Idioms and Phrases Exercise No- 19

Exercise-19

Directions: In each of the following questions, out of the given alternatives, meaning of the idiom/phrase in italics in choose the one which best expresses the sentence.

1.Don’t stick (your neck out).

(a) Interfere

(b) Look outside

 (c) Invite trouble unnecessarily

(d) Move

2. The aroma from the kitchen (makes my mouth water).

(a) Makes me sick

(b) Makes me giddy

(c) Makes me vomit

(d) Stimulates my appetite

3. We should guard against our (green-eyed) friends. (Translators’ Exam, 1994)

(a) Rich

(b) Jealous

(c) Handsome

(d) Enthusiastic

4. This place affords a (bird’s eye view) of the green valley below.

 (a) Beautiful view

(b) General view

(c) Narrow view

(d) Ugly view

5. I won’t mind even if he (goes to dogs.)

(a) goes mad

 (b) Is insulted

(c) Is ruined

(d) becomes brutal

6. Sweat might (scream blue murder) but I feel Rita should get the promotion since she is better qualified for the job.

(a) suffer from persecution complex

(b) Try to prove her as more suited to the job

 (c) Regard it as an act of partiality

 (d) Make a great deal of noise and object vehemently

7. At Christmas, even the elderly fathers (paint the town red.) (Central Excise, 1993)

 (a) Indulge in rioting

 (b) Paint the houses red

 (c) Spill red wine

(d) Have a lively time

8. In almost every party, my friend tries to (rule the roost.)

 (a) To make friends

(b) To domineer

 (c) To remain aloof

(d) To become popular

9. We have to (keep our fingers crossed) till the final result is declared.

 (a) Keep praying

 (b) Feel suspicious

 (c) Wait expectantly

 (d) Feel scared

10. The members of the group were (at odds) over the selection procedure. (Assistant Grade, 1995) 

(a) Acting foolishly

(b) In dispute

 (c) Unanimous

 (d) Behaving childishly

11. My aunt was (in a flutter) last night.

 (a) frightened

 (b) very angry

(c) in a jovial mood

 (d) in a state of nervous excitement

12. All his schemes to murder the king (ended in smoke.)

(a) fructified gradually

(b) came to nothing

 (c) were discarded

(d) were partially carried out

13. He has (turned the tables) on his enemy.

(a) behaved hospitably towards

(b) hit

(c) created obstacle for

 (d) changed possible defeat into victory

14. He is the only civil servant I know who (hates red tape).

 (a) accepting bribes

 (b) formal procedures

 (c) corruption

 (d) dishonesty

15. For the first week, the apprentice felt (like a fish out of water).

 (a) disappointed

 (b) frustrated

 (c) uncomfortable

 (d) homeless

Answers:-

1.(c)               2. (d)

3. (b)             4. (b)

5. (c)             6. (d)

7. (d)             8. (b)

9. (c)             10. (b)

11. (d)          12. (b)

13. (d)          14. (b)

15. (d)

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