Directions (1-10): Four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase and mark it in the Answer sheet.
Q1. To be under a cloud
(a) To be in the dark
(b) To be hidden
(c) To be suspicious
(d) To be in disgrace
Q2. To beat a retreat
(a) To fight the enemy
(b) To take rest
(c) To withdraw
(d) To hide from the enemy
Q3. To break the ice
(a) To break the news
(b) To break a painful silence
(c) To start the work
(d) To keep cool
Q4. No axe to grind
(a) bad situation
(b) to rebuke
(c) to act selflessly
(d) to confuse others
Q5. To go for the jugular
(a) To work very hard for success
(b) To make a fierce destructive attack on the weakest point in an opponent’s argument
(c) To go in for the costliest thing
(d) To go in for dishonest means
Q6. To follow the primrose path
(a) To follow one’s objectives very steadfastly
(b) To go on wandering
(c) To trek to the mountains
(d) To go in for pursuit of pleasure or an easy life
Q7. With a heavy hand
(a) Oppressively
(b) Operated by hand
(c) Arrogantly
(d) Applying weight
Q8. Out-and-out
(a) Thrown out
(b) Thoroughly
(c) Completely outside
(d) Outrageous
Q9. Keeping someone warm
(a) Warm it with a hot water bottle
(b) Keep a place very busy and exciting
(c) Occupy it temporarily on behalf of another
(d) Make someone feel welcome
Q10. Hit the nail on the head
(a) Break someone’s head
(b) Behave callously
(c) Break a nail accidentally
(d) Hit the mark
Solutions
S1. Ans.(c)
Sol. To be under a cloud-thought possibly to be involved in something illegal or criminal
S2. Ans.(c)
Sol. To beat a retreat-to withdraw from a place very quickly
S3. Ans.(b)
Sol. To break the ice-do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a strained situation or when strangers meet.
S4. Ans.(c)
Sol. have an ax(e) to grind- to have a selfish reason for saying or doing something
S5. Ans.(b)
Sol. go for the jugular-to attack fiercely in order to have no doubt about winning
S6. Ans.(d)
Sol. the primrose path-if you lead someone down the primrose path, you encourage them to live an easy life that is full of pleasure but bad for them
S7. Ans.(a)
Sol. With a heavy hand-In an excessive, authoritarian, or oppressive way or manner.
S8. Ans.(b)
Sol. Out-and-out- in every respect; absolute.
S9. Ans.(d)
Sol. keeping someone warm simply means that you are going to keep them company and make sure that they are taken care of whilst you are away or busy.
S10. Ans.(d)
Sol. hit the nail on the head- find exactly the right answer.
