Free Idioms and Phrases MCQs with Answers
292 Idioms and Phrases MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Idioms and phrases are fixed groups of words whose meaning may differ from the literal meanings of their individual words. Questions focus on interpreting expressions such as “spill the beans,” selecting suitable idioms for a situation, and distinguishing idioms from ordinary phrases, proverbs and phrasal verbs.
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- A. To waste time on trivial matters
- B. To take on a dangerous task for the common good
- C. To flatter someone in authority
- D. To make an easy profit
Explanation: The idiom comes from the fable in which mice agree that a bell around the cat’s neck would warn them, but none is willing to attach it.
Correct answer: To take on a dangerous task for the common good- A. to release an animal
- B. to reveal a secret unintentionally
- C. to create confusion deliberately
- D. to escape from danger
Explanation: The idiom describes a secret slipping out by accident, and it comes from a market trick in which a cat was substituted for a piglet.
Correct answer: to reveal a secret unintentionally- A. very frequently
- B. very rarely
- C. at night only
- D. immediately
Explanation: A blue moon is a second full moon in one calendar month, an uncommon event, so the phrase means something that happens very seldom.
Correct answer: very rarely- A. to waste resources
- B. to work or study late into the night
- C. to start a fire accidentally
- D. to celebrate an occasion
Explanation: Before electric lighting, studying after dark meant burning oil in a lamp, so the phrase came to mean working late into the night.
Correct answer: to work or study late into the night- A. to be caught in rain
- B. to feel slightly unwell
- C. to be very busy
- D. to be depressed by criticism
Explanation: The phrase describes feeling mildly ill and is thought to come from sailors sent below deck when sick.
Correct answer: to feel slightly unwell- A. to lose one's temper
- B. to endure a painful situation with courage
- C. to speak carelessly
- D. to eat quickly
Explanation: It refers to accepting something unpleasant that cannot be avoided, and it is said to come from soldiers biting a bullet during surgery…
Correct answer: to endure a painful situation with courage- A. a hidden threat
- B. something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good
- C. an undeserved reward
- D. a religious ceremony
Explanation: The phrase describes a misfortune whose benefit only becomes clear later, such as a missed flight that turns out to have been lucky.
Correct answer: something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good- A. An easy question
- B. A foolish search
- C. A difficult problem
- D. Expensive thing
Explanation: A hard nut to crack describes something difficult to solve or understand. It compares a difficult problem with a nut that is hard to open.
Correct answer: A difficult problem- A. To continue doing something
- B. To end doing something
- C. To start doing something
- D. None of these
Explanation: Carry on means to continue doing something, as in “Carry on with your work.” It is not used here for starting or ending an activity.
Correct answer: To continue doing something- A. To kill
- B. To achieve a goal
- C. To die
- D. To be successful
Explanation: To kick the bucket is an informal idiom meaning to die. It is a euphemistic expression rather than a reference to literally kicking an…
Correct answer: To die- A. an extremely thin person.
- B. a container use to carry bones.
- C. a person who has a lot of energy.
- D. a type of storage for old items.
Explanation: A bag of bones describes a person who is extremely thin, with the bones visibly prominent.
Correct answer: an extremely thin person.- A. an extremely thin person.
- B. a difficult thing.
- C. comfortable.
- D. a big important person.
Explanation: A bag of bones is a figurative description of an extremely thin person. It does not mean a difficult thing or a person of importance.
Correct answer: an extremely thin person.- A. comfortable.
- B. an extremely thin person.
- C. a difficult thing.
- D. a big important person.
Explanation: A bed of roses represents a pleasant, comfortable, or trouble-free situation.
Correct answer: comfortable.- A. a difficult thing.
- B. comfortable.
- C. an extremely thin person.
- D. a big important person.
Explanation: A bed of thorns refers to a difficult, painful, or troublesome situation, in contrast with a bed of roses.
Correct answer: a difficult thing.- A. a person or animal used for carrying heavy loads or does hard work.
- B. a wild animal used in the circus.
- C. a dangerous animal.
- D. a person who enjoys lifting weights.Government
Explanation: A beast of burden is an animal, or occasionally a person, used to carry heavy loads or perform hard physical work.
Correct answer: a person or animal used for carrying heavy loads or does hard work.- A. a big important person.
- B. an extremely thin person.
- C. a difficult thing.
- D. comfortable.Standardized & Admissions Tests
Explanation: A big gun is an important, powerful, or influential person, especially in an organisation.
Correct answer: a big important person.- A. A view from a high or elevated position.
- B. A very detailed view of something.
- C. A view of something close up.
- D. A perspective from a person's point of view.Everyday Science Quiz
Explanation: A bird’s-eye view is a view from above or from a high position, as if seen by a bird in flight.
Correct answer: A view from a high or elevated position.- A. an extremely thin person.
- B. a difficult thing.
- C. person with bad reputation.
- D. comfortable.
Explanation: A black sheep is a person who is regarded as different or disreputable within a group or family.
Correct answer: person with bad reputation.- A. A curse like a blessing.
- B. a misfortune that results in something good.
- C. A situation where someone is tricked into thinking something good,
- D. a blessing that is hidden from others.
Explanation: A blessing in disguise is something that first appears to be bad or unfortunate but eventually produces a good result.
Correct answer: a misfortune that results in something good.- A. Unattainable dream
- B. A day dream
- C. A night dream
- D. None
Explanation: A pipe dream is an unrealistic or unattainable hope or plan. It is not simply a dream that occurs during the day or night.
Correct answer: Unattainable dreamIdioms and Phrases MCQs: common questions
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There are 292 Idioms and Phrases MCQs in the English bank, shown 20 to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
Does every Idioms and Phrases MCQ have an explanation?
Yes. Each Idioms and Phrases question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
Can I take a timed Idioms and Phrases test?
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