Idioms and Phrases - English Classes Aligarh

Directions: In questions 1 to 300, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best express the meaning of the idiom/ phrase and mark it in the Answer Sheet.

To strain every nerve

(a) to make utmost efforts
(b) to feel weak and tried
(c) to be a deligent worker
(d) to be methodical in work

To flog a dead horse

(a) to whip a dead horse
(b) attempt to do the impossible
(c) waste one’s efforts
(d) to take advantage of a weakness

To show a clean pair of heels

(a) to hide
(b) to escape
(c) to pursue
(d) to follow

To die in harness

(a) premeditated murder
(b) dying young in an accident
(c) to die while in service
(d) to be taken by surprise

To feather one’s nest

(a) to make residential house
(b) something that lasts for a short time
(c) to profit in a dishonest way
(d) none of the above

To doctor the accounts

(a) to make changes in account books
(b) to clear the doctors’ bill
(c) to verify the accounts in detail
(d) to manipulate the accounts

She could never measure up to her parent’s expectation.

(a) Reach the level
(b) Work as hard
(c) Assess the amount
(d) Increase her height

The little girl with her flawless performance stole the show.

(a) Stole something from the show
(b) Crept into the show
(c) Won everybody’s praise
(d) Disappeared from the show

The thief was on good terms with the police.

(a) Kept terms and conditions
(b) Was friendly
(c) Followed the rules
(d) Agreed with them

John’s offer of help was turned down by the police.

(a) Sent back (b) Twisted around
(c) Refused (d) Handed over

To be all at sea

(a) a family voyage
(b) lost and confused
(c) in the middle of the ocean
(d) a string of islands

To take to one’s heels

(a) to walk slowly
(b) to run away
(c) to march forward
(d) to hop and jump

To bite the dust

(a) eat voraciously
(b) have nothing to eat
(c) eat roots
(d) to fail

A bolt from the blue

(a) a delayed event
(b) an inexplicable event
(c) an unexpected event
(d) an unpleasant event

Cold comfort

(a) absurdity
(b) deception
(c) slight satisfaction

(d) foolish proposal

The reputed company is in the red due to the recession.

(a) making money (b) losing money

When the Principal was entering the class, all my friends quietly disappeared, leaving me alone to face the music.

(a) to listen to him
(b) to enter into the class
(c) to bear the criticism
(d) to listen to a favourable comment

The Kenyan team proved to be the dark horse in the ICC World Cup Cricket.

(a) a strong intruder
(b) a skilled team
(c) the most powerful
(d) an unexpected winner

Having no arguments to defend his point, the speaker began to beat about the bush.

(a) wander across the words
(b) speak in a haphazard manner
(c) speak in a round-about manner
(d) make use of irrelevant reference

They were offered six months’ rent in lieu of notice to vacate the building.

(a) in spite of
(b) in place of
(c) despite of
(d) in addition to

We know that he is the one responsible for the discord but as he is well connected all we can do is send him to Coventry.

(a) transfer him (b) commend him
(c) boycott him (d) dismiss him

The noble man gave up the ghost.

(a) left the ghost
(b) lived like a ghost
(c) invited ghost
(d) died

A Prime Minister cannot ride roughshod over him ministerial colleagues for long.

(a) deal unkindly with
(b) take for granted
(c) be high-handed with
(d) exploit wilfully

He was down in the mouth as he was defeated in the elections.

(a) unable to speak
(b) very depressed
(c) very angry
(d) very confused

They say, join the Army to drink life to the less.

(a) to have the best of fun and fortune
(b) to enjoy a life of drinking and dancing
(c) to have a life full of adventures
(d) to have the best of life

The car in the backyard is proving to be a white elephant.

(a) very huge item
(b) costly and useless possession
(c) very expensive investment
(d) useful material

He takes leave once in a blue moon.

(a) regularly
(b) often
(c) rarely
(d) once a fortnight

The meeting has been put off indefinitely.

(a) cancelled
(b) postponed
(c) advanced
(d) announced

The rules of the deal are set forth in the brochure.

(a) stated
(b) accepted
(c) contradicted
(d) printed

She bought her new house for a song.

(a) very cheaply
(b) on loan
(c) at a loss
(d) very easily

Raju had given up doing exercise after surgery.

(a) learned
(b) started
(c) continued
(d) stopped

The chairman tried to get his point across, but the members just wouldn’t listen

(a) give them a lesson
(b) insist on
(c) make them understand
(d) motivate them

Ashok had all fair-weather friends.

(a) friends who face difficulties calmly.
(b) favourable friends
(c) friends who desert you in difficulties
(d) reliable friends

Since the company has lost a good deal of time and money, you will have to make good the loss.

(a) make a good effort
(b) try to minimize the loss
(c) compensate for the loss
(d) ensure that there are no forth losses

a damp squib

(a) rainy weather
(b) a disappointing result
(c) a skirt in a laundry
(d) none of the above

in cold blood

(a) angrily (b) deliberately
(c) excitedly (d) slowly

to take someone for a ride

(a) to give a ride to someone
(b) to deceive someone
(c) to be indifferent
(d) to disclose a secret

to move heaven and earth

(a) to cause and earthquake
(b) to try everything possible
(c) to pray to all Gods
(d) to travel in a rocket

to smell a rat

(a) to smell foul (b) to see a rat
(c) to chase a rat (d) to be suspicious

The possession of Jerusalem is a bone of contention between Israel and Palestine.

(a) a subject of peace
(b) a subject of trade
(c) a subject of dispute
(d) a subject of exports

My friend turned a deaf ear to my tale of loss and refused to help me.

(a) paid no heed
(b) went far away
(c) listened carefully
(d) turned his ear away

Helena was over head and ears in love with Demetrius.

(a) carefully
(b) completely
(c) brilliantly
(d) cautiously

Gopi works by fits and starts.

(a) consistently
(b) irregularly
(c) in high spirits
(d) enthusiastically

Naresh Goyal had to stand on his feet very early in his life.

(a) to be physically strong
(b) to be independent
(c) to stand erect
(d) to be successful

It is high time he came out of his shell.

(a) appeared suddenly
(b) became more sociable
(c) became a loser
(d) removed his clothes

Every political party is at present playing to the gallery.

(a) adopting cheap tactics
(b) befooling the common man
(c) fighting for votes
(d) appeasing the masses

His blood ran cold when he heard his uncle was murdered.

(a) He was frightened
(b) He was horrified
(c) He was disgusted
(d) He was depressed

This is so simple that even a man in the street can understand it.

(a) an ordinary person
(b) an illiterate person
(c) an unknown person
(d) a stranger

When he went to claim insurance for his car, the agent said he hadn’t a leg to stand on.

(a) had been injured in an accident
(b) was lame
(c) did not have much hope of getting it
(d) would have to wait for some time

to cast aspersions

(a) to act as the pillar of support
(b) to raise aspirations
(c) to make unpleasant remarks
(d) to dissolve all the differences

on the cards

(a) impossible
(b) shocking
(c) evident
(d) anticipated

To turn over a new leaf

(a) to change for the better
(b) to start writing a new book
(c) to work on a novel idea
(d) to clear the garden

To keep up one’s appearances

(a) to make public appearances now and them.
(b) to maintain one’s looks and appearance.
(c) to keep up an outward show of prosperity.
(d) to make it appear that one is not concerned.

Off and on

(a) repeatedly
(b) always
(c) occasionally
(d) never

To take with a grain of salt

(a) to make more palatable
(b) to take a small quantity of
(c) to make something meaningful
(d) to accept with misgiving

To talk through one’s hat

(a) to talk carefully
(b) to talk softly
(c) to talk nonsense
(d) to talk secretively

Ins and outs

(a) entrances and exits
(b) detail and complexities
(c) passages and pathways
(d) rules and regulations

The thief passed himself off as a ticket examiner.

(a) described himself
(b) deceived everyone
(c) disguised himself
(d) was regarded

A brave soldier will never show the white feather in the face of his enemy.

(a) show signs of cowardice
(b) act arrogantly
(c) show intimacy
(d) act impudently

The poor man moved from pillar to post to get money.

(a) went to pillars
(b) went to post
(c) went to money lender
(d) tried his best

You have to be tactful in handling the sensitive matters rather than putting the cart before the horse.

(a) treating these indifferently
(b) behaving thoughtlessly
(c) dealing with these in haste
(d) tackling things in the wrong way

The boys cried with one voice that the examination should be postponed.

(a) unanimously
(b) vehemently
(c) loudly
(d) strongly

The scheme appears worthless at the first blush.

(a) first attempt
(b) firs sight
(c) first step
(d) first phase

His pronunciation was so bad and his voice so low that the speech he made was all
Greek to me.

(a) strange
(b) incomprehensible
(c) inaudible
(d) uninteresting

He looked blank when he was informed about his dismissal.

(a) was without any emotion
(b) was puzzled and surprised
(c) was uninterested
(d) was unhappy

That fellow trumped up a story

(a) translated
(b) sang with the music of a trumpet
(c) concocted
(d) copied

Though he is not a scholar, he wins arguments because he ha the gift of the gab.

(a) gifts from many people
(b) a lot of money
(c) talent for speaking
(d) a good memory

The A.T.S. set the bait to arrest the terrorists.

(a) laid the trap
(b) announced the reward
(c) set the record
(d) put the bet

I have decided to give it a shot.

(a) click a picture
(b) try something
(c) pose for a picture
(d) injure someone

He turned a blind eye to his son’s pranks.

(a) pretended not to notice
(b) paid special attention to
(c) covered up for
(d) punished severely

All his schemes to murder the king ended in smoke.

(a) fructified gradually
(b) came to nothing
(c) were discarded
(d) were partially carried out

This fashion of long flowing skirts will run its course.

(a) continue for a long time
(b) become very popular
(c) develop and then come to its usual end
(d) end very soon

The police caught the thief red-handed.

(a) in a red uniform
(b) with blood in hands
(c) at a time of committing the crime
(d) after reading the rules

I was so disappointed when my close friend left me in the lurch.

(a) went away without waiting for me
(b) helped me in difficult times

His position in the company was on the brink of disaster.

(a) at the top of (b) at the point of
(c) on the side of (d) on the back of

The car broke down just as it reached the edge of a cliff. It was indeed a close shave.

(a) to share one’s brand
(b) very risky
(c) narrow escape from danger
(d) to be happy

The parents are in high spirits as their son has got a decent job.

(a) in good position
(b) drunk
(c) cheerful
(d) shocked

When she realised that she had bought a fake product, she knew that her money had gone down the drain.

(a) was lost forever
(b) dropped in the drain
(c) got washed away
(d) her money was safe

Even though the new clerk was given a difficult task, he remained cool as a cucumber.

(a) not nervous or emotional
(b) caught cold
(c) was happy
(d) was scared

Some people do not grease anybody’s palm on any account

(a) bribe (b) flatter
(c) cheat (d) fight

I had to pull strings to put up a good show.

(a) play music
(b) use personal influence
(c) use the instrument
(d) play a song

You can easily overcome this situation if you keep your head.

(a) keep faith in
(b) remain calm
(c) believe in
(d) trust the others

It is clear that the ideas of both reformers ran in the same groove.

(a) promoted each other
(b) clashed with each other
(c) moved in harmony
(d) moved in different directions

This place affords a bird’s eye view of the green valley below.

(a) a beautiful view
(b) a narrow view
(c) an overview
(d) an ugly view

To foam at one’s mouth

(a) to brush properly
(b) to get very angry
(c) to salivate on seeing food
(d) none of the above

To feel like a fish out of water

(a) disgusted
(b) uncomfortable
(c) disappointed
(d) homeless

At the eleventh hour

(a) to late
(b) to early
(c) immediately
(d) at the last moment

to burn one’s fingers

(a) to get hurt physically
(b) to suffer financial losses
(c) to find work
(d) to suffer nervous breakdown

to add fuel to fire

(a) to investigate (b) to insulate
(c) to initiate (d) to incite

To bring to light

(a) to reveal
(b) to conceal
(c) to provide luminescence
(d) to appeal

To hit the jackpot

(a) to gamble
(b) to get an unexpected victory
(c) to be wealthy
(d) to make money quickly

To bur the candle at both ends

(a) to spend cautiously
(b) to be stingy
(c) to be extravagant
(d) to survive difficulty

Status quo

(a) unchanged position
(b) excellent place
(c) unbreakable statue
(d) long queue

By fair mean or foul

(a) without using common sense
(b) without difficulty
(c) in any way, honest or dishonest
(d) having been instigated

at one’s beck and call

(a) to attend a call
(b) to be helped by someone
(c) to be useful to someone
(d) to be dominated by someone

to explore every avenue

(a) to search all streets
(b) to scout the wilderness
(c) to find adventure
(d) to try every opportunity

a red letter day

(a) a dangerous day in one’s life
(b) a sorrowful day in one’s life
(c) an important or joyful occasion in one’s life
(d) both a dangerous and sorrowful day in one’s life

to have something up one’s sleeve

(a) to hide something in the sleeve
(b) to play a magician trick
(c) to have a secret plan
(d) to play hide and seek

on the spur of the moment

(a) to act at once
(b) to ride a horse in a race
(c) to act deliberately
(d) to act at the appointed time

When my friend was in Kolkata, he ran into an old friend at the theatre.

(a) hit
(b) met accidentally
(c) planned to meet
(d) invited

The news of the President’s death spread like wild fire.

(a) spread rapidly
(b) caused a major confusion
(c) was a wild rumour
(d) set the nation on fire

Going abroad for a holiday was out of the question.

(a) undesirable
(b) impossible
(c) unpleasant
(d) irresistible

As a businessman, my father always maintained that his transactions constituted an open book.

(a) an account book always open
(b) a book of open confessions
(c) an opening for new ventures
(d) straight forward and honest dealings

The project advanced by leaps and bounds.

(a) rapidly
(b) slowly
(c) sharply
(d) simply

She is too fond of her own voice.

(a) loves singing
(b) very selfish
(c) does not listen properly to anyone else
(d) very talkative

Indian police is, on the whole, high handed in dealing with citizens.

(a) kind
(b) overbearing
(c) prompt
(d) adept

I take exception to your statement that I am bad tempered.

(a) do not agree
(b) feel unhappy
(c) object
(d) feel angry

His speech fell short on the audience.

(a) had no effect
(b) moved the audience
(c) impressed the audience
(d) was quite short

The officer called for an explanation from the cashier for the shortage of cash.

(a) asked
(b) begged
(c) served a notice
(d) demanded

We wanted the gift to be surprise for my mother, but my sister gave the game away.

(a) lot the game
(b) gave out the secret
(c) gave away the gift
(d) withdrew from the plan

The actress took cue from her brother and became successful.

(a) some help
(b) a hint
(c) some money
(d) learnt acting

Let us have a heart to heart talk to solve this problem.

(a) good talk
(b) emotional talk
(c) frank talk
(d) loving talk

To miss the bus

(a) to miss the bus that one regularly takes
(b) to miss an opportunity
(c) to have something to fall back upon
(d) to find fault with others

Birds of the same feather

(a) persons of same caste
(b) persons of same colour
(c) birds with same type of feather
(d) persons of same character

To fight tooth and nail

(a) to fight a losing battle
(b) to fight heroically
(c) to fight cowardly
(d) to make very possible effort

To call spade a spade

(a) to be frank
(b) to be sly
(c) to be rude
(d) to be diplomatic

by putting two and two together

(a) to mix several things
(b) to make an arithmetical calculation
(c) to keep people in pairs
(d) to deduce from given facts

to look down one’s nose

(a) to show anger
(b) to retaliate
(c) to insult in the presence of others
(d) to regard with contempt

to shed crocodile tears

(a) to weep profuse
(b) to pretend grief
(c) to grieve seriously
(d) to mock something

To call it a day

(a) to conclude proceedings
(b) to initiate proceedings
(c) to work through the day
(d) None of the above

To put up with

(a) to accommodate
(b) to adjust
(c) to understand
(d) to tolerate

To take to heart

(a) to be encouraged
(b) to grieve over
(c) to like
(d) to hate

Yeoman’s service

(a) medical help
(b) excellent work
(c) social work
(d) hard work

to-go scot-free

(a) to walk like a native of Scotland
(b) to get something free
(c) to escape without punishment
(d) to save tax

to see red

(a) get broke (b) get angry
(c) feel lucky (d) become rich

in the nick of time

(a) in an unexpected time
(b) after some time
(c) at a time when it was too late
(d) precisely in the right time

the state has been set

(a) the conditions are beyond control
(b) the platform for meeting is ready
(c) the situation is getting worse
(d) the situation is conducive

on the side of the grave

(a) outside the grave
(b) by the side of the grave
(c) in this world
(d) before going to grave

A man who, while pretending to be your friend, sets a spy to watch your activities is indeed a snake in the grass.

(a) secret enemy (b) mean fellow
(c) dangerous man (d) cunning fellow

The audience was greatly impressed though I spoke off the cuff.

(a) away from the mike
(b) without preparation
(c) off the subject
(d) about the cuff

After listening to the student’s statements, the teacher had to eat her words.

(a) withdraw her words
(b) stop speaking
(c) apologize
(d) quarrel

to lose ground

(a) to become less powerful
(b) to become less popular
(c) to lose foundation
(d) to be without a leader

to make both ends meet

(a) to buy costly articles
(b) live a luxurious life
(c) to live within one’s income
(d) to please all people

to fall back on

(a) to oppose something important
(b) to suffer an injury on the back in an accident
(c) to fail to do something important in time
(d) to seek support out of necessity

to make one’s blood boil

(a) to make somebody furious
(b) to develop fever
(c) to get excited
(d) to make someone nervous

She decided that she would get this job by hook or by crook.

(a) by compromising or other responsibilities
(b) by impressing interviewers
(c) by any means, right or wrong
(d) by becoming a specialist in the field

In a debate, no one is allowed to sit on the fence.

(a) to avoid taking sides
(b) to insult a speaker
(c) to relax while others speak
(d) to agree with everyone

The matter has been sorted out.

(a) revised
(b) supported
(c) resolved
(d) changed

The soldiers carried out the orders of the General very effectively.

(a) exited (b) executed
(c) supported (d) applied

The set off by car for Mumbai late in the evening.

(a) started (b) travelled
(c) entered (d) resonated

Once his crime was discovered, he had no option but to come clean.

(a) to deny the crime
(b) to confess to the crime
(c) to accuse someone else of the crime
(d) to apologize for the crime

The employees were kept in the dark about the latest developments.

(a) were informed after office hours
(b) were informed when it was too late
(c) were given secret information
(d) were not informed at all

When things go wrong, everyone starts passing the buck.

(a) analyses the problem
(b) prepares to resign
(c) pays a bribe
(d) blames someone else

To keep the work away from the door.

(a) to avoid a bad person
(b) to clean the house
(c) to avoid extreme poverty
(d) to visit the zoo

To break the ice

(a) to clear the snow
(b) to start quarreling
(c) to commence an interaction
(d) to revive old enmity

Spick and span

(a) neat and clean
(b) hard-working
(c) kitchen implements
(d) calm and quiet

The pros and cons

(a) good and evil
(b) first and last
(c) fair and foul
(d) for and against

Build castles in the air

(a) waste time
(b) daydream
(c) build houses
(d) work hard

Sought after

(a) highly paid
(b) pursued by
(c) in great demand
(d) with great talent

All at sea

(a) very proud
(b) overjoyed
(c) puzzled
(d) excited

To hit below the belt

(a) to punish
(b) to tie with a belt
(c) to hit with a belt
(d) to attack unfairly

Pot-luck dinner

(a) dinner where everybody brings something to eat
(b) dinner where everybody brings his food
(c) dinner where only soup is served
(d) dinner where people eat and play games at the same time

His friends beat the boy to pay off old scores.

(a) to refund old dues
(b) to take revenge.
(c) to force him to be a scorer in a match.
(d) because he had not scored well earlier.

Chintan is so innocent that he wears his heart on his sleeve.

(a) Wears dress that does not match.
(b) Expresses his feelings openly.
(c) Wears colourful dresses
(d) Expresses his feelings with the shape of a heart printed on its sleeve.

Tagore was a man of letters.

(a) of wide contacts.
(b) an excellent letter dictator.
(c) a great writer of letters.
(d) proficient in literaterary art.

The poor subordinates are made scapegoats by their superiors.

(a) punished for other’s misdeeds.
(b) developed poor relations.
(c) treated humbly and respectfully.
(d) scolded with arrogant reactions.

She was on the horns of a dilemma as she had either to leave her job or divorce her husband.

(a) in nervous condition
(b) in terrible mood
(c) in difficult situation
(d) in suspense

Brown study

(a) to study sincerely
(b) to study uselessly
(c) deep in thought
(d) practical advantage

The young boy was kicking his heels inspite of his mother’s stern warnings.

(a) playing happily
(b) kicking someone
(c) forced to wait
(d) passing a gesture of disrespect

She denied point-blank her involvement in the crime.

(a) directly (b) desperately
(c) stubbornly (d) rudely

It is hard to strike a bargain with a woman.

(a) to finalize a deal
(b) to negotiate a deal
(c) to negotiate
(d) to deal

He took his father’s advice to heart.

(a) casually (b) patiently
(c) seriously (d) quietly

Can you give me a hand with this luggage?

(a) keep a watch on (b) handle
(c) provide me with (d) help me with

Fling away

(a) to have an affair
(b) to flare up
(c) to throw violently
(d) to swing

Stick by

(a) to adhere closely
(b) stand by someone
(c) to paste
(d) to pass by

Wink at

(a) to tease somebody
(b) to like someone
(c) to pretend not to see
(d) to stare at

To be on the wane

(a) to complain
(b) to be sick
(c) to be on boat
(d) to be diminishing

To give a person the cold shoulder

(a) to offer someone ice-cream
(b) to be humble
(c) to threaten
(d) to treat coldly

To get one’s back up

(a) to become irritated or angry
(b) to sit straight
(c) to act proud
(d) to give support

To strike oil

(a) to have found on oil well
(b) to have lucky success
(c) to have a close escape
(d) to be unsuccessful

To talk shop

(a) to talk a lot
(b) to use phrases peculiar to one’s employment
(c) to like to shop
(d) to lie

To draw a line

(a) to fix a limit
(b) to caution someone
(c) to be stern
(d) to insult someone

A swan song

(a) melodious song
(b) disharmonious display
(c) utterance/ statement made just before death or retirement
(d) concocted tale

Knit one’s brows

(a) to disappoint somebody
(b) to frown
(c) to have a headache
(d) to express discontentment

To plough the sands

(a) to be extremely accomplished
(b) to be resourceful
(c) to be dejected
(d) to busy oneself in an unprofitable proposition

To rip up old sores

(a) to destroy something
(b) to act cruelly
(c) to reopen a quarrel
(d) to inflict pain on someone

To rate soundly

(a) to censure strongly
(b) to acquire heavy profits
(c) to be at peace
(d) to assure somebody

To be no spring chicken

(a) to be brave
(b) to be honest
(c) to be no longer young
(d) to be childish

To take to one’s bed

(a) to be very attached to one’s belongings
(b) to lie in bed due to illness
(c) to fight with one’s husband
(d) to agree with someone

To stand on ceremony

(a) to celebrate on occasion in grand way
(b) to be extravagant
(c) to get married
(d) to insist on excessive formality

To be at sixes and sevens

(a) a state of total confusion and disorder
(b) to be a great success
(c) to be certain
(d) to give away generously

To break the ice

(a) a strong man
(b) to start a quarrel
(c) to break the awkward silence
(d) to become violent

Put one’s foot down

(a) to demand
(b) to take rest
(c) to be firm about something
(d) to do something stupid

Backstairs influence

(a) one who is easily influenced
(b) influential person
(c) influence exerted secretly
(d) wife’s influence on her husband

Long in the tooth

(a) distant journey
(b) rather old
(c) ailment
(d) young

A brazen-faced fellow

(a) cruel person
(b) ugly person
(c) dark-complexioned person
(d) impudent fellow

To see pink elephants

(a) to dream
(b) to anticipate luck
(c) to be afraid of
(d) to have hallucination due to excessive alcoholic intake.

Elbow room

(a) opportunity for freedom of action
(b) special room for the guest
(c) to give enough space to move or work in
(d) to add a new room to the house

French leave

(a) a person who dies not take leave
(b) leave without permission
(c) to take long leave
(d) to take a day off and have fun

To commit to memory

(a) to learn by heart
(b) to tax one’s memory
(c) to be forgetful
(d) to commit oneself totally to a task

To burn a hole in the pocket

(a) to steal from someone’s pocket
(b) to destroy other’s belongings
(c) to be very miserly
(d) money that is spent quickly

To bury the hatchet

(a) to have found a treasure
(b) to make peace
(c) to purchase something without discretion
(d) to act in a suspicious manner

To beggar description

(a) something of least importance
(b) something beyond description
(c) to describe a beggar
(d) an accurate description

To beat the air

(a) efforts that are vain or useless
(b) to be satisfied with one’s performance
(c) to be extremely relieved
(d) to be very happy

To provide against a rainy day

(a) to provide plentiful
(b) to provide for a possible future, in time of difficulty or need
(c) to store for the family
(d) to store for the rainy season

To be all eyes

(a) to be cautious
(b) watching closely and attentively
(c) to be amazed
(d) to be non-plussed

Swollen headed

(a) to be suffering from illness
(b) to be conceited
(c) to be narrow-minded
(d) to be dump

To stir up a hornet’s nest

(a) to excite the hostility of people
(b) to do some social service
(c) to be totally at a loss in a situation
(d) to be bankrupt

My hands are full

(a) I am having a lot of things to carry
(b) I am having lots of money
(c) I am very busy
(d) I am anxious

No love lost between them

(a) to have a fight
(b) to dislike each other
(c) to be as friendly as ever
(d) to be upset

To be hand and glove with someone

(a) to be social
(b) to be playful
(c) to be annoyed
(d) to be intimate

To play fast and loose

(a) to deceive someone
(b) to be agile
(c) say one thing and do another
(d) to be efficient

To take stock of

(a) to imagine
(b) to supply
(c) to survey
(d) to attract

A man of straw

(a) a man of no substance
(b) a man without means
(c) a man of character
(d) a generous man

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

(a) to act on the sly
(b) to be a good actor
(c) to be a hypocrite
(d) to be money-minded or materialistic

To cut someone short

(a) to oblige someone
(b) to assist someone
(c) to interrupt someone
(d) to insult someone

To stick to one’s colours

(a) to refuse to yield
(b) to be patriotic
(c) to be notorious
(d) to be straightforward

An old head on young shoulders

(a) to be old before one’s age
(b) to be wise beyond one’s age
(c) to be youthful in spite of one’s old age
(d) to maintain good health

To snap one’s fingers at

(a) to honour someone
(b) to greet someone
(c) to beckon someone
(d) to treat with contempt

Falling foul of

(a) quarrelling with
(b) becoming friends with
(c) being dishonest with
(d) being scared of

Harp on the same string

(a) to play music
(b) to dwell tediously on the same subject
(c) to beat someone
(d) to acknowledge

Keep a good table

(a) to have an artistic taste
(b) to throw a party
(c) to be a good host
(d) to be extravagant

Take up the cudgels

(a) to take notice
(b) to accept a present
(c) to defend someone vigorously
(d) to accept a challenge

Splitting hairs

(a) to be worried
(b) to be venturesome
(c) to trouble someone
(d) to dispute over petty points

A great hand at

(a) to be a good artist
(b) to be an expert
(c) to be a good player
(d) to be generous

To make a pile

(a) to make a fortune
(b) to make a mess
(c) to be absent-minded
(d) to be corrupt

Under someone’s wing

(a) to work under someone
(b) to be under someone’s protection
(c) to be alert
(d) to be in the army

To sow one’s wild oats

(a) to swear
(b) to be at ease
(c) to engage in youthful excesses
(d) to till the land

An olive branch

(a) an offer of peace
(b) an idea
(c) a lady
(d) a wicked person

Not worth a rap

(a) worth nothing
(b) very expensive
(c) worth a lot
(d) modestly priced

In merry pin

(a) perplexed
(b) merry making
(c) embarrassed
(d) in a cheerful mood

To leap the pale

(a) to throw a bucket
(b) to get into debt, to spend more than one’s income
(c) to have much of fear
(d) to become pale

To cut the gordian knot

(a) to perform the opening ceremony
(b) to be present at the opening ceremony
(c) to solve a difficult problem
(d) to get a sharp cut

To sow the wind and reap the whirlwind

(a) to enjoy the fruits of hard work
(b) to be deprived of one’s reward
(c) to act wisely
(d) to suffer for one’s foolish conduct

To play possum

(a) to play hide and seek
(b) to feign ignorance or pretend the be sleeping or dead
(c) to cheat somebody
(d) to play seriously

A grass widow

(a) a young widow
(b) widow who has illicit relations with men
(c) a woman whose husband is temporarily away from her
(d) a working old woman

Mad as a March hare

(a) sane
(b) intoxicated
(c) as mad as a hare in spring
(d) slightly touched in the brain

halcyon days

(a) long days
(b) short days
(c) happy and peaceful days
(d) disturbed days

Mother wit

(a) to have an intelligent mother
(b) university
(c) silly
(d) common sense

A blind date

(a) a cloudy day
(b) unknown future
(c) meeting with someone you do no know
(d) death-day

Much ado about nothing

(a) to take something seriously
(b) to play false
(c) to make a fuss
(d) to add

Judas’ kiss

(a) wooing
(b) a narrow escape
(c) hypocritical affection
(d) a religious person

To have no truck with

(a) have no means of conveyance
(b) scientifically backward
(c) to have no trade with
(d) to have no dealings with

to clean the Augean stables

(a) to purge/ clean the administration of its abuses
(b) to buy horses
(c) to sell horses
(d) to improve working conditions

A flay in the ointment

(a) to clean a thing
(b) to sterilise
(c) Small annoyance that spoils a pleasant experience.
(d) an unsuccessful attempt

Of the deepest dye

(a) of the worst/extreme type
(b) of the best type
(c) of the most colourless type
(d) of the colourless type

To throw up the sponge

(a) to accept the challenge
(b) to forge the past offences
(c) to admit defeat
(d) to send message

To rule the roost

(a) to measure the height of something
(b) to measure the depth
(c) to strike with a stick
(d) to dominate

bats in the belfry

(a) to be mad
(b) something needed cleanliness
(c) an impending danger
(d) to be deceived

To have a jaundice eye

(a) to have jaundice
(b) to have fever
(c) to be prejudiced
(d) to lose colour

Rank and file

(a) Common people
(b) Officers
(c) People of high rank
(d) Army personnel

To egg on

(a) to egg on slowly
(b) to destroy slowly
(c) to give a walk over
(d) to instigate/ cause to proceed further

To haul over the coals

(a) to walk over the fire
(b) to burn
(c) to scold for something done wrong
(d) to throw into fire

To draw a bead on

(a) to say prayers
(b) to count the beads
(c) to do one’s best
(d) to take careful aim at

Fabian policy

(a) dictatorial policy
(b) democratic policy
(c) systematic policy
(d) policy of cautious persistence

To play to the gallery

(a) to try to get the appreciation from the least intelligent people
(b) to try to win appreciation of intelligent people
(c) to play in the gallery
(d) to disturb people sitting in the gallery

Pyrrhic victory

(a) permanent victory
(b) Defeat
(c) Easy victory
(d) Victory at high cost

Go the whole hog

(a) to do something thoroughly
(b) sleep
(c) to neglect duty
(d) to mishandle the case

To bite one’s lips

(a) to feel sorry
(b) to repress one’s anger or other emotions
(c) laugh at others
(d) to have doubt

To hold someone in leash

(a) to restrain
(b) to be firm
(c) to be unsure
(d) to touch the exact point

To cool one’s heels

(a) to give a cold treatment to somebody
(b) to be kept waiting for sometime
(c) a closed chapter
(d) a hot issue

bag of bones

(a) a bag full of bones
(b) a dead person
(c) a person about to die
(d) an extremely weak person

All moonshine

(a) show
(b) lighted only by moon
(c) false
(d) far from reality

To shake the dust off one’s feet

(a) to wash feet
(b) to walk fast
(c) to leave a place with a sense of resentment
(d) to rest after a long journey

Off hand

(a) Without preparation
(b) Out of hand
(c) Rehearsed
(d) In hand

A bird of passage

(a) a flaying bird
(b) an unreliable person
(c) one who stays for a short time
(d) bad time

Count on

(a) Depend on
(b) as a result of
(c) ceremonially
(d) to wait for the benefactor

With a string

(a) not to give any aid
(b) to give unconditional aid
(c) gift or aid with condition
(d) to accept aid

To set stores by

(a) to value highly
(b) to hoard a large quantity of something
(c) to set up store
(d) fix a price

To draw the long bow

(a) to shoot
(b) to exaggerate
(c) to criticize
(d) to admire

to know the ropes

(a) to recognize the lost things
(b) to do rigging
(c) to know the procedure of doing a job
(d) to flog

To give the devil his due

(a) to be just to a person even though he does not deserve such treatment
(b) to surrender oneself willingly when one’s mistake is detected
(c) to punish an innocent person
(d) to punish a guilty person

In the swim

(a) knowing latest current things
(b) to cross a river by a boat
(c) to cross a river by swimming
(d) to be in the river

To knuckle under

(a) to be in a crisis
(b) to submit
(c) to take rest
(d) to go to bed

To have a dig at

(a) to criticise someone
(b) to sow seeds
(c) to weed out
(d) to praise someone

In vogue

(a) in fashion
(b) fair
(c) smooth
(d) total absence

There R’s

(a) radiogram, radiograph, radio telescope
(b) rabble, rattle, razzle
(c) reading, writing, arithmetic
(d) rail, radar, raft

A wild goose chase

(a) foolish and useless enterprise
(b) to hunt
(c) a violent chase
(d) to speak harshly

To rest on one’s laurels

(a) to cease to strive for further glory
(b) to be lazy
(c) to be proud of one’s victory
(d) to die

Raw deal

(a) unjust treatment
(b) unripe fruit
(c) early state of business
(d) contract not yet finally decided

A forlorn hope

(a) a plan which has remote chances of success
(b) hope about unforeseeable future
(c) hope of a single person
(d) hope of a silly person

Printer’s devil

(a) an apprentice in a printing office
(b) blunder
(c) low type of printed material
(d) delay in printing

To call on the carpet

(a) subject to criticism
(b) to summon for a scolding
(c) a heartfelt welcome
(d) on the ground

To bring the house down

(a) to appeal greatly to the audience
(b) to pull down a building
(c) to defame one’s family
(d) to pass a bill unanimously

To have an edge on

(a) to cut with a knife
(b) to threaten to wound
(c) to be slightly better than
(d) to be in a dangerous situation

In sackcloth and ashes

(a) to cremate
(b) in a state of great mourning
(c) dirty clothes
(d) cheap clothes

To put two and two together

(a) to progress steadily
(b) to compare the debit and credit
(c) to conclude keeping in view the merits and demerits
(d) to appose as a last resort

To weather the storm

(a) to face a crisis
(b) to survive a crisis
(c) to be victim of a crisis
(d) to create crisis

Lump in the throat

(a) to be hoarse
(b) a highly emotional state
(c) food of low type
(d) wind-pipe

To fight shy of

(a) to keep aloof from
(b) to fight social evils
(c) to be bold
(d) to fight and win

Hobson’s choice

(a) lion’s share
(b) the best choice
(c) option of taking the one offered or nothing
(d) the last chance

To hit it off

(a) to quarrel
(b) to be hostile
(c) to agree or be congenial
(d) to threaten

To whitewash

(a) to clean a place
(b) to work hard
(c) to retrieve damaged reputation
(d) to use cosmetics

Within an ace of

(a) very close
(b) within one’s means
(c) within a narrow circle
(d) near centre

To keep an open mind

(a) to remember
(b) to forget
(c) to come to no decision on a subject until one knowns all the facts
(d) to be clear-headed

Open question

(a) a question put to all
(b) a question without any generally agreed answer
(c) a permanent problem
(d) a clearly-written/expressed question

On one’s mettle

(a) roused to do one’s best
(b) to put on an overcoat
(c) to safeguard against attack
(d) to use one’s own money properly

To keep the pot boiling

(a) to maintain interest
(b) to heat
(c) to show anger
(d) to do experiments

Grist to one’s mill

(a) grain to be ground
(b) useful for one’s purpose
(c) income from will
(d) to work one’s machine

Kangaroo court

(a) a group of kangaroos
(b) the young kangaroo
(c) unofficial court
(d) unofficial estimate

Wool gathering

(a) to become a shepherd
(b) to shear sheep
(c) to engage in idle or aimless day dreaming
(d) to live in the countryside

Between Scylla and Charbdis

(a) between two hills
(b) between two rivers
(c) between two enemies
(d) between two dangers

Achilles’ heel

(a) bare-foot
(b) to run fast
(c) to wait on somebody
(d) one’s vulnerable or susceptible spot

To know which side the bread is buttered on

(a) to know where one’s interest lies
(b) to be a glutton
(c) to be fond of rich diet
(d) to know how to increase one’s income

To eke out

(a) to subtract
(b) to supplement
(c) to etch
(d) to oust

To be in the doldrums

(a) to be in low spirits
(b) to be within doors
(c) to praise loudly
(d) to be in a crisis

Wild cat strike

(a) a furious attack
(b) strike not approved by the trade union
(c) a strike in which violence is committed
(d) to face a strong enemy

Blind alley

(a) blindness due to old age
(b) a dark room
(c) unprofitable action
(d) to continue to make efforts in spite of confusion

Tied to the apron strings of

(a) be independent
(b) to be dominated by
(c) to live together

(d) to fall in love with(d) stopped helping me in emergency

His position in the company was on the brink of disaster.