Idioms and Phrases Quiz

Questions and Answers

The phrase 'on tenterhooks' describes someone who is?

Anxious (correct)

Indifferent

Calm and collected

Excitedly nervous

What does the idiom 'bolt from the blue' refer to?

A pleasant surprise

A long-term problem

A sudden joy

An unexpected disaster (correct)

What is meant by 'Lend an ear'?

To not make trouble

To ignore someone

To refuse to listen

To pay attention to (correct)

What does 'lock, stock and barrel' imply?

Everything completely Signup and view all the answers

What does 'costs an arm and a leg' mean?

Very expensive Signup and view all the answers

The idiom 'butterflies in the stomach' is used to express?

Nervousness Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'get out of hand' mean?

To lose control Signup and view all the answers

'Out of the woods' means?

No longer in trouble Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'pull someone's leg'?

To joke with someone Signup and view all the answers

'Actions speak louder than words' means?

Doing something is more significant than merely saying it Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Idioms and Their Meanings

"Advanced by leaps and bounds" refers to progress that happens rapidly.
"Fell short on the audience" means to have no impact or effect on listeners.
"Called for an explanation" indicates a demand for clarification in a situation.
"Took to heart" means to consider advice seriously and implement it in behavior.
"Wears his heart on his sleeve" suggests openly expressing one's emotions.
"Grease someone's palm" means to bribe someone for favors.
"Left in the lurch" signifies being abandoned during a difficult time.

Common Idiomatic Expressions

"Bark up the wrong tree" implies being mistaken about the cause of a problem.
"Take the bull by the horns" means to confront a problem directly and bravely.
"Go down in flames" refers to failing disastrously.
"Feather your own nest" signifies personal gain through unfair means.
"Be an old hat" denotes being outdated or an expert in a field.
"Lend an ear" means to listen attentively.

Emotional and Physical States

"On tenterhooks" indicates being anxious or in suspense.
"In the pink" refers to being in good health or happy.
"Butterfly in the stomach" describes feelings of nervousness.
"Out of the woods" means no longer being in a difficult situation.

Actions and Consequences

"Costs an arm and a leg" means something is very expensive.
"Get out of hand" signifies losing control over a situation.
"Actions speak louder than words" conveys that what one does is more meaningful than what one says.
"Pull someone’s leg" means to joke or tease someone.

Opposite or Contrasting Concepts

"At daggers drawn" refers to being in a bitterly hostile state towards someone.
"Lead someone by the nose" means to dominate or control someone entirely.

Other Notable Phrases

"Couch potato" describes someone who is lazy or spends too much time watching television.
"Play ducks and drakes" means to use resources recklessly without care.

Description

Test your understanding of idioms and phrases with this engaging quiz. You'll encounter various contexts where you'll need to choose the correct meaning or synonym for different expressions. Challenge yourself and enhance your language skills!