Idioms and Phrases (Level - 1)
DIRECTIONS (Qs. 1-11): Choose the correct meaning of the given idiom/phrase.
1. To turn over a new leaf :
(a) To change completely one’s course of action
(b) To shift attention to new problems
(c) To cover up one's faults by wearing new marks
(d) To change the old habits and adopt new ones
2. To wrangle over an ass’s shadow :
(a) To act in a foolish way
(b) To quarrel over trifles
(c) To waste time on petty things
(d) To do something funny
3. All agog :
(a) Everybody
(b) All ready
(c) Full of vigour
(d) Almighty
4. To take with a grain of salt :
(a) To take with some reservation
(b) To take with total disbelief
(c) To take whole heartedly
(d) To take seriously
5. Hobson’s choice :
(a) Feeling of insecurity
(b) Accept or leave the other
(c) Feeling of strength
(d) Excellent choice
6. To talk through one’s hat :
(a) To speak fluently
(b) To talk nonsense
(c) To talk wisdom
(d) To speak at random
7. To snap one’s fingers :
(a) To speak abruptly
(b) To accept immediately
(c) To grasp eagerly
(d) To become contemptuous of
8. To take the bull by the horns :
(a) To punish a person severely for his arrogance
(b) To grapple courageously with difficulty that lies in our way
(c) To handle it by fierce attack
(d) To bypass the legal process and take action according to one’s own whims
9. To be in abeyance :
(a) To be in trouble
(b) Dual minded
(c) In a fighting mood
(d) In a state of suspension
10. To cast pearls before a swine :
(a) To spend recklessly
(b) To spend a lot of money on the unkeep of domestic hogs
(c) To waste monkey over trifles
(d) To offer to a person a thing which he cannot appreciate
11. To take people by storm :
(a) To put people in utter surprise
(b) To captivate people unexpectedly
(c) To exploit people's agitation
(d) To surprise people
Here is the answer key for the 11 questions, based on the marked correct options visible in the provided images (1000645636.jpg and 1000645651.jpg):
Answer Key & Explanations
1. (d) To change the old habits and adopt new ones2. (b) To quarrel over trifles
3. (c) Full of vigour (Note: Commonly also used to mean "highly excited/eager")
4. (a) To take with some reservation
5. (b) Accept or leave the other (Note: Typically means having no real choice at all—taking what is offered or nothing)
6. (b) To talk nonsense
7. (d) To become contemptuous of
8. (b) To grapple courageously with difficulty that lies in our way
9. (d) In a state of suspension
10. (d) To offer to a person a thing which he cannot appreciate
11. (b) To captivate people unexpectedly