DIRECTIONS: Choose the correct idiomatic expression to complete the sentence.

Question 1

Question: She realized she had ________ when she took on three projects at once.

Choices:
a) hit the sack
b) bitten off more than she could chew
c) spilled the beans
d) jumped on the bandwagon
Answer: b) bitten off more than she could chew
Explanation: This idiom means to take on more responsibility than one can manage, which fits the context of overloading oneself with work.

Question 2

Question: The government decided to ________ rather than address the budget crisis.

Choices:
a) go cold turkey
b) break the ice
c) kick the can down the road
d) cry wolf
Answer: c) kick the can down the road
Explanation: This idiom describes postponing a decision, hoping that the problem will be resolved later or by others, fitting the context of avoiding immediate action on the budget.

Question 3

Question: After the training, the new employees were ready to ________.

Choices:
a) hit the ground running
b) jump the gun
c) cut corners
d) throw in the towel
Answer: a) hit the ground running
Explanation: This expression means to immediately work hard and successfully at a new activity, suitable for describing new employees starting effectively.

Question 4

Question: We’re all ________ when it comes to job security.

Choices:
a) in the same boat
b) on the ball
c) biting the bullet
d) letting the cat out of the bag
Answer: a) in the same boat
Explanation: This idiom means everyone is in the same situation, which accurately reflects a shared concern about job security among a group.

Question 5

Question: It’s never a good idea to ________, especially in a small industry.

Choices:
a) break the bank
b) burn bridges
c) hit the books
d) miss the boat
Answer: b) burn bridges
Explanation: This phrase means to destroy one’s path, connections, or opportunities, and is commonly advised against to maintain professional relationships.

Question 6

Question: She’s always willing to ________ to help a friend.

Choices:
a) hit the ground running
b) go the extra mile
c) let off the hook
d) break the bank
Answer: b) go the extra mile
Explanation: This idiom means to do more than what is expected, which aptly describes someone who puts extra effort into helping others.

Question 7

Question: With exams coming up, it’s time to ________.

Choices:
a) bite the bullet
b) hit the books
c) spill the beans
d) jump on the bandwagon
Answer: b) hit the books
Explanation: This phrase means to begin studying seriously, which is appropriate for the context of preparing for upcoming exams.

Question 8

Question: They ________ with the product launch and faced many issues.

Choices:
a) hit the sack
b) played it by ear
c) jumped the gun
d) threw in the towel
Answer: c) jumped the gun
Explanation: This idiom means to do something too soon or prematurely, fitting for a scenario where hastiness in launching a product led to problems.

Question 9

Question: We’ve got ________ on the new project.

Choices:
a) the ball rolling
b) cut corners
c) hit the nail on the head
d) spilled the beans
Answer: a) the ball rolling
Explanation: This means to start something so that it continues, appropriate for initiating momentum on a project.

Question 10

Question: Don’t ________ on this project; quality is important.

Choices:
a) cut corners
b) let sleeping dogs lie
c) play it by ear
d) hit the ground running
Answer: a) cut corners
Explanation: This idiom means to do something the cheapest or easiest way by not complying with regulations or rules, advised against here to emphasize the importance of quality.

Question 11

Question: With two years of experience ________, she felt confident applying for the new job.

Choices:
a) under her belt
b) on the ball
c) breaking the ice
d) cutting corners
Answer: a) under her belt
Explanation: “Under her belt” means having gained experience or achievements in a particular area, which increases her confidence in her qualifications.

Question 12

Question: We don’t have a plan for the weekend; we’ll just ________.

Choices:
a) play it by ear
b) cry over spilled milk
c) cut to the chase
d) jump the gun
Answer: a) play it by ear
Explanation: “Play it by ear” means to decide how to proceed as situations develop, rather than having a fixed plan, fitting the context of an unplanned weekend.

Question 13

Question: If you think I can help you with that, you’re ________.

Choices:
a) cutting to the chase
b) barking up the wrong tree
c) letting off the hook
d) playing it by ear
Answer: b) barking up the wrong tree
Explanation: “Barking up the wrong tree” means making a mistaken assumption or pursuing the wrong course of action, implying the help sought is misdirected.

Question 14

Question: You should ________; he’s not always accurate.

Choices:
a) cut corners
b) play it by ear
c) take his advice with a grain of salt
d) hit the nail on the head
Answer: c) take his advice with a grain of salt
Explanation: “Take his advice with a grain of salt” means to not take what someone says too seriously or to view it skeptically, especially appropriate given his inaccuracy.

Question 15

Question: She ________ on smoking and hasn’t had a cigarette since.

Choices:
a) hit the books
b) went cold turkey
c) cried wolf
d) let sleeping dogs lie
Answer: b) went cold turkey
Explanation: “Went cold turkey” means to suddenly stop a habit or addiction, here referring to quitting smoking abruptly.

Question 16

Question: After several failed attempts, he decided to ________.

Choices:
a) break the ice
b) cry over spilled milk
c) throw in the towel
d) let sleeping dogs lie
Answer: c) throw in the towel
Explanation: “Throw in the towel” means to give up after repeated failures, indicating resignation from continued attempts.

Question 17

Question: Stop ________ and tell me what happened.

Choices:
a) barking up the wrong tree
b) playing it by ear
c) beating around the bush
d) hitting the nail on the head
Answer: c) beating around the bush
Explanation: “Beating around the bush” means to avoid getting to the point or speaking indirectly, appropriate here for urging straightforwardness.

Question 18

Question: The teacher ________ for not doing his homework this time.

Choices:
a) let him off the hook
b) hit the ground running
c) played it by ear
d) cut corners
Answer: a) let him off the hook
Explanation: “Let him off the hook” means to excuse someone from a responsibility or penalty, fitting for a teacher forgiving a student’s oversight.

Question 19

Question: Buying a new car will ________.

Choices:
a) break the bank
b) break the ice
c) play it by ear
d) miss the boat
Answer: a) break the bank
Explanation: “Break the bank” means to cost a lot of money, often leading to financial strain, relevant to the context of an expensive purchase like a car.

Question 20

Question: These toys are ________ at any store.

Choices:
a) a dime a dozen
b) cutting corners
c) breaking the bank
d) crying wolf
Answer: a) a dime a dozen
Explanation: “A dime a dozen” means something is very common and easily obtainable, implying the toys are widely available and not unique.

Question 21

Question: It’s a ________; you can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job.

Choices:
a) beating around the bush
b) catch-22
c) dime a dozen
d) barking up the wrong tree
Answer: b) catch-22
Explanation: “Catch-22” refers to a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations. It perfectly describes the dilemma of needing a job to get experience and needing experience to get a job.

Question 22

Question: We don’t have much time, so I’ll ________.

Choices:
a) cry wolf
b) cut to the chase
c) miss the boat
d) jump the gun
Answer: b) cut to the chase
Explanation: “Cut to the chase” means to get to the point without wasting time, appropriate for a situation where time is limited.

Question 23

Question: Even though you lost your job, remember that ________.

Choices:
a) the ball is rolling
b) every cloud has a silver lining
c) crying wolf
d) hit the ground running
Answer: b) every cloud has a silver lining
Explanation: “Every cloud has a silver lining” means that there is a hopeful or positive aspect to every unpleasant situation, encouraging optimism even after a job loss.

Question 24

Question: We need to address ________ and discuss the budget cuts.

Choices:
a) the elephant in the room
b) the ball rolling
c) cutting corners
d) barking up the wrong tree
Answer: a) the elephant in the room
Explanation: “The elephant in the room” refers to an obvious problem or difficult issue that people do not want to talk about but is central to the discussion, fitting the context of needing to discuss budget cuts openly.

Question 25

Question: If you ________ too often, people will stop believing you.

Choices:
a) play it by ear
b) cut to the chase
c) cry wolf
d) break the bank
Answer: c) cry wolf
Explanation: “Cry wolf” means to raise false alarms so frequently that people stop taking them seriously, relevant to warning about the consequences of repeatedly lying or exaggerating.

Question 26

Question: We ________ on investing in that company early.

Choices:
a) played it by ear
b) hit the ground running
c) missed the boat
d) broke the bank
Answer: c) missed the boat
Explanation: “Missed the boat” means to miss an opportunity, aptly describing a situation where an early investment opportunity was lost.

Question 27

Question: Don’t take him seriously; he’s just ________.

Choices:
a) barking up the wrong tree
b) pulling your leg
c) crying over spilled milk
d) hitting the sack
Answer: b) pulling your leg
Explanation: “Pulling your leg” means to joke or tease someone in a playful manner, indicating not to take his words seriously as they are meant in jest.

Question 28

Question: ________, here comes John.

Choices:
a) Beating around the bush
b) Pulling your leg
c) Speak of the devil
d) Jumping the gun
Answer: c) Speak of the devil
Explanation: “Speak of the devil” is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives or is mentioned, fitting for John’s sudden appearance.

Question 29

Question: They’ve been friends ________.

Choices:
a) under the weather
b) on the ball
c) through thick and thin
d) barking up the wrong tree
Answer: c) through thick and thin
Explanation: “Through thick and thin” means in all circumstances, no matter how difficult, describing a strong and enduring friendship.

Question 30

Question: He’ll clean his room ________.

Choices:
a) when pigs fly
b) under the weather
c) on the ball
d) through thick and thin
Answer: a) when pigs fly
Explanation: “When pigs fly” is an expression used to indicate that something will never happen, humorously suggesting the improbability of him cleaning his room.