Correct answer: (A) to be suspicious.
Explanation:
The idiom “to smell a rat” means to suspect that something is wrong or dishonest, or that someone is deceiving you. It implies a feeling of suspicion or distrust that arises from noticing something unusual or out of place. According to Merriam-Webster, the phrase means to have a suspicion that something is wrong or that someone is trying to deceive you. For example, if a company’s financial reports suddenly show unusually high profits, an auditor might “smell a rat” and decide to investigate further. The idiom suggests that there’s a hidden problem or deception at play.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) to chase a rat: This describes the literal act of pursuing a rodent. It has no metaphorical meaning related to suspicion.
• (C) to see a rat: This describes the literal act of seeing a rodent. Like chasing a rat, it does not carry the metaphorical meaning of suspicion.
• (D) to smell foul: This means to have a bad odor. While a rat might smell foul, this option refers to a literal smell and not the figurative sense of suspicion.
Therefore, the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to smell a rat” is to be suspicious.

Correct answer: (B) to try everything possible.
Explanation:
The idiom “to move heaven and earth” means to exert the utmost effort; to do everything possible, often in the face of great difficulty, to achieve a particular goal or task. It implies a strong sense of determination and commitment to overcome obstacles. For example, “She moved heaven and earth to get her child admitted to the best school in the city.”

Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) to cause an earthquake: This is a literal interpretation of the idiom, which is a figurative expression. The idiom is not related to physical phenomena like earthquakes.
• (C) to pray to all Gods: While praying to all Gods might be a part of some people’s efforts, this option doesn’t fully capture the breadth of the idiom’s meaning, which signifies making every possible effort and utilizing all available resources, not just prayer.
• (D) to travel in a rocket: This option is also a literal interpretation and is not related to the idiom’s meaning of putting in extreme effort or trying everything possible.
Therefore, to try everything possible best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to move heaven and earth”.

Correct answer: (C) to deceive someone.
Explanation:
The idiom “to take someone for a ride” means to deceive or cheat someone, often by making false promises or claims. It implies misleading someone to gain an advantage or causing them to believe something that is not true. For example, a salesman might take a customer for a ride by selling them a faulty product at a high price.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) to give a ride to someone: This refers to the literal act of offering transportation to someone.
• (B) to be indifferent: This means to not show interest or concern about something.
• (D) to disclose a secret: This means to reveal confidential information.
Therefore, to deceive someone best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to take someone for a ride”.

Correct answer: (C) deliberately.
Explanation:
The idiom “in cold blood” means to do something, especially something violent or cruel, in a deliberate, calculated, and unemotional way, rather than in a fit of passion or anger. It suggests that the act was committed with premeditation and a lack of empathy or remorse.If someone kills in cold blood, they kill in a way that seems especially cruel because it seems to show no emotion. For example, “The crime had been committed in cold blood,” implying it was planned and executed without emotional heat. It’s often used to express shock or horror at a killing that is done in a calm and deliberate way.

• (A) slowly: While an act in cold blood might be carried out slowly, the term emphasizes the deliberate and unemotional nature of the act, not necessarily its speed.
• (B) excitedly: This is the opposite of the meaning of “in cold blood,” which suggests a lack of emotion.
• (C) deliberately: This aligns with the meaning of “in cold blood” as it implies intentionally and with consideration, rather than impulsively.
• (D) angrily: This is also the opposite of the meaning of “in cold blood,” as it suggests a lack of emotion or passion.
Therefore, deliberately best expresses the core meaning of the idiom “in cold blood”, although the idiom also strongly implies cruelty and a lack of emotion.

Correct answer: (B) a disappointing result.
Explanation:
The idiom “a damp squib” describes something, such as an event or a situation, that was expected to be exciting, impressive, or successful, but turns out to be disappointing, ineffective, or less impressive than anticipated. The origin of the idiom comes from a “squib”, which is a small firework. If a squib is damp, it will not ignite properly or might not work at all, resulting in a disappointing display.
For example, a highly anticipated movie might turn out to be a damp squib if it receives poor reviews and low box office earnings. Similarly, a political meeting or a new initiative can be described as a damp squib if it fails to meet expectations or lacks impact. an event described as a damp squib was a disappointment because it did not turn out to be as exciting as expected.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) rainy weather: This is a literal interpretation of “damp”, but the idiom is figurative and not related to the weather.
• (C) a skirt in a laundry: This is also a literal interpretation and does not capture the meaning of the idiom.
• (D) None of the above: Since option (B) accurately describes the meaning, this option is incorrect.
Therefore, a disappointing result best expresses the meaning of the idiom “a damp squib”.

Correct answer: (D) None of the above.
Explanation:
The idiom “to bite the dust” has several related meanings, none of which perfectly align with eating voraciously, having nothing to eat, or eating roots. The primary meanings are:
• To suffer a defeat: This is the most common meaning of the idiom, often used in the context of battles, competitions, or political contests. For example, “The challenger fought valiantly, but ultimately bit the dust in the final round.”
• To die: This meaning is often associated with the origin of the idiom, which likely comes from the image of someone falling to the ground in battle and literally biting the dusty earth. For instance, “Many soldiers bit the dust during the long and arduous campaign.”
• To fail or come to an end: This meaning extends the idea of defeat to situations or things that are unsuccessful or stop functioning. For example, “Our old washing machine finally bit the dust after years of service,” or “Her dreams of becoming an actress bit the dust when she didn’t get the role.”
The literal options provided are incorrect because the idiom is a figurative expression, meaning the words used do not reflect the actual meaning. Since none of the first three options accurately capture the figurative meaning of the idiom, “None of the above” is the correct answer.

Correct answer: (C) to run away.
Explanation:
The idiom “to take to one’s heels” means to run away quickly, especially to escape from a dangerous or unpleasant situation. It implies a hurried or sudden departure, usually driven by fear or the need to flee. The phrase evokes the image of someone using their heels to propel themselves away at high speed. For example, “When the burglar alarm went off, they took to their heels”.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) to walk slowly: This is the opposite of running away quickly and does not convey the meaning of the idiom.
• (B) to hop and jump: While jumping and hopping involve using one’s feet, they don’t necessarily convey the sense of fleeing or running away quickly, notes VOA – Voice of America English News.
• (D) to march forward: This means to progress or advance in a determined way, often in a military context. It does not signify running away.
Therefore, to run away best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to take to one’s heels”.

Correct answer: (C) lost and confused.
Explanation:
The idiom “to be all at sea” means to be completely confused, perplexed, or uncertain about a situation, especially when one doesn’t know how to proceed or what to do next. It implies a state of mental bewilderment, feeling lost without direction or a clear understanding. For example, someone starting a new job might feel all at sea with the new computer system and regulations. The phrase’s origin likely stems from the nautical sense of a ship being lost at sea and unsure of its position or direction.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) a family voyage: This describes a trip taken by a family, typically by sea. It is a literal meaning and does not convey confusion.
• (B) in the middle of the ocean: This describes a geographical location far from land. While it relates to the origin of the idiom, it’s a literal description, not the figurative meaning of being confused.
• (D) a string of islands: This refers to a group of islands forming a chain. It is a geographical description and not related to the idiom’s meaning.
Therefore, lost and confused best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to be all at sea”.

Correct answer: (B) slight satisfaction.
Explanation:
The idiom “cold comfort” refers to a situation where someone receives consolation or help, but it is minimal, inadequate, or doesn’t genuinely improve their difficult or unpleasant situation. It provides very little satisfaction or relief. The word “cold” implies a lack of warmth or genuine comfort, highlighting the inadequacy of the consolation. For example, “It was cold comfort to know that others had failed as he had done”, indicating that knowing others also failed did not make the situation better for him. The phrase is believed to have originated in the 14th century, with an early form appearing in the poem Patience.
• (A) foolish proposal: This refers to a suggestion or plan that is impractical or unwise. It is not related to the meaning of “cold comfort”.
• (B) slight satisfaction: This option accurately captures the meaning of “cold comfort” as it emphasizes the inadequacy or insufficiency of the consolation or relief received.
• (C) deception: This means misleading someone, often through lies or trickery. It is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (D) absurdity: This refers to the quality of being illogical or nonsensical. It is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
Therefore, slight satisfaction best expresses the meaning of the idiom “cold comfort”.

Correct answer: (a) an unexpected event.
Explanation:
The idiom “a bolt from the blue” refers to an event or piece of news that is sudden and unexpected, often with a surprising or shocking impact, similar to a lightning bolt (a “bolt”) striking suddenly from a clear sky (the “blue”), according to the Cambridge Dictionary and Collins Dictionary. It often implies that the event is unwelcome or causes disruption. For example, the news of the company’s closure came as a bolt from the blue to the employees.
• (A) an unexpected event: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, as the core characteristic is its sudden and unforeseen nature.
• (B) an unpleasant event: While a bolt from the blue is often unpleasant, it is not always the case. The key element is its unexpectedness, not necessarily its negativity.
• (C) a delayed event: This is the opposite of the meaning of the idiom, which emphasizes suddenness.
• (D) an inexplicable event: While a bolt from the blue might initially seem inexplicable, the idiom primarily focuses on the unexpectedness rather than the impossibility of explanation.
Therefore, an unexpected event best expresses the meaning of the idiom “a bolt from the blue”.