IDIOMS & PHRASES – PRACTICE SET-11 – SOLVED

1. Make one’s mark
A) distinguish oneself      B) score high marks
C) highlight something in a page      D) reveal something

2. Throw in the towel
A) fight with vigour      B) acknowledge defeat
C) get success      D) concentrate more

3. Mare’s nest
A) phenomenal discovery      B) worthless thing
C) joyful event      D) huge mistake

4. A storm in a teacup
A) steam while having tea      B) something which encourages
C) big fuss over a small matter      D) special positions

5. Blue-blooded
A) inferior      B) of noble birth
C) of unknown origin      D) unhealthy

6. Do a roaring trade
A) in the animal business      B) highly successful
C) in the habit of shouting at others      D) extremely reluctant 

7. Keep body and soul together
A) maintain his health      B) continue with his work
C) to have just enough to sustain      D) be physical and spiritual

8. Will-o’-the-wisp
A) smoky place      B) marsh land
C) unreal imagining      D) rumour whispered by many

9. Cloak-and-dagger
A) an armoured suit      B) a game of martial skill
C) an activity that involves mystery and secrecy      D) a wide coat without sleeves and a small sword

10. Palm off
A) clearly visible      B) uneasy with something
C) to dispose of with the intent to deceive      D) conceal

Answer Keys

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘A’ (distinguish oneself). Distinguish yourself = to do something so well that you are admired and praised for it; e.g.

He distinguished himself as a writer at a very early age.

2. Option ‘B’ (acknowledge defeat). Acknowledge defeat = to admit defeat

3. Option ‘B’ (worthless thing). Mare’s nest = mare’s-nest = discovery imagined to be important but proving worthless

NOTE: A mare’s nest is here being used to symbolize something that does not exist, as horses do not make nests.

4. Option ‘C’ (big fuss over a small matter). Fuss = Fuss is anxious or  excited behaviour which serves no useful purpose.

5. Option ‘B’ (of noble birth). Noble =  belonging to a high social rank in a society, especially by birth

6. Option ‘B’ (highly successful). Roaring = powerful

7. Option ‘C’ (to have just enough to sustain). Sustain = to keepalive

10. Option ‘C’ (to dispose off with the intent to deceive). Dispose of = if you dispose of something that you no longer want or need, you throw it away or give it to someone; e.g.

Hundreds of used computers had to be disposed of.

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For chapters/topics on English Grammar read the following book authored by me.

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