Idioms and Phrases Exercise with Answer

Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom / phrase.

1. To cool one’s heels :

(a) To rest for sometime
(b) To give no importance to someone
(c) To remain in a comfortable position
(d) To be kept waiting for sometime

2. A fool’s errand :

(a) A blunder
(b) An impossible task
(c) A useless undertaking
(d) None of these

3. Swan-song :

(a) Music as sweet as a song of birds
(b) A melodious song in praise of someone
(c) Praise of a woman by her lover
(d) Last work of a poet or musician before death

4. To oil the knocker :

(a) To instigate a person to do a job
(b) To do a work with increased pace
(c) To tip the office-boy
(d) To revive old enmity

5. By the rule of thumb :

(a) By the use of force
(b) By the use of trickery
(c) By cheating and deception
(d) By practical experience which is rather rough

6. To live fast :

(a) To lead a life of dissipation
(b) To accomplish a purpose
(c) to do a task hurriedly
(d) To use up one’s income as fast as it comes in

7. To hold somebody to ransom :

(a) To keep captive and demand concession
(b) To humiliate somebody
(c) To offer bribe
(d) To blackmail and extract money

8. To hit the jackpot :

(a) To gamble
(b) To get an unexpected victory
(c) To be wealthy
(d) To make money unexpectedly

9. To pay off old scores :

(a) To have one’s revenge
(b) To settle a dispute
(c) To repay the old loan
(d) None of these

10. To take a leaf out of somebody’s book :

(a) To take him as a model
(b) To steal something valuable
(c) To follow the dictates of someone
(d) To conform to other’s standard

11. To set the thames on fire :

(a) To do something remarkable
(b) To try to do the impossible
(c) To burn something to ashes
(d) To fling ironical remarks

12. To cast pearls before a swine :

(a) To offer some a thing which he cannot appreciate
(b) To bring something good before the eyes of a greedy person
(c) To spend recklessly on a useless fellow
(d) To indulge in fruitless endeavors

13. To bear the palm :

(a) To win
(b) To accept a challenge
(c) To accept defeat
(d) To endure something

14. To change colour :

(a) To change appearance
(b) To shift allegiance to
(c) To favour the wrong person
(d) None of these

15. To cut the gordian knot :

(a) To solve a difficult problem
(b) To be victorious
(c) To break ties with someone
(d) To defeat to powerful person

16. To wrangle over an ass’s shadow :

(a) To act in a foolish way
(b) To do something funny
(c) To quarrel over trifles
(d) To quarrel over the possession of an ass

17. To have one’s heart in one’s boots :

(a) To be deeply depressed
(b) To be frightened
(c) To get angry
(d) To keep a secret

18. To strike one’s colours :

(a) To fight vigorously
(b) To work hard
(c) To surrender
(d) To make a rude gesture

19. To ride hell for Leather :

(a) To ride with furious speed
(b) To adopt false means to succeed
(c) To work hard for a small accomplishment
(d) To earn money by all means

20. To speak daggers :

(a) To abuse someone
(b) To indulge in veracious talks
(c) To speak to a person with hostility
(d) None of these