NTS PTCL Management Trainee / Technician English Idioms & Phrases — Set 2

1. Question 1

   Q1. Select the option that means the same as the given idiom: "Too many irons in the fire"

   • A) To have an encounter
   • B) To be engaged in too many activities
   • C) (A) To have a chance
   • D) To have support

   Answer: To be engaged in too many activities

   Explanation: "Too many irons in the fire" describes a person who has taken on so many tasks simultaneously that they cannot manage all of them effectively.

2. Question 2

   Q2. Complete the following proverbial/idiomatic phrase with correct option. Out of the frying-pan ______

   • A) into the fire
   • B) in the plate
   • C) into the water
   • D) None of these

   Answer: into the fire

   Explanation: The blank is correctly filled with 'into the fire' because this is the standard preposition or word choice in formal English for this construction.

3. Question 3

   Q3. Choose the best English translation of the given Proverb: Chota moun bari baat.

   • A) A closed mouth catches no flies
   • B) Small wit, great boast
   • C) Close your mouth and open your eyes
   • D) None of these

   Answer: Small wit, great boast

   Explanation: 'Small wit, great boast' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.

4. Question 4

   Q4. The meaning of the idiom "carry on" is:

   • A) Acknowledge
   • B) Continue
   • C) Something special
   • D) None of these

   Answer: Continue

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

5. Question 5

   Q5. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: At sixes and sevens

   • A) Accessible
   • B) In disorder
   • C) Going strong
   • D) In moderation

   Answer: In disorder

   Explanation: "At sixes and sevens" is an idiom meaning in a state of confusion or disorder.

6. Question 6

   Q6. The idiom "Kick the bucket" means?

   • A) To kill
   • B) Achieve a goal
   • C) To be successful
   • D) To die

   Answer: To die

   Explanation: "Kick the bucket" is an informal idiom meaning to die. Competitive English papers test this construction repeatedly.

7. Question 7

   Q7. In the proverb 'Still waters run deep', the word 'deep' is an:

   • A) Adverb
   • B) Verb
   • C) Noun
   • D) None of these

   Answer: None of these

   Explanation: Options A, B, and C do not form a standard English collocation for this sentence

8. Question 8

   Q8. Match the English proverb with the Urdu equivalent: *To owe is to woe*

   • A) Chor ki darhi mein tinka (The guilty are always suspicious)
   • B) Udhaar mohabbat ki qainchi hai (Credit cuts love)
   • C) Chhota munh, badi baat (Small mouth, big talk)
   • D) Daal mein kala hona (Something fishy)

   Answer: Udhaar mohabbat ki qainchi hai (Credit cuts love)

   Explanation: "To owe is to woe" means debt brings misery; the Urdu equivalent "Udhaar mohabbat ki qainchi hai" (credit cuts love) similarly warns against borrowing.

9. Question 9

   Q9. "Feel blue" means ____?

   • A) Feel Sad
   • B) Feel happy
   • C) Feel energetic
   • D) Feel angry

   Answer: Feel Sad

   Explanation: "Feel blue" is an idiom meaning to feel sad or depressed. Competitive English papers test this construction repeatedly.

10. Question 10

    Q10. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom: To be all ears

    • A) To have extra-large ears
    • B) To be impatient about something.
    • C) To be curious
    • D) To be ready and eager to listen

    Answer: To be ready and eager to listen

    Explanation: "To be all ears" means to be fully attentive and ready to listen carefully to what someone has to say.

11. Question 11

    Q11. Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiomatic expression given. To poke one's nose into:

    • A) To take interest in others' affairs
    • B) To clean nose
    • C) To burn yourself
    • D) None of these

    Answer: To take interest in others' affairs

    Explanation: 'To take interest in others' affairs' is grammatically correct and completes the sentence according to standard English usage tested in LAT, USAT, and FPSC papers.

12. Question 12

    Q12. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Between the devil and the deep blue sea

    • A) To be in trouble
    • B) To be in a happy position
    • C) Be caught between two undesirable alternatives
    • D) To have all kinds of problems

    Answer: Be caught between two undesirable alternatives

    Explanation: "Between the devil and the deep blue sea" means caught between two equally unpleasant or dangerous alternatives with no good escape.

13. Question 13

    Q13. Match the English proverb with the Urdu equivalent: *All are not saints that go to church*

    • A) Sach bol mein saara jahan' (Speak the truth and the world is yours)
    • B) Kaan khol kar sun lo' (Listen carefully)
    • C) Aaj roze nahi' (No fasting today)
    • D) None of these

    Answer: None of these

    Explanation: Options A, B, and C do not form a standard English collocation for this sentence

14. Question 14

    Q14. Complete the following proverbial/idiomatic phrase with the correct option. ______ wool into clothing

    • A) Donkey's clothing
    • B) Sheep's clothing
    • C) Green's
    • D) None of these

    Answer: Sheep's clothing

    Explanation: The blank is correctly filled with 'Sheep's clothing' because this is the standard preposition or word choice in formal English for this construction.

15. Question 15

    Q15. Choose the best meaning of the idiomatic phrase: A square meal

    • A) A good diet
    • B) A full meal
    • C) A simple meal
    • D) A proper diet

    Answer: A full meal

    Explanation: "A square meal" is an idiom meaning a full and satisfying meal, originating from nautical use of square plates for complete servings.

16. Question 16

    Q16. Complete the Proverb: "There is no place like _______".

    • A) Home
    • B) Heaven
    • C) House
    • D) Forest

    Answer: Home

    Explanation: The complete proverb is "There is no place like home," expressing the comfort and belonging associated with one's home.

17. Question 17

    Q17. The idiom "To bury the Hatchet" means?

    • A) To make peace
    • B) To make a wrong decision
    • C) To lose something important
    • D) None of these

    Answer: To make peace

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

18. Question 18

    Q18. Match the following English proverb with its Urdu equivalent: Evidence does not need proof.

    • A) Haath kangan ko aarsi kya
    • B) Bakray ki maan kab tak khair manaye gi
    • C) Baghal mein chhuri munh mein Ram Ram
    • D) Chhota munh badi baat

    Answer: Haath kangan ko aarsi kya

    Explanation: "Haath kangan ko aarsi kya" (why use a mirror to see a bangle on your wrist) matches "evidence does not need proof" - something self-evident needs no verification.

19. Question 19

    Q19. Your old house is a far cry from the new house. The meaning of the underlined idiom is:

    • A) Very different from
    • B) Strong
    • C) To cry internally
    • D) To hide your emotions

    Answer: Very different from

    Explanation: "A far cry from" is an idiom meaning very different from or a long way from something in quality or nature.

20. Question 20

    Q20. Idiom "Burn the midnight oil" means:

    • A) Counting your day's earnings in the night
    • B) Heat up a place to make it comfortable
    • C) Stay awake or study late into the night
    • D) Finish all the resources available

    Answer: Stay awake or study late into the night

    Explanation: "Burn the midnight oil" is an idiom meaning to work or study late into the night, referencing the use of oil lamps for late-night work.