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-5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does the expression “Wrap your head around something” imply?
a) Putting a head covering on something
b) To comprehend or understand something challenging
c) To hide your thoughts
d) To physically wrap something around your head
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To comprehend or understand something challenging. This idiom means to mentally grasp a complex concept.
Example sentence: It took me a while to wrap my head around the advanced mathematics problem.
2. What does the phrase “Cut the mustard” signify?
a) Slicing mustard seeds
b) To meet the required standard or expectation
c) To remove mustard stains
d) To prepare mustard for cooking
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To meet the required standard or expectation. This idiom is used when someone succeeds or performs well.
Example sentence: His performance at the competition really cut the mustard.
3. What does the expression “Jump from the frying pan into the fire” imply?
a) Cooking in a frying pan and then in an open flame
b) Refers to a situation becoming worse
c) To make a quick decision while cooking
d) To avoid cooking altogether
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Refers to a situation becoming worse. This idiom describes a situation where one’s attempt to improve things only makes them worse.
Example sentence: He thought changing jobs would solve his problems, but he jumped from the frying pan into the fire.
4. What does the saying “Cry over spilt milk” mean?
a) Weeping because milk was spilled
b) Crying while preparing a milk-based dish
c) To celebrate the spilling of milk
d) To regret something that has already happened
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) To regret something that has already happened. This phrase advises against dwelling on past mistakes.
Example sentence: There’s no use crying over spilt milk; let’s find a solution to the current problem.
Recommended: Idioms and Phrases Practice Test
5. What does the phrase “Have a method to one’s madness” signify?
a) To be methodical in one’s actions
b) To have a clear plan in madness
c) To display madness without any method
d) Good reasons for one’s actions
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Good reasons for one’s actions. This idiom suggests that even unconventional actions may have a rationale behind them.
Example sentence: His creative process may seem chaotic, but there’s a method to his madness.
6. What does the expression “Do something at the drop of a hat” imply?
a) To perform an action involving a hat
b) To do something without hesitation or immediately
c) To drop a hat while doing something
d) To drop a hat as a signal
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) To do something without hesitation or immediately. This idiom means acting quickly or without delay.
Example sentence: She’s always ready to help and will do it at the drop of a hat.
7. What does the phrase “Get wind of something” signify?
a) To experience strong winds
b) To predict the weather
c) To smell something carried by the wind
d) To hear about something, usually through unofficial channels
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) To hear about something, usually through unofficial channels. This idiom means getting information about something.
Example sentence: I got wind of the upcoming surprise party from a friend.
8. What does the expression “Hear it from the horse’s mouth” imply?
a) Listening to a horse’s sound
b) To hear a horse talking
c) To hear information directly from the original source
d) To hear gossip about horses
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) To hear information directly from the original source. This idiom emphasizes the authenticity of the source.
Example sentence: I heard the news from the horse’s mouth – the CEO himself confirmed the expansion plans.
9. What does the saying “Fit as a fiddle” mean?
a) Being able to play a fiddle instrument
b) Being in excellent physical health and condition
c) Being a skilled musician
d) Being as thin as a fiddle’s string
Explanation: The correct answer is (b) Being in excellent physical health and condition. This phrase describes someone who is very healthy and fit.
Example sentence: Despite his age, he’s as fit as a fiddle and enjoys hiking regularly.
10. What does the phrase “Take everything with a pinch of salt” signify?
a) To add salt to every meal
b) To cook with a large amount of salt
c) To take every statement seriously
d) Refers to being skeptic and not believing blindly
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Refers to being skeptic and not believing blindly. This idiom advises not taking everything at face value.
Example sentence: He tends to exaggerate stories, so I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.
11. What does the idiom “A pain in the neck” mean?
a) Referring to actual neck pain
b) Someone who enjoys massages
c) A difficult or annoying person or situation
d) A compliment for being hardworking
Explanation: The correct answer is (c). This idiom is used to describe a person or situation that is difficult, annoying, or troublesome. It suggests that dealing with this person or situation can be as irritating and uncomfortable as experiencing physical discomfort in the neck area.
Example sentence: Dealing with constant delays at work can be a real pain in the neck.
12. What does the phrase “The best thing since sliced bread” signify?
a) A new method of slicing bread
b) Something that is highly overrated
c) Something exceptionally good or innovative
d) A description of a bread recipe
Explanation: The correct answer is (c). This phrase is used to praise something as exceptionally good or innovative. It suggests that the thing being referred to is so great that it’s as groundbreaking as the invention of sliced bread, which revolutionized convenience in food preparation.
Example sentence: This new smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread; it has all the latest features.
13. What does the expression “Walk in the other’s shoes” imply?
a) Literally walking in someone else’s shoes
b) To understand what the other is going through
c) Going for a walk together
d) Wearing someone else’s shoes as a fashion statement
Explanation: The correct answer is (b). This idiom means to empathize with someone by imagining oneself in their position, trying to understand their perspective. It encourages seeing a situation from another person’s point of view to gain a better understanding of their feelings, experiences, or challenges.
Example sentence: Before criticizing her decisions, try to walk in her shoes and see what she’s going through.
14. What does the saying “Break the ice” mean?
a) To physically break ice in a frozen lake
b) To shatter something frozen
c) To make social interaction in a comfortable way
d) To create sculptures from ice blocks
Explanation: The correct answer is (c). This phrase means to initiate a conversation or activity to relieve tension or start a social interaction in a comfortable way. It’s often used in social situations to make people feel more at ease and open to communication.
Example sentence: Playing a simple game can be a great way to break the ice at a party.
15. What does the expression “Having a monkey on your back” imply?
a) Literally carrying a pet monkey on one’s back
b) Feeling physically burdened by a monkey
c) Suffering from an addiction or a persistent problem
d) A description of a backpack designed like a monkey
Explanation: The correct answer is (c). This phrase means dealing with a problem or addiction that’s really hard to get rid of. It’s like having a pesky monkey that won’t leave you alone. Example sentence: Overcoming his gambling addiction felt like getting rid of the monkey on his back.
16. What does the expression “Go on a wild goose chase” imply?
a) Hunting wild geese for food
b) Engaging in a fruitless or pointless pursuit
c) Leading a flock of geese
d) A dangerous journey through the wilderness
Explanation: The correct answer is (b). This idiom means engaging in a fruitless or pointless pursuit, like chasing after wild geese, which are difficult to catch and lead to no valuable outcome. It refers to a wasted effort or a task with little chance of success.
Example sentence: Trying to find his lost keys in the dark alley was like going on a wild goose chase.
17. What does the phrase “Rain cats and dogs” signify?
a) A rare meteorological phenomenon
b) A pleasant weather forecast
c) Heavy rainfall
d) Unpredictable weather conditions
Explanation: The correct answer is (c). This phrase means heavy rainfall. When it rains cats and dogs, it’s raining very heavily, with a lot of rain falling quickly and intensely.
Example sentence: We had to cancel our picnic because it started raining cats and dogs.
18. What does the expression “Once in a blue moon” imply?
a) Once a month
b) A rare or infrequent occurrence
c) A phase of the moon
d) A blue-colored moon
Explanation: The correct answer is (b). This expression is used to describe something that happens very rarely or infrequently. It’s like an event that occurs only once in a long while, making it quite unusual and uncommon.
Example sentence: Meeting old friends from school happens only once in a blue moon.
19. What does the saying “Bark up the wrong tree” mean?
a) Climbing a tree to rescue a stranded animal
b) Pursuing the wrong course of action
c) Training a dog to bark loudly
d) A tree with a unique bark texture
Explanation: The correct answer is (b). This saying means pursuing the wrong course of action or blaming the wrong person. It’s like a dog barking at the wrong tree, where the target or solution is not to be found. It signifies a mistaken or misguided effort.
Example sentence: Accusing him of stealing was barking up the wrong tree; he had an alibi.
20. What does the expression “Have the ball in one’s court” imply?
a) Possessing a sports ball
b) Being skilled in ball games
c) Having the responsibility or control over a situation
d) Holding a formal ballroom event
Explanation: The correct answer is (c). This expression means having the responsibility or control over a situation. It’s like being the player with the ball in a game, which means you have the opportunity to make a decision or take action.
Example sentence: Now that she has all the information, the decision is in her court.
