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. The hunter began to suspect that he had been sent on a wild goose chase as there was no white elephant in the forest.









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    a wild goose chase : a search for something that is impossible for you to find or that does not exist, that makes you waste a lot of time.
    ● I wasted all afternoon on a wild goose chase. The best option is a foolish and useless enterprise

    Correct Option: B

    a wild goose chase : a search for something that is impossible for you to find or that does not exist, that makes you waste a lot of time.
    ● I wasted all afternoon on a wild goose chase. The best option is a foolish and useless enterprise


  1. William left us with a heartwrenching swan song.









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    Swan song : the last piece of work produced.
    ● The building turned out to be the swan song of Victorian architecture The best option is last performance

    Correct Option: D

    Swan song : the last piece of work produced.
    ● The building turned out to be the swan song of Victorian architecture The best option is last performance


  1. The thief managed to escape by the skin of his teeth.









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    By the skin of your teeth : If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it.
    ● He escaped defeat by the skin of his teeth. The best option is by the narrowest margin.

    Correct Option: C

    By the skin of your teeth : If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it.
    ● He escaped defeat by the skin of his teeth. The best option is by the narrowest margin.


  1. Let us bury the hatchet and be friends again.









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    Bury the hatchet : to stop being unfriendly and become friends again.
    ● After not speaking to each other for years, the two brothers decided to bury the hatchet. The best option is forget the quarrels.

    Correct Option: C

    Bury the hatchet : to stop being unfriendly and become friends again.
    ● After not speaking to each other for years, the two brothers decided to bury the hatchet. The best option is forget the quarrels.


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 as your answer.

  1. The students found it hard to go at equal speed with the professor.









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    be at equal speed : to advance at the same rate as someone/ something
    ● You’re running so fast that I cannot be at equal speed with you. The best option is keep up with.

    Correct Option: C

    be at equal speed : to advance at the same rate as someone/ something
    ● You’re running so fast that I cannot be at equal speed with you. The best option is keep up with.