Phrase and Idioms - Exercise - 7 for University Admission Test, Job Application Test, BCS Exam and Any Competitive Examination

Phrase and Idioms Exercise

1. The meaning of 'feel at home'. [ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ভর্তি পরীক্ষা]

a) Calm & Quiet

b) Free & Easy

c) Familiar & Known

d) Proficient & Expert

Ans: b

(Note: To 'feel at home' means to feel comfortable and relaxed, as if you were in your own home. 'Free & Easy' captures this sense of comfort.)

2. The phrase 'hard and fast' means [ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ভর্তি পরীক্ষা-10]

a) difficult and consistent

b) fixed and definite

c) difficult but not consistent

d) quick and consistent

Ans: b

(Note: 'Hard-and-fast' rules are ones that are strict, 'fixed and definite', and cannot be changed.)

3. He goes to his friend's house off and on. What does 'off and on' mean? [পরিবার পরিকল্পনা অধিদপ্তর-10]

a) Frequently

b) Rarely

c) Occasionally

d) Never

Ans: c

(Note: 'Off and on' (or on and off) means intermittently or 'occasionally'. In Bengali: 'মাঝে মাঝে'.)

4. 'Lose heart' means- [খাদ্য অধিদপ্তর]

a) One type of heart disease

b) heart attack

c) be disheartened (হতাশ হওয়া)

d) heart failure

Ans: c

(Note: 'To lose heart' means to become discouraged. In Bengali: 'হতাশ হওয়া'.)

5. 'A man of letters' means: [খাদ্য অধিদপ্তর-18]

a) A fool

b) A stupid person

c) A wise person (জ্ঞানী ব্যক্তি)

d) A cunning person (চালাক)

Ans: c

(Note: A 'man of letters' is a scholar or 'a wise person' well-versed in literature.)

6. A bolt from the blue means: [খাদ্য অধিদপ্তর-18]

a) A thunderstorm

b) A sudden unfortunate occurrence

c) Sky falling on one's head

d) None of the above

Ans: b

7. 'A bolt from the blue' এর সঠিক অর্থ কোনটি? [BADC-12]

a) আকস্মিক সাফল্য

b) বিনা মেঘে বজ্রপাত

c) নিশ্চিত পরাজয়

d) কোনটিই সঠিক নয়

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 6 and 7, 'a bolt from the blue' is a complete surprise; 'a sudden, unexpected, and usually unpleasant event'. In Bengali: 'বিনা মেঘে বজ্রপাত'.)

8. When we say 'The two brothers are at daggers drawn' we mean that they are: [BWDB-11]

a) acquainted

b) unknown

c) friendly

d) unfriendly

Ans: d

(Note: To be 'at daggers drawn' means to be bitterly hostile and 'unfriendly' towards each other. In Bengali: 'খড়গহস্ত'.)

9. I am desperate. All I need is someone to —. [পরিবার পরিকল্পনা অধিদপ্তর-13]

a) take me a hand

b) put me in hand

c) give me a hand

d) show me a hand

Ans: c

(Note: 'To give someone a hand' is an idiom meaning to help them.)

10. Many of the party men did not expect the nomination and victory of a dark horse like him. [দুর্যোগ ব্যবস্থাপনা অধিদপ্তর-13]

a) a mischievous person

b) a strong person

c) an unknown person

d) an illiterate

Ans: c

(Note: A 'dark horse' is a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.)

11. What is the meaning of the phrase 'carry the day'? [শ্রম অধিদপ্তর (শ্রম কর্মকর্তা)-03]

a) busy all day

b) free all day

c) win

d) loss

Ans: c

12. The phrase 'carry the day' means to — [বিআরটিএ (সহকারী পরিচালক)-02]

a) pass time

b) be victorious

c) suffer

d) hope

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 11 and 12, 'to carry the day' means to 'win' or 'be victorious'.)

13. The phrase 'salt of the earth' means- [বিসিএস]

a) worthy persons

b) salty earth

c) evil persons

d) salted persons

Ans: a

(Note: 'The salt of the earth' refers to a very good, honest, and reliable person or group of people. In Bengali: 'আদর্শ ব্যক্তি'.)

14. My friend is a couch potato. What does the idiom/phrase "Couch potato" mean? [বিআরডিবি-13]

a) active person

b) busy person

c) lazy person

d) angry person

Ans: c

(Note: A 'couch potato' is a 'lazy person' who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.)

15. The idiom 'hot potato' means- [JnU (A) 15-16, খাদ্য অধিদপ্তর-18]

a) a current issue

b) a potato just baked

c) a burnt potato

d) an old issue

Ans: a

(Note: A 'hot potato' is a controversial or sensitive issue that is difficult to handle.)

16. What is the meaning of the idiom 'finger in the pie'? [ডাক বিভাগ-18]

a) involve in something

b) uninterested in something

c) getting out of something

d) showing disliking

Ans: a

(Note: To 'have a finger in the pie' means to be involved in a matter, often in an interfering way.)

17. Which of the following is very near to the underlined words: a matter of life and death?

a) very dangerous

b) out and out

c) extreme serious

d) by and large

Ans: c

(Note: A 'life-and-death' matter is 'extremely serious'.)

18. The expression 'true to their salt' means-

a) very religious

b) very honest

c) faithful to their employer

d) none of these

Ans: c

(Note: To be 'true to one's salt' is an old expression meaning to be loyal or 'faithful to their employer'.)

19. The idiomatic expression 'cut back' means [বাংলাদেশ পরিসংখ্যান ব্যুরো-18]

a) return to a previous position

b) reducing expenditure

c) stop production

d) reducing interest rate

Ans: b

(Note: 'To cut back' on something means to reduce it, especially 'reducing expenditure'.)

20. — my advice, he did not work hard. [ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ভর্তি পরীক্ষা]

a) In point of

b) In respect of

c) In order to

d) In spite of

Ans: d

(Note: 'In spite of' means without being affected by the particular factor mentioned.)

21. The phrase 'at loggerheads' means- [বেসামরিক বিমান পরিবহন-18]

a) very close

b) belligerent

c) quarrelling

d) distant relation

Ans: c

(Note: To be 'at loggerheads' means to be in strong disagreement or 'quarrelling'.)

22. What is the appropriate meaning of 'Achilles' heel'? [বিসিএস-18]

a) important issue

b) Turning point

c) Vulnerable point

d) Main point

Ans: c

(Note: An 'Achilles' heel' is a weakness or 'vulnerable point' in an otherwise strong character.)

23. What is the meaning of 'face the music'? [বিসিএস-13]

a) run away from a problem

b) Create a problem

c) Deal with a problem

d) Hide the truth

Ans: c

(Note: 'To face the music' means to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done; to deal with the consequences.)

24. By hook or by crook means: [বিসিএস-18]

a) At any cost

b) Trying hard

c) Heart and soul

d) Never say die

Ans: a

(Note: 'By hook or by crook' means by any means possible, fair or unfair; 'at any cost'.)

25. Choose the correct sentence.

a) He found the books at six and sevens.

b) He found the books at sixes and sevens.

c) He found the books in six and sevens.

d) He found the books in sixes and seven.

Ans: b

(Note: The correct idiom is 'at sixes and sevens', meaning in a state of confusion or disarray.)

26. Select the right sentence. [বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন-13]

a) He will come back by and by.

b) He will come back bye and bye.

c) He will come back by the by.

d) He will come back bye and bye.

Ans: a

(Note: The correct phrase is 'by and by', which means 'soon' or 'before long'.)

27. A political leader should have the gift of the gab. [BREB-16]

a) skill

b) eloquence

c) honesty

d) courage

e) None

Ans: b

28. 'Gift of the gab' idiom meaning- [NSI-17]

a) Maiden speech

b) Dumb

c) Poor speech

d) Fluency of speech

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 27 and 28, the 'gift of the gab' is the ability to speak easily and persuasively; 'eloquence' or 'fluency of speech'.)

29. 'A castle in the air' means [বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে-18]

a) Making Building

b) Giving effort

c) Absurd imagination

d) Silly dream

Ans: c

(Note: 'A castle in the air' is a hope or desire that is unlikely to be realized; an 'absurd imagination'. In Bengali: 'আকাশ-কুসুম কল্পনা'.)

30. 'Come into question' means- [মাদকদ্রব্য নিয়ন্ত্রণ অধিদপ্তর-17]

a) to become a matter for doubt

b) to be a matter for praise

c) to be a great event

d) to become a matter for writing

Ans: a

(Note: To 'come into question' means that something becomes a subject of doubt or discussion.)

31. 'Our teacher told us off'. [বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে] The bold-faced phrase is closest to

a) expelled us

b) detained us

c) scolded us

d) punished us

Ans: c

(Note: 'To tell someone off' is an informal phrasal verb meaning to 'scold' them.)

32. The idiom 'let things slide' means- [বাংলাদেশ পরিসংখ্যান ব্যুরো-13]

a) to be criticizing

b) to be indifferent

c) to set free

d) not to help anyone

Ans: b

(Note: 'To let things slide' means to ignore a situation and allow it to deteriorate. In Bengali: 'উপেক্ষা করা'.)

33. We can safely say that the business is now concluded so —. [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক]

a) that's him

b) that's us

c) that's them

d) that's it

Ans: d

(Note: 'That's it' is an expression used to say that something is finished or completed.)

34. Let something run its course [CGDF-12]

a) to rush something

b) to redo a piece of work

c) to finish something with importance

d) to let something finish in its natural time

Ans: d

(Note: 'To let something run its course' means to allow an event or process to develop naturally without interfering.)

35. Break the ice [CGDF-12]

a) get someone out of trouble

b) make someone feel comfortable

c) meet someone after a long time

d) take care of someone

Ans: b

(Note: 'To break the ice' means to do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going at the start of a party or when people meet for the first time. In Bengali: 'নীরবতা ভঙ্গ করা'.)

36. Call it a day [CGDF-12]

a) to say the truth about someone or something

b) to stop working on something

c) to give up

d) to be optimistic

Ans: b

(Note: 'To call it a day' means to stop working, usually for the rest of the day.)

37. Under the weather [CGDF-12, CU B 20-21]

a) angry

b) nervous

c) moody

d) sick

Ans: d

(Note: To be 'under the weather' means to feel slightly ill or 'sick'.)

38. 'The man is over the moon' means: [RU C 19-20]

a) He is mad

b) He is extremely happy

c) He is very tall

d) He is very wealthy

Ans: b

(Note: To be 'over the moon' about something means to be 'extremely happy' and pleased.)

39. 'Keeping a low profile' means: [RU C 19-20, A 20-21]

a) avoiding attention

b) attracting attention

c) longing for attention

d) yearning for attention

Ans: a

(Note: 'To keep a low profile' means to deliberately avoid attracting public attention.)

40. He, being one of the shareholders of the company, is suspected of feathering his own nest. What is the meaning of the underlined phrase? [KU B 19-20]

a) neglecting his job

b) making money unfairly

c) giving access to his relatives

d) taking wrong decisions

Ans: b

(Note: 'To feather one's own nest' means to make money for oneself in an opportunistic or dishonest way.)

41. May Bangladesh prosper ---. [বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন-10]

a) day to day

b) day by day

c) day with day

d) day on day

Ans: b

(Note: 'Day by day' is an adverbial phrase meaning gradually and continuously.)

42. He has gone to the USA for good. [NSI-17]

a) for higher study

b) forever

c) for traveling

d) for training

Ans: b

(Note: The idiom 'for good' means permanently or 'forever'.)

43. He shall be taken to task for his ill manners. [BREB-16]

a) imitated

b) tortured

c) avoided

d) rebuked

e) None

Ans: d

(Note: 'To take someone to task' means to scold or 'rebuke' them.)

44. Arnab was at his wits' end after his father's death. [BREB-16]

a) gloomy

b) puzzled

c) idle

d) angry

e) None

Ans: b

(Note: To be 'at one's wits' end' means to be so worried, confused, or annoyed that you do not know what to do next; to be 'puzzled'.)

45. He works by fits and starts in the office. [BREB, JU C1 20-21]

a) regularly

b) slowly

c) irregularly

d) quickly

e) None

Ans: c

(Note: To do something 'by fits and starts' means to do it 'irregularly', stopping and starting often.)

46. All his hopes were —. [আর্মি মেডিকেল কোর]

a) null and void

b) nipped in the bud (অঙ্কুরে বিনষ্ট)

c) out of date

d) now and then

Ans: b

(Note: 'To be nipped in the bud' means to be stopped at an early stage of development.)

47. 'Null and void' এর অর্থ কি? [মাদকদ্রব্য নিয়ন্ত্রণ অধিদপ্তর-17]

a) বাতিল

b) কার্যকর

c) ফলপ্রসূ

d) কোনটিই নয়

Ans: a

48. 'Null and void' এর অর্থ? [বিসিএস-18]

a) কার্যকর

b) বাতিল

c) আংশিক

d) পূর্ণ

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 47 and 48, 'null and void' is a legal term meaning having no legal force; invalid. In Bengali: 'বাতিল'.)

49. The custom is in vogue in the office. [BREB-18]

a) obsolete

b) strong

c) irregular

d) popular

e) None

Ans: d

50. 'In vogue' means- [বিআরডিবি-13]

a) in practice

b) in agreement

c) in search of

d) in preference

Ans: a

51. 'In vogue' phrase টির অর্থ কোনটি- [প্রাথমিক শিক্ষক-18]

a) অপ্রচলিত

b) চালু

c) জনপ্রিয়

d) নতুন

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 49-51, 'in vogue' means to be fashionable, 'popular', and currently 'in practice'. In Bengali: 'চালু'.)

52. 'Pros and cons' means - [বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ভর্তি পরীক্ষা (খ)-10]

a) details (বিস্তারিত)

b) liberate

c) avoid

d) angry

Ans: a

53. The issue will be discussed-. [ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ভর্তি পরীক্ষা-18]

a) with details

b) by details

c) in details

d) in detail (বিস্তারিতভাবে)

Ans: d

(Note: For questions 52 and 53, 'pros and cons' refers to the arguments for and against something. 'In detail' is the correct prepositional phrase for discussing something thoroughly.)

54. Dec 16 is a --- for us. [ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ভর্তি পরীক্ষা-18]

a) green letter day

b) white letter day

c) orange letter day

d) red letter day

Ans: d

(Note: A 'red-letter day' is a day that is pleasantly noteworthy or memorable.)

55. The idiom 'a hard nut to crack' means- [CU A 19-20]

a) tasty nuts

b) a hard object

c) a strong person

d) a difficult problem or situation

Ans: d

(Note: 'A hard nut to crack' refers to a difficult problem or a person who is difficult to understand.)

56. What does the phrase 'at large' mean? [KU B 19-20]

a) dependent

b) something big

c) gigantic

d) in general

Ans: d

(Note: The phrase 'at large' can mean (of a criminal) escaped or not yet captured, or it can mean as a whole or 'in general'.)

57. He told the story —. The right option is- [RU A2 19-20]

a) in a nutshell

b) in a shell nut

c) for a nutshell

d) in a bullshit

Ans: a

(Note: The idiom 'in a nutshell' means in the fewest possible words; briefly. In Bengali: 'সংক্ষেপে'.)

58. The phrase 'few and far between' means: [RU A2 19-20]

a) not frequent

b) long distance

c) irregular

d) unreachable

Ans: a

(Note: The phrase 'few and far between' means scarce and 'not frequent'. In Bengali: 'কদাচিৎ'.)

59. The phrase 'by the way' is generally used to- [KU B 19-20]

a) beg pardon

b) request

c) digress

d) show interest

Ans: c

(Note: 'By the way' is used to introduce a new subject that is not directly related to the previous one; to 'digress'. In Bengali: 'প্রসঙ্গক্রমে'.)

60. What do you mean by 'tooth and nail'? [বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন কেন্দ্র (সহকারী প্রকৌশলী)-13]

a) very strong

b) desperately

c) to the core

d) dangerous

Ans: b

(Note: To fight 'tooth and nail' means to fight with great energy and determination; 'desperately'. In Bengali: 'সর্বশক্তি দিয়ে'.)

61. The idiom 'at one's wit's end' is synonymous with the word- [NSI AD-17]

a) perplexed

b) clear up

c) explain

d) enlighten

Ans: a

(Note: To be 'at one's wit's end' means to be so worried or confused that one does not know what to do next; to be 'perplexed'. In Bengali: 'কিংকর্তব্যবিমূঢ় হওয়া'.)

62. He escaped by- (সে অল্পের জন্য রক্ষা পেল।) [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক (AD)-17]

a) the hair's breadth

b) the breadth of a hair

c) a hair's breadth

d) a breadth of a hair

Ans: c

(Note: The correct idiom is 'by a hair's breadth', meaning by a very narrow margin. In Bengali: 'অল্পের জন্য'.)

63. Choose the opposite of the following idiomatic expression from the options given: 'To go to the dogs'.

a) To turn over a new leaf

b) To oil one's own machine

c) Be off one's head

d) To breathe one's last

Ans: a

(Note: 'To go to the dogs' means to be ruined. Its opposite is 'to turn over a new leaf', which means to start a new, better course of life.)

64. 'Lachrymose nature' means __ [অগ্রণী ব্যাংক (SO)-17]

a) Lethargic (অলস)

b) Prone to anger (রাগান্বিত)

c) Prone to tears (অশ্রুপ্রবণ)

d) Energetic (কর্মশক্তিপূর্ণ)

Ans: c

(Note: 'Lachrymose' means tearful or given to weeping. A 'lachrymose nature' means being 'prone to tears'.)

65. To come to the fore means to become —. [অগ্রণী ব্যাংক (SO)-17]

a) prominent

b) aggressive

c) weak

d) aware

Ans: a

(Note: 'To come to the fore' means to move into a position of importance or leadership; to become 'prominent'. In Bengali: 'গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হয়ে ওঠা'.)

66. In spite of all his brag, he had to 'eat humble pie' means that he had to —. [জনতা ব্যাংক (EO)-17]

a) apologize

b) surrender

c) leave

d) eat his food

Ans: a

(Note: 'To eat humble pie' means 'to apologize' humbly, especially after being proven wrong. In Bengali: 'অপমান হজম করে ক্ষমা চাওয়া'.)

67. 'A fish out of water' means- [ঢাকা দক্ষিণ সিটি কর্পোরেশন-18]

a) Indescribable

b) Uneasy state

c) Aimlessly

d) Stop

Ans: b

(Note: 'A fish out of water' refers to a person in a completely unsuitable or uncomfortable environment; an 'uneasy state'. In Bengali: 'অস্বস্তিকর অবস্থা'.)

68. The carrot and stick policy pays dividends in every organization. Here 'carrot and stick' means— [BSMRSTU (F) 18-19]

a) Fair and foul

b) Continuous vigilance

c) Democratic

d) Reward and punishment

Ans: d

(Note: The 'carrot and stick' approach is a method of persuasion using a combination of 'reward and punishment'.)

69. The question of the abolition of private property is still a moot point. [BSMRSTU D 18-19]

a) undecided

b) uncertain

c) unknown

d) not clear

Ans: a

(Note: A 'moot point' is a debatable question, an issue open to argument, or an 'undecided' one. In Bengali: 'অমীমাংসিত বিষয়'.)

70. The attempt taken by the authority finally — [BSMRSTU (E) 18-19]

a) cut to the quick (মর্মাহত হওয়া)

b) turned a deaf ear (উপেক্ষা করা)

c) was up to the mark (আশানুরূপ)

d) ended in smoke (ব্যর্থ হওয়া)

Ans: d

(Note: 'To end in smoke' means to come to no practical result; to fail.)

71. I.O.U. এর পূর্ণরূপ কোনটি? [BSMRSTU (F) 18-19]

a) I am over you

b) I offer you

c) I am for you

d) I owe you (আমি তোমার কাছে ঋণী)

Ans: d

(Note: I.O.U. stands for "I owe you" and is an informal document acknowledging a debt.)

72. 'Pardon my French but you are dirty'. Here 'pardon my French' means [JU (F) 16-17]

a) Excuse for swear words

b) Excuse for failure

c) Excuse for absence

d) Excuse for being dirty

Ans: a

(Note: 'Pardon my French' or 'excuse my French' is an apology for using profanity or 'swear words'.)

73. 'A hard nut to crack' means : [বিসিএস (স্বাস্থ্য)-13]

a) to finish (শেষ করা)

b) to come to nothing (ব্যর্থ হওয়া)

c) tit for tat (ইটের বদলে পাটকেল)

d) a difficult problem (কঠিন সমস্যা)

Ans: d

(Note: 'A hard nut to crack' refers to a difficult problem to solve or a difficult person to understand.)

74. The party was — when we arrived. [বিসিএস (সাধারণ শিক্ষা)-13]

a) doing in full

b) in full swing

c) in full

d) fully going

Ans: b

(Note: 'In full swing' means at the height of activity. In Bengali: 'পুরোদমে'.)

75. She came to the meeting late on purpose so she would miss the introductory speech. [ঢাকা ব্যাংক (সহকারী ব্যবস্থাপক)-13]

a) aiming at

b) intentionally

c) reasonably

d) with a goal

Ans: b

(Note: 'On purpose' means deliberately or 'intentionally'. In Bengali: 'ইচ্ছাকৃতভাবে'.)

76. 'Brain-box' means: [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক অফিসার-13]

a) idea

b) wit (বুদ্ধি)

c) thought

d) intelligent person

Ans: d

(Note: 'Brain-box' is an informal term for a very 'intelligent person'.)

77. What is the meaning of the phrase 'the bottom line'? [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক (সহকারী পরিচালক)-14]

a) the most important thing

b) the lower line

c) conclusion

d) residue part

Ans: a

(Note: 'The bottom line' refers to the most important fact in a situation.)

78. The idiom 'to show the white feather' means- [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক-13]

a) to act like a gentleman

b) to act like a hero

c) to act like a coward (ভীরু)

d) to act like a devil

Ans: c

(Note: 'To show the white feather' means to display cowardice.)

79. The idiom 'hit pay dirt' is used to mean — [ঢাকা ব্যাংক-13]

a) great attempts but insignificant achievement

b) to make futile attempts

c) to end up in failures after great labour

d) to achieve something valuable after an arduous search

Ans: d

(Note: 'To hit pay dirt' means to find or acquire something of great value.)

80. 'Tom, Dick and Harry' means- [বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন (অনুষ্ঠান প্রযোজক)-13]

a) three bosom friends

b) an ordinary or a common man

c) important persons in the society

d) comic characters in a drama serial

Ans: b

(Note: 'Tom, Dick and Harry' is used to refer to ordinary, unspecified people. In Bengali: 'সাধারণ মানুষ'.)

81. The idiom 'be all and end all' means: [বিসিএস-17]

a) by any means

b) supreme aim

c) everything

d) whatever happens

Ans: b

(Note: The 'be-all and end-all' is the most important part of something; the 'supreme aim'.)

82. Find out the meaning of the phrase 'Hobson's choice'. [বিসিএস-17]

a) tough choice

b) easy choice

c) no choice

d) free choice

Ans: c

(Note: A 'Hobson's choice' is a situation where you have 'no choice' because there is only one option.)

83. 'Having a screw loose' means____________________________________ [ঢাকা ব্যাংক (অফিসার)-17]

a) being slightly strange in behaviour

b) having a loose screw in the engine

c) having no tight screw

d) being sensible

Ans: a

(Note: To 'have a screw loose' means to be slightly eccentric or crazy.)

84. Your deeds are at — with your words. [বিসিএস-18]

a) variance

b) variety

c) variation

d) variable

Ans: a

(Note: To be 'at variance' with something means to be in disagreement or conflict with it.)

85. Young men should steer clear of evil company. Here 'steer clear of' means- [BSMRSTU (G, Law) 16-17]

a) avoid

b) murder

c) resent

d) make friends with

Ans: a

(Note: 'To steer clear of' means to 'avoid' someone or something.)

86. He was asked to submit the assignment in no time. Here 'in no time' means: [BSMRSTU (G, Law) 16-17]

a) shortly

b) now

c) already

d) immediately

Ans: a

(Note: 'In no time' means very quickly or 'shortly'.)

87. He 'pored over' the questions until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. [BSMRSTU F 17-18]

a) asked

b) examined

c) memorized

d) ignored

Ans: b

(Note: To 'pore over' something means to study or read it with great attention.)

88. The cricket match proved to be a big draw. [BSMRSTU (D) 17-18]

a) a keen contest

b) a huge attraction

c) a lovely spectacle

d) a game without any result

Ans: b

(Note: A 'big draw' is an event or person that attracts a very large audience.)

89. The officer asked the security guards to be —. [BSMRSTU (D) 17-18]

a) on purpose

b) on the alert

c) on edge

d) off their head

Ans: b

(Note: To be 'on the alert' means to be watchful and ready to deal with danger.)

90. The matter has been hanging fire for the last many months and must therefore be decided one way or the other. [BSMRSTU (F) 15-16]

a) hotly debated

b) stuck up

c) ignored

d) going on slowly

Ans: d

(Note: If an issue is 'hanging fire', it is being delayed and no decision has been made.)

91. The student's regular habit of saving — in difficult times. [BSMRSTU (F) 17-18]

a) stood him in good

b) stood him in good stead

c) stood him in good shape

d) stood him

Ans: b

(Note: 'To stand someone in good stead' means to be very useful to them in the future.)

92. The phrase 'high brow' means — [IU (B) 17-18]

a) big fighter

b) aristocratic

c) snobbish

d) genuine

Ans: b

(Note: 'Highbrow' can refer to something intellectual or to people of superior culture or social position ('aristocratic').)

93. He looked over the paper —. [RU (D) 17-18]

a) up and down

b) hard and fast

c) at a glance

d) out of print

Ans: c

(Note: To look 'at a glance' means to look quickly.)

94. The idiom 'point blank' refers to---. [IU (D) 17-18]

a) directly

b) indirectly

c) straightly

d) shortly

Ans: a

(Note: 'Point-blank' means in a very direct way.)

95. The meaning of the idiom 'a dime a dozen' means [DU (C) 17-18]

a) something common

b) something very rare

c) something we need

d) something very costly

Ans: a

(Note: If something is 'a dime a dozen', it is very common and therefore of little value.)

96. Try to strain every nerve to achieve your goal. [IU (C) 17-18]

a) Fill with joy

b) Do well to others

c) Do one's best

d) Do one's worst

Ans: c

(Note: 'To strain every nerve' means to try as hard as possible; 'to do one's best'.)

97. Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: The rank and file do not have any idea about the war. [IU (C) 17-18]

a) ordinary soldiers

b) Soldier

c) Fighter

d) Young man

Ans: a

(Note: The 'rank and file' are the 'ordinary' members of an organization, not the leaders.)

98. What does 'French leave' mean? [PUST (C) 17-18]

a) leave with pay

b) leave without pay

c) long leave

d) leave without permission

Ans: d

(Note: 'French leave' is absence from work or duty 'without permission'.)

99. No one should enjoy----. [BRUR (A) 16-17]

a) in a hurry

b) French leave

c) give vent to

d) Cut short

Ans: b

(Note: 'French leave' means to be absent without permission.)

100. I know nothing — his character. [BRUR (A) 16-17]

a) nip in the bud

b) in the nick of time

c) muster strong

d) in respect of

Ans: d

(Note: 'In respect of' means concerning or in relation to.)

101. His words proved to be—. [BRUR (A) 16-17]

a) play tricks

b) cold water on

c) Quarrel

d) Pandora's box

Ans: d

(Note: A 'Pandora's box' is something that creates many new problems that you did not expect.)

102. The phrase 'out and away' means —. [COU (A) 16-17]

a) many times

b) sometimes

c) often

d) outside of scope

Ans: a

(Note: 'Out and away' means by a great deal; by far.)

103. 'Annihilate these demons.' Choose a phrase to replace the underlined word. [COU (A) 16-17]

a) Wipe out

b) Carry out

c) Set on

d) Set in

Ans: a

(Note: 'To annihilate' means to destroy utterly; to 'wipe out'.)

104. Mina is true to her—. (মিনা তার কথায় অটল।) [BRUR (B) 16-17]

a) word

b) ward

c) words

d) wards

Ans: a

(Note: 'True to one's word' means keeping one's promises.)

105. What is the meaning of the idiom 'a place in the sun'? [BRUR (F) 16-17]

a) A position in which you are at an advantage

b) A position which is very problematic

c) A situation which is creative

d) A position which is very hot

Ans: a

(Note: 'A place in the sun' means a favorable or advantageous position.)

106. "Unauthorised trespass" means:

a) May enter without permission

b) illegal entrance

c) Tracing drawing paper

d) Unauthorised transparency

Ans: b

(Note: 'Trespass' is the act of entering land or property without permission. 'Unauthorized trespass' is therefore 'illegal entrance'.)

107. 'Maiden voyage' means: [বিসিএস-18]

a) early voyage

b) late voyage

c) first voyage

d) last voyage

Ans: c

(Note: A 'maiden voyage' is the 'first' journey made by a ship or spacecraft.)

108. The whole interview was not dull, it was, at some points, done tongue in cheek. Here 'tongue in cheek' means - [BSMRSTU (F) 16-17]

a) seriously

b) happily

c) humorously

d) honestly

Ans: c

(Note: If you say something 'tongue-in-cheek', you intend it to be a joke or 'humorous', not serious.)

109. They always kept at being materialistic. Here 'kept at' means - [BSMRSTU (F) 16-17]

a) persisted

b) prevailed

c) stuck

d) derailed

Ans: a

(Note: 'To keep at' something means to continue to do it; to persist.)

110. All his life he let the grass grow under his feet. The underlined phrase means- [PUST (C) 17-18]

a) hang around

b) stay out

c) move away

d) sat unmoving

Ans: a

(Note: 'To let the grass grow under one's feet' means to remain idle and delay action, similar to 'hang around'.)

111. He was undecided. He let the grass grow under his feet. [BSMRSTU (G) 15-16]

a) loitered around

b) stayed out

c) moved away

d) sat unmoving

Ans: a

(Note: To 'loiter around' means to hang around idly, which is the meaning of 'letting the grass grow under one's feet'.)

112. He was trying to print his itinerary, but the printer was out of-- [SUST (A) 16-17]

a) a paper

b) papers

c) the papers

d) order

e) all papers

Ans: d

(Note: If a machine is 'out of order', it is not working.)

113. They were very — to protect me. [BSMRSTU (E) 16-17]

a) fold up

b) white sale

c) heart of gold

d) up and doing (কর্মতৎপর)

Ans: d

(Note: 'Up and doing' means active and busy.)

114. He is a yellow dog. Here 'yellow dog' means [BSMRSTU (D) 16-17]

a) coward

b) glamorous

c) studious

d) sagacious

Ans: a

(Note: A 'yellow dog' is a contemptible or cowardly person.)

115. 'We were kept completely in the dark about the plan to sell the company'. What is the meaning 'in the dark'? [JnU (F) 15-16]

a) Putting something

b) Asking something

c) Not knowing about something

d) Looking for something

Ans: c

(Note: To be 'in the dark' about something means to be unaware of it.)

116. —, I enjoyed my time at college. [JU C 16-17]

a) By the by

b) By and large

c) By and by

d) Bye-bye

Ans: b

(Note: 'By and large' means on the whole; in general.)

117. Monica is clearly — when it comes to speaking a foreign language. [CU (C2) 16-17]

a) to a disadvantage

b) from a disadvantage

c) in a disadvantage

d) at a disadvantage

Ans: d

(Note: The correct prepositional phrase is 'at a disadvantage'.)

118. 'Breathe one's last' means: [RU (A, Law) 16-17]

a) breathe in the open air

b) become successful

c) to pass away

d) to laugh

Ans: c

(Note: 'To breathe one's last' is a euphemism for to die or 'pass away'.)

119. The health of women is a telling window on female inequality. The underlined phrase can be replaced by- [DU (C) 16-17]

a) window of a house

b) speaks clearly

c) speaks from a window

d) speaks alternatively

Ans: b

(Note: 'A telling window' means something that reveals a lot of information clearly.)

120. The phrase 'conservative outlook' refers to - [COU (C) 16-17]

a) openness

b) restrictions

c) easy now

d) blindness

Ans: b

(Note: A 'conservative outlook' is one that is averse to change and holds to traditional values, often implying 'restrictions'.)

121. Unemployment is the— of the day. [MBSTU C 15-16]

a) burning question

b) crying need

c) sum and substance

d) part and parcel

Ans: a

(Note: A 'burning question' is a topic of great interest or controversy.)

122. Off and on: [KU BBA 16-17]

a) everyday

b) not at all

c) regularly

d) occasionally

Ans: d

(Note: 'Off and on' means intermittently or 'occasionally'.)

123. Give the cold shoulder: [KU BBA 16-17]

a) to insult

b) to scold

c) to abuse

d) to ignore

Ans: d

(Note: To 'give someone the cold shoulder' means to 'ignore' them.)

124. Cut a corner: [KU BBA 16-17]

a) to cut a portion of the road

b) to take a short cut

c) to go slow

d) to go fast

Ans: b

(Note: 'To cut a corner' means to take a shorter route.)

125. Dowry is a burning Question of the day. [KU BBA 16-17]

a) An irrelevant issue

b) An important issue

c) A dying issue

d) A solved issue

Ans: b

(Note: A 'burning question' is an 'important' and often controversial issue.)

126. Not-so-studious students very often play on a fiddle. [CU C 17-18]

a) play an important role

b) play upon a musical instrument

c) get busy over an important matter

d) idle away time

e) use their time

Ans: d

(Note: 'To play on a fiddle' means to 'idle away time' on trivial things.)

127. Since the man was rather inexperienced, I took his advice with a grain of-. [CU B 17-18]

a) sand

b) salt

c) wood

d) sugar

Ans: b

(Note: 'To take something with a grain of salt' means to not completely believe it.)

128. His books sold like —. [RU (A) 16-17, 17-18]

a) burgers

b) hot cakes

c) fresh biscuits

d) butter and buns

Ans: b

(Note: To 'sell like hot cakes' means to sell very quickly.)

129. He is very shy and doesn't you in the eye. [BSMRSTU (F) 15-16]

a) look

b) watch

c) see

d) notice

Ans: a

(Note: The idiom is 'to look someone in the eye'.)

130. Women of colour are multiply marginalized even in the 21st Century. [BSMRSTU (E) 15-16]

a) black women

b) white women

c) brown women

d) tan women

Ans: a

(Note: 'Women of colour' is a term primarily used to refer to women who are not white, often including 'black women', among others.)

131. The maid is — of my mother. [RU (A2) 17-18]

a) at the beck and call (আজ্ঞাবহ)

b) at the length

c) at her wits' end

d) at the beck and front

Ans: a

(Note: To be 'at someone's beck and call' means to be always ready to obey their orders.)

132. 'Cut a sorry figure' means— [JnU (D) 17-18]

a) make a poor impression

b) feel sorry for what has happened

c) fruitless task

d) change slowly

Ans: a

(Note: 'To cut a sorry figure' means to 'make a poor impression' or appear foolish.)

133. 'Fight shy of' means— [JnU (D) 17-18]

a) a feeling of guilty

b) trying to avoid a person

c) feel sorry for what has happened

d) be ruined

Ans: b

(Note: 'To fight shy of' means to try to avoid a person or thing.)

134. He raised his brows when I gave him the news. The sentence indicates— [JnU (D) 17-18]

a) He felt angry

b) He felt annoyed

c) He felt surprised

d) He felt disinterested

Ans: c

(Note: Raising one's eyebrows is a common expression of surprise.)

135. Keep on walking until you reach your destination. The phrase 'keep on' means: [RU (D) 17-18]

a) endure

b) keep your clothes

c) turn on the light

d) continue

Ans: d

(Note: 'To keep on' doing something means to 'continue' doing it.)

136. The phrase 'Dark horse' means- [IU (C1) 17-18]

a) dark coloured

b) a person of unknown past

c) a horse of bad nature

d) large horse

Ans: b

(Note: A 'dark horse' is someone who was previously unknown but emerges to prominence.)

137. What is the meaning of 'on the horizon'? [PUST (C) 16-17]

a) likely to happen soon

b) seeing something clearly

c) to look for something

d) finding out the inner meaning of something

Ans: a

(Note: If an event is 'on the horizon', it is 'likely to happen soon'.)

138. I met him after a long time, but he gave me the cold shoulder. The meaning of the underlined phrase is - [JUST (D) 16-17]

a) ignorance

b) insult

c) scolding

d) abuse

e) offence

Ans: a

(Note: To give someone the 'cold shoulder' means to treat them with indifference or 'ignorance'.)

139. The film makes huge profits, and the workers want a —. [JUST (D) 16-17]

a) blank cheque

b) lion's share

c) new ball game

d) dirty chaos

e) slice of the cake

Ans: e

(Note: 'A slice of the cake' (or a slice of the pie) refers to a share in the profits or benefits.)

140. The expression 'Don't lose heart' means - [MBSTU (D) 16-17]

a) not to lose hope

b) not to faint

c) not to bleed

d) not to fight

Ans: a

(Note: 'Don't lose heart' is an encouragement to not give up or 'lose hope'.)

141. At last England carried the day. The underlined phrase means — [RU (B) 16-17]

a) lost

b) drew

c) leveled

d) won

Ans: d

(Note: 'To carry the day' means to win or be victorious.)

142. The new economic policy is likely to run into rough weather. [KU (BBA) 15-16]

a) Confuse matters

b) Makes things difficult

c) Encounter difficulties

d) Create problems

Ans: c

(Note: To 'run into rough weather' means to 'encounter difficulties'.)

143. go wrong means- [RU (A, Arts) 15-16]

a) to become unmanageable

b) to stop working correctly

c) to turn upside down

d) to expect a mistake

Ans: b

(Note: If something 'goes wrong', it fails or 'stops working correctly'.)

144. Discipline is on the wane in schools and colleges these days. [KU (BA-H) 15-16]

a) increasing

b) declining

c) spiraling

d) spreading

Ans: b

(Note: 'On the wane' means becoming weaker or less extensive; 'declining'.)

145. The closest meaning of 'Carry the day' is: [KU (BBA) 15-16]

a) To have great fun

b) To do something wrong

c) To win a victory

d) To lose something

Ans: c

(Note: 'To carry the day' means 'to win a victory'.)

146. The closest meaning of 'Blessing in disguise' is: [KU (BBA) 15-16]

a) Fortunes in prayer

b) Positive outcome in an apparent negative situation

c) Turning fate into success

d) Dilemma of success and failure

Ans: b

(Note: A 'blessing in disguise' is something that seems bad at first but results in something good happening later.)

147. The closest meaning of 'Sit on the fence' is: [KU (BBA) 15-16]

a) To be impartial

b) Brimful

c) Moreover

d) Everywhere

Ans: a

(Note: 'To sit on the fence' means to avoid making a decision or choice, hence being impartial or neutral.)

Answers With Explanation: