Instructions:
These multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are designed to test your understanding of various idioms and phrases. Your task is to select the option that you believe best represents the meaning of the given idiom or phrase. By answering these questions, you’ll not only improve your comprehension of common idiomatic expressions but also enhance your verbal ability. It’s worth noting that these questions are frequently encountered in various exams, making them an excellent resource for exam preparation. So, dive in and sharpen your language skills with these commonly asked questions!
Idioms and Phrases MCQs Set-2 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does the idiom “Stick to your guns” mean?
a. To hold firearms
b. To stand firm in your beliefs or decisions
c. To participate in target shooting
d. To surrender without resistance
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To stand firm in your beliefs or decisions. When someone sticks to their guns, it means they are determined and unwavering in their stance.
Example sentence: Even in the face of criticism, she stuck to her guns and defended her position.
2. What does the expression “Leave no stone unturned” imply?
a. To avoid physical activity
b. To ignore valuable information
c. To make every possible effort to find a solution
d. To collect rocks for a hobby
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) To make every possible effort to find a solution. When you leave no stone unturned, you are thorough and exhaustive in your search or investigation.
Example sentence: The detective left no stone unturned in the quest to solve the mystery.
3. What does the phrase “Clouds on the horizon” signify?
a. A gloomy weather forecast
b. A pleasant day
c. Potential problems or challenges in the future
d. Clear skies and sunshine
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Potential problems or challenges in the future. “Clouds on the horizon” is a metaphor for upcoming difficulties or obstacles.
Example sentence: There are some clouds on the horizon for the company, such as rising competition.
4. What does the saying “A blessing in disguise” mean?
a. A fortunate event or situation
b. A hidden benefit within an initially unfavorable circumstance
c. A transparent act of kindness
d. A disguised blessing
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) A hidden benefit within an initially unfavorable circumstance. When something is a blessing in disguise, it may not seem positive at first, but it ultimately leads to a favorable outcome.
Example sentence: Losing his job turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it pushed him to start his own successful business.
Recommended: Idioms and Phrases Practice Test
5. What does the expression “Blue in the face” mean?
a. To be very angry, frustrated, or exhausted from arguing
b. To have a pale complexion
c. To be sad or depressed
d. To feel cold
Explanation: The correct answer is (a) To be very angry, frustrated, or exhausted from arguing. When someone is blue in the face, it suggests that they have spent a lot of effort in an argument or persuasion but may not have achieved their goal.
Example sentence: He argued with his stubborn friend until he was blue in the face, but his friend refused to change his mind.
6. What does the idiom “Make a long story short” mean?
a. To make a story longer
b. To summarize without unnecessary details
c. To create fictional tales
d. To avoid telling stories
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To summarize without unnecessary details. When someone says, “To make a long story short,” they are about to provide a concise summary of a longer narrative.
Example sentence: He decided to make a long story short and skipped over the less important details.
7. What does the expression “Cup of tea” imply?
a. A hot beverage in a cup
b. A preferred or favored activity or interest
c. A cup used for measurement
d. A challenging task
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) A preferred or favored activity or interest. When someone says something is “their cup of tea,” it means it’s something they enjoy or are skilled at.
Example sentence: Hiking in the mountains is not really my cup of tea; I prefer relaxing by the beach.
8. What does the phrase “Beating a dead horse” signify?
a. Cruel treatment of animals
b. A horse race
c. A horse that refuses to move
d. Overdoing something or an action that is pointless
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Overdoing something or an action that is pointless. “Beating a dead horse” is a metaphor for wasting time on something unproductive.
Example sentence: Continuing to argue about that minor detail is like beating a dead horse; we should focus on the main issue.
9. What does the saying “Speak of the devil” mean?
a. To mention Satan in conversation
b. To refer to someone as evil
c. Mentioning someone just before they show up
d. To speak loudly and angrily
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Mentioning someone just before they show up. It’s often used humorously when someone appears right after you’ve been discussing them.
Example sentence: Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you.
10. What does the expression “Let sleeping dogs lie” imply?
a. To encourage dogs to take a nap
b. To avoid reopening old conflicts or problems
c. To wake up dogs gently
d. To let dogs sleep wherever they want
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To avoid reopening old conflicts or problems. This phrase advises leaving things as they are to avoid making a situation worse.
Example sentence: It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up that sensitive issue again.
11. What does the idiom “Let the cat out of the bag” mean?
a. To release a pet cat outdoors
b. Reveal a secret carelessly
c. To put a cat inside a bag
d. To keep a secret
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Reveal a secret carelessly. When someone lets the cat out of the bag, they unintentionally reveal something that was supposed to be confidential.
Example sentence: She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
12. What does the expression “Elephant in the room” imply?
a. A controversial problem or a major issue
b. A large, real elephant in a room
c. A room full of elephant decorations
d. An elephant-themed party
Explanation: The correct answer is (a) A controversial problem or a major issue. “Elephant in the room” refers to something significant that’s being ignored or left unaddressed.
Example sentence: Their ongoing disagreement was the elephant in the room during the family gathering.
13. What does the phrase “To say in a nutshell” mean?
a. To speak in a nutshell
b. To provide a concise summary or explanation of something
c. To talk about a particular nut
d. To keep information inside a nutshell
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To provide a concise summary or explanation of something. When someone says something in a nutshell, they give the main points in a brief manner.
Example sentence: To say it in a nutshell, the project was a great success.
14. What does the saying “Worth its weight in gold” mean?
a. Something that is heavy and valuable
b. Something that has a high market value
c. Something that is extremely valuable or beneficial
d. Something that is shiny and precious
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Something that is extremely valuable or beneficial. When something is worth its weight in gold, it means it’s incredibly valuable or useful.
Example sentence: Her advice was worth its weight in gold; it saved me from making a costly mistake.
15. What does the expression “To weather the storm” signify?
a. To create a storm
b. To hide from a storm
c. To endure and survive a difficult or challenging situation
d. To predict a storm’s arrival
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) To endure and survive a difficult or challenging situation. When someone weathers the storm, they face and overcome adversity.
Example sentence: Despite the setbacks, the business was able to weather the storm and emerge stronger.
16. What does the idiom “A piece of cake” mean?
a. A delicious dessert
b. A simple and easy task
c. A portion of bread
d. A challenging puzzle
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) A simple and easy task. When something is described as “a piece of cake,” it means it’s effortless or uncomplicated.
Example sentence: Solving that math problem was a piece of cake for her.
17. What does the expression “Get your act together” imply?
a. To join a theater performance
b. To become an actor
c. To create a script for a play
d. To organize and improve one’s behavior or performance
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) To organize and improve one’s behavior or performance. When someone is told to get their act together, it means they need to become more responsible or focused.
Example sentence: If you want to succeed in your career, you need to get your act together.
18. What does the phrase “Cost an arm and a leg” signify?
a. To buy body parts
b. To be very expensive
c. To lose a limb in an accident
d. To pay a high price for something valuable
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To be very expensive. When something costs an arm and a leg, it means it’s extremely costly.
Example sentence: The luxury car he purchased cost him an arm and a leg.
19. What does the saying “On top of the world” mean?
a. To be physically on top of a mountain
b. To feel extremely happy and successful
c. To be at the highest point of a building
d. To stand on a globe
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To feel extremely happy and successful. When someone is on top of the world, they are experiencing a high level of joy and achievement.
Example sentence: Winning the championship made him feel on top of the world.
20. What does the expression “Time is money” signify?
a. Time can be exchanged for money
b. Time is more valuable than money
c. Being punctual is essential
d. Efficiency and promptness in using time are valuable
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Efficiency and promptness in using time are valuable. “Time is money” emphasizes the importance of utilizing time effectively to achieve productivity and financial gain.
Example sentence: In the business world, time is money, so we must work efficiently.
