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9 IDIOMS/PHRASES, , , , Directions (1-10) = In these, questions, four alternatives are given, for the idiom/Phrase given in bold in, the sentence. Choose the alternative, which best expresses the meaning of, the Idiom/Phrase given in bold., , (SSC Section Officer (Audit), , Exam. 1997), , 1. For his alleged involvement in, , esplo-nage, he is under a cloud, days, , 2. We have appealed to him again, and again: there is no use, flogging a dead horse now., (1) repeating our request, (2) making him see reason, (3) beating about the bush, (4) wasting time in useless effort, , 3. We shouldn't look down upon, the wretched of the earth., , (1) sympathise with, (2) hate intensely, , working of the factory was, distru-pted on account of a, token strike by the workers., (1) total strike, (2) carefully planned strike, (3) short strike held as a warning, (4) sudden call of strike, , 6. By opposing his proposal he fell, foul of him., (@) quarret with, @) felt annoyed with, (3) agreed with, (4) got into trouble with, , 7. Those who work by fits and, Starts seldom show good, results., , , , 8 The new manager thought that, he would give enough, rope for the first six months, after which he would check the, work done himself, (1) many directives and orders, (2) sufficient advice, (3) all the material they needed, (4) enough freedom for action, , 9. He was all at sea when he, began his new Job, (1) happy = (2) sad, (3) puzzied (4) triumphant, , 10. The sweeping statement by the, boss left the conscientious, workers:, , (1) rash statement, , (2) unpremeditated statement, , (3) thoughtless statement, , (4) generalised statement, , Directions (11-20) : In the, , following questions, four alternatives:, are given for the Idiom/Phrase given, in bold. Choose the alternatives which, , best expresses the meaning of the, Idiom/Phrase given In bold., (SSC Section Officer (Auctit), Exam. 09.09.2001), 11, The failure of crops in successive, years put the farmer in a tight, corner,, (1) in aclosed room, (2) ina small field, (3) ina difficult situation, (4) in a meadow, 12. Theeffort to trace the culpritwas, a wild goose chase., (1) fruitful hunting, (2) futile search, (3) ideal seeking, (4) genuine effort, 13. The story does not hold water., (1) does not deserve, (2) does not fulfil the, requirements, (3) cannot be believed, (4) cannot be valued, 14, Raj couldn't pay the bill, so he, asked tthe owner to put iton the, cuff., (1) on credit, (2) against his credit card, (3) in his bank account, (4) In nis friend's account, , ee, , , , 15. His statement is out and out a, tie., , (1)totally (2) simply, (3) merely (4) slightly, , 16. The luxury car that they bought, turned out to be a white, elephant, (1) a rare article, (2) useful mode of transport, @) costly or troublesome, , possession, , (4) a proud possession, , 17. Wf you are fair and square in, your work you will definitely, Prosper,, (1) active, (2) honest, (3) business like, (4) authoritative, , 18. There is no love lost between, any two neighbouring countries, in the world., (1) stop loving, (2) not on good terms, (3) forming a group, , 19. The heavy downpour played, , 20. To have a green thumb means, (1) one’s nails are painted green, (2) one Is artistic, 3) to have a natural interest in, gardening, (4) one has a green tattoo on the, thumb, , Directions (21-25) : In the, following questions, four alternatives, are given for the idiom/Phrase in bold, in the sentence. Choose the alternative, which best expresses the meaning of, the Idiom/Phrase., , (SSC Section Officer (Audit), Exam. 16.11.2003), 21. When he saw the snake he took, to his heels., (1) ran away in fear, (2) went slowly, @) watked in fear, @) jumped fast
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22. He has to abide by the hard and, fast rule of the company., (1) flexible (2) strict, (3) difficult’ (4) honest, , 23. She goes to her mother's house, off and on., , 24. The robber murdered, the, woman in cold blood for the, sake of the jewels., , (1) @ murder done without, feeling, , (@ a murder done in revenge, , (3) amurder done in great anger, , (4) a murder done in enmity, , 25. Indians are going places in the, field of software technology., (1) going abroad, (2) going to spaces, (3) talented and successful, (4) friendly and amicable, , Directions (26-35) : In the, following questions, four alternatives, are given for the idiom/Phrase in bold, in the sentence. Choose the alternative, which best expresses the meaning of, the Idiom/Phrase given in bold., , (SSC Section Officer (Audit), Exam. 14.12.2003), , 26. The poet drew on his fancy, not, his knowledge of Nature. when, he wrote his poem on birds., (1) used his understanding, (2) used his knowledge, (3) used his imagination, (4) used his skill, , 27. My neighbour had to pay, through his nose for a brand, New car., , (1) pay huge loans, , (2) pay a reasonable price, , (3) pay an extremety high price, (4) make a quick buck, , 28. Very ambitious people do not like, to rest on their taurets., (1) to be unhappy, 2) to be motivated, @) to be impatient, (@) to be complacent, , 29. If he phones ). 1am, to give him a piece of my, mind., , (1) to be nice to him, (2) to take revenge on him, 3) to reprimand him, , ) to support him, , , , , , 31., , Directions (36-46), , wu rnoinmocs, , |The party high command wanted, , to stave off an open battle, , (1) postpone, , (2) wait and see, , (3) allow it to take its own course, (4) prevent, , Ramesh takes after his father., (1) follows (2) imitates, , (3) obeys (4) resembles, , . They made no bones about, , acknowledging their debt to his, , genius, , (1) did not have any hesitation, in, , (2) did not have any faith in, (3) demanded compensation for, (4) had problems in, , . It ts evident from the minister's, , ‘Statement that heads will roll, in the Secretariat., , (1) transfers will take place, (2) heads will be cut off, (3) people will die, , (4) dismissals will occur, , - During the last moments of his, , life, the criminal made a clean, breast of everything he had, done., , (1) showed his breast, , (2) fought like a hero, , @) confessed without reserve, () faced bravely, , She tries very hard to keep up, with her rich neighbours., , () toimitate, , (2) to keep in touch, , (3) to avoid, , (4) to be on par, , In the, , following questions, four alternatives, are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold, in the sentence. Choose the alternative, which best expresses the meaning of, the Idiom/Phrase., , 36., , (SSC Tax Assistant (Income Tax &, Central Excise) Exam. 05.12.2004), He went on sowing wild oats:, he reaped suffering in his later, , (1) inviting troubles as a boy, , Q) warning others as a, youngman, , @) irresponsible pleasure, Seeking in young age, , (4) sowing grains called oats, when young, , —>, , , , 37., , 4., , 43., , I don't know why she has, , become stand-offish recently., , (1) angry, , (2) hilarious, , @) indifferent, , (4) unmanageable, , Why don't you put an end to, , blowing your own trumpet 7, , @) playing your own trumpet to, produce music, , 2) making too much noise, , (3) praising your own abilities, and achievements, , (4) None of these, , . Tknew he had an axe to grind, , and turned down his offer of, help., , (1) a blunt axe, , (2) a sharp tongue, , G) a private interest to serve, (4) @ tendency to fight, , . The saint's life was an open, book,, , (1) an uncomplicated one, , (2) one that held no secrets, , G) anexample to alt, , (4) an interesting biography, , Reading between the tines |, , realised that my friend wanted, , to keep something from me., , (1) looking for meanings that are, not actually expressed, , (2) reading carelessly, , G) reading with anxiety, , (4) glancing over the lines., , Sometimes, it happens that we, , have to give the devil his due., , () to give credit to even a, , (4) to stand in the way of the, devil, , The king had been made to eat, humble pie., , (1) to eat slowly, , @) to have an excellent dish, (3) to eat a good pie, , (@) to apologise, , He was given Hobson's choice, by the employer., , () excellent choice, , (2) no real choice at all, , @) choice to tive or die, , @) first choice
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45. He has a very nice manner, but, you would better take what he, says with a grain of salt., , (1) to listen to something with, considerable doubt, (2) to talk sensibly, (3) to criticise, (4) to complement, Directions (46-55) : In the, following questions four alternatives, are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold, In the sentence. Choose the alternative, which best expresses the meaning of, the Idiom/Phrase_, (SSC Section Officer (Auxiit), Exam. 05.06.2005), , 46. He didn’t tell me directly, but, reading between the lines. |, think he is not happy with them., (1) reading slowly and haltingly, (2 understanding the sense, , rather than the actual words, (3) understanding the meaning, , of words and not the sense, (4) reading superficially, , 47. Gopi works by fits and starts., (1) consistently, , (2) irreguiarty, (3) in high spirits, (4) enthusiastically, , 48. | cannot put up with your, misconduct any longer., () excuse (2) refuse, (3) accept (4) tolerate, , 49. | did not mind what he was, saying, he was only talking, through his hat., (1) talking nonsense, (2) talking ignorantly, (3) talking irresponsibly, () talking insultingly, , 50. He is so furious that he would, go through fire and water to, revenge himself on his foe, (0) approach everybody for help, , (2 avail himself of any, opportunity, , (3) use any conceivable method, , (4) undergo any risk, , 51. The watchdogs were asleep, when the bulls ran riot., (1) behaved cleverly, (2) acted without restraint, (3) wandered aimlessly, (4) nad the best of time, , 52. inspite of the immense pressure, exerted by the militants, the, Government, has decided not to, give in., , , , MwrUNiorninslscl, , (1) accede @) yield, (3) oblige (4) conform, 53. The young and the old sat cheek, by Jow! In the large audience., ()very near (2) very far, (3) tongue ted (4) irritated, 54. We wanted to keep the gift as a, surprise for mother but my, sister gave the game away., (1) lost the game, (2) gave out the secret, (3) played badly, (4 withdrew from the game, 55. | don't think the law will, interfere with us as we are just, trying to turn an honest penny., (1) make a legitimate living, (2) make a good living, (3) have dealings in white money, (4) become more honest, Directions (56-65) : In thefollowing, questions, four alternatives are given for, the Idiom/Phrase in bold. Choose the, , ‘one which best expresses the meaning, of the Idiom/Phrase., , (SSC Statistical Investigators, Grade-IV Exam. 31,7,2005), 56. adark horse, (1) an unforeseen competitor, (2) a black horse, (3) a nightmare, (4) an unknown person, 57. torun across, (1) to have an appointed meeting, (2) to meet by chance, (3) to run in the playground, (4) to run very fast, 58. to get one's own back, (1) to get one’s revenge, (2) to get control over someone, (3) to get one’s position back, (4) to get hold of someone, 59, to steer clear of, (1) drive carefully, 2) avoid, (3) explain clearty, , (4) escape, 60. to beat aretreat, ()) to withdraw in defeat or, humiliation, , (2) to withdraw after scoring a, victory, (3) to march back after a, , ceremonious parade, (4) to run away in fear, , , , 61. to blaze a trail, (1) to lead the way as a pioneer, (2) to light a track, (3) to set up a fire, (4) to wear a blazer while, running, 62. red-letter day, (1) acolourful day, (2) fatal day, (3) happy and significant day, (4) hapless day, 63. have the last laugh, (0) be of a cheerful nature, (2) laugh only after understanding something, (3) to be victorious at the end of, an argument, (4) to crack the final joke, 64. turn adeaf ear, (1) disregard (2) defy, (3) disobey (4) dismiss, 65. to smell arat, (1) to experience bad smell, 2) tomisunderstand, @) to see a hidden meaning, (4) to suspect a trick, Directions (66-70) : In the, following questions four alternatives, are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold, in the sentence. Choose the alternative, which best expresses the meaning of, the Idiom/Phrase., (SSC Section Officer (Commercial, Audit) Exar. 28.09.2005), 66. A few days before his death, he, made a clean breast of, everything., (1) confessed, (2) took off his shirt, (3) suffered, (4) spoke it, 67. 1am done for., (1) ruined — (2) rewarded, (3) answered (4) questioned, 68. For a healthy and lasting, friendship one must be on the, level, (1) equally rich, (2) mentally compatible, (3) honest and sincere, (4) ready for sacrifices, 69. The foolish young man soon, made ducks and drakes of the, vast property his father left him., , (4) gave in charity, , ere 344
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70. All his ventures went to the, , winds., , (1) dissipated, , (2) spread all over, , (3) got speed of the winds, , (4) became well-known, , Directions (71-80) , following questions, four alternatives, are given for the given idiom/Phrase., Choose the alternative which best, expresses the meaning of the given, Idiom/Phrase., , {SSC Section Officer (Commercial Audit), Exam. 25.09.2005), 71. at one’s wit's/wits' end, (1) to work hard, (2) to be intelligent, (3) toget puzzled, (4) to be stupid, 72. to take someone to task, (1) to scold someone, (2) to assign work to someone, (3) to take someone to his place, of work, (4) to praise someone for the, work done, 73. to face the music, () to be greeted rudely, @to be offered warm, hospitality, @) toenjoy a music programme, (4) to bear the consequences, 74, to blow one’s own trumpet, () to play on one’s own trumpet, @) to praise one's own self, (3) to create noisy disturbances, (4) to have a high-pitched voice, 75. torun one down, (1) to be in a hurry, (2) to be weak and tired, (3) to disparage someone, (4) to run down a lane, 76. at snail's pace, (1) very slowly, (2) to walk like a snail, (3) to lack interest in work, (4) in methodical manner, 77. to turn a deaf ear, (1) to be hard of hearing, (2) to be indifferent, (3) to be attentive, (4) to be obstinate, 78. to take to one’s heels, , , , 79. to have something up one’s, sleeves, () having a practical plan, (2) having an important project, (3) having an ambitious plan, (4) having a secret plan, 80. toend in smoke, (1) to have a smoking session, (2 to be on fire, 3) to come to nothing, (4) to burn, Directions (81-85) ; In the, , alternative which best expresses the, meaning of the Idiom/Phrase given in, bold., , (SSC Statistical Investigators, Grade-IV Exar.13.08,2006), 81. As the bomb exploded people, ran helter-skelter., () in great fear, (2) in disorderly haste, (3) Inhaste, (4) in great sorrow, 82, He was progressing by leaps, and bounds because of his hard, work., (1) rapidty — 2) slowly, (3) peacefully (4) strongly, 83. Our founder had done a, Herculean task by constructing, this great educational institution, () a work of no worth, (2) an effortiess job, (3) @ work requiring very great, effort, (4 & work requiring very great, intelligence, , 84. My close friend got the sack, from his first job recently., (1) resigned, (2) got rid of, (3) was demoted from, (4) was dismissed from, 85. I can no longer put up with her, Insolence., () endure @) evade, (3 suppress (4) assume, Directions (86-95) : In the, following questions, four alternatives, are given for the idiom/Phrase in bold, in the sentence. Choose the alternative, which best expresses the meaning of, the Idiom/Phrase., (SSC Tax Assistant (income Tax &, Central Excise) Exam. 12.17.2006), , , , 87, , 91., , 93., , ‘She is a fair-weather friend., , () @ good friend, , @a_ friend who meets, difficulties calmly, , () a friend who deserts you in, difficulties, , (4) @ favourable friend, , to die in harness means to die, while, , (1) riding a horse, , 2) ina stable, , (3) ina uniform, , (4) still in service, , to keep under wraps means to, keep something, , () covered (2) protected, , (3) unpacked(4) secret, , . After independence indian, , agriculture rose like a phoenix, due to the Green Revolution., (1) with a new life, , (2) with @ start, , (3) with royal gait, , (4) with vengeance, , His failure at the election has, been a sore point with him for, along time., , (1) something which hurts, , (2) at the outset of, , B) in the midst of, , (4) at the risk of, , My repeated attempts to get, refund from the civic authorities, were of no avail., , () unsuccessful, , (2) postponed, , (3) useless, , (4) delayed, , He was progressing by leaps, and bounds because of his, hhardwork., , (1) rapidly — 2) slowly, , G) peacefully (4) strongly, , to emerge out of thin air means, to, , (1) appear suddenty, (2) descend gradually, (3) fall down quickly, (4) enter from space, , ere 7349
