Idioms and Phrases Questions with Solutions
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning differs from the meanings of the individual words. For example, "to beat around the bush" means to avoid the main point, not literally to hit a bush. Phrases and phrasal verbs, such as "put up with" (tolerate) and "call off" (cancel), work the same way. Exam questions ask you to choose the correct meaning of an idiom or phrase, often within a sentence. Unlike most English topics, idioms can't be worked out from grammar rules. You have to know them. The most efficient approach is to learn commonly tested idioms in groups, such as idioms about money, time or effort, and to read them in example sentences. When you're unsure, the sentence context often rules out options that don't fit the situation. Practise the idioms and phrases questions below. Each solution gives the meaning and an example sentence.
- Q1.
Select the meaning of the phrase ‘come into force’ in the sentence: The new law on “Right to Food Safety” will come into force next month.
A. Be forced upon the peopleB. Be associated from next month onwardsC. Be implemented next monthD. Be withdrawn next montheasyAsked in MAH MCA CET 2023View solution › - Q2.
Choose the meaning of the phrase ‘course of events’ in the sentence: The course of events made it necessary for Joseph to start working.
A. Events that were plannedB. Long list of future eventsC. A succession of unexpected eventsD. Nature of events that followed after Joseph joined workmediumAsked in MAH MCA CET 2023View solution › - Q3.
How many of the following sentences use the phrasal verbs correctly?
A. 0B. 1C. 2D. 4easyAsked in NIMCET 2026View solution › - Q4.
From the following sentence, choose the appropriate meaning for the underlined part: “They thought that Asmi would simply give up if her complaint had to go to the court. Now, they will realize that they have caught a Tartar!”
A. Forced to leave somethingB. Dealing with an expertC. Dealing with a troublesome personD. Wasting timemediumAsked in MAH MCA CET 2024View solution › - Q5.
In the sentence, “I think he will keep on working for a while,” the meaning of the phrase ‘keep on’ is:
A. To take part inB. ContinueC. Stop doing somethingD. DelayeasyAsked in MAH MCA CET 2024View solution › - Q6.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom 'off and on' in the given sentence. Off and on, I take a break from my hectic schedule to refresh myself.
A. PeriodicallyB. RarelyC. SeldomD. ImmediatelyeasyAsked in NIMCET 2023View solution › - Q7.
Choose the word that best expresses the meaning of the given idiom: 'A close shave'
A. A clean shaveB. A narrow escapeC. A guarded secretD. A sudden falleasyAsked in NIMCET 2013View solution › - Q8.
Choose the words that best express the meaning of the idiom 'Mud slinging'.
A. Giving painB. Abusing someoneC. Laying blameD. Damaging the reputationmediumAsked in NIMCET 2012View solution › - Q9.
The idiom "I will be a monkey's uncle" means:
A. To want to keep a monkeyB. That I have been enlightenedC. That I have been fooledD. To express disbeliefeasyAsked in NIMCET 2009View solution › - Q10.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom "Bite the bullet".
A. To refuse a challengeB. To face a difficult situation with courageC. To complain continuouslyD. To give up easilyeasyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2026View solution › - Q11.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom "To call a spade a spade."
A. To speak frankly and directlyB. To use rude languageC. To criticize othersD. To behave politelyeasyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2026View solution › - Q12.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom "to steal a march on someone".
A. To walk quietly behind someoneB. To gain an advantage by acting before othersC. To copy someone's ideasD. To escape from a difficult situationmediumAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 1 April Shift 2 2026View solution › - Q13.
Give the meaning of the phrase given here: To catch a tartar
A. To catch a convictB. To deal with someone or something that is extremely and unexpectedly difficult to deal withC. To deal with dark blemishesD. To be abandoned on a long journeymediumAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 1 April Shift 2 2026View solution › - Q14.
"Give someone the benefit of the doubt" means:
A. To assume someone is guiltyB. To trust someone despite doubtsC. To give someone a punishmentD. To doubt someoneeasyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2 April Shift-2 2026View solution › - Q15.
'In hot water' means:
A. To be in a safe placeB. To be in troubleC. To take a bathD. To agree to somethingeasyAsked in MAH LLB 3 Year CET 2 April Shift-2 2026View solution › - Q16.
Identify the meaning of the following: It was all Greek to me….
A. Difficult to speakB. Difficult to writeC. Difficult to arrangeD. Difficult to understandeasyAsked in NIMCET 2020View solution › - Q17.
"To Vouch for" means
A. To confirmB. To degradeC. To followD. To supersedeeasyAsked in NIMCET 2020View solution › - Q18.
"To hold your horses" means
A. To be readyB. To be patientC. To be eagerD. To be impatienteasyAsked in NIMCET 2020View solution › - Q19.
Choose the right option. Blessing in disguise is …….?
A. Something goodB. Something unrecognisedC. Something known to allD. Something good but not recognised at firstmediumAsked in NIMCET 2020View solution › - Q20.
“Bite the bullet” means
A. to stop a conflictB. to analyse your faultsC. to become madD. to accept something that is difficult or unpleasanteasyAsked in NIMCET 2022View solution ›