Idioms test 26 Welcome to your Idioms test 26 Name Email 1. Receiving his first award was a shot in the arm for him. (1) something that gives encouragement (2) something that is painful (3) something that needs attention (4) something done with a purpose None 2. It is sometimes wiser to rely on horse sense than on the advice of colleagues. (1) advice of parents (2) advice of teachers (3) advice of colleagues (4) basic common sense None 3. Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, was a man of letters. (1) a great letter–writer (2) a great politician (3) a literary person (4) a great patriot None 4. I have taken fancy to this car. (1) given imaginative touches (2) revised (3) developed liking for (4) improved None 5. carry out (1) bring (2) continue (3) complete something (4) to take in None 6. He beats about the bush. (1) talks sensibly (2) talks continuously (3) speak well (4) does not talk specifically None 7. Television has become part and parcel of our lives. (1) status symbol (2) unavoidable luxury (3) important part (4) showy part None 8. My kith and kin congratulated me on my brilliant success. (1) niece and nephew (2) father and mother (3) relatives (4) colleagues None 9. His frequent journeys are telling upon his health. (1) threatening (2) improving (3) informing (4) affecting None 10. He advised her to give a wide berth to malicious people. (1) pay more attention to (2) give a larger bed to (3) share her seat with (4) to stay away from None 11. Russel Peters really brought the house down with his spectacular performance at the Club yesterday. (1) passed a bill unanimously (2) amused the audience greatly (3) pulled down a (4) defamed a family building None 12. Tripti gave her report quoting chapter and verse. (1) spoke like a preacher (2) taught like a teacher (3) referred to religious books (4) provided minute details None 13. Sunil’s dog in a manger attitude did not help to settle the matter. (1) cold (2) selfless (3) selfish (4) warm None 14. If the speaker continues with his boring speech, the audience will probably vote with their feet. (1) kick him out (2) show their disapproval (3) stop him from speaking (4) choose him as leader None 15. I threw up my cards for want of funds. (1) put my whole income at stake (2) looked out for help (3) gave up my plan (4) gambled all my money None 16. He worked hard to feather his nest. (1) trap birds (2) decorate his home (3) be the envy of others (4) provide for his own needs None 17. Shyam Prasad was a chip of the old block. (1) a being of the old generation (2) an experienced old man (3) a common boy of the locality (4) someone similar in character to one’s father None 18. My father is undoubtedly an arm-chair critic. (1) someone who gives advice based on theory not practice (2) someone who gives advice based on practice not theory (3) someone who gives advice based on experience (4) someone who never gives advice None 19. He was punished for taking French leave. (1) being absent without permission (2) leaving without intimation (3) giving lame excuse (4) resigning without giving notice None 20. She paid a flying visit to Mumbai to see her ailing father. (1) went by aeroplane (2) a very long visit (3) a very short visit (4) a surprise visit None 21. to take after (1) to remove (2) to resemble (3) to cheat (4) to write down None 22. have a finger in every pie (1) to be greedy (2) to be meddlesome (3) to be efficient (4) to be quarrelsome None 23. the jury is out (1) No decision has been reached. (2) A jury member is absent. (3) The entire jury decides to stay out of the proceedings. (4) The jury has taken a break between hearings None 24. Ramah was on cloud nine when she heard that she had won the lottery. (1) frustrated (2) very happy (3) shocked (4) confused None 25. My brother puts by a little money every month. (1) saves (2) loses (3) gives away (4) spends carefully None 26. I was in two minds whether to buy a new television or a new computer. (1) to be firm (2) to be undecided (3) to take two decisions (4) to lose one’s mind None 27. to call it a day (1) put off work for another day (2) the day was marvellous (3) decide to finish working (4) give the day a name None 28. to make up one’s mind. (1) to decide what to do (2) to remember things clearly (3) to remind oneself of something (4) to think creatively None 29. International monetary affairs are governed by the gnomes of Zurich. None 30. to put in a nut–shell. (1) to be long and exhaustive about something (2) to state something very concisely (3) to place something (4) to be blunt about something None Time's up
