Idiomatic Expressions Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does 'don't count your chickens before they hatch' imply?

Avoid making decisions with full confidence.

Make decisions quickly to seize opportunities.

Always take your time before deciding.

Do not make decisions before having all the facts. (correct)

What does the phrase 'drag one's feet' mean in a situation?

To be enthusiastic about completing tasks.

To give up on completing a task.

To procrastinate or delay taking action. (correct)

To hurry to finish something important.

What is the meaning of 'drive one up the wall'?

To inspire someone to take action.

To annoy someone to the point of frustration. (correct)

To encourage someone to succeed.

To support someone during tough times.

What does it mean for something to be 'easier said than done'?

It is straightforward to verbalize but hard to accomplish. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'beat around the bush' mean?

To speak indirectly or avoid the subject. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'easy does it' imply in a given context?

Be cautious and careful. Signup and view all the answers

When someone is said to be 'bugged', what does this imply?

They are being annoyed or pestered. Signup and view all the answers

What does the expression 'fair-weather friend' refer to?

A friend who helps only when it is convenient for them. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the phrase 'every cloud has a silver lining'?

Every difficult situation has a hopeful or positive aspect. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means to wish someone good luck?

Break a leg Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'barking up the wrong tree' signify?

To mistakenly pursue the wrong course. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the term 'false alarm'?

Panic over an event that turns out to be harmless. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by someone who is 'bent out of shape'?

They are very upset about something. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'bottom line' refer to in a discussion?

The final conclusion or most important facts. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase means to emotionally hurt someone?

Break someone's heart Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'brush up on something'?

To relearn the basics or improve a skill. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'fall for it' mean?

To be tricked Signup and view all the answers

What does 'get with the program' imply?

To become aware and involved in important matters Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'have one's hands full'?

To be very busy with responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

When someone 'goes bananas', how do they typically feel?

Extremely excited Signup and view all the answers

The expression 'give one’s right arm' indicates what?

Offering a great deal of help or sacrifice Signup and view all the answers

What does 'go against the grain' mean?

To oppose what is considered normal Signup and view all the answers

If someone is 'green with envy', what are they feeling?

Intense jealousy Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'grab a bite to eat' refer to?

To have a quick meal Signup and view all the answers

What does 'hit the books' mean?

To study hard Signup and view all the answers

What does 'hit the nail on the head' imply?

To be exactly right Signup and view all the answers

When someone is 'in over their head', what does that mean?

They are taking on too many responsibilities Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if something 'hits the spot'?

It satisfies a craving Signup and view all the answers

What does 'jump the gun' refer to?

To act before the appropriate time Signup and view all the answers

What does 'know the ropes' mean?

To be familiar with procedures or details Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'make ends meet'?

To have just enough money to survive Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'sick as a dog' imply?

To be seriously ill Signup and view all the answers

What does 'know by heart' signify?

To memorize something completely Signup and view all the answers

What does the expression 'scare the living daylights out of' mean?

To frighten someone Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase indicates that someone has a desire for sweets?

Sweet tooth Signup and view all the answers

What does 'stick one’s neck out' mean?

To do something risky for someone else Signup and view all the answers

What does 'that does not hold water' refer to?

An argument that lacks sufficient evidence Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase describes someone who is speaking in an unclear manner?

Talking in circles Signup and view all the answers

What does 'stab in the back' signify?

To deceive or hurt someone Signup and view all the answers

What does 'spick and span' mean?

Very clean Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Idioms and Phrases

Bad-mouth: To speak negatively about someone; affects social relationships.
Barking up the wrong tree: Pursuing the wrong course or making a mistaken assumption.
Beat around the bush: Avoiding the main topic or speaking indirectly, often seen in political speeches.
Beat: A state of extreme tiredness; often used casually.
Beats me: An expression of not knowing or being clueless about a question.
Best of both worlds: Enjoying the benefits of two different situations simultaneously, e.g., part-time work allowing time for hobbies.
Bent out of shape: Being very upset over something trivial or personal.
Bite the bullet: Facing an unpleasant situation with courage or accepting one's responsibility.

Common Expressions

Bottom line: The core issue or most important point to address in a discussion.
Break a leg: A phrase used to wish someone good luck, especially in performances.
Break someone’s heart: To emotionally hurt or disappoint someone, particularly in personal relationships.
Break the ice: Initiating conversation or interaction to ease tension, often with a joke or fun activity.
Brush up on something: To refresh skills or knowledge, often in preparation for an exam or task.
Bug: To annoy or bother someone, typically in a lighthearted manner.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: A caution against making assumptions before confirming outcomes.
Drag one’s feet: To procrastinate or be slow in completing tasks.

Emotional States and Reactions

Drive one crazy: To annoy someone significantly, often referring to irritations in daily life.
Drive one up the wall: To cause extreme annoyance or frustration.
Easier said than done: Acknowledges the difficulty in executing something compared to just discussing it.
Easy does it!: A reminder to proceed carefully or avoid rushing.
Eating at someone: Refers to something that is bothering or troubling someone emotionally.
Every cloud has a silver lining: Suggests that even in negative situations, there is a potential positive outcome.

Face-to-face: Meeting or communicating in person, emphasizing direct interaction.
Fair-weather friend: Someone who is only a friend during good times, but not during hardships.
False alarm: A situation where concern is unnecessary and doesn't require a reaction.
Fall for it: To be easily deceived or caught in a prank.
Fly off the handle: To react angrily or lose temper suddenly, often over small issues.
Follow in the footsteps of: To emulate or pursue a similar path as someone admired, especially recently.

Tasks and Efforts

From scratch: To start something anew, particularly cooking or working on a project without pre-made materials.
Get a kick out of something: To find enjoyment or pleasure in specific activities or experiences.
Get with the program: To recognize and actively participate in ongoing tasks or responsibilities.
Give one’s right arm: A way of expressing willingness to make significant sacrifices for others.
Give someone a hand: Offering help or assistance in tasks.
Go against the grain: To act in opposition to what is typically expected or considered normal.

Mental and Physical States

Go bananas/Go crazy: Expressing extreme excitement or enthusiasm over something.
Grab a bite to eat: Informal expression for getting food, typically a light meal or snack.
Green with envy: Feeling jealous of someone’s success or happiness.
Have one’s hands full: Being busy or overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.
Hit the books: An informal way to indicate serious studying or preparation for exams.

Miscellaneous

In ages: Referring to not having done something for a significant period.
In over one’s head: Taking on too many responsibilities or commitments.
In the nick of time: Completing something just before the deadline.
It’s a piece of cake: Describes something that is very easy to accomplish.
John Hancock: A colloquial term for a signature.
Jump the gun: To start something too early or prematurely, often without waiting for the right moment.
Know by heart: To memorize something completely.
Know the ropes: To be familiar with the details or procedures of a task or job.
Make ends meet: To manage finances to cover basic needs or survive on a limited budget.
Scare the living daylights out of: To frighten someone significantly.
Sick as a dog: To describe someone feeling very ill.
Skeleton in the closet: A secret or hidden issue that could cause embarrassment if revealed.
Sleeping like a baby/log: Refers to someone sleeping very soundly and peacefully.
Smell a rat: A feeling that something is not right or someone is being deceitful.
Spick and span: Describes something that is very clean and well-organized.
Stab in the back: To betray or harm someone who trusts you.
Stick one’s neck out: To take a risk on behalf of someone else.
Sweet tooth: A strong desire for sweet food or desserts.

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Description

Test your knowledge of common idiomatic expressions with this quiz! Understand phrases like 'bad-mouth', 'barking up the wrong tree', and 'beat around the bush' and how they apply in everyday situations.