Exercise-18
Directions: In each of the following questions, out of the given alternatives, the meaning of the idiom/phrase in italics in choose the one which best expresses the sentence.
1.Rajesh and Visas have remained friends (through thick and thin). (C.B.I. 1994)
(a) inspire of all difficulties
 (b) always
(c) through days of struggle
 (d) through happy days
2. Smuggling can get you (easy money).
 (a) tax-free income
(b) money to make one lazy
 (c) money which can be spent easily
(d) money earned after very little work
3. The lawyer told Attainder (straight from the shoulder) that his case was weak;
 (a) standing very close to his shoulder
 (b) discreetly
 (c) without evasion
(d) in writing
4. I did not know that he was (pulling my leg) all the time. (S.S.C. 1993)
(a) befooling me
 (b) degrading me
 (c) defaming me
(d) complimenting me
5. He has had (second thoughts) about going to Delhi.
(a) decided to go elsewhere
 (b) is reconsidering his decision
(c) planned very carefully
 (d) is going to take somebody with him
6. In the times of the Munhall emperor Jahangir, Nor Johan was the (power behind the throne).
 (a) who has real control and power
 (b) an acknowledged leader
(c) who has control over the king
(d) who rules without others knowing it
7. If only teachers (come down from) their (ivory towers )and develop an intimacy with the students, can the student-teacher relationship improve?
 (a) feeling of superiority
 (b) detachment and seclusion
 (c) strict and uncompressing attitude
(d) false pride
8. The cause may be a trifle but he would not let you go without (splitting hairs).
(a) making it a bit quarrel
 (b) indulging in over-refund arguments
 (c) reviving every small event
(d) annoying you
9.While going through the enquiry papers, the police inspector had (smelt) a rat.
(a) planned something evil
 (b) changed his procedure
 (c) smelt something suspicious
(d) perceived an obnoxious order
10. All his schemes (bite the dust) for lack of practicality.
 (a) are humiliated
(b) are stolen
(c) are looked down upon
 (d) are killed
11. I (rated) my assistant soundly for his slackness.
 (a) suspended
 (b) censured strongly
 (c) dismissed
 (d) criticized
12. Unless you (grease his palm) he will not do your work.
 (a) talk to him
(b) flatter him
 (c) beat him
(d) bribe him If you give
13. Hashish all your money, you are likely (to burn your fingers).
(a) be ill
(b) be happy
(c) suffer
(d) be unhappy
14. Their attitude towards each other only tended to create (bad blood) between the brothers.
(a) jealousy
 (b) misunderstanding
(c) distrust
(d) angry feeling
15. The (carrot and the) stick policy pays dividends in every organization.
 (a) fair and foul.
 (b) continuous vigilance
 (c) democratic
 (d) reward and punishment
ANSWERS
1.(a)Â Â Â Â Â 2. (d)
3. (a)Â Â Â Â 4. (a)
5. (b)Â Â Â Â 6. (a)
7. (b)Â Â Â Â 8. (b)
9. (a)Â Â Â Â 10. (a)
11. (b)Â Â Â 12. (d)
13. (c)Â Â Â 14. (d)
15. (d)
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