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. to fall back on









  1. View Hint View Answer Discuss in Forum

    to fall back on : to go to somebody for support ; to have something to use when you are in difficulty
    ● I fall back on old friends in time of need. The best option is to seek support out of necessity.

    Correct Option: D

    to fall back on : to go to somebody for support ; to have something to use when you are in difficulty
    ● I fall back on old friends in time of need. The best option is to seek support out of necessity.


  1. to lose ground









  1. View Hint View Answer Discuss in Forum

    to lose ground : to lose an advantage for yoursel; to become less popular
    ● Good restaurants are losing ground to less expensive, more informal places that have opened all around the city. The best option is to become less popular

    Correct Option: B

    to lose ground : to lose an advantage for yoursel; to become less popular
    ● Good restaurants are losing ground to less expensive, more informal places that have opened all around the city. The best option is to become less popular


  1. a little gush of gratitude









  1. View Hint View Answer Discuss in Forum

    a little gush of gratitude : a feeling of thankfulness
    ● I felt a little gush of gratitude when I met her at the airport. The best option is friendly feeling.

    Correct Option: B

    a little gush of gratitude : a feeling of thankfulness
    ● I felt a little gush of gratitude when I met her at the airport. The best option is friendly feeling.


  1. There is no soft option to the crisis now.









  1. View Hint View Answer Discuss in Forum

    soft option : a choice which is thought to be easier because it involves less effort, difficulty, etc.
    ● The instructor took the soft option and gave the boy a passing grade. The best option is easy and agreeable option.

    Correct Option: C

    soft option : a choice which is thought to be easier because it involves less effort, difficulty, etc.
    ● The instructor took the soft option and gave the boy a passing grade. The best option is easy and agreeable option.


  1. Winter was so bad that the nomadic tribesmen found it difficult to keep the wolf from the door.









  1. View Hint View Answer Discuss in Forum

    to keep the wolf from the door : to have enough money to avoid going hungry; to stop somebody feeling hungry
    ● I don’t make a lot of money; it is just enough to keep the wolf from the door. The best option is escape starvation.

    Correct Option: B

    to keep the wolf from the door : to have enough money to avoid going hungry; to stop somebody feeling hungry
    ● I don’t make a lot of money; it is just enough to keep the wolf from the door. The best option is escape starvation.