Directions (Q.1-10): In the following questions, four alternatives are for the given idiom/phrase, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the given idioms/ phrase.
Q1. To fight tooth and nail.
(a) To fight a losing battle
(b) To oppose resolutely
(c) To have a physical fight
(d) To lodge a formal protest
Ans- b (To fight tooth and nail. -to use a lot of effort to oppose someone or achieve something)
Q2. At one’s wit’s end.
(a) To understand thoroughly
(b) To be puzzled
(c) To be a stupid person
(d) To behave irrationally
Ans- b (At one’s wit’s end. – at the limits of one’s mental resources.)
Q3. The young engineer was hauled up for spilling the beans about the new project to the competitor.
(a) Suppressing the information
(b) Hiding the details
(c) Revealing the information indiscreetly
(d) Spoiling the plans
Ans- C (spilling the beans -to give away a secret or a surprise. )
Q4. The village headman pretends to be a good Samaritan.
(a) A religious person
(b) A helpful person
(c) A citizen of Samaria
(d) A law-abiding citizen
Ans- b (good Samaritan. -a charitable or helpful person)
Q5. The bus had a close shave as its driver swerved to the right a split-second before the on-coming truck could run into it.
(a) Serious accident
(b) Close collision
(c) Narrow escape
(d) Deep dent
Ans-c (close shave -a narrow escape from danger or disaster.)
Q6. In high spirits
(a) Full of hope and enthusiasm
(b) Under tremendous stress
(c) Under the influence of liquor
(d) Mentally deranged
Ans-a (in high spirits – happy and excited and energetic)
Q7. He amassed his wealth through sharp practices.
(a) Dishonest means
(b) Illegal means
(c) Intelligent decisions
(d) Quick decisions
Ans- b (sharp practices.- dishonest or barely honest dealings.)
Q8. When the trade was brisk, he worked hard and made his fortune; he believes in making hay while the sun shines.
(a) Taking advantage of a favourable opportunity
(b) Earning money through dishonest means
(c) Earning money at the cost of others
(d) Taking advantage of the inflationary trends
Ans- a (If you make hay while the sun shines, it means that you take advantage of the chance to do something while conditions are good.)
Q9. Why don’t you put an end to blowing your own trumpet?
(a) Playing your own trumpet to produce music
(b) Making too much noise
(c) Praising your own abilities and achievements
(d) None of the above
Ans- c (“to blow your own trumpet” to brag or boast about your accomplishments or achievements.)
Q10. I knew he had an axe to grind and turned down his offer of help.
(a) A blunt axe
(b) A sharp tongue
(c) A private interest to serve
(d) A tendency to fight
Ans- c (have an axe to grind- to have a strong personal opinion about something that you want people to accept and that is the reason why you do something)
