Phrase and Idioms - Exercise - 8 for University Admission Test, Job Application Test, BCS Exam and Any Competitive Examination

Phrase and Idioms Exercise

1. 'Through and through' means - — [পূবালী ব্যাংক (অফিসার)-13]

a) from one end to the other

b) straight through

c) right through

d) in every way

Ans: d

(Note: 'Through and through' means completely or 'in every way'. In Bengali: 'সম্পূর্ণরূপে'.)

2. 'Castles in the air' means- [বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে-13]

a) Romantic scenery

b) Visionary project

c) Fanciful schemes

d) Idealistic thinking

Ans: c

(Note: 'Castles in the air' are plans or hopes that are impractical and have little chance of happening; 'fanciful schemes'. In Bengali: 'আকাশ-কুসুম কল্পনা'.)

3. My presence to him was like a red-rag to a —. [37th BCS]

a) horse

b) bee

c) monkey

d) bull

Ans: d

(Note: The idiom is 'a red rag to a bull', which means something that is certain to provoke someone.)

4. 'At a loss' means—. [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক এডি-13]

a) puzzled (হতবুদ্ধি)

b) destroyed

c) defeat

d) harm

Ans: a

(Note: To be 'at a loss' means to be uncertain or 'puzzled' about what to do or say.)

5. He will come in no time. Here the idiom 'in no time' means —. [শিক্ষা প্রকৌশল অধিদপ্তর-13]

a) never in the future

b) soon

c) not in the future

d) not ever

Ans: b

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

6. 'Taken aback' means— [বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন-13]

a) to take something back

b) to return back

c) to be surprised (অবাক হওয়া)

d) to push back

Ans: c

(Note: To be 'taken aback' means to be shocked or 'surprised'.)

7. He acted — strong opposition. [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক এডি-13]

a) in teeth

b) in teeth of

c) in the teeth of

d) by the teeth of

Ans: c

(Note: 'In the teeth of' something means in direct opposition to it, despite problems or difficulties.)

8. To blow hot and cold [বাংলাদেশ টেলিভিশন-13]

a) Changing weather

b) To be untrustworthy

c) To be inconsistent

d) To be rich and poor frequently

Ans: c

(Note: 'To blow hot and cold' means to change one's mind or mood frequently; to be 'inconsistent'.)

9. We should give a wide berth to bad characters. [ঢাকা ব্যাংক-13]

a) Give publicity to

b) Publicly condemn

c) Keep away from

d) Not sympathize with

Ans: c

(Note: 'To give a wide berth' to someone or something means to 'keep away from' or avoid them.)

10. The old man was cut to the quick when his rich son refused to recognize him. [ঢাকা ব্যাংক-13]

a) surprised

b) hurt intensely

c) annoyed

d) irritated

Ans: b

(Note: To be 'cut to the quick' means to be deeply and emotionally 'hurt'.)

11. The meaning of the phrase, to smell a rat is: [প্রাথমিক শিক্ষক নিয়োগ-13]

a) To see signs of plague epidemic

b) To get a bad smell of a dead rat

c) To suspect foul dealing

d) To be in a bad mood

Ans: c

(Note: 'To smell a rat' means 'to suspect foul dealing' or to believe something is wrong.)

12. 'Rule of thumb' means — [পূবালী ব্যাংক (অফিসার)-13]

a) a rule based on science

b) a bad rule

c) a rule that must be obeyed

d) a rule based on past experience rather than on theory

Ans: d

(Note: A 'rule of thumb' is a practical and approximate way of doing or measuring something, based on experience.)

13. What is the meaning of the idiom-'wear your heart on your sleeve'? [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক এডি-15]

a) Stay in a good mood

b) Allowing others to see one's feelings

c) Being true to oneself

d) Becoming open-minded

Ans: b

(Note: 'To wear your heart on your sleeve' means to make your feelings and emotions obvious to others.)

14. 'Feel at home'- এর সঠিক অর্থ? [বিসিএস-15]

a) calm and quiet

b) proficient

c) familiar

d) free and easy

Ans: d

(Note: To 'feel at home' means to feel comfortable and relaxed; 'free and easy'.)

15. 'Black sheep' is- [বাংলাদেশ কৃষি ব্যাংক-15]

a) A phrase

b) A group

c) A clause

d) An idiom

Ans: d

(Note: 'Black sheep' is an 'idiom' referring to a member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to them.)

16. The phrase 'Achilles' heel' means: [বিসিএস (তথ্য)-15]

a) A strong point

b) A weak point

c) A permanent solution

d) A serious idea

Ans: b

(Note: An 'Achilles' heel' is a 'weak point' or fatal vulnerability in someone or something otherwise strong.)

17. What do you mean by a 'Herculean Job'? [বাংলাদেশ পরিসংখ্যান ব্যুরো-15]

a) A very easy job

b) A very interesting job

c) A very comfortable job

d) A very difficult job

Ans: d

(Note: A 'Herculean' job or task is one that requires immense strength or effort; a 'very difficult job'.)

18. The suffering of the poor man --. [বিসিএস (সাধারণ শিক্ষা)-15]

a) beyond description

b) beggars description

c) out of description

d) beggar description

Ans: b

(Note: The correct idiom is 'beggars description', meaning it is too extreme to be described.)

19. The meaning of the idiom ABC is- [বিসিএস (সাধারণ শিক্ষা)-15]

a) Advanced knowledge

b) Pre-intermediate knowledge

c) Intermediate knowledge

d) Elementary knowledge

Ans: d

(Note: The 'ABC' of a subject refers to its most basic, 'elementary knowledge'.)

20. তাকে শাস্তির জন্য ডাকা হয়েছিল —. [বিসিএস (সাধারণ শিক্ষা)-15]

a) He was dishonoured.

b) He was brought to brim.

c) He was brought to book.

d) He was punished.

Ans: c

(Note: The correct idiom is 'to bring someone to book', which means to punish them or make them account for their behavior.)

21. 'Ten to one' means —.

a) very uncertain

b) very likely

c) almost impossible

d) not possible at all

Ans: b

(Note: The phrase 'ten to one' means that something is 'very likely' or probable.)

22. To look quickly through a book is an important study skill. [বিসিএস (সাধারণ শিক্ষা)-13, ATEO-15]

a) skim

b) outline

c) summarize

d) paraphrase

Ans: a

(Note: 'To skim' means to read something quickly to note only the important points.)

23. He fought — to defeat the enemy. [বিসিএস (সাধারণ শিক্ষা)-13]

a) tooth and nail

b) set out

c) to and fro

d) to the quick

Ans: a

(Note: 'To fight tooth and nail' means to fight with great ferocity and determination.)

24. 'Black and blue' means — [বিসিএস-13]

a) mercifully

b) mercilessly

c) hopefully

d) sympathetically

Ans: b

(Note: To beat someone 'black and blue' means to beat them so severely that they are covered in bruises; 'mercilessly'.)

25. The phrase 'at the outset' means - [বিসিএস-13]

a) In the end

b) In the middle

c) At the beginning

d) Before the end

Ans: c

(Note: 'At the outset' means 'at the beginning'. In Bengali: 'শুরুতে'.)

26. The phrase, 'He caught sight of her' means [ATEO-18]

a) he caught her sight

b) he saw her

c) he overlooked her

d) he threatened her

Ans: b

(Note: 'To catch sight of' someone means to see them briefly.)

27. The law applies to---. (আইনটি সকলের জন্য প্রযোজ্য।) [বিসিএস-18]

a) all and sundry

b) all in all

c) each other

d) one another

e) at large

Ans: a

(Note: 'All and sundry' means everyone, without distinction.)

28. The man did the work according to my direction. Here 'according to' indicates the idiom -

a) as regards

b) by all means

c) according to

d) at random

Ans: c

(Note: 'According to' means as stated by or in conformity with.)

29. Birds fly—in the sky. (পাখিরা আকাশে স্বাধীনভাবে উড়ে বেড়ায়।) [বিসিএস-14, IU (D) 17-18, 43rd BCS]

a) at a stretch

b) at large

c) all along

d) at random

Ans: b

30. Birds fly at large in the sky. [বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে-16]

a) freely

b) confined

c) in high speed

d) slowly

Ans: a

(Note: For questions 29 and 30, 'at large' means not confined or captured; 'freely'.)

31. He was told time and — not to do it. [RU (E, Law) 16-17]

a) tide

b) time

c) again

d) sight

Ans: c

32. 'Time and again' এর সঠিক অর্থঃ [RU (Arts) 07-08]

a) সময় ও সুযোগ

b) বারংবার

c) সময়ানুবর্তিতা

d) নিয়মকানুন

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 31 and 32, the idiom 'time and again' means repeatedly. In Bengali: 'বারংবার'.)

33. She is down and out now. What does the phrase 'down and out' mean? [DU (D) 18-19]

a) dead

b) deprived

c) disturbing

d) destitute

Ans: d

(Note: 'Down and out' means having no money, job, or place to live; 'destitute'. In Bengali: 'সর্বস্বান্ত'.)

34. 'Over and out'-what does the phrase mean? [DU (D) 18-19]

a) End of the message

b) End of story

c) End of poetry

d) End of passage

Ans: a

(Note: 'Over and out' is a phrase from radio communication used to indicate the 'end of the message'.)

35. What is the meaning of the idiom 'pins and needles'? [DU (D) 18-19]

a) Uncomfortable feeling in a part of the body

b) Part of a tailor's sewing kit

c) Uncomfortable wearing new shoes

d) Part of an electrician's tool kit

Ans: a

(Note: 'Pins and needles' is the tingling, 'uncomfortable feeling' you get in a part of your body when it's recovering from being numb. In Bengali: 'ঝিনঝিন করা'.)

36. 'To keep an eye on' means [DU (B) 18-19]

a) To keep calm

b) To be active

c) To observe

d) To look

Ans: c

(Note: 'To keep an eye on' someone or something means to watch or 'observe' them carefully. In Bengali: 'নজর রাখা'.)

37. She can easily get along with others. (সে খুব সহজে অপরের সাথে মানিয়ে চলতে পারে।) [DU (B) 18-19]

a) walk

b) adjust

c) accompany

d) stay

Ans: b

(Note: To 'get along with' someone means to have a friendly relationship with them or 'adjust' to them. In Bengali: 'মানিয়ে চলা'.)

38. He will finish the work—. (সে এক্ষুণি কাজটি শেষ করবে।) [DU (B) 18-19]

a) in no time

b) right then

c) at his cost

d) absolutely

Ans: a

(Note: 'In no time' is an idiom meaning very quickly or immediately.)

39. Complete the sentence. The inquiry has brought— many interesting facts. [RU A 18-19]

a) to us

b) to light

c) to board

d) to stand

Ans: b

(Note: The idiom 'to bring to light' means to reveal or make something known.)

40. Complete the sentence. Beware of that wolf— [RU A 18-19]

a) in sheep's clothing

b) behind the bush

c) on a hunt

d) behind

Ans: a

(Note: The full idiom is 'a wolf in sheep's clothing', which refers to a person who seems friendly but is actually hostile. In Bengali: 'বন্ধুরূপী শত্রু'.)

41. He tried to pull my leg, but I saw through the game. (সে আমার সাথে রসিকতা করার চেষ্টা করেছিল, কিন্তু আমি বিষয়টি বুঝতে পেরেছিলাম।) [RU (C1) 18-19]

a) he fooled me in a humorous way

b) pull my leg to stretch it

c) take hold of my leg

d) put his hand on my feet to seek pardon

Ans: a

(Note: 'To pull someone's leg' means to tease or joke with them.)

42. 'Bell the cat' means- [RU (C1) 18-19]

a) do the impossible

b) do the unpleasant

c) do the difficult

d) take the initiative

Ans: a

(Note: 'To bell the cat' means to undertake a dangerous or impossible task for the good of the group.)

43. She was taken by— when her name was announced for the first prize. [RU (A1) 18-19]

a) pleasure

b) pride

c) surprise

d) loftiness

Ans: c

(Note: The idiom 'to take someone by surprise' means to surprise them.)

44. A sizable number of today's students don't read books thoroughly; they just—. [CU (D) 18-19]

a) go through them

b) skim through them

c) skim throughly them

d) read them to the syllable

Ans: b

(Note: 'To skim through' a book means to read it quickly, noting only the most important points.)

45. All of a sudden, the victim_________________________________ [CU (D) 18-19]

a) burst in tears

b) was burst into tears

c) burst out tears

d) burst into tears

Ans: d

(Note: The correct idiom is 'to burst into tears', meaning to suddenly start crying.)

46. So far as hazards of pollution are concerned, the traffic police bear the brunt. Here the underlined phrase means —. [CU (D) 18-19]

a) to enjoy a lot

b) to run risk

c) to suffer the most

d) to be exposed to danger

Ans: c

(Note: 'To bear the brunt of' something means 'to suffer the most' from a difficult situation.)

47. Antara is always busy as she — for the entire family. [CU (D) 18-19]

a) runs errands

b) moves errands

c) works after

d) works hard

Ans: a

(Note: To 'run errands' means to make short journeys to buy or collect things for someone.)

48. 'To build a castle in the air' means—. [DU (আন্তর্জাতিক সম্পর্ক) 18-19]

a) beautiful fort

b) real plan

c) building full of air

d) absurd imagination

Ans: d

(Note: 'To build a castle in the air' means to have hopes or plans that are impractical and unlikely to be realized. In Bengali: 'আকাশ-কুসুম কল্পনা'.)

49. She— to her frustrations by yelling at the kids. [JU (I) 18-19]

a) gave out

b) gave in

c) gave vent

d) came out

Ans: c

(Note: 'To give vent to' an emotion means to express it forcefully.)

50. The firefighters struggled to — the fire. [JU (I) 18-19]

a) put up

b) put in

c) put out

d) put into

Ans: c

(Note: The phrasal verb 'to put out' a fire means to extinguish it.)

51. The phrase 'cool as a cucumber' means—. [DU (ফারসি ভাষা ও সাহিত্য) 18-19]

a) Cold

b) Very calm

c) Distant

d) Indifferent

Ans: b

(Note: To be 'as cool as a cucumber' means to be 'very calm' and composed, especially in a difficult situation.)

52. 'A needle in a haystack' means—. [IU (B) 18-19]

a) unusually comfortable to live in

b) extraordinarily beautiful to look at

c) extremely difficult to find out

d) forceful entry into a house

Ans: c

(Note: 'A needle in a haystack' refers to something that is 'extremely difficult to find' because it's hidden among many other things.)

53. What is the meaning of 'Turn over a new leaf'? [BSMRSTU (E) 18-19]

a) to open a new page in a book

b) to change for the better

c) to get something new

d) to draw attention

Ans: b

(Note: 'To turn over a new leaf' means to start behaving in a better way.)

54. The file vanished into thin air. Here 'thin air' means —. [BSMRSTU (D) 18-19]

a) in the sky

b) in the stratosphere

c) into history

d) into the blue

Ans: d

(Note: 'To vanish into thin air' or 'vanish into the blue' means to disappear completely and mysteriously.)

55. The police found nothing special in the house of the criminal as he had taken the important documents with him, leaving just ----. [JnU (B) 17-18]

a) a piece of cake

b) odds and ends

c) pros and cons

d) ups and downs

Ans: b

(Note: 'Odds and ends' are various small, unimportant items.)

56. I met him after a long time, but he gave me the cold shoulder. [বিসিএস-18]

a) scolded me

b) abused me

c) ignored me

d) insulted me

Ans: c

57. To give 'cold shoulder' to somebody is to-. [পেট্রোবাংলার অধীনে কোম্পানি-18]

a) insult him

b) ignore him

c) abuse him

d) avoid him

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 56 and 57, 'to give someone the cold shoulder' means to intentionally 'ignore' them in an unfriendly way.)

58. 'All agog' means- [বাংলাদেশ রেলওয়ে-13]

a) very interested

b) enthusiastic

c) indulged

d) involved

Ans: a

(Note: To be 'all agog' means to be very excited and eager to hear or see something; 'very interested'.)

59. Choose the correct sentence. [বিসিএস-13]

a) I care not a straw for him.

b) I do not care a straw for him.

c) I not care a straw for him.

d) I care a straw for him.

Ans: b

(Note: The idiom 'not to care a straw' means not to be concerned at all. Standard English requires the auxiliary verb 'do' for negation.)

60. 'By fair means or foul' phrase টির অর্থ- [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক (অফিসার)-01]

a) Without difficulty.

b) In any way, honest or dishonest.

c) Without using common sense.

d) Having been instigated.

Ans: b

(Note: 'By fair means or foul' means using any method necessary to achieve something, whether it is honest or not.)

61. 'The pros and cons' phrase টির অর্থ? [বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক (অফিসার)-01]

a) Good and evil

b) For and against a thing

c) Foul and fair

d) Former and latter

Ans: b

(Note: 'The pros and cons' of something are the arguments 'for and against' it.)

62. Kith and kin means: [বিসিএস-01]

a) Close relation

b) Bosom friend

c) Blood relation

d) Good relation

Ans: c

(Note: 'Kith and kin' refers to one's friends (kith) and family or 'blood relations' (kin).)

63. Write the meaning of the phrase 'Out of date'. [বিসিএস-18]

a) Out of fashion

b) At night

c) smart

d) End of the day

Ans: a

(Note: 'Out of date' means old-fashioned or no longer in use.)

64. What is the meaning of 'hard and fast'? [বিসিএস-17]

a) কঠিন

b) বাঁধাধরা

c) আলাদা

d) নির্ধারিত

Ans: b

(Note: 'Hard-and-fast' refers to a rule or principle that is strict and unchangeable. In Bengali: 'বাঁধাধরা'.)

65. To kick the bucket এর সমার্থক phrase হচ্ছে - [NSI AD-17]

a) মারা যাওয়া

b) লাথি মারা

c) ঝুড়ি সরানো

d) আঘাত করা

Ans: a

(Note: 'To kick the bucket' is an informal idiom that means to die. In Bengali: 'মারা যাওয়া'.)

66. 'Yellow dog' এর অর্থ [BU (B) 14-15, বিসিএস-18]

a) হীন شخص (coward)

b) হলুদ কুকুর

c) রাগী কুকুর

d) অপরিচিত লোক

Ans: a

(Note: A 'yellow dog' is a contemptible or cowardly person. In Bengali: 'হীন ব্যক্তি'.)

67. Find idioms/Phrase of 'out and out'. [বিসিএস-18]

a) slightly

b) simply

c) totally

d) merely

Ans: c

(Note: 'Out-and-out' means in every way; 'totally' or completely.)

68. 'At one's fingertips' means- [RU (G) 16-17, বিসিএস-18]

a) to take revenge

b) Matter of shame

c) Complete knowledge

d) Full sleeve shirts

Ans: c

(Note: To have information 'at one's fingertips' means to have 'complete knowledge' of it and be able to recall it easily.)

69. Choose the meaning of the idiom 'Take the bull by the horns'. [38th BCS]

a) To challenge the enemy with courage

b) Force the enemy to submit

c) Out of one's wit

d) Surrender before the enemy

Ans: a

(Note: 'To take the bull by the horns' means to deal with a difficult situation directly and bravely.)

70. 'Once in a blue moon' means— [38th BCS]

a) always

b) very rarely

c) nearly

d) hourly

Ans: b

71. I see him once in a blue moon. [বিসিএস-18]

a) I see him every full moon night.

b) I see him rarely.

c) I see him when the moon sets.

d) I see him at midnight.

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 70 and 71, 'once in a blue moon' means 'very rarely'.)

72. The idiom Let the cat out of the bag means — [DU (A) 17-18]

a) to help the poor

b) to solve someone's problem

c) to reveal secrets

d) to throw somebody out of the house

Ans: c

(Note: 'To let the cat out of the bag' means 'to reveal secrets', often by mistake.)

73. The man who follows his nose actually follows his ___________________ [জনতা ব্যাংক (EO)-17]

a) passion

b) rationality

c) instinct

d) memory

Ans: c

74. What is the meaning of the idiom 'to follow your nose'? [DU (D) 17-18]

a) to discover something

b) to follow your instincts

c) to smell something

d) to suspect a trick

Ans: b

(Note: For questions 73 and 74, 'to follow your nose' means 'to follow your instincts' or to go straight ahead.)

75. 'A piece of cake' means: [DU (D) 17-18, ICB]

a) Something that is very easy

b) A slice of cake

c) An inexperienced person

d) A valueless act

Ans: a

(Note: 'A piece of cake' is an idiom for something that is very easy to do.)

76. He started at day-break. Here the word daybreak means— [পেট্রোবাংলার অধীনে কোম্পানি-14]

a) evening

b) morning

c) mid-day

d) night

Ans: b

(Note: 'Daybreak' is the time in the 'morning' when light first appears; dawn.)

77. He had a wonderful gift of the gab. [পরিবার পরিকল্পনা অধিদপ্তর-17] The idiom gift of the gab means: [RU (J) 17-18, (B) 20-21]

a) intelligence

b) diligence

c) independence

d) eloquence

Ans: d

(Note: The 'gift of the gab' is the ability to speak easily and persuasively; 'eloquence'. In Bengali: 'বাগ্মিতা'.)

78. 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'.)

79. 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.)

80. '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.)

81. 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.)

82. 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.)

83. 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'.)

Answers With Explanation: