Idioms and Phrases Exercise No- 21

Exercise-21

Directions: In each of the following questions, out of the given alternatives, meaning of the idiom/phrase in italics in choose the one which best expresses the sentence.

1.He knew she was dead but was completely (at sea) about the cause of her death.

 (a) anxious

(b) confused

(c) ignorant

(d) certain

2. His most trusted friend proved to be (a snake in the grass). (Asset Grade, 1993)

 (a) Cowardly and brutal

(b) an unreliable and deceitful person

(c) a hidden enemy

(d) low and mean

3. It was after a long time that the police was able (to lay) the thief by the heels.

 (a) run fast after

 (b) play tricks on

(c) chase and capture

(d) arrest

4. None of this (hanky-panky); please talk straight.

 (a) indifference

 (b) jugglery

 (c) diversification

 (d) obsession

5. The new C.M. (stuck his neck out) today and promised 10 kegs free wheat a month for all rural families. (Central Excise, 1995)

(a) extended help

(b) took an oath

 (c) caused embarrassment

(d) took a risk

6. Honesty is (at a discount), where corruption is the rule.

(a) discouraged

(b) rare

(c) undervalued

 (d) unknown

7. Kasha can (turn his hand) to anything.

 (a) refuse to do

 (b) adapt himself to

(c) take advantage of

(d) find fault with

8. The speaker gave a (bird’s eye view) of the political conditions in the country. (Section officers, 1993)

(a) a detailed presentation

 (b) a biased view

(c) a general view

(d) a personal view              

9. His best jokes (fell flat).

(a) were not paid attention to

(b) had no effect

(c) became completely unnerved

(d) faced total failure

10. The detective (left no stone unturned to trace) the culprit. (S.B.I.P.O. 1994)

(a) did very irrelevant things

 (b) used all available means

(c) took no pains

(d) resorted to illegitimate practices      

11. He will (win) this election (hands down).

(a) win easily

(b) win with a big margin

 (c) win with a narrow margin

(d) scrape through

12. He has been working (on and off) for several years on this research project.

(a) at intervals

 (b) continuously

 (c) rarefy

(d) painstakingly

13. He was a king who ruled his subjects (with a high hand.)(Bank P.O. 1996)

(a) oppressively

 (b) kindly

(c) conveniently

 (d) sympathetically

(e) democratically

14. Those that (make no bones) about such actions face tough opposition.

(a) invite no comments

 (b) make no plan

(c) do without hesitation

(d) waste no time

15. He (got hold of the wrong end of the stick.)

 (a) committed a blunder

(b) misjudged a situation

 (c) fixed wrong priorities

(d) felt uneasy

Answers:-

1.(12)         2. (c)

3. (c)          4. (b)

5. (d)          6. (c)

7. (b)          8. (c)

9. (b)          10. (b)

11. (a)        12. (a)

13. (a)        14. (c)

15. (b)

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