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Competitive English Aptitude
English Idioms and Phrases Aptitude MCQs
This section provides a set of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on English Idioms and Phrases, covering their meanings, usage, and common variations. Each question includes four answer choices, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation to help you improve your knowledge and use idiomatic expressions correctly. Whether you are preparing for exams or improving your language skills, these practice questions will help you understand English idioms and phrases better.
List of English Idioms and Phrases Aptitude MCQs
Here is a list of the top English Idioms and Phrases Aptitude MCQs to test and improve skills:
1. What does the idiom "Break the ice" mean?
- To cool down a situation
- To begin a conversation in a social setting
- To create problems
- To break something physically
Answer: B) To begin a conversation in a social setting
Explanation:
"Break the ice" means to start a conversation in order to make people feel more comfortable.
2. What does the phrase "Spill the beans" mean?
- To waste food
- To reveal a secret
- To cook something delicious
- To make a mess
Answer: B) To reveal a secret
Explanation:
"Spill the beans" means to disclose a secret or hidden information.
3. What does the idiom "Bite the bullet" mean?
- To eat something hard
- To face a difficult situation bravely
- To fight someone
- To give up
Answer: B) To face a difficult situation bravely
Explanation:
"Bite the bullet" means to endure pain or hardship without complaint.
4. What does the phrase "Hit the sack" mean?
- To hit someone
- To go to sleep
- To start working
- To give up
Answer: B) To go to sleep
Explanation:
"Hit the sack" means to go to bed or sleep.
5. What does the idiom "Cost an arm and a leg" mean?
- To be very cheap
- To be very expensive
- To be painful
- To be fair
Answer: B) To be very expensive
Explanation:
"Cost an arm and a leg" means something is very expensive.
6. What does the phrase "Let the cat out of the bag" mean?
- To release an animal
- To reveal a secret
- To make a mistake
- To create confusion
Answer: B) To reveal a secret
Explanation:
"Let the cat out of the bag" means to accidentally disclose a secret.
7. What does the idiom "Under the weather" mean?
- To be sick
- To enjoy the rain
- To be outdoors
- To be moody
Answer: A) To be sick
Explanation:
"Under the weather" means feeling sick or unwell.
8. What does the phrase "A piece of cake" mean?
- Something very easy
- Something delicious
- Something hard
- Something expensive
Answer: A) Something very easy
Explanation:
"A piece of cake" means something is very easy to do.
9. What does the idiom "Burn the midnight oil" mean?
- To work late at night
- To waste time
- To enjoy a bonfire
- To be careless
Answer: A) To work late at night
Explanation:
"Burn the midnight oil" means to work or study late at night.
10. What does the phrase "Jump the gun" mean?
- To act too soon
- To be fast
- To be afraid
- To make a mistake
Answer: A) To act too soon
Explanation:
"Jump the gun" means to do something too early, without proper preparation.
11. What does the idiom "Hit the nail on the head" mean?
- To strike something hard
- To do something exactly right
- To make a mistake
- To damage something
Answer: B) To do something exactly right
Explanation:
"Hit the nail on the head" means to describe a situation perfectly or get something exactly right.
12. What does the phrase "Once in a blue moon" mean?
- Happening very rarely
- Happening very often
- Happening at night
- Happening in summer
Answer: A) Happening very rarely
Explanation:
"Once in a blue moon" means something that happens very rarely.
13. What does the idiom "Pull someone's leg" mean?
- To trip someone
- To joke or tease someone
- To make someone angry
- To help someone
Answer: B) To joke or tease someone
Explanation:
"Pull someone's leg" means to joke or tease someone in a playful manner.
14. What does the phrase "Through thick and thin" mean?
- Only in good times
- Under all circumstances
- During difficult times
- During happy moments
Answer: B) Under all circumstances
Explanation:
"Through thick and thin" means to support someone in both good and bad times.
15. What does the idiom "A storm in a teacup" mean?
- Bad weather
- A big fuss over a small issue
- A refreshing drink
- A fight between two people
Answer: B) A big fuss over a small issue
Explanation:
"A storm in a teacup" means making a big deal out of a small problem.
16. What does the phrase "Barking up the wrong tree" mean?
- Complaining about the wrong thing
- Looking for a lost pet
- Shouting loudly
- Planting a tree
Answer: A) Complaining about the wrong thing
Explanation:
"Barking up the wrong tree" means to be mistaken in what you are trying to do.
17. What does the idiom "Cry over spilled milk" mean?
- To be sad about something that cannot be changed
- To be careful with liquids
- To clean up a mess
- To waste food
Answer: A) To be sad about something that cannot be changed
Explanation:
"Cry over spilled milk" means to be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
18. What does the phrase "On cloud nine" mean?
- To be very happy
- To be very sad
- To be confused
- To be sleepy
Answer: A) To be very happy
Explanation:
"On cloud nine" means to be extremely happy or joyful.
19. What does the idiom "Cut to the chase" mean?
- To get to the point quickly
- To run fast
- To avoid a situation
- To chase someone
Answer: A) To get to the point quickly
Explanation:
"Cut to the chase" means to skip unnecessary details and go directly to the main point.
20. What does the phrase "Throw in the towel" mean?
- To give up
- To clean something
- To start a fight
- To play a game
Answer: A) To give up
Explanation:
"Throw in the towel" means to surrender or give up on something.
21. What does the idiom "A blessing in disguise" mean?
- Something that appears bad but turns out good
- A lucky charm
- A person in disguise
- A hidden curse
Answer: A) Something that appears bad but turns out good
Explanation:
"A blessing in disguise" means something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
22. What does the phrase "Break the ice" mean?
- To start a conversation
- To break something
- To cool down
- To fall in ice
Answer: A) To start a conversation
Explanation:
"Break the ice" means to start a conversation and make people feel comfortable.
23. What does the idiom "Let the cat out of the bag" mean?
- To reveal a secret
- To release a cat
- To cause trouble
- To make a mess
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
Explanation:
"Let the cat out of the bag" means to reveal a secret by mistake.
24. What does the phrase "Burn the midnight oil" mean?
- To work late at night
- To waste oil
- To stay in darkness
- To light a fire
Answer: A) To work late at night
Explanation:
"Burn the midnight oil" means to stay up late working or studying.
25. What does the idiom "Under the weather" mean?
- Feeling sick
- Being outside
- Checking the weather
- Getting wet
Answer: A) Feeling sick
Explanation:
"Under the weather" means feeling sick or unwell.
26. What does the phrase "The ball is in your court" mean?
- It is your turn to take action
- To play a game
- To throw a ball
- To make a decision
Answer: A) It is your turn to take action
Explanation:
"The ball is in your court" means it is your responsibility to take the next step.
27. What does the idiom "A piece of cake" mean?
- Something very easy
- Something very difficult
- Something very tasty
- Something very expensive
Answer: A) Something very easy
Explanation:
"A piece of cake" means something that is very easy to do.
28. What does the phrase "Spill the beans" mean?
- To reveal a secret
- To waste food
- To make a mess
- To tell a lie
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
Explanation:
"Spill the beans" means to reveal a secret.
29. What does the idiom "Hit the sack" mean?
- To go to bed
- To punch a bag
- To hit someone
- To lose something
Answer: A) To go to bed
Explanation:
"Hit the sack" means to go to sleep.
30. What does the phrase "Cost an arm and a leg" mean?
- Very expensive
- Very cheap
- Very dangerous
- Very difficult
Answer: A) Very expensive
Explanation:
"Cost an arm and a leg" means something is very expensive.
31. What does the idiom "Go the extra mile" mean?
- To put in extra effort
- To walk more
- To travel far
- To take a shortcut
Answer: A) To put in extra effort
Explanation:
"Go the extra mile" means to put in more effort than required.
32. What does the phrase "In the blink of an eye" mean?
- Very quickly
- Very slowly
- Very rarely
- Very carefully
Answer: A) Very quickly
Explanation:
"In the blink of an eye" means something happens very fast.
33. What does the idiom "Throw caution to the wind" mean?
- To take a risk
- To be very careful
- To stop running
- To ignore the weather
Answer: A) To take a risk
Explanation:
"Throw caution to the wind" means to take a risk without worrying about consequences.
34. What does the phrase "Put all your eggs in one basket" mean?
- To risk everything on one thing
- To carry many baskets
- To make many plans
- To save money
Answer: A) To risk everything on one thing
Explanation:
"Put all your eggs in one basket" means to risk everything on a single plan.
35. What does the idiom "Bite off more than you can chew" mean?
- To take on too much work
- To eat too fast
- To be lazy
- To finish a task quickly
Answer: A) To take on too much work
Explanation:
"Bite off more than you can chew" means to take on more than you can handle.
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