MCQ Test: Idioms and Phrases- 1 - Banking Exams MCQ

Iron out: To ease, solve, or remove minor difficulties, troubles.

Ex: Your friends and family are great means of support when you need to iron out the wrinkles of your life.

Use an iron takes the phrase literally which is incorrect.

Of the rest, only option D- Tackle minor issues- fits in.

Hence, option D is correct.

Put up with something: To endure someone or something that one finds unpleasant or annoying.

Ex: I don't know how you put up with John—he's such a loudmouth!

The only option that fits in is tolerate meaning to endure.

Hence, option A is correct.

Make no bones about something:  If you make no bones about something, you don't hesitate to say something in a frank and open way.

Ex: Tom made no bones about wanting to be promoted.

This eliminates warm behavior.

Out of the rest, only being blunt fits in. Rude and discourteous do not match with the meaning conveyed above.

Hence, option C is correct.

Boil the ocean: To “boil the ocean” means to waste time on a task or project that is unnecessary and not worth doing.

Ex: You’re wasting my time. You might as well be boiling the ocean.

The closest option matching the correct meaning is waste time.

Hence, option C is correct.

Miss the boat: If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't act quickly enough.

Ex: I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer - but I nearly missed the boat!

As per the meaning above, acted quickly is opposite to the correct meaning.

Options C and D are irrelevant.

Only acted late matches with the context.

Hence, option B is correct.

Hold one’s breath: . Be excited, anxious, or nervous. In the above context, the phrase is negative.

Ex: The election was so close that I held my breath until the final results were in.

Option A is absurd. Out of the rest, only option B fits in with the context.

Hence, option B is correct.

Collaboration: To work jointly on an activity or project.

Ex: He collaborated with him on numerous hotel projects.

Berate means to scold severely and is irrelevant.

Distinctly is opposite to the correct meaning.

Recuperate is to recover.

Mutually means together and is correct.

Hence, option B is correct.

Draw the last straw: To obtain the least favorable, desirable, or fortunate outcome in a given selection.

Ex: I drew the short straw when it came to cleaning up after our shift last night.

Desired result is the opposite of what is meant by the idiom.

Exaggerate means to overstate/amplify something.

Camouflage means to hide something.

Unfavorable outcome fits in well.

Hence, option A is correct.

Bode: refers to forecasting/indicate/augur

Something bodes well when the clues or signs imply a favorable outcome.

Ex: Because I am a light sleeper, the dog's barking does not bode well for my desire to take a nap.

Definite  and certain are the opposite of indicate and incorrect.

Clues is irrelevant.

Only augur meaning foretell/portend/signify/bode is correct.

Hence, option D is correct.

Stumbling Block: A circumstance that causes difficulty or hesitation.

Ex: The country's water shortage was a stumbling block to investors.

Consecration refers to blessing.

Assistance meaning help, is opposite to the correct meaning.

Slab of rock takes the phrase in the literal sense and is incorrect.

Only Impediment, meaning obstacle fits in.

Hence, option B is correct.

Above board: If a situation or business is described as above board, it is open, honest and legal.

Ex: There are not secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been above board.

Covert means hidden while dishonest is opposite of the correct meaning.

Complete is irrelevant.

Legitimate is correct and means honest.

Hence, option C is correct.

Backhanded compliment: A remark that appears to express admiration but could also be interpreted as an insult.

Ex: He said my presentation was "surprisingly clear". How's that for a backhanded compliment! Does that mean that I am usually not clear ?"

Gauging and judging mean the same. Out of all the options, insulting matches the meaning well.

Hence, option B is correct.

Back to the wall: If you have your back to the wall, you are in serious difficulty with very few options available.

Ex: With his back to the wall, the supplier had to accept the deal.

Option B is the only one that matches the correct meaning.

Hence, option B is correct.

Looking back on: To think of or remember what has happened in the past.

Ex: She looked back on her career with a great deal of satisfaction.

Anticipate means to expect something.

Remember is the only option that fits in here.

Hence, option D is correct.

Laugh off: To dismiss something or someone as ridiculous or laughable.

Ex: She laughed off the critic's conclusion that the show was a flop.

The only option that is suitable here is dismiss.

Omit means to leave out something.

Considered means to think over something

Illuminate means to light up something.

Hence, option D is correct.

Takes two to tango: You say this when you think that a difficult situation cannot be the fault of one person alone.

Ex: We've heard her side of the story - but it takes two to tango!

Dissent and disagree are synonyms and opposite of the correct meaning.

Annihilate means to destroy and is irrelevant.

Only cooperation is correct here.

Hence, option A is correct.

Up and about: If someone is up and about, they are out of bed or have recovered after an illness or an injury.

Ex: The boy was kept in hospital for a week but he's up and about again.

Out of all the options, only out of bed matches the meaning given above.

Hence, option B is correct.

Yes-man: A yes-man is someone who always agrees with a person in authority in order to please them.

Ex: He is a yes-man. He agrees with everything the boss says!

Accomplice means a partner and does not depict the correct relationship here (of a boss and subordinate).

Both C and D can be easily eliminated.

Minion means somebody who is a subordinate/follower. This fits in.

Hence, option A is correct.

Scrutiny: Someone or something that is under (close) scrutiny is being watched or examined carefully.

Ex: The police are keeping the suspect under close scrutiny.

Probe and inspection mean to examine and match with the meaning of scrutiny.

Glance is the opposite of scrutiny.

Hence, option D is correct.

Yellow-belly: A person who is yellow-bellied is cowardly, or not at all brave.

Ex: The bus was full of yellow-bellied passengers who disappeared when the driver was attacked by two youths.

As per the meaning, only option C fits in.

Hence, option C is correct.