 | « Back to article | Print this article |
ENGLISH QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these phrases?
Answer these questions and find out just how many common English expressions and phrases you can interpret accurately! Illustration: Uttam Ghosh
What does it mean when someone tells you to 'knock yourself out'?
Or advises you not to 'burn the candle at both ends'?
In the following pages, we bring you some common English expressions you've probably heard often. Select the correct meaning of each to determine just how strong your command over the language is.
Answers are provided upon submission of results on each page and you can draw your own conclusions about your performance!
There was an elephant in the room whenever the brothers met, because they hadn't discussed their mother's will.
'An elephant in the room' implies:
1) An obvious problem or issue left unaddressed
2) A fight waiting to happen
3) A fat relative looking to make trouble
The correct answer is A major problem or issue left unaddressed
A major problem or issue left unaddressed
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
Her grandfather kicked the bucket on his way to their native village.
'Kicked the bucket' implies:
1) Anger
2) Loss of sanity
3) Death
The correct answer is Death
Death
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
When Raj got drunk, he started behaving like a bull in a china shop.
'A bull in a china shop' implies:
1) Someone who starts behaving like an animal
2) Clumsy, careless, destructive behaviour
3) A silly individual pretending to be smart
The correct answer is Clumsy, careless, destructive behaviour
Clumsy, careless, destructive behaviour
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
On Tulika's birthday, they decided to paint the town red.
'Paint the town red' implies:
1) To celebrate flamboyantly
2) The destruction of public property
3) Graffiti
The correct answer is To celebrate flamboyantly
To celebrate flamboyantly
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
Is that new cricketer performing consistently, or is he just a flash in the pan?
'A flash in the pan' implies:
1) A bright spark
2) Sudden but short-lived success
3) A young rebel
The correct answer is Sudden but short-lived success
Sudden but short-lived success
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
I knew I was standing at a crossroads when I had to choose between marrying him and taking up the new job.
'At a crossroads' implies:
1) A situation that has no solution
2) The brink of an important decision, which is sure to affect the future
3) A footpath along the side of a street
The correct answer is The brink of an important decision, which is sure to affect the future
The brink of an important decision, which is sure to affect the future
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
Her boss pulled the plug on the meeting as soon as he learned she would be attending.
'Pulled the plug' implies:
1) To stop, prevent or cancel
2) To postpone
3) To get irritated about
The correct answer is To stop, prevent or cancel
To stop, prevent or cancel
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
Anu's brother is such a tech whiz, fixing your cellphone will be a piece of cake for him.
'A piece of cake' implies:
1) A treat
2) An opportunity
3) Something very simple or easy
The correct answer is Something very simple or easy
Something very simple or easy
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
I hope you break a leg in the final round of the competition!
'Break a leg' implies:
1) Miserable failure
2) Good luck
3) Breakthrough
The correct answer is Good luck
Good luck
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
His girlfriend was so angry that he was over two hours late, she didn't mince words.
'Didn't mince words' implies:
1) Complete silence
2) Direct, outspoken criticism
3) Speaking unintelligibly fast
The correct answer is Direct, outspoken criticism
Direct, outspoken criticism
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
Arjun tried to apologise for what happened, but I insisted that it's water under the bridge.
'Water under the bridge' implies:
1) Something forgiven and forgotten
2) Something too overbearing to move past
3) Something unfortunate
The correct answer is Something forgiven and forgotten
Something forgiven and forgotten
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
In a nutshell, the office picnic was tiring, arduous and so not worth it.
'In a nutshell' implies:
1) To sum it up briefly
2) To put it politely
3) To crack under strain
The correct answer is To sum it up briefly
To sum it up briefly
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
The stand-up comedian had the audience in stitches.
'In stitches' implies:
1) Utter boredom
2) Stuck in a rut
3) Uncontrollable laughter
The correct answer is Uncontrollable laughter
Uncontrollable laughter
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
He's had a bone to pick with the CEO ever since the last board meeting.
'A bone to pick' implies:
1) Something to discuss
2) A reason to be angry
3) Something to bargain or haggle over
The correct answer is A reason to be angry
A reason to be angry
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
This new generation of touch-screen tablets will give you more bang for your buck.
'More bang for your buck' implies:
1) More trouble than it's worth
2) More value for money
3) More offers than before
The correct answer is More value for money
More value for money
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English phrases?
Your score is: 0 out of 15
Are you up to the challenge for more quizzes? Here are a few you MUST try!
ENGLISH QUIZ: Can YOU complete these sentences?
QUIZ: Test the power of YOUR English plurals!
QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these English words?
Quiz: How good are YOU with English grammar?