Practice these important Idioms and Phrases MCQs for SSC, Banking, Railway, NDA, Defence and other competitive examinations. Each question focuses on the meaning and correct usage of commonly asked English idioms and phrases.
Q1. What is the meaning of the idiom “A blessing in disguise”?
A. A hidden problem
B. Something that seems bad but turns out to be beneficial
C. A religious ceremony
D. An unexpected punishment
View Answer
“A blessing in disguise” refers to something that initially appears unfortunate but later proves to be advantageous.
Q2. What does “Beat around the bush” mean?
A. To avoid talking about the main issue
B. To work very hard
C. To search for something
D. To speak honestly
View Answer
“To beat around the bush” means to avoid addressing the main point directly.
Q3. What is meant by “Break the ice”?
A. To end a friendship
B. To create a problem
C. To start a friendly conversation
D. To become angry
View Answer
“To break the ice” means to make people feel more comfortable and begin interaction in a social situation.
Q4. “Once in a blue moon” means:
A. Every day
B. Very frequently
C. At night
D. Very rarely
View Answer
“Once in a blue moon” describes something that happens very rarely.
Q5. What does “Hit the nail on the head” mean?
A. To do carpentry work
B. To say or do exactly the right thing
C. To make a mistake
D. To hurt someone
View Answer
“To hit the nail on the head” means to identify or express something exactly and accurately.
Q6. What is the meaning of “Spill the beans”?
A. To waste food
B. To reveal a secret
C. To cook badly
D. To make a mess
View Answer
“To spill the beans” means to disclose secret or confidential information.
Q7. “A piece of cake” means:
A. Something very easy
B. Something expensive
C. Something delicious
D. Something impossible
View Answer
If something is “a piece of cake,” it is very easy to do.
Q8. What does “Cost an arm and a leg” mean?
A. To cause physical injury
B. To be extremely expensive
C. To require hard work
D. To lose everything
View Answer
If something “costs an arm and a leg,” it is extremely expensive.
Q9. “Under the weather” means:
A. Standing outside
B. Feeling slightly ill
C. Feeling very happy
D. Working outdoors
View Answer
“To be under the weather” means to feel unwell or slightly sick.
Q10. What does “Call it a day” mean?
A. Name a particular day
B. Celebrate an occasion
C. Stop working for the day
D. Start working
View Answer
“To call it a day” means to stop an activity, especially work, for the rest of the day.
Q11. “Burn the midnight oil” means:
A. Waste electricity
B. Work late into the night
C. Sleep early
D. Start a fire
View Answer
“To burn the midnight oil” means to work or study until late at night.
Q12. What does “In hot water” mean?
A. Taking a bath
B. Being in trouble
C. Feeling relaxed
D. Working hard
View Answer
“To be in hot water” means to be in difficulty or trouble.
Q13. “Let the cat out of the bag” means:
A. Release an animal
B. Reveal a secret accidentally
C. Start an argument
D. Escape from danger
View Answer
“To let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret, often unintentionally.
Q14. What does “On cloud nine” mean?
A. Extremely happy
B. Extremely tired
C. Confused
D. Angry
View Answer
“To be on cloud nine” means to be extremely happy or delighted.
Q15. “A storm in a teacup” means:
A. A serious natural disaster
B. A great celebration
C. A lot of fuss over a small matter
D. A sudden change in weather
View Answer
“A storm in a teacup” describes unnecessary excitement or anger about a relatively minor issue.
Q16. What does “Add fuel to the fire” mean?
A. Put out a fire
B. Make a situation worse
C. Start cooking
D. Solve a problem
View Answer
“To add fuel to the fire” means to worsen an already difficult or tense situation.
Q17. “Bite the bullet” means:
A. Eat quickly
B. Face a difficult situation bravely
C. Avoid responsibility
D. Lose an argument
View Answer
“To bite the bullet” means to accept and endure something difficult or unpleasant.
Q18. What does “The ball is in your court” mean?
A. You have lost the game
B. It is your turn to take action
C. You should play a sport
D. Someone has defeated you
View Answer
“The ball is in your court” means that it is now your responsibility or turn to make a decision or take action.
Q19. “Go the extra mile” means:
A. Travel a long distance
B. Make an additional effort
C. Avoid work
D. Walk slowly
View Answer
“To go the extra mile” means to make more effort than is normally expected.
Q20. What does “Keep an eye on” mean?
A. Close your eyes
B. Watch carefully
C. Ignore something
D. Look away
View Answer
“To keep an eye on” something means to watch or monitor it carefully.
Q21. “Make both ends meet” means:
A. Join two things
B. Manage one’s income and expenses
C. Meet two people
D. Finish a journey
View Answer
“To make both ends meet” means to manage financially within one’s available income.
Q22. What does “Miss the boat” mean?
A. Fail to catch a boat
B. Lose an opportunity
C. Travel by sea
D. Arrive early
View Answer
“To miss the boat” means to lose or fail to take advantage of an opportunity.
Q23. “Pull someone’s leg” means:
A. Hurt someone physically
B. Tease or joke with someone
C. Help someone walk
D. Argue with someone
View Answer
“To pull someone’s leg” means to tease someone playfully or joke with them.
Q24. What does “See eye to eye” mean?
A. Look directly at someone
B. Agree with someone
C. Avoid someone
D. Challenge someone
View Answer
“To see eye to eye” means to agree completely or have the same opinion.
Q25. “Take it with a grain of salt” means:
A. Add salt to food
B. Believe something completely
C. Treat information with some doubt
D. Ignore everyone
View Answer
“To take something with a grain of salt” means to remain somewhat skeptical about its truth or accuracy.
Q26. What does “Through thick and thin” mean?
A. In good and bad times
B. Very quickly
C. Without thinking
D. In difficult weather only
View Answer
“Through thick and thin” means remaining loyal or continuing despite difficulties and changing circumstances.
Q27. “Turn a blind eye” means:
A. Become blind
B. Refuse to see or acknowledge something
C. Observe carefully
D. Help someone
View Answer
“To turn a blind eye” means deliberately ignoring something that one should notice or address.
Q28. What does “A leopard cannot change its spots” mean?
A. Animals cannot change colour
B. People cannot easily change their basic nature
C. Nature always changes
D. Appearance is important
View Answer
The idiom suggests that a person’s fundamental character or habits are difficult to change.
Q29. “Cry over spilt milk” means:
A. Waste food
B. Regret something that cannot be undone
C. Become thirsty
D. Complain about food
View Answer
“To cry over spilt milk” means to be upset about a past event that cannot be changed.
Q30. What does “Every cloud has a silver lining” mean?
A. Clouds contain silver
B. Every difficult situation has some positive aspect
C. Good weather follows rain
D. Problems never end
View Answer
The idiom expresses the idea that even unpleasant situations may contain something beneficial or hopeful.
Q31. “Actions speak louder than words” means:
A. Words are always useless
B. What people do is more important than what they say
C. Speaking loudly is effective
D. Actions should be avoided
View Answer
The idiom emphasizes that actual behaviour provides stronger evidence than promises or statements.
Q32. What does “A bird’s-eye view” mean?
A. A view from a very high position
B. A view of birds
C. A detailed examination
D. A secret observation
View Answer
“A bird’s-eye view” means a general view of something from above or from a high position.
Q33. “At the eleventh hour” means:
A. Very early
B. At the last possible moment
C. At eleven o’clock every day
D. After midnight
View Answer
“At the eleventh hour” refers to doing something at the very last moment before it is too late.
Q34. What does “By leaps and bounds” mean?
A. Very slowly
B. Rapidly and significantly
C. Without effort
D. Randomly
View Answer
“By leaps and bounds” means increasing or progressing very rapidly.
Q35. “In black and white” means:
A. In two colours
B. In writing or clearly documented
C. In darkness
D. In confusion
View Answer
“If something is in black and white,” it is written down or presented clearly and explicitly.
Q36. What does “In the long run” mean?
A. Immediately
B. After a short race
C. Over a long period of time
D. During travel
View Answer
“In the long run” refers to the eventual result or effect over an extended period.
Q37. “Out of the blue” means:
A. From the sky
B. Completely unexpectedly
C. Very slowly
D. With preparation
View Answer
“Out of the blue” describes something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly.
Q38. What does “On the spur of the moment” mean?
A. After careful planning
B. Without prior planning
C. At a fixed time
D. After receiving advice
View Answer
“On the spur of the moment” means doing something suddenly and without preparation.
Q39. “A red-letter day” means:
A. A dangerous day
B. An ordinary day
C. A memorable or important day
D. A holiday every week
View Answer
“A red-letter day” is a particularly memorable, happy or significant day.
Q40. What does “A close shave” mean?
A. A careful haircut
B. A narrow escape from danger
C. A close friendship
D. A small victory
View Answer
“A close shave” means a situation in which someone narrowly avoids danger or an unpleasant outcome.
Q41. “A fish out of water” refers to someone who is:
A. Very comfortable
B. In an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation
C. Extremely successful
D. Very hungry
View Answer
“A fish out of water” describes someone who feels uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar environment.
Q42. What does “A storm is brewing” mean?
A. Rain is certain
B. Trouble is developing
C. A journey has begun
D. Peace is approaching
View Answer
“A storm is brewing” can figuratively mean that trouble, conflict or difficulty is developing.
Q43. “Add insult to injury” means:
A. Help an injured person
B. Make a bad situation even worse
C. Apologize for a mistake
D. Avoid an argument
View Answer
“To add insult to injury” means to make an already unpleasant situation worse by adding another problem or humiliation.
Q44. What does “Back to square one” mean?
A. To win easily
B. To return to the beginning after a failure
C. To change direction
D. To finish a task
View Answer
“Back to square one” means having to start again from the beginning.
Q45. “Barking up the wrong tree” means:
A. Climbing a tree
B. Following the wrong idea or course of action
C. Protecting someone
D. Searching carefully
View Answer
“To bark up the wrong tree” means to pursue a mistaken assumption or direct one’s efforts toward the wrong person or thing.
Q46. What does “Beggars can’t be choosers” mean?
A. Poor people should never work
B. People with few options cannot demand the best choice
C. Everyone should beg
D. Choices are always easy
View Answer
The proverb means that when one’s choices are limited, one cannot be overly selective.
Q47. “Bite off more than you can chew” means:
A. Eat too quickly
B. Take on more responsibility than you can handle
C. Refuse to work
D. Save resources
View Answer
The idiom refers to accepting a task or responsibility that is beyond one’s ability or capacity.
Q48. What does “Break a leg” mean?
A. Get injured
B. Good luck
C. Stop performing
D. Work harder
View Answer
“Break a leg” is an idiomatic way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Q49. “Call the shots” means:
A. Fire a weapon
B. Make important decisions
C. Avoid responsibility
D. Ask for permission
View Answer
“To call the shots” means to be the person who makes important decisions or controls a situation.
Q50. What does “Cut corners” mean?
A. Cut paper into shapes
B. Do something cheaply or carelessly by skipping proper steps
C. Improve quality
D. Take a longer route
View Answer
“To cut corners” means to save time, money or effort by not following the proper procedure.
Q51. “Get cold feet” means:
A. Feel physically cold
B. Become nervous and lose confidence before doing something
C. Run away from home
D. Become ill
View Answer
“To get cold feet” means to become nervous or afraid about doing something that one had planned to do.
Q52. What does “Give someone the benefit of the doubt” mean?
A. Punish someone
B. Believe someone may be innocent despite uncertainty
C. Ignore evidence
D. Refuse to listen
View Answer
It means choosing to believe that someone is telling the truth or acted properly when there is uncertainty.
Q53. “Go cold turkey” means:
A. Travel during winter
B. Stop a habit or substance suddenly
C. Eat cold food
D. Avoid travelling
View Answer
“To go cold turkey” means to stop a habit, especially an addictive one, abruptly and completely.
Q54. What does “Hang in there” mean?
A. Stay suspended
B. Remain patient and do not give up
C. Leave immediately
D. Become angry
View Answer
“Hang in there” is used to encourage someone to remain persistent during a difficult period.
Q55. “Jump on the bandwagon” means:
A. Join a popular activity or trend
B. Travel by bus
C. Avoid a popular idea
D. Start an argument
View Answer
“To jump on the bandwagon” means to join something because it is currently popular or successful.
Q56. What does “Keep something at bay” mean?
A. Keep something nearby
B. Prevent something from approaching or becoming a problem
C. Hide something permanently
D. Increase a problem
View Answer
“To keep something at bay” means to prevent it from becoming a threat or problem.
Q57. “Leave no stone unturned” means:
A. Destroy everything
B. Search thoroughly
C. Give up quickly
D. Avoid investigation
View Answer
“To leave no stone unturned” means to make every possible effort to find or achieve something.
Q58. What does “Read between the lines” mean?
A. Read very quickly
B. Find a hidden or implied meaning
C. Skip some sentences
D. Read aloud
View Answer
“To read between the lines” means to understand a meaning that is not directly stated.
Q59. “Sit on the fence” means:
A. Rest outdoors
B. Avoid choosing a side
C. Make a firm decision
D. Watch a game
View Answer
“To sit on the fence” means to remain neutral or undecided rather than choosing between alternatives.
Q60. What does “Take the bull by the horns” mean?
A. Avoid danger
B. Face a difficult situation boldly
C. Run away from a problem
D. Control an animal
View Answer
“To take the bull by the horns” means to deal with a difficult situation directly and confidently.
Q61. “The last straw” means:
A. The final problem that makes a situation unbearable
B. The beginning of a problem
C. A useful solution
D. A small achievement
View Answer
“The last straw” is the final difficulty in a series of problems that makes a person unable to tolerate the situation any longer.
Q62. What does “Throw in the towel” mean?
A. Start a competition
B. Give up
C. Clean something
D. Challenge someone
View Answer
“To throw in the towel” means to admit defeat or stop trying.
Q63. “Up in arms” means:
A. Physically elevated
B. Very angry or protesting
C. Ready to sleep
D. Completely relaxed
View Answer
“To be up in arms” means to be very angry about something and often to protest against it.
Q64. What does “Wrap your head around something” mean?
A. Cover your head
B. Understand something difficult
C. Forget something
D. Avoid a problem
View Answer
“To wrap your head around something” means to understand or comprehend a difficult idea or situation.
Q65. “Your guess is as good as mine” means:
A. I know the answer
B. I have no idea either
C. You are definitely correct
D. I disagree with you
View Answer
The expression means that the speaker knows no more about the matter than the person asking.
Q66. What does “A dime a dozen” mean?
A. Very expensive
B. Very common and easy to find
C. Very rare
D. Extremely valuable
View Answer
“A dime a dozen” describes things that are very common and therefore not considered special or valuable.
Q67. “A hard nut to crack” means:
A. A difficult person or problem to deal with
B. An easy task
C. A tasty food item
D. A physical injury
View Answer
“A hard nut to crack” refers to a difficult problem or a person who is difficult to understand or persuade.
Q68. What does “A man of letters” mean?
A. A postman
B. A learned person or literary scholar
C. A typist
D. A businessman
View Answer
“A man of letters” refers to a person who is well educated and especially involved in literature.
Q69. “A snake in the grass” means:
A. A harmless person
B. A hidden enemy or treacherous person
C. A nature lover
D. A frightened person
View Answer
“A snake in the grass” refers to a person who appears harmless but secretly intends to cause harm.
Q70. What does “An apple of discord” mean?
A. A delicious fruit
B. Something that causes disagreement
C. A valuable gift
D. A peaceful agreement
View Answer
“An apple of discord” is something that becomes a cause of conflict or disagreement.
Q71. “At sixes and sevens” means:
A. In a state of confusion or disorder
B. In perfect order
C. At a fixed time
D. In agreement
View Answer
“To be at sixes and sevens” means to be confused, disorganized or in disagreement.
Q72. What does “By hook or by crook” mean?
A. By legal means only
B. By any possible method
C. By asking for help
D. By working slowly
View Answer
“By hook or by crook” means by any method possible, whether straightforward or not.
Q73. “In a nutshell” means:
A. In a small container
B. In a very detailed manner
C. In a few words
D. In secret
View Answer
“In a nutshell” means expressing the essential point briefly.
Q74. What does “In deep water” mean?
A. Swimming skillfully
B. In serious trouble
C. Feeling refreshed
D. Working outdoors
View Answer
“To be in deep water” means to be in a difficult or troublesome situation.
Q75. “In high spirits” means:
A. Feeling happy and enthusiastic
B. Feeling frightened
C. Feeling sick
D. Feeling exhausted
View Answer
“To be in high spirits” means to be cheerful, excited or enthusiastic.
Q76. What does “In the same boat” mean?
A. Travelling together
B. Being in the same difficult situation
C. Sharing a vehicle
D. Going on a journey
View Answer
“To be in the same boat” means to be in the same situation, especially a difficult one.
Q77. “Keep one’s fingers crossed” means:
A. Avoid work
B. Hope for a favourable result
C. Hide one’s hands
D. Make a promise
View Answer
“To keep one’s fingers crossed” means to hope that something will have a positive outcome.
Q78. What does “Make a mountain out of a molehill” mean?
A. Solve a difficult problem
B. Exaggerate a small problem
C. Build something large
D. Work patiently
View Answer
The idiom means to treat a minor problem as if it were a very serious one.
Q79. “Put all your eggs in one basket” means:
A. Cook everything together
B. Risk everything on one plan or possibility
C. Save money carefully
D. Divide resources equally
View Answer
The idiom warns against depending entirely on a single plan or source of success.
Q80. What does “Rain cats and dogs” mean?
A. Rain lightly
B. Rain heavily
C. Stop raining
D. Rain unexpectedly
View Answer
“To rain cats and dogs” is an idiom meaning to rain very heavily.
Q81. “Speak of the devil” is said when:
A. Someone is being criticized
B. The person being talked about appears
C. Someone tells a lie
D. A person leaves suddenly
View Answer
“Speak of the devil” is traditionally said when the person just being discussed unexpectedly appears.
Q82. What does “Steal someone’s thunder” mean?
A. Steal something valuable
B. Take credit or attention away from someone
C. Cause a storm
D. Make someone angry
View Answer
“To steal someone’s thunder” means to take attention, praise or credit away from another person’s achievement or announcement.
Q83. “Take with a pinch of salt” means:
A. Eat carefully
B. Accept something without question
C. Treat something with skepticism
D. Add flavour to food
View Answer
“To take something with a pinch of salt” means not to accept it as completely true.
Q84. What does “The tip of the iceberg” mean?
A. The smallest part of a problem that is visible
B. A frozen mountain
C. The complete problem
D. A hidden treasure
View Answer
“The tip of the iceberg” refers to a small visible part of a much larger hidden situation or problem.
Q85. “Throw caution to the wind” means:
A. Become extremely careful
B. Act without worrying about the risks
C. Avoid taking risks
D. Change one’s plans
View Answer
“To throw caution to the wind” means to act boldly without considering the possible risks or consequences.
Q86. What does “Turn over a new leaf” mean?
A. Read a new book
B. Start behaving in a better way
C. Change one’s location
D. Begin a new journey
View Answer
“To turn over a new leaf” means to make a fresh start and change one’s behaviour for the better.
Q87. “Under one’s nose” means:
A. Very far away
B. Directly in front of or easily noticeable to someone
C. Hidden underground
D. Behind someone
View Answer
“Under one’s nose” means something is happening directly in front of someone, often without being noticed.
Q88. What does “Weather the storm” mean?
A. Predict the weather
B. Survive a difficult situation
C. Travel during rain
D. Avoid responsibility
View Answer
“To weather the storm” means to survive or endure a difficult period.
Q89. “When pigs fly” means:
A. Very soon
B. Never or extremely unlikely
C. During winter
D. At night
View Answer
“When pigs fly” is a humorous way of saying that something is extremely unlikely or will probably never happen.
Q90. What does “Wild goose chase” mean?
A. A successful search
B. A pointless or fruitless search
C. Hunting birds professionally
D. A difficult journey with a destination
View Answer
A “wild goose chase” is a search or pursuit that is unlikely to succeed or has no useful result.
Q91. “A white elephant” means:
A. A rare animal
B. A costly but useless possession
C. A valuable investment
D. A lucky object
View Answer
“A white elephant” refers to something expensive to maintain but having little practical value or usefulness.
Q92. What does “An armchair critic” mean?
A. A professional athlete
B. Someone who criticizes without practical experience
C. A furniture designer
D. A newspaper editor
View Answer
“An armchair critic” is someone who offers opinions or criticism without directly participating in the activity being criticized.
Q93. “To be in the doldrums” means:
A. To be very energetic
B. To be in a state of low spirits or inactivity
C. To be extremely successful
D. To travel frequently
View Answer
“To be in the doldrums” means to be inactive, depressed or lacking energy and progress.
Q94. What does “Put your foot in your mouth” mean?
A. Exercise regularly
B. Say something embarrassing or inappropriate
C. Refuse to speak
D. Apologize politely
View Answer
“To put your foot in your mouth” means to say something foolish, embarrassing or inappropriate.
Q95. “Keep something under wraps” means:
A. Keep something warm
B. Keep something secret
C. Throw something away
D. Display something publicly
View Answer
“To keep something under wraps” means to keep it secret or confidential.
Q96. What does “On the same page” mean?
A. Reading the same book
B. Having the same understanding or agreement
C. Working separately
D. Writing the same sentence
View Answer
“To be on the same page” means that people share the same understanding, expectations or opinion about something.
Q97. “A rule of thumb” means:
A. A strict legal rule
B. A practical general guideline
C. A scientific law
D. A written contract
View Answer
“A rule of thumb” is a practical guideline based on experience rather than an exact scientific or legal rule.
Q98. What does “Go down in flames” mean?
A. Become successful
B. Fail spectacularly
C. Start a fire
D. Escape from danger
View Answer
“To go down in flames” means to fail completely or dramatically.
Q99. “Know the ropes” means:
A. Learn how to sail
B. Understand how a particular job or activity works
C. Tie a knot
D. Avoid responsibility
View Answer
“To know the ropes” means to understand the procedures and practical details of a particular activity.
Q100. What does “A feather in one’s cap” mean?
A. A fashionable accessory
B. An achievement that brings pride or recognition
C. A difficult responsibility
D. A secret opportunity
View Answer
“A feather in one’s cap” refers to an achievement or honour that increases a person’s reputation.
These 100 Idioms and Phrases MCQs cover frequently tested expressions and their meanings. Revise them regularly and focus on understanding the context in which each idiom is used. This will help improve vocabulary, comprehension and accuracy in SSC, Banking, Railway, NDA and other competitive examinations.
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