Correct answer: (D) Unreasonable or unacceptable.
Explanation:
The idiom “beyond the pale” means outside the bounds of what is considered acceptable, reasonable, or proper behavior or conduct. It describes something that is so extreme, offensive, or inappropriate that it is regarded as unacceptable by societal norms or standards. The origin of the phrase comes from the historical concept of a “pale”, which was a boundary or enclosure. To be “beyond the pale” was to be outside the recognized or civilized area. For example, “His remarks during the meeting were completely beyond the pale”, meaning his comments were utterly inappropriate and unacceptable.
• (A) Beyond redemption: This means being too bad to be saved or improved, or incapable of being forgiven. While something “beyond the pale” might also be considered beyond redemption, the idiom focuses more on the unacceptability or unreasonableness of the action or behavior itself.
• (B) Full of rhetoric: This describes speech or writing that is effective and persuasive, often without sincerity or substance. This is unrelated to the meaning of “beyond the pale”.
• (C) Distasteful: While something beyond the pale might be distasteful, the idiom suggests a stronger sense of unacceptability or unreasonableness than simply being unpleasant.
• (D) Unreasonable or unacceptable: This option accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it emphasizes that something is outside the boundaries of what is considered proper or tolerable.
Therefore, unreasonable or unacceptable best expresses the meaning of the idiom “beyond the pale”.

Correct answer: (B) to yield under humiliating circumstances.
Explanation:
The idiom “to eat humble pie” means to be forced to admit that one was wrong and to apologize or accept humiliation, especially after having been arrogant or overconfident. It implies a situation where one has to back down and acknowledge their mistake, often in a way that is embarrassing or diminishes their pride. According to Merriam-Webster, the phrase means to admit that you were wrong and to apologize. For example, after his predictions proved incorrect, the economic expert had to eat humble pie. The phrase is believed to originate from the medieval practice of serving “umbles” (the internal organs of an animal) to people of lower status, while the more desirable cuts were given to those of higher rank.
• (A) to be served food that is rotten: This is a literal interpretation related to food and does not capture the figurative meaning of admitting wrong and being humiliated.
• (B) to yield under humiliating circumstances: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, as it involves accepting one’s mistake or defeat in a way that causes embarrassment or loss of pride.
• (C) to give in to political pressure: While yielding might be involved, the idiom specifically focuses on admitting one’s wrong and accepting humiliation, not just succumbing to pressure in a general sense.
• (D) to eat an unsavory pie: This is a literal interpretation of eating an unpleasant pie and does not relate to the figurative meaning of admitting wrong.
Therefore, to yield under humiliating circumstances best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to eat humble pie”.

Correct answer: (B) To feel very sad.
Explanation:
The idiom “to feel blue” means to feel sad, unhappy, or depressed. It is a common expression used to describe a state of low spirits or melancholy. For example, after receiving bad news, she felt blue for the rest of the day. The association of the color blue with sadness or melancholy has historical roots, possibly linked to the belief that the color represented the sorrow associated with rain or storms.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) To work hard and stay up very late at night: This describes working diligently, often into the early hours, and is unrelated to the feeling of sadness.
• (B) To feel very sad: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it describes a state of unhappiness or low spirits.
• (C) To have faith in god: This refers to religious belief or trust in a higher power and is unrelated to feeling sad.
• (D) To commit a blunder: This means to make a stupid or careless mistake, which is unrelated to the feeling of sadness.
Therefore, to feel very sad best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to feel blue”.

Correct answer: (A) An agreement without conditions.
Explanation:
The idiom “no strings attached” means that an offer, agreement, or arrangement comes with no special conditions, restrictions, or hidden obligations. It implies that something is given or done freely, without any implied requirements or future demands from the person making the offer. For example, “The company offered the job with no strings attached, allowing him complete freedom to accept or decline.” This suggests that the offer was straightforward and didn’t have any hidden clauses or demands.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) Enjoy different opportunities at a single time: This describes multitasking or having multiple options, which is unrelated to the meaning of “no strings attached”.
• (C) To be judged as acceptable: This implies evaluation or approval, which is unrelated to the absence of conditions.
• (D) Worried about frivolous things: This describes a state of anxiety over unimportant matters, which is unrelated to the meaning of “no strings attached”.
Therefore, an agreement without conditions best expresses the meaning of the idiom “no strings attached”.

Correct answer: (A) Something is better than nothing.
Explanation:
The proverb “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” means that it’s better to hold onto something you already have (even if it’s small or modest) rather than risking losing it by trying to get something potentially better but less certain or more difficult to obtain. It advises against taking unnecessary risks by emphasizing the value of what is already possessed. It suggests appreciating and securing what is available rather than pursuing potentially larger gains that are uncertain. For example, an investor might choose a safer, smaller return rather than a riskier investment that promises a larger return, believing a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
• (A) Something is better than nothing: This accurately captures the essence of the proverb, as it implies appreciating what is already secured rather than risking it for potentially greater but uncertain gains.
• (B) To give credit to a disagreeable person: This is unrelated to the proverb’s meaning, which focuses on valuing what one has.
• (C) Only just: This phrase can mean barely or fairly, but it is unrelated to the meaning of the proverb.
• (D) To sniff something wrong: This means to suspect that something is amiss, which is unrelated to the proverb’s meaning.
Therefore, Something is better than nothing best expresses the meaning of the proverb “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”.

Correct answer: (A) An skeptical person.
Explanation:
The idiom “a doubting Thomas” refers to a skeptical person who refuses to believe something without direct, personal, and tangible proof or experience. It describes someone who is habitually doubtful and questions claims or statements until they see or experience it themselves. The phrase comes from the biblical story of the Apostle Thomas, who initially refused to believe in Jesus’s resurrection until he had personally seen and touched Jesus’s wounds. For example, a doubting Thomas might not believe the forecast of a snowstorm until they see the first flakes falling.
• (A) An skeptical person: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it implies a person who is habitually doubtful and requires concrete proof.
• (B) To keep people at a distance: This describes maintaining emotional or social distance, which is unrelated to the meaning of “a doubting Thomas”.
• (C) To interfere in someone’s affairs: This means to meddle or become involved in someone else’s business, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
• (D) To regret in vain that can’t be undone: This describes feeling remorse about an irreversible action, which is unrelated to the meaning of “a doubting Thomas”.
Therefore, an skeptical person best expresses the meaning of the idiom “a doubting Thomas”.

Correct answer: (B) To pass the blame.
Explanation:
The idiom “pass the buck” means to shift responsibility or blame for something to another person, often to avoid taking responsibility oneself. It implies evading accountability by transferring the burden of a decision or problem to someone else. The phrase is believed to originate from poker, where a “buck” (originally a buckhorn knife, later a counter) was used to indicate whose turn it was to deal. “Passing the buck” meant shifting the responsibility of dealing to the next person. For example, a manager might try to “pass the buck” to a subordinate when a project goes wrong.
• (A) To tell people about someone’s secrets: This describes revealing confidential information, which is unrelated to shifting blame.
• (B) To pass the blame: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it implies shifting responsibility for a mistake or failure to someone else.
• (C) Everyone gets a chance eventually: This implies fairness and opportunity, which is unrelated to avoiding blame.
• (D) Once in a lifetime: This refers to a rare or unique occurrence, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
Therefore, to pass the blame best expresses the meaning of the idiom “pass the buck”.

Correct answer: (C) To act confident in a difficult situation.
Explanation:
The idiom “to put a brave face (on something)” means to pretend to be confident, cheerful, or unaffected by difficulties, stress, or sadness, even when one is feeling the opposite. It involves hiding one’s true feelings or worries and projecting an image of composure or strength to others, especially in a challenging situation. For example, despite the financial difficulties, the family tried to put a brave face on things for the children’s sake.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) To work hard and stay up very late at night: This describes working diligently, often into the early hours, which is unrelated to projecting confidence in a difficult situation.
• (B) To feel very sad: This describes the actual emotion of sadness, whereas “putting a brave face” involves hiding or masking such feelings.
• (C) To act confident in a difficult situation: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it describes the act of feigning or projecting confidence despite facing challenges.
• (D) To commit a fraud: This refers to the act of deception for personal gain, which is unrelated to the meaning of “putting a brave face”.
Therefore, To act confident in a difficult situation best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to put a brave face”.

Correct answer: (C) Take a subordinate position.
Explanation:
The idiom “take a back seat” means to accept a less important, less prominent, or subordinate role or position in a situation, activity, or relationship, often allowing someone else to take the lead or be the focus. It implies stepping back from a dominant or active role and letting others take control or be in the forefront. For instance, after years of leading the company, she decided to take a back seat and let her son manage the day-to-day operations.
• (A) An agreement without conditions: This refers to an unconditional arrangement, which is unrelated to taking a subordinate position.
• (B) Enjoy different opportunities at a single time: This describes multitasking or having multiple options, which is unrelated to accepting a less important role.
• (C) Take a subordinate position: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it implies accepting a secondary or less influential role.
• (D) Worried about frivolous things: This describes being anxious about unimportant matters, which is unrelated to taking a subordinate position.
Therefore, take a subordinate position best expresses the meaning of the idiom “take a back seat”.

Correct answer: (C) The only choice.
Explanation:
The idiom “A Hobson’s choice” refers to a situation where, despite appearing to have multiple options, there is effectively only one real choice that can be taken, or one is forced to accept whatever is offered, with no true alternative. It signifies a choice between taking what is offered or nothing at all, rather than a genuine selection among different options. The phrase originated from Thomas Hobson, a livery stable owner in 17th-century England, who offered customers the choice of the horse nearest the stable door, or no horse at all. For instance, a job applicant might face a Hobson’s choice if they are offered a position with unfavorable terms but have no other job prospects.
• (A) Something is better than nothing: While a Hobson’s choice involves accepting what is offered rather than nothing, the idiom emphasizes the lack of alternative, not necessarily the value of the choice compared to nothing.
• (B) To give credit to a disagreeable person: This is unrelated to the meaning of a Hobson’s choice.
• (C) The only choice: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it highlights the absence of a genuine alternative.
• (D) To sniff something wrong: This means to suspect something is amiss, which is unrelated to the meaning of a Hobson’s choice.
Therefore, the only choice best expresses the meaning of the idiom “A Hobson’s choice”.