Correct answer: (B) give a scolding.
Explanation:
The idiom “dressing-down” (often hyphenated) refers to a severe reprimand or a harsh scolding given to someone for their poor performance, mistakes, or unacceptable behavior. It implies a firm and often formal dressing-down or talking-to, aimed at correcting or criticizing. For example, the manager gave the employee a dressing-down for being consistently late.
• (A) wear an expensive gown: This refers to putting on a particular type of clothing and is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning of scolding.
• (B) give a scolding: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, as it implies delivering a harsh reprimand or criticism.
• (C) pretend: This means to behave as if something is true when one knows it is not. This is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (D) apply a bandage: This involves putting a covering over an injury and is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
Therefore, give a scolding best expresses the meaning of the idiom “dressing-down”.

Correct answer: (C) an indication of what might happen.
Explanation:
The idiom “straw in the wind” refers to a slight sign or indication of a future event or trend; a small detail that suggests how a situation might develop. Just as a straw caught in the wind can show the direction of the wind even if it’s not blowing strongly, a “straw in the wind” provides a hint about how things might progress, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. It implies observing small clues or subtle changes that can foreshadow larger developments. For example, “The new mayor’s policies are a straw in the wind, suggesting a significant shift in local governance.”
• (A) a lucky charm: This is an object believed to bring good luck, which is unrelated to indicating future events.
• (B) a game that kids play: This refers to a type of activity, not an indication of future events.
• (C) an indication of what might happen: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, highlighting its role as a sign or hint about future developments.
• (D) a light-weight object: While a straw is a light-weight object, this is a literal description and not the figurative meaning of the idiom.
Therefore, an indication of what might happen best expresses the meaning of the idiom “straw in the wind”.

Correct answer: (B) entirely.
Explanation:
The idiom “every inch a gentleman” means to be completely, entirely, or in every respect a gentleman. It emphasizes that a person possesses all the qualities associated with being a gentleman, such as politeness, honor, and respect, to the fullest extent. The phrase highlights a complete embodiment of the described quality. For example, “Even when faced with rude behavior, he remained every inch a gentleman”, meaning he behaved with complete courtesy and dignity.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) partly: This means to some extent but not completely, which is the opposite of “every inch”.
• (C) calculative: This describes someone who acts with careful consideration of their own advantage, which is not directly related to the meaning of “every inch a gentleman”.
• (D) somewhat: This means to a moderate extent or degree, similar to “partly”, and is the opposite of “entirely”.
Therefore, entirely best expresses the meaning of the idiom “every inch a gentleman”.

Correct answer: (B) over-turn.
Explanation:
The idiom “turn turtle” means to overturn or capsize, especially used to describe a boat or vehicle that has flipped upside down. The idiom originates from the helpless situation of a turtle when it is flipped onto its back and struggles to right itself. It describes a situation where something is completely reversed or upended, often unexpectedly. For instance, a small boat could “turn turtle” during a storm.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) turn like a turtle: This refers to the literal movement or appearance of a turtle and is not the meaning of the idiom.
• (B) over-turn: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it describes the act of flipping upside down or capsizing.
• (C) game turtles play: This is an unrelated concept.
• (D) slow like a turtle: While turtles are known for being slow, the idiom “turn turtle” does not refer to speed but rather to the act of flipping over.
Therefore, over-turn best expresses the meaning of the idiom “turn turtle”.

Correct answer: (D) Suspect something wrong.
Explanation:
The idiom “smell a rat” means to suspect that something is wrong, dishonest, or that someone is deceiving you. It implies a feeling of suspicion or distrust that arises when you notice something unusual or out of place. For example, if a company’s financial reports suddenly show unusually high profits, an auditor might “smell a rat” and decide to investigate further.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) Smell a burned rat: This describes a literal smell and is not the figurative meaning of the idiom.
• (B) Smell a rotten rat: This also describes a literal, unpleasant smell and is not the figurative meaning.
• (C) Smell something right: This is the opposite of the idiom’s meaning, as “smelling a rat” implies suspicion that something is wrong, not right.
• (D) Suspect something wrong: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it suggests a feeling of distrust or a belief that something is amiss.
Therefore, suspect something wrong best expresses the meaning of the idiom “smell a rat”.

Correct answer: (A) to look sad.
Explanation:
The idiom “to pull a long face” means to look sad or displeased. It describes a facial expression characterized by a downturned mouth and possibly drooping eyes, indicating unhappiness or disappointment. For example, if someone is given bad news, they might “pull a long face” in response. The idiom is often used to refer to someone who is obviously unhappy.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) to irritate someone: This refers to annoying or bothering someone, which is unrelated to one’s own facial expression of sadness.
• (C) to pull someone’s face: This is a literal action and not the figurative meaning of the idiom.
• (D) to make fun: This means to mock or ridicule someone, which is unrelated to expressing one’s own sadness.
Therefore, to look sad best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to pull a long face”.

Correct answer: (A) fear.
Explanation:
The idiom “to get cold feet” means to suddenly feel nervous or scared about doing something one had planned to do, often causing one to hesitate or withdraw from the activity. It implies a loss of confidence or a sudden onset of apprehension. The phrase is often used when someone backs out of a plan at the last minute because they are afraid or uncertain about proceeding. For example, “He was going to ask her out, but he got cold feet at the last minute.” The origin of the idiom is uncertain, but one theory suggests it comes from the idea that fear can cause one’s hands and feet to feel cold.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) felicitate: This means to congratulate or express good wishes, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
• (C) fever: This refers to an abnormally high body temperature, which is a physical symptom and not the meaning of the idiom.
• (D) drenched: This means to be soaked with water or other liquid, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
Therefore, fear best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to get cold feet”.

Correct answer: (B) unanimously.
Explanation:
The idiom “with one voice” means unanimously, meaning everyone expresses the same opinion or decision at the same time and in agreement. It suggests a strong consensus where all members of a group are in complete accord on a particular matter. For instance, the committee voted with one voice to approve the proposal.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) by one community: While a community might speak with one voice, this option specifies a particular group, not the act of unanimous agreement itself.
• (C) in disharmony: This means a state of disagreement or conflict, which is the opposite of speaking “with one voice”.
• (D) by one man: This implies a single person’s action, not the collective agreement of a group.
Therefore, unanimously best expresses the meaning of the idiom “with one voice”.

Correct answer: (D) to fail.
Explanation:
The idiom “to end in smoke” means to fail completely or to come to nothing; to have no positive result or effect, despite efforts or initial promise. It suggests that something that was started or planned with a certain expectation has ultimately come to naught. The phrase likely comes from the image of something burning down, leaving only smoke and ashes, signifying destruction and lack of substance. For example, all their efforts to negotiate a peace treaty ended in smoke.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) to create smoke: This is a literal action and not the figurative meaning of the idiom.
• (B) to end: While it implies an end, the idiom specifically means a failure or a fruitless end, not just any ending.
• (C) to emit smoke: This also refers to a literal action of producing smoke, which is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning of failure.
Therefore, to fail best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to end in smoke”.

Correct answer: (A) Rapidly.
Explanation:
The idiom “leaps and bounds” means to progress or increase very quickly, dramatically, and significantly. It suggests a swift and considerable advancement or improvement. The phrase evokes the image of taking large jumps or strides, signifying rapid forward movement. For example, “Her English improved by leaps and bounds after her trip to England.”
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) Rapidly: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it implies moving or progressing very quickly.
• (B) Jumping: This describes a literal action but does not convey the figurative meaning of rapid progress.
• (C) Stationary: This means not moving or not intended to be moved, which is the opposite of the idiom’s meaning of rapid progress.
• (D) Slowly: This means at a low speed, which is also the opposite of the idiom’s meaning.
Therefore, rapidly best expresses the meaning of the idiom “leaps and bounds”.