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 7 of 15
- A. a dangerous day
- B. an important day
- C. an eventful day
- D. a formidable day
Explanation: A red-letter day is a notably important or memorable day, often connected with a celebration or achievement.
Correct answer: an important day- A. stop loving
- B. not like each other at all.
- C. forming a group
- D. have good understanding
Explanation: If there is no love lost between people, they dislike each other strongly. It is the opposite of having a good understanding.
Correct answer: not like each other at all.- A. resigned
- B. got rid of
- C. was demoted from
- D. was dismissed from
Explanation: To get the sack means to be dismissed or fired from a job. It does not mean resigning, because resignation is voluntary.
Correct answer: was dismissed from- A. measure the ingredient
- B. observe etiquette
- C. consider all facts
- D. postpone action
Explanation: The pros and cons are the advantages and disadvantages of something, so considering them means weighing all the relevant facts.
Correct answer: consider all facts- A. very slowly
- B. very quickly
- C. irregularly
- D. very systematically
Explanation: By leaps and bounds means very rapidly or by a large amount. It suggests noticeable progress rather than slow or systematic movement.
Correct answer: very quickly- A. disputed
- B. paid attention to
- C. To ignore or refuse to listen to someone or something
- D. acknowledged gratefully
Explanation: To turn a deaf ear to something is to deliberately ignore it or refuse to listen. It indicates inattention, not dispute or gratitude.
Correct answer: To ignore or refuse to listen to someone or something- A. to understand thoroughly
- B. to be puzzled
- C. to be a stupid person
- D. to behave irrationally
Explanation: A person at their wit’s end has exhausted their ideas and does not know what to do, making “puzzled” the closest option.
Correct answer: to be puzzled- A. Making progress
- B. To sound logical
- C. To keep doing something despite its apparent pointlessness or futility
- D. None of these
Explanation: To beat the air means to make futile efforts that produce no result, like striking at something that cannot be hit.
Correct answer: To keep doing something despite its apparent pointlessness or futility129. Be in your ________.
- A. Boats
- B. Shoes
- C. House
- D. Ship
Explanation: To be in someone’s shoes means to be in their situation or to imagine experiencing what they experience.
Correct answer: Shoes- A. When
- B. While
- C. Than
- D. If
Explanation: The fixed proverb is “Make hay while the sun shines,” meaning use an opportunity while favourable conditions last.
Correct answer: While- A. Unlucky
- B. Lucky
- C. Hard worker
- D. None of these
Explanation: “Star-crossed” describes people or events thwarted by fate, especially in love, so it means ill-fated or unlucky.
Correct answer: Unlucky- A. To entertain friends
- B. To fail or to miscarry
- C. To engage in a competition
- D. Get up to be involved in something
Explanation: To break a lance with someone means to engage them in a contest, argument, or verbal conflict.
Correct answer: To engage in a competition- A. Between two great difficulties
- B. Between two great opportunities
- C. In a confused situation
- D. None of these
Explanation: “Between Scylla and Charybdis” refers to being caught between two serious dangers or difficulties.
Correct answer: Between two great difficulties- A. A difficult situation
- B. To meet suddenly with someone
- C. To leave someone in difficulty
- D. To assist someone in adverse circumstances
Explanation: To leave someone in the lurch is to abandon that person when they are in difficulty or need help.
Correct answer: To leave someone in difficulty- A. To get rid off
- B. In a state of terror
- C. To be against person wishes
- D. To make a challenge.
Explanation: To be in a blue funk means to be in a state of extreme fear, anxiety, or depression.
Correct answer: In a state of terror- A. To do something risky
- B. To get benefit of the opportunity
- C. Change the parties
- D. Being to improve
Explanation: To play one’s cards right means to act wisely in a situation so that one gains an advantage or benefit.
Correct answer: To get benefit of the opportunity- A. A person with good behaviour
- B. To solve one's own issues without any help
- C. To have aims & desires suitable to circumstances
- D. To be successful
Explanation: To paddle one’s own canoe, sometimes incorrectly written as “peddle,” means to manage one’s affairs independently without relying on…
Correct answer: To solve one's own issues without any help- A. Become uncertain about something
- B. To avoid from someone
- C. To reveal the Secrets
- D. Something difficult to accept
Explanation: To spill the beans means to disclose secret or confidential information.
Correct answer: To reveal the Secrets- A. Something difficult to accept
- B. Extremely Impatient
- C. A pessimistic Person
- D. None of these
Explanation: Someone champing at the bit is extremely eager or impatient to begin something.
Correct answer: Extremely Impatient- A. In a indirect way
- B. The impossible task
- C. In a direct & straight way
- D. None of these
Explanation: As the crow flies describes the shortest direct distance between two places, ignoring bends in roads or routes.
Correct answer: In a direct & straight way