idioms and phrases questions for competitive exams
Directions: In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom and Phrase in ” ” in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom or Phrase.
- He worked hard to “feather his nest”.
a) decorate his home
b) be the envy of others
c) provide for his own needs
d) trap birds
Correct answer: (C) provide for his own needs.
Explanation:
The idiom “to feather one’s nest” means to make oneself rich, especially by using a position of trust or power dishonestly; to accumulate wealth and possessions for one’s own benefit, often at the expense of others. It implies acting selfishly to secure personal comfort and financial well-being. For example, a corrupt official might “feather his nest” by accepting bribes or misusing public funds, notes the Cambridge Dictionary. The idiom originates from birds gathering soft materials to build a cozy and comfortable nest for their young.
• (A) decorate his home: While one might feather their nest to improve their living situation, the idiom specifically implies building up personal wealth or resources, not just decorating.
• (B) be the envy of others: While accumulating wealth might make someone the object of envy, the idiom’s core meaning is the act of securing resources for oneself, not the reaction of others.
• (C) provide for his own needs: This option accurately captures the essence of the idiom, as it describes the act of securing one’s own comfort and financial well-being.
• (D) trap birds: This is a literal interpretation of the word “feather” and is unrelated to the figurative meaning of the idiom.
Therefore, provide for his own needs best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to feather his nest” in the context of working hard for personal gain.
- He advised her to give “a wide berth” to malicious people.
a) give a larger bed to
b) share her seat with
c) to stay away from
d) pay more attention to
Correct answer: (C) to stay away from.
Explanation:
The idiom “to give a wide berth to someone or something” means to keep a safe distance from them; to avoid them, or to keep away from them, says the Cambridge Dictionary. It implies avoiding contact or interaction because something or someone is potentially dangerous, unpleasant, or undesirable. The phrase originates from nautical terminology, where a “berth” is a space where a ship can dock or anchor. Giving a “wide berth” means leaving plenty of space between your ship and another object to avoid collision. In the given sentence, it means he advised her to avoid or stay away from malicious (evil or ill-intentioned) people.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) give a larger bed to: This is a literal interpretation of “berth” as a sleeping place and is not the meaning of the idiom.
• (B) share her seat with: This means to allow someone to sit beside her, which is the opposite of staying away from them.
• (D) pay more attention to: This implies focusing on or giving consideration to someone, which is the opposite of avoiding them.
Therefore, to stay away from best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to give a wide berth to” in the given sentence.
- Sunil’s “dog in a manger” attitude did not help to settle the matter.
a) selfless
b) selfish
c) warm
d) cold
Correct answer: (B) selfish.
Explanation:
The idiom “dog in a manger” describes someone who prevents others from enjoying something that they themselves have no use for or cannot use. It refers to a person who is possessive and spiteful, begrudging others even when they have no personal need or desire for the item or opportunity in question. The idiom comes from Aesop’s Fable about a dog who lay in a manger full of hay, refusing to let the oxen eat it, despite the fact that the dog couldn’t eat the hay itself. According to The Free Dictionary, it means one who selfishly withholds something that he cannot use himself. In the given sentence, Sunil’s “dog in a manger” attitude implies his selfishness in hindering the settlement of the matter, likely by preventing a solution that he had no interest in or couldn’t benefit from, even if it could have helped others.
• (A) selfless: This means showing more concern for the happiness and needs of others than for oneself. This is the opposite of the “dog in a manger” attitude.
• (B) selfish: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, as it implies a lack of consideration for others’ needs and a focus on one’s own desires, even when those desires are to prevent others from benefiting.
• (C) warm: This describes a friendly, kind, or affectionate attitude, which is the opposite of the negative connotation of “dog in a manger”.
• (D) cold: While a “dog in a manger” attitude might be described as cold in terms of empathy, “selfish” more precisely captures the motivation behind the actions implied by the idiom.
Therefore, selfish best expresses the meaning of the idiom “dog in a manger” in the context of hindering the settlement of a matter.
- If the speaker continues with his boring speech, the audience will probably vote “with their feet”.
a) show their disapproval
b) stop him from speaking
c) choose him as leader
d) kick him out
Correct answer: (A) show their disapproval.
Explanation:
The idiom “to vote with one’s feet” means to express disapproval or dissatisfaction with something by leaving or choosing not to participate. It suggests that people are showing their opinion or making a decision by their physical actions, particularly by leaving a place or choosing not to support something, rather than through formal voting or verbal expression, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. In the given sentence, if the audience “votes with their feet”, it means they will express their disapproval of the boring speech by leaving the event.
• (A) show their disapproval: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as leaving the event is a way to express dissatisfaction or disapproval.
• (B) stop him from speaking: While leaving might indirectly stop him from speaking to an audience, the idiom itself is about the act of leaving to express disapproval, not directly stopping the speaker.
• (C) choose him as leader: This is the opposite of showing disapproval and is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (D) kick him out: While leaving might be a strong form of disapproval, the idiom doesn’t imply forceful removal but rather a voluntary departure to express dissatisfaction.
Therefore, show their disapproval best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to vote with their feet”.
- Shyam Prasad was “a chip of the old block”.
a) an experienced old man
b) a common boy of the locality
c) someone similar in character to one’s father
d) a being of the old generation
Correct answer: (C) someone similar in character to one’s father.
Explanation:
The idiom “a chip off the old block” (sometimes “a chip of the old block”) describes a person, especially a son, who resembles one of their parents, particularly their father, in character, appearance, or behavior. It suggests that certain traits or qualities have been inherited or passed down, making the child very similar to the parent. The phrase comes from the idea that a small piece of wood (a chip) taken from a larger piece of wood (the block) will have the same properties as the original.
• (A) an experienced old man: While the “old block” refers to an older generation (often the father), the idiom focuses on the similarity between the child and the parent, not simply that the child is old and experienced.
• (B) a common boy of the locality: This describes a generic boy from a specific area, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
• (C) someone similar in character to one’s father: This option accurately captures the essence of the idiom, highlighting the resemblance in character to a parent.
• (D) a being of the old generation: While it refers to an older generation, the idiom is about the resemblance to that generation, not simply belonging to it.
Therefore, someone similar in character to one’s father best expresses the meaning of the idiom “a chip off the old block”.
- My father is undoubted “an arm-chair critic”.
a) someone who gives advice based on practice, not theory
b) someone who gives advice based on experience
c) someone who never gives advice
d) someone who gives advice based on theory not practice
Correct answer: (D) someone who gives advice based on theory not practice.
Explanation:
The idiom “an armchair critic” refers to a person who offers advice, opinions, or criticism on a situation or topic without having any practical experience or direct involvement themselves. They analyze or comment from a detached perspective, often without fully understanding the practical difficulties or realities of the situation, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. The term implies that their commentary is based on theory rather than hands-on experience or genuine understanding. The phrase is often used to suggest that such criticism is easy to give but might be impractical or unhelpful because it lacks real-world perspective.
• (A) someone who gives advice based on practice, not theory: This is the opposite of an armchair critic, who lacks practical experience.
• (B) someone who gives advice based on experience: This is also the opposite, as an armchair critic lacks real-world experience.
• (C) someone who never gives advice: An armchair critic does give advice or criticism, it’s just that their advice lacks practical grounding.
• (D) someone who gives advice based on theory not practice: This option accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, as it highlights the lack of practical experience and the reliance on theoretical understanding.
Therefore, someone who gives advice based on theory not practice best expresses the meaning of the idiom “an armchair critic”.
- Tripti gave her report quoting “chapter and verse”.
a) taught like a teacher
b) referred to religious books
c) provided minute details
d) spoke like a preacher
Correct answer: (C) provided minute details.
Explanation:
The idiom “quoting chapter and verse” means to provide very precise, detailed, and authoritative evidence or information to support an argument or claim. It implies citing specific sources or giving exact references, leaving no room for doubt or disagreement. The origin of the idiom comes from citing specific chapters and verses in the Bible or other religious texts to support a point. In the context of a report, it means Tripti provided a thorough and well-supported report, giving exact details and specific references to back up her points.
• (A) taught like a teacher: While a teacher might provide details, this option focuses on the manner of teaching rather than the precision and authority of the information provided in a report.
• (B) referred to religious books: While the idiom’s origin relates to religious texts, its current usage is broader and refers to providing precise evidence from any source, not exclusively religious books.
• (C) provided minute details: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it emphasizes the thoroughness and specificity of the information given to support a report.
• (D) spoke like a preacher: This refers to speaking in a forceful or moralizing way, often with religious undertones, which is unrelated to providing precise details in a report.
Therefore, provided minute details best expresses the meaning of the idiom “quoting chapter and verse” in the context of giving a report.
- I “threw up my cards” for want of funds.
a) looked out for help
b) gave up my plan
c) gambled all my money
d) put my whole income at stake
Correct answer: (B) gave up my plan.
Explanation:
The idiom “to throw up one’s cards” means to give up on something, especially a plan or project, because one no longer has the resources, ability, or desire to continue. It implies a decision to abandon a course of action due to a lack of resources or the realization that one cannot succeed. According to Merriam-Webster, the phrase means to give up trying to do or achieve something. For example, if a business owner runs out of money, they might “throw up their cards” and close down the business. The idiom comes from the card game context of someone throwing their cards down when they have given up on playing a hand.
• (A) looked out for help: While someone might look for help when facing difficulties, the idiom implies giving up on a plan, not necessarily seeking help.
• (B) gave up my plan: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it describes the act of abandoning a plan or project.
• (C) gambled all my money: This suggests taking a risky action, which is not the meaning of the idiom “to throw up one’s cards” which implies giving up, not continuing with a risky venture.
• (D) put my whole income at stake: This refers to the act of risking one’s income, which is not the same as giving up on a plan or project.
Therefore, gave up my plan best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to throw up my cards” in the context of abandoning a plan due to a lack of funds.
- Russel Peters really “brought the house down” with his spectacular performance at the Club yesterday.
a) amused the audience greatly
b) pulled down a
c) defamed a family building
d) passed a bill unanimously
Correct answer: (A) amused the audience greatly.
Explanation:
The idiom “to bring the house down” means to entertain an audience so successfully that they laugh, cheer, or applaud enthusiastically and for a prolonged period. It implies a spectacular performance that receives a hugely positive and enthusiastic response from the audience. The phrase is often used to describe a comedian, musician, actor, or public speaker who delivers an outstanding and memorable performance. For example, a stand-up comedian might tell a joke that “brings the house down” with laughter. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as making an audience laugh or clap very loudly.
• (A) amused the audience greatly: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it implies a highly entertaining and well-received performance.
• (B) pulled down a: This is a literal action of demolishing a structure and is not the meaning of the idiom.
• (C) defamed a family building: This involves damaging the reputation of a building, which is unrelated to a performance or audience reaction.
• (D) passed a bill unanimously: This refers to a legislative action and is completely unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
Therefore, amused the audience greatly best expresses the meaning of the idiom “brought the house down” in the context of Russel Peters’ spectacular performance.
Directions: 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.
- to spill the beans
a) to be untidy
b) to reveal a secret
c) to conceal a fact
d) to reveal partial truth
Correct answer: (B) to reveal a secret.
Explanation:
The idiom “to spill the beans” means to accidentally or prematurely reveal a secret or confidential information. It implies that information that was meant to be kept hidden has been disclosed, often unintentionally. For example, the children almost spilled the beans about the surprise birthday party. The origin of the phrase is sometimes attributed to ancient Greek voting, where beans were used to cast votes; spilling the beans would reveal the outcome prematurely.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) to be untidy: This describes a state of disorder or messiness and is unrelated to revealing information.
• (B) to reveal a secret: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it implies disclosing confidential or hidden information.
• (C) to conceal a fact: To conceal means to hide or keep something secret. This is the opposite of spilling the beans.
• (D) to reveal partial truth: While spilling the beans might sometimes involve revealing only part of a secret, the idiom’s core meaning is the act of revelation itself, not necessarily the completeness of the truth revealed.
Therefore, to reveal a secret best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to spill the beans”.