English Idioms & Phrases — Practice Set

Q1.'A bolt from the blue' means:

A. Lightning strike B. Something unexpected C. A blue colour D. A type of tool

Q2.'Burn the midnight oil' means:

A. Waste fuel B. Work/study late at night C. Start a fire D. Cook at midnight

Q3.'Break the ice' means:

A. Destroy something B. Start a conversation in an awkward situation C. Cool down D. Break frozen water

Q4.'A white elephant' means:

A. A rare animal B. A costly but useless possession C. Good luck D. A government scheme

Q5.'Hit the nail on the head' means:

A. Use a hammer B. Say exactly the right thing C. Make a mistake D. Start building

Q6.'Let the cat out of the bag' means:

A. Free an animal B. Reveal a secret C. Go shopping D. Start a fight

Q7.'By hook or by crook' means:

A. Using tools B. By any means necessary C. Legally only D. By fishing

Q8.'Cry over spilt milk' means:

A. Clean up B. Regret something that's already done C. Be sad about dairy D. Waste food

Q9.'Rain cats and dogs' means:

A. Animals falling B. Rain very heavily C. Unusual weather D. Mild drizzle

Q10.'Turn over a new leaf' means:

A. Read a book B. Make a fresh start, change behaviour C. Turn a page D. Plant a tree

Q11.'At the eleventh hour' means:

A. At 11 AM B. At the last possible moment C. Very early D. During lunch

Q12.'Call a spade a spade' means:

A. Use gardening tools B. Speak frankly and directly C. Insult someone D. Dig a hole

Q13.'See eye to eye' means:

A. Look at someone B. Agree completely C. Have good vision D. Face each other

Q14.'Cut corners' means:

A. Shape something B. Do something in a cheap/quick way, sacrificing quality C. Turn sharply D. Reduce waste

Q15.'In the nick of time' means:

A. Very late B. Just in time, at the critical moment C. Never D. During winter