Practice Questions: Idioms and Phrases - 1

Directions: In this question you are required to choose the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase given in underline in the sentence.

Q1: He's turning into a bag of bones.
(a) An emaciated person
(b) A dead person
(c) A person about to die
(d) A bag full of bones
Ans: (a)
Explanation: "Bag of bones" is an idiom used to describe a person or animal that is extremely thin or emaciated, so that the bones are visible through the skin. It is often used in a disparaging way for someone who appears very frail, including a very old person. Example: The old, abandoned dog looked like a bag of bones after living on the streets for so long. Poor Dave looked like a bag of bones when he was done with his cancer treatment. Hence, option A is correct.

Q2: He cannot be allowed to ride roughshod over his colleagues with his ambitious plans.
(a) To give due respect to
(b) To surpass others
(c) To desert someone
(d) To act without caring
Ans: (d)
Explanation: "Ride roughshod over" means to behave in a way that ignores other people's wishes, rules or feelings - in short, to act without caring about the effect on others. The phrase originally alludes to harsh horseshoes used in battle and later came to describe bullying or domineering behaviour. Example: He rode roughshod over his workers whenever he felt they weren't working hard enough. They accused the government of riding roughshod over parliamentary procedure. Hence, option D is correct.

Q3: The cafes on the boulevard were doing a roaring trade.
(a) In the animal business
(b) Extremely poor
(c) Highly successful
(d) Shouting at others
Ans: (c)
Explanation: To "do a roaring trade" means to sell large quantities quickly; it describes a business that is very successful and busy. For example: The toy department was doing a roaring trade in furry dinosaurs. It was a hot sunny day and the ice cream sellers were doing a roaring trade. Hence, option C is correct.

Q4: The party was cut short when the police arrived.
(a) To break into pieces
(b) To be interrupted
(c) To be postponed
(d) To get worse
Ans: (b)
Explanation: To "cut something short" means to end it prematurely or to interrupt someone before they have finished. To "cut someone short" specifically means to stop them while they are speaking. Examples: I tried to explain, but he cut me short. The thunderstorm cut short our picnic. Hence, option B is correct.

Q5: His second novel proved to be a flash in the pan.
(a) One that promises great success but fails
(b) A golden egg
(c) Something that brings success
(d) Bright and noticeable
Ans: (a)
Explanation: "A flash in the pan" refers to something or someone whose success or popularity is brief and does not last; it often describes an effort that promised much but failed to deliver sustained results. Example: We had high hopes for the new director, but she was a flash in the pan. Hence, option A is correct.

Q6: In Galda, thousands of men and women had been put to the sword.
(a) To give weapons to someone
(b) To enlist someone in the military
(c) To kill someone
(d) To fight with someone
Ans: (c)
Explanation: "Put to the sword" is an idiom meaning to kill or slay, often used in historical or formal contexts to describe massacre or execution. Example: Thousands of innocents were put to the sword. Hence, option C is correct.

Q7: What with all those car repairs, we're going to be in the red this month.
(a) Very busy
(b) Making loss
(c) Working overtime
(d) Without a place to live
Ans: (b)
Explanation: "In the red" means operating at a loss or being in debt. The phrase comes from the practice of using red ink to show financial losses. Example: Tourism is down and many hotels are operating in the red. Hence, option B is correct.

Q8: Ever since leaving the company, he's been at loose ends.
(a) In an uncertain situation
(b) In trouble
(c) Very happy
(d) Poor
Ans: (a)
Explanation: "At loose ends" (or "at a loose end") means to be in an unsettled or uncertain situation, without a clear purpose or regular occupation. Example: Jane couldn't find a job this year and so is at loose ends for the summer. Hence, option A is correct.

Q9: He tries not to ruffle feathers, and people seem to like to work with him.
(a) To appease someone
(b) To please someone
(c) To annoy someone
(d) To show a servile attitude
Ans: (c)
Explanation: To "ruffle someone's feathers" means to irritate or annoy them. The image is of a bird whose feathers are disturbed when it is upset. Example: David ruffled a few feathers when he suggested cutting the teachers' salaries. Hence, option C is correct.

Q10: We are waiting with bated breath for the release of the new version.
(a) Unable to breathe
(b) In anticipation
(c) Waiting patiently
(d) An impatient person
Ans: (b)
Explanation: "With bated breath" means waiting eagerly or anxiously in anticipation of something. It conveys keen expectation or suspense. Example: People always wait with bated breath for Salman Khan's movies. Hence, option B is correct.