TOPIC: Idioms
& Phrases
Direction
(1-15): The sentences given below consists of an idiom given in bold. From
the given alternatives identify the most suitable option reflecting the meaning
of the idiom.
Q1. Some parts of cooking are
really difficult, but I found that making spaghetti Bolognese is a piece of
cake.
(a) to be too costly or expensive
(b) to make someone laugh
(c) something easily done
(d) gradually
(e) source of irritation
Q2. I’m sorry but you’re going to
have to hold
your horses, there are many people in line
ahead of you and we are working as fast as we can.
(a) to be patient and/or wait
(b) doing many things at a time
(c) to defend someone
(d) to set one’s goals high
(e) to attach a new or different
meaning to something
Q3. Since it was his first
offence, and a minor one at that, he was let off the hook with just a warning.
(a) willing to do something
immediately
(b) let off from blame or trouble
(c) overwhelmed by what’s
happening at the moment
(d) benefit or suffer as a direct
result of past actions
(e) to be in agreement with
Q4. My daughter is over the
moon that she got her driver’s
license.
(a) by a great margin, clearly
(b) an unbelievable tale, untrue
story
(c) rapidly
(d) to make peace
(e) to be extremely happy or
pleased
Q5. The communications intern
always bent
over backwards to help everyone on the team so
we’re very sorry to see her leave.
(a) to act at the right time
(b) to doubt the accuracy of
information
(c) to do everything you can to help
someone
(d) pretend not to notice
(e) keep eyes on or watch
carefully
Q6. A lot of young people dig their
own graves using social media because they
don’t know that prospective employers can find many of the things they post.
(a) doing something that will
cause you to have problems in the future
(b) to show that you can deal
with a difficult situation successfully
(c) to risk physical harm in
order to do something
(d) to prepare to work hard or
seriously at something
(e) to be unable to move because
of fear or surprise
Q7. By the time his boss recommended him for the position, that ship had sailed.
(a) do many different types tasks
(b) pretend to be brave in a
scary situation
(c) to treat someone or something
with disdain or scorn
(d) an opportunity has been lost
(e) to be lured by some kind of
bait or enticement
Q8. Two men were unsung
heroes rescuing several puppies from
the fire after the police determined it was too dangerous to enter the burning
house.
(a) someone who takes a position for
the sake of argument without believing in that
(b) a dangerous person pretending
to be harmless
(c) from a rich family
(d) a troublesome person
(e) someone who has done
something heroic but has not been recognized
Q9. It looked like a simple
accident, but the detective suspected that there was more to the situation
than met the eye.
(a) it is not yet known or
decided
(b) some hidden quantities, significance,
facts, or motives
(c) to accept something
reluctantly
(d) without making any
distinction
(e) to make all possible efforts
Q10. I prefer to go to parties
with a group of friends because there’s safety in numbers.
(a) something that is genuine and
not an imitation
(b) to greet someone eagerly
(c) being in a group offers
security and protection
(d) to be embarrassed
(e) to reject something without
thinking much about it
Q11. Raising prices without
warning really blew up in our face when 45% of our clients cancelled their service
with us.
(a) to present a counter argument
(b) to give someone a strong
warning or scolding
(c) to do something deliberately
(d) have a plan unexpectedly go
wrong
(e) to maintain outward show
Q12. Two of my colleagues were
having a loud side conversation during the staff meeting so we were so happy
when our supervisor told them to put a sock in it.
(a) to make publicly known
(b) tell someone to be quiet or
stop making so much noise
(c) to deal with the matter straight
(d) to have a selfish interest
(e) to do the right thing at the
right time
Q13. Usually, I don’t wear
scarves but a beautiful silk one caught my eye on the sales table.
(a) to attempt to avoid a thing
or a person
(b) to revive interests in old matters
(c) to get someone’s attention
(d) to make oneself prepared for
something
(e) get into trouble
Q14. The new kid on the block is already learning to do better note taking
than employees who have been here for a few years.
(a) a newcomer to a particular place or sphere of
activity
(b) a fearless person
(c) a person who prevents others
from enjoying what he himself cannot
(d) someone who helps others when
they are in need
(e) one who causes damage
Q15. She is keeping her
head above water right now but
if she doesn’t find another job soon, she’ll have to move back home to her
parents’ house.
(a) to yield to something
(b) to complain loudly to someone
about something
(c) to spoil something by raining
(d) avoid succumbing to
difficulties, typically debt.
(e) to be extremely eager to do
something
SOLUTIONS:
S1. Ans (c)
Sol. The phrase ‘Piece of Cake‘ is used to describe something that is very easy to complete.
Hence, option (c) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S2. Ans (a)
Sol. When someone says hold your
horses, it’s a way of telling a person
to wait, hold on, or stop.
Hence, option (a) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S3. Ans (b)
Sol. Let off the hook-to allow
(someone who has been caught doing something wrong or illegal) to go without
being punished.
Hence, option (b) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S4. Ans (e)
Sol. If you say that you are over the
moon, you mean that you are very
pleased about something.
Hence, option (e) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S5. Ans (c)
Sol. Bend over backwards– make every effort to achieve something,
especially to be fair or helpful.
Hence, option (c) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S6. Ans (a)
Sol. If you say that someone is digging
their own grave, you are
warning them that they are doing something foolish or dangerous that will cause
their own failure.
Hence, option (a) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S7. Ans (d)
Sol. That ship has sailed– an opportunity has already passed and is no
longer possible.
Hence, option (d) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S8. Ans (e)
Sol. Unsung hero– not noticed or praised for doing hard work,
being brave, or achieving results.
Hence, option (e) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S9. Ans (b)
Sol. More than meets the eye– involving more facts or nuances than one
can see at first glance.
Hence, option (b) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S10. Ans (c)
Sol. Safety in numbers– a better chance of avoiding harm or danger
in a group than when a person is alone.
Hence, option (c) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S11. Ans (d)
Sol. Blow up in one’s face: (of an action, project, or situation) go
drastically wrong with damaging effects to oneself.
Hence, option (d) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S12. Ans (b)
Sol. Put a sock in it: a rude (impolite) way of telling someone to
stop talking or be quiet (stop making a lot of noise).
Hence, option (b) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S13. Ans (c)
Sol. If something catches your
eye, you suddenly notice it.
Hence, option (c) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S14. Ans (a)
Sol. New kids on the block– someone who is new in a place or
organization and has many things to learn about it.
Hence, option (a) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
S15. Ans (d)
Sol. Keep one’s head above
water– to avoid financial ruin; also,
to avoid being overwhelmed by overwork, too many commitments, or other
excessive demands.
Hence, option (d) becomes the
most viable answer choice.
English Quizzes For SBI PO Mains 2023 - ...
