Idioms & Phrases
Q.1
Medium
Fill in the blank: 'He was caught _____ when the surprise party started.' (A common idiom needed)
A
off guard
B
on guard
C
in guard
D
by guard
Correct Answer:
A. off guard
Explanation:
'Caught off guard' means surprised or unprepared for something unexpected.
Q.2
Medium
Identify the error in the sentence: 'She always beats around the bush when discussing serious topics instead of coming straight to the point.'
A
No error; idiom is correctly used
B
Should be 'beats around bushes'
C
Should be 'beats in the bush'
D
Should be 'beats the bush around'
Correct Answer:
A. No error; idiom is correctly used
Explanation:
'Beat around the bush' is correctly used. It means to avoid discussing the main point.
Q.3
Medium
What does 'Spill the beans' mean in modern English?
A
To waste food items
B
To accidentally reveal a secret
C
To grow bean plants
D
To cook beans
Correct Answer:
B. To accidentally reveal a secret
Explanation:
'Spill the beans' means to reveal a secret or tell someone something that was meant to be kept confidential.
Q.4
Medium
Which sentence correctly uses 'Piece of cake'?
A
The exam was a piece of cake; everyone found it very easy.
B
I baked a piece of cake yesterday.
C
The cake is divided into pieces.
D
She cut a piece of cake from the plate.
Correct Answer:
A. The exam was a piece of cake; everyone found it very easy.
Explanation:
'Piece of cake' means something is very easy to do. Option A correctly applies this idiom.
Q.5
Medium
Choose the option with correct use of 'Cost an arm and a leg'.
A
The surgery may cost an arm and a leg.
B
The injured person lost an arm and a leg in the accident.
C
An arm and a leg are body parts that cost money.
D
He spent money on arms and legs.
Correct Answer:
A. The surgery may cost an arm and a leg.
Explanation:
'Cost an arm and a leg' means something is very expensive. Option A uses it correctly.
Q.6
Medium
Correct the sentence: 'The project failed because the team couldn't see eye to eye about the budget allocation.'
A
No error
B
Should be 'see eyes to eyes'
C
Should be 'see eye in eye'
D
Should be 'see the eye'
Correct Answer:
A. No error
Explanation:
'See eye to eye' is correctly used. It means to agree with someone.
Q.7
Medium
What is the meaning of 'Under the weather'?
A
Standing below a rainy cloud
B
Feeling slightly ill or unwell
C
Experiencing bad weather conditions
D
Sheltered from weather
Correct Answer:
B. Feeling slightly ill or unwell
Explanation:
'Under the weather' means to feel sick or unwell, commonly used in healthcare contexts.
Q.8
Medium
Which option best matches the meaning of 'Call it a day'?
A
Telephone someone during daytime
B
Stop working and rest; finish for the day
C
Describe the quality of the day
D
Schedule something for a specific day
Correct Answer:
B. Stop working and rest; finish for the day
Explanation:
'Call it a day' means to stop working or finish an activity for the day, often used when tired or finished.
Q.9
Medium
Identify the sentence with the INCORRECT use of an idiom:
A
The startup's success was a breath of fresh air in the competitive market.
B
She decided to break the ice by introducing herself at the conference.
C
He was burning bridges by accepting the rival company's offer.
D
The politician was caught red-handed in a web of deceit.
Correct Answer:
D. The politician was caught red-handed in a web of deceit.
Explanation:
'Caught red-handed' means caught while committing a crime, not used with 'in a web of deceit' - should be used independently.
Q.10
Medium
Identify the ERROR in the following sentence: 'The board members were not seeing eye to eye about the merger, so they decided to call off the meeting.'
A
Use of 'were' is incorrect
B
No error in idiomatic usage
C
'call off' should be 'call on'
D
'seeing eye to eye' is misused
Correct Answer:
B. No error in idiomatic usage
Explanation:
The sentence correctly uses both idioms: 'seeing eye to eye' (agreeing) and 'call off' (cancel). The grammar and usage are appropriate.
