Idioms and Phrases


Direction: 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.

  1. My repeated attempts to get refund from the civic authorities were of no avail.









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    of no avail : of little or no use l Everything
    ● did to help her was of no avail. The best option is useless.

    Correct Option: C

    of no avail : of little or no use l Everything
    ● did to help her was of no avail. The best option is useless.


Direction: 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.

  1. He cannot hold a candle to his elder brother.









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    cannot hold a candle : is not so good as
    ● This hotel can’t hold a candle to the palace. The best option is cannot be compared to.

    Correct Option: C

    cannot hold a candle : is not so good as
    ● This hotel can’t hold a candle to the palace. The best option is cannot be compared to.



  1. He has resigned his job and burnt his boats so far as government service is concerned.









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    burnt his boats : to do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation later
    (1) retreat : to move away/back
    ● Turning down one job before you have another leads to burning your boats. The best option is left no means of retreat.

    Correct Option: D

    burnt his boats : to do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation later
    (1) retreat : to move away/back
    ● Turning down one job before you have another leads to burning your boats. The best option is left no means of retreat.


  1. The story of the train accident as narrated by one of the survivors made my flesh creep.









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    made my flesh creep : made me feel afraid or full of disgust
    ● The story of the killings made my flesh creep. The best option is horrified me.

    Correct Option: B

    made my flesh creep : made me feel afraid or full of disgust
    ● The story of the killings made my flesh creep. The best option is horrified me.



  1. The question of higher membership fees was brought up at the last meeting.









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    brought up : raise; to care for a child, teaching him or her how to behave; to mention a subject or start to talk about it
    ● We were having a pleasant chat until someone brought up politics. The best option is introduced for discussion.

    Correct Option: B

    brought up : raise; to care for a child, teaching him or her how to behave; to mention a subject or start to talk about it
    ● We were having a pleasant chat until someone brought up politics. The best option is introduced for discussion.