Phrase and Idioms - Exercise -3 for University Admission Test, Job Application Test, BCS Exam and Any Competitive Examination

Phrase and Idioms Exercise -3

1. Find out the best translation of the sentence, 'There is a black sheep in every family'. [বিট্রেপ বিশেষ পরীক্ষা-০৭]

a) প্রতি পরিবারে কালো ভেড়া থাকে না।

b) পরিবার মাত্রই একটি করে কালো ভেড়া থাকে।

c) প্রত্যেক পরিবারেই দুশ্চরিত্র লোক থাকে।

d) কোনো পরিবারেই কালো ভেড়া থাকে না।

Answer: c

(Note: The idiom 'black sheep' refers to a person who is a disgrace or embarrassment to their family. The correct Bengali translation is 'কুলাঙ্গার' (kulangar) or 'দুশ্চরিত্র লোক' (dushcharitra lok), meaning a wicked or ill-reputed person.)

2. 'Beggar description' means — [RU (BBA) 07-08, IU (Gha) 11-12, রাজশাহী কৃষি উন্নয়ন ব্যাংক (SO)-17]

a) the life of the beggar

b) unnecessary

c) indescribable

d) miserable life

Answer: c

(Note: The phrase 'beggar description' means to be so extraordinary or extreme that it is impossible to describe in words.)

3. The condition of most slum dwellers is so miserable that it cannot be described in words. [14th BCS, নির্বাচন কমিশন সচিবালয়-০৮]

a) beggars description

b) cuts to the quick

c) boils down to this

d) keeps open house

Answer: a

(Note: The phrase that means 'cannot be described in words' is 'beggars description'. In Bengali, it means 'অবর্ণনীয়, যা ভাষায় প্রকাশ করা যায় না'.)

4. What does 'Big guns' mean? [SUST 09-10]

a) Large guns

b) Renowned person

c) Corrupt person

d) Famous political personalities

Answer: d

(Note: 'Big guns' is an idiom referring to important, powerful, or influential people, especially 'famous political personalities' (বিখ্যাত রাজনৈতিক ব্যক্তিত্ব).)

5. What is the meaning of the expression "bottom line"? [15th BCS, RU 03-04, 05-06, (BBA) 07-08, (D) 10-11, (E- odd roll) 12-13, ATEO-10, KU 04-05, CU 06-07, ইসলামী ব্যাংক পিও-প্রবেশনারি অফিসার-০8, JUST (A) 14-15, BSMRSTU (F) 14-15, BU 15-16]

a) The essential point

b) The final step

c) The end of a road

d) The last line of a book

Answer: a

6. Bottom line (Select the correct meaning of the phrase) [KU (BBA) 13-14]

a) The end of the road

b) The last line of a book

c) The end result

d) The final step

Answer: c

7. Which phrase means conclusion? [SUST (B, Unit-B) 14-15]

a) The bottom line

b) Red letter day

c) Long in the tooth

d) Feather in your cap

e) Drop the hammer

Answer: a

(Note: For questions 5-7, 'the bottom line' refers to the most important fact in a situation, the essential point, the final result, or a conclusion. In Bengali, it can mean 'সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয়', 'আলোচনার শেষ কথা', or 'উপসংহার'.)

8. Robin has a habit of ---- without coming to the actual point at once. [DU (C) 07-08]

a) sleeping partner

b) skin and bone

c) beating about the bush

d) well to do

Answer: c

(Note: To 'beat about the bush' means to talk about irrelevant things and avoid the main subject (অপ্রাসঙ্গিক বিষয়ে আলোচনা করা). The other options mean: 'sleeping partner' (inactive partner, নিষ্ক্রিয় অংশীদার), 'skin and bone' (extremely thin, জীর্ণশীর্ণ), and 'well-to-do' (wealthy, ধনী).)

9. "I have butterflies in my stomach" means — [CU (D) 11-12]

a) I am confident

b) I am nervous

c) I am delighted

d) I am sad

Answer: b

(Note: To 'have butterflies in one's stomach' is an idiom that means to feel very nervous or anxious (উদ্বেগে থাকা).)

10. The word 'boring chore' means [DU 09-10]

a) wasteful effort

b) absorbing thought

c) tiresome job

d) uninteresting work

Answer: c

(Note: A 'chore' (চোর) is a routine or difficult task (দৈনন্দিন বা কঠিন কাজ). Therefore, a 'boring chore' is a 'tiresome job' (ক্লান্তিকর কাজ).)

11. The expression 'browbeating' means - [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক অফিসার-০৪, সহকারী পরিচালক পদে নিয়োগ পরীক্ষা-13]

a) Raising eyebrows

b) Showing indifference

c) Showing surprise

d) Frightening someone

Answer: d

(Note: 'Browbeating' means to intimidate or frighten someone with stern or bullying words (চোখ রাঙিয়ে ভয় দেখানো, ধমক দেওয়া).)

12. 'Bag and baggage' means- [BRDB এর উপজেলা পল্লী উন্নয়ন কর্মকর্তা-13, RU Arts 04-05, (Law) 05-06, SUST (B) 08-09, JKKNIU (Gha) 15-16]

a) leaving nothing behind

b) heavy things

c) costly things

d) property

Answer: a

(Note: 'Bag and baggage' means with all one's possessions, completely. It implies 'leaving nothing behind' (তল্পিতল্পাসহ, সবকিছু গুছিয়ে).)

13. The paternal property is - between the two brothers. [RU (D-Even) 13-14]

a) up and doing

b) in blue color

c) at a premium

d) the bone of contention

Answer: d

14. The maritime boundary of Bangladesh was an apple of discord for a long time but now the issue has been resolved. What does 'apple of discord' mean here? [CU (A2) 14-15] That piece of land was a bone of contention between the two countries. [খাদ্য মন্ত্রণালয় নিরীক্ষক-18]

a) a matter of dispute

b) something to negotiate

c) a source of food

d) battlefield (যুদ্ধক্ষেত্র)

Answer: a

(Note: For questions 13 and 14, both 'the bone of contention' and 'apple of discord' refer to a subject or matter of dispute (বিবাদের বিষয়).)

15. The idiom "between the devil and the deep sea" means- [সাধারণ বীমা কর্পোরেশন এর জুনিয়র অফিসার-15]

a) happy situation

b) tempting situation

c) difficult situation

d) easy situation

Answer: c

(Note: Being 'between the devil and the deep sea' means being in a 'difficult situation' where one must choose between two equally dangerous or unpleasant alternatives (উভয় সংকট).)

16. Although he has failed in the written examination, he is using 'backstairs influence' to get the job. The phrase 'backstairs influence' means: [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক এডি-11, BSMRSTU (E) 15-16]

a) political influence

b) Deserving and proper influence

c) backing influence

d) secret and unfair influence

Answer: d

(Note: 'Backstairs influence' refers to the use of 'secret and unfair influence' to achieve something (গোপনীয় ও অসৎ প্রভাব).)

17. 'Big bug' means - [বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ভর্তি পরীক্ষা (ক)-13]

a) useful person

b) important person

c) unemployed person

d) employed person

Answer: b

(Note: A 'big bug' is an idiom for an 'important person' (গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ব্যক্তি). It is similar to 'big wig', which means a famous or important person (নামকরা ব্যক্তি).)

18. 'The birds and the bees' means -- [পেট্রোবাংলা এমপ্লয়ীজ ইউনিয়ন ইলেকশন-০৫, DPE পরীক্ষার প্রশ্ন ০৪-18]

a) The relation between the birds and the bees.

b) The basic facts about sex.

c) The birds and the bees are good workers.

d) The basic facts about marriage.

Answer: b

(Note: 'The birds and the bees' is a common euphemism for 'the basic facts about sex' and reproduction, especially when explained to children (যৌন মিলন সংক্রান্ত প্রাথমিক ধারণা).)

19. 'Buoyant health' means — [RU (Management) 08-09, (E, Odd) 14-15]

a) poor health

b) bad health

c) good health

d) ill-health

Answer: c

20. 'Buoyant health' means [RU 04-05, (Marketing) 08-09]

a) poor health

b) sound health

c) malnourished

d) very fat

Answer: b

21. 'Buoyant health' means [JnU (C) 09-10]

a) indifferent health

b) excellent health

c) poor health

d) floating health

Answer: b

(Note: For questions 19-21, 'buoyant health' means 'good health', 'sound health', or 'excellent health'. It describes a state of being healthy and cheerful (সুস্বাস্থ্য).)

22. 'The ambassador (দূত) was bombarded with questions' means --- [CU (D) 07-08]

a) The ambassador made many bombs

b) The ambassador made bombs with questions

c) The ambassador was asked too many unpleasant questions

d) The ambassador was bombed to death

e) The ambassador threw questions like bombs

Answer: c

(Note: To be 'bombarded with questions' means to be asked a large number of questions in a very direct and persistent way, which can be overwhelming or unpleasant (প্রশ্নবাণে জর্জরিত করা).)

23. 'There is no use crying over spilt milk. I cannot be undone.' Here the phrase 'cry over spilt milk' means -- [BU (A) 15-16]

a) being too inquisitive

b) judge something primarily on appearance

c) being extremely desperate

d) complain about a loss from the past

Answer: d

(Note: The idiom 'to cry over spilt milk' means to complain or be unhappy about a past loss or mistake that cannot be changed. In Bengali, it is equivalent to 'বৃথা অনুশোচনা করা' (to regret in vain) or 'গতস্য শোচনা নাস্তি' (what is past is past).)

24. Which of the following phrases gives the meaning of 'false tears of sorrow'? [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক ক্যাশ অফিসার-15]

a) Cry in the wilderness

b) Crying need

c) a close fisted man

d) Crocodiles tears

Answer: d

25. 'Crocodile tears' means -- [প্রতিরক্ষা মন্ত্রণালয় (CAO)-15, BSMRSTU (E) 16-17]

a) tears of a crocodile (কুমিরের কান্না)

b) deceptive cry (কপট কান্না)

c) tears of any animals

d) tears of an unlucky person

Answer: b

26. What is the meaning of 'Crocodile tears'? [RU (BBA) 09-10, KU (B) 14-15]

a) to finish

b) false sorrow

c) carry out

d) cry coldly

Answer: b

27. Who can shed 'Crocodile tears'? [পরিবার পরিকল্পনা অধিদপ্তর-10]

a) neighbours

b) Friends

c) Relations

d) Heartless man and woman

Answer: d

(Note: For questions 24-27, the idiom 'crocodile tears' refers to a hypocritical show of sadness, meaning 'false sorrow' or a 'deceptive cry'. It is an insincere expression of grief, often shown by 'heartless' people. In Bengali, it is known as 'মায়াকান্না' or 'কপট কান্না'. )

28. 'Cupboard love' means- [bis Facer&51 eret)-11, JUST (F, Unit) 15-16]

a) flattery

b) open love

c) reckless love

d) show of affection

Answer: d

(Note: 'Cupboard love' is a 'show of affection' that is not genuine and is only shown to obtain something, such as food or other favors. In Bengali, it means 'স্বার্থের ভালোবাসা'. )

29. 'Cry wolf' means- [পাসপোর্ট ও ইমিগ্রেশন অধিদপ্তর AD-14, সহকারী পরিচালক-18, CU (E-Law) 15-16]

a) show anger

b) bare one's teeth

c) clear the road

d) give a false alarm

Answer: d

(Note: To 'cry wolf' means to 'give a false alarm' by asking for help when you do not need it, which leads to people not believing you when you are actually in danger. In Bengali: 'মিথ্যা বিপদ সংকেত দেওয়া'. )

30. Politicians often use students as ---- [বাংলাদেশ পরিসংখ্যান ব্যুরো (পরিসংখ্যান তদন্তকারী)-18]

a) cat's paw

b) cold water

c) fresh blood

d) kith and kin

Answer: a

(Note: A 'cat's paw' is a person used by another as a tool to perform an unpleasant or dangerous task. The other options mean: 'fresh blood' (new people with new ideas) and 'kith and kin' (friends and relatives, আত্মীয়স্বজন).)

31. 'Catch sight of' means - [RU (H) 14-15]

a) see for a moment

b) paying attention

c) discover

d) become popular

Answer: a

(Note: To 'catch sight of' someone or something means to get a brief look at them, or to 'see for a moment'. In Bengali: 'হঠাৎ চোখে পড়া'. )

32. 'To cry for the moon' is- [BU (D) 12-13]

A) to be moonstruck

B) to want something that is impossible to get

C) to be interested in astronomy

D) to be a romantic person

Answer: B

(Note: To 'ask/cry for the moon' is an idiom that means to ask for or 'want something that is impossible to get'. In Bengali: 'আকাশের চাঁদ চাওয়া' or 'অসম্ভব কিছু আকাঙ্ক্ষা করা'. )

33. 'Crack the whip' means-. [JU (G) 13-14]

A) to use one's ability to make someone go quickly.

B) to use one's power to enable someone to work steadily.

C) to make one's hand useful in a mission.

D) to use one's authority to make someone work harder.

Answer: D

(Note: To 'crack the whip' means to 'use one's authority to make someone work harder' or be more disciplined. In Bengali: 'কর্তৃত্ব খাটিয়ে কাজ করানো'. )

34. Call it a day means- [JU (B) 06-07]

a) open an event

b) fix an appointment

c) spend the time

d) finish work.

Answer: d

35. Let's call it a day means- [প্রাথমিক প্রধান শিক্ষক নিয়োগ পরীক্ষা-02, CU (D) 17-18]

a) isn't it day time?

b) let's stop work now.

c) let's presume it to be day

d) let's compare it with a day

Answer: b

36. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom 'call it a day'. [DU 09-10]

a) to raise doubts

b) to stop work since enough has been done

c) to be unhappy with the weather

d) to pay someone a visit

Answer: b

(Note: For questions 34-36, the idiom 'to call it a day' means to decide to stop doing something, especially work, for the rest of the day. It implies that enough has been accomplished. In Bengali: 'দিনের মতো কাজ বন্ধ করা'. )

37. 'Capital punishment' means — [ATEO-10, বেপজা এর সহকারী ব্যবস্থাপক-11, RU (D, Finance) 11-12, CU (Gha) 09-10, MBSTU (A) 12-13, JU (F) 15-16, বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক এডি-18]

a) Heavy punishment

b) Death penalty

c) Confiscation of capital

d) Long term imprisonment

Answer: b

(Note: 'Capital punishment' is the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime; it is a synonym for the 'death penalty'. In Bengali: 'মৃত্যুদণ্ড'. )

38. 'Cut to the quick' means — [খাদ্য অধিদপ্তর টেকনিক্যাল অপারেটর-17, সোনালী ব্যাংক লিঃ অফিসার(ক্যাশ)-18]

a) to cut into two pieces

b) to cut quickly

c) to cut at a reasonable [price]

d) to hurt intensely

Ans: d

(Note: To 'cut to the quick' means to deeply hurt someone's feelings or 'to hurt intensely'. In Bengali: 'মর্মাহত করা'.)

39. 'Catch a tartar' means -- [RU (Arts) 04-05]

a) Meet a powerful opponent

b) People of Turkey

c) A cruel person

d) Friendly atmosphere

Ans: a

(Note: To 'catch a tartar' means to encounter a person who is more formidable or difficult to deal with than expected; to 'meet a powerful opponent'. In Bengali: 'শক্তিশালী প্রতিপক্ষের সম্মুখীন হওয়া'.)

40. What is the meaning of 'culpable homicide'? [COU (A) 15-16]

a) grievous hurt

b) murder

c) extortion

d) not amounting to murder

Ans: d

(Note: 'Culpable homicide' is a legal term for a killing that is criminal but is considered less severe than murder because the element of premeditation or malice aforethought is missing. It is a death for which a person can be held responsible, but 'not amounting to murder'. In Bengali: 'দণ্ডনীয় নরহত্যা'.)

41. The manager was charged with 'cooking the accounts'. [RU (BBA) 04-05]

a) preparing false accounts

b) illegal business

c) improper relationship

d) creating trouble

Ans: a

(Note: The idiom 'to cook the accounts' (or 'cook the books') means to dishonestly alter financial records, i.e., 'preparing false accounts'. In Bengali: 'হিসাবে গরমিল করা'.)

42. 'Carried the day' means — [CU (E) 07-08, JKKNIU (Fine Arts) 12-13, IU (C) 15-16]

a) won (জয়লাভ)

b) defeated

c) lost the day

d) passed the day

Ans: a

43. 'Carry the day' means — [CU 07-08, যুব উন্নয়ন অধিদপ্তর (এডিও)-10]

a) win

b) lose

c) defeat

d) carry

Ans: a

(Note: For questions 42 and 43, 'to carry the day' means to 'win' or be victorious in a competition, argument, or battle. In Bengali: 'জয়লাভ করা'.)

44. 'A cock and bull story' means— [স্বরাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের অধীনে কারা অধিদপ্তর-13, RU (Arts) 04-05]

a) tragedy

b) A false story

c) An animal story/a fable

d) A story about a cock and a bull

Ans: b

45. Which is the correct meaning of the idiom: 'Cock and Bull story'? [RU 07-08]

a) a short story by Tolstoy.

b) A novel by Bernard Shaw.

c) Absurd and unlikely story.

d) Cheaps jokes

Ans: c

(Note: For questions 44 and 45, 'a cock and bull story' is an improbable, unbelievable, or 'absurd and unlikely story' told as an excuse; a 'false story'. In Bengali: 'আজগুবি গল্প' or 'গাঁজাখুরি গল্প'.)

46. 'To call a spade a spade' means- [DU (B-EE) 08-09]

a) be factual

b) speak plainly

c) express fully

d) use unpalatable words

Ans: b

47. 'Call a spade a spade' The correct Bengali translation is- [bis Facer&51 eret)-11]

a) উচিতের উচিত বলা।

b) কোদালকে কোদাল বলা।

c) স্পষ্টাস্পষ্টি কথা বলা।

d) কোদালের দাম করা।

Ans: c

(Note: For questions 46 and 47, 'to call a spade a spade' means to 'speak plainly', bluntly, and directly, without avoiding unpleasant truths. The correct Bengali equivalent is 'স্পষ্টাস্পষ্টি কথা বলা'.)

48. 'come to light' means — [CU (G) 09-10, JU (F) 16-17]

a) to publish

b) in danger

c) valid

d) lighting

Ans: a

49. Some interesting facts about your past have just 'come to light'. Here 'come to light' means- [শ্রম ও কর্মসংস্থান মন্ত্রণালয় (সহকারী প্রধান পরিদর্শক)-14]

a) go near to light

b) to realize

c) to lit a light

d) to become known

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 48 and 49, when something 'comes to light', it becomes known to people, is revealed, or is published. In Bengali: 'প্রকাশিত হওয়া'.)

50. Which one is related to 'rain'? [RU (A&H) 05-06]

a) Cats and dogs

b) Cat and dog

c) Cat's eye

d) Nine lives of cats

Ans: a

51. The expression 'cats and dogs' means - [সোনালী ব্যাংক লিঃ অফিসার-10]

a) enmity

b) heavily

c) fighting

d) light

Ans: b

52. 'Cat's sleep' means— [RU (Management) 04-05]

a) Sleep frequently

b) Sleep at night

c) Be dismissed

d) Pretension of sleep

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 50-52: The idiom 'to rain cats and dogs' means to rain 'heavily' (মুষলধারে). The idiom 'cat's sleep' refers to a very light sleep or a 'pretension of sleep' (ঘুমের ভান).)

53. 'Cut and dry' means----- [RU (E-Marketing) 15-16]

a) humorous

b) secret

c) brief

d) fixed

Ans: d

54. 'Cut and dry' means [IU (C) 16-17]

a) secret

b) humorous

c) brief

d) already decided

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 53 and 54, the phrase 'cut and dry' (or cut-and-dried) means something is 'already decided' or 'fixed' and not open to change or debate. In Bengali: 'আগে থেকেই স্থিরীকৃত'.)

55. 'Call to mind' means - [33rd BCS, IU (A) 14-15, (D) 15-16, BRUR (A) 15-16, JKKNIU (A) 15-16, পরিবার পরিকল্পনা পরিদর্শিকা-17]

a) fantasize

b) attend

c) remember

d) request

Ans: c

56. "Call in question" means— [CoU (B) 09-10, BRUR (B) 16-17]

a) problem

b) die

c) doubt

d) optimum

Ans: c

57. His honesty cannot be _______. [প্রাথমিক শিক্ষক নিয়োগ-07]

a) taken into account

b) brought to light

c) taken into question

d) called in question

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 55-57: 'To call to mind' means to 'remember' (স্মরণ করা). 'To call in question' means to raise 'doubt' about something's validity or truth (সন্দেহ প্রকাশ করা).)

58. What is the meaning of the phrase 'Come into force'? [সাধারণ বীমা কর্পোরেশন এর অফিস সহকারী-04]

a) Make effective

b) Perplexity

c) Rebuke

d) Utter an obscene word

Ans: a

(Note: When a law or rule 'comes into force', it starts to be used or becomes 'effective'. In Bengali: 'কার্যকরী হওয়া'.)

59. Call names means — [RU (Finance) 09-10]

a) Perplexity

b) to remember

c) Rebuke

d) Utter an obscene of word

Ans: c

(Note: To 'call someone names' means to 'rebuke' or insult them by using abusive or derogatory terms. In Bengali: 'গালি দেওয়া', 'তিরস্কার করা'.)

60. 'To cut a fine figure' signifies -- [JnU (C) 09-10]

a) breaking a beautiful statue

b) crossing an even number

c) injuring a handsome person

d) giving a fine impression of oneself

Ans: d

(Note: 'To cut a fine figure' means to appear impressive or admirable in one's appearance or behavior, thereby 'giving a fine impression of oneself'. In Bengali: 'সবার দৃষ্টি আকর্ষণ করা'.)

61. 'অরণ্যে রোদন' [Ku (A) 07-08]

a) weep at forest

b) wild cries

c) wild forest

d) cry in wilderness

Ans: d

(Note: The Bengali idiom 'অরণ্যে রোদন' (oronne rodon) literally means 'crying in the forest'. Its English equivalent is 'a cry in the wilderness', which signifies a useless appeal or an effort that goes completely unheard or ignored.)

62. 'Dead letter' means: [CU (E) 07-08, IU (B) 10-11, শিক্ষা মন্ত্রণালয়, RU (D-Odd) 13-14]

a) Draconian law

b) bad law

c) old letter

d) law not in Force

e) letter not in use

Ans: d

(Note: A 'dead letter' is a 'law not in force'—one that still exists but is no longer applied or obeyed. In Bengali: 'অকার্যকর আইন'.)

63. 'The soldier (সৈনিক) died in harness' means - [BU, (A) 14-15]

a) He died in business

b) He died in peace

c) He died in honour

d) He died in dishonour

Ans: a

64. It was his constant prayer that he might die in harness. [শ্রম অধিদপ্তর এর জনসংখ্যা ও পরিবার কল্যাণ কর্মকর্তা-08]

a) die in business

b) die in peace

c) die in bed

d) die in honour

Ans: a

65. 'Die in harness' indicates the correct meaning. [DU 97-98, (C) 95-96]

a) death in a cage

b) death before time

c) continue to the last in one's business or profession

d) death after prolonged suffering from hernia

Ans: c

(Note: For questions 63-65, the idiom 'to die in harness' means to die while still actively working or engaged in one's profession ('die in business'). The most precise meaning is to 'continue to the last in one's business or profession' and not retire. In Bengali: 'কর্মরত অবস্থায় মারা যাওয়া'.)

66. In the armed forces, it is considered a great privilege to die in harness. [BOC Head Office-19]

a) die on a horseback

b) die in the battlefield

c) die while still working

d) die with honour

Ans: c

(Note: The idiom 'to die in harness' means to die while still actively working at one's job or profession, rather than after retiring. In Bengali, it means 'কর্মরত অবস্থায় মারা যাওয়া'.)

67. 'A dark horse' means - [সোনালী ব্যাংক অফিসার-01]

a) a horse which is dark in colour

b) a horse which was seen in darkness

c) a person whose qualities are unknown

d) a horse which has been kept in darkness

Ans: c

68. 'Dark horse' means — [JU (G) 09-10, 12-13]

a) Dark coloured horse

b) Large horse

c) Arabian horse

d) A person about whose past is not known

Ans: d

69. Most of the participants did not expect the victory of a dark horse like him. [RU (E) 14-15]

a) A mischievous person

b) A strong person

c) An unknown person

d) An illiterate person

Ans: c

70. A 'dark horse' means--. [গৃহায়ণ ও গণপূর্ত মন্ত্রণালয় উপ-সহকারী প্রকৌশলী-13]

a) a horse black in colour

b) a man who does not talk much but surprises others by his qualities

c) a man who has dark hair, eyes etc.

d) an ignorant unpleasant person

Ans: b

71. 'Dark horse' means- [RU 07-08]

a) Inexperienced

b) Impudent

c) Unfamiliar

d) Frivolous phrase

Ans: c

72. Who will vote for a dark horse like him? [RU (Accounting) 09-10]

a) strong man

b) rich man

c) poor man

d) strange man

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 67-72, a 'dark horse' is an idiom for a person who is little known or seems unlikely to succeed ('unfamiliar', 'unknown', 'whose qualities are unknown') but who unexpectedly wins or reveals surprising talents. In Bengali, it means 'অপরিচিত ব্যক্তি' or 'অজ্ঞাতকুলশীল ব্যক্তি'.)

73. Being 'down to earth' means: [DU (C) 09-10, উপজেলা সহকারী শিক্ষা অফিসার (ATEO)-10]

a) Close to nature

b) Hopeful

c) normalize

d) monitor

e) realistic

Ans: e

74. The opposite of the word 'idealistic' is- [CU (D) 12-13]

a) down-to-soil

b) down-to-ground

c) down-to-world

d) down-to-earth

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 73 and 74, 'down-to-earth' describes someone who is practical, sensible, and 'realistic'. It is the direct opposite of 'idealistic', which means pursuing ideals, often in an impractical way. In Bengali, 'down-to-earth' means 'বাস্তববাদী'.)

75. Double jeopardy means - [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক (সহকারী পরিচালক)-15]

a) Judicating twice

b) Duplicate issue

c) Double zero

d) Double Standard

Ans: a

(Note: 'Double jeopardy' is a legal term for the prosecution of a person twice for the same offense, which is forbidden in many legal systems. It essentially means 'judicating twice'. In Bengali: 'একই অপরাধের জন্য দুইবার বিচার'।)

76. The phrase 'donkey work' means- [CU (E) 12-13]

a) a serious assignment

b) manual labour

c) very simple work

d) the job of a daily labour

e) the hard and boring part of a job

Ans: e

(Note: 'Donkey work' refers to the tedious, mundane, but necessary part of a larger project; 'the hard and boring part of a job'. In Bengali: 'একঘেয়ে ও পরিশ্রমের কাজ'.)

77. Do come and visit us the next time you're in Dhaka. The underlined words may be replaced by - [DU (B) 08-09]

a) enter

b) pay a visit

c) show up

d) encounter

Ans: b

(Note: The phrase 'do come and visit' is an emphatic invitation. It can be replaced by 'pay a visit', which means to go to see a person or place. In Bengali: 'দেখা করা' or 'বেড়াতে আসা'.)

78. The word 'dilly-dally' means — [20th BCS, চট্টগ্রাম সিটি কর্পোরেশন কর কর্মকর্তা-17]

a) to dilute

b) repeat

c) waste time

d) wait impatiently

Ans: c

(Note: To 'dilly-dally' is to 'waste time' through slow movement or indecision. In Bengali: 'গড়িমসি করা'.)

79. 'Dog days' means - [14th BCS, খাদ্য অধিদপ্তর-09, BSMRSTU (A) 12-13, DU (D) 13-14, IU (F) 13-14, RU (E-Even) 14-15, (Law) 15-16, (B) 17-18, BRUR (C) 12-13, (F) 14-15, বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে উপসহকারী প্রকৌশলী-16, 43rd BCS]

a) A period of being care free

b) A period of having youthful flings

c) A period of misfortune

d) Hot weather

Ans: d

80. 'Dog days' means- [JU 10-11]

a) a time of being careful

b) youthful feelings

c) feelings

d) a bad time

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 79 and 80, 'dog days' refers to the hottest, most sultry period of summer ('hot weather'). Metaphorically, it can also refer to a period of stagnation or inactivity ('a bad time'). In Bengali: 'গ্রীষ্মের সবচেয়ে উষ্ণ দিনগুলো' or 'দুঃসময়'.)

81. The die is cast means — [গৃহায়ন ও গণপূর্ত মন্ত্রণালয় (সহকারী প্রকৌশলী)-11, KU B 19-20]

a) the death news is broadcast

b) somebody escaped his death

c) the decision that can be changed

d) the decision that cannot be changed

Ans: d

(Note: The phrase 'The die is cast' means that an unchangeable decision has been made or an irrevocable course of action has been taken. In Bengali: 'ভাগ্য নির্ধারিত হয়ে গেছে'.)

82. 'End in smoke' means — [JU (B) 14-15]

a) to make completely understand

b) To excite great applause

c) To give up smoking

d) To terminate without producing any result

Ans: d

83. 'End in smoke' means — [RU 07-08, রাজশাহী কৃষি উন্নয়ন ব্যাংক-০৪]

a) to be burnt

b) end in nothing

c) end nicely

d) to head to the fire

Ans: b

84. 'End in smoke' [31st BCS, DU (C) 06-07, IU (G) 11-12, TEXTILE 12-13, RU (J) 17-18]

a) come to nothing

b) catch fire

c) destruct

d) imagine

e) stop smoking

Ans: a

85. 'Ended in Fiasco' means — [সমাজসেবা অধিদপ্তর-09]

a) Complete failure

b) On the verge of failure

c) Yet to be failure

d) None of them

Ans: a

(Note: For questions 82-85, the idioms 'end in smoke' and 'end in fiasco' both mean to fail completely or to 'terminate without producing any result'. 'To end in smoke' is to 'come to nothing', while a 'fiasco' is a 'complete failure'. In Bengali: 'ব্যর্থ হওয়া', 'নিষ্ফল হওয়া'.)

86. Which one of the following sentences is correct? [DU (D) 15-16]

a) It was a mistake of judgement

b) It was an error of judgement

c) It was a wrong of judgement

d) It was a gaffe of judgement

Ans: b

(Note: The correct and standard collocation is 'an error of judgement', which means a mistake or a bad decision. In Bengali: 'সিদ্ধান্তের ভুল'.)

87. 'An early bird' means - [গৃহায়ণ ও গণপূর্ত মন্ত্রণালয় উপ-সহকারী প্রকৌশলী-11, BRUR (E) 14-15]

a) a little bird

b) a short lived bird

c) an early riser

d) a bird that one often sees

Ans: c

(Note: The idiom 'an early bird' refers to a person who wakes up and starts their day very early in the morning; an 'early riser'. In Bengali: 'যে খুব সকালে ঘুম থেকে ওঠে'.)