EXERCISE-19
Choose the exact meaning of the idioms/phrases given on the italic form.
1.To cut the crackle
(a) to stop talking and start
(b) to dig a well
(c) to annoy others
(d) to act in a friendly way
2. To give currency
(a) to give someone
(b) to pay much attention to
(c) to carry heavy load to
(d) to offer bribe
3. To miss the boat
(a) to miss an opportunity
(b) to feel lonely
(c) to act like a coward
(d) to swim in a river
4. To have cold feet
(a) to feel very cold
(b) to pay much attention to
(c) to be reluctant
(d) to pour water on something
5. Blue blood
(a) something impossible
(b) an aristocrat
(c) something costly
(d) a funny object.
6. At one’s wit’s end
(a) to be very witty
(b) to confuse others
(c) to be completely confused
(d) to minimise expenses
7. To eat an humble pie
(a) to eat cheap food
(b) to eat slowly
(c) to swallow one’s pride and apologise for doing something wrong
(d) to defy authority
8. A snake in the grass
(a) a very poisonous snake
(b) a secret agent
(c) an unrecognisable enemy or Danger
(d) not a reliable person
9. To turn over a new leaf
(a) to change one’s behaviour for the better
(b) to read something attentively
(c) to remain vigilant
(d) to be careful
10. To hold a candle to
(a) to be nearly as good as someone in his/her absence
(b) to light up a candle
(c) to find out the true intention
(d) to support someone
11. Black sheep
(a) a costly item
(b) a dark shiny object
(c) an unworthy person
(d) a funny man
12. Oily tongue
(a) flattery
(b) hungry person
(c) strong critic
(d) rich food
13. Lion’s share
(a) no share at all
(b) greater share of a thing
(c) miserly
(d) very small item
14. Pillar to post
(a) one place to another
(b) very tiresome journey
(c) main supports of a building
(d) clumsy looking objects
15. To bury the hatchet
(a) to dispute over small things
(b) to destroy
(c) to make tip a quarrel
(d) to repair a costly furniture
Answers:-
1.a 2.b
3.a 4.c
5.b 6.c
7.c 8.c
9.a 10.a
11.c 12.a
13.b 14.a
15.c