Phrases & Idioms - SSC

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

​​​​​​​Hit a brick wall

• A.

  Demolish a brick wall

• B.

  Not able to make any progress

• C.

  Use physical force

• D.

  Fight a powerful foe

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

​​​​​​​To sit on the fence

• A.

  Occupy a bench next to a boundary

• B.

  Avoid taking sides

• C.

  Take a high seat

• D.

  Place something on a barrier

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
On purpose

• A.

  Mischievously

• B.

  Accidently

• C.

  Intentionally

• D.

  Luckily

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Smooth sailing

• A.

  Calm weather

• B.

  Comfortable place

• C.

  Plain dress

• D.

  Easy progress

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Sticky fingers

• A.

  An inclination to steal

• B.

  A tendency to interfere

• C.

  A habit of licking fingers

• D.

  A tendency to forget

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Select the option that gives the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.
The new electrician is a green horn, but will learn fast.

• A.

  Professional

• B.

  Efficient

• C.

  Proficient

• D.

  Inexperienced

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Cool as a cucumber

• A.

  Nervous and fidgety

• B.

  Irritated and annoyed

• C.

  Calm and composed

• D.

  Happy and excited

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
A hair in the butter

• A.

  Easy to handle

• B.

  A slippery road

• C.

  Sinking in debt

• D.

  A challenging situation

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Dark horse

• A.

  A slow runner

• B.

  An honest fellow

• C.

  An unexpected winner

• D.

  A mean person

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Stone’s throw

• A.

  Short distance

• B.

  Large hurdle

• C.

  Hurt slightly

• D.

  Difficult problem

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To take after

• A.

  To chase someone

• B.

  To be similar in appearance

• C.

  To mock someone

• D.

  To change sides often

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Foul play

• A.

  Unfair or dishonest behaviour

• B.

  A bad smelling theatre or playground

• C.

  Unpleasant weather for playing

• D.

  A drama which is badly produced

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Be hard up

• A.

  Have very little money

• B.

  Unable to calculate

• C.

  Have difficulty in climbing stairs

• D.

  Find it very difficult to wake up early

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
In the same breath

• A.

  Able to get a foul smell

• B.

  Say two contradictory things at the same time

• C.

  Practice breathing exercises

• D.

  Try and hold your breath

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

Cold comfort

• A.

  Enjoyment in the hills

• B.

  Very little satisfaction

• C.

  Very soothing

• D.

  Unbearable weather

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

Feast one’s eyes on

• A.

  Prepare a rare delicacy

• B.

  Gaze at something with pleasure

• C.

  Arrange a delicious meal

• D.

  Notice something alarming

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.
It was a lavish birthday party and I could see my friend eat like a horse.

• A.

  eating excessively

• B.

  eating what horses eat

• C.

  eating differently

• D.

  hardly eating

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Pay heed to

• A.

  Repay old debts honestly

• B.

  Listen carefully with attention

• C.

  Give back money with interest

• D.

  Disburse without partiality

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To hold water

• A.

  To be unsteady and unsure

• B.

  To be valid and reasonable

• C.

  To be large and deep

• D.

  To be sad and depressed

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Play with fire

• A.

  To spread knowledge

• B.

  To fight an opponent

• C.

  To be courageous

• D.

  To do something dangerous

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Easy money

• A.

  Collect someone’s cash for them easily

• B.

  Work hard to earn a large salary without telling anyone

• C.

  Have no difficulty in collecting money that is due

• D.

  Make money without much effort, maybe illegally

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To bury the hatchet

• A.

  To stop talking to someone

• B.

  To end a quarrel

• C.

  To bury old things

• D.

  To fight with someone

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Select the option that gives the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.
My friends succeeded because they left no stone unturned in their search for an answer to the problem.

• A.

  depended on many people

• B.

  proposed good plans

• C.

  made every possible effort

• D.

  looked in different places

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Hold the key

• A.

  To have control of something

• B.

  To keep a secret

• C.

  To have the right of succession

• D.

  To own a property

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Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
On the wane

• A.

  On the way

• B.

  On the top

• C.

  On the decline

• D.

  On the rise

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