English Phrases Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

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Questions and Answers

What does the phrase 'A Man of Letters' mean?

A person who owns a stationery shop

A person who is well-educated

A person who is skilled in writing and literature (correct)

A person who writes many letters

What does it mean to 'Bring Down the House'?

To make a lot of noise in a house

To completely destroy a house

To amuse the audience greatly and make them cheer enthusiastically (correct)

To collapse the ceiling of a house

What does it mean to have 'Horse Sense'?

Basic common sense (correct)

The ability to bet on horse races successfully

The ability to run as fast as a horse

The ability to understand and communicate with horses

What does it mean to 'Give a Wide Berth'?

To avoid or stay away from someone or something Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'Rise with the Lark'?

To wake up early in the morning, like a lark Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'Be at One's Wit's End'?

To be so worried about a problem that you don't know what to do next Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'to catch up with' mean?

To compete with Signup and view all the answers

Which of these phrases means 'to utter a secret carelessly or by mistake'?

To let the cat out of the bag Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the phrase 'to have too many iron in the fire'?

To be engaged in too many enterprises at the same time Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means 'to run away in fear'?

To beat a retreat Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'to smell a rat' mean?

To suspect a trick Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means 'to readily accept as certainly true'?

To take for granted Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'pull up-reprimand' mean?

To reprimand or scold someone Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'gift of the gab' refer to?

The talent of speaking eloquently Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'make a mountain of a molehill' mean?

To give great importance to little things Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'caught red-handed' mean?

To be caught in the act of committing a crime Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'leave in the lurch' mean?

To abandon someone in a difficult situation Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'cross swords' mean?

To disagree with someone Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'Take After' mean?

To follow or imitate Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the idiom 'Achilles's Heel'?

A weak spot or vulnerability Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'Blow One's Own Trumpet' mean?

To boast or brag about oneself Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the idiom 'See Through'?

To detect or realize the truth about someone Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'Sweep Under the Carpet' mean?

To keep something hidden Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the phrase 'a bolt from the blue'?

Something unexpected and unpleasant Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means 'to introduce for discussion'?

Brought up Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'sowing wild oats' refer to?

Engaging in irresponsible pleasure-seeking in young age Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means 'to consider' or 'to take into account'?

To take into account Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the idiom 'face the music'?

To confront and deal with the unpleasant consequences of one's actions Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means 'to leave no means of return'?

Burn one's boat Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Idioms and Their Meanings

A Man of Letters: Refers to someone who is well-read, educated, and often engages in writing, typically in the context of literature or scholarly work.
Bring Down the House: To achieve a spectacular success, often used in contexts like performances that receive overwhelming applause, indicating great approval from the audience.
Horse Sense: Common sense or practical judgment; the ability to make sound decisions based on simple everyday knowledge and experience.
Give a Wide Berth: To avoid someone or something by keeping a safe distance, often used in contexts where there is a desire to avoid confrontation or difficulty.
Rise with the Lark: To wake up very early in the morning, highlighting a sense of diligence or early activity.
Be at One's Wit's End: To be extremely frustrated or puzzled, feeling that one has exhausted all options or solutions in a troubling situation.
To Catch Up With: To reach the same level or standard as someone or something that has been ahead, often used in the context of progress or information.
To Utter a Secret Carelessly or by Mistake: Relates to the phrase “let the cat out of the bag,” indicating leakage of confidential information.
Too Many Iron in the Fire: To be involved in many activities or projects at once, which can lead to being overwhelmed or unable to focus on any one thing.
To Run Away in Fear: Expressed by the phrase “to flee like a scared rabbit,” indicating a response of panic or fear during a threatening situation.
To Smell a Rat: To sense that something is wrong or suspicious; an instinctive recognition of deceit or trouble.
Readily Accept as Certainly True: Associated with the phrase “take at face value,” meaning to believe something without questioning or investigating further.
Pull Up/Reprimand: To scold or correct someone for their behavior or mistakes, often used in the context of disciplinary actions.
Gift of the Gab: The ability to speak easily and confidently, often in a persuasive manner; someone with strong conversational skills.
Make a Mountain of a Molehill: To exaggerate a minor issue into something significant; turning a trivial matter into a big deal.
Caught Red-Handed: To be found in the act of doing something wrong or illegal, often used in contexts related to theft or deception.
Leave in the Lurch: To abandon someone in a difficult situation, leaving them unable to cope or manage alone.
Cross Swords: To engage in a dispute or argument, indicating a conflict of opinions or ideas.
Take After: To resemble family members in appearance or character traits, often referring to inherited characteristics.
Achilles's Heel: A weakness or vulnerability, particularly in a strong or powerful person, derived from the myth of Achilles who had one vulnerable spot.
Blow One's Own Trumpet: To boast or brag about one’s own achievements, often seen as self-promotion.
See Through: To recognize the truth about someone or something, often used when someone is pretending or being deceptive.
Sweep Under the Carpet: To hide or ignore problems or issues instead of confronting them, often leading to persistent unresolved matters.
A Bolt from the Blue: A sudden and unexpected event, often with significant or disruptive implications.
Introduce for Discussion: Related to the phrase “bring up,” meaning to raise a topic or issue for conversation or debate.
Sowing Wild Oats: Refers to young people engaging in adventurous or reckless behavior as a part of growing up or exploring life.
To Consider or Take Into Account: As in the phrase “to weigh the pros and cons,” highlighting the act of reflecting on different aspects before making a decision.
Face the Music: To confront the consequences of one’s actions, especially when facing criticism or punishment.
Leave No Means of Return: Indicated by the phrase “burn one’s bridges,” meaning to eliminate any possibility of going back to a previous situation or state.

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Test your knowledge of common English phrases and their meanings with this quiz. Explore expressions like 'A Man Of Letters', 'Bring Down The House', 'Horse Sense', and more.

Common English Phrases Quiz

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