My father strained every nerve to enable me to get settled in life.
Correct answer A. worked very hard
Topic / 160 questions
Idioms and Phrases MCQs
Idioms and Phrases MCQs are multiple-choice questions that ask the meaning of fixed English expressions, such as 'to bell the cat' or 'a storm in a teacup', whose sense differs from the literal words. They help candidates for CSS, PPSC, SSC CGL and BCS improve English usage. Each question displays its answer instantly for quick learning.
- Synonyms 420
- Tenses 239
- One Word Substitution 206
- Antonyms 202
- Idioms and Phrases 160
- Reading Comprehension 150
- Preposition 145
- Sentence Correction 95
- Selecting Words 95
- Sentence Improvement 94
- Pair of words 80
- Ordering Of Sentences 68
- Ordering Of Words 48
- Voice 47
- Change Of Speech 46
- Spelling Check 41
- Sentence Formation 41
- Verbal Analogies 41
- Completing Statements 33
My car broke down on way to the railway station.
Correct answer A. stopped
While the ladies continued their small talk in the drawing room, I felt bored.
Correct answer D. light conversation
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Mohan always keeps himself to himself
Correct answer C. Is unsociable
The curious neighbours were disappointed as the young couple’s quarrel was just a storm in a tea cup.
Correct answer B. fuss about a trifle
There has been bad blood between the two communities even before shouting.
Correct answer B. Ill feeling
His plan was so complicated that it floored his listeners.
Correct answer B. puzzled
Though he has lot of money, yet all his plans are built upon sand.
Correct answer D. resting on immature ideas
Having sold off his factory, he is now a gentleman at large.
Correct answer A. Has no serious occupation
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Madhuri might scream blue murder, but I feel Deepali should get the promotion since she is better qualified for the job.
Correct answer D. Make a great deal of noise and object vehemently
I ran out of money on my European tour.
Correct answer A. exhausted my stock of
As a politician he is used to being in the limelight all the time.
Correct answer C. the centre of attraction
He resigned the post of his own accord.
Correct answer C. voluntarily and willingly
The speaker gave a bird’s eye view of the political conditions in the country.
Correct answer B. a general view
The autographed bat from the famous cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is worth a jew’s eye
Correct answer D. A possession of high value
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He intends setting up as a lawyer in the adjoining district.
Correct answer A. To establish himself
Why do you wish to tread on the toes?
Correct answer A. To give offence to them
He went to his friend’s house in the evening as was his wont.
Correct answer A. as usual
There is no hard and fast rule regarding this subject.
Correct answer C. rule that cannot be broken or modified
The sight of the accident made my flesh creep.
Correct answer C. frightened me
About Idioms and Phrases MCQs
This category presents idioms both on their own and inside full sentences, which mirrors how exams test them. Examples include 'made her flesh creep', 'look sharp', 'bury the hatchet', 'keep at bay', 'no love lost', 'a big draw' and 'what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander'. Some questions ask for a direct meaning, while others ask which option best explains the underlined phrase in context.
Idioms are a favourite of examiners because they reveal whether a candidate understands natural English rather than translating word by word. They appear in public service commission English papers, staff selection tests and bank recruitment exams. Regular practice with real exam sentences also improves essay and precis writing, where a well-placed idiom can make your language more fluent, provided you use it accurately.
Key facts to remember
- To bell the cat means to take on a risky task for the benefit of others.
- A storm in a teacup means a lot of anger or worry over a trivial matter.
- To bury the hatchet means to end a quarrel and make peace.
- To keep at bay means to prevent something unpleasant from coming near.
- There is no love lost between them means two people dislike each other.
Exams that include Idioms and Phrases MCQs
Pakistan
- CSS
- PMS
- FPSC
- PPSC
- NTS
- ISSB
- Banking job tests
India
- SSC CGL
- SSC CHSL
- IBPS PO
- SBI PO
- CDS
- NDA
Bangladesh
- BCS
- Bank job exams
- Bangladesh Bank recruitment
- Government job tests
How to prepare for Idioms and Phrases MCQs
- Read the full sentence before choosing, because the context usually rules out options that fit the idiom only literally.
- Learn idioms in small themed groups, such as those about animals, food or the body, to make recall easier.
- Note idioms whose meanings are often confused, like 'bury the hatchet' and 'bell the cat', and test yourself on them weekly.
- Use a newly learnt idiom in one sentence of your own, which reinforces its meaning and correct grammatical form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an idiom and a phrase?
A phrase is any group of words that works as a unit within a sentence, such as 'in the morning'. An idiom is a special fixed phrase whose overall meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as 'to bell the cat'. Exams usually group them together and test their meanings in context.
How many Idioms and Phrases MCQs are on MCQs360?
MCQs360 has 175 Idioms and Phrases MCQs, each with an instant answer. You can practise them free and without signing up, which makes it easy to revise a few expressions daily alongside one word substitution and synonyms.
Which exams ask Idioms and Phrases MCQs?
Idioms are tested in CSS, PMS, FPSC and PPSC English papers, ISSB written tests and NTS-based recruitment in Pakistan. In India they appear in SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, IBPS and SBI exams and CDS. In Bangladesh they feature in BCS preliminary English and bank recruitment papers.
How should I prepare for Idioms and Phrases MCQs?
Start with the most common idioms used in exams and learn each with an example sentence. Practise MCQs in which the idiom appears inside a sentence, as this builds the skill of using context. Keep a running list of idioms you get wrong and revise it regularly until the meanings feel natural.
Last reviewed October 2026