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.
- The saint’s life was an open book.
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an open book : can easily understand and know everything about somebody
● Your health secrets will be an open book to anyone who can do an online search. The best option is one that held no secrets.Correct Option: B
an open book : can easily understand and know everything about somebody
● Your health secrets will be an open book to anyone who can do an online search. The best option is one that held no secrets.
- I knew he had an axe to grind and turned down his offer of help.
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an axe to grind : to have private reasons for being involved in something or for arguing for a particular cause
● He claimed to be disinterested, but I knew he had an axe to grind. The best option is a private interest to serve.Correct Option: C
an axe to grind : to have private reasons for being involved in something or for arguing for a particular cause
● He claimed to be disinterested, but I knew he had an axe to grind. The best option is a private interest to serve.
- Why don’t you put an end to blowing your own trumpet?
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blowing your own trumpet : to praise your own abilities and achievements; boast
● Anyone will tell you she’s one of the best journalists we have got, although she never blows her own trumpet. The best option is prasising your own abilities and achievements.Correct Option: C
blowing your own trumpet : to praise your own abilities and achievements; boast
● Anyone will tell you she’s one of the best journalists we have got, although she never blows her own trumpet. The best option is prasising your own abilities and achievements.
- I don’t know why she has become stand-offish recently.
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stand-offish: not friendly towards other people; aloof
● He can be quite stand-offish and rude, even to his friends. The best option is indifferent.Correct Option: C
stand-offish: not friendly towards other people; aloof
● He can be quite stand-offish and rude, even to his friends. The best option is indifferent.
- He went on sowing wild oats; he reaped suffering in his later life.
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souring wild oats : (of young men) to go through a period of wild behaviour while young, especially having a lot of romantic or sexual relationships
● He sowed his wild oats in early life, but has become sober now. The best option is irresponsible pleasure seeking in young age.Correct Option: C
souring wild oats : (of young men) to go through a period of wild behaviour while young, especially having a lot of romantic or sexual relationships
● He sowed his wild oats in early life, but has become sober now. The best option is irresponsible pleasure seeking in young age.
