Directions: In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom and Phrase in ” ” in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom or Phrase.
He worked hard to “feather his nest”. a) decorate his home b) be the envy of others c) provide for his own needs d) trap birds
Solution: (C)
feather your nest : to make yourself richer, especially by spending money on yourself that should be spent on something else.
Raju’s many profitable consulting assignments enabled him to feather his nest quite comfortably.
The best option is provide for his own needs
He advised her to give “a wide berth” to malicious people. a) give a larger bed to b) share her seat with c) to stay away from d) pay more attention to
Solution: (c)
give somebody/something a wide berth : to not go too near somebody/ something; to avoid somebody/something
He gave the dog a wide berth. The best option is to stay away from
Sunil’s “dog in a manger” attitude did not help to settle the matter. a) selfless b) selfish c) warm d) cold
Solution: (b)
a dog in the manger : a person who stops other people from enjoying what he or she cannot use or does not want.
Stop being such a dog in the manger and let your sister ride your bike if you’re not using it The best option is selfish
If the speaker continues with his boring speech, the audience will probably vote “with their feet”. a) show their disapproval b) stop him from speaking c) choose him as leader d) kick him out
Solution: (a)
vote with your feet : to show what you think about something by going or not going somewhere.
Shoppers voted with their feet and avoided the store.
The best option is show their disapproval
Shyam Prasad was “a chip of the old block”. a) an experienced old man b) a common boy of the locality c) someone similar in character to one’s father d) a being of the old generation
Solution: (c)
a chip off the old block : a person who is very similar to their mother or father in the way they look or behave.
She enjoys bossing people around just like her mother used to do – she’s a real chip off the old block!
The best option is someone similar in character to one’s father
My father is undoubted “an arm-chair critic”. a) someone who gives advice based on practice, not theory b) someone who gives advice based on experience c) someone who never gives advice d) someone who gives advice based on theory not practice
Solution: (d)
an arm-chair critic : knowing about a subject through books and television, rather than by doing it for yourself.
He is such an armchair critic; he has no experience in the subject but he is ready to give plenty of advice.
The best option is someone who gives advice based on theory not practice
Tripti gave her report quoting “chapter and verse”. a) taught like a teacher b) referred to religious books c) provided minute details d) spoke like a preacher
Solution: (c)
chapter and verse : the exact details of something, especially by the exact place where particular information may be found.
I can’t give chapter and verse, but that’s the rough outline of our legal position.
The best option is provided minute details
I “threw up my cards” for want of funds. a) looked out for help b) gave up my plan c) gambled all my money d) put my whole income at stake
Solution: (b)
throw up cards : to give in ; to confess defeat
Things looked black for her, but she did not intend to throw up the cards on that account.
The best option is gave up my plans
Russel Peters really “brought the house down” with his spectacular performance at the Club yesterday. a) amused the audience greatly b) pulled down a c) defamed a family building d) passed a bill unanimously
Solution: (a)
bring the house down : to make everyone laugh or cheer, especially at a performance in the theatre.
She really brought down the house with her comedy.
The best option is amused the audience greatly
Directions: In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.
to spill the beans a) to be untidy b) to reveal a secret c) to conceal a fact d) to reveal partial truth
Solution: (b)
to spill the beans : reveal secret information indiscreetly.
Here, to reveal a secret is the right option.
Look at the sentence : I spilled the beans about the surprise party, by telling the birthday girl.
