5 Questions
Which phrase means 'to make rapid progress'?
advanced by leaps and bounds
What does it mean to 'take exception' to something?
to object
What does it mean when someone 'beats the boy to pay off old scores'?
to take revenge
What does it mean when someone 'calls for an explanation'?
to ask
What does it mean when someone 'greases anybody's palm'?
to bribe someone
Study Notes
Idiomatic Expressions
- To "make rapid progress" means to achieve something quickly, often surprisingly so; the phrase that means this is "make a breakthrough".
- To "take exception" to something means to disagree or object to it strongly, often because it is offensive or unacceptable.
Revenge and Confrontation
- When someone "beats the boy to pay off old scores", it means they are getting revenge or settling an old score, often in a competitive or aggressive way.
Communication and Explanation
- When someone "calls for an explanation", they are demanding a clear reason or justification for something, often in a formal or official setting.
Bribery and Corruption
- When someone "greases anybody's palm", it means they are bribing or giving money to someone in a sneaky or illegal way, often to gain an advantage.
Test your knowledge of idioms and phrases with this quiz! Answer questions about the meanings of common idiomatic expressions and phrases, such as "by leaps and bounds" and "fell short." See if you can correctly identify the correct definitions and complete the sentences with the right words.
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