1. To hit the nail on the head means —
A. To hit hard
B. To say or do exactly the right thing
C. To damage something
D. To miss the target
Answer: B
Explanation: The idiom means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
2. Once in a blue moon means —
A. Very often
B. Always
C. Rarely
D. Regularly
Answer: C
Explanation: It refers to something that happens very rarely.
3. To burn the midnight oil means —
A. To waste time
B. To work late at night
C. To light lamps
D. To sleep early
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to study or work till late at night.
4. To beat about the bush means —
A. To speak directly
B. To avoid coming to the point
C. To hunt birds
D. To shout loudly
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to talk indirectly without addressing the main issue.
5. To make both ends meet means —
A. To manage expenses within income
B. To join two ropes
C. To plan perfectly
D. To achieve success
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to survive or manage within one’s income.
6. To smell a rat means —
A. To find a rat
B. To suspect something wrong
C. To feel afraid
D. To be confused
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to suspect foul play or dishonesty.
7. To turn a deaf ear means —
A. To listen carefully
B. To ignore advice or complaint
C. To misunderstand
D. To argue
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to ignore what someone says.
8. To break the ice means —
A. To start a conversation
B. To break something
C. To cause misunderstanding
D. To argue
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to make people feel comfortable and start talking.
9. To get cold feet means —
A. To fall sick
B. To lose courage
C. To run fast
D. To walk slowly
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to become afraid or hesitant.
10. To cry over spilt milk means —
A. To regret something that cannot be undone
B. To cry without reason
C. To complain
D. To be happy
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to regret something that has already happened.
11. To call a spade a spade means —
A. To hide the truth
B. To speak frankly
C. To criticize others
D. To exaggerate
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to speak plainly and honestly.
12. To fish in troubled waters means —
A. To make profit from others’ problems
B. To swim fast
C. To make mistakes
D. To be brave
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to take advantage of a difficult situation.
13. To put the cart before the horse means —
A. To do things in the wrong order
B. To be lazy
C. To hurry up
D. To plan well
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to reverse the logical order of actions.
14. To make a mountain out of a molehill means —
A. To exaggerate
B. To simplify
C. To minimize
D. To solve easily
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to blow a small issue out of proportion.
15. To turn over a new leaf means —
A. To change for the better
B. To start reading
C. To ignore the past
D. To plant trees
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to start afresh with better behavior.
16. To spill the beans means —
A. To reveal a secret
B. To waste food
C. To cook well
D. To make excuses
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to disclose confidential information.
17. To keep one’s fingers crossed means —
A. To hope for success
B. To feel nervous
C. To be confused
D. To plan secretly
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to wish for good luck.
18. To sit on the fence means —
A. To remain neutral
B. To take sides
C. To make a decision
D. To fight
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to avoid choosing a side in an argument.
19. To feel under the weather means —
A. To feel unwell
B. To feel happy
C. To go outdoors
D. To work hard
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to be slightly ill or sick.
20. To hit the sack means —
A. To go to sleep
B. To go to work
C. To fight
D. To eat food
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to go to bed to sleep.
21. To blow one’s own trumpet means —
A. To boast about oneself
B. To play music
C. To praise others
D. To make noise
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to brag about one’s achievements.
22. To let the cat out of the bag means —
A. To release a cat
B. To reveal a secret
C. To tell a lie
D. To hide the truth
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to disclose a secret unintentionally.
23. To add fuel to the fire means —
A. To worsen a situation
B. To solve a problem
C. To improve conditions
D. To make peace
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to make a bad situation worse.
24. To cut corners means —
A. To save money or effort by doing something cheaply
B. To be careful
C. To work sincerely
D. To take rest
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to save time or money by using easier or cheaper methods.
25. To throw in the towel means —
A. To surrender
B. To start fighting
C. To make a mistake
D. To relax
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to give up or admit defeat.
26. To pull someone’s leg means —
A. To trip someone
B. To tease or joke with someone
C. To fight with someone
D. To irritate someone
Answer: B
Explanation: The idiom means to make fun of someone in a playful way.
27. To blow hot and cold means —
A. To be confused
B. To change one’s mood frequently
C. To be calm
D. To be angry
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to change opinions or behavior frequently.
28. To hit below the belt means —
A. To cheat
B. To fight unfairly
C. To attack directly
D. To defend oneself
Answer: B
Explanation: The idiom means to act unfairly or use improper means.
29. To burn one’s fingers means —
A. To get hurt physically
B. To suffer loss by one’s own action
C. To feel guilty
D. To make money
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to suffer loss because of one’s own mistake.
30. To turn a blind eye means —
A. To overlook something intentionally
B. To lose eyesight
C. To ignore by mistake
D. To look carefully
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to deliberately ignore something wrong.
31. To face the music means —
A. To enjoy life
B. To face the consequences
C. To attend a concert
D. To sing a song
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to accept punishment or criticism for one’s actions.
32. To jump on the bandwagon means —
A. To join something popular
B. To start a business
C. To celebrate
D. To lead a group
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to join an activity or trend that is currently successful.
33. To cut a sorry figure means —
A. To look attractive
B. To make a poor impression
C. To be successful
D. To act brave
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to appear weak, unsuccessful, or embarrassed.
34. To play second fiddle means —
A. To assist someone
B. To be less important
C. To lead a team
D. To argue with someone
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to be in a subordinate position.
35. To show a clean pair of heels means —
A. To walk fast
B. To run away quickly
C. To polish shoes
D. To kick someone
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to run away to escape danger.
36. To pay through the nose means —
A. To pay a huge amount
B. To pay willingly
C. To save money
D. To donate
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to pay too much for something.
37. To take the bull by the horns means —
A. To deal bravely with a difficult situation
B. To be foolish
C. To run away from danger
D. To act carelessly
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to face a problem boldly and directly.
38. To have butterflies in one’s stomach means —
A. To be nervous
B. To be hungry
C. To be happy
D. To be proud
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to feel very nervous or anxious.
39. To have an axe to grind means —
A. To have a personal interest
B. To be confused
C. To make a mistake
D. To be honest
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to have a selfish reason for doing something.
40. To call it a day means —
A. To decide to stop working
B. To take rest
C. To start a new job
D. To enjoy the day
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to stop work for the day.
41. To throw dust in someone’s eyes means —
A. To deceive someone
B. To clean eyes
C. To make someone cry
D. To insult someone
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to mislead or deceive someone.
42. To stick to one’s guns means —
A. To be brave
B. To remain firm in one’s opinion
C. To fight with weapons
D. To threaten someone
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to refuse to change one’s opinion or decision.
43. To bring to light means —
A. To reveal
B. To hide
C. To criticize
D. To confuse
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to make something known publicly.
44. To beat one’s brains out means —
A. To think very hard
B. To hurt oneself
C. To become mad
D. To get angry
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to try very hard to understand or solve something.
45. To grease someone’s palm means —
A. To bribe someone
B. To help someone
C. To shake hands
D. To praise someone
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to give money dishonestly for a favor.
46. To fly off the handle means —
A. To get very angry suddenly
B. To lose control
C. To cry loudly
D. To escape
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to lose temper unexpectedly.
47. To jump the gun means —
A. To start too soon
B. To be fast
C. To be alert
D. To act slowly
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to do something before the right time.
48. To smell blood means —
A. To get angry
B. To sense an advantage
C. To get afraid
D. To be jealous
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to sense someone’s weakness and try to exploit it.
49. To cast pearls before swine means —
A. To offer valuable things to those who cannot appreciate them
B. To waste money
C. To insult someone
D. To donate wisely
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to give something valuable to someone undeserving.
50. To bury the hatchet means —
A. To stop fighting and make peace
B. To start a quarrel
C. To hide weapons
D. To ignore an issue
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to end an argument and become friends again.
51. To keep the wolf from the door means —
A. To avoid danger
B. To keep away poverty or hunger
C. To protect oneself from animals
D. To work for survival
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to have just enough money to avoid starvation or poverty.
52. To take the wind out of someone’s sails means —
A. To encourage someone
B. To defeat someone’s plan
C. To surprise or dishearten someone
D. To blow air
Answer: C
Explanation: It means to make someone lose confidence or enthusiasm.
53. To give someone the slip means —
A. To ignore someone
B. To escape from someone secretly
C. To punish someone
D. To meet unexpectedly
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to escape from someone who is chasing you.
54. To be at loggerheads means —
A. To be in strong disagreement
B. To work together
C. To talk politely
D. To cooperate
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to be in conflict or dispute with someone.
55. To leave no stone unturned means —
A. To try every possible way
B. To do nothing
C. To avoid hard work
D. To make excuses
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to make every possible effort to achieve something.
56. To live from hand to mouth means —
A. To live a luxurious life
B. To live on daily earnings without savings
C. To eat well
D. To depend on others
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to have just enough money for daily needs.
57. To stick one’s neck out means —
A. To take a risk
B. To hide
C. To act foolishly
D. To be afraid
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to take a bold or risky step.
58. To keep the pot boiling means —
A. To continue earning a living
B. To cook continuously
C. To waste money
D. To be busy
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to continue to have enough income to survive.
59. To turn the tables means —
A. To reverse the situation
B. To arrange tables
C. To eat food
D. To change plans
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to gain an advantage after being at a disadvantage.
60. To take a back seat means —
A. To stop being active in something
B. To rest for a while
C. To sit behind
D. To drive safely
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to withdraw from a leading position.
61. To bite the dust means —
A. To die or fail completely
B. To eat food
C. To fall down
D. To become weak
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to die or be defeated.
62. To play with fire means —
A. To take unnecessary risks
B. To cook
C. To argue
D. To act wisely
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to do something dangerous or risky.
63. To be all ears means —
A. To be attentive
B. To hear less
C. To be confused
D. To ignore
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to listen eagerly or attentively.
64. To eat humble pie means —
A. To apologize and admit one’s mistake
B. To enjoy food
C. To act arrogantly
D. To be lazy
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to accept humiliation and admit fault.
65. To cross the bridge when one comes to it means —
A. To face problems when they arise
B. To prepare early
C. To avoid problems
D. To ignore responsibilities
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to deal with a problem only when it appears.
66. To jump to conclusions means —
A. To decide without thinking
B. To think deeply
C. To delay decisions
D. To solve problems
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to form opinions too quickly.
67. To call spade a spade means —
A. To speak frankly
B. To exaggerate
C. To flatter
D. To lie
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to speak truth plainly, without sugar-coating.
68. To take the cake means —
A. To win or be outstanding
B. To celebrate
C. To eat dessert
D. To complain
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to be the best or most remarkable (often ironically).
69. To have a finger in every pie means —
A. To be involved in many activities
B. To be greedy
C. To eat a lot
D. To interfere unnecessarily
Answer: D
Explanation: It means to meddle in too many affairs.
70. To pull the strings means —
A. To control someone secretly
B. To play music
C. To be powerless
D. To get angry
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to use one’s influence secretly to control events.
71. To read between the lines means —
A. To find hidden meaning
B. To read fast
C. To understand literally
D. To misread
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to understand the real or hidden meaning behind words.
72. To take someone for a ride means —
A. To cheat or deceive someone
B. To go on a trip
C. To trust someone
D. To follow rules
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to trick or fool someone.
73. To beat around the bush means —
A. To avoid the main point
B. To discuss honestly
C. To delay work
D. To exaggerate
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to avoid talking about the main issue.
74. To make hay while the sun shines means —
A. To take advantage of a good opportunity
B. To work in sunlight
C. To delay work
D. To waste time
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to act quickly while the situation is favorable.
75. To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth means —
A. To be born into a rich family
B. To be lucky
C. To be honest
D. To work hard
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to be born into wealth and privilege.
76. To move heaven and earth means —
A. To pray sincerely
B. To try one’s best to achieve something
C. To be very religious
D. To escape from trouble
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to make every possible effort to achieve something difficult.
77. To have the last laugh means —
A. To laugh last at a joke
B. To be finally successful after initial failure
C. To laugh uncontrollably
D. To laugh sarcastically
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to succeed in the end after others doubted you.
78. To bite off more than one can chew means —
A. To eat too fast
B. To take on a task too difficult
C. To act wisely
D. To be brave
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to accept more responsibility than one can manage.
79. To hit the roof means —
A. To get very angry
B. To reach success
C. To climb high
D. To be proud
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to lose temper suddenly.
80. To throw caution to the wind means —
A. To act carelessly
B. To be cautious
C. To stay calm
D. To think wisely
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to take a big risk by ignoring danger.
81. To play it by ear means —
A. To plan everything
B. To act according to the situation
C. To listen carefully
D. To sing loudly
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to act without a plan and decide things as they happen.
82. To get into hot water means —
A. To take a bath
B. To be in serious trouble
C. To cook something
D. To become rich
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to get into trouble or difficulty.
83. To leave someone in the lurch means —
A. To support someone
B. To desert someone in difficulty
C. To mislead someone
D. To argue with someone
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to abandon someone when they are in need.
84. To throw one’s weight around means —
A. To show off authority or power
B. To gain weight
C. To act foolishly
D. To be lazy
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to use one’s power or influence aggressively.
85. To burn the candle at both ends means —
A. To waste energy by overworking
B. To save money
C. To enjoy life
D. To light candles
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to work excessively hard day and night.
86. To break the bank means —
A. To rob a bank
B. To spend too much money
C. To become rich
D. To save money
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to spend more money than one can afford.
87. To turn the other cheek means —
A. To take revenge
B. To forgive and ignore an insult
C. To be rude
D. To avoid people
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to respond to an insult with patience or forgiveness.
88. To draw the line means —
A. To stop at a certain limit
B. To mark a boundary
C. To begin something
D. To plan a path
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to set a limit to what one is willing to do.
89. To hit the jackpot means —
A. To win a lot of money
B. To fail
C. To lose everything
D. To earn normally
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to have great success or win a big reward.
90. To jump out of one’s skin means —
A. To be very frightened or surprised
B. To be angry
C. To be confused
D. To be impatient
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to be extremely startled.
91. To let sleeping dogs lie means —
A. To avoid restarting an old argument
B. To talk about the past
C. To make peace
D. To play with dogs
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to avoid interfering in a settled issue.
92. To have a narrow escape means —
A. To escape slightly wounded
B. To avoid danger by a small margin
C. To run fast
D. To get injured
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to barely avoid harm or accident.
93. To miss the boat means —
A. To miss a vehicle
B. To miss an opportunity
C. To lose a friend
D. To get late
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to fail to take advantage of an opportunity.
94. To paddle one’s own canoe means —
A. To be independent
B. To be confused
C. To travel alone
D. To work with others
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to act or depend on oneself.
95. To pull one’s socks up means —
A. To get ready for work
B. To try to improve performance
C. To wear shoes
D. To run away
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to work harder and improve oneself.
96. To shed crocodile tears means —
A. To cry sincerely
B. To pretend to be sad
C. To feel real pain
D. To smile falsely
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to show false sorrow.
97. To take the law into one’s own hands means —
A. To punish someone without authority
B. To study law
C. To follow rules
D. To act legally
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to punish someone personally instead of through legal system.
98. To take a leaf out of someone’s book means —
A. To follow someone’s example
B. To steal ideas
C. To read someone’s book
D. To copy handwriting
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to imitate someone’s behavior or actions.
99. To weather the storm means —
A. To survive a difficult situation
B. To enjoy rainfall
C. To escape punishment
D. To predict weather
Answer: A
Explanation: It means to endure a difficult or challenging time successfully.
100. To throw one’s hat in the ring means —
A. To withdraw from competition
B. To enter a contest or election
C. To surrender
D. To avoid responsibility
Answer: B
Explanation: It means to show willingness to take part in a contest or challenge.