Idioms And Phrases Mcqs
Idioms And Phrases Mcqs or proverbs are very useful for verbal ability questions and its importance cannot be ignored. Some proverbs/idioms are given below together with their meanings. Choose the correct meaning of proverb/idiom.
What does the idiom “hit the nail on the head” mean?
A) To miss the point
B) To understand something perfectly
C) To do something incorrectly
D) To be very lucky
Answer: B) To understand something perfectly
2. What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?
A) To start a conversation in a relaxed manner
B) To physically break ice
C) To end a relationship
D) To make a mistake
Answer: A) To start a conversation in a relaxed manner
3. What does the phrase “a blessing in disguise” refer to?
A) An unfortunate event with hidden benefits
B) A disguised gift
C) A fortunate event
D) A secret blessing
Answer: A) An unfortunate event with hidden benefits
4. What does “barking up the wrong tree” mean?
A) To be on the right track
B) To be mistaken about something
C) To be very enthusiastic
D) To be angry
Answer: B) To be mistaken about something
5. What does “the ball is in your court” mean?
A) It is your turn to make a decision or take action
B) To play a sport
C) To be waiting for someone
D) To make a mistake
Answer: A) It is your turn to make a decision or take action
6. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) To reveal a secret unintentionally
B) To release a cat
C) To keep a secret
D) To be quiet
Answer: A) To reveal a secret unintentionally
7. What does “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
A) To be very expensive
B) To be very cheap
C) To be very painful
D) To be very easy
Answer: A) To be very expensive
8. What does “kick the bucket” mean?
A) To die
B) To win a prize
C) To start a new project
D) To retire
Answer: A) To die
9. What does “a piece of cake” mean?
A) Something very easy
B) Something very difficult
C) A special treat
D) A portion of food
Answer: A) Something very easy
10. What does “under the weather” mean?
A) To be sick
B) To be very happy
C) To be outside
D) To be tired
Answer: A) To be sick
11. What does “burning the midnight oil” mean?
A) To work late into the night
B) To waste time
C) To enjoy leisure activities
D) To take a break
Answer: A) To work late into the night
12. What does “a dime a dozen” mean?
A) Very common and cheap
B) Very rare and valuable
C) Very expensive
D) Very unusual
Answer: A) Very common and cheap
13. What does “hit the jackpot” mean?
A) To win a large amount of money or succeed
B) To make a mistake
C) To lose money
D) To be late
Answer: A) To win a large amount of money or succeed
14. What does “spill the beans” mean?
A) To reveal confidential information
B) To waste food
C) To clean up a mess
D) To cook
Answer: A) To reveal confidential information
15. What does “broke the bank” mean?
A) To spend all of one’s money
B) To rob a bank
C) To start a new investment
D) To save money
Answer: A) To spend all of one’s money
16. What does “jump on the bandwagon” mean?
A) To join a popular activity or trend
B) To refuse to participate
C) To start a new trend
D) To travel
Answer: A) To join a popular activity or trend
17. What does “the best of both worlds” mean?
A) To enjoy two different opportunities
B) To have a difficult decision
C) To live in two places
D) To make the most of a single opportunity
Answer: A) To enjoy two different opportunities
18. What does “a blessing in disguise” mean?
A) An apparently bad situation that results in something good
B) A hidden gift
C) A fortunate event
D) An apparent blessing
Answer: A) An apparently bad situation that results in something good
19. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) To give up
B) To start a new project
C) To clean up
D) To refuse help
Answer: A) To give up
20. What does “a penny for your thoughts” mean?
A) Asking someone to share their thoughts
B) Offering money for advice
C) Giving a small amount of money
D) Asking for a favor
Answer: A) Asking someone to share their thoughts
21. What does “once in a blue moon” mean?
A) Very rarely
B) Frequently
C) Occasionally
D) Always
Answer: A) Very rarely
22. What does “the early bird catches the worm” mean?
A) Being early gives you an advantage
B) Being late is acceptable
C) Birds are always early
D) Worms are easy to catch
Answer: A) Being early gives you an advantage
23. What does “put all your eggs in one basket” mean?
A) To risk everything on a single venture
B) To be well-prepared
C) To use many resources
D) To invest in multiple ventures
Answer: A) To risk everything on a single venture
24. What does “let sleeping dogs lie” mean?
A) To avoid discussing or dealing with issues that could cause trouble
B) To wake up early
C) To help someone
D) To keep pets
Answer: A) To avoid discussing or dealing with issues that could cause trouble
25. What does “a storm in a teacup” mean?
A) A big fuss about something trivial
B) A serious problem
C) A small issue
D) A natural disaster
Answer: A) A big fuss about something trivial
26. What does “take with a grain of salt” mean?
A) To view something skeptically or not take it too seriously
B) To add flavor to food
C) To believe something completely
D) To ignore a statement
Answer: A) To view something skeptically or not take it too seriously
27. What does “the ball is in your court” mean?
A) It’s your turn to take action or make a decision
B) To be busy
C) To wait for someone else
D) To be responsible for a task
Answer: A) It’s your turn to take action or make a decision
28. What does “keep your chin up” mean?
A) To remain positive or optimistic
B) To look down
C) To be quiet
D) To work hard
Answer: A) To remain positive or optimistic
29. What does “hit the sack” mean?
A) To go to bed or sleep
B) To start a new job
C) To go on vacation
D) To clean up
Answer: A) To go to bed or sleep
30. What does “a chip off the old block” mean?
A) A person who resembles or behaves like their parent
B) A new piece of technology
C) A small problem
D) A different style
Answer: A) A person who resembles or behaves like their parent
31. What does “under the table” mean?
A) Secretly or illegally
B) Not on the table
C) Cleanly and legally
D) In a formal manner
Answer: A) Secretly or illegally
32. What does “once bitten, twice shy” mean?
A) After having a bad experience, one is cautious in similar situations
B) To be brave
C) To be inexperienced
D) To forget past mistakes
Answer: A) After having a bad experience, one is cautious in similar situations
33. What does “a tall order” mean?
A) A difficult or challenging task
B) A large request
C) A brief request
D) An easy job
Answer: A) A difficult or challenging task
34. What does “the tip of the iceberg” mean?
A) A small part of a much larger issue
B) A small achievement
C) The end of a problem
D) A minor detail
Answer: A) A small part of a much larger issue
35. What does “add fuel to the fire” mean?
A) To make a situation worse
B) To improve a situation
C) To resolve an issue
D) To start a new problem
Answer: A) To make a situation worse
36. What does “a fly on the wall” mean?
A) To be an unnoticed observer
B) To be annoying
C) To be in the way
D) To be out of place
Answer: A) To be an unnoticed observer
37. What does “bite the bullet” mean?
A) To endure a painful or difficult situation
B) To make a decision
C) To avoid a problem
D) To solve a problem easily
Answer: A) To endure a painful or difficult situation
38. What does “get cold feet” mean?
A) To become nervous or hesitant
B) To get physically cold
C) To be unprepared
D) To lose interest
Answer: A) To become nervous or hesitant
39. What does “hit the jackpot” mean?
A) To achieve great success or win a lot of money
B) To make a small gain
C) To lose a lot of money
D) To be unsuccessful
Answer: A) To achieve great success or win a lot of money
40. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) To give up
B) To start over
C) To continue trying
D) To seek help
Answer: A) To give up
41. What does “a dime a dozen” mean?
A) Very common
B) Very rare
C) Very valuable
D) Very expensive
Answer: A) Very common
42. What does “break the ice” mean?
A) To start a conversation in a relaxed manner
B) To make a mistake
C) To end a conversation
D) To be silent
Answer: A) To start a conversation in a relaxed manner
43. What does “be on the same page” mean?
A) To agree on something
B) To read the same book
C) To be confused
D) To have different opinions
Answer: A) To agree on something
44. What does “by the skin of your teeth” mean?
A) To barely succeed or escape
B) To achieve something with effort
C) To be extremely lucky
D) To fail miserably
Answer: A) To barely succeed or escape
45. What does “burn the midnight oil” mean?
A) To work late into the night
B) To waste time
C) To enjoy leisure activities
D) To sleep late
Answer: A) To work late into the night
46. What does “hit the nail on the head” mean?
A) To be exactly right about something
B) To make a mistake
C) To miss the point
D) To be very accurate
Answer: A) To be exactly right about something
47. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) To reveal a secret
B) To let a cat escape
C) To keep a secret
D) To release information
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
48. What does “put your money where your mouth is” mean?
A) To back up your words with actions or investments
B) To be financially irresponsible
C) To be silent
D) To save money
Answer: A) To back up your words with actions or investments
49. What does “a stitch in time saves nine” mean?
A) Taking care of a problem early will prevent it from becoming worse
B) Working overtime will save time
C) Sewing is time-consuming
D) Delaying a task is beneficial
Answer: A) Taking care of a problem early will prevent it from becoming worse
50. What does “a penny saved is a penny earned” mean?
A) Saving money is just as important as earning it
B) Saving money is less important than earning it
C) Pennies are not worth saving
D) Spending money is important
Answer: A) Saving money is just as important as earning it
51. What does “a feather in one’s cap” mean?
A) An achievement or accomplishment
B) A decoration for clothing
C) A minor detail
D) A hidden skill
Answer: A) An achievement or accomplishment
52. What does “hit the ground running” mean?
A) To start something with enthusiasm and energy
B) To fall unexpectedly
C) To be slow in starting
D) To start working after a break
Answer: A) To start something with enthusiasm and energy
53. What does “make a long story short” mean?
A) To summarize something briefly
B) To tell a story in detail
C) To make a story interesting
D) To prolong a story
Answer: A) To summarize something briefly
54. What does “put the cart before the horse” mean?
A) To do things in the wrong order
B) To be organized
C) To plan a project
D) To prioritize tasks
Answer: A) To do things in the wrong order
55. What does “a blessing in disguise” mean?
A) A hidden advantage in a seemingly bad situation
B) A clear benefit
C) A visible blessing
D) A disguised gift
Answer: A) A hidden advantage in a seemingly bad situation
56. What does “a bitter pill to swallow” mean?
A) An unpleasant reality or situation
B) A sweet treat
C) A solution to a problem
D) A minor inconvenience
Answer: A) An unpleasant reality or situation
57. What does “a close call” mean?
A) A situation where something almost went wrong
B) A call from a friend
C) A close encounter with someone
D) A brief meeting
Answer: A) A situation where something almost went wrong
58. What does “a dime a dozen” mean?
A) Very common and inexpensive
B) Very rare and expensive
C) Very valuable
D) Very complicated
Answer: A) Very common and inexpensive
59. What does “a house of cards” mean?
A) A fragile or unstable situation
B) A playing card
C) A building made of cards
D) A successful enterprise
Answer: A) A fragile or unstable situation
60. What does “a shot in the dark” mean?
A) A guess or attempt with little chance of success
B) A clear idea
C) A safe bet
D) A well-planned action
Answer: A) A guess or attempt with little chance of success
61. What does “a storm in a teacup” mean?
A) A big fuss about a minor issue
B) A serious problem
C) A natural disaster
D) An exciting event
Answer: A) A big fuss about a minor issue
62. What does “a tall order” mean?
A) A difficult or challenging task
B) A simple request
C) An order from a restaurant
D) A large request
Answer: A) A difficult or challenging task
63. What does “a white elephant” mean?
A) A costly but useless possession
B) A rare animal
C) A new project
D) A valuable asset
Answer: A) A costly but useless possession
64. What does “a wild goose chase” mean?
A) A futile or pointless pursuit
B) A thrilling adventure
C) A fun game
D) A profitable venture
Answer: A) A futile or pointless pursuit
65. What does “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” mean?
A) A person who pretends to be harmless but is dangerous
B) A real wolf
C) A harmless person
D) A clothing item
Answer: A) A person who pretends to be harmless but is dangerous
66. What does “barking up the wrong tree” mean?
A) To make a false assumption
B) To be on the right path
C) To seek help from someone
D) To be busy
Answer: A) To make a false assumption
67. What does “bite the bullet” mean?
A) To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation
B) To avoid a problem
C) To start a new task
D) To give up
Answer: A) To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation
68. What does “bite off more than you can chew” mean?
A) To take on more responsibilities than you can handle
B) To eat too much
C) To make a mistake
D) To eat quickly
Answer: A) To take on more responsibilities than you can handle
69. What does “burning the midnight oil” mean?
A) To work late into the night
B) To waste time
C) To enjoy leisure activities
D) To sleep late
Answer: A) To work late into the night
70. What does “by the book” mean?
A) To follow rules strictly
B) To be creative
C) To be informal
D) To read a book
Answer: A) To follow rules strictly
71. What does “cry over spilled milk” mean?
A) To waste time worrying about things that cannot be changed
B) To cry frequently
C) To spill milk
D) To clean up a mess
Answer: A) To waste time worrying about things that cannot be changed
72. What does “cut corners” mean?
A) To do something poorly to save time or money
B) To take a shortcut
C) To be thorough
D) To follow rules
Answer: A) To do something poorly to save time or money
73. What does “drive someone up the wall” mean?
A) To annoy or irritate someone
B) To motivate someone
C) To help someone
D) To be pleasant
Answer: A) To annoy or irritate someone
74. What does “hit the nail on the head” mean?
A) To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
B) To make a mistake
C) To be lucky
D) To be incorrect
Answer: A) To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
75. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) To reveal a secret
B) To hide information
C) To keep a secret
D) To be quiet
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
76. What does “miss the boat” mean?
A) To miss an opportunity
B) To be late for a trip
C) To miss a target
D) To lose a game
Answer: A) To miss an opportunity
77. What does “pass the buck” mean?
A) To shift responsibility to someone else
B) To take responsibility
C) To make a decision
D) To delegate tasks
Answer: A) To shift responsibility to someone else
78. What does “put all your eggs in one basket” mean?
A) To risk everything on one venture
B) To be well-prepared
C) To use many resources
D) To diversify investments
Answer: A) To risk everything on one venture
79. What does “the last straw” mean?
A) The final problem or annoyance that leads to a reaction
B) The last in a series
C) The most important issue
D) The smallest issue
Answer: A) The final problem or annoyance that leads to a reaction
80. What does “turn a blind eye” mean?
A) To ignore something deliberately
B) To be observant
C) To take notice
D) To be attentive
Answer: A) To ignore something deliberately
81. What does “wear your heart on your sleeve” mean?
A) To openly show your emotions
B) To hide your feelings
C) To be modest
D) To be secretive
Answer: A) To openly show your emotions
82. What does “when pigs fly” mean?
A) Something that will never happen
B) A rare event
C) An unlikely event
D) A common occurrence
Answer: A) Something that will never happen
83. What does “your guess is as good as mine” mean?
A) I have no more idea than you do
B) I know more than you
C) I have a better guess
D) I am certain about something
Answer: A) I have no more idea than you do
84. What does “zip your lip” mean?
A) To be quiet or stop talking
B) To talk too much
C) To express opinions
D) To be open
Answer: A) To be quiet or stop talking
85. What does “a rolling stone gathers no moss” mean?
A) A person who is always moving avoids responsibilities and stagnation
B) A person who is always busy
C) A person who is careful
D) A person who is settled
Answer: A) A person who is always moving avoids responsibilities and stagnation
86. What does “a penny for your thoughts” mean?
A) Asking someone to share their thoughts
B) Offering money for advice
C) Giving a small amount of money
D) Asking for a favor
Answer: A) Asking someone to share their thoughts
87. What does “a stitch in time saves nine” mean?
A) A timely effort can prevent more trouble later
B) A small task is not worth doing
C) Delaying work is beneficial
D) Large tasks are easier
Answer: A) A timely effort can prevent more trouble later
88. What does “all in the same boat” mean?
A) To be in the same situation as others
B) To be traveling together
C) To have different problems
D) To share a goal
Answer: A) To be in the same situation as others
89. What does “give someone the cold shoulder” mean?
A) To deliberately ignore someone
B) To be friendly
C) To offer warmth
D) To welcome someone
Answer: A) To deliberately ignore someone
90. What does “have a chip on your shoulder” mean?
A) To hold a grudge or be angry about something
B) To be calm
C) To be indifferent
D) To be happy
Answer: A) To hold a grudge or be angry about something
91. What does “in the nick of time” mean?
A) At the last possible moment
B) Just in time
C) Too late
D) Early
Answer: A) At the last possible moment
92. What does “leave no stone unturned” mean?
A) To search thoroughly or make every effort
B) To avoid searching
C) To do a minimal amount of work
D) To be careless
Answer: A) To search thoroughly or make every effort
93. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) To reveal a secret
B) To let a cat escape
C) To keep a secret
D) To be quiet
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
94. What does “make ends meet” mean?
A) To manage financially
B) To meet deadlines
C) To make a profit
D) To spend money
Answer: A) To manage financially
95. What does “off the beaten path” mean?
A) Unusual or not commonly visited
B) A common location
C) A well-trodden route
D) A busy area
Answer: A) Unusual or not commonly visited
96. What does “on the fence” mean?
A) To be indecisive or unsure
B) To be firmly committed
C) To be on guard
D) To be angry
Answer: A) To be indecisive or unsure
97. What does “pull someone’s leg” mean?
A) To tease or joke with someone
B) To help someone
C) To be serious
D) To make a serious request
Answer: A) To tease or joke with someone
98. What does “put the cart before the horse” mean?
A) To do things in the wrong order
B) To be organized
C) To prioritize tasks
D) To start a project
Answer: A) To do things in the wrong order
99. What does “read between the lines” mean?
A) To understand something that is not explicitly stated
B) To read carefully
C) To misunderstand something
D) To read quickly
Answer: A) To understand something that is not explicitly stated
100. What does “take the bull by the horns” mean?
A) To confront a problem directly
B) To avoid a problem
C) To take a break
D) To be passive
Answer: A) To confront a problem directly
101. What does “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” mean?
A) It’s better to hold onto something you have than risk losing it by trying to get something better
B) A bird in a bush is a good omen
C) Birds are valuable
D) Two birds are better than one
Answer: A) It’s better to hold onto something you have than risk losing it by trying to get something better
102. What does “a chip off the old block” mean?
A) A person who is very similar to their parent
B) A minor problem
C) A new trend
D) A unique individual
Answer: A) A person who is very similar to their parent
103. What does “a leopard can’t change its spots” mean?
A) A person can’t change their inherent nature
B) A leopard can adapt to different environments
C) Spots on animals are decorative
D) People can change with effort
Answer: A) A person can’t change their inherent nature
104. What does “a penny saved is a penny earned” mean?
A) Saving money is as valuable as earning money
B) Pennies are not worth saving
C) You should spend your money wisely
D) Saving small amounts of money adds up
Answer: A) Saving money is as valuable as earning money
105. What does “a watched pot never boils” mean?
A) Time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something
B) Boiling pots are dangerous
C) Pots should not be watched closely
D) Cooking takes time
Answer: A) Time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something
106. What does “add fuel to the fire” mean?
A) To make a bad situation worse
B) To extinguish a fire
C) To resolve a conflict
D) To ignore a problem
Answer: A) To make a bad situation worse
107. What does “at the drop of a hat” mean?
A) To do something immediately without hesitation
B) To drop something casually
C) To wait for the right moment
D) To act slowly
Answer: A) To do something immediately without hesitation
108. What does “back to the drawing board” mean?
A) To start over with a new plan after a failure
B) To finish a task
C) To complete a project
D) To evaluate existing plans
Answer: A) To start over with a new plan after a failure
109. What does “barking up the wrong tree” mean?
A) To make a false assumption or pursue a mistaken course of action
B) To search in the right place
C) To be loud
D) To get something right
Answer: A) To make a false assumption or pursue a mistaken course of action
110. What does “beat around the bush” mean?
A) To avoid addressing the main issue directly
B) To be straightforward
C) To speak loudly
D) To be very clear
Answer: A) To avoid addressing the main issue directly
111. What does “break the ice” mean?
A) To initiate conversation in a social setting
B) To create a tense atmosphere
C) To end a conversation
D) To be silent
Answer: A) To initiate conversation in a social setting
112. What does “burning the midnight oil” mean?
A) To work late into the night
B) To waste time
C) To sleep late
D) To enjoy leisure activities
Answer: A) To work late into the night
113. What does “cry over spilled milk” mean?
A) To waste time worrying about things that cannot be changed
B) To be emotional
C) To clean up a mess
D) To cry frequently
Answer: A) To waste time worrying about things that cannot be changed
114. What does “cut to the chase” mean?
A) To get to the point without wasting time
B) To change the subject
C) To be indirect
D) To explain something
Answer: A) To get to the point without wasting time
115. What does “devil’s advocate” mean?
A) Someone who argues against a position for the sake of argument
B) A religious leader
C) A friend who supports you
D) A person with bad intentions
Answer: A) Someone who argues against a position for the sake of argument
116. What does “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” mean?
A) Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does
B) Count your resources carefully
C) Be optimistic
D) Plan ahead
Answer: A) Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does
117. What does “easier said than done” mean?
A) It is more difficult to accomplish something than to talk about it
B) It is easy to talk about things
C) It is simple to understand
D) It is difficult to explain
Answer: A) It is more difficult to accomplish something than to talk about it
118. What does “every cloud has a silver lining” mean?
A) Every difficult situation has a hopeful or positive aspect
B) Clouds are not always dark
C) All situations are negative
D) Clouds are beautiful
Answer: A) Every difficult situation has a hopeful or positive aspect
119. What does “get a taste of your own medicine” mean?
A) To experience the same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others
B) To take medication
C) To enjoy something
D) To learn from experience
Answer: A) To experience the same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others
120. What does “give someone the benefit of the doubt” mean?
A) To believe someone is telling the truth despite a lack of evidence
B) To question someone’s integrity
C) To be skeptical
D) To ignore someone’s faults
Answer: A) To believe someone is telling the truth despite a lack of evidence
121. What does “hit the sack” mean?
A) To go to bed
B) To go on a vacation
C) To sleep in a sack
D) To be tired
Answer: A) To go to bed
122. What does “keep your chin up” mean?
A) To remain cheerful and optimistic
B) To be cautious
C) To look down
D) To avoid trouble
Answer: A) To remain cheerful and optimistic
123. What does “kill two birds with one stone” mean?
A) To accomplish two tasks with a single action
B) To be efficient
C) To harm birds
D) To waste time
Answer: A) To accomplish two tasks with a single action
124. What does “let sleeping dogs lie” mean?
A) To avoid stirring up old issues or problems
B) To wake up someone
C) To keep a dog calm
D) To disturb someone
Answer: A) To avoid stirring up old issues or problems
125. What does “make a mountain out of a molehill” mean?
A) To exaggerate a minor problem
B) To deal with a major issue
C) To create a big problem
D) To solve a small issue
Answer: A) To exaggerate a minor problem
126. What does “not playing with a full deck” mean?
A) To be mentally deficient or lacking common sense
B) To play a card game
C) To have all necessary resources
D) To be clever
Answer: A) To be mentally deficient or lacking common sense
127. What does “once in a blue moon” mean?
A) Something that happens very rarely
B) An event that is common
C) An event that is predictable
D) A regular occurrence
Answer: A) Something that happens very rarely
128. What does “put all your eggs in one basket” mean?
A) To risk everything on one venture
B) To diversify your investments
C) To be safe
D) To save resources
Answer: A) To risk everything on one venture
129. What does “read the riot act” mean?
A) To reprimand someone sternly
B) To read a book
C) To ignore behavior
D) To entertain someone
Answer: A) To reprimand someone sternly
130. What does “rub salt in the wound” mean?
A) To make a bad situation worse
B) To heal a wound
C) To comfort someone
D) To treat a wound
Answer: A) To make a bad situation worse
131. What does “skeleton in the closet” mean?
A) A hidden secret or past issue
B) A literal skeleton
C) An open secret
D) A minor issue
Answer: A) A hidden secret or past issue
132. What does “spill the beans” mean?
A) To reveal a secret
B) To make a mess
C) To share food
D) To be careless
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
133. What does “steal someone’s thunder” mean?
A) To take credit for someone else’s idea or achievements
B) To create noise
C) To support someone
D) To give attention
Answer: A) To take credit for someone else’s idea or achievements
134. What does “take it with a grain of salt” mean?
A) To view something with skepticism or not take it too seriously
B) To accept something
C) To be literal
D) To take a break
Answer: A) To view something with skepticism or not take it too seriously
135. What does “the ball is in your court” mean?
A) It is your turn to take action or make a decision
B) The game is over
C) You are winning
D) It is someone else’s turn
Answer: A) It is your turn to take action or make a decision
136. What does “the best of both worlds” mean?
A) To enjoy the advantages of two different opportunities
B) To have limited options
C) To experience a single opportunity
D) To have no choice
Answer: A) To enjoy the advantages of two different opportunities
137. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) To give up or admit defeat
B) To start a new project
C) To continue working
D) To clean up
Answer: A) To give up or admit defeat
138. What does “under the weather” mean?
A) To be ill or unwell
B) To be calm
C) To be happy
D) To be out in the rain
Answer: A) To be ill or unwell
139. What does “up in the air” mean?
A) Something that is uncertain or undecided
B) To be enthusiastic
C) To be resolved
D) To be grounded
Answer: A) Something that is uncertain or undecided
140. What does “walking on eggshells” mean?
A) To be very careful or cautious
B) To walk awkwardly
C) To be careless
D) To enjoy a situation
Answer: A) To be very careful or cautious
141. What does “wear your heart on your sleeve” mean?
A) To openly show your emotions
B) To hide your feelings
C) To be secretive
D) To be indifferent
Answer: A) To openly show your emotions
142. What does “wild goose chase” mean?
A) A futile or pointless pursuit
B) A thrilling adventure
C) A successful search
D) A fun activity
Answer: A) A futile or pointless pursuit
143. What does “work your fingers to the bone” mean?
A) To work extremely hard
B) To work with precision
C) To be lazy
D) To enjoy working
Answer: A) To work extremely hard
144. What does “you can’t judge a book by its cover” mean?
A) You shouldn’t judge something solely based on its appearance
B) Covers are important
C) Books are deceiving
D) Judging is necessary
Answer: A) You shouldn’t judge something solely based on its appearance
145. What does “a fish out of water” mean?
A) A person who feels uncomfortable or out of place
B) A person who is relaxed
C) A person who is in their element
D) A person who is good at adapting
Answer: A) A person who feels uncomfortable or out of place
146. What does “a house of cards” mean?
A) A structure or plan that is unstable and can easily collapse
B) A strong foundation
C) A secure building
D) A well-planned strategy
Answer: A) A structure or plan that is unstable and can easily collapse
147. What does “all in the same boat” mean?
A) To be in the same situation as others
B) To travel together
C) To share a goal
D) To have different problems
Answer: A) To be in the same situation as others
148. What does “as the crow flies” mean?
A) The shortest distance between two points
B) A long distance
C) A roundabout way
D) An indirect path
Answer: A) The shortest distance between two points
149. What does “breathe down someone’s neck” mean?
A) To closely monitor or harass someone
B) To offer support
C) To respect someone’s space
D) To avoid interference
Answer: A) To closely monitor or harass someone
150. What does “by the skin of your teeth” mean?
A) To narrowly escape or succeed
B) To be in great danger
C) To succeed easily
D) To be close to failure
Answer: A) To narrowly escape or succeed
151. What does “a storm in a teacup” mean?
A) A big fuss over something insignificant
B) A strong reaction to a serious issue
C) A literal storm in a teacup
D) A mild problem
Answer: A) A big fuss over something insignificant
152. What does “a taste of your own medicine” mean?
A) Experiencing the same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others
B) Taking medication
C) Enjoying a new experience
D) Receiving praise
Answer: A) Experiencing the same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others
153. What does “a white elephant” mean?
A) An expensive and impractical possession
B) A rare species
C) A useful object
D) An easy task
Answer: A) An expensive and impractical possession
154. What does “all bark and no bite” mean?
A) Someone who talks a lot but doesn’t take action
B) Someone who is aggressive
C) A noisy situation
D) A friendly person
Answer: A) Someone who talks a lot but doesn’t take action
155. What does “beyond the pale” mean?
A) Outside the accepted norms or boundaries
B) A pale complexion
C) An unremarkable situation
D) A safe place
Answer: A) Outside the accepted norms or boundaries
156. What does “caught between a rock and a hard place” mean?
A) To face a difficult decision with no easy options
B) To be physically trapped
C) To be in a safe position
D) To be confused
Answer: A) To face a difficult decision with no easy options
157. What does “come rain or shine” mean?
A) Regardless of the weather or circumstances
B) Only in good weather
C) When there is sunshine
D) During a storm
Answer: A) Regardless of the weather or circumstances
158. What does “cry wolf” mean?
A) To raise a false alarm
B) To cry loudly
C) To seek attention
D) To complain
Answer: A) To raise a false alarm
159. What does “cut the mustard” mean?
A) To meet expectations or requirements
B) To prepare food
C) To fail at something
D) To cut something into pieces
Answer: A) To meet expectations or requirements
160. What does “don’t beat a dead horse” mean?
A) To stop discussing a topic that has already been settled
B) To continue arguing
C) To be persistent
D) To ignore a problem
Answer: A) To stop discussing a topic that has already been settled
161. What does “every dog has its day” mean?
A) Everyone will have a moment of success or happiness at some point
B) Dogs have a specific day for attention
C) Success is guaranteed
D) Everyone has a bad day
Answer: A) Everyone will have a moment of success or happiness at some point
162. What does “feel under the weather” mean?
A) To feel ill or unwell
B) To be happy
C) To enjoy the outdoors
D) To feel energized
Answer: A) To feel ill or unwell
163. What does “give someone the cold shoulder” mean?
A) To intentionally ignore or show indifference towards someone
B) To offer comfort
C) To support someone
D) To be friendly
Answer: A) To intentionally ignore or show indifference towards someone
164. What does “hit the nail on the head” mean?
A) To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
B) To make a mistake
C) To complete a task
D) To avoid a problem
Answer: A) To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
165. What does “in the nick of time” mean?
A) Just before it’s too late
B) At a specific moment
C) Too early
D) At a precise time
Answer: A) Just before it’s too late
166. What does “jump on the bandwagon” mean?
A) To join a popular activity or trend
B) To be skeptical
C) To avoid following trends
D) To be indifferent
Answer: A) To join a popular activity or trend
167. What does “keep your eyes peeled” mean?
A) To stay alert and watchful
B) To rest your eyes
C) To ignore details
D) To be sleepy
Answer: A) To stay alert and watchful
168. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) To reveal a secret inadvertently
B) To free a cat
C) To hide information
D) To be quiet
Answer: A) To reveal a secret inadvertently
169. What does “make a long story short” mean?
A) To summarize or shorten a lengthy explanation
B) To extend a story
C) To be detailed
D) To avoid explaining
Answer: A) To summarize or shorten a lengthy explanation
170. What does “no pain, no gain” mean?
A) Hard work and effort are required to achieve success
B) Success comes easily
C) Pain is not necessary
D) To avoid hard work
Answer: A) Hard work and effort are required to achieve success
171. What does “off the beaten path” mean?
A) A place or activity that is unconventional or less common
B) A common route
C) An easy journey
D) A popular location
Answer: A) A place or activity that is unconventional or less common
172. What does “play it by ear” mean?
A) To improvise or decide on the spot
B) To follow a plan
C) To be prepared
D) To be strict
Answer: A) To improvise or decide on the spot
173. What does “put a sock in it” mean?
A) To ask someone to be quiet
B) To speak loudly
C) To start a conversation
D) To discuss something
Answer: A) To ask someone to be quiet
174. What does “read between the lines” mean?
A) To understand the hidden meaning or implications of something
B) To read carefully
C) To ignore details
D) To be literal
Answer: A) To understand the hidden meaning or implications of something
175. What does “see eye to eye” mean?
A) To agree with someone
B) To look at someone
C) To avoid conflict
D) To have a different opinion
Answer: A) To agree with someone
176. What does “sweep under the rug” mean?
A) To hide or ignore a problem or issue
B) To clean a room
C) To address an issue
D) To be honest
Answer: A) To hide or ignore a problem or issue
177. What does “take a rain check” mean?
A) To defer or postpone something to a later time
B) To accept an offer immediately
C) To ignore an invitation
D) To decline politely
Answer: A) To defer or postpone something to a later time
178. What does “the ballpark figure” mean?
A) An approximate estimate or rough figure
B) A precise number
C) An exact measurement
D) A random guess
Answer: A) An approximate estimate or rough figure
179. What does “the tip of the iceberg” mean?
A) A small, visible part of a much larger issue
B) An obvious problem
C) A minor detail
D) A hidden object
Answer: A) A small, visible part of a much larger issue
180. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) To give up or admit defeat
B) To continue fighting
C) To clean up
D) To prepare for a challenge
Answer: A) To give up or admit defeat
181. What does “under the table” mean?
A) Done secretly or illegally
B) To be transparent
C) To work openly
D) To be honest
Answer: A) Done secretly or illegally
182. What does “water under the bridge” mean?
A) Past events or issues that are no longer important
B) A flowing river
C) An ongoing problem
D) A recent development
Answer: A) Past events or issues that are no longer important
183. What does “when pigs fly” mean?
A) Something that will never happen
B) An unusual event
C) An unlikely occurrence
D) A rare happening
Answer: A) Something that will never happen
184. What does “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink” mean?
A) You can provide opportunities, but you cannot force someone to take advantage of them
B) A horse will always drink when led to water
C) You should force others to act
D) Opportunities are not valuable
Answer: A) You can provide opportunities, but you cannot force someone to take advantage of them
185. What does “a penny for your thoughts” mean?
A) Asking someone to share their thoughts or opinions
B) Offering money for a thought
C) Giving advice
D) Ignoring someone’s ideas
Answer: A) Asking someone to share their thoughts or opinions
186. What does “a stitch in time saves nine” mean?
A) Taking care of a problem early prevents it from getting worse
B) Sewing quickly is unimportant
C) A single stitch is enough
D) Procrastination is acceptable
Answer: A) Taking care of a problem early prevents it from getting worse
187. What does “bark up the wrong tree” mean?
A) To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action
B) To be on the right path
C) To be successful
D) To be confused
Answer: A) To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action
188. What does “burn the midnight oil” mean?
A) To work late into the night
B) To waste time
C) To relax in the evening
D) To use oil for lighting
Answer: A) To work late into the night
189. What does “hit the jackpot” mean?
A) To achieve a great success or win a large prize
B) To miss an opportunity
C) To face failure
D) To lose something
Answer: A) To achieve a great success or win a large prize
190. What does “let sleeping dogs lie” mean?
A) To avoid mentioning or addressing a problem that could cause trouble
B) To wake up a dog
C) To be honest
D) To ignore a peaceful situation
Answer: A) To avoid mentioning or addressing a problem that could cause trouble
191. What does “pay through the nose” mean?
A) To pay a very high price
B) To receive a discount
C) To avoid paying
D) To negotiate a lower price
Answer: A) To pay a very high price
192. What does “put all your eggs in one basket” mean?
A) To risk everything on a single venture or opportunity
B) To save all your money
C) To be cautious
D) To invest in multiple ventures
Answer: A) To risk everything on a single venture or opportunity
193. What does “read the riot act” mean?
A) To reprimand or warn someone sternly
B) To read a book
C) To ignore bad behavior
D) To approve of actions
Answer: A) To reprimand or warn someone sternly
194. What does “spill the beans” mean?
A) To reveal confidential information or secrets
B) To cook beans
C) To clean up
D) To share a recipe
Answer: A) To reveal confidential information or secrets
195. What does “take a back seat” mean?
A) To assume a less important role
B) To drive a vehicle
C) To be the leader
D) To take control
Answer: A) To assume a less important role
196. What does “throw caution to the wind” mean?
A) To take a risk or act recklessly
B) To be careful
C) To plan carefully
D) To avoid danger
Answer: A) To take a risk or act recklessly
197. What does “turn over a new leaf” mean?
A) To start fresh or make a change for the better
B) To read a new book
C) To make a small change
D) To follow a routine
Answer: A) To start fresh or make a change for the better
198. What does “a blessing in disguise” mean?
A) Something that seems negative but has a positive outcome
B) A hidden gift
C) A curse
D) An obvious benefit
Answer: A) Something that seems negative but has a positive outcome
199. What does “a dime a dozen” mean?
A) Something very common and not valuable
B) An expensive item
C) A rare find
D) A special occasion
Answer: A) Something very common and not valuable
200. What does “all in a day’s work” mean?
A) Something that is normal or expected as part of one’s job
B) A long day
C) A day off
D) A surprise task
Answer: A) Something that is normal or expected as part of one’s job
201. What does “a chip on your shoulder” mean?
A) Holding a grudge or feeling resentful
B) Being cheerful
C) Having a new idea
D) Being creative
Answer: A) Holding a grudge or feeling resentful
202. What does “a dime a dozen” mean?
A) Something very common and cheap
B) A rare find
C) A valuable item
D) An unusual object
Answer: A) Something very common and cheap
203. What does “barking up the wrong tree” mean?
A) To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action
B) To be on the right track
C) To be lost
D) To be aggressive
Answer: A) To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action
204. What does “bite the bullet” mean?
A) To endure a painful or difficult situation bravely
B) To act impulsively
C) To avoid a challenge
D) To give up
Answer: A) To endure a painful or difficult situation bravely
205. What does “break the ice” mean?
A) To initiate conversation in a social setting
B) To break something physically
C) To end a discussion
D) To start a fight
Answer: A) To initiate conversation in a social setting
206. What does “burning the midnight oil” mean?
A) Working late into the night
B) Taking a break
C) Resting
D) Cleaning up
Answer: A) Working late into the night
207. What does “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
A) To be very expensive
B) To be affordable
C) To be valuable
D) To be cheap
Answer: A) To be very expensive
208. What does “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” mean?
A) Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does
B) To be optimistic
C) To plan ahead
D) To be patient
Answer: A) Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does
209. What does “every cloud has a silver lining” mean?
A) Every difficult situation has a hopeful aspect
B) All clouds are the same
C) Every problem has a solution
D) Good things come easily
Answer: A) Every difficult situation has a hopeful aspect
210. What does “feel the pinch” mean?
A) To experience financial difficulty
B) To feel pain
C) To be happy
D) To be rich
Answer: A) To experience financial difficulty
211. What does “give someone the benefit of the doubt” mean?
A) To assume the best in someone until proven otherwise
B) To criticize someone
C) To avoid giving advice
D) To be suspicious
Answer: A) To assume the best in someone until proven otherwise
212. What does “hit the hay” mean?
A) To go to bed
B) To start work
C) To be active
D) To take a break
Answer: A) To go to bed
213. What does “in hot water” mean?
A) In trouble or facing difficulties
B) In a comfortable situation
C) In a safe place
D) In a calm environment
Answer: A) In trouble or facing difficulties
214. What does “let off steam” mean?
A) To release pent-up emotions or energy
B) To take a break
C) To relax
D) To stay calm
Answer: A) To release pent-up emotions or energy
215. What does “make a mountain out of a molehill” mean?
A) To exaggerate a minor issue
B) To solve a big problem
C) To ignore an issue
D) To be realistic
Answer: A) To exaggerate a minor issue
216. What does “on the ball” mean?
A) Being alert and aware
B) Being lazy
C) Being confused
D) Being tired
Answer: A) Being alert and aware
217. What does “play it by ear” mean?
A) To improvise rather than follow a plan
B) To be organized
C) To follow instructions
D) To be strict
Answer: A) To improvise rather than follow a plan
218. What does “put your money where your mouth is” mean?
A) To back up your words with actions or financial support
B) To spend money frivolously
C) To talk without acting
D) To be generous
Answer: A) To back up your words with actions or financial support
219. What does “raining cats and dogs” mean?
A) Raining heavily
B) Raining lightly
C) Raining with animals
D) Not raining
Answer: A) Raining heavily
220. What does “see the writing on the wall” mean?
A) To recognize or foresee impending trouble
B) To read a book
C) To ignore a warning
D) To fix a problem
Answer: A) To recognize or foresee impending trouble
221. What does “sit on the fence” mean?
A) To remain neutral or indecisive
B) To be decisive
C) To avoid a situation
D) To support a decision
Answer: A) To remain neutral or indecisive
222. What does “spill the beans” mean?
A) To reveal a secret
B) To cook beans
C) To clean up
D) To share a recipe
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
223. What does “take it with a grain of salt” mean?
A) To view something with skepticism
B) To accept everything literally
C) To be generous
D) To ignore details
Answer: A) To view something with skepticism
224. What does “the last straw” mean?
A) The final problem that causes someone to lose patience
B) The first problem
C) A minor issue
D) A previous issue
Answer: A) The final problem that causes someone to lose patience
225. What does “through thick and thin” mean?
A) Sticking together in both good and bad times
B) Ignoring difficulties
C) Avoiding problems
D) Being inconsistent
Answer: A) Sticking together in both good and bad times
226. What does “under the weather” mean?
A) Feeling ill or unwell
B) Feeling happy
C) Feeling energetic
D) Feeling relaxed
Answer: A) Feeling ill or unwell
227. What does “a penny for your thoughts” mean?
A) Asking someone to share their thoughts
B) Offering money for advice
C) Ignoring someone’s opinions
D) Paying for a consultation
Answer: A) Asking someone to share their thoughts
228. What does “a piece of cake” mean?
A) Something very easy
B) A delicious dessert
C) An expensive item
D) A challenging task
Answer: A) Something very easy
229. What does “bite off more than you can chew” mean?
A) To take on more responsibilities than one can handle
B) To eat too much
C) To avoid a challenge
D) To do something easily
Answer: A) To take on more responsibilities than one can handle
230. What does “break a leg” mean?
A) Good luck (especially in theater)
B) To injure oneself
C) To fail
D) To act poorly
Answer: A) Good luck (especially in theater)
231. What does “drive someone up the wall” mean?
A) To irritate or annoy someone greatly
B) To support someone
C) To help someone
D) To comfort someone
Answer: A) To irritate or annoy someone greatly
232. What does “get cold feet” mean?
A) To become nervous or hesitant
B) To feel comfortable
C) To be excited
D) To be confident
Answer: A) To become nervous or hesitant
233. What does “hit the sack” mean?
A) To go to bed
B) To start working
C) To fight
D) To relax
Answer: A) To go to bed
234. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) To reveal a secret
B) To free a cat
C) To be quiet
D) To hide something
Answer: A) To reveal a secret
235. What does “put all your eggs in one basket” mean?
A) To risk everything on a single venture
B) To save resources
C) To spread risk
D) To invest in multiple ventures
Answer: A) To risk everything on a single venture
236. What does “run out of steam” mean?
A) To lose energy or enthusiasm
B) To gain momentum
C) To be active
D) To start a project
Answer: A) To lose energy or enthusiasm
237. What does “take the bull by the horns” mean?
A) To confront a problem directly
B) To avoid challenges
C) To be passive
D) To ignore issues
Answer: A) To confront a problem directly
238. What does “the ball is in your court” mean?
A) It’s up to you to make the next decision or take action
B) To be passive
C) To avoid making decisions
D) To take control
Answer: A) It’s up to you to make the next decision or take action
239. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) To give up or surrender
B) To start a new project
C) To continue trying
D) To win a contest
Answer: A) To give up or surrender
240. What does “under the table” mean?
A) Done secretly or illegally
B) To work hard
C) To be honest
D) To follow rules
Answer: A) Done secretly or illegally
241. What does “a fish out of water” mean?
A) Feeling uncomfortable or out of place
B) Being relaxed
C) Being confident
D) Adapting well
Answer: A) Feeling uncomfortable or out of place
242. What does “a house of cards” mean?
A) A structure or plan that is unstable and likely to fail
B) A well-organized plan
C) A successful venture
D) A strong foundation
Answer: A) A structure or plan that is unstable and likely to fail
243. What does “a slap on the wrist” mean?
A) A mild reprimand or punishment
B) A severe punishment
C) A reward
D) A compliment
Answer: A) A mild reprimand or punishment
244. What does “a storm in a teacup” mean?
A) A small problem that is made to seem bigger than it is
B) A major crisis
C) An exciting event
D) A calm situation
Answer: A) A small problem that is made to seem bigger than it is
245. What does “a taste of your own medicine” mean?
A) Experiencing the same treatment that you have given to others
B) Trying something new
C) Receiving a compliment
D) Enjoying a pleasant experience
Answer: A) Experiencing the same treatment that you have given to others
246. What does “a wild goose chase” mean?
A) A futile or pointless pursuit
B) A fun adventure
C) A successful search
D) A meaningful journey
Answer: A) A futile or pointless pursuit
247. What does “bite the dust” mean?
A) To die or be defeated
B) To succeed
C) To survive
D) To rest
Answer: A) To die or be defeated
248. What does “break the news” mean?
A) To announce or inform someone of important news
B) To ignore news
C) To create news
D) To delay news
Answer: A) To announce or inform someone of important news
249. What does “by the book” mean?
A) To follow rules or guidelines strictly
B) To be creative
C) To break rules
D) To be flexible
Answer: A) To follow rules or guidelines strictly
250. What does “cat’s out of the bag” mean?
A) A secret has been revealed
B) To hide a secret
C) To keep something private
D) To be unaware
Answer: A) A secret has been revealed
251. What does “put a sock in it” mean?
A) To be quiet
B) To start talking
C) To listen carefully
D) To be loud
Answer: A) To be quiet
252. What does “breathe new life into” mean?
A) To rejuvenate or revitalize something
B) To end something
C) To ignore something
D) To make something worse
Answer: A) To rejuvenate or revitalize something
253. What does “a penny saved is a penny earned” mean?
A) Saving money is as valuable as earning it
B) Money saved is not important
C) Spending money is important
D) Earning money is not valuable
Answer: A) Saving money is as valuable as earning it
254. What does “at the drop of a hat” mean?
A) Immediately or without hesitation
B) Slowly
C) With great difficulty
D) Reluctantly
Answer: A) Immediately or without hesitation
255. What does “beyond the pale” mean?
A) Outside the acceptable limits
B) Inside the limits
C) Within normal boundaries
D) Following rules
Answer: A) Outside the acceptable limits
256. What does “cry over spilt milk” mean?
A) To waste time worrying about something that has already happened
B) To cry for no reason
C) To be happy
D) To be careless
Answer: A) To waste time worrying about something that has already happened
257. What does “cut to the chase” mean?
A) To get to the point quickly
B) To chase after someone
C) To cut something short
D) To be indirect
Answer: A) To get to the point quickly
258. What does “every dog has its day” mean?
A) Everyone gets a chance eventually
B) Every day is the same
C) Dogs are unreliable
D) Some people never have success
Answer: A) Everyone gets a chance eventually
259. What does “feel under the weather” mean?
A) To feel ill or unwell
B) To feel excellent
C) To feel energetic
D) To feel joyful
Answer: A) To feel ill or unwell
260. What does “hit the jackpot” mean?
A) To achieve great success or win a large amount
B) To fail miserably
C) To start something new
D) To be average
Answer: A) To achieve great success or win a large amount
261. What does “in a nutshell” mean?
A) To explain something briefly
B) To be detailed
C) To be confusing
D) To elaborate
Answer: A) To explain something briefly
262. What does “jump on the bandwagon” mean?
A) To join others in doing something that is currently popular
B) To avoid trends
C) To start a new trend
D) To ignore popular activities
Answer: A) To join others in doing something that is currently popular
263. What does “let sleeping dogs lie” mean?
A) To avoid interfering with a situation that is currently peaceful
B) To wake up a dog
C) To make a situation worse
D) To create problems
Answer: A) To avoid interfering with a situation that is currently peaceful
264. What does “make a long story short” mean?
A) To summarize or shorten a story
B) To make a story longer
C) To be detailed
D) To avoid a story
Answer: A) To summarize or shorten a story
265. What does “money doesn’t grow on trees” mean?
A) Money is not easy to come by
B) Money is abundant
C) Money is easy to get
D) Money is free
Answer: A) Money is not easy to come by
266. What does “on the same page” mean?
A) To agree or be in agreement
B) To be confused
C) To be in disagreement
D) To be indifferent
Answer: A) To agree or be in agreement
267. What does “put the cart before the horse” mean?
A) To do things in the wrong order
B) To be efficient
C) To follow a process
D) To be systematic
Answer: A) To do things in the wrong order
268. What does “read between the lines” mean?
A) To understand a deeper or hidden meaning
B) To read quickly
C) To ignore details
D) To be literal
Answer: A) To understand a deeper or hidden meaning
269. What does “shoot the breeze” mean?
A) To have a casual conversation
B) To argue
C) To be silent
D) To be busy
Answer: A) To have a casual conversation
270. What does “speak of the devil” mean?
A) To mention someone who appears unexpectedly
B) To speak badly of someone
C) To avoid discussing someone
D) To ignore a person
Answer: A) To mention someone who appears unexpectedly
271. What does “the ball is in your court” mean?
A) It’s your turn to take action or make a decision
B) To be passive
C) To avoid responsibility
D) To follow orders
Answer: A) It’s your turn to take action or make a decision
272. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) To give up or admit defeat
B) To continue trying
C) To be victorious
D) To ignore challenges
Answer: A) To give up or admit defeat
273. What does “time flies when you’re having fun” mean?
A) Time seems to pass quickly when you’re enjoying yourself
B) Time moves slowly
C) Time is irrelevant
D) Time stands still
Answer: A) Time seems to pass quickly when you’re enjoying yourself
274. What does “turn a blind eye” mean?
A) To deliberately ignore something
B) To be observant
C) To help someone
D) To fix a problem
Answer: A) To deliberately ignore something
275. What does “under your nose” mean?
A) Something that is obvious and easily visible
B) Something hidden
C) Something distant
D) Something unclear
Answer: A) Something that is obvious and easily visible
276. What does “a leopard can’t change its spots” mean?
A) People cannot change their inherent nature
B) People can change easily
C) People can adapt
D) People can improve
Answer: A) People cannot change their inherent nature
277. What does “a stitch in time saves nine” mean?
A) Taking care of a problem early can prevent it from getting worse
B) Procrastination is acceptable
C) Avoid solving problems
D) Delay is beneficial
Answer: A) Taking care of a problem early can prevent it from getting worse
278. What does “add fuel to the fire” mean?
A) To make a bad situation worse
B) To help resolve a problem
C) To ignore a situation
D) To avoid issues
Answer: A) To make a bad situation worse
279. What does “all ears” mean?
A) Fully listening or paying attention
B) Not interested
C) Ignoring someone
D) Being confused
Answer: A) Fully listening or paying attention
280. What does “beyond belief” mean?
A) Something so incredible or astonishing that it’s hard to believe
B) Something easy to understand
C) Something simple
D) Something ordinary
Answer: A) Something so incredible or astonishing that it’s hard to believe
281. What does “buckle down” mean?
A) To start working hard or focusing
B) To avoid work
C) To relax
D) To be lazy
Answer: A) To start working hard or focusing
282. What does “cry wolf” mean?
A) To raise a false alarm or complain about something that isn’t true
B) To seek help
C) To tell the truth
D) To ask for assistance
Answer: A) To raise a false alarm or complain about something that isn’t true
283. What does “cut corners” mean?
A) To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality
B) To follow procedures
C) To be thorough
D) To be detailed
Answer: A) To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality
284. What does “dressed to the nines” mean?
A) Wearing very fashionable or formal clothing
B) Wearing casual clothes
C) Being underdressed
D) Being in pajamas
Answer: A) Wearing very fashionable or formal clothing
285. What does “feel the pinch” mean?
A) To experience financial difficulty
B) To feel pleasure
C) To be relaxed
D) To be indifferent
Answer: A) To experience financial difficulty
286. What does “go the extra mile” mean?
A) To make an extra effort beyond what is required
B) To do the minimum
C) To avoid effort
D) To take shortcuts
Answer: A) To make an extra effort beyond what is required
287. What does “hit the nail on the head” mean?
A) To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
B) To miss the point
C) To avoid a problem
D) To be vague
Answer: A) To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
288. What does “jump the gun” mean?
A) To start something too early
B) To delay a project
C) To finish something
D) To be late
Answer: A) To start something too early
289. What does “keep an eye on” mean?
A) To monitor or watch carefully
B) To ignore
C) To be careless
D) To avoid
Answer: A) To monitor or watch carefully
290. What does “let the cat out of the bag” mean?
A) To reveal a secret by accident
B) To keep a secret
C) To hide something
D) To ignore information
Answer: A) To reveal a secret by accident
291. What does “make ends meet” mean?
A) To manage to live within one’s financial means
B) To earn excessive money
C) To be financially irresponsible
D) To spend more than earned
Answer: A) To manage to live within one’s financial means
292. What does “more than meets the eye” mean?
A) Something that is more complex or interesting than it seems
B) Something simple
C) Something obvious
D) Something dull
Answer: A) Something that is more complex or interesting than it seems
293. What does “not playing with a full deck” mean?
A) To be mentally deficient or lacking intelligence
B) To be very intelligent
C) To be average
D) To be aware
Answer: A) To be mentally deficient or lacking intelligence
294. What does “on cloud nine” mean?
A) To be extremely happy
B) To be upset
C) To be angry
D) To be bored
Answer: A) To be extremely happy
295. What does “put your foot in your mouth” mean?
A) To say something embarrassing or inappropriate
B) To be quiet
C) To avoid speaking
D) To be polite
Answer: A) To say something embarrassing or inappropriate
296. What does “read the riot act” mean?
A) To scold or reprimand severely
B) To praise
C) To ignore
D) To reward
Answer: A) To scold or reprimand severely
297. What does “skeleton in the closet” mean?
A) A hidden or embarrassing secret
B) An obvious fact
C) A public record
D) A well-known event
Answer: A) A hidden or embarrassing secret
298. What does “sweep under the rug” mean?
A) To hide or ignore a problem
B) To address a problem
C) To clean thoroughly
D) To be honest
Answer: A) To hide or ignore a problem
299. What does “take it with a grain of salt” mean?
A) To view something with skepticism
B) To fully believe
C) To be naive
D) To ignore
Answer: A) To view something with skepticism
300. What does “throw in the towel” mean?
A) To surrender or give up
B) To continue fighting
C) To be victorious
D) To delay action
Answer: A) To surrender or give up
