Idioms And Phrases — Part 2 MCQs with Explanations

gift horse in the mouth: to show a lack of appreciation or gratitude when receiving a gift.

burning question: an important question that requires an answer.

to bell the cat: to attempt or agree to attempt an impossibly difficult task that if achieved, will benefit the entire community.

on the wane: to decrease gradually in size, number, strength, or intensity.

The sentence "He is leaving the country for good" is an idiom. An idiom is a phrase where the meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. The phrase "for good" doesn't mean "for a good reason" or "for a charitable purpose." Instead, "for good" means permanently or forever . Therefore, the sentence implies that the person is leaving the country and will not return. Let's look at the options: Option A: "for better prospects" suggests he's leaving for opportunities. Option B: "for a good cause" means he's leaving for a worthy reason. Option C: "forever" accurately reflects the meaning of "for good". Option D: "for others' good" implies he's leaving to benefit others. Only option C correctly explains the idiom.

go off at a tangent: to suddenly start talking or thinking about a completely new subject.

for a song: for little money.

The idiom "a snake in the grass" refers to someone who appears to be friendly or harmless but is actually a hidden enemy or traitor . Let's look at the options: Option A: a secret enemy - This is a good description of someone who is a "snake in the grass." They are not openly hostile, but secretly work against you. Option B: a treacherous person - This is also a very accurate description. "Treacherous" means someone who betrays trust, which is exactly what a snake in the grass does. Option C: an unforeseen danger - While a snake in the grass *can* present an unforeseen danger, the idiom specifically refers to the person , not just the danger itself. Option D: an unexpected misfortune - This is a general negative event and doesn't capture the element of betrayal inherent in the idiom. Between A and B, both are good. However, option B, " a treacherous person ," is slightly better because it emphasizes the betrayal aspect which is central to the "snake in the grass" meaning. So, Option B is the best answer because it accurately captures the meaning of the idiom as a person who betrays trust after seeming friendly. Option A is also close, but 'treacherous' is a stronger fit.

what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander: to emphasize that if one person is allowed to do something or to behave in a particular way, then another person must be allowed to do that thing or behave in that way.

to take it lying down: accept an insult, setback, or rebuke without protest.

took to his heels: to begin to run away.

struck several bad patches: to have bad time.

made her flesh creep: to cause one to feel disgusted or frightened.

put up with: tolerate; endure.

once for all: now and for the last time; finally.

put you out: to annoy or upset someone, often by what you do or say to them.

for good: permanently.

power behind the throne: a person who exerts authority or influence without having formal status.

let him down: fail to support or help someone as they had hoped.

like a fish out of water: not feel comfortable or relaxed because of being in an unusual or unfamiliar situation.

pay lip service: to say that you agree with something but do nothing to support it.

thrust your nose: interfere in something that is not one's concern.

off and on: happening occasionally, or only for part of a period of time, not in a regular or continuous way.

took to his heels: to run away.

have your cake and eat it too: to have or do two good things at the same time that are impossible to have or do at the same time.

held out: to continue to defend yourself against an enemy or attack without being defeated.

likely to run into rough weather: to be in unfavourable situation or difficulties.

brought home: get to the heart of a matter, make perfectly clear.

burn your fingers: to suffer unpleasant results of an action, especially loss of money, so you do not want to do the same thing again.

tooth and nail: engage in fight using all resources.

cut off a corner: to do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way.

on the wane: to decrease gradually in size, number, strength, or intensity.

far cry: a long way.

tall order: task or job that is difficult to carry out.

plays fast and loose: to behave in a careless manner.

no love lost: dislike, ill will, hate.

a moot point: an issue open to argument; also, an irrelevant question, a matter of no importance.

bad business: irresponsible business.

draw the longbow: to exaggerate in telling stories; overstate something.

square up: face and tackle (a difficulty or problem).