SSC CGL Idioms AND Phrases Questions with Detailed Solutions

Option (a) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Given Idiom – Cat’s paw:
A cat’s paw is a person who is used by someone else to accomplish their own goals, especially unknowingly. (किसी दूसरे के इशारों पर काम करने वाला / मोहरा)
Example:
The politician was merely a cat’s paw in the hands of the business lobby.
Other related idioms and meanings:
· Puppet on a string – Someone controlled by others
· Fall guy – Someone who takes the blame for others
· Scapegoat – A person blamed for the fault of others

Option (a) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Given Idiom – Cold comfort:
· It means a small or insignificant consolation in a difficult situation; a relief that doesn’t help much. (बहुत कम दिलासा / सांत्वना)
Example:
· Being told "at least it wasn't worse" was cold comfort after losing the competition.
Other related idioms and meanings:
· Too little, too late – Help or action that comes after the time it's needed.
· A bitter pill to swallow – A hard truth to accept.
· Adding insult to injury – Making a bad situation worse.

Option (b) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Given Idiom – Feast one’s eyes on:
· Means to look at something with great pleasure or admiration, often because it is beautiful or impressive. (नज़रें तृप्त करना)
Example:
· Tourists feasted their eyes on the majestic view of the mountains.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· A sight for sore eyes – something/someone you’re very pleased to see
· Catch someone’s eye – to attract attention

Option (c) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Given Idiom: Hit a brick wall – This means to come to a complete stop in progress, often because of an obstacle or limitation that cannot be overcome. (किसी कार्य में प्रगति बंद हो जाना / अड़चन आना)
Example:
· We were doing well with the project, but we hit a brick wall when funding stopped.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Come to a grinding halt – suddenly stop
· Meet a dead end – reach a point where no further progress is possible
· Run into trouble – face unexpected problems

Option (a) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Given Idiom: Have a change of heart – It means to change one’s opinion, decision, or attitude about something, especially after reconsideration. (मन बदल जाना, राय में बदलाव)
Example: She was going to quit her job, but then she had a change of heart.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Change of mind – To decide to do something different
· Cold feet – To suddenly feel nervous about a plan
· See eye to eye – To agree with someone

Option (d) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Given Idiom: Back out – It means to withdraw from an agreement, commitment, or promise, often at the last moment. (किसी वचन, योजना, या सौदे से पीछे हटना)
Example:
He promised to help us move, but he backed out at the last minute.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Pull out – To withdraw from something
· Back down – To yield in an argument
· Go back on – To break a promise or agreement

Option (c) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Idiom: Pay heed to
• Meaning: To give careful attention or notice to something or someone. (ध्यान देना, गौर करना)
• Example: You must pay heed to your teacher’s advice.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Lend an ear – Listen attentively
· Take into account – Consider seriously
· Be all ears – Eager to listen

Option (c) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
On purpose: Done deliberately and not by mistake; intended act. (जानबूझकर, इरादतन)
Example: She spilled the juice on purpose to get his attention.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· By accident – unintentionally (गलती से)
· At will – whenever one wants (मनचाहे समय पर)
· In cold blood – without emotion or remorse (निर्दयतापूर्वक)

Option (a) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Idiom: Blow your own trumpet
Meaning: To talk proudly about your achievements or qualities; to boast. (अपनी ही तारीफ़ करना)
Example: He keeps blowing his own trumpet about how great a leader he is.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Sing one’s own praises – To praise oneself
· Pat oneself on the back – To compliment oneself
· Toot your own horn (American English) – Same meaning

Option (d) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Idiom: To hold water
Meaning: To be logically sound, valid, or believable; often used for arguments or statements. (ठोस और तर्कसंगत होना / सही प्रतीत होना)
Example: His explanation does not hold water—it lacks evidence.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Stand to reason – To make logical sense
· Cut no ice – To have no influence or effect
· Carry weight – To be influential or credible

Option (c) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Green horn: This idiom is used to refer to a person who is new to a particular activity, field, or job and therefore lacks experience or skill. (अनुभवहीन व्यक्ति)
Example: Rohan is just a green horn in programming, but he learns quickly.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Wet behind the ears: Lacking experience
· New kid on the block: Someone new to a place or organization
· Still learning the ropes: Still learning how things work

Option (a) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Sticky fingers: This idiom is used to describe someone who has a tendency to steal or is habitually dishonest, especially in taking things that do not belong to them. (चोरी करने की आदत)
Example: Don’t leave your wallet near him—he’s known to have sticky fingers.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Light-fingered: Prone to stealing
· Pickpocket: One who steals from pockets
· Five-finger discount: Shoplifting or stealing

Option (d) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Idiom: Keep someone at arm’s length
Meaning: To maintain emotional or personal distance from someone; to avoid closeness or friendliness. (Hindi meaning: दूरी बनाए रखना / घुलना-मिलना न करना)
Example: After their disagreement, she kept him at arm’s length.
Other related idioms:
· Cold shoulder – ignore someone
· Hold at bay – keep something/someone away
· Brush off – reject casually

Option (c) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Idiom: Lose your marbles: To lose your mind or become mentally unstable or irrational. (पागल हो जाना या मानसिक संतुलन खो देना)
Example: After hearing the same complaint again and again, he finally lost his marbles.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Go off the deep end – To become mentally unstable
· Blow a fuse – To become very angry suddenly
· Crack up – To mentally break down
Other options are incorrect because:
· (a) To lower down anger – Opposite in meaning (ग़ुस्सा शांत करना)
· (b) To handle stress – Irrelevant (तनाव संभालना)
· (d) To be patient – Not related (धैर्य रखना)

Option (b) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Idiom: Greenhorn: A person who is new, naïve or inexperienced in a particular field. (नौसिखिया या अनुभवहीन व्यक्ति)
Example: As a greenhorn in politics, he made several rookie mistakes.
Other related idioms and their meanings:
· Wet behind the ears – Lacking experience
· Rookie – Beginner
· Fresh off the boat – New and inexperienced in a situation
Other options are incorrect because:
· (a) Jealous – Means envious; unrelated. (ईर्ष्यालु)
· (c) Overenthusiastic – Excited beyond reason; not the meaning here. (अत्यधिक उत्साही)
· (d) Sick – Unwell; irrelevant. (बीमार)