Idioms & Phrases

idiom or phrase

QUESTION 31

Someone who 'sits on the fence' is:

D Observing a situation from a distance
B In a precarious or dangerous position
A Taking a rest in the countryside
C Avoiding making a decision or choosing a side in a dispute

Answer: This idiom describes a person who remains neutral and uncommitted, refusing to support either side of an argument.

QUESTION 32

To 'turn a blind eye' means:

A To suddenly lose one's vision
D To look in the opposite direction
C To be unable to understand a situation
B To deliberately ignore something that you know is wrong

Answer: It means to pretend not to notice something, especially when it is something one should act upon.

QUESTION 33

What does it mean if something is 'all Greek to me'?

D It is spoken in a foreign language
A It is related to ancient history
B It is very easy to understand
C It is completely incomprehensible or unintelligible

Answer: This idiom is used to express that one cannot understand something at all, as if it were in a foreign language like Greek.

QUESTION 34

A 'flash in the pan' is:

C An explosion during cooking
B A sudden but brief success that is not repeated
A A brilliant idea that leads to long-term success
D A reflection of light from a metal object

Answer: It refers to something or someone that shows promise or success initially but then fails to deliver or continue.

QUESTION 35

To 'have cold feet' means:

D To walk barefoot on a cold surface
A To feel physically cold
B To be very brave and daring
C To become too nervous or frightened to do something planned

Answer: This idiom describes a loss of nerve or confidence, often just before a significant event like a wedding or a performance.

QUESTION 36

What does 'the elephant in the room' refer to?

D A topic that everyone is eagerly discussing
C A very quiet and shy person in a group
B An oversized piece of furniture
A A large and obvious truth that is being ignored or goes unaddressed

Answer: This refers to a significant and obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss.

QUESTION 37

To 'play devil's advocate' means:

C To trick someone into an argument
B To argue against a position for the sake of debate, not because you disagree with it
D To act as a lawyer for a criminal
A To support an evil or unpopular cause

Answer: A person playing devil's advocate presents a counter-argument to test the validity of the original argument and stimulate discussion.

QUESTION 38

What does it mean 'to cut corners'?

C To do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way, often by sacrificing quality
A To do something meticulously and with great care
B To take the shortest route when travelling
D To be precise and accurate

Answer: This phrase means to save money or effort by finding an easier or cheaper way to do something, which often results in a lower standard of work.

QUESTION 39

The saying 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch' advises against:

D Acting without a proper plan
A Being overly pessimistic about the future
C Investing in poultry farming
B Being too confident in planning for a future success that is not yet certain

Answer: This proverb warns you not to be too sure that something good you hope for will happen, because it may not.

QUESTION 40

To 'hear it on the grapevine' means:

C To hear rumors or gossip passed from one person to another
D To get news from a reliable source
B To overhear a conversation while in a vineyard
A To receive information through official channels

Answer: This idiom refers to the circulation of rumors and unofficial information.

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