MCQs on Idioms & Phrases

[Set - 1]

1. What does the idiom "let the cat out of the bag" mean?

A) To let a bag fall
B) To reveal a secret
C) To release a pet
D) To let someone escape

Correct Answer: B) To reveal a secret
Explanation: “Let the cat out of the bag” means to accidentally or deliberately reveal a secret that was supposed to be kept confidential.

2. What does the idiom "under the weather" signify?

A) Feeling sick
B) Being outside
C) Experiencing rain
D) Feeling cold

Correct Answer: A) Feeling sick
Explanation: “Under the weather” is used to describe someone who is feeling ill or unwell.

3. What does the idiom "hit the nail on the head" mean?

A) To take a decisive action
B) To strike a nail precisely
C) To describe exactly what is causing a problem
D) To complete a task

Correct Answer: C) To describe exactly what is causing a problem
Explanation: To “hit the nail on the head” means to be precisely accurate about identifying a problem or situation.

4. What does the idiom "barking up the wrong tree" mean?

A) To be confused about a situation
B) To make a wrong decision
C) To shout at someone
D) To seek help in the wrong place

Correct Answer: D) To seek help in the wrong place
Explanation: “Barking up the wrong tree” means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action or seek help in the wrong place.

5. What does the idiom "let sleeping dogs lie" suggest?

A) To avoid revisiting old arguments
B) To let an issue remain unresolved
C) To avoid waking someone
D) To let pets rest

Correct Answer: A) To avoid revisiting old arguments
Explanation: This idiom advises not to bring up old issues that might cause trouble or conflict.

6. What does the idiom "a blessing in disguise" refer to?

A) An unforeseen positive outcome
B) A curse in disguise
C) An unexpected injury
D) A hidden gift

Correct Answer: A) An unforeseen positive outcome
Explanation: “A blessing in disguise” refers to something that seems negative initially but results in a positive outcome.

7. What does the idiom "break the bank" mean?

A) To rob a bank
B) To take out a loan
C) To spend all one’s money
D) To create a financial plan

Correct Answer: C) To spend all one’s money
Explanation: “Break the bank” means to use up all of one’s financial resources, making something excessively expensive.

8. What does the idiom "burn the midnight oil" mean?

A) To read a lot
B) To work late into the night
C) To waste time
D) To consume a lot of energy

Correct Answer: B) To work late into the night
Explanation: This idiom means to stay up late working on something, often studying or working on a project.

9. What does the idiom "to go the extra mile" imply?

A) To make additional effort
B) To extend a deadline
C) To run a marathon
D) To travel a longer distance

Correct Answer: A) To make additional effort
Explanation: “To go the extra mile” means to put in extra effort beyond what is required or expected.

10. What does the idiom "the ball is in your court" mean?

A) You are in charge
B) You have won
C) The game is over
D) The next move is up to you

Correct Answer: D) The next move is up to you
Explanation: This idiom indicates that it is now someone else’s turn to make a decision or take action.

11. What does the idiom "a dime a dozen" mean?

A) Valuable and rare
B) Very cheap and common
C) One out of many
D) Difficult to find

Correct Answer: B) Very cheap and common
Explanation: This phrase describes something that is very common and of little value, easily found or obtained.

12. What does the idiom "give someone the cold shoulder" mean?

A) To physically cool someone down
B) To offer help reluctantly
C) To ignore or show disinterest
D) To give someone a hug

Correct Answer: C) To ignore or show disinterest
Explanation: “Give someone the cold shoulder” means to deliberately ignore someone or show indifference towards them.

13. What does the idiom "cost an arm and a leg" mean?

A) A minimal cost
B) Very inexpensive
C) A reasonable cost
D) Extremely expensive

Correct Answer: D) Extremely expensive
Explanation: This idiom is used to describe something that is very costly or expensive.

14. What does the idiom "let one's hair down" mean?

A) To lose composure
B) To relax and enjoy oneself
C) To be careless
D) To untie one’s hair

Correct Answer: B) To relax and enjoy oneself
Explanation: “Let one’s hair down” means to become more relaxed and informal, especially in a social setting.

15. What does the idiom "hit the sack" mean?

A) To hit a sack of goods
B) To go to bed
C) To clean up
D) To start working

Correct Answer: B) To go to bed
Explanation: “Hit the sack” is a colloquial way of saying to go to bed or sleep.

16. What does the idiom "once in a blue moon" mean?

A) Very quickly
B) Very frequently
C) Occasionally
D) Never

Correct Answer: C) Occasionally
Explanation: “Once in a blue moon” refers to something that happens very rarely or infrequently.

17. What does the idiom "kick the bucket" mean?

A) To die
B) To retire
C) To be very tired
D) To end a job

Correct Answer: A) To die
Explanation: “Kick the bucket” is a euphemism for dying.

18. What does the idiom "to keep someone at arm's length" mean?

A) To maintain physical distance
B) To help someone
C) To avoid close relationships
D) To keep someone close

Correct Answer: C) To avoid close relationships
Explanation: This idiom means to avoid becoming too close or intimate with someone, often for emotional or personal reasons.

19. What does the idiom "cry over spilled milk" mean?

A) To complain about a situation
B) To waste food
C) To be upset about something minor
D) To regret a past mistake

Correct Answer: D) To regret a past mistake
Explanation: “Cry over spilled milk” means to be upset about something that cannot be changed or undone, particularly past mistakes or minor problems.

20. What does the idiom "jump on the bandwagon" mean?

A) To join a popular trend
B) To participate in a parade
C) To lead a group
D) To start a new venture

Correct Answer: A) To join a popular trend
Explanation: “Jump on the bandwagon” means to join or support a popular activity or trend that is currently successful or fashionable.

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