An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not the sum of its words: to spill the beans is to tell a secret, and no beans are involved. This lesson shows how CUET asks about idioms, why the literal meaning is nearly always the trap, how to work out an idiom you have not met, and the idioms worth knowing grouped by what they are about.
An idiom is a fixed group of words with a meaning of its own. "Once in a blue moon" means very rarely; it has nothing to do with the moon's colour. Because the meaning cannot be built from the words, an idiom has to be known, or worked out from the picture it paints.
Idioms are not on NTA's list of item types. They are here because the papers since 2022 have asked three or four idiom questions a shift, and because they are quick marks once learnt.
Three, and you will meet all of them in the practice below:
Because an idiom exists precisely to mean something other than its words. The option that reads the words literally, "to cook late at night" for burn the midnight oil, is placed there for a reader who does not know the idiom. If an option describes exactly what the words say, be very suspicious of it.
Example 1 · Strike the literal reading
Choose the meaning of the idiom "to jump the gun". Options: to shoot at a target; to act too soon; to win a race; to run very fast.
Shooting at a target and running fast describe the words literally.
The picture is a runner starting before the starting gun is fired: moving before the right moment.
To act too soon.
To win a race is the other trap: it belongs to the picture of a race, but jumping the gun is a fault, not a victory.
Picture it, and ask what the picture would mean if it happened to a person. Then check the tone of the sentence: is the situation good or bad, is someone being praised or blamed? An idiom about falling, breaking or burning is rarely good news; one about the sun, roses or the moon is usually happy.
Example 2 · Picture it, then check the sentence
The shopkeeper had been cheating his customers for years, and when the same trick was played on him, he got A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE.
The picture: being made to swallow the medicine you give to others.
The sentence: a cheat is cheated in the same way.
To be treated in the same unpleasant way you have treated others.
The sentence explains the idiom almost completely. In the paper, the sentence around an idiom is often the biggest clue you have.
Learning idioms in groups makes them easier to remember and easier to tell apart.
| About | Idioms |
|---|---|
| Trouble | in hot water, in the soup, on thin ice, between the devil and the deep sea |
| Secrets | spill the beans, let the cat out of the bag, keep in the dark |
| Effort | burn the midnight oil, go the extra mile, leave no stone unturned |
| Giving up or starting | throw in the towel, get the ball rolling, call it a day |
| Money | cost an arm and a leg, pay through the nose, make ends meet |
| Time | at the eleventh hour, in the nick of time, once in a blue moon |
| Honesty and deceit | crocodile tears, throw dust in someone's eyes, call a spade a spade |
| Happiness and sadness | on cloud nine, over the moon, down in the dumps |
| Quarrels and peace | bury the hatchet, at daggers drawn, at loggerheads, bad blood |
Watch out
Two idioms can share a word and mean opposite things. To put your foot down is to refuse firmly; to put your foot in your mouth is to say something embarrassing. To keep an eye on something is to watch it; to turn a blind eye is to pretend not to see. Read the whole idiom before you decide.
Method
Learn in groups
Traps
The same thinking works for phrasal verbs, which are idioms made of a verb and one small word.
Every word the questions below test, with the meaning they test it in. Tap a word for an example and to add it to My words, where it comes back for review over the next two weeks.
180 questions, grouped by type, easy to hard. Pick an answer and check it. The worked solution opens when you ask for it.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a piece of cake".
AnswerB · something very easy
"A piece of cake" means something very easy: as easy as eating cake.
Worth noting
Something sweet to eat is the literal meaning, and an idiom almost never means what its words say.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "break the ice".
AnswerC · to make people relax at the start of a meeting
To break the ice is to say or do something that ends the stiff silence when people first meet.
Worth noting
Cooling something is the literal picture of ice, not what the idiom means.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "once in a blue moon".
AnswerD · very rarely
"Once in a blue moon" means very rarely, since a blue moon is a rare sight.
Worth noting
Every month is a trap from "moon", which comes round monthly; the idiom means the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "let the cat out of the bag".
AnswerD · to tell a secret by mistake
To let the cat out of the bag is to reveal a secret without meaning to.
Worth noting
Setting an animal free is the literal picture, which is always the first trap in an idiom question.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "under the weather".
AnswerA · slightly ill
"Under the weather" means slightly ill.
Worth noting
Out in the rain takes the words literally; a bad mood is close, but the idiom is about health.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "cost an arm and a leg".
AnswerC · to be very expensive
Something that costs an arm and a leg is very expensive, as if you paid with parts of your body.
Worth noting
Worth nothing is the opposite, and injury is the literal reading.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "burn the midnight oil".
AnswerC · to work or study late into the night
To burn the midnight oil is to work late, from the days when people read by oil lamps.
Worth noting
Wasting money is tempting from "burn", but the idiom is about time and effort.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "call it a day".
AnswerD · to stop working for the day
To call it a day is to stop work and finish for now.
Worth noting
Having a holiday is close, but calling it a day means stopping after working, not a day off.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "cry over spilt milk".
AnswerB · to be upset about something that cannot be changed
To cry over spilt milk is to be unhappy about something already done that cannot be undone.
Worth noting
Wasting food is the literal picture; the idiom is about regret.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a blessing in disguise".
AnswerA · a good thing hidden as a bad one
A blessing in disguise seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
Worth noting
A gift from a stranger misses the key idea: the thing first looks like a misfortune.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "beat around the bush".
AnswerA · to avoid coming to the main point
To beat around the bush is to talk around a subject without saying the important thing.
Worth noting
Searching a garden reads the words literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "spill the beans".
AnswerC · to reveal a secret
To spill the beans is to tell a secret.
Worth noting
A mess while cooking is the literal image, not the meaning.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "on cloud nine".
AnswerB · extremely happy
"On cloud nine" means extremely happy.
Worth noting
Proud is close, but the idiom is about joy, not pride.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "in hot water".
AnswerD · in trouble
To be in hot water is to be in trouble.
Worth noting
Taking a bath and feeling warm are literal readings.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "at the eleventh hour".
AnswerD · at the last possible moment
At the eleventh hour means at the last moment, just before it is too late.
Worth noting
Late at night and eleven o'clock take the words as a time on a clock.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "crocodile tears".
AnswerA · false sorrow
Crocodile tears are sorrow that is only pretended.
Worth noting
Deep grief is the opposite: real sorrow.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "smell a rat".
AnswerC · to suspect that something is wrong
To smell a rat is to suspect a trick or something wrong.
Worth noting
A bad smell is the literal reading.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "keep one's fingers crossed".
AnswerD · to hope for good luck
To keep your fingers crossed is to hope that things go well.
Worth noting
Telling a lie is a trap from a children's habit of crossing fingers behind the back; the idiom means hoping.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "throw in the towel".
AnswerD · to give up
To throw in the towel is to admit defeat and stop trying.
Worth noting
Win easily is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "rain cats and dogs".
AnswerA · to rain very heavily
When it rains cats and dogs, it rains very heavily.
Worth noting
Rain lightly is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "steal the show".
AnswerA · to get the most attention and praise
To steal the show is to be the one everyone notices and praises at an event.
Worth noting
Rob a theatre is the literal reading of "steal".
Choose the meaning of the idiom "make ends meet".
AnswerB · to have just enough money to live
To make ends meet is to manage on a small income.
Worth noting
Become rich goes too far: the idiom means just enough, not plenty.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "blow one's own trumpet".
AnswerD · to boast
To blow your own trumpet is to boast about yourself.
Worth noting
Make a lot of noise is close to the literal picture, but the idiom is about praising yourself.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a hard nut to crack".
AnswerC · a difficult person or problem
A hard nut to crack is someone or something very difficult to deal with.
Worth noting
A strong person is close, but the idiom is about difficulty, not strength.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "the lion's share".
AnswerC · the largest part
The lion's share is the biggest part of something.
Worth noting
An equal share is the opposite: the lion takes more than the others.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "run in the family".
AnswerA · to be common among family members
A quality that runs in the family is shared by many of its members.
Worth noting
A family of athletes takes "run" literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "back to the drawing board".
AnswerB · to start planning again after a failure
Going back to the drawing board means starting a plan again because the first one failed.
Worth noting
Give up the plan is close to the opposite: the idea is to try again.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "in the dark".
AnswerD · not knowing about something
To be in the dark is to know nothing about something.
Worth noting
At night reads the words literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "lend a hand".
AnswerC · to help
To lend a hand is to help.
Worth noting
Give a loan comes from "lend", but the idiom has nothing to do with money.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "make a mountain out of a molehill".
AnswerC · to treat a small problem as a big one
To make a mountain out of a molehill is to exaggerate a small problem.
Worth noting
Build something great is a trap from "mountain"; the idiom is a criticism.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "fall flat", as in "his joke fell flat".
AnswerA · to fail to have the hoped-for effect
A joke that falls flat does not get the laugh that was hoped for.
Worth noting
Very funny is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "in two minds".
AnswerA · unable to decide
To be in two minds is to be unable to decide.
Worth noting
Sure of oneself is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "an eye-opener".
AnswerB · something that shows you the truth
An eye-opener is an experience that shows you something you did not know.
Worth noting
A medicine for the eyes takes the words literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "strike while the iron is hot".
AnswerC · to act at the best moment
To strike while the iron is hot is to act while the chance lasts, as a smith strikes hot iron.
Worth noting
Wait patiently is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "born with a silver spoon in one's mouth".
AnswerB · born into a rich family
To be born with a silver spoon in your mouth is to be born into a rich family.
Worth noting
Born lucky is close, but the idiom is specifically about wealth.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "go scot-free".
AnswerD · to escape without punishment
To go scot-free is to escape without any punishment.
Worth noting
Set free after paying misses the point that there was no penalty at all.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "make hay while the sun shines".
AnswerA · to make good use of a chance while it lasts
To make hay while the sun shines is to use a good chance before it passes.
Worth noting
Wait for good weather is close to the opposite: the idiom says act now.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "the talk of the town".
AnswerC · something everyone is talking about
The talk of the town is what everybody is discussing.
Worth noting
A rumour that is false adds something the idiom does not say.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "by leaps and bounds".
AnswerD · very quickly
By leaps and bounds means very quickly and in large amounts.
Worth noting
Slowly and steadily is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "out of the blue".
AnswerC · unexpectedly
Out of the blue means suddenly and without warning.
Worth noting
From the sky and from the sea take "blue" literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a close shave".
AnswerA · a narrow escape
A close shave is a narrow escape from danger.
Worth noting
A visit to the barber reads the words literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "in black and white".
AnswerB · in writing
In black and white means written down.
Worth noting
Without colour is the literal meaning, as in an old photograph.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "the black sheep".
AnswerA · a member thought to be a disgrace
The black sheep is the member of a family or group others think is a disgrace.
Worth noting
A lucky member is the opposite of the idiom's meaning.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "hit the nail on the head".
AnswerA · to describe exactly what is right
To hit the nail on the head is to say exactly what is true about a situation, like a hammer striking the nail squarely.
Worth noting
Hurting yourself is the literal danger of a hammer, not the meaning.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "bite the bullet".
AnswerB · to face something unpleasant that cannot be avoided
To bite the bullet is to make yourself do a difficult or painful thing that cannot be avoided.
Worth noting
Fighting in a war is a trap from "bullet"; the idiom is about facing any hard task.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "turn over a new leaf".
AnswerC · to change and behave better
To turn over a new leaf is to start again and behave better, as if starting a fresh page.
Worth noting
Reading a new book comes from "leaf", which also means a page; changing a job is too narrow.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "the last straw".
AnswerB · the final small problem that makes you lose patience
The last straw is the final problem, after many others, that makes a situation too much to bear.
Worth noting
A very small amount is tempting, but the idiom is about patience running out.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a bolt from the blue".
AnswerA · a complete surprise
A bolt from the blue is something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly, like lightning from a clear sky.
Worth noting
A flash of lightning is the literal picture.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "bury the hatchet".
AnswerB · to make peace
To bury the hatchet is to stop quarrelling and become friends again.
Worth noting
Hiding a weapon is the literal picture, and starting a fight is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a white elephant".
AnswerB · a costly thing of little use
A white elephant costs a lot to keep but is of little use.
Worth noting
A rare animal and good luck come from the real white elephant, once a sacred animal. The idiom is about waste.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a red-letter day".
AnswerC · a very happy and important day
A red-letter day is a special, happy day, like the red dates on old calendars.
Worth noting
A public holiday is close in origin, but the idiom means any special personal day.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "take with a pinch of salt".
AnswerB · not to believe completely
To take something with a pinch of salt is to doubt that it is fully true.
Worth noting
Accept gladly is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "put all one's eggs in one basket".
AnswerB · to risk everything on one plan
To put all your eggs in one basket is to depend on a single plan, so that one failure loses everything.
Worth noting
To be very careful is the opposite of what the idiom warns against.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "cut corners".
AnswerC · to do something cheaply or carelessly
To cut corners is to skip steps or use cheap methods to save time or money, often with poor results.
Worth noting
Take a shorter road is the literal picture of cutting across a corner.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "read between the lines".
AnswerA · to understand a hidden meaning
To read between the lines is to understand what is meant but not said.
Worth noting
Skip parts of a book is a trap from "between".
Choose the meaning of the idiom "on thin ice".
AnswerD · in a risky situation
To be on thin ice is to be in a position where one more mistake could bring trouble.
Worth noting
Walking carefully is the literal picture.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "nip in the bud".
AnswerA · to stop something at an early stage
To nip something in the bud is to stop it before it can grow, as you would pinch off a bud.
Worth noting
Help something grow is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "throw cold water on".
AnswerB · to discourage a plan
To throw cold water on an idea is to discourage it.
Worth noting
Put out a fire and cool down are the literal effects of water.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "sit on the fence".
AnswerD · to avoid choosing a side
To sit on the fence is to avoid taking sides in an argument or choice.
Worth noting
Rest after work is the literal picture.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "rub salt in the wound".
AnswerC · to make someone's pain worse
To rub salt in the wound is to make a painful situation worse.
Worth noting
Comfort someone is the opposite, and treat an injury is the literal reading.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "turn the tables".
AnswerD · to reverse a situation to your advantage
To turn the tables is to change a situation so that you, instead of the other side, have the upper hand.
Worth noting
Rearrange furniture reads the words literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "head over heels", as in "head over heels in love".
AnswerB · completely
Head over heels in love means completely in love.
Worth noting
Upside down is the literal picture of tumbling. Slightly is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "at sixes and sevens".
AnswerD · in confusion
At sixes and sevens means in total confusion and disorder.
Worth noting
Counting slowly and gambling are traps from the numbers in the phrase.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "at daggers drawn".
AnswerB · bitterly hostile to each other
People at daggers drawn are bitter enemies, ready to fight.
Worth noting
Ready for war is too literal: the idiom is used of any two people who hate each other.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a cock-and-bull story".
AnswerB · an unbelievable story
A cock-and-bull story is a silly story nobody could believe, often an excuse.
Worth noting
A story about farm animals is the literal trap.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "play second fiddle".
AnswerC · to have a less important role
To play second fiddle is to be in a less important position than someone else.
Worth noting
Learn music is the literal picture of a fiddle, a violin.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "rest on one's laurels".
AnswerD · to stop trying after a success
To rest on your laurels is to stop making efforts because of past success.
Worth noting
Retire early is close, but the idiom is about easing off after success, not about age.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a wet blanket".
AnswerB · a person who spoils others' fun
A wet blanket is someone who dampens the fun, as a wet blanket puts out a fire.
Worth noting
A person who cries easily is a trap from "wet".
Choose the meaning of the idiom "call a spade a spade".
AnswerA · to speak plainly and honestly
To call a spade a spade is to say things plainly, even when it is not polite.
Worth noting
Tell lies is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "keep the wolf from the door".
AnswerA · to have just enough money to avoid hunger
To keep the wolf from the door is to earn just enough to avoid going hungry.
Worth noting
Guard the house takes "wolf" and "door" literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "put the cart before the horse".
AnswerC · to do things in the wrong order
To put the cart before the horse is to do things in the wrong order.
Worth noting
Travel slowly is a trap from the picture of a cart.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a man of straw".
AnswerA · a weak person with no real power
A man of straw is someone weak, with no real power or firm views.
Worth noting
A strong leader is the opposite. A scarecrow is the literal picture.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a man of letters".
AnswerD · a scholar or writer
A man of letters is a scholar or writer.
Worth noting
A postman and a person who writes letters take "letters" literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "move heaven and earth".
AnswerC · to do everything possible
To move heaven and earth is to do everything possible to get something.
Worth noting
Pray is a trap from "heaven".
Choose the meaning of the idiom "have one's heart in one's mouth".
AnswerA · to be very frightened
To have your heart in your mouth is to feel very frightened.
Worth noting
Speak honestly is a trap, mixing it up with speaking "from the heart".
Choose the meaning of the idiom "take to one's heels".
AnswerB · to run away
To take to your heels is to run away.
Worth noting
Stand firm is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "have a finger in every pie".
AnswerD · to be involved in many activities
To have a finger in every pie is to be involved in many things at once.
Worth noting
Greedy for food and cook well take "pie" literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "an open-and-shut case".
AnswerB · a matter that is easy to decide
An open-and-shut case is one where the facts are clear, so it is quickly decided.
Worth noting
A case never solved is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "go to the dogs".
AnswerB · to be ruined
To go to the dogs is to become worse and worse until ruined.
Worth noting
Improve is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "hold water", as in "his excuse doesn't hold water".
AnswerA · to be sound and believable
An argument that holds water is sound, like a pot without holes. His excuse does not.
Worth noting
Store rain is the literal picture of a pot.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "throw dust in someone's eyes".
AnswerD · to deceive someone
To throw dust in someone's eyes is to deceive them so they cannot see the truth.
Worth noting
Hurt someone is the literal reading.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a dark horse".
AnswerB · a little-known person who does surprisingly well
A dark horse is someone little known who succeeds unexpectedly.
Worth noting
A dangerous person is a trap from "dark"; the idiom is about surprise success.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "burn one's boats".
AnswerC · to take a step from which there is no going back
To burn your boats is to do something that makes it impossible to return, as armies once burnt their boats after landing.
Worth noting
Waste money is tempting from "burn", but the idiom is about a final decision.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "between the devil and the deep sea".
AnswerC · facing two equally bad choices
To be between the devil and the deep sea is to have to choose between two bad things.
Worth noting
Lost at sea is the literal picture.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "put on airs".
AnswerC · to act as if more important than one is
To put on airs is to behave as if you are better than others.
Worth noting
Dress up is close, but the idiom is about behaving grandly, not clothes.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "an itching palm".
AnswerD · a greedy wish for money
A person with an itching palm is greedy for money, often bribes.
Worth noting
A skin disease is the literal reading.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "go against the grain".
AnswerA · to be against one's nature or beliefs
Something that goes against the grain feels wrong because it is against your nature.
Worth noting
Cut wood badly comes from the grain of wood, which is where the idiom began.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "see the light of day".
AnswerD · to be made public or come into being
To see the light of day is to be made public or come into existence.
Worth noting
Understand something is a trap from "see the light", a different phrase.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "take the wind out of someone's sails".
AnswerA · to suddenly take away someone's confidence
To take the wind out of someone's sails is to take away their confidence or advantage suddenly.
Worth noting
Help someone move faster is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "a snake in the grass".
AnswerB · a false friend who is secretly an enemy
A snake in the grass is someone who seems a friend but is secretly working against you.
Worth noting
A hidden danger in a field is the literal picture.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "feet of clay".
AnswerA · a hidden weakness in an admired person
Someone with feet of clay has a hidden weakness, though greatly admired.
Worth noting
Great strength is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "bell the cat".
AnswerD · to take on a risky task for the good of others
To bell the cat is to take on a dangerous task for everyone's benefit, from the fable of the mice.
Worth noting
Warn people is tempting, since a bell warns, but the idiom is about who dares to do the risky job.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "carry coals to Newcastle".
AnswerA · to do something unnecessary
Newcastle was famous for coal, so carrying coal there is taking something where it is already plentiful: an unnecessary act.
Worth noting
Work in a coal mine takes the words literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "take French leave".
AnswerC · to stay away without permission
To take French leave is to leave or stay away without asking permission.
Worth noting
Go on holiday to France reads the words literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "hand in glove".
AnswerB · working closely together, often dishonestly
People hand in glove are working very closely together, often in something wrong.
Worth noting
Fighting each other is the opposite.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "keep one's head above water".
AnswerB · to just manage to survive, especially with money
To keep your head above water is to just manage, especially when money is short.
Worth noting
Swim well takes the words literally, and become rich goes much too far.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "hue and cry".
AnswerD · a loud public protest
A hue and cry is a loud public outcry.
Worth noting
A bright colour is a trap from "hue", which does mean colour on its own.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "null and void".
AnswerC · having no legal force
A contract that is null and void has no legal force.
Worth noting
Empty and dark reads "void" literally.
Choose the meaning of the idiom "beat a hasty retreat".
AnswerC · to leave quickly to avoid trouble
To beat a hasty retreat is to leave in a hurry to avoid trouble.
Worth noting
Win a battle is a trap from "beat".
Choose the meaning of the idiom "go through fire and water".
AnswerD · to face any danger for someone
To go through fire and water is to face any danger or difficulty for someone.
Worth noting
Put out a fire is the literal picture.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Don't believe him; he is only PULLING YOUR LEG.
AnswerB · joking with you
To pull someone's leg is to tell them something untrue as a joke.
Worth noting
Hurting you reads the words literally; "don't believe him" shows he is joking.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
By visiting her aunt on the way to the market, Neha KILLED TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE.
AnswerD · did two things with one effort
To kill two birds with one stone is to get two things done with one action: a visit and the shopping.
Worth noting
Hurt two people reads "kill" literally; the idiom has nothing to do with harm.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The two partners do not SEE EYE TO EYE on how to spend the money.
AnswerA · agree
To see eye to eye is to agree.
Worth noting
Look at each other is the literal picture; trust is close but is a different thing from agreeing.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Little Anu is the APPLE OF HER GRANDFATHER'S EYE.
AnswerC · someone he loves very much
The apple of someone's eye is a person they love very much.
Worth noting
His favourite fruit takes "apple" literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Rohan got COLD FEET just before his first stage show and wanted to go home.
AnswerD · felt nervous and wanted to back out
To get cold feet is to become nervous and want to back out, which is why he wanted to go home.
Worth noting
Felt very cold reads the words literally.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
I wanted to argue with the rude clerk, but I ______ and walked away.
AnswerD · held my tongue
To hold your tongue is to stay silent, which fits walking away without arguing.
Worth noting
Hit the roof and lost my head mean the opposite: getting angry or losing control.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
"Tell me what happened at the fair," said Grandma. "I am ______."
AnswerC · all ears
To be all ears is to listen eagerly, which is what Grandma offers to do.
Worth noting
Under the weather means slightly ill, and it does not fit an invitation to talk.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
To ______, the teacher asked each pupil to say one word about the monsoon.
AnswerA · get the ball rolling
To get the ball rolling is to start an activity, as the teacher does with one word each.
Worth noting
Call it a day means to stop, the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
Please ______ my bag while I buy the tickets.
AnswerB · keep an eye on
To keep an eye on something is to watch it carefully.
Worth noting
Turn a blind eye means to pretend not to see, the opposite of guarding the bag.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
When my father saw the broken television, he HIT THE ROOF.
AnswerD · became very angry
To hit the roof is to become very angry.
Worth noting
Jumped with joy is the trap for a reader picturing someone leaping up; a broken television does not cause joy.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Don't worry about the tough paper; we are all IN THE SAME BOAT.
AnswerC · in the same difficult situation
To be in the same boat is to face the same difficulty as others.
Worth noting
Travelling together takes "boat" literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Because we booked late, we had to PAY THROUGH THE NOSE for the tickets.
AnswerD · pay far too much
To pay through the nose is to pay far more than something is worth.
Worth noting
Not pay at all is the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
Being chosen to lead the school team was ______ for Ananya.
AnswerA · a feather in her cap
A feather in your cap is an achievement to be proud of, like being chosen as leader.
Worth noting
A bolt from the blue means a surprise, which the sentence does not suggest.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The landlord TURNED A DEAF EAR to the tenants' complaints about the leaking roof.
AnswerD · refused to listen
To turn a deaf ear is to ignore on purpose.
Worth noting
Could not hear reads "deaf" literally; the landlord chose not to listen.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The old tractor finally KICKED THE BUCKET after forty years of work.
AnswerD · stopped working for good
To kick the bucket means to die, and for a machine, to stop working for good.
Worth noting
Was repaired is the opposite; "finally" points to an end.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
My sister was OVER THE MOON when she got into her dream college.
AnswerA · extremely happy
To be over the moon is to be extremely happy.
Worth noting
Far away is a trap from "moon", and too proud misses that the idiom is about joy.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
When the rain washed away the new road, all the money spent on it ______.
AnswerB · went down the drain
To go down the drain is to be wasted, as the money is when the road is washed away.
Worth noting
The other idioms do not describe loss or waste.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
When the children wanted to stay up past midnight, their mother PUT HER FOOT DOWN.
AnswerD · firmly refused
To put your foot down is to be firm and refuse.
Worth noting
Agreed happily is the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The last date for the scholarship was yesterday; I MISSED THE BOAT.
AnswerD · lost the chance
To miss the boat is to lose a chance by being too late.
Worth noting
Failed the exam is a different kind of failure; the sentence is about a missed date.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
When the boys laughed at his little brother, Kabir SAW RED.
AnswerC · became very angry
To see red is to become very angry suddenly.
Worth noting
Blushed is a trap from "red": a face going red with shame is a different thing.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The railway station is only A STONE'S THROW from my house.
AnswerB · very close
A stone's throw is a very short distance.
Worth noting
Very far is the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
Before the project starts, let us make sure the whole team is ______ about the deadline.
AnswerA · on the same page
To be on the same page is to share the same understanding of a plan.
Worth noting
At daggers drawn means bitterly hostile, the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
"You lost this match, but ______," the coach told the team. "We will win the next one."
AnswerB · keep your chin up
To keep your chin up is to stay cheerful in a hard time, which the coach's next line supports.
Worth noting
Face the music means accepting punishment, which a coach would not say after a lost match.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Her husband stood by her THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
AnswerC · in good times and bad
Through thick and thin means in good times and bad.
Worth noting
Only when she was rich is the opposite of loyalty through bad times.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
The firefighters arrived ______, just before the flames reached the gas cylinder.
AnswerA · in the nick of time
In the nick of time means just in time, as "just before" says.
Worth noting
Once in a blue moon means rarely, which is about how often, not how late.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
After losing the final, the whole team was DOWN IN THE DUMPS.
AnswerD · very sad
To be down in the dumps is to feel sad and low.
Worth noting
Lying on the ground and very dirty take the words literally.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
Running a small shop is not ______; he works fourteen hours a day.
AnswerB · a bed of roses
A bed of roses is an easy, pleasant situation, which fourteen-hour days are not.
Worth noting
A red-letter day is one special day, not a way of life, so it does not fit a job done every day.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Grandpa has A SWEET TOOTH; he eats jalebi every evening.
AnswerA · a strong liking for sweets
To have a sweet tooth is to love sweet food.
Worth noting
A painful tooth is a trap: sweets can cause toothache, but the idiom is about liking.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
From the hilltop temple we got A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW of the whole town.
AnswerC · a view from high above
A bird's-eye view is a view from high above, as a flying bird would see it.
Worth noting
A close-up view is the opposite of seeing the whole town from a height.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Sohan was GREEN WITH ENVY when his friend won the new cycle.
AnswerD · very jealous
To be green with envy is to be very jealous.
Worth noting
Inexperienced is a trap from "green", which on its own can mean new to something.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
If Mother finds out we broke her vase, we will be IN THE SOUP.
AnswerD · in trouble
To be in the soup is to be in trouble.
Worth noting
Hungry and in the kitchen take "soup" literally.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
You can ask Meera how to fill the forms; she has worked here for years and ______.
AnswerB · knows the ropes
To know the ropes is to know how things are done, which years of work give.
Worth noting
In the dark means not knowing, the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
He promised to come to my wedding, but he BROKE HIS WORD.
AnswerA · failed to keep his promise
To break your word is to fail to keep a promise.
Worth noting
Forgot the date is a possible reason, but the idiom means the promise was not kept.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
When I fell ill, he never visited once; he was only ______.
AnswerC · a fair-weather friend
A fair-weather friend is one who disappears in hard times, as he did during the illness.
Worth noting
The apple of my eye is someone deeply loved, the opposite of what the sentence describes.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
There has been BAD BLOOD between the two villages since the land dispute.
AnswerA · ill feeling
Bad blood is a feeling of hatred caused by something in the past, here the land dispute.
Worth noting
Violence can come from bad blood, but the idiom names the feeling, not fighting.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
He was determined to win the election BY HOOK OR BY CROOK.
AnswerB · by any means, fair or unfair
By hook or by crook means by any means at all, honest or not.
Worth noting
Honestly is the opposite of what the idiom allows.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The wrong address sent the police on A WILD GOOSE CHASE across the city.
AnswerC · a hopeless search
A wild goose chase is a long search for something that cannot be found.
Worth noting
A hunt for an animal is the literal picture.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
He copied in the exam, and now he has to FACE THE MUSIC.
AnswerA · accept the punishment
To face the music is to accept blame or punishment for what you did.
Worth noting
Listening to a song takes the words literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
His rude remarks only ADDED FUEL TO THE FIRE of the quarrel.
AnswerC · made the quarrel worse
To add fuel to the fire is to make a bad situation worse.
Worth noting
Ended the quarrel is the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
When the fire alarm rang, the new clerk LOST HIS HEAD and ran the wrong way.
AnswerB · panicked
To lose your head is to panic and stop thinking clearly, which is why he ran the wrong way.
Worth noting
Forgot the rules is close, but the idiom is about losing self-control.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The police LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED in their search for the missing child.
AnswerA · tried every possible way
To leave no stone unturned is to try every possible way.
Worth noting
Searched only the fields reads "stone" literally, and gave up is the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
Our class teacher always ______, staying after school to help weak students.
AnswerC · goes the extra mile
To go the extra mile is to make more effort than expected, like staying after school.
Worth noting
Cuts corners means doing less than you should, the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The hundred rupees we collected was A DROP IN THE OCEAN compared with the cost of the new roof.
AnswerD · far too small an amount to matter
A drop in the ocean is an amount too small to make any real difference.
Worth noting
A large sum is the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
Instead of waiting for the problem to go away, she decided to ______ and speak to the principal herself.
AnswerA · take the bull by the horns
To take the bull by the horns is to face a difficulty boldly, as speaking to the principal herself does.
Worth noting
Sit on the fence means not taking sides or acting, the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The ten cases of fraud found so far are only THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
AnswerC · a small visible part of a much bigger problem
The tip of the iceberg is the small part you can see; most of the problem is hidden.
Worth noting
The whole problem is the opposite of "only the tip".
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
I really ______ when I asked the teacher if she was the new student's mother; she was his sister.
AnswerB · put my foot in my mouth
To put your foot in your mouth is to say something embarrassing by mistake.
Worth noting
Put my foot down looks alike but means to refuse firmly, which is a different idiom.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Ravi passed the exam BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH: he got just the pass mark.
AnswerA · only just
By the skin of your teeth means only just, by the smallest margin.
Worth noting
Easily and with high marks are the opposite of "just the pass mark".
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The villagers are UP IN ARMS over the plan to close their school.
AnswerC · very angry and protesting
To be up in arms is to be angry and protesting.
Worth noting
Ready for war is the literal reading of "arms", meaning weapons.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
By joining four clubs in her first term, Riya ______.
AnswerD · bit off more than she could chew
To bite off more than you can chew is to take on more than you can manage.
Worth noting
Turned over a new leaf means changing for the better, which the sentence does not suggest.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
The shop sold me a broken fan, and then, to ______, refused to change it.
AnswerB · add insult to injury
To add insult to injury is to make a bad situation worse, as refusing to change the fan does.
Worth noting
Call a spade a spade means speaking plainly, which has nothing to do with the shop's behaviour.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Bringing up his father's illness during the debate was HITTING BELOW THE BELT.
AnswerA · unfair
To hit below the belt is to do something unfair, as in boxing, where such a blow breaks the rules.
Worth noting
A physical attack is the literal picture, but the debate involved no blows.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Seeing the police, the pickpocket SHOWED A CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS.
AnswerC · ran away fast
To show a clean pair of heels is to run away quickly.
Worth noting
Gave himself up is the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
After the accident, the driver's life HUNG BY A THREAD for two days.
AnswerB · was in great danger
To hang by a thread is to be very close to being lost.
Worth noting
Was safe is the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
During the riots, some shopkeepers FISHED IN TROUBLED WATERS by doubling their prices.
AnswerD · took advantage of the confusion
To fish in troubled waters is to profit from a confused or troubled situation, as doubling prices during riots does.
Worth noting
Helped the victims is the opposite of what the sentence describes.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The critic's attack on the film seemed unfair; perhaps he had AN AXE TO GRIND.
AnswerC · a private, selfish reason
An axe to grind is a hidden personal reason, which would explain an unfair attack.
Worth noting
A strong opinion is close, but the idiom points to a selfish motive, not just a view.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
We don't have time to SPLIT HAIRS over the wording; the plan is clear.
AnswerB · argue about tiny differences
To split hairs is to argue about very small, unimportant differences.
Worth noting
Divide the work is a trap from "split", and disagree strongly misses the point that the differences are tiny.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
When his forecast proved wrong, the expert had to EAT HUMBLE PIE.
AnswerA · admit that he was wrong
To eat humble pie is to admit a mistake and say sorry.
Worth noting
Blame others is the opposite of what the idiom means.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The argument over who sat where was A STORM IN A TEACUP, and it was forgotten by lunch.
AnswerC · a big fuss about something small
A storm in a teacup is great anger over something small, which is why it was soon forgotten.
Worth noting
A violent fight and a long quarrel miss the point that the matter was small.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
The two families made peace long ago; it is better to ______ than to bring up the old quarrel.
AnswerB · let sleeping dogs lie
To let sleeping dogs lie is to avoid stirring up an old problem.
Worth noting
Add fuel to the fire would be the result of bringing it up, not the advice.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Like his father, Arjun loves to fix radios; he is A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK.
AnswerA · very like his parent
A chip off the old block is a child who is very like a parent.
Worth noting
A broken piece takes "chip" literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
After searching for the lost ring all day, Meena was AT HER WITS' END.
AnswerD · so worried she did not know what to do
To be at your wits' end is to be so worried that you do not know what to do next.
Worth noting
Very clever is a trap from "wits", which means cleverness.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The minister refused to admit the mistake because he did not want to LOSE FACE.
AnswerD · lose the respect of others
To lose face is to lose other people's respect.
Worth noting
Lose his job is a possible result, not what the idiom means.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Her research on low-cost water filters BROKE NEW GROUND.
AnswerA · did something never done before
To break new ground is to do something new that no one has done before.
Worth noting
Was about farming reads "ground" literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
She KEPT the gossiping neighbour AT ARM'S LENGTH.
AnswerC · avoided getting close to
To keep someone at arm's length is to avoid becoming close or friendly.
Worth noting
Hugged is the opposite of keeping a distance.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The two brothers WASHED THEIR DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC by quarrelling at the wedding.
AnswerB · discussed private family problems in front of others
To wash your dirty linen in public is to air private quarrels in front of others.
Worth noting
Made peace is the opposite of what quarrelling at a wedding does.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The clerk was at lunch, so we had to COOL OUR HEELS in the corridor for an hour.
AnswerC · be kept waiting
To cool your heels is to be kept waiting.
Worth noting
Calm down is a trap from "cool", and rest our feet from "heels".
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The fake agent LED the family UP THE GARDEN PATH with promises of jobs abroad.
AnswerD · deceived them
To lead someone up the garden path is to deceive them.
Worth noting
Helped them is the opposite of what a fake agent does.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
He LICKS THE MANAGER'S BOOTS in the hope of a promotion.
AnswerC · flatters the manager humbly
To lick someone's boots is to flatter a powerful person to win favour.
Worth noting
Cleans the manager's shoes takes the words literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
He is a hard worker, but he will never SET THE THAMES ON FIRE.
AnswerB · do anything remarkable
To set the Thames on fire is to do something remarkable. It is almost always used, as here, to say someone will not.
Worth noting
Cause a disaster reads "fire" literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Anjali WEARS HER HEART ON HER SLEEVE; everyone knows when she is upset.
AnswerD · shows her feelings openly
To wear your heart on your sleeve is to show your feelings openly, which is why everyone knows.
Worth noting
Hides her feelings is the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
Enough small talk; let us ______ and decide the price.
AnswerB · get down to brass tacks
To get down to brass tacks is to start discussing the important facts, such as the price.
Worth noting
Beat around the bush means avoiding the main point, the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
When the enemy attacked, one soldier SHOWED THE WHITE FEATHER and fled.
AnswerA · behaved like a coward
To show the white feather is to show fear and act like a coward, as fleeing does.
Worth noting
Surrendered is a trap from the white flag, a different sign. Fought bravely is the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
When the two teams began to argue, the captain ______ by reminding them of their common goal.
AnswerC · poured oil on troubled waters
To pour oil on troubled waters is to calm a quarrel, which reminding them of their common goal does.
Worth noting
Added fuel to the fire is the opposite: making it worse. Fished in troubled waters means profiting from the trouble.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The rich boy TURNED UP HIS NOSE AT the simple village food.
AnswerC · looked down on and refused
To turn up your nose at something is to refuse it because you think it is not good enough.
Worth noting
Enjoyed is the opposite, and smelled takes "nose" literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The treasurer left the club UNDER A CLOUD after money went missing.
AnswerD · under suspicion
To leave under a cloud is to leave under suspicion or in disgrace.
Worth noting
With honour is the opposite.
Choose the idiom that best fills the blank.
I don't like the new captain, but, to ______, he has won every match this season.
AnswerD · give the devil his due
To give the devil his due is to admit the good points of someone you dislike, as the speaker does.
Worth noting
Add insult to injury means making things worse, which does not fit the praise that follows.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The ban on loudspeakers after ten is A DEAD LETTER; nobody follows it.
AnswerA · a law no longer followed
A dead letter is a rule that still exists but is no longer followed.
Worth noting
A lost letter takes the words literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
He has TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE to finish any project on time.
AnswerB · too many activities at once
To have too many irons in the fire is to be doing too many things at once.
Worth noting
Too many tools reads the words literally.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
The two neighbours have been AT LOGGERHEADS over the boundary wall for years.
AnswerB · disagreeing strongly
To be at loggerheads is to be in strong disagreement.
Worth noting
Working together is the opposite.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.
Cleaning up the river after years of neglect is A HERCULEAN TASK.
AnswerA · a task needing enormous effort
A herculean task needs enormous strength or effort, like the labours of Hercules.
Worth noting
A very easy job is the opposite.
NTA's English syllabus is one page. It names two skill areas: Reading Comprehension, with three kinds of passage of at most 300 words each (factual, narrative and literary), and Verbal Ability, with four item types (rearranging the parts, match the following, choosing the correct word, synonyms and antonyms). It says the questions are not limited to these, and prints no chapters and no split of the 50 questions. So the chapters here are ours. Reading is split by the kind of passage, because a poem is not read the way a report is. Verbal Ability is split into three areas of our own: Vocabulary, Sentence & paragraph order, and Grammar & usage. Where a chapter covers something past NTA's short list, it says so, and it is there because the papers since 2022 have asked it.