Free Idioms and Phrases MCQs with Answers

242 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.

242 questions · page 4 of 25

31. In their first debate, Kamala gets under Trump's skin. Here "get under someone's skin" means:

  • A. Irritate or upset someone
  • B. Do it with a lot of force and energy
  • C. To meet and spend time with someone
  • D. Say or do something that someone should not have

Explanation: To get under someone’s skin means to irritate, annoy, or upset that person. It refers to an emotional reaction, not physical force or spending time together.

Correct answer: Irritate or upset someone

32. Take something with a pinch of salt", means:

  • A. Without wholly believing
  • B. Eat with some extra salt
  • C. Eat without salt
  • D. Believe something completely

Explanation: To take something with a pinch of salt means to hear it skeptically rather than accept it as completely true. The phrase is figurative and does not refer to seasoning food.

Correct answer: Without wholly believing

33. Qureshi accuses prosecution of dilly-dallying. Here the word 'dilly-dallying' means:

  • A. Wasting time by being indecisive
  • B. Becoming hasty in decision making
  • C. Not cooperating with council
  • D. Not respecting because of political interference

Explanation: Dilly-dallying means delaying or wasting time, especially because of indecision. It is the opposite of making a quick or hasty decision.

Correct answer: Wasting time by being indecisive

34. What is the meaning of the idiom "Spill the beans"?

  • A. To make a mess
  • B. To reveal a secret
  • C. To tell a lie
  • D. To start a fight

Explanation: To spill the beans means to reveal secret or confidential information, often accidentally or before the proper time. It is unrelated to making a literal mess with beans.

Correct answer: To reveal a secret

35. Be quids in, means:

  • A. To be making a profit
  • B. To suffer loss
  • C. To be in a situation
  • D. To be a part of a group

Explanation: To be quids in means to be in a financially profitable position. “Quid” is British slang for a pound, linking the idiom to money and profit.

Correct answer: To be making a profit

36. The new TV series from the West Wing team is ready to roll. Here idiom 'ready to roll' means:

  • A. Near to be finished
  • B. Start to be ruined
  • C. Going to start soon
  • D. Ready to leave soon

Explanation: “Ready to roll” means ready to begin or proceed, so the series is going to start soon. It can also mean ready to leave, but that meaning does not fit this context.

Correct answer: Going to start soon

37. Be pushing up the daisies, means:

  • A. Live for a long time
  • B. To be dead
  • C. Try hard for success
  • D. Trying something irrelevant

Explanation: “Pushing up the daisies” is a humorous euphemism for being dead, suggesting that a buried person is beneath growing flowers.

Correct answer: To be dead

38. Follow hot on the heels of, means:

  • A. Happen very slowly
  • B. Happen very soon
  • C. Happen in hidden manner
  • D. Happen slow and secretly

Explanation: To follow hot on someone’s heels means to follow very closely and soon after them. The expression suggests little time or distance between two events.

Correct answer: Happen very soon

39. 'Keep a tight rein on', means:

  • A. Exercise strict control over
  • B. Reign masses by force
  • C. Ride horse fast
  • D. Make uncomfortable

Explanation: To keep a tight rein on something means to exercise strict control over it. The image comes from firmly controlling a horse with its reins; “rein” is not “reign” here.

Correct answer: Exercise strict control over

40. "Till the cows come home", means:

  • A. Until evening time
  • B. For a very long time
  • C. Futile efforts everyday
  • D. Sometimes in a day

Explanation: “Till the cows come home” means for a very long or indefinite time. It does not literally refer only to the evening, although cows returning home can suggest a long wait.

Correct answer: For a very long time