Exercise-20
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.I am afraid the two brothers are (at cross purposes).
(a) quarrel with each other
 (b) dislike each other
 (c) are working against each other
(d) are misunderstanding each other
2. Our school is (within a stone’s throw) of the railway station. (G.I.C.A_A.O. 1990)
 (a) within a certain radius
(b) at a short distance
(c) within a definite circumference
(d) very far off
3. My mother is (in raptures) over her new stove.
(a) very enthusiastic
(b) working vigorously
 (c) completely dissatisfied with
 (d) extremely angry
4. It was out (of place) for him to talk on politics when the seminar was arranged to discuss recent trends in literature.
 (a) foolish
 (b) strange
(c) inappropriate
(d) odd
5. His voice (gets on my nerves). (Central Excise, 1994)
 (a) makes me sad
(b) irritates me
 (c) makes me ill
 (d) pierces my eardrums
6. The train was late and we had to (kick our heels).
(a) fun fast
(b) wait eagerly
 (c) waste time
(d) play some game
7. The party stalwarts have advised the President to (take it lying down) for a while. (Asset Grade, 1996)
 (a) to show no reaction
 (b) to take rest
 (c) to be on the defensive
(d) to be cautious
8. His hard-earned money has (gone down the drain.)
(a) has been wasted
 (b)has been spent
(c) has been collected
(d) has been looted
9. A movement for the world unity is (in the offing). (C.D.S. 1994)
(a) at the end
 (b) about to start
(c) on decline
(d) in the air
10. He has( designs on) that young girl.
(a) wants to rape
(b) desires to be alone with
 (c) wants to cheat
(d) wants to be intimate with
11. He has (too many irons in the fire).
 (a) wants to grab everything
(b) is engaged in too many enterprises simultaneously
 (c) pokes his nose in every affair
 (d) is very selfish and greedy
12. David (has an eye) for detecting crime.
 (a) is alert in
(b) is no good in
 (c) has an extraordinary talent in
 (d) none of these
13. I would advise you to (keep your nose clean.)
(a) be polite
(b) no to indulge in evil conspiracies
(c) keep out of trouble
(d) not to take to bad habits.
14. Though they knew that the defeat was inevitable, they (fought to the finish).
(a) till the end
(b) till they died
 (c) till peace was declared
 (d) till they got good results
15. While the ladies continued their (small talk) in the drawing room, I felt bored. (Asset Grade, 1996)
(a) light conversation
 (b) gossip
 (c) backbiting
(d) whispering
Answers:-
1.(d)Â Â Â Â Â 2. (b)
3. (a)Â Â Â Â 4. (c)
5. (b)Â Â Â Â 6. (c)
7. (a)Â Â Â Â 8. (a)
9. (b)Â Â Â Â 10. (a)
11. (b)Â Â Â 12. (c)
13. (c)Â Â Â 14. (a)
15. (a)
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