1. What does the idiom "Break the ice" mean?
A) To start a conversation in a social setting
B) To damage something fragile
C) To end a relationship
D) To make someone angry
Answer: A
2. If someone is "on cloud nine," they are:
A) Feeling very sad
B) Feeling extremely happy
C) Feeling confused
D) Feeling tired
Answer: B
3. The phrase "Hit the nail on the head" means:
A) To do something perfectly or accurately
B) To cause damage unintentionally
C) To be very angry
D) To start a new project
Answer: A
4. What does "Bite the bullet" imply?
A) To face a difficult situation bravely
B) To complain loudly
C) To avoid responsibility
D) To make a quick decision without thinking
Answer: A
5. If someone is "kicking the bucket," they are:
A) Celebrating success
B) Passing away or dying
C) Starting a new journey
D) Giving up easily
Answer: B
6. The idiom "Let the cat out of the bag" means:
A) Keep a secret
B) Reveal a secret accidentally
C) Be very cautious
D) Be surprised by news
Answer: B
7. To "spill the beans" means to:
A) Cook food hastily
B) Reveal secret information unintentionally or intentionally
C) Waste time unnecessarily
D) Make a mess in the kitchen
Answer: B
8. What does "Piece of cake" signify?
A) Something difficult to do
B) Something easy to accomplish
C) A sweet dessert
D) An unexpected problem
Answer: B
9. If someone is "under the weather," they are:
A) Feeling sick or unwell
B) Very happy
C) Extremely busy
D) Very tired from work
Answer: A
10. The phrase "Burn the midnight oil" means:
A) Stay awake late working or studying
B ) Light candles at night
C ) Waste time during late hours
D ) Sleep early in the night
Answer: A
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Alright, here are 100 multiple-choice questions focusing on word idioms, designed for a GAT-style exam.
Each question provides a sentence with a blank, where the idiom fits best. The goal is to select the
correct idiom from the four choices provided (A-D).
Word Idioms - Multiple Choice Questions
1. After losing his job and his house, John was really _________.
A. down for the count
B. on top of the world
C. in the driver's seat
D. going places
Answer: A. down for the count
2. Trying to explain quantum physics to my grandmother is like _________.
A. hitting the nail on the head
B. pulling someone's leg
C. beating a dead horse
D. comparing apples and oranges
Answer: C. beating a dead horse
3. I knew he was _________ when he started telling me about his adventures with aliens.
A. pulling my leg
B. sitting pretty
C. calling the shots
D. in the same boat
Answer: A. pulling my leg
4. The company's new marketing strategy was a _________, and sales soared.
A. drop in the bucket
B. shot in the dark
C. piece of cake
D. game changer
Answer: D. game changer
5. He promised to help me move, but when the time came, he _________.
A. bit off more than he could chew
B. left me hanging
C. broke a leg
D. added insult to injury
Answer: B. left me hanging
6. The project was so complex that it was like trying to find a _________ in a haystack.
A. needle
B. nail
C. pin
D. screw
Answer: A. needle
7. She studied all night for the exam, so she knew she would _________.
A. call it a day
B. hit the books
C. pass with flying colors
D. get cold feet
Answer: C. pass with flying colors
8. I tried to reason with him, but it was like talking to a _________.
A. brick wall
B. busy bee
C. scaredy cat
D. sitting duck
Answer: A. brick wall
9. He's been working two jobs to _________ meet.
A. make ends
B. call it a day
C. cut corners
D. be on the ball
Answer: A. make ends
10. The politician's promises turned out to be just _________.
A. a drop in the bucket
B. smoke and mirrors
C. a piece of cake
D. a game changer
Answer: B. smoke and mirrors
11. After a long day at work, all I want to do is _________ and relax.
A. hit the ground running
B. call it a day
C. let my hair down
D. break the ice
Answer: C. let my hair down
12. She decided to _________ and tell her boss exactly what she thought.
A. beat around the bush
B. call a spade a spade
C. add insult to injury
D. cut corners
Answer: B. call a spade a spade
13. He was so nervous before the presentation that he _________.
A. had a blast
B. got cold feet
C. broke a leg
D. got butterflies in his stomach
Answer: D. got butterflies in his stomach
14. The detective decided to _________ to get to the bottom of the case.
A. turn over every stone
B. bite the bullet
C. take the bull by the horns
D. call the shots
Answer: A. turn over every stone
15. It's important to _________ when you're starting a new business.
A. cut corners
B. think outside the box
C. be in the same boat
D. add insult to injury
Answer: B. think outside the box
16. Trying to convince him to change his mind is a _________.
A. feather in one's cap
B. long shot
C. piece of cake
D. bad egg
Answer: B. long shot
17. The company's success was due to the CEO's ability to _________.
A. let the cat out of the bag
B. call the shots
C. be in the driver's seat
D. add insult to injury
Answer: B. call the shots
18. After years of hard work, he finally felt like he was _________.
A. going places
B. barking up the wrong tree
C. beating around the bush
D. caught between a rock and a hard place
Answer: A. going places
19. She tried to _________ by submitting someone else's work as her own.
A. cut corners
B. get a leg up
C. break the ice
D. call the shots
Answer: A. cut corners
20. I'm _________ with studying
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for these exams.
A. over the moon
B. under the weather
C. at the end of my rope
D. on cloud nine
Answer: C. at the end of my rope
21. He's a _________ kind of person who always knows what to say.
A. hard nut to crack
B. rolling stone
C. people person
D. copycat
Answer: C. people person
22. They're constantly _________ about who's better.
A. hitting the books
B. comparing apples and oranges
C. letting their hair down
D. calling it a day
Answer: B. comparing apples and oranges
23. The weather was _________, so we decided to stay inside.
A. under the weather
B. raining cats and dogs
C. a breeze
D. a feather in one's cap
Answer: B. raining cats and dogs
24. Don't _________ before you've even secured the job.
A. count your chickens before they hatch
B. beat around the bush
C. break the ice
D. turn over every stone
Answer: A. count your chickens before they hatch
25. I'm not sure what happened; it's _________ to me.
A. all Greek
B. a piece of cake
C. a long shot
D. a breeze
Answer: A. all Greek
26. After the argument, they decided to _________ and move on.
A. bury the hatchet
B. call a spade a spade
C. add insult to injury
D. let the cat out of the bag
Answer: A. bury the hatchet
27. She likes to _________ when the boss is around, hoping to get a promotion.
A. get a leg up
B. add fuel to the fire
C. butter the boss up
D. call the shots
Answer: C. butter the boss up
28. The problem is complex, and we're really _________ trying to find a solution.
A. barking up the wrong tree
B. spinning our wheels
C. calling the shots
D. letting the cat out of the bag
Answer: B. spinning our wheels
29. Don't _________ on the test; make sure you prepare.
A. call it a day
B. break a leg
C. wing it
D. hit the books
Answer: C. wing it
30. After his success, he was feeling _________.
A. like a fish out of water
B. on top of the world
C. down in the dumps
D. under the weather
Answer: B. on top of the world
31. It's time to _________ and get started on this project.
A. hit the ground running
B. let your hair down
C. compare apples and oranges
D. add fuel to the fire
Answer: A. hit the ground running
32. He's a _________, so he always gets what he wants.
A. rolling stone
B. hard nut to crack
C. mover and shaker
D. scaredy cat
Answer: C. mover and shaker
33. I was _________ when I found out I got the job.
A. under the weather
B. over the moon
C. down in the dumps
D. at the end of my rope
Answer: B. over the moon
34. The truth will _________ eventually.
A. let the cat out of the bag
B. come out in the wash
C. add fuel to the fire
D. bark up the wrong tree
Answer: B. come out in the wash
35. He's always _________ so that he doesn't get into trouble.
A. calling the shots
B. playing it safe
C. comparing apples and oranges
D. spinning his wheels
Answer: B. playing it safe
36. The situation is already bad; let's not _________.
A. call it a day
B. break a leg
C. add fuel to the fire
D. count our chickens before they hatch
Answer: C. add fuel to the fire
37. It's a small problem, just a _________.
A. drop in the bucket
B. long shot
C. piece of cake
D. hard nut to crack
Answer: A. drop in the bucket
38. He decided to _________ and tell his boss what he really thought.
A. pull his leg
B. bite the bullet
C. let his hair down
D. be on the ball
Answer: B. bite the bullet
39. I'm not feeling well; I think I'm _________.
A. on top of the world
B. under the weather
C. over the moon
D. at the end of my rope
Answer: B. under the weather
40. She's a _________ so she doesn't like to stay in one place for too long.
A. hard nut to crack
B. rolling stone
C. people person
D. mover and shaker
Answer: B. rolling stone
41. He’s not telling the truth, I can smell a _________.
A. rat
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B. cat
C. dog
D. horse
Answer: A. rat
42. She had to _________ some difficult decisions when she became CEO.
A. face the music
B. hit the hay
C. break the bank
D. swim against the tide
Answer: A. face the music
43. Let’s _________ and finish this project quickly.
A. get the ball rolling
B. kick the bucket
C. lose heart
D. push the envelope
Answer: A. get the ball rolling
44. I didn't understand what was happening; it felt like I was in a _________.
A. chicken coop
B. fish bowl
C. cloud
D. fog
Answer: D. fog
45. He always manages to _________ just when things get tough.
A. jump the gun
B. skate on thin ice
C. jump ship
D. play cat and mouse
Answer: C. jump ship
46. Sometimes, it’s better to _________ than to continue fighting.
A. wave the white flag
B. cry wolf
C. kill two birds with one stone
D. sit on the fence
Answer: A. wave the white flag
47. I know this is difficult, but we need to _________ and finish the job.
A. keep our chin up
B. bury the lead
C. rub salt in the wound
D. give it a whirl
Answer: A. keep our chin up
48. Let's not _________ - we only have a few hours left to complete this.
A. dilly-dally
B. call it a day
C. break a leg
D. come hell or high water
Answer: A. dilly-dally
49. He really _________ when he forgot his wife's birthday.
A. hit a home run
B. dropped the ball
C. struck gold
D. painted the town red
Answer: B. dropped the ball
50. After much deliberation, they decided to _________ and move forward with the plan.
A. bite the dust
B. take the plunge
C. get wind of something
D. turn a blind eye
Answer: B. take the plunge
51. He was so angry, he was about to _________.
A. see red
B. paint the town red
C. look through rose colored glasses
D. shoot for the moon
Answer: A. see red
52. She is a bright child and is _________ to succeed.
A. destined
B. decided
C. made
D. sure
Answer: D. sure
53. You must keep these details _________ so that no one knows.
A. under your hat
B. under the rug
C. under the weather
D. under your feet
Answer: A. under your hat
54. It costs _________ for a wedding.
A. an arm and a leg
B. blood, sweat and tears
C. tooth and nail
D. a whole new ball game
Answer: A. an arm and a leg
55. His jokes are so bad he is really _________ the barrel.
A. reaching
B. scraping
C. rolling
D. looking
Answer: B. scraping
56. The new hire is _________ and eager to learn.
A. wet behind the ears
B. long in the tooth
C. over the hill
D. out to pasture
Answer: A. wet behind the ears
57. They argued until they were _________ in the face.
A. green
B. white
C. blue
D. purple
Answer: C. blue
58. We need to _________ and figure out how to solve this problem.
A. rack our brains
B. twist arms
C. break a leg
D. pull strings
Answer: A. rack our brains
59. He's been working hard; let's _________ for him.
A. cut him some slack
B. pull his leg
C. beat around the bush
D. see eye to eye
Answer: A. cut him some slack
60. Let's not _________ until we have all the information.
A. cry over spilled milk
B. jump to conclusions
C. let sleeping dogs lie
D. add insult to injury
Answer: B. jump to conclusions
61. She always gets her way by _________.
A. pulling strings
B. calling it a day
C. sitting pretty
D. getting her ducks in a row
Answer: A. pulling strings
62. The news was _________ , spreading rapidly through the office.
A. water off a duck's back
B. like wildfire
C. a piece of cake
D. out of the blue
Answer: B. like wildfire
63. I tried to help him, but it was _________ . He didn't want to listen.
A. a wild goose chase
B. a lost cause
C. a feather in my cap
D. music to my ears
Answer: B. a lost cause
64. His success was unexpected; it came completely _________ .
A. out of the blue
B. down to earth
C. under the weather
D. over the moon
Answer: A. out of the blue
65.
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She has a _________ for gossip; she always knows what's happening.
A. nose
B. ear
C. mouth
D. eye
Answer: A. nose
66. Don't _________ about the problem; let's focus on solutions.
A. beat a dead horse
B. cry over spilled milk
C. turn over every stone
D. add insult to injury
Answer: B. cry over spilled milk
67. I’m trying to see _________ now.
A. the elephant in the room
B. the bigger picture
C. the end of the tunnel
D. both sides of the coin
Answer: B. the bigger picture
68. He always manages to _________ and avoid getting into trouble.
A. call it a day
B. get off scot-free
C. spill the beans
D. be the cat’s whiskers
Answer: B. get off scot-free
69. If you don't know the answer, just _________ a guess.
A. take the plunge
B. take a stab
C. take to heart
D. take with a grain of salt
Answer: B. take a stab
70. The situation is a _________ now that more information has been revealed.
A. black and white
B. grey area
C. red flag
D. green light
Answer: B. grey area
71. This secret information must stay _________, promise.
A. under wraps
B. under the table
C. out of bounds
D. off limits
Answer: A. under wraps
72. She tried to _______ the project before its completion.
A. take the wraps off
B. call it a day
C. get wind of it
D. take heat
Answer: A. take the wraps off
73. I am _______ after such an exercise.
A. sweating bullets
B. sweating blood
C. sweating ice
D. sweating fire
Answer: A. sweating bullets
74. The matter that needs to be brought out is_______ and has to be discussed.
A. like a shot
B. like the plague
C. like water under the bridge
D. like an elephant in the room
Answer: D. like an elephant in the room
75. He is usually confused and hence I consider him to be_______ .
A. over the moon
B. off the mark
C. over the hill
D. off-color
Answer: B. off the mark
76. Let's just see what will happen in future so we will _______ .
A. cross that bridge when we come to it
B. give him a wide berth
C. get the upper hand
D. get something off your chest
Answer: A. cross that bridge when we come to it
77. It is really a tough choice but I have to_______ and select a better alternative.
A. give him a second thought
B. go back to square one
C. grit your teeth and bear it
D. grin and bear it
Answer: D. grin and bear it
78. No matter what, I will not _______ from her.
A. pass the buck
B. punch my weight
C. pull the wool over her eyes
D. pull the rug out from under her
Answer: D. pull the rug out from under her
79. It is hard when one is a newbie, yet soon they will ______ .
A. learn the ropes
B. lead you up the garden path
C. leave no stone unturned
D. let sleeping dogs lie
Answer: A. learn the ropes
80. When there is something good, there must be a need for to_______ .
A. lick your wounds
B. lend me your ear
C. look before you leap
D. look on the bright side
Answer: C. look before you leap
81. He tried to _______ with the boss, because he wanted a promotion, though I think it was unethical.
A. mend fences
B. mind your p's and q's
C. oil the wheels
D. open a can of worms
Answer: C. oil the wheels
82. He knew if he asked his Dad he could _____ , but it came with strings attached.
A. open the door
B. pull the strings
C. put a sock in it
D. see eye to eye
Answer: B. pull the strings
83. She had planned a surprise party, and nearly _______ when she accidentally mentioned balloons.
A. let the cat out of the bag
B. let her hair down
C. lose her cool
D. lose the plot
Answer: A. let the cat out of the bag
84. It's not worth worrying about something so minor; it will be ______ in the long run.
A. like taking candy from a baby
B. lost for words
C. much of a muchness
D. water under the bridge
Answer: D. water under the bridge
85. It's been such a relief since the kids have gone to boarding school, it's like having had _______ lifted
from my shoulders.
A. a feather
B. the wind
C. a weight
D. a load
Answer: C. a weight
86. I've got ________ for you if you can keep a secret.
A. a bee in
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my bonnet
B. a bone to pick
C. a bun in the oven
D. an ax to grind
Answer: A. a bun in the oven
87. It is hard, but always keep your _______ and make sure you fight on, no matter what occurs.
A. hair down
B. head above water
C. hands to yourself
D. head in the clouds
Answer: B. head above water
88. He is usually too late, hence it would be too _____ for him to achieve results.
A. little by little
B. long in the tooth
C. more often than not
D. like flogging a dead horse
Answer: D. like flogging a dead horse
89. He's such an arrogant person; he's always _______ with his achievements.
A. blowing his own trumpet
B. building castles in the air
C. burning his bridges
D. carrying coals to Newcastle
Answer: A. blowing his own trumpet
90. The new plan is not approved and hence will take _____ till further decision.
A. a back seat
B. a bite at the cherry
C. a blind eye
D. a chill pill
Answer: A. a back seat
91. You will be shocked to know his real intentions if you learn the_______.
A. ropes
B. low-down
C. facts
D. tricks
Answer: B. low-down
92. He often feels the need to take ____ from things he is doing.
A. break out
B. down on
C. breathers
D. cover
Answer: C. breathers
93. He often is very rude and wants to be very ____ to everyone.
A. hard up
B. hard at it
C. hard case
D. hard on
Answer: D. hard on
94. Since he could do nothing he had to give the matter_______.
A. the go by
B. the run
C. the go-ahead
D. the green
Answer: B. the run
95. It is difficult when you are new, yet soon you will_______ .
A. get on
B. get about
C. get around
D. get across
Answer: B. get about
96. You will not be allowed to cheat, so don't try any_______.
A. tricky business
B. high-handed
C. fast bowler
D. fast and furious
Answer: A. tricky business
97. It is so difficult to believe that he will become a _______ for that company.
A. hot potato
B. driving force
C. hard headed
D. hard hearted
Answer: B. driving force
98. You must try all the ways and _____ with nothing in the store.
A. finish clean
B. give the works
C. give a dam
D. give away
Answer: A. finish clean
99. We were able to get the project because one person wanted to_____ .
A. cut a figure
B. deliver good
C. deliver the goods
D. keep an eye
Answer: C. deliver the goods
100. He has done all these things just for_____ , nothing else.
A. his part
B. keeping up an act
C. his own ends
D. good
Answer: C. his own ends
