Directions (1-15): In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase and click the button corresponding to it.

Q1. A flash in the pan

(a) an incorrect piece of reasoning

(b) sudden but brief success

(c) a mixture of many types

(d) among other things

S1. Ans.(b) 

Sol. 

A flash in the pan-a thing or person whose sudden but brief success is not repeated or repeatable.

Q2. A blot on the landscape

(a) something that spoils a situation

(b) criminal action against someone

(c) receive severe criticism

(d) have more useful things to do

S2. Ans.(a) 

Sol. 

A blot on the landscape-Something that is considered unattractive that covers up or otherwise takes away from the value of something attractive

Q3. The captors of the kidnapped kept his family on tenterhooks.

(a) an anxious suspense 

(b) on constant move 

(c) in seething anger 

(d) in excited state

S3. Ans.(a)

Sol. 

On tenterhooks-in a state of suspense or agitation because of uncertainty about a future event., anxiously waiting for news about someone or something 

Q4. I have come to know of your hole-and-corner methods of dealing with people. 

(a) suspicious 

(b) secret 

(c) servile 

(d) strict 

S4. Ans.(b)

Sol.

Hole-and-corner: hole-and-corner activities are kept secret, usually because they are dishonest

Q5. He was in a brown study and did not seem to catch my point. 

(a) in his study room 

(b) absorbed in reading 

(c) absent-minded 

(d) in a state of shock 

S5. Ans.(b)

Sol. 

Brown study:a mood of deep absorption or thoughtfulness; reverie, The condition of being so lost in solitary thought as to be unaware of one's surroundings.

Q6. The green-eyed monster 

(a) the creature of the sea 

(b) an animal with green eyes 

(c) personal jealousy 

(d) to get into trouble 

S6. Ans.(c)

Sol. 

The green-eyed monster-jealousy personified., expressing jealously 

Q7. He is not playing with the full deck.

(a) someone who has lost interest 

(b) someone who lacks intelligence 

(c) someone who is clever in his dealings 

(d) someone who has less money to make the deal 

S7. Ans.(b)

Sol. 

Play with a full deck: to operate as if one were mentally sound. (Usually in the negative. One cannot play cards with a partial deck.)

Q8. Harassed by repeated acts of injustice, he decided to put his foot down. 

(a) not to yield 

(b) resign 

(c) withdraw 

(d) None of these 

S8. Ans.(a)

Sol. 

Put one's foot down (about someone or something)-to tell someone in a strong way that they must do something or that they must stop doing something

Q9. He was murdered in cold blood. 

(a) coolly 

(b) deliberately 

(c) unfeelingly 

(d) thoughtlessly 

S9. Ans.(c)

Sol. 

In cold blood-without feeling or mercy; ruthlessly.

Q10. Every political party is at present playing to the gallery.

(a) Adopting cheap tactics

(b) Befooling the common man

(c) Fighting for votes

(d) Appeasing the masses

S10. Ans.(d) 

Sol. 

Playing to the gallery-to perform in a manner that will get the strong approval of the audience; to perform in a manner that will get the approval of the lower elements in the audience.

Q11. A hornet’s nest

(a) A comfortable position 

(b) An unpleasant situation 

(c) Among thorns 

(d) A perfect place 

S11. Ans.(b)

Sol. 

A hornet's nest. a situation or subject which causes a lot of people to become angry and upset.

Q12. God’s acre refers to which of the following places. 

(a) Aisle 

(b) Altar 

(c) A cemetery beside church 

(d) Chimney 

S12. Ans.(c)

Sol. 

God's acre: A churchyard burial area. The phrase is a translation of the German word, Gottesacker, “God's field” where the souls of the faithful are sown.

Q13. She wrangled over an ass’s shadow. 

(a) did unnecessary work 

(b) quarreled over trifles 

(c) sat on the shadow of the ass 

(d) quarreled like fools 

S13. Ans.(b)

Sol. 

Wrangle for an ass's shadow: To argue over trivial matters.

Q14. To play second fiddle

(a) To be happy, cheerful and healthy

(b) To reduce importance of one's senior

(c) To support the role and view of another person

(d) To do back seat driving

S14. Ans.(c)

Sol. 

Play second fiddle-have a subordinate role to someone or something; be treated as less important than someone or something.

Q15. Beggar description

(a) Cannot be described

(b) Something described by a beggar

(c) A poor account of something

(d) A description of a beggar

S15. Ans.(a)

Sol. 

Beggar description-be too extraordinary to be believed or described.