Free Idioms and Phrases MCQs with Answers

• A. Raining very heavily
• B. Easy option
• C. Very rarely
• D. one who presents a counter argument

Explanation: “Raining cats and dogs” is an idiom for rain falling very heavily. It does not refer to animals or to rare rainfall.

• A. Keep in mind
• B. Keep at a distance
• C. Keep thinking about something
• D. Keep at the sea-shore

Explanation: To keep someone or something at bay means to keep it away or at a safe distance.

• A. As soon as it was spoken
• B. Done easily, without any preparation
• C. Done in an instant
• D. After something is done

Explanation: “At the drop of a hat” means immediately and without needing preparation or planning.

• A. Join a popular trend or activity
• B. To hear something from the authoritative source
• C. To know the answer
• D. To have no idea

Explanation: “Your guess is as good as mine” means that the speaker does not know the answer either.

• A. To present a counter argument
• B. To take on a task that is way to big
• C. The show has come to an end. It's all over
• D. Very different from

Explanation: “Far cry from” means very different from or greatly unlike something. It is used when there is a wide contrast between two people, things…

• A. A foolish and hopeless search for or pursuit of something unattainable
• B. To take credit for something someone else did
• C. To not take what someone says too seriously; to treat someone's words with a degree of skepticism
• D. A phrase implying that one is not proficient at performing a particular task and that they should not try to perform the task professionally

Explanation: A wild goose chase is a foolish or hopeless search for something difficult or impossible to obtain.

• A. Frivolously performing a simple task
• B. Reveal someone's secret
• C. To stop something at an early stage
• D. Frivolously performing a simple task

Explanation: To spill the beans means to reveal secret or confidential information. It is commonly used when someone discloses a secret accidentally or…

• A. To pacify someone
• B. To irritate someone
• C. To soothe someone
• D. To Hug someone

Explanation: To get someone’s goat means to irritate or annoy that person. Pacify and soothe are opposites of the intended meaning.

• A. To be an informant
• B. Almost free. Very cheap
• C. To stop something at an early stage
• D. To leave

Explanation: “Drop a dime” is an informal expression meaning to inform on someone, especially by reporting them to the authorities.

• A. To action a task; to initiate work
• B. To become silent; to stop talking
• C. To take offense; to get worked up, aggravated, or annoyed
• D. To chat idly or generally waste time talking

Explanation: To chew the fat means to chat casually, often for a long time without discussing anything important.

• A. A person that is not too smart; a person that acts stupid
• B. A person that is too smart; a person that acts Sharp
• C. A person that is too lazy; a person that acts dull
• D. A person that too angry; a person that acts hastly

Explanation: A bird brain is a person regarded as foolish or lacking intelligence. The expression is insulting and does not mean a sharp or highly…

• A. A phrase implying that a person is never satisfied with their current situation; they think others have it better
• B. People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than by what they say
• C. A situation wherein someone has the privilege of enjoying two different opportunities
• D. Just the information I have on the subject

Explanation: Having the best of both worlds means enjoying the advantages of two different situations or opportunities.

• A. To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution
• B. An obvious, pressing issue left unaddressed due to its sensitive nature.
• C. To speak the truth, even to the point of being blunt and rude
• D. To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting

Explanation: Beating a dead horse means continuing to discuss or pursue an issue after further effort can achieve nothing.

• A. An area of vulnerability
• B. Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow escape from a disaster
• C. To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally or to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant
• D. One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, or stress

Explanation: A basket case is a person or situation rendered helpless or ineffective, often by panic, stress, or emotional strain.

• A. Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy
• B. A person that is not too smart; a person that acts stupid
• C. To further a loss with sarcasm or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation
• D. To speak the truth, even to the point of being blunt and rude

Explanation: An apple of discord is a person or thing that causes disagreement, trouble, or jealousy.

• A. Full throttle; at maximum speed
• B. Very cheap or inexpensive. A little amount of money
• C. Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money
• D. One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, or stress

Explanation: “An arm and a leg” means an extremely large amount of money or a very high cost. It is therefore the opposite of cheap or inexpensive.

• A. An obvious, pressing issue left unaddressed due to its sensitive nature
• B. In good physical health
• C. Someone can perceive things and events that are outside of their field of vision
• D. You learned something through means of a rumor

Explanation: The elephant in the room is an obvious and important problem that people avoid discussing because it is uncomfortable or sensitive.

• A. To action a task; to initiate work
• B. A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength
• C. A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage
• D. To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable

Explanation: Achilles’ heel is a weak point in someone or something that is otherwise strong, like Achilles’ vulnerable heel in Greek mythology.

• A. A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage
• B. A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength
• C. Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy
• D. Without any hesitation; instantly

Explanation: An ace in the hole is a hidden resource or advantage kept in reserve for use when needed. It is a secret strength, not a weakness.

• A. The one tiny drawback that ruins it
• B. To go to bed to sleep
• C. To find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor
• D. A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with

Explanation: A hot potato is a controversial or difficult matter that people want to avoid handling.