multiple choice questions on idioms and phrases
- He and his neighbour are always at loggerheads
a) agree on everything
b) disagreeing on everything
c) aloof from each other
d) abusing each other
Correct answer: (B) disagreeing on everything.
Explanation:
The idiom “at loggerheads” means to be in strong disagreement or conflict with someone, often over a prolonged period. It implies that two or more people or groups have conflicting views and are unable to reach an agreement or resolve their differences. They are essentially in a state of stubborn opposition. The phrase suggests a contentious relationship characterized by frequent arguments or disagreements. For example, the two governments are still at loggerheads over the island.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) agree on everything: This is the opposite of the meaning of “at loggerheads,” which signifies strong disagreement.
• (B) disagreeing on everything: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, indicating a state of constant or strong disagreement.
• (C) aloof from each other: To be aloof means to be distant, cool, or reserved in manner, not necessarily in strong disagreement.
• (D) abusing each other: While strong disagreement might sometimes escalate to abuse, “at loggerheads” primarily refers to the disagreement itself, not necessarily abusive behavior.
Therefore, disagreeing on everything best expresses the meaning of the idiom “at loggerheads”.
- I am going to stay at home because I am feeling under the weather today.
a) unhappy
b) depressed
c) irritated
d) sick
Correct answer: (D) sick.
Explanation:
The idiom “under the weather” means feeling unwell or slightly ill; feeling sick. This is a common way to express that someone is not feeling well, without specifying a particular ailment. For example, “I’m going to stay at home because I am feeling under the weather today” means the speaker is feeling unwell and needs rest. The phrase is thought to have originated from sailors who felt seasick or unwell due to bad weather while at sea, and would be sent below deck or “under the weather bow” to rest.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) unhappy: While feeling sick might make someone unhappy, the idiom specifically refers to physical illness, not just a state of unhappiness.
• (B) depressed: Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest. While feeling sick might lead to sadness, the idiom doesn’t specifically refer to depression.
• (C) irritated: To be irritated means to feel annoyed, impatient, or slightly angry. This is an emotional state, not necessarily a physical illness.
Therefore, sick best expresses the meaning of the idiom “under the weather”.
- Even in the middle of the fire, he kept a level head.
a) was impulsive
b) was sensible
c) was crazy
d) was self-centered
Correct answer: (B) was sensible.
Explanation:
The idiom “to keep a level head” means to remain calm and sensible in a difficult or stressful situation; to maintain composure and good judgment despite pressure. It suggests the ability to think clearly and react rationally when faced with challenges. For instance, in the middle of a crisis like a fire, someone who keeps a level head is able to assess the situation and make good decisions, rather than panicking.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) was impulsive: To be impulsive means to act without thinking, often on a sudden urge. This is the opposite of keeping a level head, which involves thoughtful action.
• (B) was sensible: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, as being sensible means showing good judgment and practicality.
• (C) was crazy: This means to be mentally unstable or behave in a wild or irrational way. This is contrary to keeping a level head.
• (D) was self-centered: This describes someone who is preoccupied with themselves and their own needs. It is unrelated to the ability to remain calm and make good decisions in a difficult situation.
Therefore, was sensible best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to keep a level head”.
- The winning team decided to go for the jugular in the last quarter of the match.
a) forfeit the match
b) give easy opportunities to the opposite team
c) give reserve players a chance
d) attack all out
Correct answer: (D) attack all out.
Explanation:
The idiom “to go for the jugular” means to attack aggressively, making a serious effort to defeat someone by targeting their weakest or most vulnerable point in a ruthless or decisive way. The idiom is often used in the context of debates, arguments, or competitions, including sports, where a team might exert maximum effort to secure victory by exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses. The “jugular” refers to the jugular vein in the neck, which is a vital part of the body, and the idiom implies aiming for a critical or decisive blow, either literally or figuratively. For example, in a debate, a participant might “go for the jugular” by exposing a major flaw in their opponent’s argument. It means to be aggressive and unrestrained in an attack.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) forfeit the match: This means to give up or surrender a match, which is the opposite of going for the jugular.
• (B) give easy opportunities to the opposite team: This would involve making it easier for the opponent, which is the opposite of attacking aggressively to win.
• (C) give reserve players a chance: This implies substituting in less experienced players, which might suggest a relaxed or less intense approach, contrary to going for the jugular.
Therefore, attack all out best expresses the meaning of the idiom “go for the jugular” in the context of a sports match, where the winning team wants to aggressively and decisively secure their victory.
- Everybody thought Asha and Ashok were a happy couple, but it was all just make-believe.
a) hatred
b) treachery
c) reality
d) pretense
Correct answer: (D) pretense.
Explanation:
The idiom “make-believe” refers to a state or act of pretending; a fantasy or imagination, often used to describe something that is not real or genuine. In the context of a relationship, it suggests that the couple’s happiness was a facade, not based on genuine feelings or reality. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, make-believe means imagining or pretending that something is real or true. The phrase “it was all just make-believe” means that their happiness was not real, but merely an act or a false appearance.
• (A) hatred: This is a strong feeling of dislike or aversion. While the couple might have had underlying hatred, the idiom focuses on the act of pretending, not the underlying emotion.
• (B) treachery: This refers to an act of betraying someone or something, or being unfaithful. While deception might be involved in make-believe, the term primarily refers to the act of pretending or creating a false appearance.
• (C) reality: This refers to the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. This is the opposite of make-believe.
• (D) pretense: This means an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. This aligns perfectly with the meaning of “make-believe” in the context of creating a false appearance of happiness.
Therefore, pretense best expresses the meaning of the idiom “make-believe” in the given sentence.
- To go for broke
a) Losing all money in an effort to revive a failing business
b) Failure in relationship or partnership
c) To start again after failing in a business.
d) To risk everything in an all-out effort
Correct answer: (D) To risk everything in an all-out effort.
Explanation:
The idiom “to go for broke” means to risk everything or use all one’s resources and energy in an all-out effort to achieve a particular goal, especially one with a potentially high reward or outcome. It means to risk everything in the hope of having great success. It suggests a decisive and determined approach, where one is willing to put everything on the line, even if it means potentially losing everything. The term originates from gambling, where people bet all of their money in the hope of winning more.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) Losing all money in an effort to revive a failing business: While this could be a consequence of “going for broke” in a business context, the idiom itself describes the act of risking everything, not just the potential outcome of losing money in a failing venture.
• (B) Failure in relationship or partnership: This describes a specific outcome in a relationship and is not the meaning of the idiom.
• (C) To start again after failing in a business: This refers to recovering from a failure, which is not the same as risking everything in an attempt to succeed.
• (D) To risk everything in an all-out effort: This option precisely captures the meaning of the idiom, as it combines the elements of taking a big risk and exerting maximum effort to achieve a goal.
Therefore, to risk everything in an all-out effort best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to go for broke”.
- Blood is thicker than water
a) Family relationships and loyalties are the strongest and most important ones
b) All crimes are not equal so punishment for murder is not same as that of theft
c) Deceit from a family member hurts more than being cheated by strangers
d) Relations are more important than merit
Correct answer is (A) Family relationships and loyalties are the strongest and most important ones.
Explanation:
The proverb “Blood is thicker than water” means that family relationships and loyalties are stronger and more important than other relationships, such as friendships or other acquired bonds. It suggests that in times of need or conflict, people will prioritize their family members over others, and family ties will ultimately prevail over other connections. For example, the phrase emphasizes that familial bonds will always be stronger than bonds of friendship or love.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) All crimes are not equal, so punishment for murder is not the same as that of theft: This statement is factually correct about the legal system but has no relation to the proverb.
• (C) Deceit from a family member hurts more than being cheated by strangers: While this might often be true emotionally, the proverb’s primary focus is on the strength and importance of family bonds, not the intensity of emotional pain caused by betrayal.
• (D) Relations are more important than merit: This suggests that connections are more valuable than individual abilities or achievements. While some interpretations or uses of the proverb might lean into this, especially in discussions about nepotism, it is not the core meaning of the idiom itself. The idiom focuses on loyalty and the enduring nature of family bonds.
Therefore, Family relationships and loyalties are the strongest and most important ones best expresses the meaning of the proverb “Blood is thicker than water”.
- To sleep with the fishes
a) To sleep peacefully
b) To make absurd excuses
c) To be dead
d) Always be in a dream world
Correct answer is (C) To be dead.
Explanation:
The idiom “to sleep with the fishes” is a euphemism that means someone has been killed, especially by drowning, and their body has been disposed of in a body of water, often with weights attached to ensure it sinks. This phrase has become strongly associated with organized crime and mafia contexts, where it is used to imply that someone has been murdered and their body concealed in the water.
• (A) To sleep peacefully: This is the literal meaning of the word “sleep” and is the opposite of the idiom’s meaning, which implies a violent end.
• (B) To make absurd excuses: This refers to giving unreasonable or illogical reasons for something, which is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (C) To be dead: This option accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it signifies that someone has died, particularly in a violent or suspicious manner, with their body disposed of in water.
• (D) Always be in a dream world: This implies living in a state of fantasy or unreality, which is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
Therefore, to be dead best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to sleep with the fishes”.
- The squeaky wheel gets the grease
a) The person who complains the most is hated the most
b) One unfortunate child always keeps getting punished
c) The favorite child or student gets the most attention
d) The most noticeable problems are the ones most likely to get attention
Correct answer: (D) The most noticeable problems are the ones most likely to get attention.
Explanation:
The idiom “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” means that the person who complains or makes the most noise about a problem is the one most likely to get attention or have their needs addressed. It suggests that if you want something fixed, you need to speak up or draw attention to the issue, because quiet issues might be overlooked. The idiom comes from the literal idea of a squeaky wagon wheel needing lubrication before the others.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) The person who complains the most is hated the most: While excessive complaining might lead to being disliked, the idiom’s main focus is on the attention received, not necessarily the hatred.
• (B) One unfortunate child always keeps getting punished: This describes a situation of punishment, which is not the meaning of the idiom.
• (C) The favorite child or student gets the most attention: This implies favoritism, whereas the idiom suggests that attention is given to those who actively draw attention to their problems, regardless of being a “favorite”.
Therefore, The most noticeable problems are the ones most likely to get attention best expresses the meaning of the idiom “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”.
- He was punished for “taking French leave”.
a) leaving without intimation
b) giving a lame excuse
c) resigning without giving notice
d) being absent without permission
Correct answer: (D) being absent without permission.
Explanation:
The idiom “taking French leave” means to depart or be absent from a place, especially work or duty, without permission or without informing others. The term originates from an 18th-century social custom where guests might leave a party without saying goodbye to the host. However, in the context of duty or work, it specifically refers to an unauthorized absence. For example, a soldier who takes French leave is considered to have deserted his post.
• (A) leaving without intimation: This is a very close meaning, as “intimation” means a hint or suggestion, implying a lack of informing others. However, “being absent without permission” is more explicit about the unauthorized nature of the absence, which is the core of “French leave”.
• (B) giving a lame excuse: This implies making a poor justification for an absence, but “taking French leave” is about the absence itself being unauthorized, not necessarily the quality of the excuse (or lack thereof).
• (C) resigning without giving notice: This is a specific type of unauthorized departure from employment, but “French leave” can apply to various situations where one is absent without permission, not just resignation.
• (D) being absent without permission: This option most accurately and comprehensively describes the meaning of the idiom, as it clearly states both the absence and the lack of authorization.
Therefore, being absent without permission best expresses the meaning of “taking French leave”.