1. What does the idiom/phrase "smell a rat" mean?
- find a dead animal
- suspect something wrong
- feel hungry
- be dirty
Answer: B) suspect something wrong
Explanation: Sense that something is wrong. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
MCQs / English / English: Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases
English: Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases MCQs — English
111 multiple-choice questions on English: Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases from English, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.
2. What does the idiom/phrase "to show the white feather" mean?
- to celebrate
- to show honesty
- to show cowardice
- to surrender peacefully
Answer: C) to show cowardice
Explanation: Act like a coward. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
3. What does the idiom/phrase "a red-letter day" mean?
- a sad day
- a memorable day
- a day of danger
- a holiday
Answer: B) a memorable day
Explanation: A day of special importance. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
4. What does the idiom/phrase "to put a spoke in someone's wheel" mean?
- to help someone
- to create obstacles
- to speed up
- to repair a cycle
Answer: B) to create obstacles
Explanation: Obstruct someone's plans. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
5. What does the idiom/phrase "with a heavy heart" mean?
- sadly
- carelessly
- angrily
- happily
Answer: A) sadly
Explanation: Feeling sad. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
6. What does the idiom/phrase "to take the bull by the horns" mean?
- to avoid danger
- to fight an animal
- to face a difficulty boldly
- to be cruel
Answer: C) to face a difficulty boldly
Explanation: Deal with a problem directly. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
7. What does the idiom/phrase "under a cloud" mean?
- under suspicion
- unhappy weather
- safe
- famous
Answer: A) under suspicion
Explanation: Suspected of wrongdoing. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
8. What does the idiom/phrase "a sop to Cerberus" mean?
- a guard
- a punishment
- a dog's food
- a bribe to quieten a troublemaker
Answer: D) a bribe to quieten a troublemaker
Explanation: Something given to pacify. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
9. What does the idiom/phrase "to face the music" mean?
- to avoid trouble
- to sing
- to enjoy a concert
- to accept the consequences
Answer: D) to accept the consequences
Explanation: Accept punishment for one's actions. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
10. What does the idiom/phrase "to bury the hatchet" mean?
- dig a grave
- start a war
- hide a weapon
- make peace
Answer: D) make peace
Explanation: End a quarrel. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
11. The two brothers finally decided to and live in peace.
- cut corners
- pull each other's leg
- bury the hatchet
- smell a rat
Answer: C) bury the hatchet
Explanation: Make peace. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Idioms in sentences
12. What does the idiom/phrase "Empty vessels make much noise" mean?
- the poor complain
- empty pots are useless
- people with little knowledge talk the most
- noise is harmful
Answer: C) people with little knowledge talk the most
Explanation: Shallow people are boastful. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
13. What does the idiom/phrase "to burn one's boats" mean?
- to leave no way of retreat
- to waste money
- to destroy enemy ships
- to set sail
Answer: A) to leave no way of retreat
Explanation: Commit irreversibly. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
14. What does the idiom/phrase "cry over spilt milk" mean?
- complain about milk
- waste food
- regret what cannot be undone
- weep loudly
Answer: C) regret what cannot be undone
Explanation: Useless regret. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
15. What does the idiom/phrase "burn the midnight oil" mean?
- work or study late at night
- waste money
- light a lamp
- cook food
Answer: A) work or study late at night
Explanation: Stay up late working. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
16. What does the idiom/phrase "from hand to mouth" mean?
- very rich
- greedy
- generous
- barely surviving
Answer: D) barely surviving
Explanation: Having just enough to live. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
17. What does the idiom/phrase "to see eye to eye" mean?
- to stare
- to compete
- to agree fully
- to fight
Answer: C) to agree fully
Explanation: Agree with someone. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
18. The property became between the two brothers.
- the apple of their eye
- a red-letter day
- an apple of discord
- a feather in their cap
Answer: C) an apple of discord
Explanation: Cause of quarrel. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Idioms in sentences
19. The two rival parties have been for years.
- at daggers drawn
- seeing eye to eye
- hand in glove
- in the same boat
Answer: A) at daggers drawn
Explanation: Bitter enemies. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Idioms in sentences
20. What does the idiom/phrase "to read between the lines" mean?
- to understand the hidden meaning
- to misread
- to skip lines
- to read carefully
Answer: A) to understand the hidden meaning
Explanation: Find the implied meaning. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
21. What does the idiom/phrase "apple of discord" mean?
- a peace offer
- a dear person
- a sweet fruit
- cause of quarrel
Answer: D) cause of quarrel
Explanation: A cause of dispute. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
22. What does the idiom/phrase "to have a finger in every pie" mean?
- to be skilful
- to steal
- to be involved in everything
- to love sweets
Answer: C) to be involved in everything
Explanation: Be involved in many activities. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
23. What does the idiom/phrase "at the eleventh hour" mean?
- at night
- at the last moment
- very early
- on time
Answer: B) at the last moment
Explanation: At the latest possible time. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
24. What does the idiom/phrase "to steal the show" mean?
- to fail on stage
- to cancel a show
- to rob a theatre
- to attract the most attention
Answer: D) to attract the most attention
Explanation: Outshine others. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms
25. What does the idiom/phrase "to carry coals to Newcastle" mean?
- to do something unnecessary
- to work hard
- to trade coal
- to travel far
Answer: A) to do something unnecessary
Explanation: Take something where it is already plentiful. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs
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Practise English: Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases MCQs
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