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. Used to say: very expensive to purchase
- B. Used to say: finish a project once started at any cost
- C. Used to say: leave as soon as possible
- D. Used to say: having an intense and selfish desire for wealth or power.
Explanation: This idiom means that once an undertaking has begun, one should continue and complete it despite additional cost or difficulty.
Correct answer: Used to say: finish a project once started at any cost- A. To behave immaturely
- B. Compulsively bite or chew your skin
- C. Say something unnecessary and embarrassing
- D. To remain silent until you are asked to speak
Explanation: To put one’s foot in one’s mouth means to say something tactless, inappropriate, or embarrassing.
Correct answer: Say something unnecessary and embarrassing- A. Drink extra fluids during flu to keep from getting dehydrated
- B. Always remain clean and healthy
- C. Avoid getting into trouble
- D. Be quite and careful
Explanation: To keep your nose clean means to stay out of trouble and avoid wrongdoing.
Correct answer: Avoid getting into trouble- A. Make town colorful
- B. Keep something secret
- C. Go out and enjoy oneself
- D. Show the sign of danger
Explanation: To paint the town red means to go out and enjoy oneself, usually by celebrating or having an energetic night out.
Correct answer: Go out and enjoy oneself- A. Blur something
- B. Take it easy
- C. Pay no heed
- D. Disapprove and criticize
Explanation: To take a dim view of something means to regard it negatively and disapprove of it.
Correct answer: Disapprove and criticize- A. Rouse and enjoy morning coffee
- B. Ignore every thing and enjoy
- C. Realize the truth and facts
- D. Be confident about yourself
Explanation: “Wake up and smell the coffee” urges someone to face reality and recognize the facts.
Correct answer: Realize the truth and facts- A. Very impressive
- B. All talk but no action
- C. Much powerful and strong
- D. Place without animals
Explanation: “All hat and no cattle” describes someone who makes impressive claims or boasts but has no practical achievement or substance.
Correct answer: All talk but no action- A. With no more trouble
- B. With no more delay
- C. With no more respect
- D. With no more silence
Explanation: “Without further ado” means without any more delay or unnecessary introduction.
Correct answer: With no more delay- A. Important and necessary food
- B. Important and basic parts of something
- C. Unnecessary parts of something
- D. Unpredictable things
Explanation: The meat and potatoes are the basic, essential parts of a meal, so the idiom refers to the important and basic parts of something.
Correct answer: Important and basic parts of something- A. look at (someone) in a foolishly amorous way
- B. Leer at
- C. Gaze at
- D. None of These
Explanation: To make sheep's eyes at someone means to look at that person in a foolishly amorous or flirtatious way.
Correct answer: look at (someone) in a foolishly amorous way- A. To maintain interest
- B. To heat
- C. To show anger
- D. To do experiments
Explanation: To keep the pot boiling means to keep a matter active or maintain interest in it.
Correct answer: To maintain interest- A. Waste time on a bad activity
- B. Offer something valuable to someone who does not know its value
- C. Become very serious for your work
- D. None of These
Explanation: Casting pearls before swine means offering something valuable to people unable or unwilling to appreciate it.
Correct answer: Offer something valuable to someone who does not know its value- A. Admit good qualities of someone you do not like
- B. Be afraid of the enemy
- C. Do not underestimate your enemy
- D. All of These
Explanation: To give the devil his due means to admit the good qualities or merits of someone one dislikes.
Correct answer: Admit good qualities of someone you do not like- A. A care free and vivacious person
- B. A very lucky person
- C. A very courageous person
- D. A very lazy person
Explanation: A happy-go-lucky person is carefree, cheerful, and lively, taking life without much worry.
Correct answer: A care free and vivacious person- A. Obtain something only with difficulty
- B. Be ruined
- C. Skyrocket without effort
- D. Remain stable
Explanation: To eke out something means to obtain or produce it with difficulty and in small amounts.
Correct answer: Obtain something only with difficulty- A. Partially
- B. In danger
- C. As a total or whole
- D. Step by step
Explanation: The Latin phrase “in toto” means completely or as a whole. “Partially” is its opposite, not its meaning.
Correct answer: As a total or whole- A. To change the direction of someone
- B. To make someone feel less confident
- C. To destroy someone
- D. To make someone more confident
Explanation: To take the wind out of someone’s sails is to reduce their confidence, enthusiasm, or momentum.
Correct answer: To make someone feel less confident- A. Needy
- B. Unsuccessful
- C. Powerless
- D. Inactive
Explanation: A “lame duck” is a person or organisation that is weak, unsuccessful, or unable to function effectively.
Correct answer: Unsuccessful- A. Time
- B. A long time
- C. A special Sunday
- D. A short period
Explanation: “A month of Sundays” is an exaggerated expression for a very long time. It does not refer to one particular Sunday or a short period.
Correct answer: A long time- A. Something is wet
- B. Cloudy weather
- C. Something is right
- D. Something is perfect Downloading Interactive Party Trivia Games
Explanation: “As right as rain” means perfectly well, satisfactory, or in excellent condition.
Correct answer: Something is perfect Downloading Interactive Party Trivia Games