Idioms and Phrases with Shortcut tricks Set 02

Answer: (a) in fashion

Explanation:
1. 'In vogue' means currently fashionable and popular, so 'in fashion' is correct.
2. 'Out of use' and 'never used' are the opposite idea; 'vaguely used' is only a sound-alike with 'vogue'.

Teacher's Note:
1. Vogue = fashion; 'out of vogue' means no longer fashionable.
2. Do not pick an option only because it sounds like the idiom.

Answer: (b) hurt intensely

Explanation:
1. 'Cut to the quick' means deeply hurt in one's feelings; the quick is the tender flesh under a nail.
2. Being refused recognition by a son causes sorrow and pain, more than mild annoyance or irritation.

Teacher's Note:
1. The idiom always describes strong emotional hurt.
2. Annoyed and irritated are much milder than the idiom.

Answer: (d) recommend

Explanation:
1. 'Put in a word for' someone means to speak in their favour, that is, to recommend them.
2. 'Assist' and 'support' mean to help in general, not to speak on someone's behalf.

Teacher's Note:
1. Think of the full form 'put in a good word for'.
2. Choose the option that involves speaking about the person.

Answer: (c) ruthlessly

Explanation:
1. 'In cold blood' means without any pity or feeling, which is 'ruthlessly'.
2. 'Coldly' and 'boldly' only echo the words 'cold' and 'blood'; 'deliberately' says the act was planned but not that it was pitiless.

Teacher's Note:
1. The key idea of the idiom is lack of mercy.
2. Avoid the literal meaning of 'cold' as temperature.

Answer: (b) finding fault with

Explanation:
1. 'Pick holes in' means to look for faults and criticise.
2. He does not suggest improvements; he only points out flaws, so (c) is wrong.

Teacher's Note:
1. Pick holes in = find fault with.
2. Criticism with no help is not 'suggesting improvement'.

Answer: (b) decision is made

Explanation:
1. 'The die is cast' means a decision has been taken and cannot be changed.
2. The sense of 'die' here is a gaming dice, not death or dye.

Teacher's Note:
1. The idiom comes from a thrown dice that cannot be recalled.
2. Look at the next clause: 'hope for the best' follows a final decision.

Answer: (b) born in a wealthy family

Explanation:
1. The idiom means born into a rich family with every comfort.
2. 'Royal family' is too narrow because a wealthy family need not be royal.

Teacher's Note:
1. Silver spoon = wealth and privilege from birth.
2. Pick the broad meaning, not a specific kind of family.

Answer: (b) brought about disharmony

Explanation:
1. A rift (crack) in a lute spoils its music, so the idiom means a small flaw that breaks harmony.
2. 'Pleasant' or 'disciplined' atmosphere is the opposite of disharmony.

Teacher's Note:
1. A rift in the lute = a small cause of discord.
2. Match the negative sense with the negative option.

Answer: (d) resemble

Explanation:
1. 'Take after' means to look or behave like an older relative, that is, to resemble.
2. 'Follow' and 'run after' describe physical movement, not likeness.

Teacher's Note:
1. Take after = resemble a parent or elder.
2. Do not confuse it with 'take over' or 'run after'.

Answer: (a) soon

Explanation:
1. 'By and by' means before long, after a short while, so 'soon' is the standard meaning.
2. 'Finally' means at the end of a long process, and 'unexpectedly' has no link with the idiom.

Teacher's Note:
1. By and by = soon; it is an old-fashioned phrase.
2. Do not mix it with 'step by step', which means gradually.

Answer: (a) has no serious occupation

Explanation:
1. 'A gentleman at large' is a man with no regular job who moves about freely.
2. Comfort and respect may be true of him but they are not the meaning of the idiom.

Teacher's Note:
1. 'At large' suggests free and unattached.
2. Choose the meaning about work, not about status.

Answer: (a) established on insecure foundations

Explanation:
1. Sand cannot hold a building, so 'built upon sand' means resting on a weak and unsafe base.
2. 'Inexperience', 'cheap material' and 'immature ideas' name particular weaknesses, not the general idea of an insecure foundation.

Teacher's Note:
1. Picture a house on sand: it is not safe.
2. The idiom is about the base, not about the quality of ideas.

Answer: (b) puzzled

Explanation:
1. 'To floor' someone means to confuse or baffle them completely.
2. A plan that is too complicated confuses people rather than entertaining or encouraging them.

Teacher's Note:
1. Floor = knock down; so it can mean to shock or puzzle.
2. Use the clue 'so complicated'.

Answer: (b) ill feeling

Explanation:
1. 'Bad blood' means lasting anger or ill feeling between people.
2. It does not mean physical blood or actual fights; 'quarrels' are only one result of the ill feeling.

Teacher's Note:
1. The idiom names a feeling, not an event.
2. Ignore the literal word 'blood'.

Answer: (b) fuss about a trifle

Explanation:
1. 'A storm in a teacup' means great excitement over something very small.
2. The neighbours were disappointed because the quarrel was not serious, so 'violent quarrel' is wrong.

Teacher's Note:
1. Small cup, small matter: a big fuss over a trifle.
2. Avoid the literal option about teacups.

Answer: (c) is unsociable

Explanation:
1. 'Keep oneself to oneself' means to stay private and avoid mixing with others, which is 'unsociable'.
2. It does not imply selfishness or being busy.

Teacher's Note:
1. Think of a quiet, reserved person.
2. Do not read the idiom as 'being selfish'.

Answer: (d) light conversation

Explanation:
1. 'Small talk' is polite, light conversation about unimportant things.
2. Gossip and backbiting involve talking about others, and whispering is only a way of speaking.

Teacher's Note:
1. Small talk = casual chat.
2. Do not add a negative sense of gossip.

Answer: (d) failed to work

Explanation:
1. 'Break down' for a vehicle or machine means to stop working because of a fault.
2. An accident or lack of petrol are particular causes, not the meaning of the phrase.

Teacher's Note:
1. Break down = stop functioning.
2. Choose the general meaning, not a specific cause.

Answer: (a) worked very hard

Explanation:
1. 'Strain every nerve' means to make the greatest possible effort.
2. Money, tricks and bribes are not part of the idiom.

Teacher's Note:
1. Think of effort stretched to its limit.
2. Choose the option about hard work.

Answer: (d) make a great deal of noise and object vehemently

Explanation:
1. 'Scream blue murder' means to protest loudly and angrily.
2. The idiom is not literal; the first two options take the words at face value.

Teacher's Note:
1. Here it describes loud protest over a decision.
2. Reject literal readings of idioms.

Answer: (a) as usual

Explanation:
1. 'Wont' means habit or custom, so 'as was his wont' means as was his usual habit.
2. The other options confuse 'wont' with 'want'.

Teacher's Note:
1. Wont (noun) = habit; do not mix it with 'want'.
2. Also seen in the form 'as is my wont'.

Answer: (a) to give offence to them

Explanation:
1. 'Tread on someone's toes' means to offend or upset a person, often by interfering in their work.
2. It is figurative; nobody is actually kicked.

Teacher's Note:
1. Treading on toes hurts, so the idiom means to offend.
2. Be careful with the literal option (d).

Answer: (a) to establish himself

Explanation:
1. 'Set up as' a professional means to start working independently in that profession, that is, to establish oneself.
2. 'Join' would mean entering an existing firm; 'migrate' and 'settle' are about moving house.

Teacher's Note:
1. Set up as = begin a business or practice of one's own.
2. Check the preposition 'as' that follows 'set up'.

Answer: (d) a possession of high value

Explanation:
1. 'Worth a king's ransom' means extremely valuable, since a king's ransom was a huge sum.
2. 'Not worthy', 'unnecessary' and 'a common item' all deny value.

Teacher's Note:
1. Ransom for a king would be enormous.
2. The idiom always praises the high value of something.

Answer: (b) a general view

Explanation:
1. A bird's eye view means a broad overview seen from above, without details.
2. 'Detailed presentation' is the opposite of an overview.

Teacher's Note:
1. Bird's eye view = overall picture.
2. Look for 'general' or 'overview' in the options.