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Idioms And Phrases MCQs
High-yield multiple choice questions asked in previous years (UPSC, SSC CGL, JKSSB, RRB & State PSCs).
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📌 High-scoring topic in SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO, IBPS PO, SBI Clerk, CDS, NDA, and JKSSB exams.
Understanding Figurative Idiomatic Expressions
- • Definition: An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced literally from the individual words (e.g., 'kicking the bucket' means dying, not striking a pail).
- • Contextual Clues: Examiners test idioms within sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks, and direct synonym matching.
- • Categorization by Theme: Colors (red herring, once in a blue moon), Animals (dark horse, bell the cat), Body Parts (Achilles heel, cold feet, bite the bullet), and Nautical/War origins (burn bridges, show white feather).
High-Frequency Exam Trap Idioms
- • 'To take with a grain of salt': To view something with skepticism and not accept it as completely true.
- • 'A bolt from the blue': A complete, unexpected, and catastrophic surprise.
- • 'At one's wit's end': Utterly perplexed, bewildered, and unable to decide what to do next.
- • 'To face the music': To accept the unpleasant consequences or criticism of one's own actions.
| Idiom / Phrase | Literal Meaning | Contextual Usage in Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Bite the bullet | Endure unavoidable hardship with fortitude | Faced budget cuts and bit the bullet |
| A blessing in disguise | Apparent misfortune with good outcome | Losing that job was a blessing in disguise |
| Red herring | A misleading clue or distraction | The politician introduced a red herring in debate |
| Burn midnight oil | Work or study late into the night | Aspirants burning midnight oil for prelims |
| At the eleventh hour | At the last possible moment before deadline | Submitted the tender at the eleventh hour |
| Call a spade a spade | Speak plainly and truthfully without euphemism | He called a spade a spade during the board audit |
Showing 15 Practice Questions
Q1SSC CGL Tier-1 2023Easy
What is the meaning of the idiom 'To bite the bullet'?
Q2SSC CHSL 2022Easy
Select the correct meaning of 'A blessing in disguise':
Q3IBPS PO Prelims 2021Medium
In the sentence 'The defense counsel argued that the charges against the minister were just a red herring', what does 'red herring' signify?
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Q4RRB NTPC CBT-1 2021Easy
What does the phrase 'Burn the midnight oil' mean?
Q5JKSSB Graduate Level 2022Easy
The idiom 'At the eleventh hour' denotes:
Q6SSC CGL 2020 Tier-1Medium
Choose the option that best conveys the meaning of 'Call a spade a spade':
Q7CDS Exam 2021Easy
What is meant by 'Achilles\' heel'?
Q8SBI Clerk Prelims 2022Easy
The phrase 'Spill the beans' means to:
Q9SSC CPO 2023Easy
What does the expression 'Through thick and thin' imply?
Q10UPSC CDS 2022Medium
In bureaucratic parlance, 'Cutting red tape' refers to:
Q11SSC CHSL 2023Easy
What does 'Barking up the wrong tree' signify?
Q12JKSSB Sub-Inspector 2022Medium
The phrase 'A bone of contention' describes:
Q13IBPS PO 2020Easy
If someone is 'Sitting on the fence', they are:
Q14SSC CGL Tier-2 2022Easy
What is the meaning of 'Leave no stone unturned'?
Q15SSC MTS 2023Easy
Choose the most appropriate meaning of 'To cry wolf':
Frequently Asked Questions (Idioms And Phrases)
Q: How many idioms appear on average in SSC CGL Tier-1?
Typically 2 to 3 direct questions on idioms and phrases appear in the English Comprehension section of SSC CGL, carrying 4 to 6 marks.
Q: What is the distinction between an idiom and a proverb?
An idiom is an expression whose figurative meaning is established by common usage (e.g., 'spill the beans'), whereas a proverb is a short, well-known sentence giving advice or universal truth (e.g., 'A stitch in time saves nine').
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