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Home › English › Idioms & Phrases

Idioms & Phrases — English Questions & Practice

Practise 9 Idioms & Phrases questions from English for competitive exams such as UPSC, Banking, SSC and Railway. Read the worked questions below, check every answer with an explanation, and track what you get wrong.

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Practice questions on Idioms & Phrases — with answers

Try each question first, then open the answer. Explanations are included.

1. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: "Burn the midnight oil"

  1. ATo work or study late into the night
  2. BTo waste money recklessly
  3. CTo cause an accidental fire
  4. DTo wake up early in the morning
Show answer

Answer: A

'Burn the midnight oil' means to stay up late working or studying.

2. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: "A blessing in disguise"

  1. AAn apparent misfortune that eventually has good results
  2. BA secret gift from a friend
  3. CA fake promise
  4. DA religious ritual
Show answer

Answer: A

'A blessing in disguise' is something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.

3. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: "Bite the bullet"

  1. ATo face a difficult situation with courage and get it over with
  2. BTo start a violent conflict
  3. CTo eat quickly
  4. DTo surrender in battle
Show answer

Answer: A

'Bite the bullet' means to force yourself to do something difficult or unpleasant.

4. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: "Break the ice"

  1. ATo initiate a conversation in a social setting and relieve tension
  2. BTo shatter a window
  3. CTo freeze water
  4. DTo make a mistake
Show answer

Answer: A

'Break the ice' means to do or say something to relieve tension and get conversation started.

5. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: "Hit the nail on the head"

  1. ATo describe or identify something exactly right
  2. BTo injure your finger while hammering
  3. CTo make a wild guess
  4. DTo build a wooden box
Show answer

Answer: A

'Hit the nail on the head' means to state the exact truth or find the precise answer.

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