Idioms and Phrases MCQs with Answers and Explanations for Competitive Exams

Question #1

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A bolt from the blue'.

A. A blue sky

B. A planned event

C. A sudden shock or surprise

D. A storm

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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
It means a sudden and unexpected event or shock.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #2

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A bone of contention'.

A. A source of bone

B. A healthy argument

C. A matter of dispute

D. A bone structure

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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
It refers to a subject or issue over which people disagree.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #3

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A dark horse'.

A. A slow runner

B. A black horse

C. A well-known champion

D. A little-known person who wins unexpectedly

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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
It describes someone who becomes successful unexpectedly.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #4

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A dime a dozen'.

A. A dozen items

B. Extremely rare

C. Very common

D. Worth a dime

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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
It means something very common and of little value.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #5

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A fish out of water'.

A. A person comfortable in any situation

B. A person feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings

C. A fish on land

D. An aquatic creature

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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
It describes someone who is out of their usual environment.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #6

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A hard nut to crack'.

A. An easy task

B. A nutritious nut

C. A difficult problem or person

D. A soft shell

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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
It means something or someone difficult to understand or deal with.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #7

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A red letter day'.

A. A memorable and joyful day

B. A day with red letters

C. A normal working day

D. A day of mourning

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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It denotes a special, happy, and important day.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #8

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A storm in a teacup'.

A. A big fuss about a small matter

B. A weather phenomenon

C. A serious storm

D. A tea party

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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It means a lot of anger or worry about something unimportant.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #9

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A white elephant'.

A. A rare white animal

B. A costly but useless possession

C. An auspicious gift

D. A powerful vehicle

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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
It describes an expensive item that is a burden to maintain.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #10

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'A wild goose chase'.

A. A bird-watching trip

B. A futile search or pursuit

C. Chasing wild geese

D. A successful hunt

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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
It refers to a hopeless and useless search.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #11

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'Add fuel to the fire'.

A. To calm someone down

B. To extinguish a fire

C. To worsen a situation

D. To cook food

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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
It means to make an already bad situation worse.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #12

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'Against the clock'.

A. In a hurry or race against time

B. Looking at the clock

C. In a relaxed manner

D. Repairing a clock

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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It means doing something as fast as possible to meet a deadline.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #13

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'All ears'.

A. Fully listening and attentive

B. Ignoring someone

C. Having many ears

D. Deaf

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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It means being eager to hear what someone has to say.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #14

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'An arm and a leg'.

A. A fair deal

B. A body part

C. A cheap price

D. A very high price

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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
It means something costs a lot of money.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #15

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'Apple of one's eye'.

A. An eye disease

B. A worthless person

C. Someone very dear or cherished

D. A fruit

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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
It refers to a person who is loved above all others.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #16

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'At the drop of a hat'.

A. With great difficulty

B. Never

C. Instantly; without any hesitation

D. After dropping a hat

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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
It means doing something immediately and willingly.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #17

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'At the eleventh hour'.

A. At the last possible moment

B. Early in the morning

C. At exactly eleven o'clock

D. After the deadline

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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It means doing something just before it is too late.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #18

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'Back to the drawing board'.

A. To draw a picture

B. To celebrate success

C. To go back to school

D. To start over after a failure

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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
It means to begin again because a plan has failed.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #19

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'Bad blood'.

A. A disease

B. Ill feeling or hostility

C. Unhealthy blood

D. Friendly relation

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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
It refers to feelings of anger and hatred between people.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #20

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom: 'Ball is in your court'.

A. You have lost the chance

B. A game of tennis

C. The ball is lost

D. It is your turn to take action

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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
It means the responsibility to act now lies with you.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

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