1. What is the meaning of the idiom 'a bone of contention'?
- A. A delicious meal for dogs
- D. A secret that is kept between two people
- B. A subject or issue over which there is continuing disagreement
- C. A point of mutual agreement
Answer: A 'bone of contention' refers to a matter that causes a dispute or argument, much like two dogs fighting over a single bone.
2. Choose the correct meaning for the phrase 'to bite the bullet'.
- D. To miss a great opportunity
- A. To eat something very hard
- B. To finally make a decision or to face a difficult situation with courage
- C. To get injured in a conflict
Answer: This idiom originates from the practice of having patients bite on a bullet during surgery without anesthesia. It means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation with resolve.
3. What does it mean 'to spill the beans'?
- B. To waste food
- D. To plant seeds for the future
- A. To be clumsy and drop something
- C. To reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly
Answer: 'To spill the beans' means to let out a secret. The origin is thought to be from an ancient Greek voting system where beans were used to cast votes.
4. If someone has 'a chip on their shoulder', what does it imply?
- D. They are displaying a symbol of high rank
- B. They have a minor injury on their shoulder
- C. They are holding a grudge or feel resentful about something
- A. They are carrying a heavy load
Answer: This phrase means that a person is angry about something that happened in the past and is looking for a fight or an argument.
5. What does the idiom 'to be at loggerheads' mean?
- A. To be in violent disagreement
- D. To be confused and lost
- C. To be physically stuck between logs
- B. To be working together in harmony
Answer: 'To be at loggerheads' means to be involved in a strong dispute or conflict with no sign of agreement.
6. A 'red-letter day' signifies:
- C. A day that is pleasantly noteworthy or memorable
- B. A day of sorrow and mourning
- A. A day of warning or danger
- D. A day when one receives a threatening letter
Answer: The term comes from the practice of marking holy days and festivals in red ink on calendars. It signifies a day of great importance or joy.
7. What is the meaning of 'to throw in the towel'?
- B. To get ready for a shower
- D. To clean up a mess
- C. To signal surrender or admit defeat
- A. To start a fight
Answer: This idiom comes from boxing, where a fighter's corner would throw a towel into the ring to concede the match.
8. When you 'pull someone's leg', you are:
- A. Causing them physical harm
- C. Deceiving someone playfully; teasing them
- D. Forcing them to do something
- B. Helping them to stand up
Answer: 'Pulling someone's leg' is a form of good-natured teasing or joking.
9. What does it mean 'to be on cloud nine'?
- A. To be in a state of extreme happiness and elation
- C. To be confused and disoriented
- B. To be in a very high altitude
- D. To be caught in a difficult situation
Answer: This expression is used to describe a feeling of immense joy or euphoria.
10. A 'fly in the ointment' refers to:
- C. An unexpected piece of good luck
- A. A major disaster that ruins everything
- B. A small, irritating flaw that spoils an otherwise good situation
- D. A medicinal remedy using insects
Answer: It refers to a minor detail or problem that detracts from the overall value or enjoyment of something.
11. To 'burn the midnight oil' means:
- D. To start a fire accidentally
- B. To waste valuable resources
- A. To host a late-night party
- C. To work or study late into the night
Answer: This idiom alludes to the old practice of using oil lamps for light, implying that one is using oil (and thus light) late into the night to work.
12. What does the idiom 'hit the nail on the head' mean?
- C. To accidentally hurt oneself
- B. To say or do something that is exactly right
- A. To perform a task with physical precision
- D. To make a lucky guess
Answer: This phrase means to describe a situation or problem perfectly or to find the exact right answer.
13. To 'cry over spilt milk' means:
- C. To be overly emotional about small things
- A. To be upset about a past misfortune that cannot be undone
- D. To express regret for someone else's mistake
- B. To clean up a mess carefully
Answer: The idiom advises against worrying or complaining about something bad that has already happened and cannot be changed.
14. What is the meaning of 'to be under the weather'?
- A. To be outdoors in bad weather
- B. To be in a depressed or sad mood
- D. To be facing financial difficulties
- C. To feel slightly unwell or ill
Answer: This is a common expression used to say that one is feeling sick, but not seriously ill.
15. If something happens 'once in a blue moon', it happens:
- C. Very rarely
- B. Every month
- A. During a full moon
- D. Only at night
Answer: A 'blue moon' is a second full moon in a single calendar month, which is a rare occurrence. Thus, the idiom means something that happens very infrequently.
16. A 'Herculean task' is a task that is:
- B. Simple and easy to complete
- C. Extremely difficult and requires immense strength or effort
- D. Assigned by a Greek god
- A. Enjoyable and relaxing
Answer: This idiom refers to the mythological hero Hercules, who was tasked with twelve incredibly difficult labors. It signifies a job that is almost impossible to do.
17. What does it mean 'to get the sack'?
- D. To go to bed for the night
- A. To receive a large bag of money
- C. To be dismissed from one's job
- B. To be promoted at work
Answer: This is a colloquial term for being fired or laid off from employment.
18. To 'grease the palm' means:
- C. To shake hands firmly
- D. To work very hard with one's hands
- B. To give money to someone illicitly as a bribe
- A. To apply lotion to one's hands
Answer: This idiom refers to the act of bribing someone to gain an unfair advantage or to persuade them to do something.
19. What does 'keep one's chin up' mean?
- C. To physically hold one's head high
- D. To ignore advice from others
- B. To remain cheerful and resilient in a difficult situation
- A. To be arrogant and look down on others
Answer: It is an expression of encouragement, telling someone to stay positive and brave during tough times.
20. A 'wild-goose chase' is a:
- A. Profitable and successful venture
- B. A hopeless pursuit of something unattainable
- D. A long and scenic journey
- C. A hunting expedition for birds
Answer: It refers to a futile or pointless search or quest, with no chance of success.
21. What does it mean 'to add fuel to the fire'?
- B. To provide a solution to a problem
- C. To make a bad situation even worse
- D. To start a bonfire
- A. To calm a tense situation
Answer: This idiom means to do or say something that intensifies an already difficult or volatile situation.
22. To 'beat around the bush' means:
- A. To speak directly and to the point
- C. To avoid discussing the main topic directly
- D. To search for something that is hidden
- B. To clear a path through a dense forest
Answer: It refers to avoiding the central point of a conversation, often because it is uncomfortable or sensitive.
23. If two people 'see eye to eye', they:
- C. Are of the same height
- B. Are in complete agreement with each other
- A. Have a staring contest
- D. Are in conflict with each other
Answer: This idiom means that two or more people share the same opinion or view on a subject.
24. What does the phrase 'by the skin of one's teeth' mean?
- A. To achieve something with great ease
- C. To only just manage to do something; by a very narrow margin
- D. To lie or deceive someone
- B. To have a dental problem
Answer: It means to narrowly escape a disaster or to barely succeed in an endeavor. Teeth do not have skin, so the 'skin of teeth' is a non-existent, tiny margin.
25. To have 'a bee in one's bonnet' means:
- A. To be wearing a fashionable hat
- B. To have a persistent idea or obsession about something
- D. To be stung by an insect
- C. To suffer from a headache
Answer: This idiom describes someone who is preoccupied or obsessed with a particular idea and cannot stop thinking or talking about it.
