Idioms and Phrases MCQ for Competitive Exams

1. What does "A piece of cake" mean?

a) A dessert
b) A difficult task
c) An easy task
d) An unpredictable situation

Answer:

c) An easy task

Explanation:

"A piece of cake" is an idiom that means something is very easy to do.

2. The meaning of "Bite the bullet":

a) To get angry
b) To avoid a situation
c) To accept something difficult
d) To celebrate

Answer:

c) To accept something difficult

Explanation:

"Bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation that is seen as unavoidable.

3. What does "Cry over spilled milk" mean?

a) To cry loudly
b) To express regret about something that has already happened
c) To be extremely happy
d) To remember old times

Answer:

b) To express regret about something that has already happened

Explanation:

"Cry over spilled milk" means to be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

4. The meaning of "Down to the wire":

a) To be straightforward
b) Something leading to a result that is not decided until the last possible moment
c) To be in a comfortable situation
d) To be dangerous

Answer:

b) Something leading to a result that is not decided until the last possible moment

Explanation:

"Down to the wire" means a situation where the outcome is not decided until the very last minute.

5. What does "Elbow grease" mean?

a) To work very hard
b) To be lazy
c) To have an easy job
d) To cheat

Answer:

a) To work very hard

Explanation:

"Elbow grease" is an idiom used to describe hard physical effort.

6. The meaning of "Feeling blue":

a) Feeling happy
b) Feeling sad
c) Feeling angry
d) Feeling excited

Answer:

b) Feeling sad

Explanation:

"Feeling blue" is an idiom that means feeling sad or depressed.

7. What does "Get cold feet" mean?

a) To have cold body parts
b) To have second thoughts
c) To walk on ice
d) To dance

Answer:

b) To have second thoughts

Explanation:

"Get cold feet" means to suddenly become too frightened to do something one had planned to do.

8. The meaning of "Hit the nail on the head":

a) To do a perfect job
b) To destroy something
c) To guess exactly right
d) To make a mistake

Answer:

c) To guess exactly right

Explanation:

"Hit the nail on the head" means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

9. What does "In the heat of the moment" mean?

a) To be in a warm place
b) Saying or doing something without thinking because of strong emotion
c) To be in a difficult situation
d) To be at a party

Answer:

b) Saying or doing something without thinking because of strong emotion

Explanation:

"In the heat of the moment" means to react spontaneously under the influence of strong emotion.

10. The meaning of "Jump on the bandwagon":

a) To join others in doing something that is becoming fashionable
b) To jump high
c) To start a band
d) To avoid a situation

Answer:

a) To join others in doing something that is becoming fashionable

Explanation:

"Jump on the bandwagon" means to join others in doing something that has become fashionable or popular.

11. What does "Keep at bay" mean?

a) To keep someone at a distance
b) To stay close to water
c) To hold onto something
d) To keep something secret

Answer:

a) To keep someone at a distance

Explanation:

"Keep at bay" means to prevent someone or something unpleasant from coming too close or from harming you.

12. The meaning of "Let the cat out of the bag":

a) To release a pet
b) To tell a secret carelessly or by mistake
c) To be very angry
d) To go shopping

Answer:

b) To tell a secret carelessly or by mistake

Explanation:

"Let the cat out of the bag" means to reveal a secret, often unintentionally.

13. What does "Miss the boat" mean?

a) To miss a travel opportunity
b) To miss a chance or opportunity
c) To arrive late
d) To be unprepared

Answer:

b) To miss a chance or opportunity

Explanation:

"Miss the boat" is an idiom that means to miss out on an opportunity.

14. The meaning of "No-brainer":

a) A difficult problem
b) Something very easy or obvious
c) A serious situation
d) A complex puzzle

Answer:

b) Something very easy or obvious

Explanation:

"No-brainer" refers to an easy decision or a problem that requires little thought to solve.

15. What does "Once in a blue moon" mean?

a) Every night
b) Very rarely
c) Frequently
d) During the day

Answer:

b) Very rarely

Explanation:

"Once in a blue moon" is an idiom used to describe an event that happens very infrequently.

16. The meaning of "Piece of cake":

a) A dessert
b) Something very difficult
c) Something very easy
d) A slice of cake

Answer:

c) Something very easy

Explanation:

"Piece of cake" is an idiom that means something is very easy to do.

17. What does "Queer the pitch" mean?

a) To make something straight
b) To ruin someone's plan
c) To start a game
d) To decorate a place

Answer:

b) To ruin someone's plan

Explanation:

"Queer the pitch" means to spoil someone's chances of doing something, especially secretly or maliciously.

18. The meaning of "Rain on someone's parade":

a) To bring bad weather
b) To spoil someone's pleasure
c) To attend a parade
d) To sing in the rain

Answer:

b) To spoil someone's pleasure

Explanation:

"Rain on someone's parade" means to spoil something that someone is enthusiastic about or enjoying.

19. What does "Spill the beans" mean?

a) To cook a meal
b) To reveal a secret
c) To waste food
d) To make a mess

Answer:

b) To reveal a secret

Explanation:

"Spill the beans" is an idiom that means to divulge a secret, especially unintentionally or carelessly.

20. The meaning of "Take the bull by the horns":

a) To confront a problem head-on
b) To start a fight
c) To be scared
d) To run away

Answer:

a) To confront a problem head-on

Explanation:

"Take the bull by the horns" means to confront a difficult situation directly and with courage.

21. What does "Under the weather" mean?

a) Feeling ill or unwell
b) Being outdoors
c) Enjoying good weather
d) Feeling happy

Answer:

a) Feeling ill or unwell

Explanation:

"Under the weather" is used to describe feeling slightly ill or lacking in energy.

22. The meaning of "Vanish into thin air":

a) To fly
b) To disappear completely
c) To become thin
d) To appear suddenly

Answer:

b) To disappear completely

Explanation:

"Vanish into thin air" means to disappear suddenly and completely.

23. What does "Wild goose chase" mean?

a) A search for wild geese
b) A traditional game
c) A foolish and hopeless pursuit of something unattainable
d) An adventure

Answer:

c) A foolish and hopeless pursuit of something unattainable

Explanation:

"Wild goose chase" is an idiom for a senseless pursuit of something unattainable.

24. The meaning of "X marks the spot":

a) To sign a document
b) The location is exactly correct
c) To vote
d) To be confused

Answer:

b) The location is exactly correct

Explanation:

"X marks the spot" is used to indicate an exact location, often in the context of treasure maps.

25. What does "Yield the floor" mean?

a) To give up one's position
b) To collapse on the ground
c) To allow another person to speak in a debate
d) To grow crops

Answer:

c) To allow another person to speak in a debate

Explanation:

"Yield the floor" means to stop speaking and allow another participant to speak during a formal discussion or debate.

26. The meaning of "Zero in on":

a) To ignore
b) To decrease to nothing
c) To focus closely on something
d) To start from the beginning

Answer:

c) To focus closely on something

Explanation:

"Zero in on" means to direct all one's attention to a particular object or activity.

27. What does "At sixes and sevens" mean?

a) Very happy
b) In a state of disorder and confusion
c) In a safe position
d) Feeling cold

Answer:

b) In a state of disorder and confusion

Explanation:

"At sixes and sevens" is used to describe a situation of confusion and disarray.

28. The meaning of "Burn the midnight oil":

a) To waste time
b) To work late into the night
c) To cause a fire
d) To stay awake all night

Answer:

b) To work late into the night

Explanation:

"Burn the midnight oil" means to stay up working, especially studying, late at night.

29. What does "Cut to the chase" mean?

a) To reduce expenses
b) To start running
c) To get to the point
d) To change direction quickly

Answer:

c) To get to the point

Explanation:

"Cut to the chase" is an idiom meaning to come to the point without wasting time on unrelated matters.

30. The meaning of "Don't cry over spilled milk":

a) Don't waste milk
b) Don't worry about small things
c) Don't regret what cannot be changed
d) Don't cry in public

Answer:

c) Don't regret what cannot be changed

Explanation:

"Don't cry over spilled milk" means not to spend time worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.

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