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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292 questions · page 11 of 15

Hard
  • A. Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy
  • B. A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with
  • C. A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted
  • D. When an attempt fails, and it's time to start planning all over again

Explanation: A bitter pill is an unpleasant fact or situation that must nevertheless be accepted.

Correct answer: A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted
Very hard
  • A. tried to cause an accident
  • B. helped in the execution of the plan
  • C. thwarted in the execution of the plan
  • D. destroyed the plan

Explanation: To put a spoke in someone’s wheel means to obstruct or thwart their plans, just as a spoke can stop a wheel from turning.

Correct answer: thwarted in the execution of the plan
Moderate
  • A. flatters
  • B. praises others
  • C. admonishes others
  • D. praises himself

Explanation: To blow one’s own trumpet means to praise or boast about oneself. It is the opposite of modestly acknowledging others’ achievements.

Correct answer: praises himself
Very hard
  • A. die on a horse back
  • B. die in the battlefield
  • C. die while still working
  • D. die with honour

Explanation: To die in harness means to die while still engaged in one’s work or duty.

Correct answer: die while still working
Moderate
  • A. Was regarded as
  • B. Pretended to be
  • C. Was thought to be
  • D. Was looked upon

Explanation: To pass oneself off as someone means to pretend to be that person or to falsely present oneself as having that identity or status.

Correct answer: Pretended to be
Moderate
  • A. scolded me
  • B. insulted me
  • C. abused me
  • D. ignored me

Explanation: To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore or show an unfriendly lack of attention to them.

Correct answer: ignored me
Hard
  • A. Toppled over
  • B. Bribed
  • C. Given advance information
  • D. Threatened

Explanation: To tip someone off means to give them advance information, often secretly, about an event or danger.

Correct answer: Given advance information
Moderate
  • A. To oppose with determination
  • B. To judge by appearance
  • C. To get out of difficulty
  • D. To look at one steadily

Explanation: To set one’s face against something means to oppose it firmly and determinedly.

Correct answer: To oppose with determination
Easy
  • A. To say something that is exactly right or completely true
  • B. To destroy one's reputation
  • C. To announce one's fixed views
  • D. To teach someone a lesson

Explanation: To hit the nail right on the head means to state something exactly or identify the precise point.

Correct answer: To say something that is exactly right or completely true
Moderate
  • A. To see signs of plague epidemic
  • B. To get bad small of a bad dead rat
  • C. To suspect foul dealings
  • D. To be in a bad mood

Explanation: To smell a rat means to suspect that something dishonest, suspicious, or improper is taking place.

Correct answer: To suspect foul dealings
Moderate
  • A. A man of no substance
  • B. A very active person
  • C. A worthy fellow
  • D. An unreasonable person

Explanation: A man of straw is a person without real ability, influence, or substance.

Correct answer: A man of no substance
Hard
  • A. To come to compromise with someone
  • B. Constant source of annoyance to someone
  • C. To put someone at ease
  • D. To desert someone in his difficulties

Explanation: To leave someone in the lurch means to abandon them when they are in difficulty or need help.

Correct answer: To desert someone in his difficulties
Moderate
  • A. To find some reason to quarrel
  • B. To destroy something
  • C. To criticize someone
  • D. To cut some part of an item

Explanation: To pick holes means to find and point out faults or weaknesses, usually in someone’s work or argument.

Correct answer: To criticize someone
Very hard
  • A. To take up agricultural farming
  • B. To take a difficult task
  • C. To get entangled into unnecessary things
  • D. Take interest in technical work

Explanation: To put one’s hand to the plough means to begin or undertake a demanding task or course of action.

Correct answer: To take a difficult task
Easy
  • A. To listen eagerly
  • B. To give false alarm
  • C. To turn pale
  • D. To keep off starvation

Explanation: To cry wolf means to raise a false alarm, referring to the boy in the fable who repeatedly claimed that a wolf was present when it was not.

Correct answer: To give false alarm
Moderate
  • A. A private end to serve
  • B. To fail to arouse interest
  • C. To have no result
  • D. To work for both sides

Explanation: A person who has an axe to grind has a private interest or personal purpose to promote, often while pretending to be impartial.

Correct answer: A private end to serve
Moderate
  • A. To gain prominence
  • B. To praise oneself
  • C. To confess without of reserve
  • D. To destroy before it blooms

Explanation: To make a clean breast of something means to confess it fully and frankly, without concealing details.

Correct answer: To confess without of reserve
Moderate
  • A. A bee's house
  • B. A violent situation
  • C. A good situation
  • D. A dangerous place

Explanation: A hornet’s nest is a situation likely to cause trouble, conflict, or angry reactions.

Correct answer: A violent situation
Very hard
  • A. To cover everything
  • B. To seize everything
  • C. To finish
  • D. To occur

Explanation: To cap it all means to add a final or usually surprising event, often completing a series of events.

Correct answer: To finish
Moderate
  • A. To get ready
  • B. To finish
  • C. To start
  • D. To improve

Explanation: “Pull your socks up” means to improve your effort or performance, often after doing poorly. It does not simply mean to get ready or start.

Correct answer: To improve