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-4 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does the idiom “When it rains, it pours” mean?
a) Light rain showers
b) To have a sudden streak of good or bad luck
c) A forecast of heavy rain
d) A rainy season
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To have a sudden streak of good or bad luck. This idiom implies that events, especially problems or difficulties, tend to occur together in clusters.
Example sentence: First, he lost his job, and then his car broke down; when it rains, it pours.
2. What does the expression “Miss the boat” imply?
a) To fail to catch a specific boat
b) To go on a boat trip
c) To swim in a lake
d) To act too slowly and miss an opportunity
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) To act too slowly and miss an opportunity. Missing the boat means not acting in time to benefit from a situation.
Example sentence: I missed the boat on that investment opportunity; now it’s too late.
3. What does the phrase “Pull someone’s leg” signify?
a) To physically pull someone’s leg
b) To help someone stand up
c) To test someone’s strength
d) To tease or joke with someone in a playful manner
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) To tease or joke with someone in a playful manner. When you pull someone’s leg, you’re engaging in light-hearted teasing.
Example sentence: He was just pulling your leg; he didn’t mean to offend you.
4. What does the saying “No pain no gain” mean?
a) Exercise without experiencing discomfort
b) To gain without any effort
c) Gaining weight without dieting
d) Effort and hard work are necessary to achieve success
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Effort and hard work is necessary to achieve success. This phrase emphasizes that one must endure challenges to make progress.
Example sentence: He knew that to excel in sports, he had to embrace the philosophy of no pain no gain.
Recommended: Idioms and Phrases Practice Test
5. What does the expression “See eye to eye” imply?
a) To have different eye shapes
b) To share the same point of view or agree on something
c) To have a clear vision
d) To compete in an eye-rolling contest
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To share the same point of view or agree on something. When people see eye to eye, they have similar opinions or beliefs.
Example sentence: Despite their differences, they managed to see eye to eye on the important issues.
6. What does the idiom “Wear your heart on your sleeve” mean?
a) To openly show one’s emotions or feelings
b) To wear a shirt with a heart-shaped design
c) To keep emotions hidden
d) To wear a heart pendant
Explanation: The correct answer is (a) To openly show one’s emotions or feelings. When someone wears their heart on their sleeve, they express their emotions freely.
Example sentence: She always wears her heart on her sleeve and is never afraid to share her feelings.
7. What does the expression “Takes two to tango” imply?
a) Dancing requires two people
b) Requires cooperation from both sides
c) Tango is a difficult dance
d) Requires cooperation from one side only
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) requires cooperation from both sides. This phrase emphasizes that mutual effort is needed for success.
Example sentence: To resolve the conflict, both parties need to make an effort because it takes two to tango.
8. What does the phrase “Come rain or shine” signify?
a) Preparing for a rainy day
b) Regardless of the weather or circumstances
c) Only when the sun shines
d) Avoiding rain and bad weather
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Regardless of the weather or circumstances. “Come rain or shine” means that something will happen without being affected by external factors.
Example sentence: He promised to be there for the event, come rain or shine.
9. What does the saying “So far so good” mean?
a) Everything is going perfectly
b) Everything is going as expected or well up to this point
c) Everything is terrible
d) Everything is too good to be true
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Everything is going as expected or well up to this point. This phrase is used to indicate that things have been going smoothly so far.
Example sentence: The project is on track, and so far so good.
10. What does the expression “Comparing apples to oranges” imply?
a) Comparing two types of fruit
b) Identifying similarities between unrelated items
c) Making a valid comparison between two dissimilar things
d) Preferentially choosing apples over oranges
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Making a valid comparison between two dissimilar things. “Comparing apples to oranges” means trying to equate or judge things that are fundamentally different.
Example sentence: Comparing the skills of a chef and a painter is like comparing apples to oranges; they are entirely different.
11. What does the idiom “When pigs fly” mean?
a) Pigs flying in the sky
b) A common occurrence
c) Something that is impossible to happen
d) A flying pig
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Something that is impossible to happen. “When pigs fly” is used to express extreme skepticism.
Example sentence: Her promise to finish all the work by tomorrow is like saying “when pigs fly.”
12. What does the expression “Curiosity killed the cat” imply?
a) Cats are naturally curious animals
b) Being curious is dangerous for cats
c) Excessive curiosity can lead to trouble or harm
d) Cats are afraid of curiosity
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Excessive curiosity can lead to trouble or harm. This phrase advises caution when being overly curious.
Example sentence: Curiosity killed the cat when she peeked into the forbidden room.
13. What does the phrase “The best of both worlds” signify?
a) Having the best of everything
b) Enjoying the advantages of two different things simultaneously
c) A world where everything is perfect
d) Choosing between two worlds
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Enjoying the advantages of two different things simultaneously. This idiom refers to a situation where one gets the benefits of two options.
Example sentence: Working remotely allows her to have the best of both worlds – a flexible schedule and a stable job.
14. What does the saying “Burn bridges” mean?
a) To destroy actual bridges
b) To create a path forward
c) Do something to spoil relationships
d) To construct bridges
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Do something to spoil relationships. Burning bridges means cutting off connections.
Example sentence: She decided to burn bridges with her toxic friends to prioritize her well-being.
15. What does the expression “The whole nine yards” imply?
a) Measuring things in yards
b) Completing a nine-yard-long task
c) Giving one’s full effort or doing everything possible
d) A yard that is completely filled
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Giving one’s full effort or doing everything possible. This phrase signifies going all out or doing everything in one’s power.
Example sentence: He went the whole nine yards to prepare for the exam, studying day and night.
16. What does the idiom “Grass is greener on the other side” mean?
a) Lush green grass on the other side of a fence
b) Never being satisfied with what one gets
c) The color of grass in different regions
d) Always choosing the opposite of what you have
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Never being satisfied with what one gets. This idiom reflects the idea that people often believe others have it better.
Example sentence: She thought a new job would solve her problems, but soon realized the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
17. What does the expression “Every dog has its day” imply?
a) Every dog enjoys a day at the park
b) Everyone gets their moment of success or good fortune
c) Dogs are fortunate creatures
d) Every dog has a special talent
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Everyone gets their moment of success or good fortune. This phrase suggests that even those facing difficulties can experience a favorable turn of events.
Example sentence: After years of hard work, he finally received recognition and thought, “Every dog has its day.”
18. What does the phrase “Counting your chickens before they hatch” signify?
a) Keeping track of the number of chickens in a hatchery
b) Planning a chicken farm
c) Ensuring the safety of chicken eggs
d) Expecting good results before something is done
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Expecting good results before something is done. This idiom warns against assuming success before it has occurred.
Example sentence: He was already spending his lottery winnings in his mind, but his friend advised against counting chickens before they hatch.
19. What does the saying “Go down in flames” mean?
a) Flying through a blazing fire
b) To experience a significant failure or defeat
c) Descending rapidly in a hot air balloon
d) Falling into a fiery pit
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To experience a significant failure or defeat. This phrase describes a situation where something ends disastrously.
Example sentence: The ambitious project went down in flames due to lack of planning.
20. What does the expression “Adding fuel to the fire” imply?
a) Lighting a campfire
b) Enhancing the heat of a fire
c) Making a situation worse by provoking or aggravating it
d) Trying to extinguish a fire with more fuel
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Making a situation worse by provoking or aggravating it. This idiom describes actions that exacerbate an already tense or difficult situation.
Example sentence: His sarcastic remarks only added fuel to the fire during the argument.
