Idioms & Phrases · SSC CGL previous year questions

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Keep someone at arm’s length

1. A.Avoid becoming friendly with someone
2. B.Avoid playing with someone
3. C.Being someone’s enemy
4. D.Avoid becoming bitter with someone

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Scrape the barrel

1. A.Trying to find something
2. B.Hiding something
3. C.Using all the ways to achieve the desired result
4. D.To be forced to use one's last and weakest resource

Select the sentence that uses the given idiom correctly. A dime a dozen

1. A.Her ideas were worth a dime a dozen and didn't impress the boss.
2. B.The concert tickets were a dime a dozen and sold out quickly.
3. C.The restaurant had some delicious desserts that were a dime a dozen.
4. D.The antique store had some rare finds, but they were a dime a dozen.

Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. Do not beat about the bush when you have anything to say.

1. A.To try to influence
2. B.To shift blame on others
3. C.To argue
4. D.To avoid giving a definite answer or position

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Back against the wall

1. A.Be in an easy situation from where escape is difficult
2. B.Be in a difficult situation from where escape is difficult
3. C.Be in a relationship which one wants to escape
4. D.Be in a difficult situation from where escape is easy

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. To prime the pump

1. A.Manipulate someone to achieve success
2. B.Encourage the growth or action of something’
3. C.To use a pump efficiently
4. D.Ask others to be ambitious

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Lily-livered

1. A.Brave
2. B.Comical
3. C.Not brave
4. D.Naughty

Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence. Pooja tried to explain the problem, but soon she tied herself up in knots.

1. A.Be forced to explain your actions and (probably) punished
2. B.Become very confused when you are trying to explain something
3. C.Make no progress in an argument or discussion
4. D.Won’t modify an opinion or agree to even small changes that another person wants

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. To kick the bucket

1. A.To be ill
2. B.Be sad
3. C.Be happy
4. D.To die

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Miss the boat

1. A.Missing a good opportunity
2. B.Missing your medium of travel
3. C.Missing good moments of your life
4. D.Being too late

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. To bell the cat

1. A.To feed pets
2. B.To play with kids
3. C.To love cats
4. D.To face risk

Select the appropriate idiom to fill in the blank. The police have not yet been able to solve the case; it seems to be __________________.

1. A.in a nutshell
2. B.turning over a new leaf
3. C.a hard nut to crack
4. D.in a pink

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Sharp practice

1. A.Dishonesty
2. B.Frequently
3. C.Briefly
4. D.Nearby

Select the most appropriate idiom/phrase that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. Vennela made a big fuss about a small problem.

1. A.Get a taste of your own medicine
2. B.Barking up the wrong tree
3. C.Add insult to injury
4. D.A storm in a teacup

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Steer clear of

1. A.Show someone how to do a job or activity
2. B.Be very easy
3. C.Avoid someone or something because it is dangerous for you
4. D.Be mentally and physically exhausted

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Hold water

1. A.A diluted argument
2. B.Appear to be of no value
3. C.Stop emphasising a point
4. D.Appear to be valid or reasonable

Select the most appropriate idiom that can substitute the italicised words in the given sentence. My mother said, “Make consistent progress for success.”

1. A.slow and steady
2. B.make a habit
3. C.in and outs
4. D.do’s and don’ts

Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence. The intern aspired to understand the ins and outs of the operating systems of the institution.

1. A.Stern regulations
2. B.Prior conditions
3. C.Elaborate theories
4. D.Detailed description

Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence. I must tell you that it all went pear-shaped after you left the meeting in the middle.

1. A.Went terribly wrong
2. B.Became very entertaining
3. C.Became tragic
4. D.Turned out fine

Select the idiom from the given options that gives the most appropriate meaning of the highlighted text in the following sentence. A village fair is a place that contains many interesting objects. People of all age groups eagerly wait for this.

1. A.Road to Damascus
2. B.Ivory tower
3. C.Aladdin's cave
4. D.Jewel in the crown

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. He's sitting on the fence

1. A.He can't stop trying
2. B.He can't do anything seriously
3. C.He can't hide himself
4. D.He can't take a decision

Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. The sailor tells great tales of adventure that you should take with a grain of salt.

1. A.Great admiration
2. B.Great patriotism
3. C.Not take too seriously
4. D.Be afraid to refrain from

Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence. The anxious duke was found strolling in the garden to and fro.

1. A.From north to south
2. B.From west to east
3. C.Forward and backward
4. D.Upward and downward

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Eat humble pie

1. A.To apologise humbly
2. B.To live in penury
3. C.To live a life of humility
4. D.To enjoy life to the fullest

Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence. After the government interventions, the enrolment and retention of female students have increased by leaps and bounds.

1. A.Systematically
2. B.Swiftly
3. C.Intermittently
4. D.Gradually