Idioms and Phrases Practice Questions

5 questions per page • Detailed step-by-step solutions

Directions (Q. )

In each question below, an idiom or proverb is followed by several possible meanings. Choose the option that correctly conveys the meaning. If none of the options is correct, select 'E' ('None of these') as your answer.

Question 26
Medium
Take it with a grain of salt
A To gamble everything you have
B To take the credit for something someone else did
C Don't take it too seriously
D He seems crazy but actually he's clever
E None of these
Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

The idiom 'Take it with a grain of salt' means 'Don't take it too seriously'.
Question 27
Easy
The devil is in the details
A Doing something poorly in order to save time or money
B It looks good from a distance, but when you look closer, there are problems
C The hottest days of the summer season
D To emphasise
E None of these
Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

The idiom 'The devil is in the details' means 'It looks good from a distance, but when you look closer, there are problems'.
Question 28
Hard
The early bird gets the worm
A The first people get the best stuff
B Calm down
C This person or thing may look bad, but it's good inside
D To drink very heavily
E None of these
Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The idiom 'The early bird gets the worm' means 'The first people get the best stuff'.
Question 29
Medium
The whole nine yards
A You can prevent a problem with little effort
B Apples are good for you
C Everything
D Sick
E None of these
Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

The idiom 'The whole nine yards' means 'Everything'.
Question 30
Hard
A little learning is a dangerous thing
A Having to start all over again
B Calm down
C Someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate
D People who don't understand something fully are dangerous
E None of these
Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

The idiom 'A little learning is a dangerous thing' means 'People who don't understand something fully are dangerous'.