Directions (1-10): In each of the question given below a/an idiom/phrase is given in bold which is then followed by five options which then try to decipher its meaning. Choose the option which gives the correct meaning of the phrases.
Q1. A bitter pill to swallow.
(a) A difficult or unpleasant truth to accept.
(b) A sign of good luck or fortune.
(c) A tasty treat or reward.
(d) A reminder of past accomplishments.
(e) A generous act of kindness.
Q2. Jump on the bandwagon.
(a) To criticize or oppose prevailing opinions.
(b) To enthusiastically join a popular trend or movement.
(c) To take a break from one’s responsibilities.
(d) To participate in an impromptu performance.
(e) To disregard rules and regulations.
Q3. Once bitten, twice shy.
(a) Once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be careful in the future.
(b) Once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be angry in the future.
(c) Once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be vengeful in the future.
(d) Once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be bitter in the future.
(e) Once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be cynical in the future.
Q4. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
(a) People who move around a lot don’t get attached to things.
(b) People who move around a lot don’t have roots.
(c) People who move around a lot don’t have stability.
(d) People who move around a lot don’t have friends.
(e) People who move around a lot don’t have a home.
Q5. Out of the woods.
(a) To be safe from danger or difficulty.
(b) To be lost or disoriented in a forest.
(c) To face numerous challenges or obstacles.
(d) To possess exceptional outdoor survival skills.
(e) To be surrounded by lush vegetation.
Q6. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
(a) Great things take time and effort.
(b) It is important to be impatient and persistent.
(c) Don’t expect to achieve success overnight.
(d) Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem.
(e) All good things come to those who wait.
Q7. If you can’t beat them, join them.
(a) If you cannot defeat your enemies, you should try to make them your allies.
(b) If you cannot defeat your enemies, you should try to understand them.
(c) If you cannot defeat your enemies, you should try to avoid them.
(d) If you cannot defeat your enemies, you should try to outsmart them.
(e) If you cannot defeat your enemies, you should try to outlast them.
Q8. A penny for your thoughts.
(a) A small reward for sharing your opinion.
(b) An invitation to reflect on your actions.
(c) An expression of curiosity about someone’s thoughts.
(d) An offer of assistance in making a decision.
(e) An expression of disbelief or surprise.
Q9. To steal someone’s thunder.
(a) To take someone’s idea or invention.
(b) To outshine or overshadow someone.
(c) To criticize someone openly.
(d) To deceive or manipulate someone.
(e) To imitate someone’s behavior or style.
Q10. The ball is in your court.
(a) It’s time for you to make a decision or take action.
(b) The situation is out of your control.
(c) The responsibility lies with someone else.
(d) It’s an opportunity to showcase your skills.
(e) It’s a chance for you to take a break.
Solutions
S1. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is (a), a difficult or unpleasant truth to accept. The idiom “a bitter pill to swallow” means that something is difficult or unpleasant to accept. It is often used to describe a negative or disappointing situation that someone must face. For example, if someone is diagnosed with a serious illness, they might say that the news was a “bitter pill to swallow.”
The other options are incorrect.
Option (b) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is a sign of good luck or fortune.
Option (c) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is a tasty treat or reward.
Option (d) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is a reminder of past accomplishments.
Option (e) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is a generous act of kindness.
S2. Ans. (b)
Sol. The correct answer is (b), to enthusiastically join a popular trend or movement. The idiom “jump on the bandwagon” means to join in on something that is popular or fashionable, often without really thinking about it. It is often used to describe people who are not genuine in their support of something, but who are simply following the crowd. For example, if a new book becomes a bestseller, you might say that people are “jumping on the bandwagon” by buying the book.
The other options are incorrect.
Option (a) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to criticize or oppose prevailing opinions.
Option (c) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to take a break from one’s responsibilities.
Option (d) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to participate in an impromptu performance.
Option (e) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to disregard rules and regulations.
S3. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is (a), once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be careful in the future. The idiom “Once bitten, twice shy” means that someone who has been hurt or had a bad experience in the past is more likely to be cautious or wary in the future. This is because they do not want to experience the same pain or disappointment again.
The other options are incorrect.
Option (b) is incorrect because it says that once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be angry in the future. The idiom does not say anything about anger.
Option (c) is incorrect because it says that once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be vengeful in the future. The idiom does not say anything about revenge.
Option (d) is incorrect because it says that once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be bitter in the future. The idiom does not say anything about bitterness.
Option (e) is incorrect because it says that once you have been hurt, you are more likely to be cynical in the future. The idiom does not say anything about cynicism.
S4. Ans. (c)
Sol. The correct answer is (c), people who move around a lot don’t have stability. The idiom “A rolling stone gathers no moss” means that people who are always moving around don’t have a chance to put down roots and build a stable life. They may not have a permanent home, a strong network of friends, or a sense of belonging.
The other options are incorrect.
Option (a) is incorrect because it says that people who move around a lot don’t get attached to things. This is not always true, as some people who move around a lot still get attached to their belongings and relationships.
Option (b) is incorrect because it says that people who move around a lot don’t have roots. This is not always true, as some people who move around a lot still have strong roots in their home country or culture.
Option (d) is incorrect because it says that people who move around a lot don’t have friends. This is not always true, as some people who move around a lot still make friends in their new communities.
Option (e) is incorrect because it says that people who move around a lot don’t have a home. This is not always true, as some people who move around a lot still have a permanent home, even if it is not in the same place as their previous home.
S5. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is (a), to be safe from danger or difficulty. The idiom “out of the woods” means that someone is no longer in danger or difficulty. It is often used to describe someone who has overcome a challenge or obstacle. For example, if someone has been sick and is now feeling better, they might say that they are “out of the woods.”
The other options are incorrect.
Option (b) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to be lost or disoriented in a forest. Option (c) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to face numerous challenges or obstacles.
Option (d) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to possess exceptional outdoor survival skills.
Option (e) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom means to be surrounded by lush vegetation.
S6. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is (a), great things take time and effort. The idiom “Rome wasn’t built in a day” means that great things take time and effort. It is important to be patient and persistent when working towards a goal, as there will be setbacks and challenges along the way. If you give up too easily, you will never achieve your dreams.
The other options are incorrect.
Option (b) is incorrect because it does not emphasize the importance of impatience and persistence.
Option (c) is incorrect because it does not say anything about patience or persistence.
Option (d) is incorrect because it does not say anything about time or effort.
Option (e) is incorrect because it does not say anything about patience or persistence.
S7. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is (a), if you cannot defeat your enemies, you should try to make them your allies. The idiom “If you can’t beat them, join them” means that if you cannot defeat your opponents, you should try to work with them instead. This can be a successful strategy, as it allows you to gain their cooperation and avoid conflict.
The other options are incorrect.
Option (b) is incorrect because it does not suggest that you should try to work with your enemies. Option (c) is incorrect because it suggests that you should avoid your enemies altogether.
Option (d) is incorrect because it suggests that you should try to outsmart your enemies.
Option (e) is incorrect because it suggests that you should try to outlast your enemies.
S8. Ans. (c)
Sol. The correct answer is (c), an expression of curiosity about someone’s thoughts. The phrase “a penny for your thoughts” is an idiom that is used to ask someone what they are thinking. It is a way of inviting someone to share their thoughts and feelings with you. The phrase is thought to have originated in the 16th century, when a penny was a small amount of money. The idea was that if you were willing to pay a penny for someone’s thoughts, then they must be valuable.
The other options are incorrect.
Option (a) is incorrect because it suggests that the phrase is a reward for sharing your opinion.
Option (b) is incorrect because it suggests that the phrase is an invitation to reflect on your actions. Option (d) is incorrect because it suggests that the phrase is an offer of assistance in making a decision. Option (e) is incorrect because it suggests that the phrase is an expression of disbelief or surprise.
S9. Ans. (b)
Sol. The correct answer is (b), to outshine or overshadow someone. The idiom “to steal someone’s thunder” means to take away someone’s attention or praise. It is often used to describe someone who does something that takes away from the success of another person. For example, if someone announces their own pregnancy at a party where another person is also planning to announce their pregnancy, they could be said to have “stolen their thunder.”
The other options are incorrect.
Option (a) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is about taking someone’s property.
Option (c) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is about criticizing someone.
Option (d) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is about deceiving or manipulating someone. Option (e) is incorrect because it suggests that the idiom is about imitating someone’s behavior or style.
S10. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is (a), it’s time for you to make a decision or take action. The idiom “the ball is in your court” means that it is your turn to make a decision or take action. It is often used in a business or legal context, but it can also be used in everyday situations. For example, if you are negotiating a contract, and the other party has made a proposal, you might say “the ball is in your court” to indicate that it is now your turn to respond.
The other options are incorrect.
Option (b) is incorrect because it suggests that the situation is out of your control.
Option (c) is incorrect because it suggests that the responsibility lies with someone else.
Option (d) is incorrect because it suggests that the situation is an opportunity to showcase your skills. Option (e) is incorrect because it suggests that the situation is a chance for you to take a break.
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