Idioms and Phrases


  1. to put his foot down









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    to put his foot down : to be very strict in opposing what somebody wishes to do Look at the sentence :
    ● You have got to put your foot down and make him stop seeing her. Here, not to yield is the right usage.

    Correct Option: B

    to put his foot down : to be very strict in opposing what somebody wishes to do Look at the sentence :
    ● You have got to put your foot down and make him stop seeing her. Here, not to yield is the right usage.


  1. to roll out the red carpet









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    to roll out the red carpet : to give a special welcome to someone important Look at the sentence :
    ● I didn’t expect to be given the red carpet treatment ! Here, to give a grand welcome is the right usage.

    Correct Option: D

    to roll out the red carpet : to give a special welcome to someone important Look at the sentence :
    ● I didn’t expect to be given the red carpet treatment ! Here, to give a grand welcome is the right usage.



  1. a hornet’s nest









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    a hornet’s nest : a difficult situation in which a lot of people get very angry Look at the sentence :
    ● His letter to the papers stirred up a real hornets’ nest. Here, an unpleasant situation is the right usage.

    Correct Option: B

    a hornet’s nest : a difficult situation in which a lot of people get very angry Look at the sentence :
    ● His letter to the papers stirred up a real hornets’ nest. Here, an unpleasant situation is the right usage.


  1. to have an axe to grind









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    to have an axe to grind : to have private reasons for being involved in something Look at the sentence :
    ● He had no axe to grind and was only acting out of concern for their safety. Here, to have a selfish end to serve is the right option.

    Correct Option: D

    to have an axe to grind : to have private reasons for being involved in something Look at the sentence :
    ● He had no axe to grind and was only acting out of concern for their safety. Here, to have a selfish end to serve is the right option.



  1. sit on the fence.









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    sit on the fence : to avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing something. Here, halting between two opinions is the right option. Look at the sentence :
    ● He tends to sit on the fence at meetings

    Correct Option: B

    sit on the fence : to avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing something. Here, halting between two opinions is the right option. Look at the sentence :
    ● He tends to sit on the fence at meetings