CBSE Class 9 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 as your answer.

Question. I took exception to his remarks and left the meeting.
(a) Objected
(b) Suggested
(c) Heard
(d) Excused
Answer : A

Question. He turned a deaf ear to his parents’ advice.
(a) Listen carefully
(b) Refused to obey
(c) Big help
(d) Attentively
Answer : B

Question. Most people live from hand to mouth these days because of Inflation.
(a) Lavishly
(b) Happily
(c) Comfortably
(d) Miserably
Answer : D

Question. There are no hard and fast rules for admission to this college.
(a) Easy
(b) Strict
(c) Fixed
(d) Slow
Answer : C

Question. Please hold your tongue in this matter, otherwise you will repent.
(a) be silent
(b) Give advice
(c) defend
(d) Argue
Answer : A

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

Question. He left the town under a cloud.
(a) Of his own accord
(b) In disgrace
(c) With a heavy heart
(d) When it was raining
Answer : B

Question. The young boy’s act put his father in a pickle.
(a) In a funny position
(b) In a serious position
(c) In a sad situation
(d) In an embarrassing or awkward situation
Answer : D

Question. They got on well with each other the moment they met.
(a) Had an agreement
(b) Had a misunderstanding
(c) Had a friendly relationship
(d) Fell in love
Answer : C

Question. She tried to slip off, but was caught immediately.
(a) Steal quietly
(b) Go quickly
(c) Leave quietly
(d) Slide quickly
Answer : C

Question. I am looking forward to her arrival.
(a) Afraid of
(b) Expecting with pleasure
(c) Expecting
(d) Confident of
Answer : B

In the following four alternatives are given for the meaning of the given Idiom/ Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase.

Question. To take to heart
(a) To be encouraged
(b) To grieve over
(c) To like
(d) To hate
Answer : B

Question. Yeoman’s service
(a) Medical help
(b) Excellent work
(c) Social work
(d) Hard work
Answer : B

Question. To face the music
(a) To enjoy a musical recital
(b) To bear the consequences
(c) To live in a pleasant atmosphere
(d) To have a difficult time
Answer : B

Question. To put up with
(a) To accommodate
(b) To adjust
(c) To understand
(d) To tolerate
Answer : D

Question. To call it a day
(a) To conclude proceedings
(b) To initiate proceedings
(c) To work through the day
(d) None of the above
Answer : D

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

Question. Rides the high horse
(a) Superior
(b) Went on a vacation
(c) Started gambling
(d) Bought a horse
Answer : A

Question. Rack and ruin
(a) Successful
(b) Debt
(c) Destroyed
(d) Ransacked
Answer : C

Question. To take to task
(a) Pass over
(b) Reward
(c) Punish
(d) Disappoint
Answer : C

Question. Iron will
(a) Good health
(b) Strong determination
(c) Sticks to the point
(d) Has high haemoglobin
Answer : B

Question. Weal and woe
(a) Ups and downs
(b) Joys and sorrows
(c) Whole heartedly
(d) Under suspicion
Answer : B

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

Question. Yesterday in a collision between a truck and a car he had a close shave.
(a) Maintain cleanliness
(b) Remove the entire hair
(c) A narrow escape
(d) Close relations
Answer : C

Question. The piece of parental property has created bad blood between the two brothers.
(a) Impure relation
(b) Ill-matched temper
(c) Active enmity
(d) Bad parentage
Answer : C

Question. Since you couldn’t accept a timely warning, it’s no use repenting now. Why cry over spilt milk?
(a) Cry over irreparable loss
(b) To regret uselessly
(c) Cry needlessly
(d) Feel guilty of
Answer : B

Question. After fifteen years of marriage she did not expect her husband to leave her in the lurch.
(a) Listen to her
(b) Provoke her
(c) Ignore her
(d) Desert her
Answer : D

Question. Who are we to sit in judgement over their choices?
(a) Lecture
(b) Criticize
(c) Speak
(d) Communicate
Answer : B

Question. The teacher took me to t for not completing my homework.
(a) Gave me additional homework
(b) Punished me
(c) Took me to the principal
(d) Reduced my homework
Answer : B

Question. Do not lose your head when faced with a difficult situation.
(a) Forget anything
(b) Neglect anything
(c) Panic
(d) Get jealous
Answer : C

Question. When I entered the house everything was at sixes and sevens.
(a) A quarrel among six or seven people
(b) To have six or seven visitors at a time
(c) In disorder or confusion
(d) An unpleasant argument
Answer : C

Question. He was pulled up by the Director of the Company.
(a) Assaulted
(b) Dragged
(c) Pulled up
(d) Cleared
Answer : C

Question. The storm brought about great destruction in the valley.
(a) Invited
(b) Caused
(c) Succeeded
(d) Halted
Answer : B

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

Question. A damp squib
(a) Rainy weather
(b) A disappointing result
(c) A skirt in a laundry
(d) None of the above
Answer : B

Question. In cold blood
(a) Angrily
(b) Deliberately
(c) Excitedly
(d) Slowly
Answer : A

Question. To take someone for a ride
(a) To give a ride to someone
(b) To deceive someone
(c) To be indifferent
(d) To disclose a secret
Answer : B

Question. To move heaven and earth
(a) To cause an earthquake
(b) To try everything possible
(c) To pray to all Gods
(d) To travel in a rocket
Answer : B

Question. To smell a rat
(a) To smell foul
(b) To see a rat
(c) To chase a rat
(d) To be suspicious
Answer : D

In the following question, 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 want to be happy, cut your coat according to your cloth.
(a) Be honest in your dealings
(b) Work according to your capacity
(c) Live within your means
(d) Don’t be too ambitious
Answer : C

Question. She broke down in the middle of her speech.
(a) Could not proceed
(b) Fell down
(c) Became angry
(d) Cried
Answer : D

Question. He says out fifty per cent of his income on bonds and shares.
(a) Allots
(b) Distributes
(c) Allocates
(d) Spends
Answer : D

Question. I will do the work If I am allowed a free hand in the choice of materials.
(a) Complete liberty
(b) An expense account
(c) To employ men to work
(d) Unlimited funds
Answer : A

Question. He is as hard as a nail, never moved by anything.
(a) Tough
(b) Emotionless
(c) Physically strong
(d) Hard working
Answer : B

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

Question. To strain every nerve
(a) To make utmost efforts
(b) To feel weak and tired
(c) To be a diligent worker
(d) To be methodical in work
Answer : A

Question. To flog a dead horse
(a) To whip a dead horse
(b) To attempt to do the impossible
(c) Waste one’s efforts
(d) To take advantage of a weakness
Answer : B

Question. To show a clean pair of heels
(a) To hide
(b) To escape
(c) To pursue
(d) To follow
Answer : B

Question. To die in harness
(a) Premeditated murder
(b) Dying young in an accident
(c) To die while in service
(d) To be taken by surprise
Answer : C

Question. To feather one’s nest
(a) To make a residential house
(b) Something that lasts for a short time
(c) To profit in a dishonest way
(d) None of the above
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 as your answer.

Question. I could have continued my higher studies if 1 wanted but, that’s water under the bridge.
(a) Something I cannot change
(b) The time I met with an accident near the bridge
(c) Something my family did not want
(d) The time I went on a cruise
Answer : A

Question. My parents want me to study science, but I will stick to my guns and graduate in Economics.
(a) Prefer to disobey them
(b) Hold on to my decision
(c) Refuse to listen to them
(d) Show them that they are wrong
Answer : B

Question. The manager dismissed the proposal out of hand and said that it was not at all practical.
(a) Completely
(b) Directly
(c) Simply
(d) Quickly
Answer : A

Question. The people of this village are the salt of the earth.
(a) Rich
(b) Educated
(c) Quarrelsome
(d) Kind
Answer : D

Question. He accused her of talking through her hat and refused to accept a word of what she said.
(a) Talking straight
(b) Talking nonsense
(c) Talking tough
(d) Talking sense
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 given Idiom/Phrase.

Question. The teacher’s announcement to conduct a snap test came as a bolt from the blue to many students.
(a) Imaginary
(b) Unexpected
(c) Forbidden
(d) Heavenly
Answer : B

Question. He and his friend are sailing in the same boat.
(a) Sailing together in the same boat
(b) Sharing the financial and social condition
(c) Being in the same difficult situation
(d) Getting rid of the difficult situation
Answer : C

Question. To be successful in today’s world, we require the gift of the gab.
(a) Ability to speak well
(b) Good interpersonal skills
(c) Divine help and guidance
(d) A fierce competitive spirit
Answer : A

Question. Winter was so bad that the nomadic tribesmen found it difficult to keep the wolf from the door.
(a) Hunt wild animals
(b) Escape starvation
(c) Get woollen clothes
(d) Walk on ice
Answer : B

Question. There is no soft option to the crisis now.
(a) Popular opinion
(b) Popular solution
(c) Easy and agreeable option
(d) Difficult choice
Answer : C

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

Question. A bolt from the blue
(a) A delayed event
(b) An inexplicable event
(c) An unexpected event
(d) An unpleasant event
Answer : C

Question. Cold comfort
(a) Absurdity
(b) Deception
(c) Slight satisfaction
(d) Foolish proposal
Answer : C

Question. To be all at sea.
(a) A family voyage
(b) Lost and confused
(c) In the middle of the ocean
(d) A string of islands
Answer : B

Question. To take to one’s heels
(a) To walk slowly
(b) To run away
(c) To march forward
(d) To hop and jump
Answer : B

Question. To bite the dust
(a) Eat voraciously
(b) Have nothing to eat
(c) Eat roots
(d) None of the above
Answer : D

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

Question. The police closed the book on the murder case.
(a) Solved the case of
(b) Stopped working on
(c) Handed the case over to another agency
(d) Refused to take up
Answer : B

Question. His arguments cut no ice with me.
(a) Had no influence on me
(b) Did not hurt me
(c) Did not benefit me
(d) Did not make me proud
Answer : A

Question. There was a job for me to cut my teeth on.
(a) To gain experience
(b) To try
(c) To sharpen my wits
(d) To earn a decent salary
Answer : A

Question. The carrot and stick policy pays dividends in every organization.
(a) Fair and foul
(b) Continuous vigilance
(c) Democratic
(d) Reward and punishment
Answer : D

Question. Unless you grease his palms he will not do your work.
(a) Talk to him
(b) Flatter him
(c) Beat him
(d) Bribe him
Answer : D