Idioms and Phrases MCQs with Answers and Explanations for Competitive Exams

Question #1

Share Report

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

A. A blue sky

B. A storm

C. A sudden shock or surprise

D. A planned event

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option C

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #2

Share Report

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

A. A bone structure

B. A healthy argument

C. A matter of dispute

D. A source of bone

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

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

Share Report

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

A. A little-known person who wins unexpectedly

B. A black horse

C. A slow runner

D. A well-known champion

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It describes someone who becomes successful unexpectedly.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #4

Share Report

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

A. A dozen items

B. Worth a dime

C. Very common

D. Extremely rare

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option C

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #5

Share Report

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

A. A fish on land

B. A person feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings

C. An aquatic creature

D. A person comfortable in any situation

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

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

Share Report

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

A. A difficult problem or person

B. A soft shell

C. An easy task

D. A nutritious nut

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option A

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #7

Share Report

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

A. A day of mourning

B. A normal working day

C. A memorable and joyful day

D. A day with red letters

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option C

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #8

Share Report

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

A. A weather phenomenon

B. A tea party

C. A serious storm

D. A big fuss about a small matter

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option D

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #9

Share Report

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

A. An auspicious gift

B. A costly but useless possession

C. A rare white animal

D. A powerful vehicle

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

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

Share Report

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

A. A futile search or pursuit

B. Chasing wild geese

C. A successful hunt

D. A bird-watching trip

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It refers to a hopeless and useless search.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #11

Share Report

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

A. To cook food

B. To calm someone down

C. To extinguish a fire

D. To worsen a situation

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option D

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #12

Share Report

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

A. Looking at the clock

B. Repairing a clock

C. In a hurry or race against time

D. In a relaxed manner

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option C

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #13

Share Report

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

A. Fully listening and attentive

B. Ignoring someone

C. Having many ears

D. Deaf

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

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

Share Report

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

A. A body part

B. A very high price

C. A cheap price

D. A fair deal

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
It means something costs a lot of money.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #15

Share Report

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

A. A worthless person

B. A fruit

C. An eye disease

D. Someone very dear or cherished

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option D

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #16

Share Report

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

A. Instantly; without any hesitation

B. Never

C. With great difficulty

D. After dropping a hat

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
It means doing something immediately and willingly.

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #17

Share Report

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

A. At the last possible moment

B. Early in the morning

C. After the deadline

D. At exactly eleven o'clock

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

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

Share Report

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

A. To start over after a failure

B. To go back to school

C. To celebrate success

D. To draw a picture

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option A

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #19

Share Report

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

A. Friendly relation

B. A disease

C. Unhealthy blood

D. Ill feeling or hostility

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option D

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Question #20

Share Report

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

A. A game of tennis

B. The ball is lost

C. It is your turn to take action

D. You have lost the chance

View Answer & Solution Discuss

Get Complete Subject PDF for English

Correct Answer: Option C

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

This question belongs to: English Idioms and phrases

Idioms and phrases MCQs

Practice Questions

More English Topics