Idioms & Phrases

Choose the best interpretation of Bring to bear.

• Very near in time or place
• Angry or bitter feelings between people
• At the beginning
• Use force, influence, knowledge, or pressure effectively

Choose the best interpretation of Bear with.

• Scarce and therefore valuable
• Be patient with someone or something
• Wait patiently for the right opportunity
• The main point being discussed or disputed

What idea does Bring to heel usually express?

• Easy to understand and decide
• Suddenly begin to cry
• Force someone to obey or submit
• Make financial records correct or make income equal expenses
• By means of hard effort or a particular method

What idea does Behind the scenes usually express?

• Fail, be defeated, or die
• Using all one’s strength, effort, or resources
• Happening privately, not in public view
• Born and raised in a particular place or manner
• At the beginning

Which explanation is closest to Bend over backwards?

• At the beginning
• Try very hard to help or please someone
• By a very small distance or amount
• Very quickly and greatly

Which answer best defines Bite the dust?

• Fail, be defeated, or die
• Being the person who suffers or is affected by something
• Suddenly begin to cry
• Unable to deal with a difficult situation any longer

Choose the correct meaning of Blind alley.

• By means of hard effort or a particular method
• A course of action that leads nowhere
• Do something new or original
• By a very small distance or amount

Choose the correct meaning of At the outset.

• Very hostile and ready to quarrel
• Make financial records correct or make income equal expenses
• At the beginning
• Wait patiently for the right opportunity

Select the option that best explains At a loose end.

• Not knowing what to do or having nothing useful to do
• Returning to simple and important principles
• Everyone without distinction
• A subject that makes someone upset or angry
• Completely controlled by someone or something

Which option gives the correct meaning of At a premium?

• Only when all other choices have failed
• The main point being discussed or disputed
• Scarce and therefore valuable
• As a normal or expected thing

For SSC English, identify the meaning of At cross purposes.

• Misunderstanding each other while working toward different aims
• A situation where something grows larger or more serious over time
• Very hostile and ready to quarrel
• A difficult or awkward situation