Idiomatic Use of Verbs

 

An idiom  is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning . This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements. In other words, idioms don't mean exactly what the words say. They have, however, a special meaning.

 

E.g.

It's a piece of cake  - It's easy

It's raining cats and dogs - It's raining hard

Let the cat out of the bag    - Give away a secret

Hit the sack    - Go to sleep

Break the ice  - Make people feel more comfortable

Once in a blue moon   - Rarely

Fortune favours the bold   - Take risks

 

 

 

Format of the Questions

Set-1
In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase italicized in the sentence. Choose the one that best expresses the meaning of the italicized idiom/phrase in the sentence:

1. The cricket match proved to be a big draw.

(a) a keen contest 

(b) a huge attraction
(c) a goal-less match 

(d) a game without any result

 

2. Pt Nehru was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. 

(a) born in a middle class family 

(b) born in a wealthy family
(c) born in a family of nationalists 

(d) born in a family of intellectuals

 

3. In the armed forces, it is considered a great privilege to die in harness.

(a) pain and suffering 

(b) die on the battle field
(c) die while still working 

(d) die with honour

 

4. The thief took to his heels when he saw a policeman.

(a) had some pain in his heels 

(b) ran away from the scene
(c) confronted the policeman 

(d) could not decide what to do

 

5. To catch a tartar

(a) to deal with a person who is more than one’s match 

(b) to catch a dangerous person 

(c) to trap a wanted criminal with great difficulty 

(d) to meet with disaster

 

6. A wet blanket

(a) a man who is always drunk 

(b) a wife who is cold to her husband 

(c) to wear black and white clothes 

(d) a person who ends enjoyable activity

 

7. To strain every nerve

(a) to spoil relationship

 (b) to get afraid 

(c) to try one’s utmost 

(d) to take ill 

 

 

8. To have an axe to grind 

(a) pinpoint faults of others 

(b) to take revenge
(c) to make unreasonable demands 

(d) to have a selfish interest to serve

 

9. To take heart

(a) to become hopeful

 (b) to love everyone
(c) to prepare for a battle 

(d) to withdraw from activity

 

10. To draw the line

(a) to decide one’s occupation 

(b) to set limits
(c) to prepare for a battle 

(d) to withdraw from activity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers

1. (b) 

2. (b) 

3. (c)

4. (b) 

5. (a) 

6. (d) 

7. (c) 

8. (d) 

9. (a) 

10. (b)