Idioms & Phrases

idiom or phrase

QUESTION 11

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.

QUESTION 12

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.

QUESTION 13

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.

QUESTION 14

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.

QUESTION 15

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.

QUESTION 16

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.

QUESTION 17

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.

QUESTION 18

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.

QUESTION 19

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.

QUESTION 20

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.

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