Idioms And Phrases - English Aptitude MCQ Questions and Answers

31

I am afraid he is burning the candle at both ends and ruining his life.

A) wasting his money B) becoming overgenerous C) overtaxing his energies D) losing his objectives

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option C

Solution:

burning the candle at both ends: go to bed late and get up early.

32

The university will have to shelve its plans for expansion in view of present situation

A) cancel B) discuss C) reconsider D) postpone

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option D

Solution:

shelve: decide not to proceed with.

33

Do no trust a man who blows his own trumpet

A) flatters B) praises others C) admonishes others D) praises himself

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option D

Solution:

blows his own trumpet: to talk about oneself or one's achievements especially in a way that shows that one is proud or too proud.

34

He is out and out a reactionary.

A) no more B) thoroughly C) in favour of D) deadly against

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option B

Solution:

out and out: in every respect; absolute.

35

I did not mind what he was saying, he was only through his hat.

A) talking nonsense B) talking ignorantly C) talking irresponsibly D) talking insultingly

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option A

Solution:

Option A: talking nonsense
This is correct. The idiom "through his hat" means talking nonsense. When someone is speaking "through their hat," they are saying things that are not true or do not make sense.

Option B: talking ignorantly
This is incorrect. While talking ignorantly can sometimes overlap with talking nonsense, "through his hat" specifically refers to saying things that are nonsensical rather than just showing a lack of knowledge.

Option C: talking irresponsibly
This is incorrect. Talking irresponsibly means speaking in a way that lacks consideration for the consequences, which is not the specific meaning of "through his hat."

Option D: talking insultingly
This is incorrect. Talking insultingly means speaking in a manner that is offensive or rude, which is not the specific meaning of "through his hat."

Conclusion:
Option A is the correct answer because the idiom "through his hat" means talking nonsense. It refers to saying things that are not true or do not make sense, which fits the context of the sentence.

36

The case was held over due to the great opposition to it.

A) stopped B) postponed C) dropped D) cancelled

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option B

Solution:

held over: to delay something.

37

In the organised society of today no individual or nation can plough a lonely furrow.

A) remain unaffected B) do without the help of others C) survive in isolation D) remain non-aligned

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option B

Solution:

plough a lonely furrow: follow a course of action in which one is isolated or in which one can act independently.

38

It was he who put a spoke in my wheel.

A) tried to cause an accident B) helped in the execution of the plan C) thwarted in the execution of the plan D) destroyed the plan

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option C

Solution:

put a spoke in my wheel: prevent someone from carrying out a plan.

39

It is no longer easy to strike gold in Shakespeare's research since much work has already been done on him.

A) Hit a golden spot B) Come across gold C) Come across the word "gold" D) Uncover or find a valuable line of argument or information

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option D

Solution:

strike gold: find a valuable source of information on a topic.

40

Sanjay is very different about passing the Civil Services Examination this year.

A) Dead sure of B) Very hopeful of C) Lacking self confidence about D) Reasonably certain of

Discuss

Answer & Solution

Answer: Option C

Solution:

very different about : not very good at something.