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)
