IDIOMS & PHRASES – PRACTICE SET-2 – SOLVED

1. He has turned the tables on his enemy.
A) Behaved hospitably towards    B) Hit
C) Created obstacle for       D) Changed possible defeat into victory

2. The trial was so important that the entire proceedings were held in camera.
A) A secret B) In strict vigilance
C) Not open to the public   D) Amidst great security

3. His prodigal son was a constant source of trouble to him.
A) Given into bad habits    B) Poor and miserly
C) Extravagant         D) Step-son

4. The failure of crops in successive years put the farmer in a tight corner.
A) In a closed room B) In a small field
C) In a difficult situation D) In a meadow

5. The effort to trace the culprit was a wild goose chase.
A) Fruitful hunting B) Futile search
C) Ideal seeking D) Genuine effort

6. The story does not hold water.
A) Does not deserve appreciation B) Does not fulfil the requirement
C) Cannot be believed D) Cannot be valued

7. Raj couldn’t pay the bill, so he asked the owner to put it on the cuff.
A) On credit B) Against his credit card
C) In his bank account D) In his friend’s account

8. His statement is out and out a lie.
A) Totally B) Simply
C) Merely D) Slightly

9. The luxury car that they bought turned out to be a white elephant.
A) A rare article B) Useful mode of transport
C) Costly or troublesome possession D) A proud possession

10. If you are fair and square in your work you will definitely prosper.
A) Active B) Honest
C) Business like D) Authoritative

11. There is no love lost between any two neighbouring countries in the world.
A) Stop loving B) Not on good terms
C) Forming a group D) Have good understanding

12. The heavy downpour played havoc in the coastal area.
A) Caused destruction B) Caused diseases
C) Caused floods D) Caused hardship

13. To have a green thumb means
A) One’s nails are painted green B) One is artistic
C) To have a natural interest in gardening D) One has a green tattoo on the thumb

14. To work on this project is like flogging a dead horse.
A) Harp upon a question that has been settled B) Dragging something too far
C) Over-spending money D) To kick a horse

15. The smell from the kitchen makes my mouth water.
A) Makes me giddy B) Makes me vomit
C) Stimulates my appetite D) Makes me sick

16. The cashier wiped the nose of his employer by presenting false bills.
A) Abused B) Cheated
C) Slapped D) Doomed

17. It is time that professors came down from their ivory towers and studied the real needs of present day students.
A) Expensive fee B) Detachment and seclusion
C) Dreamlands D) A tower made of ivory

18. She was in a brown study and did not notice my entrance.
A) Sleep B) Dream
C) Fear D) Reverie

19. I have a bone to pick with you in this matter.
A) Am angry B) Selfish motive
C) Selfless motive D) Desire

20. She is quite at sea and does not know what course of action to take in the matter.
A) At ease B) Displeased
C) Perplexed D) Danger

21. My friend got the sack from his first job.
A) Resigned B) Got tired of
C) Was dismissed from D) Was demoted from

22. The inspector was caught red handed.
A) Quickly B) Caught in the act of committing the crime
C) Caught with dirty hands D) Found with hands tied

23. His boss was always breathing down his neck.
A) Shouting loudly at him B) Giving him strenuous work
C) Abusing and ill-treating him D) Watching all his actions closely

24. She was on the horns of a dilemma as she had either to leave her job or divorce her husband.
A) In nervous condition B) In terrible mood
C) In difficult situation D) In suspense

25. The young boy was kicking his heels in spite of her mother’s stern warnings.
A) Playing happily B) Kicking someone
C) Wasting time D) Passing a gesture of disrespect

ANSWER KEY 

Solution with explanation

2. Option ‘C’ (not open to the public). HELD IN  CAMERA =  This phrase is  often used to  mean a  meeting between the judge and attorneys in chambers  (another meaning of “camera”), and  not in  public in the courtroom. Often, when a record is needed, a court reporter takes down the  conversation, but bystanders and spectators cannot hear  what is said,  so people  can speak in  confidence and privacy.

3. Option ‘C’ (extravagant).  EXTRAVAGANT = spending  much more than is necessary  or wise;  wasteful

14. Option ‘A’ (Harp upon a question that has been settled). HARP UPON = to talk about something to an excessive degree; dwell on something; e.g.

Every day my teacher harps on the importance of getting to class on time.

15. Option ‘C’ (Stimulates my appetite). APPETITE = the feeling that you want to eat food

17. Option ‘B’ (Detachment and seclusion). DETACHMENT = a feeling of not being emotionally involved. SECLUSION = the state of being private and away from other people.

18. Option ‘D’ (Reverie). REVERIE = (a state of having) pleasant dream-like thoughts; e.g.

He was  lost in reverie until he suddenly heard someone behind him.

20. Option ‘C’ (Perplexed). PEPLEXED = puzzled

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