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Idioms & Phrases

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Quizzes in Idioms & Phrases for HSC

Which option gives the closest meaning of A checkered career?

  • To manage to speak when others are talking a lot
  • Automatically because no other choice is made
  • A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies
  • After taking all facts and circumstances into account
Correct answer(s):
  • A career marked by both successes and failures or controversies

Which meaning best matches the idiom A means to an end?

  • Fixed and not open to change
  • To harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you
  • Something done only to achieve a larger purpose
  • Automatically because no other choice is made
Correct answer(s):
  • Something done only to achieve a larger purpose

For HSC English, what is the meaning of A cog in the machine?

  • To apply influence or force to make someone act
  • To create division or hostility between people
  • A situation likely to lead to failure, danger, or serious trouble
  • A small and unimportant part of a large system
Correct answer(s):
  • A small and unimportant part of a large system

Identify the correct meaning of the expression A counsel of despair.

  • A harmful cycle in which one problem causes another and makes the first worse
  • Because of the request or command of someone
  • Very obvious or easy to understand
  • To harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you
  • Advice that accepts failure and offers no real hope
Correct answer(s):
  • Advice that accepts failure and offers no real hope

What idea is expressed by A creature of habit?

  • A person who prefers fixed routines and familiar ways
  • To make something very clear and noticeable
  • As an extra addition
  • A collection of false statements
Correct answer(s):
  • A person who prefers fixed routines and familiar ways

Select the best explanation of A cut-throat competition.

  • Not in any possible way
  • Fixed and not open to change
  • Very severe competition in which people may act ruthlessly
  • A general practical method based on experience rather than exact calculation
Correct answer(s):
  • Very severe competition in which people may act ruthlessly

Which answer explains A dim view of correctly?

  • A disapproving or negative opinion about something
  • To act honestly, sincerely, and with fair intention
  • To try any small hope when desperate
  • In effect; almost completely
  • A personal benefit or strong stake in an outcome
Correct answer(s):
  • A disapproving or negative opinion about something

Which meaning best matches the idiom A foregone conclusion?

  • A personal benefit or strong stake in an outcome
  • To provide evidence or proof of something
  • A practical, realistic, and sensible way of dealing with something
  • A result that is certain before it happens
Correct answer(s):
  • A result that is certain before it happens

What does the phrase A full-fledged member mean in standard English?

  • A complete and officially recognized member
  • Hidden from public view or not openly known
  • At the beginning or edge of a new stage
  • A decisive moment when an important change begins
Correct answer(s):
  • A complete and officially recognized member

Choose the correct meaning of A great deal of.

  • A decisive moment when an important change begins
  • A warning action meant to prevent stronger action later
  • To try any small hope when desperate
  • To create division or hostility between people
  • A large amount or quantity of something
Correct answer(s):
  • A large amount or quantity of something

What does the idiom or phrase grease the palm mean?

  • to bribe
  • to cut down a tree
  • to rub oil on the hand
  • to lubricate machine parts
Correct answer(s):
  • to bribe

In the sentence, what does in Dutch mean?
The boy was in Dutch with his friends.

  • in love
  • in awe
  • in trouble
  • on good terms
Correct answer(s):
  • in trouble

In the sentence, what does gather roses only mean?
Deepak did not care for his family; he wanted to gather roses only.

  • to obtain fame by hard work
  • to seek all enjoyments of life
  • to save money miserly
  • to describe the past positively
Correct answer(s):
  • to seek all enjoyments of life

What does the idiom or phrase feather one's nest mean?

  • to build one’s house
  • to harbor ill feeling
  • to get something in abundance
  • to enrich oneself when an opportunity occurs
Correct answer(s):
  • to enrich oneself when an opportunity occurs

In the sentence, what does hold water mean?
His argument does not hold water.

  • to stop the flow of water
  • to sound like a fact
  • to be logical or valid
  • to have a strong effect
Correct answer(s):
  • to be logical or valid

In the sentence, what does black sheep mean?
You find a black sheep in every community.

  • one who does not cooperate
  • one who lives a life of shame
  • one who is always doing wrong
  • person with a bad reputation
Correct answer(s):
  • person with a bad reputation

In the sentence, what does a Penelope’s web mean?
His work seems to be a Penelope’s web.

  • difficult
  • endless
  • declining
  • in his best form
Correct answer(s):
  • endless

In the sentence, what does an about-turn mean?
His recent statement is an about-turn.

  • complete change of opinion
  • a declaration of war
  • good announcement
  • a bold statement
Correct answer(s):
  • complete change of opinion

In the sentence, what does at daggers drawn mean?
The two friends are now at daggers drawn over a petty issue.

  • frustrated
  • extremely angry or hostile
  • friendly
  • competitors
Correct answer(s):
  • extremely angry or hostile

In the sentence, what does salad days mean?
In his salad days, he was quite a dandy.

  • old age
  • school days
  • one’s youthful days
  • childhood only
Correct answer(s):
  • one's youthful days