Idioms and Phrases


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. The clerk turned a deaf ear to his officer’s advice.









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    turned a deaf ear : ignored/ refused to listen
    ● Sheela turned a deaf ear to our pleadings. The best option is disregarded.

    Correct Option: C

    turned a deaf ear : ignored/ refused to listen
    ● Sheela turned a deaf ear to our pleadings. The best option is disregarded.


  1. at one’s wit’s end









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    at one’s wit’s end : to get puzzled
    ● I’ve tried every possible source but without success, and now I’m at my wit’s end. The best option is to be puzzled.

    Correct Option: B

    at one’s wit’s end : to get puzzled
    ● I’ve tried every possible source but without success, and now I’m at my wit’s end. The best option is to be puzzled.



  1. to fight tooth and nail









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    to fight tooth and nail : to fight in a determined way for what you want
    ● They vowed to fight the new legislation tooth and nail. The best option is to oppose resolutely.

    Correct Option: B

    to fight tooth and nail : to fight in a determined way for what you want
    ● They vowed to fight the new legislation tooth and nail. The best option is to oppose resolutely.


  1. the green-eyed monster strikes a woman the moment she sees her husband talking to another pretty woman.









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    the green-eyed monster : used as a way of talking about jealousy
    ● Do you think his criticisms for Ramesh are valid or is it just a case of a green-eyed monster ? The best option is Jealousy

    Correct Option: D

    the green-eyed monster : used as a way of talking about jealousy
    ● Do you think his criticisms for Ramesh are valid or is it just a case of a green-eyed monster ? The best option is Jealousy



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. The student is on the verge of breakdown.









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    on the verge of : very near to the moment when somebody does something or something happens
    (1) brink : in a very new, dangerous or existing situation; the extreme edge of land.
    (2) outset : at/from the beginning of
    ● Sara was on the verge of tears when she heard the news. The best option is on the brink of.

    Correct Option: A

    on the verge of : very near to the moment when somebody does something or something happens
    (1) brink : in a very new, dangerous or existing situation; the extreme edge of land.
    (2) outset : at/from the beginning of
    ● Sara was on the verge of tears when she heard the news. The best option is on the brink of.