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Questions 51–75 of 242 Idioms and Phrases MCQs — start at page 1 for an overview.

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51

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

In the armed forces, it is considered a great privilege to “die in harness.” What does the phrase "die in harness" mean?

Correct answer: C

A
die on a horse back
B
die in the battlefield
C
die while still working
Correct
D
die with honour
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "die in harness" means to die while still actively working or serving, especially in a job or duty. This matches option C, "die while still working."

52

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase 'to make a clean breast of' mean?

Correct answer: C

A
To gain prominence
B
To praise oneself
C
To confess without reserve
Correct
D
To destroy before it blooms
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase 'to make a clean breast of' means to confess something completely and without reservation. Option C correctly captures this meaning, while the other options do not.

53

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

"Best of both worlds" means ________?

Correct answer: C

A
A phrase implying that a person is never satisfied with their current situation; they think others have it better
B
People’s intentions can be judged better by what they do than by what they say
C
A situation wherein someone has the privilege of enjoying two different opportunities
Correct
D
Just the information I have on the subject
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "best of both worlds" means having the advantage of two different opportunities or situations at the same time, which matches option C.

54

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "when pigs fly" mean?

Correct answer: C

A
something that is easy to do
B
raining very heavily
C
something that will never happen or is impossible
Correct
D
miss the chance
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "when pigs fly" is an idiomatic expression used to indicate that something is impossible or will never happen. Therefore, option C is correct.

55

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "to cry wolf" mean?

Correct answer: B

A
To listen eagerly
B
To give false alarm
Correct
C
To turn pale
D
To keep off starvation
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "to cry wolf" means to give a false alarm or raise a false warning, which matches option B. This idiom originates from the fable where a boy repeatedly falsely claims a wolf is attacking, causing others to ignore him when the wolf actually appears.

56

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the idiom "spill the beans" mean?

Correct answer: B

A
Frivolously performing a simple task
B
Reveal someone’s secret
Correct
C
To stop something at an early stage
D
Frivolously performing a simple task
Explanation and memory cue

The idiom "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept confidential. Option B correctly defines this idiom.

57

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

"Achilles’ heel" means _____?

Correct answer: B

A
To action a task; to initiate work
B
A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength
Correct
C
A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage
D
To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "Achilles' heel" refers to a fatal weakness despite overall strength, originating from Greek mythology where Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel.

58

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "bird brain" mean?

Correct answer: A

A
A person that is not too smart; a person that acts stupid
Correct
B
A person that is too smart; a person that acts sharp
C
A person that is too lazy; a person that acts dull
D
A person that is too angry; a person that acts hastily
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "bird brain" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is not very intelligent or acts foolishly, which matches option A.

59

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase 'to leave someone in the lurch' mean?

Correct answer: D

A
To come to compromise with someone
B
Constant source of annoyance to someone
C
To put someone at ease
D
To desert someone in his difficulties
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase 'to leave someone in the lurch' means to abandon or desert someone when they are in difficulty or need. Option D correctly reflects this meaning.

60

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "To hit the nail right on the head" mean?

Correct answer: A

A
To say something that is exactly right or completely true
Correct
B
To destroy one’s reputation
C
To announce one’s fixed views
D
To teach someone a lesson
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "to hit the nail right on the head" means to say or do something that is exactly right or accurate. Option A correctly captures this meaning, while the other options do not.

61

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

"Chew the fat" means _______?

Correct answer: D

A
To action a task; to initiate work
B
To become silent; to stop talking
C
To take offense; to get worked up, aggravated, or annoyed
D
To chat idly or generally waste time talking
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "chew the fat" is an idiomatic expression meaning to chat idly or engage in casual, leisurely conversation. Therefore, option D correctly captures this meaning.

62

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "feel blue" mean?

Correct answer: A

A
Feel Sad
Correct
B
Feel happy
C
Feel energetic
D
Feel angry
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "feel blue" is an idiomatic expression in English that means to feel sad or depressed. Therefore, option A is the correct meaning of the phrase.

63

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "wild goose chase" mean?

Correct answer: A

A
A foolish and hopeless search for or pursuit of something unattainable
Correct
B
To take credit for something someone else did
C
To not take what someone says too seriously; to treat someone’s words with a degree of skepticism
D
A phrase implying that one is not proficient at performing a particular task and that they should not try to perform the task professionally
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "wild goose chase" means a foolish and hopeless pursuit of something unattainable, which matches option A exactly. The other options describe different idioms or concepts unrelated to this phrase.

64

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "like a sitting duck" mean?

Correct answer: D

A
Lazy
B
Fat
C
Sleepy
D
Ignorant
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "like a sitting duck" means being vulnerable or an easy target, often implying defenselessness or exposure to danger. It does not mean lazy, fat, or sleepy. Among the given options, "Ignorant" is the closest because it can imply being unaware or defenseless, making one vulnerable. However, none of the options perfectly capture the meaning, but "Ignorant" fits better than "Lazy."

65

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase 'a bitter pill' mean?

Correct answer: C

A
Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy
B
A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with
C
A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted
Correct
D
When an attempt fails, and it’s time to start planning all over again
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase 'a bitter pill' refers to an unpleasant fact or situation that must be accepted, which matches option C. The other options describe different idioms or concepts.

66

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the term "fender bender" mean?

Correct answer: C

A
A mammoth car accident
B
A huge car accident
C
A small car accident
Correct
D
A major car accident
Explanation and memory cue

The term "fender bender" is commonly used to describe a minor or small car accident, typically involving minor damage to the vehicle's fender area. Therefore, option C is correct.

67

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

He “passed himself off” as a noble man. What does this phrase mean?

Correct answer: B

A
Was regarded as
B
Pretended to be
Correct
C
Was thought to be
D
Was looked upon
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "passed himself off as" means to pretend to be someone else, often to deceive others. Therefore, "Pretended to be" is the correct interpretation.

68

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

Do not trust a man who "blows his own trumpet".

Correct answer: D

A
flatters
B
praises others
C
admonishes others
D
praises himself
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "blows his own trumpet" means to praise oneself or boast. Therefore, the correct interpretation is that the man praises himself, making option D correct.

69

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase 'to pick holes' mean?

Correct answer: C

A
To find some reason to quarrel
B
To destroy something
C
To criticize someone
Correct
D
To cut some part of an item
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase 'to pick holes' means to find faults or weaknesses in something, often in a critical or nitpicking manner. It involves criticizing or pointing out flaws, usually in an argument, idea, or plan. While option A ('To find some reason to quarrel') is close, the more accurate meaning is option C ('To criticize someone'), as 'picking holes' specifically refers to fault-finding or criticism rather than just quarrelling. This is supported by multiple idiom dictionaries and language resources which define 'pick holes' as to criticize or find faults, often excessively or unnecessarily.

70

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Idioms and Phrases

medium
English

What does the phrase "basket case" mean?

Correct answer: D

A
An area of vulnerability
B
Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow escape from a disaster
C
To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally or to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant
D
One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, or stress
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "basket case" is commonly used to describe someone who is made powerless or ineffective due to nerves, panic, or stress, which matches option D. The other options do not accurately define this idiom.

71

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "raining cats and dogs" mean?

Correct answer: A

A
Raining very heavily
Correct
B
Easy option
C
Very rarely
D
One who presents a counter argument
Explanation and memory cue

The idiom "raining cats and dogs" means it is raining very heavily or pouring rain. This is a common English expression used to describe intense rainfall.

72

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

What does the phrase "Your guess is as good as mine" mean?

Correct answer: D

A
Join a popular trend or activity
B
To hear something from the authoritative source
C
To know the answer
D
To have no idea
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "Your guess is as good as mine" means that the speaker has no idea or knowledge about the answer, indicating uncertainty or lack of information.

73

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

I met him after a long time, but he gave me "the cold shoulder." What does this phrase mean?

Correct answer: D

A
scolded me
B
insulted me
C
abused me
D
ignored me
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase "gave me the cold shoulder" means to deliberately ignore someone or show them indifference, which matches option D, "ignored me." The other options do not accurately reflect this idiomatic meaning.

74

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

You are ____ your time trying to persuade him; he will never help you.

Correct answer: D

A
missing
B
losing
C
spending
D
wasting
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The phrase 'wasting your time' is the correct idiomatic expression meaning spending time on something unproductive. The other options do not fit idiomatically in this context.

75

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Idioms and Phrases

easy
English

She goes to her mother’s house off and on. What does the idiom/phrase "off and on" mean?

Correct answer: D

A
frequently
B
rarely
C
occasionally
D
sometimes
Correct
Explanation and memory cue

The idiom "off and on" means "sometimes" or "occasionally," but among the options, "sometimes" (D) is the most accurate and commonly used equivalent. "Occasionally" (C) is close but less commonly used in this context. Therefore, "sometimes" is the best choice.