Directions (1-10): In each of the questions given below a/an idiom/phrase is given in bold which is then followed by five options that tries to interpret its meaning as used in the sentence. Choose the option which can replace the given phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error.
Q1. The meeting was a storm in a teacup.
(a) a big success
(b) a heated argument
(c) a small or insignificant issue blown out of proportion
(d) a meeting that was cancelled
(e) None of these.
Q2. John has been trying to convince his boss to increase his salary, but it seems like he is fighting a losing battle.
(a) making steady progress
(b) winning easily
(c) facing a difficult situation
(d) making a compromise
(e) None of these.
Q3. The team captain tried to put a brave face on, but it was clear that he was deeply disappointed with the loss.
(a) hide emotions
(b) make fun of someone
(c) show anger
(d) express joy
(e) None of these.
Q4. After the CEO announced the company’s bankruptcy, the employees started looking for a silver lining.
(a) looking for hope or optimism in a difficult situation
(b) being pessimistic about the future
(c) ignoring the situation completely
(d) trying to take advantage of the situation
(e) None of these.
Q5. The young actor’s star is on the rise – he has been getting offers left, right, and center.
(a) very few offers
(b) offers from only one source
(c) offers from multiple sources
(d) offers with very low compensation
(e) None of these.
Q6. Despite being a talented writer, Susan’s book didn’t sell like hotcakes.
(a) sold very quickly
(b) sold very slowly
(c) sold very expensively
(d) sold in a limited quantity
(e) None of these.
Q7. Mary always goes the extra mile to ensure that her clients are happy with her work.
(a) does the bare minimum
(b) goes above and beyond what is expected
(c) does the work hastily
(d) does the work with errors
(e) None of these.
Q8. The politician tried to sweep the scandal under the rug, but the media exposed the truth.
(a) hide the truth
(b) amplify the scandal
(c) change the topic
(d) avoid the issue
(e) None of these.
Q9. Jake is the black sheep of the family – while everyone else is successful, he is always getting into trouble.
(a) the most popular member of the family
(b) the most successful member of the family
(c) the most well-behaved member of the family
(d) the least successful member of the family
(e) None of these.
Q10. The new employee hit the ground running and was able to complete the project on time.
(a) struggled to get started
(b) was unable to complete the project
(c) was slow to complete the project
(d) was able to start working quickly and efficiently
(e) None of these.
Solutions
S1. Ans. (c)
Sol. The correct answer is option (c) “a small or insignificant issue blown out of proportion” that can replace the idiom “a storm in a teacup” without inducing any contextual or grammatical error.
The phrase “a storm in a teacup” means that something is being exaggerated or blown out of proportion, and the situation is not as serious as people are making it out to be.
S2. Ans. (c)
Sol. The correct answer is option (c). The phrase “fighting a losing battle” means to struggle or fight against something that cannot be won or achieved. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “facing a difficult situation.”
S3. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is option (a). The phrase “put a brave face on” means to try to hide one’s true feelings and show a brave or positive demeanor. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “hide emotions.”
S4. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is option (a). The phrase “looking for a silver lining” means to find hope or optimism in a difficult or negative situation. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “looking for hope or optimism in a difficult situation.”
S5. Ans. (c)
Sol. The correct answer is option (c). The phrase “getting offers left, right, and center” means to receive a large number of offers from multiple sources. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “offers from multiple sources.”
S6. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is option (a). The phrase “sell like hotcakes” means to sell quickly and in large quantities. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “sold very slowly.”
S7. Ans. (b)
Sol. The correct answer is option (b). The phrase “goes the extra mile” means to make an extra effort beyond what is required or expected. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “goes above and beyond what is expected.”
S8. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct answer is option (a). The phrase “sweep under the rug” means to hide or ignore something, especially a scandal or problem, in the hope that it will be forgotten or overlooked. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “hide the truth.”
S9. Ans. (d)
Sol. The correct answer is option (d). The phrase “black sheep” means the person who is considered the odd one out or the least successful member of a group or family. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “the least successful member of the family.”
S10. Ans. (d)
Sol. The correct answer is option (d). The phrase “hit the ground running” means to start working quickly and efficiently without any delay or difficulty. Therefore, the option that can replace this phrase without inducing any contextual or grammatical error is “was able to start working quickly and efficiently.”
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