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English: Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases MCQs — English (page 2)

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.

26. What does the idiom/phrase "A stitch in time saves nine" mean?

  1. timely action prevents bigger problems
  2. sewing is useful
  3. save money
  4. be quick in tailoring

Answer: A) timely action prevents bigger problems

Explanation: Prevention is better than cure. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs

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27. What does the idiom/phrase "hue and cry" mean?

  1. loud public protest
  2. silence
  3. crime
  4. joy and laughter

Answer: A) loud public protest

Explanation: Public outcry. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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28. What does the idiom/phrase "to rain cats and dogs" mean?

  1. to drizzle
  2. to rain heavily
  3. a storm of animals
  4. animals fighting

Answer: B) to rain heavily

Explanation: Pour heavily. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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29. What does the idiom/phrase "at sixes and sevens" mean?

  1. in order
  2. very angry
  3. in confusion
  4. at a fixed time

Answer: C) in confusion

Explanation: In a state of disorder. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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30. What does the idiom/phrase "a dark horse" mean?

  1. an unexpected winner
  2. a criminal
  3. a black horse
  4. a cruel person

Answer: A) an unexpected winner

Explanation: Someone with unknown abilities who succeeds. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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31. What does the idiom/phrase "up to the mark" mean?

  1. of the required standard
  2. late
  3. excessive
  4. below average

Answer: A) of the required standard

Explanation: Good enough. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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32. What does the idiom/phrase "to play second fiddle" mean?

  1. to lead
  2. to cheat
  3. to play music
  4. to take a subordinate role

Answer: D) to take a subordinate role

Explanation: Be less important than someone else. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs

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33. What does the idiom/phrase "Too many cooks spoil the broth" mean?

  1. more help is better
  2. too many people managing a task ruin it
  3. cooking is difficult
  4. food gets wasted

Answer: B) too many people managing a task ruin it

Explanation: Too many people in charge. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs

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34. What does the idiom/phrase "ins and outs" mean?

  1. entrances and exits
  2. ups and downs
  3. reasons
  4. full details

Answer: D) full details

Explanation: Detailed facts. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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35. What does the idiom/phrase "to see red" mean?

  1. to stop
  2. to become very angry
  3. to be embarrassed
  4. to see danger

Answer: B) to become very angry

Explanation: Become furious. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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36. What does the idiom/phrase "spill the beans" mean?

  1. make a mess
  2. reveal a secret
  3. cook beans
  4. waste food

Answer: B) reveal a secret

Explanation: Disclose information. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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37. What does the idiom/phrase "beat about the bush" mean?

  1. speak frankly
  2. work hard
  3. search everywhere
  4. avoid the main point

Answer: D) avoid the main point

Explanation: Talk around a subject without coming to the point. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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38. What does the idiom/phrase "red tape" mean?

  1. official delay and formalities
  2. a barrier tape
  3. danger sign
  4. a celebration

Answer: A) official delay and formalities

Explanation: Excessive bureaucracy. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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39. Searching for the lost ring in the river was .

  1. a wild goose chase
  2. a blessing in disguise
  3. the lion's share
  4. a piece of cake

Answer: A) a wild goose chase

Explanation: A hopeless search. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Idioms in sentences

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40. What does the idiom/phrase "nip in the bud" mean?

  1. stop at an early stage
  2. encourage
  3. delay
  4. grow flowers

Answer: A) stop at an early stage

Explanation: Stop something before it develops. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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41. What does the idiom/phrase "to hit the sack" mean?

  1. to box
  2. to go to bed
  3. to fail
  4. to work hard

Answer: B) to go to bed

Explanation: Go to sleep. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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42. What does the idiom/phrase "to cost an arm and a leg" mean?

  1. to cause injury
  2. to be very expensive
  3. to need effort
  4. to be cheap

Answer: B) to be very expensive

Explanation: Very costly. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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43. What does the idiom/phrase "crocodile tears" mean?

  1. anger
  2. insincere sorrow
  3. tears of joy
  4. real grief

Answer: B) insincere sorrow

Explanation: Pretended grief. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs

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44. What does the idiom/phrase "bite the dust" mean?

  1. fall asleep
  2. eat poorly
  3. work hard
  4. be defeated or die

Answer: D) be defeated or die

Explanation: To fail or die. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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45. What does the idiom/phrase "to fish in troubled waters" mean?

  1. to cause floods
  2. to go fishing
  3. to be unlucky
  4. to take advantage of a confused situation

Answer: D) to take advantage of a confused situation

Explanation: Profit from disorder. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs

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46. What does the idiom/phrase "Birds of a feather flock together" mean?

  1. people of similar character associate with each other
  2. nature is beautiful
  3. friends live together
  4. birds fly in groups

Answer: A) people of similar character associate with each other

Explanation: Similar people stay together. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Advanced idioms & proverbs

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47. What does the idiom/phrase "to be on cloud nine" mean?

  1. to be confused
  2. to fly
  3. to be extremely happy
  4. to be lazy

Answer: C) to be extremely happy

Explanation: Very happy. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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48. What does the idiom/phrase "once in a blue moon" mean?

  1. every night
  2. very often
  3. very rarely
  4. at full moon

Answer: C) very rarely

Explanation: Very seldom. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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49. What does the idiom/phrase "pull one's leg" mean?

  1. tease
  2. help
  3. insult seriously
  4. hurt

Answer: A) tease

Explanation: Joke with someone. Idioms & Idiomatic Phrases · Common idioms

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50. What does the idiom/phrase "to carry coals to Newcastle" mean?

  1. to do something unnecessary
  2. to work hard
  3. to trade coal
  4. 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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