Idioms and Phrases MCQs with Answers & Explanations (Page 12)

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'at daggers drawn' means that two people are in a state of intense animosity and are on the verge of fighting. A dispute 'over the inheritance' is a common cause of such bitter family feuds. Option (c) is the correct definition. Option (a) and (d) are literal misinterpretations. Option (b) is the opposite.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'beat a dead horse' (or 'flog a dead horse') means to continue to pursue or discuss a subject that is no longer useful or relevant because a decision has already been made. It is to waste effort on a lost cause. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a literal interpretation. Options (c) and (d) are the opposite of this repetitive behavior.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'feel it in one's bones' means to have a strong premonition or intuition about something, a gut feeling that something is true or is going to happen. Option (a) is the correct definition. Option (b) is a literal interpretation of a feeling in the bones. Option (c) is the opposite of having a strong feeling. Option (d) refers to knowledge, not intuition.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'cut one's losses' means to withdraw from a losing situation to prevent further loss. Abandoning an 'unprofitable project' is the very definition of this action. Option (a) is the correct meaning. Option (b) is a literal misinterpretation. Option (c) is the opposite action. Option (d) is illogical.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'have someone in stitches' means to make someone laugh very hard. A funny comedian's act would have this effect on an audience. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a literal misinterpretation of 'stitches'. Option (c) is an unrelated action. Option (d) is the opposite.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'cry wolf' comes from the Aesop's fable of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' and means to continually raise false alarms. The result is that when a real danger presents itself, no one will come to help. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a literal interpretation. Options (c) and (d) are the opposite of this deceptive behavior.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'a fool's paradise' describes a state of contentment that is founded on illusion or a lack of awareness of reality. Thinking one can win the lottery without participating is a classic example of a false hope. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a literal interpretation. Option (c) is the opposite. Option (d) is a different emotional state.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'cabin fever' refers to the distressed and irritable feeling that results from being isolated or confined for an extended period. Being 'stuck indoors for three days' is a common cause of this feeling. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a literal misinterpretation. Option (c) is the opposite feeling. Option (d) is unrelated.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'pay lip service' means to show support for something in words only, not through actions. It implies insincerity. This is a common criticism leveled at politicians. Option (a) is the correct definition. Option (b) is a literal misinterpretation. Option (c) is the opposite. Option (d) means to be silent, not to speak insincerely.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'by the skin of one's teeth' means to barely manage to do something. The presence of 'many other qualified candidates' suggests that his success was very narrow. Option (a) is the correct definition. Option (b) is the opposite. Option (c) is a literal misinterpretation. Option (d) is a possible but not implied meaning.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'have one's head in the clouds' is used to describe a person who is a daydreamer and is not grounded in reality. Not paying attention to 'practical details' is a key characteristic of such a person. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) and (d) are literal misinterpretations. Option (c) is the opposite.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'put the cart before the horse' means to do things in the wrong sequence. Logically, a horse pulls a cart from the front. The example of booking a venue without a date is a clear example of doing things in the wrong order. Option (a) is the correct definition. Option (b) is the literal, correct order. Option (c) is the opposite of the idiom's meaning. Option (d) is an unrelated action.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'the salt of the earth' refers to a person or group of people of great worth and reliability. The description of being 'honest and willing to help' defines such a person. Option (b) is the correct meaning. Option (a) and (d) are literal misinterpretations. Option (c) is the opposite.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'paint the town red' means to go out and celebrate in a wild and exuberant manner. Celebrating a 'reunion' is a perfect occasion for such a lively celebration. Option (a) is the correct definition. Option (b) is a literal misinterpretation. Option (c) is the opposite. Option (d) is a different kind of activity.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'set in stone' means to be fixed and impossible to change. The sentence uses the negative form ('not set in stone') to mean the opposite: that the rules *are* changeable. Therefore, the idiom itself means unchangeable. Option (c) is the correct definition of the idiom. Option (b) defines the situation in the sentence. Option (a) is a literal interpretation. Option (d) is a possible but separate quality.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'turn over a new leaf' means to reform and begin a new and better course of life. Being released from prison is often a catalyst for such a change. Option (c) is the correct definition. Option (a) and (d) are literal misinterpretations. Option (b) is the opposite.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'a wolf in sheep's clothing' refers to someone who appears to be friendly and harmless but is actually hostile and malicious. The sentence itself explains the meaning by contrasting 'pretending to be a friend' with 'secretly working against you'. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a literal interpretation. Option (c) is the opposite. Option (d) is an unrelated profession.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'work one's fingers to the bone' is a hyperbole that means to work very hard and for a long time. Providing for a family is a common motivation for such hard work. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a literal misinterpretation. Option (c) is the opposite. Option (d) is an unrelated profession.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The proverb 'actions speak louder than words' means that people's actions are a better indicator of their character and intentions than their words are. The sentence illustrates this by contrasting 'promising to help' (words) with 'just do it' (action). Option (b) is the correct explanation. Option (a) is a literal misinterpretation. Option (d) is the opposite of the proverb's meaning.

**Rule: Understanding Idiomatic Expressions.** The idiom 'a doubting Thomas' refers to a skeptical person who needs proof to believe something. The name comes from the Apostle Thomas, who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he could see and touch the wounds. The need to 'see proof' is the key characteristic. Option (b) is the correct definition. Option (a) is a misinterpretation. Option (c) is the opposite. Option (d) is a misattribution (he is a biblical figure).