GBPSC Assistant (BS-15/16) English: Idioms & Phrases MCQs

GBPSC Assistant (BS-15/16) English: Idioms & Phrases MCQs — sample questions

1. Question 1

   Q1. What does the idiom 'to call a spade a spade' mean?

   • A) To speak in plain terms
   • B) To dig up the truth
   • C) To use the correct tool for the job
   • D) To disguise the truth with euphemisms

   Answer: To speak in plain terms

   Explanation: "To call a spade a spade" means to speak plainly and directly without euphemism or evasion.

2. Question 2

   Q2. The idiom "a hard nut to crack" means:

   • A) Someone who needs guidance
   • B) A difficult person or problem
   • C) Someone who solves puzzles easily
   • D) None of these

   Answer: A difficult person or problem

   Explanation: 'A difficult person or problem' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.

3. Question 3

   Q3. Match the following English proverb with its Urdu equivalent: More to it than meets the eye.

   • A) Nau naqad, na terah udhaar
   • B) Chhota munh badi baat
   • C) Chor ki darhi mein tinka
   • D) Dal mein kuchh kaala

   Answer: Dal mein kuchh kaala

   Explanation: "Dal mein kuchh kaala" (something black in the lentils) implies a hidden suspicious element, matching "more to it than meets the eye."

4. Question 4

   Q4. Give the meaning of the idiom: To wash one's dirty linen in public

   • A) To criticize one's nature in public
   • B) To quarrel in the open
   • C) To do some ugly work in public
   • D) To discuss dirty and scandalous matters of a personal nature in the presence of

   Answer: To discuss dirty and scandalous matters of a personal nature in the presence of

   Explanation: "To wash one's dirty linen in public" means to openly discuss or expose embarrassing private or family matters.

5. Question 5

   Q5. Complete the Proverb: "Make hay while the ______ shines."

   • A) Moon
   • B) Jupiter
   • C) Sun
   • D) Earth

   Answer: Sun

   Explanation: The proverb "Make hay while the sun shines" advises taking advantage of favorable conditions while they last.

6. Question 6

   Q6. Complete the proverb: "Keep your friends close and your enemies ____."

   • A) Close
   • B) Closer
   • C) Away
   • D) Apart

   Answer: Closer

   Explanation: The full proverb, attributed to Sun Tzu, is "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," using the comparative form.

7. Question 7

   Q7. Guess the closest possible meaning of the given idiom from the options given below: Cut the mustard

   • A) To leave the job
   • B) To get injured
   • C) To come up to expectations
   • D) None of these

   Answer: To come up to expectations

   Explanation: 'To come up to expectations' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.

8. Question 8

   Q8. What does the idiom 'on the cards' mean?

   • A) Likely
   • B) Due
   • C) Evident
   • D) At risk

   Answer: Likely

   Explanation: "On the cards" is an idiom meaning something is likely or probable to happen in the near future.

9. Question 9

   Q9. Give the meaning of the Idiom: To get cold feet

   • A) to run for life
   • B) to be afraid
   • C) to fall sick
   • D) None of these

   Answer: to be afraid

   Explanation: 'to be afraid' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.

10. Question 10

    Q10. Select the meaning of the idiom in double quotes from the given options: "He didn't bat an eye" means the same as:

    • A) He didn't see
    • B) He wasn't happy
    • C) He didn't show surprise
    • D) None of these

    Answer: He didn't show surprise

    Explanation: 'He didn't show surprise' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.

11. Question 11

    Q11. Complete the idiom: "To cast ______ before swine."

    • A) Shadow
    • B) Gold
    • C) Stones
    • D) Pearls

    Answer: Pearls

    Explanation: The complete idiom is "cast pearls before swine," meaning to offer something valuable to those who cannot appreciate it.

12. Question 12

    Q12. What is the meaning of the idiom/proverb "A pipe dream"?

    • A) A pleasant dream
    • B) A bad dream
    • C) An impracticable wish
    • D) A foolish idea

    Answer: An impracticable wish

    Explanation: "A pipe dream" refers to a hope or plan that is impossible to achieve, i.e., an impracticable wish.

13. Question 13

    Q13. Complete the Idiom: Too many cooks spoil the ____

    • A) Meat
    • B) Broth
    • C) Food
    • D) Curry

    Answer: Broth

    Explanation: The proverb "Too many cooks spoil the broth" means involving too many people in a task can ruin the outcome.

14. Question 14

    Q14. Correct meaning of the idiom "There is no smoke without a fire" is:

    • A) Fire always emits smoke
    • B) Fire is a source of pollution in the environment
    • C) There is some truth in a rumor
    • D) For smoke we need to have fire

    Answer: There is some truth in a rumor

    Explanation: "There is no smoke without fire" means every rumor or accusation has some basis in truth.

15. Question 15

    Q15. Choose the best meaning of the idiomatic phrase: Hallmark

    • A) A big mark
    • B) A spot
    • C) Genuine excellence
    • D) Grand

    Answer: Genuine excellence

    Explanation: A "hallmark" originally meant a mark guaranteeing quality on gold/silver; idiomatically it means a distinguishing feature of genuine excellence.

16. Question 16

    Q16. The idiom "A bee in one's bonnet" means:

    • A) To be bitten by a bee
    • B) To be obsessed with an idea
    • C) To taste honey
    • D) None of these

    Answer: To be obsessed with an idea

    Explanation: 'To be obsessed with an idea' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.

17. Question 17

    Q17. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. 'Out of the blue'

    • A) Caught in a fight
    • B) Unexpectedly
    • C) Coming out of a blue box
    • D) Always dressing up in blue clothes

    Answer: Unexpectedly

    Explanation: "Out of the blue" means something happening suddenly and unexpectedly, without any warning.

18. Question 18

    Q18. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. 'Once in a blue moon'

    • A) Happening only once in a lifetime
    • B) An incident that is scary
    • C) Happening only rarely
    • D) An unforgettable experience

    Answer: Happening only rarely

    Explanation: "Once in a blue moon" means something that happens very rarely or infrequently.

19. Question 19

    Q19. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: "A cock and bull story"

    • A) A true story
    • B) A foolish and concocted story
    • C) A story of animals
    • D) A story of mammals

    Answer: A foolish and concocted story

    Explanation: "A cock and bull story" is an idiom for a ridiculous or unbelievable fabricated tale.

20. Question 20

    Q20. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom, "Red-letter day".

    • A) An auspicious day
    • B) An important day
    • C) A rightful day
    • D) None of these

    Answer: An important day

    Explanation: 'An important day' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.