Idioms & Phrases · SSC CGL previous year questions

2022 59 questions

1. Q862022 · 13 Dec 2022 · Shift 1

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: C

2. Q872022 · 13 Dec 2022 · Shift 2

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: D

3. Q902022 · 13 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: A

4. Q912022 · 13 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: D

5. Q812022 · 13 Dec 2022 · Shift 4

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: A

6. Q872022 · 13 Dec 2022 · Shift 4

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: C

7. Q912022 · 12 Dec 2022 · Shift 1

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: D

8. Q832022 · 12 Dec 2022 · Shift 2

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: C

9. Q872022 · 12 Dec 2022 · Shift 2

   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
   Show answer

   Answer: C

10. Q782022 · 12 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

    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
    Show answer

    Answer: A

11. Q852022 · 12 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

    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
    Show answer

    Answer: B

12. Q792022 · 12 Dec 2022 · Shift 4

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Red tape

    1. A.Catch someone at the moment they are doing something wrong
    2. B.Official rules and bureaucracy that make it difficult to do something
    3. C.Have a negative amount in your bank balance
    4. D.Something unimportant that takes attention away from the main subject
    Show answer

    Answer: B

13. Q902022 · 12 Dec 2022 · Shift 4

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom that can be substituted in the following sentence. Let us know what you think in black and white.

    
    1. A.in darkness and light
    2. B.verbally
    3. C.in writing
    4. D.in black and white paint
    Show answer

    Answer: C

14. Q942022 · 9 Dec 2022 · Shift 1

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom that can be substituted in the following sentence. I begged him to reconsider my application, but he put his foot down.

    
    1. A.stamped his foot down
    2. B.agreed to reconsider
    3. C.refused to yield
    4. D.did not run
    Show answer

    Answer: C

15. Q852022 · 9 Dec 2022 · Shift 2

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Fair-weather friends

    1. A.A person who is friends with you during the night
    2. B.A person who is friends with you every day
    3. C.A person whose friendship cannot be relied on in times
    4. D.A person who is friends with you in difficult times
    Show answer

    Answer: C

16. Q872022 · 9 Dec 2022 · Shift 2

    Select the sentence that uses the idiom correctly.

    1. A.Ranita was not selected for the job as she got cold feet.
    2. B.Walking bare feet on grass gave him cold feet.
    3. C.After too much cycling Arun got cold feet.
    4. D.One can swim easily with cold feet.
    Show answer

    Answer: A

17. Q832022 · 9 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. The new intern is a greenhorn and thus his superiors take advantage of him.

    
    1. A.Inexperienced
    2. B.Jealous
    3. C.Overenthusiastic
    4. D.Sick
    Show answer

    Answer: A

18. Q762022 · 9 Dec 2022 · Shift 4

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence. After several years of cheating on his PhD work, the candidate finally had to face the music and lose the opportunity.

    
    1. A.Accept ignorance
    2. B.To accept unpleasant consequences
    3. C.Choose another alternative that is uninteresting
    4. D.Be exposed
    Show answer

    Answer: B

19. Q952022 · 9 Dec 2022 · Shift 4

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Lose your marbles

    1. A.To go insane
    2. B.To handle stress
    3. C.To lower down anger
    4. D.To be patient
    Show answer

    Answer: A

20. Q802022 · 8 Dec 2022 · Shift 1

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Cudgel one’s brain

    1. A.Thinking about a debate
    2. B.To think hard
    3. C.Not to think
    4. D.To overthink
    Show answer

    Answer: B

21. Q802022 · 8 Dec 2022 · Shift 2

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence. I bought some extra copies from the stationery shop. These may come in handy during exams.

    
    1. A.Be useful
    2. B.Cause trouble
    3. C.Be sold
    4. D.Bring luck
    Show answer

    Answer: A

22. Q872022 · 8 Dec 2022 · Shift 2

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Play it by ear

    1. A.To do something without special preparation
    2. B.To plan
    3. C.To listen carefully
    4. D.To improve
    Show answer

    Answer: A

23. Q822022 · 8 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. On cloud nine

    1. A.Flying
    2. B.Floating
    3. C.Dreaming
    4. D.Very happy
    Show answer

    Answer: D

24. Q852022 · 8 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

    Sentences of a paragraph are given in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph. A. Dozens of distinctly different regional languages are spoken in India, which share many characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary. B. India has had a longer exposure to English than any other country which uses it as a second language, its distinctive words, idioms, grammar and rhetoric spreading gradually to affect all places, habits and culture. C. The historical background of India is never far away from everyday usage of English. D. Since the early 1600s, the English language has had a toehold on the Indian subcontinent, when the East India Company established settlements in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, formerly Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay, respectively.

    1. A.ABCD
    2. B.ADCB
    3. C.DBCA
    4. D.DCAB
    Show answer

    Answer: C

25. Q892022 · 8 Dec 2022 · Shift 3

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Someone’s heart is in the right place

    1. A.Suddenly feel so excited or frightened that your heart beats faster
    2. B.Change your opinion or the way you feel
    3. C.Share secret worries with someone else
    4. D.Someone is good even if they sometimes behave in a wrong manner
    Show answer

    Answer: D