CBSE Class 5 English Idioms and Phrases MCQs

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence, Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. With great difficulty, he was able to carve out a niche for himself.
(a) Became a sculptor
(b) Did the best he could do
(c) Destroyed his career
(d) Developed a specific position for himself
Answer : D

Question. You will succeed if you follow my advice to the letter.
(a) About writing letters
(b) Written in the letters
(c) In every detail
(d) Very thoughtfully
Answer : C

Question. A critic’s work is to read between the lines.
(a) To comprehend the meaning
(b) To appreciate the inner beauty
(c) To understand the inner meaning
(d) to read carefully
Answer : C

Question. Where discipline is concerned I put my foot down.
(a) Take a firm stand
(b) Take a light stand
(c) Take a heavy stand
(d) Take a shaky stand
Answer : A

Question. The convict claimed innocence and stood his ground in spite of the repeated accusations.
(a) Knelt
(b) Surrendered
(c) Kept standing
(d) Refused to yield
Answer : D

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. The present manner of delimitation has been done in a gerrymandering way.
(a) In a legal and constitutional manner
(b) In a judicial and fair way
(c) In a manipulative and unfair way
(d) In a dictative manner like the Germans
Answer : C

Question. The performance of the lead actors in the play brought the house down.
(a) Made the audience applaud enthusiastically
(b) Made the audience leave
(c) Made the audience cry
(d) Made the audience request an encore
Answer : A

Question. People like her, who are salt of the earth, are very difficult to find.
(a) Dedicated to better the world
(b) Good, honest and ideal
(c) Extraordinary
(d) One with the common folk
Answer : B

Question. The Alpha and Omega
(a) Beginning and end
(b) A Shakespearean play
(c) A Greek song
(d) A Swiss watch
Answer : A

Question. Jane earned pin money working part-time as a waitress.
(a) Saved money
(b) Additional money
(c) A small amount of money
(d) Money to be spent only for luxuries and treats
Answer : C

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. The trial made a mockery of justice.
(a) People mocked at the judgement
(b) It was a mock trial
(c) There was no serious outcome
(d) Made the system look ridiculous
Answer : C

Question. His recent statement is an about turn.
(a) A good announcement
(b) A declaration of war
(c) Complete change of opinion
(d) A bold statement
Answer : C

Question. When he left he was extremely disappointed.I think he’s gone for good.
(a) To seek good fortune
(b) To a good place
(c) To a foreign country
(d) Permanently
Answer : D

Question. To grease the palm
(a) To rub oil on the hand
(b) To lubricate the machine parts
(c) To bribe
(d) To cut the tree
Answer : C

Question. You find a black sheep in every community.
(a) One who does not Cooperate
(b) Person with bad reputation
(c) One who lives the life of shame
(d) One who is always doing wrong
Answer : B

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. He was the bad egg in the family.
(a) Greedy
(b) Worthless
(c) Valuable
(d) Unwanted
Answer : B

Question. To get into hot water
(a) To have a hot bath
(b) To keep warm
(c) To get into trouble
(d) To get drowned
Answer : C

Question. A wild-goose chase
(a) Run after a bird
(b) A fruitful search
(c) Long pursuit
(d) Fruitless pursuit
Answer : D

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. Indians are going places in the field of software technology.
(a) Going abroad
(b) Going to spaces
(c) Talented and successful
(d) Friendly and amicable
Answer : C

Question. She is a person who pulls no punches.
(a) Speaks politely
(b) Speaks frankly
(c) Speaks rudely
(d) Speaks sweetly
Answer : B

Question. For any group work to be successful, it is important that everyone is on the same page.
(a) Present for the meeting
(b) Registered for the work
(c) Willing to pay the same fees
(d) Thinks in a similar way
Answer : D

Question. Our plan to go to London is in the air.
(a) Undecided
(b) Certain
(c) Under consideration
(d) For approval
Answer : B

Question. My efforts at pest control went in vain; I have to go back to the drawing board.
(a) Plan it all over again
(b) Take professional help
(c) Spend some time researching abroad
(d) Work at night
Answer : A

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. After his business failed, he had to work very hard to keep the wolf from the door.
(a) Keep away extreme poverty
(b) Earn an honest living
(c) Regain his lost position
(d) Defend from enemies
Answer : A

Question. The mention of her former husband’s name still makes Rita foam at the mouth.
(a) Angry
(b) Vomit
(c) Shy
(d) Fall sick
Answer : A

Question. We must husband our resources against hard times.
(a) Save
(b) Support
(c) Sing
(d) Concede
Answer : A

Question. The newly elected Chief Minister has promised to bring about changes in the state.
(a) Produce
(b) Make
(c) Carry
(d) Cause to happen
Answer : D

Question. He gave vent to his pleasure with a smile.
(a) Shared
(b) Allowed
(c) Expressed
(d) Enjoyed
Answer : C

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. The two friends are now at daggers drawn over a petty issue.
(a) Angry
(b) Frustrated
(c) Enemies
(d) Competitors
Answer : C

Question. His work seems to be a Penelope’s web.
(a) Endless
(b) Difficult
(c) Declining
(d) In his best form
Answer : A

Question. Goods will be delivered if you pay on the nail.
(a) Pay within the given time
(b) Pay the full amount
(c) Pay promptly in cash
(d) Pay promptly
Answer : D

Question. If people do not mend their ways, they are sure to go to the dogs.
(a) To fight
(b) To be ruined
(c) To be united
(d) To be rough
Answer : B

Question. Despite the doctor’s advice he still eats like a horse.
(a) Eats slowly
(b) Eats a lot of food
(c) Does not like to eat
(d) Swallows his food
Answer : B

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. If you read between the lines, you will appreciate what he writes.
(a) Can read leaving lines in between
(b) Can read a lot quicker
(c) Know what the writer thinks
(d) Can read and write in the language
Answer : C

Question. To throw dust in one’s eyes.
(a) To harm someone
(b) To deceive
(c) To show false things
(d) To make blind
Answer : B

Question. He is a cut above all the other boys in the group.
(a) Quite taller than
(b) More active than
(c) A little rougher than
(d) Rather superior to
Answer : D

Question. As soon as the police arrived, the bank robbers showed the white flag.
(a) Calmly left the scene
(b) Surrendered
(c) Ran away
(d) Were incensed
Answer : A

Question. To cut one short.
(a) To love one
(b) To insult one
(c) To criticize one
(d) To interrupt one
Answer : D

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Question. Let us bury the hatchet and be friends again.
(a) Hide the axe
(b) Keep the secret
(c) Forget the quarrels
(d) Work together
Answer : C

Question. The thief managed to escape by the skin of his teeth.
(a) By running very fast
(b) By getting help from his friend,
(c) By the narrowest margin
(d) By disguising himself
Answer : C

Question. William left us with a heartwrenching swan song.
(a) Last cry
(b) Last gift
(c) Last prayer
(d) Last performance
Answer : D

Question. The hunter began to suspect that he had been sent on a wild goose chase as there was no white elephant in the forest.
(a) To hunt
(b) A foolish and useless enterprise
(c) A violent chase
(d) To speak harshly
Answer : B

Question. The Director’s ideas for the development of the company are all moonshine.
(a) Non-sense
(b) Superficial
(c) Out-dated
(d) Exemplary
Answer : A

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. To be a successful lawyer, one must know how to dot one’s i’s and cores one’s t’s.
(a) Complete one task at a time
(b) Write great letters
(c) Deal with paperwork
(d) Be detailed and exact
Answer : D 

Question. When Ramu lost the money, he was down in the dumps.
(a) Accusing others of stealing
(b) Searching everywhere (check spelling)
(c) Sad and depressed
(d) Very angry at himself
Answer : C

Question. He turned up his nose at my offer.
(a) Was taken aback by my offer
(b) Found it hard to believe my offer
(c) Treated my offer with contempt
(d) Could not accept my offer
Answer : C

Question. There are no hard and fast rules that cannot be relaxed on such an occasion.
(a) That is difficult to solve
(b) That can be altered
(c) That is very quick
(d) That cannot be altered
Answer : D

Question. Her father strained every nerve
(a) To enable her to get settled in life.
(b) Worked very hard
(c) Spent a huge amount
(d) Tried all tricks
Answer : A

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. Took to her heels
(a) Bent down
(b) Ran off
(c) Kicked off her shoes
(d) Rubbed her heels
Answer : B

Question. Was plain sailing
(a) Was very easy
(b) Was complicated
(c) Was competitive
(d) Was uncomfortable
Answer : A

Question. A bolt from the blue
(a) Struck by thunder
(b) A piece of bad luck
(c) A flash of lighting
(d) A complete surprise
Answer : D

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase as your answer.

Question. We must work with all our might and main otherwise we cannot succeed.
(a) Full force
(b) Complete trust
(c) Exceptional skill
(d) Full unity
Answer : A

Question. The sailors nailed their colours to their mast.
(a) Put up a colourful mast
(b) Refused to climb down
(c) Took over the ship
(d) Decided to abandon the ship
Answer : B

Question. We had better batten down the hatches. The weather is unpredictable.
(a) Stay in-door
(b) Prepare for a difficult situation
(c) Go somewhere safe
(d) Face the obstacles
Answer : B

Question. It is difficult to have a sensible discussion with her as she files off at a tangent.
(a) Gets carried away
(b) Starts discussing something irrelevant
(c) Loses her temper easily
(d) Does not really understand anything
Answer : B

Question. The students found it hard to go at equal speed with the professor.
(a) Get away from
(b) Put up with
(c) Keep up with
(d) Race against
Answer : C

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. I have recently changed my job and I am going to have teething problems.
(a) Difficulties at the start
(b) Difficulties at the end
(c) Difficulties all the time
(d) Problem with my teeth
Answer : A

Question. The soldiers fought tooth and nail to save their country.
(a) Using unfair means
(b) With strength and fury
(c) With weapons
(d) As best as they could
Answer : B

Question. Chetan is very upset because the new manager always picks on him.
(a) Advises
(b) Warns severely
(c) Selects
(d) Treats badly
Answer : D

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase printed in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Question. There is no cut and dried method for doing this.
(a) Simple
(b) Honest
(c) Readymade
(d) Understandable
Answer : B

Question. Suddenly the man blacked out during the parade and had to be helped to a quiet place.
(a) Lost temper
(b) Lost control over himself
(c) Lost consciousness
(d) Lost balance
Answer : C

Question. Hold your horses for a moment while I make a phone call.
(a) Be patient
(b) Stay out
(c) Be quiet
(d) Wait
Answer : D

Question. Sachin Tendulkar’s batting skills make him a cut above the rest.
(a) Taller than
(b) Superior to
(c) Senior to
(d) Different from
Answer : B

Question. I am very interested to know the outcome of the debate, kindly keep me in the loop.
(a) Out of it
(b) Informed about the fees
(c) Informed about the last date of joining
(d) Informed regularly
Answer : D