Idioms and Phrases Practice Questions

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

Directions (Q. )

In each of the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom or phrase italicised in the sentence. Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the italicised idiom or phrase.

Question 21

Easy

You should diversify your investments; don't put all your eggs in one basket.

A What you're doing is too risky

B My patience has completely run out

C The family bond is closer than any other relationship

D No chance of success at all

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The idiom 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket' means 'What you're doing is too risky'. The context in the sentence highlights this usage.

Question 22

Hard

We are trailing by 10 points in the final quarter, but it ain't over till the fat lady sings.

A Postpone a plan for another time

B This situation isn't over yet

C Tell something briefly

D Intentionally raise a false alarm to gain attention

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

The idiom 'It ain't over till the fat lady sings' means 'This situation isn't over yet'. The context in the sentence highlights this usage.

Question 23

Easy

We can't go to the park right now because it's raining cats and dogs outside.

A It's raining extremely hard

B A personal intuition that something may not be right

C Not willing to change your normal way of doing things

D An old-fashioned and consistently foolish type of person

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The idiom 'It's raining cats and dogs' means 'It's raining extremely hard'. The context in the sentence highlights this usage.

Question 24

Easy

My sister lives in Australia, so I only get to see her once in a blue moon.

A To take the credit for something someone else achieved

B Something that happens rarely

C He is quite foolish

D To make a problem worse

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

The idiom 'Once in a blue moon' means 'Something that happens rarely'. The context in the sentence highlights this usage.

Question 25

Hard

Due to budget cuts, we have to put the expansion project on ice until next year.

A Things are going well so far

B Put a project on hold temporarily

C Get officially fired from a job

D The worst possible situation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

The idiom 'Put something on ice' means 'Put a project on hold temporarily'. The context in the sentence highlights this usage.