Idioms & Phrases · SSC CGL previous year questions

2023 59 questions

1. Q792023 · 26 Jul 2023 · Shift 3

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. In a soup

   1. A.Extremely short of money
   2. B.To exhibit cowardice
   3. C.To get nothing
   4. D.In trouble
   Show answer

   Answer: D

2. Q902023 · 26 Jul 2023 · Shift 3

   Select the most appropriate idiom/phrase that can substitute the given group of words. The better you know someone the less you like him.

   1. A.Save for a rainy day
   2. B.Spill the beans
   3. C.The elephant in the room
   4. D.Familiarity breeds contempt
   Show answer

   Answer: D

3. Q872023 · 26 Jul 2023 · Shift 4

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the following sentence. I really don't want to pour cold water on your theory but it cannot be applied to real life situations.

   
   1. A.To destroy someone's written piece of work
   2. B.To take revenge on someone by destroying their lives' work under the pretext of bad quality
   3. C.To be critical or doubtful of a plan that someone is excited about
   4. D.To give goosebumps by showing a prospect
   Show answer

   Answer: C

4. Q802023 · 25 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

   Identify the option that can be substituted as the correct idiom for the underlined part of the given sentence. As soon as the principal came to know about the inspection in the school, he put everything in perfect order.

   
   1. A.Apple pie order
   2. B.Apple of discord
   3. C.Alley apple
   4. D.Apple of one's eye
   Show answer

   Answer: A

5. Q812023 · 25 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

   Select the correct idiom that can substitute the italicised group of words in the given sentence. Shelley has been contemplating for a few days but still has not decided to quit the job.

   
   1. A.biting the dust
   2. B.chewing the cud
   3. C.cooling one's heels
   4. D.getting into hot waters
   Show answer

   Answer: B

6. Q822023 · 25 Jul 2023 · Shift 2

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. At cross purposes

   1. A.Developing and amplifying ideas given
   2. B.Finalising ideas and plans
   3. C.Blindly following each other’s ideas
   4. D.Disagreeing with each other’s ideas
   Show answer

   Answer: D

7. Q902023 · 25 Jul 2023 · Shift 2

   Select the correct idiom that can substitute the italicised group of words in the given sentence. You must not participate in the marathon this year without any training. It is an unreal hope on your part!

   1. A.carrying coal to new castle
   2. B.a pipe dream
   3. C.a will-o’-the-wisp
   4. D.to lose one’s temper
   Show answer

   Answer: B

8. Q782023 · 25 Jul 2023 · Shift 3

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the following sentence. I just went to Bali on a backpacking trip and did everything by the ear without any itinerary.

   
   1. A.by spreading rumors
   2. B.by improvisation
   3. C.while criticising
   4. D.by asking
   Show answer

   Answer: B

9. Q762023 · 25 Jul 2023 · Shift 4

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. You snooze, you lose

   1. A.If you oversleep, you are likely to lose a job
   2. B.Laziness is not good
   3. C.You may lose your money if snoozing is not stopped
   4. D.If you are not alert, you are likely to miss opportunities.
   Show answer

   Answer: D

10. Q902023 · 25 Jul 2023 · Shift 4

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Out of the blue

    1. A.Undoubtedly
    2. B.Unexpectedly
    3. C.Unbelievably
    4. D.Unconcerned
    Show answer

    Answer: B

11. Q862023 · 24 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

    Direction: Select the most appropriate idiom or phrase that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. This incident occurred without a warning.

    
    1. A.On thin ice
    2. B.Bolt from the blue
    3. C.Ignorance is bliss
    4. D.Play devil's advocate
    Show answer

    Answer: B

12. Q942023 · 24 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

    Direction: Identify the idiom or phrase that can best substitute the underlined segment. You showed me your true personality when you asked me to get out of the house at midnight.

    
    1. A.true colours
    2. B.bed of roses
    3. C.hot potato
    4. D.white elephant
    Show answer

    Answer: A

13. Q772023 · 24 Jul 2023 · Shift 3

    Direction: Select the most appropriate idiom that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. Vinay missed his flight but good luck came to him from bad circumstances as the flight crashed in the sea.

    
    1. A.it was a tinker's curse
    2. B.it was counting his blessings
    3. C.it was a blessing and a curse
    4. D.it was a blessing in disguise
    Show answer

    Answer: D

14. Q912023 · 24 Jul 2023 · Shift 4

    Select the correct idiom to replace the underlined segment in the given sentence. Harry always speaks his eye but he is not always very diplomatic!

    
    1. A.speaks his tongue
    2. B.reads his heart
    3. C.speaks his mind
    4. D.listens his ear
    Show answer

    Answer: C

15. Q922023 · 24 Jul 2023 · Shift 4

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Pass the buck

    1. A.Providing essential services
    2. B.Trying to calm down
    3. C.Blaming another person
    4. D.Saying something unpleasant
    Show answer

    Answer: C

16. Q822023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

    Identify the sentence that provides the meaning of the given idiom. Under the cloud

    1. A.The classmates were dancing together under the rain.
    2. B.The driver was under suspicion after the police found blood on his car.
    3. C.The Red fort looks beautiful amidst the cloudy weather and cold atmosphere.
    4. D.It was the best place to sit under the sky with hands full of food.
    Show answer

    Answer: B

17. Q892023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Once in a blue moon

    1. A.Very ancient
    2. B.Very colorful
    3. C.Very rare
    4. D.Very high
    Show answer

    Answer: C

18. Q922023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 2

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given Idiom. A perfect storm

    1. A.Pretty good judgement
    2. B.Healing from trauma
    3. C.The worst possible situation
    4. D.Appropriate for all occasions
    Show answer

    Answer: C

19. Q932023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 2

    Select the sentence that has the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Bad blood

    1. A.She is so scared of cockroaches that she fainted when she saw them crawling near her foot.
    2. B.The doctor dropped the bad news to Ravi as he was suffering from a serious disease.
    3. C.The gangster had some bitter relations with a local activist so he warned him to stay out of his business.
    4. D.Sushant always gets in trouble for telling lies but he never learns anything.
    Show answer

    Answer: C

20. Q832023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 3

    Select the most appropriate idiom/phrase that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. Your career is now completely obsolete.

    
    1. A.moving like a worm
    2. B.as dead as a doornail
    3. C.dead even
    4. D.hanging by a thread
    Show answer

    Answer: B

21. Q922023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 3

    Select the correct idiom that can substitute the italicised group of words in the given sentence. My business partners thought that I would simply accept their cheating, but they will soon realise that I am more powerful than what they expected.

    1. A.damsel in distress
    2. B.they caught a tartar
    3. C.cutting a cloth
    4. D.casting pearls before swine
    Show answer

    Answer: B

22. Q812023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 4

    Select the sentence that uses the given idiom correctly. Cut corners

    1. A.He cut corners on his homework and got a bad grade.
    2. B.The artist cut corners on the painting, and it ended up looking unfinished.
    3. C.I always make sure to cut corners when I'm driving to save time.
    4. D.I cut corners to finish my project on time, and my boss praised me for my hard work.
    Show answer

    Answer: A

23. Q912023 · 21 Jul 2023 · Shift 4

    Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Hit the jackpot

    1. A.Found a piece of gold
    2. B.Harm the opportunity
    3. C.Receiving a reward
    4. D.Gaining a big success
    Show answer

    Answer: D

24. Q792023 · 20 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

    Direction: Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. On the ball

    1. A.Doing a job in a slow and incorrect manner
    2. B.Doing a job in a quick and competent manner
    3. C.Playing with a ball
    4. D.Exercising using a ball
    Show answer

    Answer: B

25. Q862023 · 20 Jul 2023 · Shift 1

    Select the most appropriate idiom for the given situation. I was very excited about my new assignment. I sent the email without the required attachment. What have I done?

    1. A.Shook a leg
    2. B.As swift as an eagle
    3. C.Jumped the gun
    4. D.Tested the waters
    Show answer

    Answer: C