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 8 of 15

Very hard
  • A. Depression and low spirits
  • B. Remain undecided & uncomplete
  • C. Do favors for getting favors
  • D. Basic information about se*ual behaviour in humans

Explanation: “The birds and the bees” is an indirect expression for basic information about human sexual reproduction or sexual behaviour.

Correct answer: Basic information about se*ual behaviour in humans
Moderate
  • A. To cooperate with enemies
  • B. To be in strong disagreement or dispute
  • C. To face stiff opposition
  • D. To tax one's mind and body

Explanation: To be at loggerheads means to be in serious disagreement or conflict with someone.

Correct answer: To be in strong disagreement or dispute
Fairly easy
  • A. to advise
  • B. to ask
  • C. to urge
  • D. to warn

Explanation: To egg someone on is to encourage or urge that person to act, often recklessly. It does not mean merely to advise, ask, or warn.

Correct answer: to urge
Very hard
  • A. Bad intention
  • B. Genuine
  • C. Trustworthy
  • D. Generous

Explanation: Mala fide is Latin for “in bad faith,” implying dishonest or bad intention. Its opposite is bona fide, meaning genuine or in good faith.

Correct answer: Bad intention
Moderate
  • A. Up & down
  • B. Joys & sorrows
  • C. whole heartedly
  • D. Extreme hate

Explanation: “Weal and woe” is a paired expression meaning both good fortune and bad fortune, or joys and sorrows.

Correct answer: Joys & sorrows
Moderate
  • A. went on gambling
  • B. bought a horse
  • C. superior
  • D. None of them

Explanation: To ride the high horse means to behave as though one is superior to others.

Correct answer: superior
Moderate
  • A. To be one,s guest
  • B. To cook tasty dishes
  • C. An infectious diseas
  • D. None

Explanation: To eat someone’s salt means to stay as that person’s guest or receive their hospitality. It has no connection with cooking or illness.

Correct answer: To be one,s guest
Fairly easy
  • A. Kind
  • B. Rich
  • C. Educated
  • D. Qurralsome

Explanation: The salt of the earth refers to people who are exceptionally good, honest, and dependable. “Kind” is the closest available option.

Correct answer: Kind
Fairly easy
  • A. To be greeted rudely
  • B. To be offered warm hospitailty
  • C. To be on the front seat in a concert
  • D. To bear the consequences

Explanation: To face the music means to confront an unpleasant result or accept the consequences of one’s actions.

Correct answer: To bear the consequences
Very hard
  • A. one side only
  • B. Indefinitly
  • C. New
  • D. None of Above

Explanation: The Latin phrase de novo means “anew” or “from the beginning,” making “new” the closest option.

Correct answer: New
Fairly easy
  • A. Mark of thumb on a legal paper
  • B. a rough estimate
  • C. an easy choice
  • D. an unknown rule

Explanation: A rule of thumb is a practical general guideline based on experience rather than an exact rule.

Correct answer: a rough estimate
Hard
  • A. To use axe frequently
  • B. Selfish motive
  • C. To have a dispute with someone
  • D. To be fair with someone

Explanation: To have an axe to grind means to have a personal or selfish motive, often involving a grievance.

Correct answer: Selfish motive
Fairly easy
  • A. Try to meet George Bush
  • B. To avoid the main topic
  • C. To make noise
  • D. To accompany someone in a jungle

Explanation: To beat about the bush means to avoid stating the main point directly. The expression contrasts indirect talk with addressing the subject…

Correct answer: To avoid the main topic
Very hard
  • A. wheel in the motion
  • B. A blank thing
  • C. Going by the rules
  • D. Full discretionary powers

Explanation: Carte blanche is a French expression meaning complete freedom or full discretionary authority to act.

Correct answer: Full discretionary powers
Fairly easy
  • A. Wisdome and foresight
  • B. Watch the weather
  • C. spotlessly clean
  • D. Deceive somebody

Explanation: “Spick and span” describes something that is completely clean, neat, and fresh-looking.

Correct answer: spotlessly clean
Moderate
  • A. Go faster
  • B. Make something more exciting
  • C. Make a lot of noise
  • D. Be Strong

Explanation: To jazz something up means to make it livelier, more attractive, or more exciting.

Correct answer: Make something more exciting
Fairly easy
  • A. The ordinary members
  • B. The official machinery
  • C. The majority
  • D. The cabinet ministers

Explanation: “Rank and file” refers to the ordinary members of an organization, as opposed to its leaders or officers.

Correct answer: The ordinary members
Moderate
  • A. Last work
  • B. First work
  • C. Middle work
  • D. Early work

Explanation: A swan song is a person’s final work, performance, or appearance before retirement or death.

Correct answer: Last work
Very hard
  • A. inns and out
  • B. up to neck
  • C. up to the hilt
  • D. kith and kin

Explanation: “Up to the hilt” means completely or fully, so being busy with work up to the hilt means being extremely busy.

Correct answer: up to the hilt
Hard
  • A. At Regular Times
  • B. At Irregular Times
  • C. Every Hour
  • D. None of these

Explanation: “At all hours” means at any time, often suggesting irregular or inconvenient times rather than every single hour.

Correct answer: At Irregular Times