76. What does 'to get one's goat' mean?
- C. To be extremely successful
- A. To acquire a new pet
- B. To receive a prize in a competition
- D. To be made very angry or annoyed
Answer: This American slang expression means to irritate or exasperate someone.
77. If you 'have a whale of a time', you:
- D. Are exaggerating a story
- C. Are having a very enjoyable and exciting experience
- A. Are facing an enormous problem
- B. Are on a sea voyage
Answer: This idiom means to enjoy oneself immensely; to have a lot of fun.
78. To 'flog a dead horse' is to:
- A. Revive interest in an old, forgotten topic
- B. Waste effort on something that is already decided or has no chance of success
- D. Try to win a hopeless race
- C. Act in a cruel manner
Answer: This idiom means to insist on discussing or pursuing a matter that is already resolved or futile.
79. To have 'one's head in the clouds' means to be:
- C. A pilot or an astronaut
- A. Very tall
- B. Unaware of reality, impractical, or a daydreamer
- D. In a state of confusion
Answer: This phrase describes someone who is out of touch with everyday life and thinks in a dreamy, unrealistic way.
80. In a competition, a 'dark horse' is a participant who:
- D. Cheats to win
- C. Is not well-known but unexpectedly wins or succeeds
- B. Is pessimistic about their chances
- A. Is expected to win easily
Answer: A 'dark horse' is a contender about whom little is known, who surprisingly emerges victorious.
81. What does it mean to 'bite off more than one can chew'?
- C. To speak in a boastful manner
- D. To have a dental emergency
- B. To take on a task or commitment that is too large to handle
- A. To be greedy while eating
Answer: This idiom means to try to do something that is too difficult or extensive for one's abilities.
82. To 'draw a blank' means:
- B. To leave a space empty on a form
- D. To win the top prize in a lottery
- C. To be unable to remember something or to fail to get a result
- A. To create a piece of abstract art
Answer: It means to fail to recall a memory or to be unsuccessful in finding or achieving something.
83. A 'feather in one's cap' is:
- A. A fashionable accessory
- C. A notable achievement or an honor one can be proud of
- D. A sign of foolishness
- B. A minor annoyance
Answer: This idiom refers to a special accomplishment that is a source of pride.
84. What does it mean 'to get wind of something'?
- D. To run very fast
- A. To predict the weather accurately
- B. To feel a strong breeze
- C. To hear about something secret or private, often through a rumor
Answer: It means to learn or find out about something that was supposed to be a secret.
85. To 'jump the gun' is to:
- D. Handle a firearm carelessly
- C. Be overly enthusiastic
- B. Act or begin something before the proper or appropriate time
- A. Win a race or competition
Answer: Originating from track races, it means to start too early, before the starting signal (the gun).
86. Someone who 'knows the ropes' is:
- B. Trapped in a difficult situation
- A. An expert sailor or climber
- D. A person who makes ropes
- C. Familiar with all the details and procedures of a particular job or activity
Answer: This phrase means to be experienced and knowledgeable about how to do something.
87. To be 'on the ball' means to be:
- A. Participating in a sports game
- D. In a precarious or unstable position
- B. Attending a formal dance
- C. Alert, competent, and quick to understand and react to things
Answer: It describes someone who is knowledgeable, efficient, and attentive.
88. What does it mean 'to raise the bar'?
- B. To set higher standards or expectations
- D. To build a taller fence
- C. To increase the price of drinks at a bar
- A. To lift a heavy object
Answer: Originating from high jump and pole vault events, it means to raise the level of quality or performance that is considered acceptable.
89. If something 'rings a bell', it:
- D. Signals the end of a period
- C. Is a new and startling idea
- A. Is an urgent call for action
- B. Sounds familiar, but you may not remember the exact details
Answer: This idiom is used when something seems familiar or reminds you of something, even if you can't recall it precisely.
90. A 'storm in a teacup' refers to:
- C. A new method of brewing tea
- A. A major crisis with serious consequences
- D. A sudden and unexpected weather event
- B. A lot of unnecessary anger and worry about a trivial matter
Answer: This idiom describes a situation where people are making a great deal of fuss about something that is not important.
91. A 'shot in the dark' is:
- A. A well-planned and strategic action
- C. A complete guess with little or no information
- D. A very dangerous and risky venture
- B. A photograph taken without a flash at night
Answer: It refers to an attempt to guess something when you have no knowledge or facts to guide you.
92. What does it mean 'to be snowed under'?
- B. To feel very cold and isolated
- D. To be deceived by someone's charming personality
- C. To be overwhelmed with a large amount of work
- A. To be physically trapped by a blizzard
Answer: This idiom describes a situation where a person has so much work to do that they are struggling to cope.
93. To 'stick to one's guns' means:
- A. To maintain one's opinion or course of action despite opposition
- D. To hold onto one's weapons during a conflict
- B. To be a responsible firearm owner
- C. To be overly stubborn for no good reason
Answer: It means to refuse to change your beliefs or decisions, even when others try to persuade you.
94. To take something 'with a pinch of salt' means:
- C. To add seasoning to one's food
- B. To not entirely believe something because you doubt its accuracy or truthfulness
- D. To find something distasteful
- A. To believe it completely and without question
Answer: This idiom advises one to be skeptical about information that may not be completely true.
95. The phrase 'the whole nine yards' means:
- C. Everything possible or available; the full extent of something
- A. A distance of exactly 27 feet
- B. A small part of a larger whole
- D. A specific play in American football
Answer: It is a colloquial American expression meaning 'everything' or 'the entire amount'.
96. To 'wind someone up' means:
- D. To encourage and motivate someone
- C. To operate a mechanical clock or toy
- A. To help someone complete a task
- B. To deliberately tease or annoy someone as a joke
Answer: This is a British informal idiom for making someone angry or upset, often playfully.
97. What does it mean 'to weather the storm'?
- D. To accurately predict a weather forecast
- A. To successfully survive a difficult period or crisis
- C. To complain about a difficult situation
- B. To be caught outdoors in bad weather
Answer: This idiom means to endure a period of great difficulty and come out of it safely at the end.
98. A 'Trojan horse' refers to:
- A. An ancient Greek artifact
- D. A strategy for winning a war
- C. Something or someone that subverts or causes harm from within, disguised as something harmless
- B. A generous and unexpected gift
Answer: Originating from the story of the Trojan War, it now refers to any trick or stratagem that causes a target to invite a foe into a securely protected bastion or place.
99. The phrase 'put a sock in it' is:
- D. A method for mending a torn piece of fabric
- B. A suggestion to add something to a recipe
- A. A piece of advice on how to store clothing
- C. A rude and informal way of telling someone to be quiet
Answer: This is a blunt, impolite imperative used to tell someone to stop talking or making noise.
100. What does it mean 'to gird up the loins'?
- B. To do physical exercises for the lower back
- D. To put on a belt or girdle
- C. To prepare oneself for something difficult or demanding
- A. To get dressed in a formal way
Answer: This is an archaic phrase, originating from the practice of tucking in long garments to prepare for work or battle. It means to get ready for action.
