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Idioms & Phrases – SSC Exams [Part-2]

Hi friends, today I am posting the first part of the 500+ Idioms and phrases series Idioms & Phrases – SSC Exams. All the questions have been asked in the various exams of ssc.

Directions: In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative
which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

(SSC CGL Tier-II Exam. 2016)

1. He advised her to give a wide berth to malicious people.
(a) Pay more attention to
(b) Give a larger bed to
(c) Share her seat with
(d) To stay away from

Explanation: Give somebody a wide berth means to not go too near somebody; to avoid.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

2. Russel Peters realty brought the house down with his spectacular performance at the club yesterday.
(a) Passed a bill unanimously
(b) Amused the audience greatly
(c) Pulled down
(d) Defamed a family building

Explanation: Bring the house down means to make everyone laugh or cheer.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

3. Tripti gave her report quoting chapter and verse.
(a) Spoke like a preacher
(b) Taught like a teacher
(c) Referred to religious books
(d) Provided minute details

Explanation: Chapter and verse means the exact details of something.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

4. Sunil’s dog in a manger attitude did not help to settle the matter.
(a) Cold
(b) Selfless
(c) Selfish
(d) Warm

Explanation: A dog in the manger means someone who prevents others from enjoying what he or she would not use or does not want.

Hence, the correct option is (c).

5. If the speaker continues with his boring speech, the audience will probably vote with their feet.

(a) Kick him out
(b) Show their disapproval
(c) Stop him from speaking
(d) Choose him as leader

Explanation: Vote with your feet means to refl ect opinion by going or not going somewhere.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

6. I threw up my cards for want of funds.
(a) Put my whole income at stake
(b) Looked out for help
(c) Gave up my plan
(d) Gambled all my money

Explanation: Throw up cards means to give in; to accept defeat.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

7. He worked hard to feather his nest.
(a) Trap birds
(b) Decorate his home
(c) Be the envy of others
(d) Provide for his own needs

Explanation: Feather your nest means to make yourself richer by spending money on yourself.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

8. Shyam Prasad was a chip of the old block.
(a) A being of the old generation
(b) An experienced old man
(c) A common boy of the locality
(d) Someone similar in character to one’s father

Explanation: A chip off the old block means a person very like their parents in their look or behaviour.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

9. My father is undoubtedly an arm-chair critic.
(a) Someone who gives advice based on theory not practice
(b) Someone who gives advice based on practice not theory
(c) Someone who gives advice based on experience
(d) Someone who never gives advice

Explanation: An arm-chair critic means knowing a subject through books and television, rather than by experience.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

10. He was punished for taking French leave.
(a) Being absent without permission
(b) Leaving without intimation
(c) Giving lame excuse
(d) Resigning without giving notice

Explanation: Take French leave means to take leave without first taking permission.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

500+ Idioms & Phrases Paer-1

Idioms & Phrases – SSC Exams

[SSC (10+2) Stenographer Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Exam. 2016]

11. The manager is not dismissed, but he is definitely under a cloud.
(a) Under suspension
(b) Under suspicion
(c) Under scrutiny
(d) Warned severely

Explanation: Under a cloud means being suspicious of.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

12. Do not pull a long face.
(a) Look ugly
(b) Look tired
(c) Look dejected
(d) Look happy

Explanation: Pull a long face means unhappy or disappointed look; dejected.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

13. Who will believe your cock and bull story?
(a) Ambiguous story
(b) Authentic story
(c) Absurd story
(d) Common story

Explanation: Cock and bull story means a story that is unlikely to be true but is used as an excuse.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

14. For years I could not shake off the trauma of that day.
(a) Forget
(b) Remember
(c) Imagine
(d) None of these

Explanation: Shake off means to get away from somebody who is chasing or following you; forget.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

15. Sit on the fence.
(a) To be in a tricky situation
(b) To be relaxed and comfortable
(c) Halting between two opinions
(d) To be defeated and dejected

Explanation: Sit on the fence means to avoid getting involved or influence something.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

(SSC CGL Tier-II Exam. 2015)

16. Sheila’s tall tales have no meaning.
(a) Jealousy
(b) Greed
(c) Boasting
(d) Pride

Explanation: My uncle claims that he was raised in a drainage ditch, but it’s just another of his tall tales.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

17. The bridge gave way under the heavy weight
(a) Collapsed
(b) Endured
(c) withstood
(d) stooped

Explanation: His reply completely floored me.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

18. His plan was so complicated that it floored his listeners.
(a) Encouraged
(b) Annoyed
(c) Entertained
(d) Puzzled

Explanation: Floor means to surprise or confuse somebody so that he may not sure what to say or do; puzzle.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

19. My uncle’s business has gone to the dogs.
(a) Is ruined
(b) Is dead
(c) Is sick
(d) Is angry

Explanation: Gone to the dogs means to go into a very bad state.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

20. Despite the highs and lows, life tends to average itself out.
(a) Balance itself
(b) Be unvarying
(c) Show equal value
(d) Get compatible

Explanation: Sometimes I pay, sometimes he pays; it seems to average out our budget.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

Spotting Error For SSC Exams Part-1

21. On second thoughts she refused to accept his invitation.
(a) On reconsidering
(b) Reviewing leisurely
(c) Moral grounds
(d) Seeing his brashness

Explanation: You’re not having second thought is about it, are you?
Hence, the correct option is (a).

22. I stirred the hornet’s nest by my honest statement.
(a) Responded to criticism angrily
(b) Caused anger in many people
(c) Stopped people criticizing someone
(d) Acted with energy and interest

Explanation: Hornets’ nest means a difficult situation.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

23. He knows how to break in horses.
(a) Rear
(b) Tend
(c) Train
(d) Force

Explanation: Broken in means to train for a skill.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

24. The judge declared the agreement null and void.
(a) Empty
(b) Annulled
(c) Unavoidable
(d) Not binding

Explanation: Null and Void means having not valid.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

25. We should bury the hatchet and become friends.
(a) Obtain
(b) Influence friends
(c) Make peace
(d) Keep a secret

Explanation: After not speaking to each other for years, the two brothers decided to bury the hatchet.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

Important Links for You

Idioms & Phrases – SSC Exams

(SSC CGL Tier-II Exam. 2015)

26. We consider the 14th of February a red letter day.
(a) A day to write with red pens
(b) A day marked in red
(c) A day to write letters
(d) An important day

Explanation: A red-letter day means an important day.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

27. You need to improve your work because it is not up to the mark.
(a) Up to the potential displayed
(b) According to the required standard
(c) As good as the others
(d) Marked properly and accurately

Explanation: Up to the mark means not as good as it should be.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

28. Your report of the matter is all moonshine.
(a) Familiar
(b) Acceptable
(c) Concocted
(d) Excellent

Explanation: All moonshine means silly talk; nonsense.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

29. At the police station, he showed a clean pair of heels.
(a) Ran away
(b) Displayed clean heels
(c) Kneeled down
(d) Showed courage

Explanation: Show a clean pair of heels means to run away fast; to flee swiftly.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

30. I am sure the girls win fight tooth and nail for their rights.
(a) With all their might
(b) Without any weapon
(c) In a cowardly manner
(d) With all their rights

Explanation: Tooth and nail means with all strength.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

SSC Previous Year English Questions 2020-2021

31. The President gave away the prizes to the winners.
(a) Let go
(b) Released
(c) Gave back
(d) Distributed

Explanation: The mayor gave away the prizes at the school sports day.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

32. The manager gave his assistant a piece of his mind.
(a) Suggestion
(b) Advice
(c) Gist
(d) Scolding

Explanation: Give somebody a piece of your mind means to tell somebody that you disapprove of their behaviour or are angry with them.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

33. His observations were beside the mark.
(a) Irrelevant
(b) Criticized
(c) Valid
(d) Excellent

Explanation: Beside the mark means not to be accurate, hence irrelevant.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

34. He wanted this agreement in black and white.
(a) In writing
(b) Orally
(c) In discourse
(d) In detail

Explanation: In black and white means in writing.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

35. The principal of this school is a hand nut to crack.
(a) Generous
(b) Difficult
(c) Careless
(d) Kind

Explanation: A hard nut to crack means a difficult situation or problem to deal with.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

(SSC CAPFs SI, CISF ASI & DP SI Exam, 2015)

36. To cut the Gordian knot
(a) To perform a difficult task
(b) To cut a piece of cloth
(c) To perform an easy task
(d) To do a job perfunctorily

Explanation: To cut the Gordian t knot means to solve a problem by taking action.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

37. The shopping mall is a bee hive of activity.
(a) A busy place
(b) A secure place
(c) A sweet place
(d) A costly place

Explanation: A beehive is a place where busy people are assembled; a crowded, busy place.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

38. We must draw the line somewhere.
(a) Put the screw on
(b) Fix a limit
(c) Aim at the sky
(d) Turn the tables

Explanation: To draw the line means to set a limit. We have given huge privileges to our employees, but you must draw the line somewhere.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

39. The officer was in the soap when there was a raid in his office.
(a) Preparing soup
(b) Drinking soup
(c) Distributing soup
(d) To be in trouble

Explanation: In the soup means in trouble. Our lies have landed us in the soup now.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

40. To win laurels
(a) To be victorious in a game
(b) To memorize
(c) To be disappointed
(d) To earn great prestige

Explanation: Laurels means accolade or honour for an achievement.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

Parts of Speech Part-1

Idioms & Phrases – SSC Exams [Part-2]

(SSC CAPFs SI, CISF ASI & DP SI Exam, 2015)

41. The minister took a birds eye view of the problem.
(a) Vision of a bird
(b) Visualize
(c) See without giving attention
(d) A general view from above

Explanation: A bird’s eye view means a view from above at an object.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

42. He is a fine man, but to call him a saint is laying it on thick.
(a) An exaggeration
(b) A compulsion
(c) A development
(d) A reality

Explanation: Lay it on thick means exaggerating; overstating.
Hence, the correct option is (a).

43. I was taken aback when he proposed to marry my daughter.
(a) Surprised
(b) Pleased
(c) Hurt
(d) Shocked

Explanation: Be taken aback means to be shouted or surprised.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

44. She played ducks and drakes with her money.
(a) Lent
(b) Spent lavishly
(c) Did not spend
(d) Borrowed

Explanation: Play ducks and drakes means squandering away one’ money.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

45. He had to eat humble pie for his intense rudeness.
(a) Earn praise
(b) Suffer humiliation
(c) Modest behaviour
(d) Determine

Explanation: To eat humble pie means to be humble and apologetic when wrong.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

(SSC CGL Tier-I Exam, 2015)

46. Their attempt to get back the stolen necklace proved to be a wild goose chase.
(a) Delayed action
(b) Wise decision
(c) Useless search
(d) Timely action

Explanation: Wild goose chase means a search that is futile.
Hence, the correct option is (c).

47. The day the new product was launched, people made a beeline to purchase it.
(a) Went online
(b) Rushed
(c) Were doubtful
(d) Refused

Explanation: Make a beeline means to head straight to something.
Hence, the correct option is (b).

48. At his wit’s end, he turned to his old trade.
(a) Overjoyed
(b) After careful thinking
(c) Confidently
(d) Not knowing what to do

Explanation: At One’s wit’s end means at the limits of one’s mental resources.
Hence, the correct option is (d).

49. When it comes to dancing, he is all-thumbs.
(a) Lazy
(b) An expert
(c) A trainer
(d) Clumsy