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 Be withdrawn next montheasyAsked in MAH MCA CET 2023View solution › - Q2.
How many of the following sentences use the phrasal verbs correctly?
A. 0B. 1C. 2D. 4easyAsked in NIMCET 2026View solution › - Q3.
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 › - Q4.
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 › - Q5.
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 › - Q6.
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 › - Q7.
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 › - Q8.
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 › - Q9.
"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 › - Q10.
'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 › - Q11.
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 › - Q12.
"To Vouch for" means
A. To confirmB. To degradeC. To followD. To supersedeeasyAsked in NIMCET 2020View solution › - Q13.
"To hold your horses" means
A. To be readyB. To be patientC. To be eagerD. To be impatienteasyAsked in NIMCET 2020View solution › - Q14.
“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 › - Q15.
‘Duck out of something’ means
A. To hit something hardB. To avoid doing somethingC. To fall downD. To meet with an accidenteasyAsked in NIMCET 2022View solution › - Q16.
Which of the following refers to the idiom “under the sun”?
A. Anything and everythingB. A large number of thingsC. A few thingsD. SomethingeasyAsked in NIMCET 2017View solution › - Q17.
What does the phrase 'ride out the storm' mean?
A. Handle a crisis successfullyB. Hide from a stormC. Hide in some place where one cannot be foundD. Ride on a boat at the time of a stormeasyAsked in NIMCET 2019View solution › - Q18.
What does the idiom 'jump on the bandwagon' mean?
A. To start a businessB. To repair a vehicleC. To criticize something unfairlyD. To join a popular trend or activityeasyAsked in NIMCET 2024View solution › - Q19.
"The new iPhone seems to cost everyone not just an arm and a leg, but also a kidney." What does "to cost an arm and a leg" mean?
A. To be afraid of surgeryB. To be very short-livedC. To be very expensiveD. To be very cheapeasyAsked in NIMCET 2025View solution › - Q20.
After running around the city all day delivering invitations for the wedding, I desperately needed to hit the sack. Identify the meaning of the phrase 'hit the sack':
A. To pack one's bagsB. To watch televisionC. To go to bedD. To exercise for fitnesseasyAsked in NIMCET 2025View solution ›