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Idioms and Phrases: Practice Questions with Answers

11 practice questions on Idioms and Phrases, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.

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1. Q.1

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to cost an arm and a leg": (A) To be very expensive (B) To cause an injury (C) To take a long time (D) To be free of charge

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   Answer: (A) To be very expensive

   Solution:

   1. "Cost an arm and a leg" means to be extremely expensive.

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2. Q.2

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to be under the weather": (A) To be very busy (B) To feel slightly unwell (C) To be outdoors (D) To be in trouble

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   Answer: (B) To feel slightly unwell

   Solution:

   1. "Under the weather" means feeling mildly ill or unwell, not literally about the weather.

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3. Q.3

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to break the ice": (A) To start a fight (B) To make the first move in an awkward or formal situation (C) To cause an accident (D) To end a relationship

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   Answer: (B) To make the first move in an awkward or formal situation

   Solution:

   1. "Break the ice" means to ease tension or initiate conversation in an awkward or formal setting.

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4. Q.4

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to let the cat out of the bag": (A) To release an animal (B) To accidentally reveal a secret (C) To escape from danger (D) To cause confusion

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   Answer: (B) To accidentally reveal a secret

   Solution:

   1. "Let the cat out of the bag" means to accidentally reveal a secret.

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5. Q.5

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to spill the beans": (A) To waste food (B) To reveal secret information (C) To make a mess (D) To cook a meal

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   Answer: (B) To reveal secret information

   Solution:

   1. "Spill the beans" means to reveal information that was meant to be kept secret.

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6. Q.6

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "once in a blue moon": (A) Every full moon (B) Very rarely (C) Every night (D) Regularly, once a month

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   Answer: (B) Very rarely

   Solution:

   1. "Once in a blue moon" means something that happens very rarely, almost never.

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7. Q.7

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to be in hot water": (A) To be very busy (B) To be in trouble (C) To be angry (D) To be tired

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   Answer: (B) To be in trouble

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8. Q.8

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to burn the midnight oil": (A) To waste resources (B) To work or study late into the night (C) To start a fire (D) To wake up early

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   Answer: (B) To work or study late into the night

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9. Q.9

   Choose the meaning of the idiom "to beat around the bush": (A) To waste time gardening (B) To avoid getting to the point (C) To win a competition easily (D) To search thoroughly

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   Answer: (B) To avoid getting to the point

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10. Q.10

    Choose the meaning of the idiom "to hit the nail on the head": (A) To make a mistake (B) To say or do something exactly right (C) To work very hard (D) To finish a task quickly

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    Answer: (B) To say or do something exactly right

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11. Q.11

    Choose the meaning of the idiom "a piece of cake": (A) A small reward (B) Something very easy to do (C) A tasty dessert (D) A difficult challenge

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    Answer: (B) Something very easy to do

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