Test: Idioms And Proverbs- 2

To be above board: business agreement which is honest and not trying to deceive anyone.

die in harness: to die while still at work.

To hit the nail right on the head: to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem

tipped off : to give someone a warning or secret information about something.

Assume the truth of an argument or proposition to be proved, without arguing it.
Begging the question means "to elicit a specific question as a reaction or response," and can often be replaced with "a question that begs to be answered."
 

'A man of straw' is a man whose character is weak and who lacks definite beliefs; a man of no substance. Therefore option A is the correct answer. 
Options B, C and D are incorrect because these are not the correct meanings of the given phrase.

In the English language, 'Black sheep' is an idiom used to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family.

Definition of leave (someone) in the lurch
: to leave (someone) without help or protection when it is needed

big draw: a big source of attraction.

To make a clean breast of it' means to confess to one's mistakes or transgressions, to tell the truth about oneself. Therefore option C is the correct answer.

To end in smoke: to be destroyed or ruined.

Option A is the correct answer because 'to have an axe to grind' means to have a private reason for doing or being involved in something.
Options B, C and D are incorrect because these are not the correct meanings of the given phrase. 
Option E is incorrect because the correct answer has already been chosen.
 

To catch a tartar: to deal with someone or something that proves unexpectedly troublesome or powerful.

"To keeps one`s temper” : To be in good mood

The idiom 'to drive home' means to emphasize an important point about something to someone. You state it in a very forceful and effective way so it is well delivered to the other end.

Option B is the correct answer because 'to put one's hand to the plough' means to begin or undertake a difficult task.

To play a supporting or minor role in relation to someone else: “Tired of playing second fiddle, she resigned and started her own company.” In an orchestra, the position of second violinist (fiddle) is not as glamorous as that of first violinist.

hanging fire: to delay, wait, hold back, or hesitate.

lost heart: having lost confidence or enthusiasm.

To smell a rat: to suspect or realize that something is wrong in a particular situation.

To pick holes: to try and make an idea or piece of work seem bad by finding all the things that are wrong or missing.