Idioms and Phrases Exercise

Idioms and Phrases Exercise

21. To turn the tables :

(a) To defeat
(b) To oppose
(c) To create chaos
(d) To change the sorry scheme
(e) To change completely the position of disadvantage

22. To keep the ball rolling :

(a) To earn more and more
(b) To work constantly
(c) To keep the conversation going
(d) To make the best use of

23. All and sundry :

(a) Greater share
(b) All of a sudden
(c) Completion of work
(d) Everyone without distinction

24. To worship the rising sun :

(a) To honour a man who is coming into office
(b) To honour to promising people
(c) To indulge in flattery
(d) To welcome the coming events

25. To play fast and loose :

(a) To beguile others
(b) To be winning sometimes and losing at other times
(c) To play with someone’s feeling
(d) To play tricks

26. To have brush with :

(a) To start painting
(b) To have good and pleasing terms
(c) To be impressed
(d) To have a slight encounter

27. To pull one’s socks up :

(a) To prepare
(b) To try hard
(c) To get ready
(d) To depart

28. Dog in the manger :

(a) An undersized bull almost the shape of a dog
(b) A dog that has no kennel of its own
(c) A person who puts himself in difficulties on account of other people
(d) A person who prevents others from enjoying something useless to himself

29. To set the people by ears :

(a) To box the people
(b) To insult and disgrace the people
(c) To punish heavily
(d) To excite people to a quarrel

30. To give chapter and verse for a thing :

(a) To produce the proof of something
(b) To eulogize the qualities of a thing
(c) To make publicity of a thing
(d) To attach artificial value to a thing

31. To plough the sands :

(a) To work hard to achieve one’s aim
(b) To afford hope or ground for expecting a good result
(c) To busy oneself in a way which cannot lead to any profitable result
(d) To advance one’s position in life

32. To take umbrage :

(a) To feel depressed
(b) To be offended
(c) To be satisfied
(d) To be pleased

33. To drink like a fish :

(a) To drink little
(b) To drink alone
(c) To be a drunkard
(d) To drink in the company of others

34. To fight to the bitter end :

(a) To fight with poison-tipped arrows
(b) To fight to the last paint of enemy position
(c) To die fighting
(d) To carry on a contest regardless of consequences

35. To give a false colouring :

(a) To misrepresent
(b) To submit the false report
(c) To be dishonest
(d) To conceal the facts

36. To show the white feather :

(a) To show signs to cowardice
(b) To seek peace
(c) To show arrogance
(d) To become polite

37. Spick and span :

(a) Neat and clean
(b) Outspoken
(c) A ready-made thing
(d) Garrulous

38. To take the wind out of another’s sails :

(a) To manouevre or mislead another on the high seas
(b) To cause harm to another
(c) To defeat the motives of another
(d) To anticipate another and to gain advantage over him

39. To carry the coal to newcastle :

(a) To work hard
(b) To finish a jab
(c) To do unnecessary things
(d) To do menial jobs

40. The pros and cons :

(a) For and against a thing
(b) Foul and fair
(c) Good and evil
(d) Former and latter