence than force.

Option A is wrong because "Cunning can win more bets than power" is about cleverness.
Option C is wrong because this is not a standard proverb.
Option D is wrong because "The written word weigheth more than the sword" is not the standard proverb.

Question 22

Four alternatives are given for the idioms/ phrases underlined in the sentence. Choose the one that best expresses the meaning of the idiom

The demolition of the Babri Masjid had been a political hot potato for years.

A

a hotly debated delicate issue✓✗

B

a helping agent✓✗

C

forbidden issue✓✗

D

something that has been for long in the newspapers✓✗

Explanation

A "hot potato" is a delicate issue that people find awkward to deal with. So it is a hotly debated delicate issue.

Option B is wrong because the idiom does not mean a helping agent.
Option C is wrong because the idiom does not mean forbidden.
Option D is wrong because the idiom does not mean that something has been in the newspapers.

Question 23

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been highlighted. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

She was the shining star in the office when it came to efficiency and punctuality.

A

She was shiny like a star✓✗

B

She was as luminescent as a shining star when it came to performance✓✗

C

Stars were shining in the office✓✗

D

None of the above✓✗

Explanation

"The shining star" means an outstanding performer, so she was excellent in efficiency and punctuality.

Option A is wrong because it does not mean literally shiny.
Option C is wrong because it does not mean actual stars shining in the office.
Option D is wrong because option B gives the correct meaning.

Question 24

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been underlined. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

She was scared to death when she realised she had selected the wrong slide for the company presentation.

A

She actually died from fear✓✗

B

She suffered extreme death-like fear✓✗

C

She felt death was frightening✓✗

D

None of the above✓✗

Explanation

"Scared to death" means extremely frightened. It does not mean she actually died.

Option A is wrong because the idiom is figurative.
Option C is wrong because it does not mean she thought death was frightening.
Option D is wrong because option B gives the correct meaning.

Question 25

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been underlined. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

i was hoping against hope that she would agree to my proposal.

A

Hoping for something✓✗

B

Hoping against something✓✗

C

Hoping without any/little chance of success✓✗

D

None of the above✓✗

Explanation

"Hoping against hope" means to keep hoping even when there is little chance of success.

Option A is wrong because this is too general and misses the sense of little chance.
Option B is wrong because this does not explain the idiom.
Option D is wrong because option C gives the correct meaning.

Question 26

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been underlined. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

She knew that it took two to tango and if he objected, she would not be able to pass the test.

A

two people to agree✓✗

B

two people to disagree✓✗

C

two people to be angry✓✗

D

None of the above✓✗

Explanation

"It takes two to tango" means that both people must agree or take part for something to happen.

Option B is wrong because the idiom does not mean disagreement.
Option C is wrong because the idiom does not mean anger.
Option D is wrong because option A is correct.

Question 27

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been underlined. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

She knew that the best way to get into hot water was to anger her boss.

A

to enter water heated by the sun✓✗

B

to have hot water✓✗

C

to be confused✓✗

D

to get into trouble✓✗

Explanation

"To get into hot water" means to get into trouble.

Option A is wrong because the idiom is not about heated water.
Option B is wrong because the idiom is not about having hot water.
Option C is wrong because the idiom does not mean being confused.

Question 28

In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been underlined. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.
Her fame spread far and wide because she was a talented singer.

A

Her fame grew✓✗

B

Her fame lessened✓✗

C

Her fame ended✓✗

D

Her fame began✓✗

Explanation

"Spread far and wide" means became widely known, so her fame grew.

Option B is wrong because it does not mean her fame lessened.
Option C is wrong because it does not mean her fame ended.
Option D is wrong because it does not mean her fame began.

Question 29

In the sentence given below, replace the phrase underlined to make the sentence grammatically correct. If the sentence is correct as it is, mark (d) i.e. “No correction required” as the answer.

Whether I stay in Mumbai or Pune, it is all and one to me.

A

all but one✓✗

B

all one✓✗

C

one and all✓✗

D

No correction required✓✗

Explanation

The idiom is "it is all one to me", which means it makes no difference to me.

Option A is wrong because "all but one" means almost all, which does not fit.
Option C is wrong because "one and all" means everyone, which does not fit.
Option D is wrong because the phrase "all and one" is not correct, so a correction is required.

Question 30

Select the option which gives correct meaning of the given idiom/phrase.

To weather the storm

A

survive a difficult situation✓✗

B

create difficulty for others✓✗

C

victim of crisis✓✗

D

unsuccessful attempt✓✗

Explanation

"To weather the storm" means to survive a difficult situation.

Option B is wrong because the idiom does not mean creating difficulty for others.
Option C is wrong because the idiom does not mean being a victim of a crisis.
Option D is wrong because the idiom does not mean an unsuccessful attempt.

Question 31

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom/ phrase.

A man of straw

A

a worthy fellow✓✗

B

a man of no substance✓✗

C

a very active man✓✗

D

a selfish person✓✗

Explanation

A "man of straw" is a weak person or one of no substance.

Option A is wrong because the idiom does not mean a worthy fellow.
Option C is wrong because the idiom does not mean a very active man.
Option D is wrong because the idiom does not mean a selfish person.

Question 32

Choose the appropriate meaning of the phrase:

To read between the lines

A

understand the hidden meaning✓✗

B

to have good sight✓✗

C

to learn quickly✓✗

D

none of these✓✗

Explanation

"To read between the lines" means to understand the hidden meaning.

Option B is wrong because it does not mean to have good sight.
Option C is wrong because it does not mean to learn quickly.
Option D is wrong because option A is correct.

Question 33

Choose the appropriate meaning of the idiom:

Make up one's mind

A

to be prepared✓✗

B

to make someone happy✓✗

C

make a decision✓✗

D

To criticize someone✓✗

Explanation

"To make up one's mind" means to decide.

Option A is wrong because it does not mean to be prepared.
Option B is wrong because it does not mean to make someone happy.
Option D is wrong because it does not mean to criticize.

Question 34

Choose the appropriate meaning of the idiom/phrase

Caught between two stools

A

met with an accident✓✗

B

difficulty in choosing between two alternatives✓✗

C

struck in a calamity✓✗

D

none of these✓✗

Explanation

"Caught between two stools" means being in difficulty because of having to choose between two options.

Option A is wrong because it does not mean meeting with an accident.
Option C is wrong because it does not mean being stuck in a calamity.
Option D is wrong because option B is correct.

Question 35

Choose the correct alternative which can be substituted for the below given word/ sentence.

Get carried away

A

move quickly✓✗

B

overly excited✓✗

C

passed away✓✗

D

to get lost✓✗

Explanation

"To get carried away" means to become so excited that you lose self-control.

Option A is wrong because it does not mean to move quickly.
Option C is wrong because "passed away" means died.
Option D is wrong because it does not mean to get lost.