General ability (NDA/NA SOLVED PAPER 2023-I) (Part - A: english) (01 to 50)

41. Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings for each. Choose the most appropriate answer from among the options (a), (b), (c) or (d).

From the questions (41 to 50)
The lion's share

(a) A portion of something
(b) The largest and the best part of something
(c) An important decision
(d) An aggressive statement

Correct Answer: (b) The largest and the best part of something

Solution:The idiom 'the lion's share' means the largest and best part of something.

42. Spill the beans

(a) Reveal a secret
(b) Forced to leave belongings
(c) Share the news
(d) Take offence at someone's rude behaviour

Correct Answer: (a) Reveal a secret

Solution:The idiom 'to spill the beans' means 'to reveal a secret or confidential information'.

43. Cook someone's goose

(a) To assist others
(b) Hypnotize other's mind
(c) To spoil other's plans
(d) Inviting misfortune

Correct Answer: (c) To spoil other's plans

Solution:To cook someone's goose' means 'to spoil someone's plans.'

44. Disappear into thin air

(a) Lost forever
(b) Become forgetful
(c) Become uncaring
(d) Disappear suddenly

Correct Answer: (d) Disappear suddenly

Solution:The idiom 'to disappear into thin air' means 'to disappear completely and suddenly'.

45. Put the screws on

(a) Forcing someone to do what you want
(b) Never letting go of things
(c) Keep the past alive
(d) Using someone's trick for own benefit

Correct Answer: (a) Forcing someone to do what you want

Solution:The idiom 'to put the screws on' means 'to intimidate or pressurize someone'. Thus, option (a) is the correct response.

46. Sit on the fence

(a) Avoid meeting someone
(b) Waiting patiently
(c) Avoid taking sides
(d) Hiding from someone

Correct Answer: (c) Avoid taking sides

Solution:'To sit on the fence' means 'to avoid taking a particular side'.

47. Be as sharp as a tack

Correct Answer: (e) both (b) and (d)

Solution:(b/d) Both options (b) and (d) are correct for the given phrase.
The phrase, 'be as sharp as a tack' means to be very intelligent, quick-witled, perceptive or shrewd. It suggests that someone is mentally alert and able to think clearly or solve problems effectively. "Tack' emphasizes the idea of sharpness in a figurative sense here.

48. From pillar to post

(a) Upside down
(b) Keep moving from one place to another
(c) Constructing a huge building
(d) Jumping from the top of the mountain

Correct Answer: (b) Keep moving from one place to another

Solution:'From pillar to post' means 'to move fruitlessly from one place to another'.

49. Heath Robinson

(a) Very complicated system or machine for doing a simple task
(b) Treating everyone as enemy, when they are not
(c) Sleeping all day, doing nothing
(d) Very lazy person, slow in action

Correct Answer: (a) Very complicated system or machine for doing a simple task

Solution:'Heath Robinson' is used to denote a machine which is meant to do a simple task but is unnecessarily complicated.

50. As thick as thieves

(a) Dumb person
(b) Good for nothing
(c) Someone who uses everyone for personal gain
(d) Very close friends who are looked upon with suspicion

Correct Answer: (d) Very close friends who are looked upon with suspicion

Solution:The phrase 'as thick as thieves', is used to refer to people who are very close friends but their friendship is looked upon with suspicion.