Idioms & Phrases CUET – day – 5
1. From the given options choose the one that rightly explain the
expression
“ To throw dust in one’s eyes”
a) To show fearsome
b) To harm someone physically
c) To blind someone
d) To deceive someone
2. From the given options choose the one that rightly explain the
expression
“ To call a spade a spade “
a) Speak directly and frankly
b) Speak rudely and disrespectfully
c) Speak softly
d) Speak diplomatically
3. From the given options choose the one that rightly explain the
expression
“ To shed crocodiles tears “
a) To weep profusely
b) To grieve and feel low
c) To grieve insincerely
d) To weep for crocodiles
4. From the given options choose the one that rightly explain the
expression
“To be above board”
a) To have a good height
b) To have a big black board
c) To be honest in any business deal
d) To become boast full
5. From the given options choose the one that rightly explain the
expression
To talks one’s head off
a) To scream loud and shout
b) To whisper
c) To talk excessively
d) To talk to one’s own self
6. Match the list :
List – 1 List – 2
(Phrasal Verb) (Meaning)
(A) Bring up (I) To win
(B) Pull off (II) Extinguish
(C) Fall out (IV) call attention again to
(D) Blow out (v) Quarrel
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(1) (A) –(III) , (B) – (I) , (C) – (IV) , (D) – (II)
(2) (A) –(III), (B) – (IV) , (C) –(I) , (D) – (II)
(3) (A) –(IV), (B) – (I) , (C) –(III) , (D) – (II)
(4) (A) –(III), (B) – (I) , (C) –(II) , (D) – (IV)
Ans :
7. Match of the following :
List – 1 List – 2
(Phrasal Verb) (Meaning)
(A) Pull down (I) Be careful
(B) Close down (II) Fall asleep
(C) Look out (IV) Demolish
(D) Doze out (v) Get out of business
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(1) (A) –(I) , (B) – (III) , (C) – (IV) , (D) – (II)
(2) (A) –(II), (B) – (I) , (C) –(III) , (D) – (IV)
(3) (A) –(IV), (B) – (III) , (C) –(II) , (D) – (I)
(4) (A) –(III), (B) – (IV) , (C) –(I) , (D) – (II)
8. From the given option , select the one which most correctly explains
the given expression .
“ To smell a rat”
a) To spot rats in the room.
b) To misunderstand a speaker
c) To suspect a trick or a deceit
d) To get confused
9. From the given option , select the one which most correctly explains
the given expression.
“To take a leap in the dark”
a) To perform a secret ritual
b) To jump after the sun set
c) To do something without being certain of the outcome and result
d) To be afraid of the dark
10. From the given option , select the one which most correctly explains
the given expression.
“To pull one’s socks up”
a) To depart
b) To make an effort to improve one’s performance
c) To try something new and strange
d) To wear a pair of new socks
11. The question of unemployment is a hard nut to crack.
(a) Difficult task
(b) Different matter
(c) Impossible task
(d) Inexplicable problem
12. From the given option , select the one which most correctly
explains the given expression.
“To lose the face”
a) To feel sad
b) To look angry
c) To be confused
d) To be respect from others
13. In each of the question given below a/an idiom/phrase is given in
bold which is then followed by five options which then try to decipher
its meaning. Choose the option which gives the correct
meaning of the phrases.
“By the skin of your teeth”
(a) With high marks and accolades
(b) Without any preparation
(c) After multiple attempts
(d) By a very narrow margin
(e) By collaborating with peers
14. Raise the bar
(a) To grow taller
(b) To raise the price
(c) To win a competition
(d) To set higher goals
Ans : (d) To set higher goals
15. To walk on air
(a) To feel very depressed
(b) To be completely free
(c) To be very happy
(d) To be very rich
Ans: (c) To be very happy
16. To take a chill pill
(a) To ask a doctor for medication
(b) To drink cold water
(c) To gulp a tablet for a cold
(d) To calm down
Ans (d) To calm down
17. Want to curl up and die
(a) Want to die comfortably
(b) Unable to sleep well
(c) Feel terribly ashamed and sorry
(d) Too tired from physical labour
Ans : (c) Feel terribly ashamed and sorry
18. To call a spade a spade
(a) To be frank
(b) To be shy
(c) To be rude
(d) To be diplomatic
19. Be at a loss for words
(a) Habituated to using difficult words
(b) Not aware of the language
(c) Not know what to say
(d) Lost the urge to speak
Ans: (c) Not know what to say
20 . Full of beans.
(a) A dish made of French beans.
(b) Full of cowardice
(c) A storeroom full of vegetables
(d) Full of energy
Show Ans (d) Full of energy
21. To cut a long story short
(a) Like to tell long stories
(b) Like to tell short stories
(c) Tell something briefly
(d) Tell something in a roundabout way
Ans (c) Tell something briefly
22. Apple of one’s eye
(a) Someone who plays all sports
(b) Someone with great respect
(c) Someone very precious or dear
(d) Someone who behaves courteously
Ans : (c) Someone very precious or dear
23. To the nines
(a) To be exalted
(b) To be jealous
(c) To great depths
(d) To perfection
Ans : (d) To perfection
24. Drop the ball
(1) to let go of a grudge
(2) to make a mistake
(3) to lower one’s expectations
(4) to relax and have a good time
25. Get one’s ducks in a row
(1) to achieve one’s goals
(2) to make everyone happy
(3) to follow all the rules
(4) to get everything organised
26. To bell the cat
(1) To make known
(2) to complete an easy task
(3) to face the risk
(4) to reveal a secret
27. A thorn in the flesh
(1) a minor problem
(2) a constant source of annoyance
(3) in a strange situation
(4) at the last moment
28. Burn the midnight oil
(1) without any effort
(2) in an extreme state of poverty
(3) to finish one’s savings
(4) to work or study hard
29. Buckle down
Options:
(1) study or work very hard
(2) go bankrupt
(3) make peace
(4) be in charge
30. Dime a dozen
(1) a small amount
(2) position with no future
(3) easily obtained
(4) having no money
31. Floor someone
(1) push someone backwards
(2) intimidate someone
(3) surprise someone
(4) punish someone
32. Get off the ground
(1) make a good start
(2) make a bad start
(3) end in a worrisome situation
(4) unburden oneself
33. To let one’s hair down
(1) to relax and enjoy oneself
(2) to lose one’s money in a gamble
(3) to behave calmly in a stressful situation
(4) to accept an apology
34. Cut to the chase
(1) to speak indirectly
(2) to begin a new journey
(3) to get to the point
(4) to be confused
35. Face the music
(1) to attend a concert
(2) to accept criticism or punishment
(3) to ignore a problem
(4) to enjoy the moment
36. Shyam Prasad was a chip of the old block.
(a) A being of the old generation
(b) An experienced old man
(c) A common boy of the locality
(d) Someone similar in character to one’s father
37. If the speaker continues with his bor- ing speech, the audience will
probably vote with their feet.
(a) Kick him out
(b) Show their disapproval
(c) Stop him from speaking
(d) Choose him as leader
38. Russel Peters realty brought the house down with his spectacular
perfor- mance at the club yesterday.
(a) Passed a bill unanimously
(b) Amused the audience greatly
(c) Pulled down
(d) Defamed a family building
39. The manager is not dismissed, but he is definitely under a cloud.
(a) Under suspension
(b) Under suspicion
(c) Under scrutiny
(d) Warned severely
40 . Who will believe your cock and bull story?
(a) Ambiguous story
(b) Authentic story
© Absurd story
(d) Common story
41. For years I could not shake off the trauma of that day.
(a) Forget
(b) Remember
(c) Imagine
(d) None of these
42. The judge declared the agreement null and void.
(a) Empty
(b) Annulled
(c) Unavoidable
(d) Not binding
43. We should bury the hatchet and become friends.
(a) Obtain
(b) Influence friends
(c) Make peace
(d) Keep a secret
44. Before the report reached the author- ity, the media spilled the
beans.
(a) Hinted at the consequences
(b) Dropped the charges
(c) Spilled the content of the package
(d) Revealed the secret information
45. Amit said to Rekha, “Don’t make a mountain out off a mole hill.”
(a) Exaggerate a minor problem
(b) Attempt an impossible task
(c) Create problems
(d) Start looking for mole hills in mountains
46. To keep the wolf away from the door
(a) To keep off starvation
(b) To guard against wild animals
(c) To guard against enemies
(d) To keep aloof from disputed matters
47. Anand is a nice guy, but sometimes he really gets on my nerves.
(a) Makes me nervous
(b) Shakes my self-confidence
(c) Annoys me
(d) Makes me uncomfortable
48. As a student, you should catch time by the forelock.
(a) Speed up
(b) Set up clock back
(c) Slowdown
(d) Seize opportunity
49. Receiving his first award was a shot in the arm for him.
(a) Something that gives encouragement
(b) Something that is painful
(c) Something that needs attention
(d) Something done with a purpose
50. He beats about the bush.
(a) Talks sensibly
(b) Talks continuously
(c) Speak well
(d) Does not talk specifically
51. To call it a day
(a) Put off work for another day
(b) The day was marvellous
(c) Decide to finish working
(d) Give the day a name
52. Take the bull by the horns is
(a) To be helpful
(b) To win the battle
(c) To be sensitive
(d) To face a difficulty courageously
53. To put in a nut-shell.
(a) To be long and exhaustive
(b) To state something very concisely
(c) To place something
(d) To be blunt about something
54. A false friend never hesitates to shed crocodile tears.
(a) To move from one place to another
(b) To show false happiness
(c) To feel disappointed
(d) To pretend to be sympathetic
55. Take the bull by the horns is
(a) To be helpful
(b) To win the battle
(c) To be sensitive
(d) To face a difficulty courageously
56. To shun evil company.
(a) To kick Out evil company
(b) To let loose evil company
(c) To give up evil company
(d) To put off evil company
57. Sail in the same boat
(a) Be In the same situation
(b) Suspect something uncanny
(c) Suspect something wrong
(d) Be in a different situation
58. To get into hot waters.
(a) To be impatient
(b) To suffer loss
(c) To get into trouble
(d) To be in a confused state of mind
59. My student is one who knows how many beans make five.
(a) Knows mathematical calculations
(b) Is fiercely loyal
(c) Well informed and intelligent
(d) Is accurate and precise
60. Have a finger in every pie
(a) To be greedy
(b) To be meddlesome
(c) To be efficient
(d) To be quarrelsome
61. With great difficulty, he was able to carve out a niche for himself.
(a) Became a sculptor
(b) Did the best he could do
(c) Destroyed his career
(d) Developed a specific position for himself
62. Goods will be delivered if you pay on the nail.
(a) Pay within the given time
(b) Pay the full amount
(c) Pay promptly in cash
(d) Pay promptly
63. Nowadays it has become a fashion to take French Leave.
(a) Seeking permission from French Embassy
(b) Saying goodbye in French style
(c) Absenting oneself without permission
(d) Taking leave to go to France
64. International monetary affairs are governed by the gnomes of
Zurich.
(a) Witchcraft of Zurich
(b) Foreign leaders
(c) Big international bankers
(d) Guardians of treasure
65. Where discipline is concerned I put my foot down.
(a) Take a firm stand
(b) Take a light stand
(c) Take a heavy stand
(d) Take a shaky stand
66. Since the children were young, their parents have always taught
them to cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth.
(a) Be thrifty
(b) Live life to the full
(c) Live within one’s means
(d) Be fair
67. A critic’s work is to read between the lines.
(a) To comprehend the meaning
(b) To appreciate the inner beauty
(c) To understand the inner meaning
(d) to read carefully
68. His work seems to be a Penelope’s web.
(a) Endless
(b) Difficult
(c) Declining
(d) In his best form
69. Took to her heels
(a) Bent down
(b) Ran off
(c) Kicked off her shoes
(d) Rubbed her heels
70. It is difficult to have a sensible dis-cussion with her as she files off at
a tangent.
(a) Gets carried away
(b) Starts discussing something irrelevant
(c) Loses her temper easily
(d) Does not really understand anything
71. We must work with all our might and main otherwise we cannot
succeed.
(a) Full force
(b) Complete trust
(c) Exceptional skill
(d) Full unity
72. Let us bury the hatchet and be friends again.
(a) Hide the axe
(b) Keep the secret
(c) Forget the quarrels
(d) Work together
73. The sailors nailed their colours to their mast.
(a) Put up a colourful mast
(b) Refused to climb down
(c) Took over the ship
(d) Decided to abandon the ship
74. You have been trying to solve this puzzle for a long time, be careful
so that you avoid barking up the wrong tree.
(a) Trying to solve problems
(b) Trying to find something at a wrong place
(c) Keep working constantly
(d) Climbing the wrong tree
75. I’ll be able to do my job very well when I know the ropes.
(a) Become bolder
(b) Work in silence
(c) Learn the procedures
(d) Gain confidence
76. Deepak did not care for his family; he wanted to gather roses only.
(a) To save money miserly
(b) To paint a rosy picture of the past
(c) To seek all enjoyments of life
(d) To obtain fame by hard work
77. Our school is within a stone’s throw of the railway station.
(a) Within a certain radius
(b) Very far off
(c) At a short distance
(d) Within a definite distance
78. You cannot throw dust into my eyes.
(a) Terrify me (b) Cheat me
(c) Hurt me (d) Abuse me
79. The much hyped event turned out be a nine days’ wonder.
(a) An event that lasted for nine days
(b) Created awe for nine days
(c) A dazzling spectacle of great value
(d) A dazzling short-lived spectacle of no real value
80. Listening to the lecture was watching grass grow.
(a) Very boring
(b) Very interesting
(c) Very confusing
(d) Very informative
81. Winning the competition was quite a feather in my cap.
(a) Rewarding
(b) An exciting moment
(c) An achievement
(d) A joy for my parents
82. I can finish the work by myself, but she always tries to be a backseat
driver.
(a) Person who misjudge others
(b) Person who wants to do things by herself
(c) Person who falsely accuses others
(d) Person who gives unwanted advice
83. The prices are going up by leaps and bounds.
(a) Gradually
(b) Irregularly
© Rapidly
(d) Systematically
84. The strawberry dessert you made was out of this world.
(a) Extraordinary (b) Ordinary
(c) Bitter (d) Tasteless
85. I take my hat off to all those who donate blood regularly.
(a) Congratulate (b) Welcome
(c) Sdmire (d) Encourage
86. You better learn to toe the line to avoid consequences.
(a) To be indifferent to rules
(b) To disobey rule
(c) To follow the lead
(d) To make your own rules
87. We cannot depend on him for this assignment as it needs careful
handling and he is like a bull in a China shop.
(a) A clumsy person
(b) A tactful person
(c) A nonsense person
(d) A felicitous person
88. You must admire the way she sticks to her guns.
(a) Maintains her opinion
(b) Holds on to the pistol
(c) Does not let her weapon go
(d) Refuses to shoot
89. You better learn to toe the line to avoid consequences.
(a) To be indifferent to rules
(b) To disobey rule
(c) To follow the lead
(d) To make your own rules
90. ‘a man of straw’
(a) An unreasonable person
(b) A man of no substance
(c) A very active person
(d) A worthy fellow
91. It takes a month of Sundays to chop all that wood.
(a) A short period
(b) No time
(c) A long time
(d) A special Sunday
92. Children complain about their parents’ gifts. They should learn not
to look a gift horse in the mouth.
(a) Not to find fault with the gifts received
(b) Not to ask for more gifts
(c) Not to find goodness in the gifts
(d) Not to look at a horse’s mouth
93. Despite his initial arrogance he had to eat humble pie.
(a) He had to yield under pressure
(b) He maintained composure
(c) He failed to protest eventually
(d) He accepted the food offered
94. He is not a good lawyer but he has the gift of the gab.
(a) Talk very fast
(b) Speak very well
(c) A good voice
(d) Pretend convincingly
95. If you want to be happy, cut your coat according to your cloth.
(a) Be honest in your dealings
(b) Work according to your capacity
(c) Live within your means
(d) Don’t be too ambitious
96. I will do the work If I am allowed a free hand in the choice of
materials.
(a) Complete liberty
(b) An expense account
(c) To employ men to work
(d) Unlimited funds
97. To die in harness
(a) Premeditated murder
(b) Dying young in an accident
(c) To die while in service
(d) To be taken by surprise
98. The police closed the book on the murder case.
(a) Solved the case of
(b) Stopped working on
(c) Handed the case over to another agency
(d) Refused to take up
99. The carrot and stick policy pays dividends in every organization.
(a) Fair and foul
(b) Continuous vigilance
(c) Democratic
(d) Reward and punishment
100. To bum the candle at both ends
(a) To spend cautiously
(b) To be stingy
(c) To be extravagant
(d) To survive difficulty
Answers
1. d) To deceive someone
2. a) Speak directly and frankly
3. c) To grieve insincerely
4. c) To be honest in any business deal
5. c) To talk excessively
6. (3) (A) –(IV), (B) – (I), (C) – (V), (D) – (II)
7. (4) (A) –(IV), (B) – (V), (C) –(I), (D) – (II)
8. c) To suspect a trick or a deceit
9. c) To do something without being certain of the outcome and result
10. b) To make an effort to improve one’s performance
11. a) Difficult task
12. d) To be respect from others
13. d) By a very narrow margin
14. d) To set higher goals
15. c) To be very happy
16. d) To calm down
17. c) Feel terribly ashamed and sorry
18. a) To be frank
19. c) Not know what to say
20. d) Full of energy
21. c) Tell something briefly
22. c) Someone very precious or dear
23. d) To perfection
24. (2) to make a mistake
25. (4) to get everything organised
26. (3) to face the risk
27. (2) a constant source of annoyance
28. (4) to work or study hard
29. (1) study or work very hard
30. (3) easily obtained
31. (3) surprise someone
32. (1) make a good start
33. (1) to relax and enjoy oneself
34. (3) to get to the point
35. (2) to accept criticism or punishment
36. (d) Someone similar in character to one’s father
37. (b) Show their disapproval
38. (b) Amused the audience greatly
39. (b) Under suspicion
40. (c) Absurd story
41. (a) Forget
42. (b) Annulled
43. (c) Make peace
44. (d) Revealed the secret information
45. (a) Exaggerate a minor problem
46. (a) To keep off starvation
47. (c) Annoys me
48. (d) Seize opportunity
49. (a) Something that gives encouragement
50. (d) Does not talk specifically
51. (c) Decide to finish working
52. (d) To face a difficulty courageously
53. (b) To state something very concisely
54. (d) To pretend to be sympathetic
55. (d) To face a difficulty courageously
56. (c) To give up evil company
57. (a) Be in the same situation
58. (c) To get into trouble
59. (c) Well informed and intelligent
60. (b) To be meddlesome
61. (d) Developed a specific position for himself
62. (c) Pay promptly in cash
63. (c) Absenting oneself without permission
64. (c) Big international bankers
65. (a) Take a firm stand
66. (c) Live within one’s means
67. (c) To understand the inner meaning
68. (a) Endless
69. (b) Ran off
70. (b) Starts discussing something irrelevant
71. (a) Full force
72. (c) Forget the quarrels
73. (b) Refused to climb down
74. (b) Trying to find something at a wrong place
75. (c) Learn the procedures
76. (c) To seek all enjoyments of life
77. (c) At a short distance
78. (b) Cheat me
79. (d) A dazzling short-lived spectacle of no real value
80. (a) Very boring
81. (c) An achievement
82. (d) Person who gives unwanted advice
83. (c) Rapidly
84. (a) Extraordinary
85. (c) Admire
86. (c) To follow the lead
87. (a) A clumsy person
88. (a) Maintains her opinion
89. (c) To follow the lead
90. (b) A man of no substance
91. (c) A long time
92. (a) Not to find fault with the gifts received
93. (a) He had to yield under pressure
94. (b) Speak very well
95. (c) Live within your means
96. (a) Complete liberty
97. (c) To die while in service
98. (b) Stopped working on
99. (d) Reward and punishment
100. (c) To be extravagant
