Idioms & Phrases

idiom or phrase

QUESTION 41

What does it mean 'to leave no stone unturned'?

D To work as an archaeologist
A To be very lazy and avoid work
B To be destructive and messy
C To try every possible course of action in order to achieve something

Answer: This means to do everything possible, to look in every conceivable place to find something or to achieve a goal.

QUESTION 42

If a situation is 'at sixes and sevens', it is:

D Involving the numbers 6 and 7
A Perfectly organized and in order
C A matter of luck and chance
B In a state of confusion or disarray

Answer: This idiom is used to describe a state of total confusion, muddle, or disagreement.

QUESTION 43

What does 'to have an axe to grind' imply?

C To be looking for a physical fight
B To have a private, often selfish, reason for being involved in something
D To be prepared for a difficult task
A To have a tool that needs sharpening

Answer: It means to have a hidden motive or a personal grievance that fuels your actions or words.

QUESTION 44

To 'wash one's dirty linen in public' means:

A To be very open and honest about one's life
C To discuss or argue about private, embarrassing matters in front of others
D To publicly confess to a crime
B To do one's laundry in a public laundromat

Answer: This idiom means to reveal personal or family secrets and disputes in public, which is considered inappropriate.

QUESTION 45

What is the meaning of the idiom 'to go against the grain'?

B To do something contrary to the natural tendency or usual practice
A To follow the established rules and customs
D To work with wood incorrectly
C To choose a difficult path in life

Answer: It means to act in a way that is different from what is normal or expected, which can cause friction or difficulty.

QUESTION 46

To 'live from hand to mouth' means to:

D Be dependent on others for food
C Eat without using utensils
B Have just enough money for basic necessities with nothing left over
A Live a life of extreme luxury

Answer: This phrase describes a state of poverty where a person spends all their money on essentials like food and shelter as soon as they earn it.

QUESTION 47

What does 'to make a mountain out of a molehill' mean?

B To exaggerate the importance of a small problem
C To be very thorough and detailed
A To successfully complete a very difficult task
D To underestimate a serious issue

Answer: This idiom means to make a minor issue seem like a major one; to overreact.

QUESTION 48

To 'pull the wool over someone's eyes' is to:

B Help someone to see the truth
C Deceive or fool someone
D Give someone a haircut
A Protect someone from a harsh reality

Answer: This means to trick or mislead someone into believing something that is not true.

QUESTION 49

A 'drop in the ocean' refers to:

A A significant and important contribution
B A very small and insignificant amount compared to what is needed
D A single cause of a massive problem
C The beginning of a major event

Answer: This idiom is used to describe an amount that is so small that it has little or no effect on the whole.

QUESTION 50

What is the meaning of 'to put all one's eggs in one basket'?

D To carry groceries carefully
C To prepare for a single, large event
B To take a very big risk by depending on only one plan or course of action
A To be very organized and efficient

Answer: This proverb advises against risking everything on the success of one venture, as failure would lead to total loss.

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