IDIOMS AND IDIOMATIC PHRASES -- MEANING AND USE IN SENTENCES - EXERCISES ON COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION PATTERNS WITH SOLUTIONS

 In a language,idioms or Idiomatic phrases add to the beauty of the text of expression, writing or conversation. They make it precise and  pithy as well as more emphatic, and powerful. Idioms comprise a few words but their correct and appropriate use conveys a deep meaning. Their meaning is always metaphorical rather than literal.   

In examinations particularly in competitive examinations, questions relating to idioms are asked in different forms besides the usual method of their meanings and use in sentences. Here follow some examples of such questions asked in examinations of different levels.

Select the most appropriate idiom out of the given options to fill in the blank in the following sentences.

EXERCISE

ONE

1. The factory, he set up with his partners, in the city last year, has become  ……………for him as he is unable to manage its affairs properly and it is incurring losses to him.

a) a bone of contention b) an apple of one’s eye c) albatross around one’s neck.   d) a wet blanket.

2. He started  his business as a green horn as he had no experience in this field yet his company is ...................year-after-year and he is earning hefty profits.

a) cut corners b) break ground  c) have the floor d) on cloud nine

3. You are working in the company of ……………persons who do not possess courage enough to carry out such  strenuous tasks so it is better to get rid of these fellows and take the reins in your own hand.

a) high-headed b) scapegoat c) pointy heads d) yellow-bellied

4. A heavy increase in the salary of employees of different categories is in the offing as the proposal of enhancement of their emoluments  is………….. for its approval,  

a) by the way b)on the way c) under way d) give way

5. He was well prepared for the event but at the eleventh hour he suddenly got ………….and was unable to face the situation  and he had to eat  humble pie.

a) cold feet  b) hot-blooded c)on the sly d) tight rein 

 6. On seeing a group of unruly youths with daggers in their hands advancing towards her, she ………but she hit upon a plan and gave a slip to those boys  and ran away from the scene.

 a) feel heart in one’s mouth b) take up the cudgels c) tread on one’s toes d) get into a stew

 7. Some students  of our class went to see the  principal in his office yesterday but they had to .......... for sometime out side his office.

 a) còok up a story b) grease the palm c) cool the heels d). break the ice.

8. The child living in a village in the back of beyond was  under the spell of hustle and bustle of the city  to the extent of................ visiting it time and again.

a) being nuts about. b) Get rid of  c) Being seized of  d) at the helm of.

9. The company had planned to hold the event with great pomp and show as people from far and wide were expected to visit it but a hoax call turned the whole affair into a..........

a) A laughing stock b) A white elephant c) A damp squib d) A hard nut to crack

10. The land lady was lying.......when she accused her maidservant that she had stolen her ornaments kept in a locked box that goes beyond one's imagination even.

a). A wild- goose chase b) through her hat  c) through her teeth d) on the face of it.

(ANSWERS)

1.c 2.b 3.d 4.c 5.a 6.a 7.c 8.a

EXPLANATION

1. Set up – to start something.

  a) bone of contention – an issue of dispute b) an apple of one’s eye – something or someone special  c)albatross around one’s neck – a problem that stops from being successful or something or someone troublesome d) a wet blanket –someone who spoils others’ fun

 

2. A Green horn –a person lacking experience or knowledge

 a) cut corners—one who works quickly sacrificing quality b) break  ground –to make progress excelling others c) Have the floor—one’s turn to speak or perform on stage d) on cloud nine – to be very happy

 

3. Get rid of – to be relieved from Take the reins—to acquire control

a)a high headed – an arrogant person b) scapegoat—one who is punished for someone other’s fault

c) pointy-heads – persons supposed as intellectuals but are not so d)yellow bellied—a coward

 

4. In the offing –going to happen soon

a) by the way- incidentally  b)on the way –in the path or enroute  c) under way- in the process d) give way – to move to give room to someone or to breakdown 

5.  At the eleventh hour – at the last moment. Eat  humble pie – to apologize or contrite for some act

a) cold feet -- act of timidity preventing from some action

b) hot blooded - full of unusual emotions

c) on the sly- to act stealthily

d) tight rein -  a person having very little freedom

6.  Hit upon a plan - To think about some action  Gave a slip -- to make a miss

a) Feel one's heart in one's mouth- To get scared

b) to take up the cudgels -- tobe ready for a fight

c) tread on one's toes - to act carefully

d) get into a stew -- to be in  trouble

7.  

a) To cook up a story -something made up or imaginary  or not real.

b) To grease the palm - to give bribe 

c) To cool one's heels -To wait for someone

 d). To break the ice- to make a start.

8.  The back of beyond - far off or distant

Under the spell - impressed by 

Hustle and bustle - fascinating glamorous life style.

Time and again - repeatedly.

a) Being nuts about - being addicted to some thing or act. b) Get rid of -  to be free from c) Being seized of - to be aware of  d) at the helm of - at a prime postion.

9. 1. great pomp and show -  with great enthusiasm 

2. far and wide - from distant and nearby places 

3  a hoax call -  a false alarm 

a) A laughing stock -A thing of mockery 

 b) A white elephant - A costly but useless thing 

c) A damp squib - unexpected failure 

d) A hard nut to crack - A difficult task to do.

10.

a). A wild- goose chase- a fruit-less effort for unachievable.

 b) through her hat - to speak in an insincere way.

 c) through her teeth - a white lie.

 d) on the face of it - apparently. 

TWO

(continued)

PRONOUN CASE -- Identification of Pronoun as Subject or Object in a Sentence

PRONOUN CASE 

A Noun acts as a Subject or an Object in a sentence. Similarly a pronoun that substitutes  a Noun is also used as a Subject or an Object. 

I

Personal Pronouns like I, you,he,she or they etc. in Subject case, when are joined by 'and' 'or' , these should be in the same case for example:

 I and He, She and You, They and We etc. 

(All in Subject case)

Me and Him, Us and them, Him and Her etc. (All in Object case)

 

Following sentences illustrate it further. 

John and Mary will participate in the competition.

In this sentence Nouns John and Mary are used as Subject. 

Similarly the pronouns used in place of nouns in this sentence too will be in subject case as

He and She will participate in the competition.

The Principal applauded John and Mary.

In this sentence John and Mary are in object case.

Similarly pronoun to be used in place of nouns John and Mary too will be in object case. 

The Principal applauded him and her.

Here is a list of Pronouns in Subject and Object case.

I --Me,  We --Us, You -- you, He -- Him, She -- Her, They -- Them, It-- It.

Just note the following sentences with regard to use of Subject or Object case of a Pronoun.

SUBJECT CASE

1. Can you achieve  as success as she (not her)?

2. She and I (not me) are not on good terms these days.

3. My brother and I (not myself or me) attended the meeting.

4. You and I (not me) will accomplish this work.

5. My friend and I (not me or myself) were invited to dinner.

OBJECT CASE 

1. These presents are for you and me (not I).

2. Good persons like you and him (not he) always succeed.

3. We scored as many goals as they (not them).

4. Has she invited you as well as him (not he) to the party?

5. He praised you more than her (not she).

II

The sentences having the word 'LET' take object case of a Pronoun as:

Let us do our work together.

Let him do his work.

The teacher did not let him go out.

They may not let you and him (not he) leave.

III

In a sentence after the words 'Like', 'Between', 'But' or a 'Preposition', object case of a pronoun is used as :

Between you and me, he is not a good person.

None but (except) him was present in the meeting.

Nobody will stand by you but (except) me (not I).

All but (except) him (not he) paid the amount.

Persons like him (not he) can never succeed.

Virtuous women like you and her (not she) are respected.

The children paid their respects to (preposition) her (not she).

They brought many gifts for (preposition) you and me (not I).

IV

After the introductory phrases 'It is' or 'It was', a Pronoun in Subject case is used as : 

It was he (not him) who helped me to complete the project. 

It is I (not me) who needs your help urgently.

V

After the word 'than' a pronoun can be used in Subjective as well as Objective case as :

Such sentences can be better understood by completing the latter part of the sentence as

 I like him more than she (likes).

In this sentence I is compared  with she.Both are in subject case.

 Another case is-

I like him more than her. 

In this sentence him is compared with her and both are in object case.  

SYNCHRONISATION 

of Pronoun with other parts of speech in the sentence.

All other parts of speech like verb, helping verb or possessive pronoun etc in the sentence must be in consonance with pronoun  used in the sentence. 

For example:

It is I who have accomplished this job.

Helping verb 'have' is applied here according to the subject 'I' and 'has' will be incorrect here.

It is you who are to be recommended for this task.

In this sentence 'are' is applied in accordance with subject 'you'.

Some Sentences for Practice.

ONE

Select and write the appropriate pronoun in the blank space.

1. It was.......(he/him) who rescued the child.

2. You or .....(I/myself) are said to be at fault.

3. They can solve this problem as well as .......(we/us).

4. She and .......(he/him) are not invited to tea.

5. All except .......(he/him) secured first division. 

6. I performed much better than .......(he/him).

7. Nobody except............( I/me) approached him for help.

8. Let ........(he/him) or his brother pay the amount of the loan.

9. We saw ........(he/him) and his wife strolling in the garden. 

10. All respect  Intelligent students like you and .........(he/him).

 Answers: 

1. He. After an introductory phrase like 'It is' or 'It was', a Pronoun in Subject case is used.

2. I. This sentence is in passive form.Here a pronoun in Subject case is required. 

3. We. Subject case is applicable here. They as well as we can...

4. He This sentence is in passive form. Here He is appropriate pronoun.

5. Him. After except object case is used.

6. He. Subject I is compared with He in subject form.

7.Me After 'except' object case is used.

8. Him. After 'let' object case is used.

9. Him. Here an object is reuired.

10. Him. After like object case is used. 

TWO

Find the error if any in the following sentences.

1. This incident, in a way, helped a lot in removing so many misunderstandings between you and he.

2. The Manager is busy so he has instructed you and I to distribute his work between us and do it.

3. The boss instructed the peon to let his secretary and I go into his office.

4. Everybody present in the hall was scared as you along with he 

entered.

5. The chairman congratulated the whole team of the project including I and my deputy manager.

6. His parents want he and his wife to live together with them in their ancestral house.

7. All suspect his brother to be culprit but I think it may have been he.

8. What would you do if you were he?

9. What is the name of she who stood first in the class?

10. Do you think her sister is more intelligent than she?

ANSWERS

1. ...between you and me. After between object case is required.

2.......he has instructed you and me. Object case is requiredd.

3. After let object case is used. ....secretary and me...

4. Him  ...as you along with him entered.

5. Me ...including me and..

6. Him. Object case is required.his parents want him and .....

THREE

Find the error if any in the following sentences.

1. Whom do you (1) consider prettier whether (2)  she or her sister? (3). No Error(4)

2. The relationship  between Sam and (1) she was superficial and as such (2) it was not going to last longer.

 (3). No Error(4)

3. The teacher, while teaching, (1) did not notice you and he (2) talking with each other in the class.(3) No Error(4)

4. His father wants him, (1) being the eldest  son of the family, (2) should help him in his business.(3) No Error(4).

5. It is now incumbent on you and (1) he to describe your goals so that assessment about their (2) success in the time to come may be ascertained.(3) No Error(4).

ANSWERS

1. (3). This is an interrogative sentence starting with an interrogative pronoun 'whom' and ending with a question mark. The word 'whom'

is used in object case. The pronoun or noun replacing 'whom' in the answer too will be in object case. So 'she or her sister' too should be in object case. Whom do you consider..........her or or her sister?

2. (2) the noun or pronoun after 'between' is used in object case. ....between sam and her...'

3. (2) The teacher is subject, did not notice is a verb and after this object is required. '.....did not notice you and him'.

4. (1) His father is subject wants is verb and the remaining part, a whole clause, '....him........should help him......' acts as object. In this clause 'him' is subject, 'should help' is verb and 'him' is object.  'Him' is incorrect it should be, in subject case, 'he'.

5. (2) After a preposition object case is used. 'On' is a preposition and after this 'you and him' is correct.

FOUR

Mark the part of the sentence containing error, if any, otherwise mark No Error.

1. All the members of the team including captain and I stayed back to attend the meeting.

(a)All the members of the

(b)team including captain 

(c)and I stayed back to attend the meeting.

(d) No Error.

2. The members of the society have  decided to honour she and her husband  in the upcoming function of the society during next month. 

(a)The members of the society have decided to

 (b) honour she and her  husband  in the upcoming

(c) function of the society during next month. 

(d) No Error.

3. Success always honours women like you and she who put their heart and soul in their work and toil hard to achieve their goals.

(a)Success always honours women like you 

(b) and she who put their heart and soul in their 

(c) work and toil hard to achieve their goals.

(d) No Error.

4. Who, whether me or my secretary,  will  attend the meeting tomorrow has not been decided so far.

(a) Who, whether me or my secretary,   

(b)  will attend the meeting tomorrow

(c) has not been decided so far.

(d) No Error.

5. Your parents treat you and she equally and do not behave in a partisan manner with either of you.

(a) Your parents treat you and 

(b) she equally and do not behave in a

(c) partisan manner with either of you.

(d) No Error.

ANSWERS

1. (c). After 'including', object case of noun or pronoun is used. 'including captain and me'  is correct.

2. (b) 'The members of the society' is subject 'has decided to honour' is verb and 'she and her brother' is object. She in object case should be her.  '.......her and her brother'.

3. (b) ...like you and her.'

4. (a) Such sentences generally start with introductory phrase 'it has been..' It has not been decided..... who whether I or my secretary will attend the meeting......'.

5. (b) Your parents is subject 'treat' is verb and 'you and she' is object. She in object case should be 'her'. 

(CONTD.)