Correct answer: (B) has a private agenda.
Explanation:
The idiom “to have an axe to grind” means to have a hidden motive, a private grievance, or a selfish reason for doing or saying something. It implies that a person is acting in their own self-interest, rather than for the common good or for the reasons they state publicly. The phrase originates from the literal act of sharpening an axe for personal use or advantage. In the given sentence, “Ram is very calculative and always has an axe to grind,” it suggests that Ram is always looking out for his own interests or has a personal motive behind his actions, rather than being genuinely helpful or impartial.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) fails to arouse interest: This describes a lack of engagement or excitement, which is unrelated to having a private agenda or ulterior motive.
• (B) has a private agenda: This accurately captures the meaning of “having an axe to grind”, implying a personal, often undisclosed, motive or interest.
• (C) works for both sides: While a person with an axe to grind might appear to work for both sides, their ultimate motivation is their own self-interest, not necessarily impartial work for both parties.
• (D) has no result: This implies a lack of outcome or effectiveness, which is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning of having a hidden motive.
Therefore, has a private agenda best expresses the meaning of the idiom “always has an axe to grind”.

Correct answer: (a) denying.
Explanation:
The phrase “there is no gainsaying” means that something cannot be denied, disputed, or contradicted; it is undeniably true or obvious. The word “gainsay” itself means to deny or contradict. Therefore, if there is no gainsaying a fact, it means that the fact is undeniable.
In the context of the sentence, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the country is in difficulties”, it means that the fact that the country is facing difficulties cannot be denied or disputed.
Let’s look at the other options:
• (b) hiding: To hide means to put something or someone in a place where they cannot be seen or found. This is not the meaning of gainsaying.
• (c) forgetting: To forget means to be unable to remember a fact, something that happened, or how to do something. This is not related to gainsaying.
• (d) ignoring: To ignore means to intentionally not listen or give attention to something or someone. This is also not the meaning of gainsaying.
Therefore, denying is the best alternative that expresses the meaning of “gainsaying” in the given context.

Correct answer: (B) was firm.
Explanation:
The idiom “to put one’s foot down” means to be firm, resolute, and unwavering in one’s decision or stance, especially when dealing with opposition or a difficult situation. It suggests that a person has made a definitive decision and will not allow it to be challenged or changed. According to Testbook and Prepp, it implies taking a firm stand. In the sentence, “On the issue of marriage, Sarita put her foot down,” it means that Sarita was very firm in her decision or opinion about marriage and would not be swayed.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) walked fast: This is a literal action and does not convey the meaning of being firm.
• (B) was firm: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, implying a resolute and unyielding stance.
• (C) got down: This phrase has various meanings, such as descending or starting an activity, but none relate to being firm in a decision.
• (D) stood up: While standing up can be a metaphor for taking a stand or defending oneself, “put one’s foot down” more strongly emphasizes being firm and refusing to yield, particularly in a disagreement or difficult situation.
Therefore, was firm best expresses the meaning of the idiom “put her foot down”

Correct answer: (C) did not find him.
Explanation:
The idiom “drew a blank” means to fail to find something, to get no response or result, or to be unable to remember something. The idiom originates from games of chance, where drawing a blank means drawing a card or ticket with nothing on it. In the context of the sentence, “The police looked all over for him but drew a blank,” it means that despite their extensive search, the police were unsuccessful in finding the person.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) arrested him: To arrest someone means to seize them by legal authority and take them into custody. This is the opposite of drawing a blank, which implies failure to find someone.
• (B) took him to court: To take someone to court means to initiate legal proceedings against them. This action would follow a successful arrest, not a failed search.
• (D) put him in prison: To put someone in prison means to confine them in a correctional facility. This also implies a successful arrest and legal process, not a failed search.
Therefore, did not find him best expresses the meaning of the idiom “drew a blank” in the given context.

Correct answer: (D) make money quickly.
Explanation:
The idiom “to make a killing” means to earn a lot of money in a short period of time, especially through a fortunate or risky business venture or investment. It implies a significant and rapid financial gain. For example, his investments in a tech startup helped him make a killing when the company went public. According to Merriam-Webster, the idiom means to make a great deal of money very quickly. The Free Dictionary notes it often implies getting rich quickly.
• (A) lose money quickly: This is the opposite of the meaning of “to make a killing”.
• (B) murder someone quickly: This is a literal and violent interpretation that is not the meaning of the idiom. The phrase is a figurative expression.
• (C) plan a murder quickly: This is also a literal and violent interpretation that is not the meaning of the idiom.
Therefore, make money quickly best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to make a killing”.

Correct answer: (D) made my words or actions ineffective.
Explanation:
The idiom “to take the wind out of someone’s sails” means to cause someone to lose their confidence, enthusiasm, or advantage, making their words or actions ineffective. It implies that something has been said or done that has suddenly deflated someone’s energy or rendered their efforts useless. The phrase originates from sailing, where “taking the wind out of a ship’s sails” would cause it to slow down or lose its momentum.
For example, if someone is passionately arguing a point, and another person presents a counter-argument that completely undermines their position, it would “take the wind out of their sails.” In the given sentence, “His speech has taken the wind out of my sails,” it means that the speaker’s speech has made the other person feel discouraged, less confident, or unable to continue effectively with their own plans or arguments.
Here’s an analysis of the other options:
• (A) made me remember my past: This option concerns recollecting past events, which is not related to the idiom.
• (B) made me think for the future: This option relates to planning or considering future events, unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (C) made me depressed: Though losing confidence or enthusiasm can lead to depression, the idiom centers on the effect of making words or actions ineffective, rather than solely on the emotional state.
Therefore, made my words or actions ineffective is the best fit for the idiom “taken the wind out of my sails”.

Correct answer: (C) disapproves of.
Explanation:
The idiom “to pour cold water on an idea” means to criticize it or express disapproval in a way that discourages enthusiasm or stops people from supporting it. It suggests diminishing the excitement surrounding a proposal by highlighting its flaws or expressing negativity. In the given sentence, it indicates that the person always finds fault with or expresses negative opinions about any new ideas, making them less likely to be adopted or pursued.
• (a) puts off: This means to postpone or delay something.
• (b) dislikes: While related, “disapproves of” is a stronger term, implying active criticism or negativity rather than a simple feeling of not liking something.
• (c) disapproves of: This aligns closely with the meaning of the idiom, as it suggests active criticism and a lack of support or acceptance for the ideas.
• (d) postpones: This means to put off or delay something until a later time.
Therefore, disapproves of is the best alternative that expresses the meaning of the idiom “pours cold water on” in the given context.

Correct answer: (A) really enjoy.
Explanation:
The idiom “to let one’s hair down” means to relax and enjoy oneself freely and uninhibitedly, without concern for propriety or conventional behavior. It implies a sense of liberation from social constraints and a desire to have fun and be oneself. The phrase originates from a time when women typically wore their hair up in formal styles, and letting it down was a symbol of relaxation and informality. In the given sentence, “Regardless of what her parents said, she wanted to let her hair down that night,” it means she wanted to relax and have a good time without adhering to her parents’ expectations or rules.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) wash her hair: This is a literal action and does not convey the figurative meaning of the idiom.
• (C) comb her hair: This is also a literal action unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (D) work till late: This describes spending a long time working, which is the opposite of relaxing and enjoying oneself.
Therefore, really enjoy best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to let her hair down”.

Correct answer: (A) was in panic.
Explanation:
The idiom “to jump out of one’s skin” means to be suddenly and extremely startled or frightened, causing a strong physical reaction like jumping or flinching. It implies a sudden and intense feeling of panic or fear. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, if you jump out of your skin, you are extremely surprised by something. For example, when the loud thunderclap occurred unexpectedly, she jumped out of her skin.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) was in panic: This accurately describes the state of being extremely startled and frightened, which is the meaning of the idiom.
• (B) was excited: This is the opposite of being frightened or startled.
• (C) was nervous: While nervousness can be associated with fear, “jumping out of one’s skin” implies a sudden and intense startle response, more akin to panic than general nervousness.
• (D) was angry: This emotion is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning of being startled or frightened.
Therefore, was in panic best expresses the meaning of the idiom “jumped out of my skin”.

Correct answer: (A) trying to trick her.
Explanation:
The idiom “to take someone for a ride” means to deceive or cheat someone, often by making false promises or misleading them to gain an advantage. It implies that the person being taken for a ride is being misled or tricked into a situation that is not in their best interest, often without realizing it. In the given sentence, it means the clever salesman was trying to deceive or cheat her.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) taking her in a car: This is a literal interpretation of the phrase “taking her for a ride” but does not convey the figurative meaning of the idiom. The idiom is about deception, not transportation.
• (C) pulling her along: This can mean physically moving someone, or it can be used to describe someone being forced to go somewhere they might not want to go. While it can imply some degree of coercion, it doesn’t fully capture the sense of cunning deception inherent in “taking for a ride.”
• (D) forcing her to go with him: This implies coercion and lack of consent, but “taking for a ride” focuses more on the act of misleading and deceiving, rather than outright force. The person might think they are consenting, but they are being tricked.
Therefore, trying to trick her best expresses the meaning of the idiom “taking her for a ride” in the context of the sentence.