Exercise-13

Direction—Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given idiom/proverb.

1.an axe to grind

 (A) an intention of killing a man

(B) a plan to work diligently

(C) an evil intention

(D) a private end to serve

2. under a cloud

(A) of his own accord

 (B) in disgrace

 (C) with a heavy heart

 (D) when it was raining

3. all at sea

 (A) Very knowledgeable

(B) Completely confused

(C) in a state of ignorance

 (D) in a state of shock

4. bad blood

 (A) violence

(B) mischief

 (C) suspicion

 (D) hostility

5. eat a humble pie

 (A) to starve

 (B) to carry on the battle

 (C) to humiliate himself

 (D) be friendly

6. for a song

 (A) at a reasonable price

 (B) at a discount

(C) very cheaply

(D) at a premium

7. was his want

(A) as usual

 (B) as he wanted

 (C) as his want was

(D) as he wanted that day

8. Limelight all the time

 (A) giving speeches

 (B) The object of administration

(C) the centre of attraction

(D) an object of public notice

9.a gift horse in the mouth

 (A) welcome a gift

(B) find fault with a gift

 (C) be fastidious

 (D) examine a gift carefully

10. play to the gallery to boost their sales

 (A) advertise

(B) cater to the public taste

(C) attempt to appeal to the popular caste

 (D) depend on the public for approval

11. took to heels

 (A) ran away

(B) moved back

 (C) put on the shoes

 (D) put off the shoes

12. In the long run

(A) occasionally

(B) usually

 (C) ultimately

 (D) casually

13. put on flesh

 (A) wear bright clothes

 (B) be angry

 (C) become light

 (D) grow fat

14.black-and-white

(A) simple expression

(B) colourless way

(C) pictorial shape

 (D) written form

15. bone of contention

(A) source of income

 (B) cause of quarrel

 (C) backbone of unity

(D) pitfall for corruption

Answers:-

1.(D)         2. (B)

3. (B)        4. (D)

5. (C)        6. (C)

7. (A)        8. (D)

9. (B)        10. (B)

11. (A)      12. (C)

13. (D)      14. (D)

15. (B)

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