Identify the Meaning of Commonly asked Idioms and Phrases

a. To quarrel openly

b. To clean solid lines

c. To understand the hidden meaning of the word

d. To wash dirty clothes

Ans. (a)

Explanation: herein you can easily strike away option ‘b’ and ‘d’ as idioms are not used to give a literal meaning. Now the choice lies between option ‘a’ and‘d’ , if you connect the words ‘dirty’ and ‘public’ it gives the idea that something bad is being done in front of others. Thus you can easily infer option ‘a’ will be the answer.

a. To revive interest in a subject which is out of date

b. To beat a horse that is dead

c. To do interesting things

d. To try to take work from a weak horse

Ans. (a)

Explanation: the word ‘flog’ means to hit something with a stick and from the words ‘dead horse’ it can be inferred that it is talking about something which is not being practised currently. Thus from the alternatives option ‘a’ relates best to the inference drawn.

a. To meet a strong adversary

b. To meet with humiliation

c. To die fighting

d. To meet one’s final defeat

Ans. (d)

Explanation: in the battle of waterloo the army under the command of Napoleon  was defeated, since then this phrase is used as a mark of someone’s final defeat.

a. Excellent choice

b. No choice at all because there is only one thing to take or not

c. Choice to live or die

d. Big man’s choice

Ans. (b)

Explanation: this phrase has originated from Thomas Hobson who used to offer his customer the choice of either taking the horse in his stall nearest to the door or taking none at all. Thus since then this then this phrase is used when you the option either to take or leave a thing.

a. To indulge in evil conspiracies

b. To aggravate the situation

c. To make the most of a bad bargain

d. To be perplexed

Ans. (c)

Explanation: now if you connect the words ‘to fish’ and ‘troubled waters’ it can mean to do something in adverse situation. Thus option ‘c’ suits best to this inference.

a. A hidden enemy

b. Unforeseen happening

c. Very ferocious enemy

d. Unrecognizable danger

Ans. (d)

Explanation: the visual meaning of this idiom could be that as the grass is dense , it is difficult to see a snake it. Snake is not an enemy to humans but it is a danger to human life, hence it indicates to a danger which cannot be easily seen. Thus option‘d’ suits best to this inference.

a. To be boastful

b. To be deserving of piece

c. To have treated unfairly

d. To have deep cut wound on the shoulder

Ans. (c)

Explanation: the word ‘chip’ means a place from which something has broken off. Thus it gives an indication of something negative and amongst the alternatives option ‘c’ suits the best.

a. A religious person

b. A genuinely charitable person

c. To be obedient

d. A citizen of Samaritan

Ans. (b)

Explanation: ‘Samaritan’ means a helpful and charitable person

a. A Shakespearean play

b. Beginning and end

c. A Greek song

d. A Swiss watch

Ans. (b)

Explanation: ‘alpha’ is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and ‘omega’ is the last letter of the Greek alphabet , thus depicting beginning and end.

a. Talent for speaking

b. To win a prize

c. To get something free

d. To distribute gifts

Ans. (a)

Explanation: ‘gab’ means to chatter. Thus option ‘a’ will be the answer.