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

Hard
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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.
Fairly easy
  • 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
Hard
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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
Hard
  • 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
Hard
  • 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 futility
Moderate
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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
Hard
  • 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
Very hard
  • 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
Hard
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Very hard
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Very hard
  • 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
Fairly easy
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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
Moderate
  • 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