TOPIC: Idioms and Phrases
Directions (1-15): The following sentences will only succeed in making sense with the help of idioms and phrases. Choose the correct idioms to fill in the blanks to help the sentences make contextual sense.
Q1. The country decided to ________________________ on talks till other outstanding issues are resolved.
(a) wear several hats
(b) throw caution to the wind
(c) close the door
(d) spill the beans
(e) None of these
Q2. I’ve made the request few times in the past, but it has always _______________________________.
(a) walked a tightrope
(b) spread itself thin
(c) let off steam
(d) fallen on deaf ears
(e) None of these
Q3. _________________________________________ can backfire at workplace because you may be seen unprofessional.
(a) leaving no stone unturned
(b) wearing your heart on your sleeve
(c) laughing all the way to the bank
(d) living hand to mouth
(e) None of these
Q4. I’ll __________________________________ to finish in top 10 percentile in the exam.
(a) make ends meet
(b) keep my chin up
(c) move heaven and earth
(d) eat like a bird
(e) None of these
Q5. The government has intervened by infusing billions of dollars to get the banks _______________________.
(a) down to earth
(b) to steal the show
(c) to start with a clean slate
(d) off the hook
(e) None of these
Q6. He was dropped from the team, but he ___________________________ when he was recruited by a rival club at a higher fee.
(a) had the last laugh
(b) broke the ice
(c) made a mountain out of a mole hill
(d) barked up the wrong tree
(e) None of these
Q7. I think the CEO _________________________________ when he said that the organization was losing market share because of complacency and security.
(a) called the shots
(b) took them for a ride
(c) hit the nail on the head
(d) allowed the dust to settle
(e) None of these
Q8. My brother is _____________________ for failing all his college classes.
(a) lost at sea
(b) sailing close to the wind
(c) walking on air
(d) in hot water
(e) None of these
Q9. I _____________________________ to my colleague about the mismanagement in the Company.
(a) had my hands full
(b) poured my heart out
(c) changed hands
(d) kept my words
(e) None of these
Q10. Petrol and diesel prices have _________________________.
(a) judged a book by its cover
(b) tested the waters
(c) gone through the roof
(d) watched one’s step
(e) None of these
Q11. I was upset at not getting promoted, but the management really ________________________________ when they promoted my junior.
(a) rubbed salt into my wounds
(b) hit the nail on the head
(c) cried over spilled milk
(d) burned the midnight oil
(e) None of these
Q12. The government can no longer _________________ to growing pollution arising from stubble burning.
(a) hold out an olive branch
(b) spill the beans
(c) hit the sack
(d) shut its eye
(e) None of these
Q13. Experts had to ____________________ on the impending doom of abc.com when the fledgling ecommerce website turned in an unexpected profit.
(a) not play with the full deck
(b) eat their words
(c) cut corners
(d) bite off more than they can chew
(e) None of these
Q14. In his prime, Usain Bolt was ___________________________ his competitors.
(a) a good egg out of
(b) in the heat of the moment of
(c) falling to pieces with
(d) head and shoulders above
(e) None of these
Q15. You need to have _______________ to survive in politics.
(a) a thick skin
(b) a bad omen
(c) a bundle of nerves
(d) a crushing blow
(e) None of these
Solutions
S1. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is close the door.
If you close the door on someone or something, you no longer deal with it.
S2. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is fallen on deaf ears.
If you turn a deaf ear, you ignore what others are saying.
S3. Ans (b)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is wearing your heart on your sleeve.
If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you express your sentiments too openly.
S4. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is move heaven and earth.
It means to make supreme effort.
S5. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is off the hook.
If you get someone off the hook, you help them get out of trouble.
S6. Ans (a)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is had the last laugh.
If you’ve the last laugh in an argument or disagreement, you ultimately succeed from a seemingly losing position.
S7. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is hit the nail on the head.
If you hit the nail on the head, you’re exactly right about something.
S8. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is in hot water.
When someone is in hot water, they’re in a bad situation or serious trouble.
S9. Ans (b)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is poured my heart out.
If you pour out your heart, you reveal your thoughts or inner feelings.
S10. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is gone through the roof.
It means to increase beyond all expectations.
S11. Ans (a)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is rubbed salt into my wounds.
It means to make a difficult situation even worse for someone.
S12. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is shut its eye.
It means refuse to see or consider.
S13. Ans (b)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is eat their words.
If you eat your words, you retract your statement or words.
S14. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is head and shoulders above.
It means to be far superior to.
S15. Ans (a)
Sol. The correct choice of idiom to complete the sentence is a thick skin.
It means to be less affected by criticisms and rebuffs.
English Quizzes For SBI PO Mains 2023 - ...
