IDIOMS (Part-III)

21. The Indian team had its back against the wall, but managed to fight back. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (3rd Shift)]

(a) In extreme joy or exhilaration
(b) Stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape
(c) Forced to indulge in propaganda
(d) Throwing the opposition off guard

Correct Answer: (b) Stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape

Solution:Back against the wall:- stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape.

22. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (1st Shift)]

Tom waited until_____to start working on his term paper but managed to finish it just in time.

(a) the twelfth hour
(b) the thirteenth hour
(c) the tenth hour
(d) the eleventh hour

Correct Answer: (d) the eleventh hour

Solution:The idiom 'the eleventh hour' means the last moment.

The given sentence states that Tom waited until the last moment to start working on his term paper.
Hence, 'the eleventh hour' is the most appropriate answer

23. Bigger fish to fry__. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (1st Shift)]

(a) To barely get something done.
(b) Having something more important to take care of.
(c) Having work more than one's capacity.
(d) To be similar to one's parents in some way.

Correct Answer: (b) Having something more important to take care of.

Solution:Bigger fish to fry :- having something more important to take care of.

E.g.- I can't chat right now. I have bigger fish to fry.

24. Mary is a ball of fire and is always engaged in something creative. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (2nd Shift)]

(a) An active and energetic person.
(b) A dull and insipid person.
(c) To be good and beneficial for someone.
(d) A talkative person.

Correct Answer: (a) An active and energetic person.

Solution:Ball of fire:- an active and energetic person.

25. Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (1st Shift)]

By living in a rural area with access to the city, she gets____ .

(a) the best of both worlds
(b) to keep an ear to the ground
(c) on cloud nine
(d) in for a penny in for a pound

Correct Answer: (a) the best of both worlds

Solution:The best of both worlds:-to enjoy the advantages or benefits of two different things or situations.

26. Get your act together. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (2nd Shift)]

(a) To have patience
(b) To stay together
(c) To act in a play
(d) Get organised and do things better

Correct Answer: (d) Get organised and do things better

Solution:Get organised and do things better.

E.g. Before the important meeting, he realized he needed to get his act together, so he started organizing his notes and preparing his presentation.

27. After having invested so much time and energy into the project, we are now back to square one. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (2nd Shift)]

(a) Not ready for the consequence
(b) In the same city
(c) Fighting with each other
(d) Having to start all over again

Correct Answer: (d) Having to start all over again

Solution:Back to square one:- having to start all over again.

28. Be like chalk and cheese. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (3rd Shift)]

(a) To be completely different from each other
(b) To be very similar to each other
(c) To have a close relation with another person
(d) To be distantly related to each other

Correct Answer: (a) To be completely different from each other

Solution:To be completely different from each other.

E.g.- The twins may look alike, but their personalities are like chalk and cheese.

29. Select the most appropriate idiom from the given options to fill in the blank. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (3rd Shift)]

Greta Thunberg ___ when she dared to question about accountability with respect to global warming and climate change.

(a) sowed wild oats
(b) kept the pot boiling
(c) gave the devil his due
(d) hit the nail on the head

Correct Answer: (d) hit the nail on the head

Solution:The idiom 'hit the nail on the head' means to do or say something that is exactly right.

The given sentence states that Greta Thunberg was right when she asked about accountability for global warming and climate change.
Hence, 'hit the nail on the head' is the most appropriate answer.

30. The judge wanted to hear straight from the horse's mouth. [SSC MTS 06/09/2023 (3rd Shift)]

(a) Directly from the lawyer
(b) Directly from the person involved
(c) In close vicinity to the juror
(d) Having ears which never fail

Correct Answer: (b) Directly from the person involved

Solution:Straight from the horse's mouth.:- directly from the person involved.