Idioms and Phrases Quiz: English Practice for SSC

Spoilers! These are the Starter quiz’s answers. Easy, Medium, Hard and Mixed rounds show their own answers when you finish.

1. Choose the meaning of the idiom: To burn the midnight oil

   • To waste fuel at night
   • To work or study late into the night
   • To celebrate till dawn
   • To keep a lamp lit for guests

   Answer: To work or study late into the night. To burn the midnight oil is to work or study late at night, as people once did by the light of an oil lamp.

2. Choose the meaning of the idiom: A red herring

   • A rare and costly item
   • A person who angers easily
   • A sign of danger ahead
   • Something that distracts from the real issue

   Answer: Something that distracts from the real issue. A red herring is a fact or idea that draws attention away from the main point, as a strong-smelling fish was said to throw dogs off a scent.

3. Choose the meaning of the idiom: At sixes and sevens

   • In a state of confusion
   • Exactly on time
   • Divided into small groups
   • Ready for a contest

   Answer: In a state of confusion. At sixes and sevens means confused or badly organised.

4. Choose the most suitable idiom: The huge stadium, used only twice a year, has become a ____ for the town.

   • dark horse
   • white elephant
   • red-letter day
   • feather in its cap

   Answer: white elephant. A white elephant is a costly possession that is of little use and expensive to maintain.

5. Choose the meaning of the idiom: To turn a blind eye

   • To lose one's sight
   • To look at something closely
   • To pretend not to notice
   • To refuse to forgive

   Answer: To pretend not to notice. To turn a blind eye is to ignore something wrong deliberately, pretending not to see it.

6. Choose the meaning of the idiom: Hobson's choice

   • A choice made after long thought
   • A choice between two good options
   • A choice left to luck
   • A situation with no real alternative

   Answer: A situation with no real alternative. Thomas Hobson let customers take the horse nearest the door or none, so Hobson's choice means an apparent choice with only one real option.

7. Choose the meaning of the idiom: To bell the cat

   • To take on a risky task for the group's sake
   • To make a loud announcement
   • To catch a thief red-handed
   • To tease someone harmlessly

   Answer: To take on a risky task for the group's sake. From the fable of the mice: to bell the cat is to do a dangerous job that benefits everyone but that no one wants to do.

8. Choose the meaning of the idiom: A damp squib

   • A sudden piece of bad news
   • A wet and gloomy day
   • An event that turns out disappointing
   • A loud quarrel

   Answer: An event that turns out disappointing. A damp squib is something expected to be exciting or impressive that turns out to be a let-down.

9. Choose the meaning of the idiom: To have an axe to grind

   • To work very hard
   • To have a selfish motive or private grievance
   • To be ready to fight
   • To sharpen one's skills

   Answer: To have a selfish motive or private grievance. Someone with an axe to grind acts out of a personal interest or grudge rather than fairness.

10. Choose the meaning of the idiom: To cool one's heels

    • To relax after hard work
    • To calm down after anger
    • To walk away quietly
    • To be kept waiting

    Answer: To be kept waiting. To cool one's heels is to be made to wait, often deliberately. It does not mean to calm down.