Practice Questions: Idioms and Phrases - 2 | English for CLAT PDF Download

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

Q1: Hitler was famous for his policies of ethnic cleansing.
(a) being a successful leader
(b) a dominating leader
(c) winning the wars by wit
(d) killing of a group of people
Ans: (d)
Ethnic cleansing (Idiom):
The singling out and killing of a specific ethnic group on a massive scale
Ex. During the time of world war, many religious groups faced ethnic cleansing.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Q2: A servant has to always be at his master's beck and call.
(a) ready to obey someone
(b) stay at the house
(c) act as a driver in case of emergency
(d) sign a bond to serve for a lifetime
Ans: (a)
At someone's beck and call (Idiom):
Subject to someone's slightest wish.
Ex. The husband angrily replied to his wife that he will not always be at her beck and call.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Q3: The lieutenant general acted like a loose cannon during the time of war.
(a) a soldier ready to take on the enemy with full energy
(b) a soldier unwilling to fight the enemy
(c) a person who acts unpredictably
(d) a person who has to take care of the cannons
Ans: (c)
Loose cannon (Idiom):
A person who behaves in an uncontrolled or unexpected way.
Ex. It is better to maintain safe distance from people who are considered to be loose cannons.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Q4: The legendary actor was considered to be a leading light in the film industry.
(a) an insignificant person
(b) an influential person
(c) an elderly celebrity
(d) a very popular face
Ans: (b)
Leading light (Idiom):
An important and respected person in a group or organization.
Ex. A leading light of the environmental campaign, he helped improve the situation of the dying river.
Hence, the correct answer is option B

Q5: When the game was midway, Sameer had scored very high points, but then Rohit had the last laugh.
(a) to be successful at the end
(b) to become rich
(c) winning the game by maximum points
(d) laughing and making fun of others’ situation
Ans: (a)
Have the last laugh (Idiom):
To win or be successful at the end of a difficult situation.
Ex. The critics gave the film bad ratings, but it had the last laugh when it won the “best film” award.
Hence, the correct answer is option A

Q6: The first driverless metro of the country met with an accident during the dry run itself.
(a) a test without safety measures
(b) a run to check the speed
(c) a run on dry tracks
(d) a trial run
Ans: (d)
Dry run (Idiom):
A practice session or test designed to identify and correct possible problems.
Ex. The dry run of the play was conducted without the use of actual costumes.
Hence, the correct answer is option D

Q7: When the exam season was at its peak, the best teacher of the institute left it in the lurch.
(a) to leave the institute due to bad health
(b) to go for a short holiday
(c) to join another organization
(d) to leave someone in a difficult situation
Ans: (d)
Leave in the lurch (Idiom):
To leave someone in an uncomfortable or desperate situation; desert in time of trouble.
Ex. The vice president left the company in the lurch, when his expertise was needed the most.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Q8: In India, English generally acts as the lingua franca for the people of north and south.
(a) a common topic of discussion
(b) a subject of prejudice
(c) a common language used
(d) a melting point
Ans: (c)
Lingua franca (Idiom):
A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.
Ex. In the absence of lingua franca, it will be difficult to communicate with people of different countries.
Hence, the correct answer is option C

Q9: Following the success of his debut film, the actor was in no mood to rest on his laurels.
(a) to stop working for some time
(b) to be successful and still working
(c) putting efforts to achieve greater heights
(d) to stop trying because one is satisfied with one's past achievements
Ans: (d)
Rest on one’s laurels (Idiom):
To stop putting effort to advance one's career or status and be satisfied with one's past achievements or accolades.
Ex. The coach advised the team not to rest on its laurels, as the world cup was approaching soon.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Q10: It is very tough to maintain sangfroid these days as many unethical and disappointing incidents keep happening in the world.
(a) to maintain mental health in difficult situation
(b) to stay happy under stress
(c) to maintain composure in difficult situation
(d) to keep physical fitness and health
Ans: (c)
Maintain Sangfroid (Idiom):
To maintain composure or calmness that is maintained under stressful or trying circumstances.
Ex. The unemployed youth may not be able to maintain their sangfroid for long, as the number of job opportunities is decreasing day by day.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.