Idioms test 5

1. Ramesh takes after his father.

2. They made no bones about acknowledging their debt to his genius.

3. It is evident from the minister’s statement that heads will roll in the Secretariat.

4. During the last moments of his life, the criminal made a clean breast of everything he had done.

5. She tries very hard to keep up with her rich neighbours.

6. He went on sowing wild oats; he reaped suffering in his later life.

7. I don’t know why she has become stand-offish recently.

8. Why don’t you put an end to blowing your own trumpet ?

9. I knew he had an axe to grind and turned down his offer of help.

10. The saint’s life was an open book.

11. Reading between the lines I realised that my friend wanted to keep something from me.

12. Sometimes, it happens that we have to give the devil his due.

13. The king had been made to eat humble pie.

14. He was given Hobson’s choice by the employer.

15. He has a very nice manner, but you would better take what he says with a grain of salt.

16. He didn’t tell me directly, but reading between the lines. I think he is not happy with them.

17. Gopi works by fits and starts.

18. I cannot put up with your misconduct any longer.

19. I did not mind what he was saying, he was only talking through his hat.

20. He is so furious that he would go through fire and water to revenge himself on his foe.

21. The watchdogs were asleep when the bulls ran riot.

22. In spite of the immense pressure exerted by the militants, the Government, has decided not to give in.

23. The young and the old sat cheek by jowl in the large audience.

24. We wanted to keep the gift as a surprise for mother but my sister gave the game away.

25. I don’t think the law will interfere with us as we are just trying to turn an honest penny.

26. a dark horse

27. to run across

28. to get one’s own back

29. to steer clear of

30. to beat a retreat