50 MCQs on Idioms | Law Entrances

Solve these 51+ MCQs on Idioms for law entrances exams!

1. What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?

a) To cause a disruption

b) To start a conversation

c) To build a wall

d) To make a mistake

Answer: b) To start a conversation

Explanation: The idiom “break the ice” means to initiate a conversation or overcome initial social awkwardness.

2. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “barking up the wrong tree”:

a) To make a loud noise

b) To search in the wrong place

c) To climb a tree

d) To give up too easily

Answer: b) To search in the wrong place

Explanation: “Barking up the wrong tree” means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action or to accuse the wrong person.

3. What does the idiom “caught red-handed” mean?

a) To be injured

b) To be surprised

c) To be guilty of a crime

d) To be praised

Answer: c) To be guilty of a crime

Explanation: “Caught red-handed” means to be apprehended in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.

4. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “the ball is in your court”:

a) It is time to play a sport

b) It is your responsibility to take action or make a decision

c) There is a ball in your possession

d) It is time to go home

Answer: b) It is your responsibility to take action or make a decision

Explanation: “The ball is in your court” means it is someone’s turn or responsibility to take action or make a decision.

5. What does the idiom “hit the nail on the head” mean?

a) To miss the target

b) To hit something hard

c) To criticize someone harshly

d) To be exactly right or accurate

Answer: d) To be exactly right or accurate

Explanation: “Hit the nail on the head” means to express or do something exactly right or accurately.

6. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “butterflies in the stomach”:

a) Feeling hungry

b) Feeling nauseous

c) Feeling nervous or anxious

d) Feeling tired

Answer: c) Feeling nervous or anxious

Explanation: “Butterflies in the stomach” refers to the feeling of nervousness or anxiety, often felt in the stomach before a significant event.

7. What does the idiom “cost an arm and a leg” mean?

a) To lose a limb in an accident

b) To be expensive

c) To have a physical fight

d) To donate body parts

Answer: b) To be expensive

Explanation: “Cost an arm and a leg” means something is very expensive or costs a significant amount of money.

8. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “the early bird catches the worm”:

a) Waking up early is healthy

b) The first person to arrive gets the best opportunities

c) Birds eat worms for breakfast

d) It’s better to sleep late and wake up late

Answer: b) The first person to arrive gets the best opportunities

Explanation: “The early bird catches the worm” means that the person who takes action or arrives first will have an advantage or be successful.

9. What does the idiom “piece of cake” mean?

a) A delicious dessert

b) Something easy to do

c) A broken object

d) A portion of a larger whole

Answer: b) Something easy to do

Explanation: “Piece of cake” means something that is very easy to do or accomplish.

10. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “let the cat out of the bag”:

a) To reveal a secret or surprise

b) To play with a cat

c) To put a cat in a bag

d) To buy a cat

Answer: a) To reveal a secret or surprise

Explanation: “Let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal or disclose a secret or surprise that was meant to be kept hidden.

11. What does the idiom “take with a grain of salt” mean?

a) To add salt to a dish

b) To consume something lightly seasoned

c) To doubt or not fully believe something

d) To eat a snack while working

Answer: c) To doubt or not fully believe something

Explanation: “Take with a grain of salt” means to be skeptical or not fully accept or believe something.

12. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “raining cats and dogs”:

a) A weather condition with heavy rain

b) Animals falling from the sky

c) A cat and a dog playing in the rain

d) A storm with thunder and lightning

Answer: a) A weather condition with heavy rain

Explanation: “Raining cats and dogs” means heavy or intense rain.

13. What does the idiom “burning the midnight oil” mean?

a) To set something on fire during the night

b) To work or study late into the night

c) To stay awake to watch the stars

d) To light a lamp at midnight

Answer: b) To work or study late into the night

Explanation: “Burning the midnight oil” means to work or study late into the night.

14. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “the straw that broke the camel’s back”:

a) A camel carrying a load of straw

b) The final problem or burden that causes a situation to collapse or fail

c) A camel drinking from a straw

d) A camel carrying a broken back

Answer: b) The final problem or burden that causes a situation to collapse or fail

Explanation: “The straw that broke the camel’s back” refers to the final small problem or burden that causes a situation or person to collapse or fail.

15. What does the idiom “out of the blue” mean?

a) Out of reach

b) Without warning or unexpectedly

c) In the sky

d) In a bad mood

Answer: b) Without warning or unexpectedly

Explanation: “Out of the blue” means something happens suddenly or unexpectedly, without any warning.

16. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “under the weather”:

a) Taking shelter from the rain

b) Feeling physically unwell or sick

c) Feeling excited and energetic

d) Feeling sad or gloomy

Answer: b) Feeling physically unwell or sick

Explanation: “Under the weather” means to feel physically unwell or sick.

17. What does the idiom “a piece of your mind” mean?

a) To forget something important

b) To lose a part of your mind

c) To express one’s thoughts or feelings forcefully or angrily

d) To solve a difficult problem

Answer: c) To express one’s thoughts or feelings forcefully or angrily

Explanation: “A piece of your mind” means to express one’s thoughts or feelings, especially in a forceful or angry manner.

18. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “call it a day”:

a) To end a workday or activity

b) To make a phone call during the day

c) To call someone by their name

d) To announce the end of a competition

Answer: a) To end a workday or activity

Explanation: “Call it a day” means to decide to stop working or participating in an activity for the rest of the day.

19. What does the idiom “skeleton in the closet” mean?

a) A closet full of skeletons

b) A hidden secret or embarrassing truth about someone’s past

c) A closet with no clothes

d) A hidden treasure in a closet

Answer: b) A hidden secret or embarrassing truth about someone’s past

Explanation: “Skeleton in the closet” refers to a hidden secret or embarrassing truth about someone’s past.

20. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “throw in the towel”:

a) To give up or admit defeat

b) To wash a towel

c) To play sports with a towel

d) To offer a towel to someone

Answer: a) To give up or admit defeat

Explanation: “Throw in the towel” means to give up, surrender, or admit defeat in a challenging situation.

21. What does the idiom “kick the bucket” mean?

a) To play with a bucket

b) To kick a bucket out of frustration

c) To die or pass away

d) To clean a bucket

Answer: c) To die or pass away

Explanation: “Kick the bucket” is a humorous way of saying someone has died or passed away.

22. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “keep your chin up”:

a) To touch your chin

b) To keep smiling or stay positive during a difficult time

c) To rest your chin on your hand

d) To lift your chin up high

Answer: b) To keep smiling or stay positive during a difficult time

Explanation: “Keep your chin up” means to remain cheerful, positive, or optimistic during a challenging or difficult situation.

23. What does the idiom “all ears” mean?

a) Having multiple ears

b) Having big ears

c) Paying full attention or being eager to hear something

d) Listening to music with headphones

Answer: c) Paying full attention or being eager to hear something

Explanation: “All ears” means to be fully attentive or eager to listen to something.

24. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “hit the jackpot”:

a) To get hit by a jackpot

b) To win a large amount of money or achieve great success unexpectedly

c) To play a game with a jackpot

d) To destroy a jackpot

Answer: b) To win a large amount of money or achieve great success unexpectedly

Explanation: “Hit the jackpot” means to achieve unexpected or great success or win a large amount of money.

25. What does the idiom “pull someone’s leg” mean?

a) To pull someone’s hair

b) To make fun of or tease someone in a playful way

c) To help someone walk

d) To cause someone to trip

Answer: b) To make fun of or tease someone in a playful way

Explanation: “Pull someone’s leg” means to tease or playfully deceive someone.

26. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “break a leg”:

a) To intentionally break someone’s leg

b) To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or event

c) To take a break from leg exercises

d) To injure your own leg

Answer: b) To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or event

Explanation: “Break a leg” is a common expression used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or event.

27. What does the idiom “on cloud nine” mean?

a) Feeling sad or depressed

b) Feeling ecstatically happy or euphoric

c) Standing on a cloud

d) Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

Answer: b) Feeling ecstatically happy or euphoric

Explanation: “On cloud nine” means to be extremely happy or elated.

28. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “cross your fingers”:

a) To cross your fingers for good luck

b) To touch someone else’s fingers

c) To stretch your fingers

d) To bend your fingers backward

Answer: a) To cross your fingers for good luck

Explanation: “Cross your fingers” means to make a symbolic gesture of wishing for good luck or success.

29. What does the idiom “a dime a dozen” mean?

a) To give a dime to a dozen people

b) To find a dozen dimes

c) Something that is very common or easy to obtain

d) To collect dimes as a hobby

Answer: c) Something that is very common or easy to obtain

Explanation: “A dime a dozen” means something is very common or easy to find or obtain.

30. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “get a taste of your own medicine”:

a) To try a new type of food or drink

b) To take someone’s medicine by mistake

c) To experience the same negative treatment that one has inflicted on others

d) To become a pharmacist

Answer: c) To experience the same negative treatment that one has inflicted on others

Explanation: “Get a taste of your own medicine” means to experience the same negative treatment or actions that one has inflicted on others.

31. What does the idiom “back to the drawing board” mean?

a) To draw on someone’s back

b) To start over or begin again, typically after a failed attempt or plan

c) To draw on a board

d) To draw a picture of a board

Answer: b) To start over or begin again, typically after a failed attempt or plan

Explanation: “Back to the drawing board” means to start over or go back to the beginning, especially after a failed attempt or plan.

32. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “in the same boat”:

a) To be in a boat together

b) To be in the same situation or facing the same difficulties

c) To have a boat made of the same material

d) To have the same boat as someone else

Answer: b) To be in the same situation or facing the same difficulties

Explanation: “In the same boat” means to be in the same situation or facing the same difficulties as someone else.

33. What does the idiom “hit the road” mean?

a) To hit someone while on the road

b) To start a journey or leave a place

c) To drive on a road at high speed

d) To play road games

Answer: b) To start a journey or leave a place

Explanation: “Hit the road” means to start a journey or leave a place, often implying traveling by road.

34. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “keep your fingers crossed”:

a) To hold someone’s fingers

b) To avoid crossing your fingers

c) To hope for good luck or success

d) To count your fingers

Answer: c) To hope for good luck or success

Explanation: “Keep your fingers crossed” means to hope for good luck or success.

35. What does the idiom “in hot water” mean?

a) To take a bath in hot water

b) To be in trouble or facing difficulties

c) To drink hot water

d) To swim in hot water

Answer: b) To be in trouble or facing difficulties

Explanation: “In hot water” means to be in trouble or facing difficulties or criticism.

36. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “out of the frying pan into the fire”:

a) To jump from a frying pan into a fire

b) To rescue someone from a fire

c) To escape from a frying pan

d) To go from a bad situation to a worse one

Answer: d) To go from a bad situation to a worse one

Explanation: “Out of the frying pan into the fire” means to go from a bad or difficult situation to a worse one.

37. What does the idiom “stab someone in the back” mean?

a) To physically stab someone in the back

b) To support someone from behind

c) To betray or deceive someone who trusts you

d) To massage someone’s back

Answer: c) To betray or deceive someone who trusts you

Explanation: “Stab someone in the back” means to betray or deceive someone who trusts you, often in a secretive or hurtful manner.

38. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “to break a leg”:

a) To intentionally break someone’s leg

b) To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or event

c) To participate in a leg-breaking competition

d) To injure your own leg

Answer: b) To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or event

Explanation: “To break a leg” is a common expression used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or event.

39. What does the idiom “in the doghouse” mean?

a) To live in a doghouse

b) To love dogs

c) To be in a state of disfavor or being in trouble with someone

d) To train a dog

Answer: c) To be in a state of disfavor or being in trouble with someone

Explanation: “In the doghouse” means to be in a state of disfavor or being in trouble with someone.

40. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “turn a blind eye”:

a) To close one eye and keep the other open

b) To intentionally ignore or disregard something

c) To have impaired vision in one eye

d) To turn your head without looking

Answer: b) To intentionally ignore or disregard something

Explanation: “Turn a blind eye” means to intentionally ignore or disregard something, often due to not wanting to become involved or take action.

41. What does the idiom “pull someone’s leg” mean?

a) To pull someone’s hair

b) To make fun of or tease someone in a playful way

c) To help someone walk

d) To cause someone to trip

Answer: b) To make fun of or tease someone in a playful way

Explanation: “Pull someone’s leg” means to tease or playfully deceive someone.

42. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “bite the bullet”:

a) To chew on a bullet

b) To shoot a bullet

c) To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage or determination

d) To swallow a bullet

Answer: c) To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage or determination

Explanation: “Bite the bullet” means to face and endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage or determination.

43. What does the idiom “let sleeping dogs lie” mean?

a) To let dogs sleep peacefully

b) To not disturb a situation or avoid bringing up a controversial topic

c) To wake up a dog

d) To lie next to a sleeping dog

Answer: b) To not disturb a situation or avoid bringing up a controversial topic

Explanation: “Let sleeping dogs lie” means to not disturb a situation or avoid bringing up a controversial topic, especially to prevent further trouble or conflict.

44. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “head over heels”:

a) To do a somersault

b) To fall headfirst

c) To be deeply in love or infatuated

d) To walk with your head down

Answer: c) To be deeply in love or infatuated

Explanation: “Head over heels” means to be deeply in love or infatuated with someone.

45. What does the idiom “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” mean?

a) To count the number of chickens in a farm

b) To predict the future with certainty before it happens

c) To wait for chickens to hatch

d) To count eggs in a chicken coop

Answer: b) To predict the future with certainty before it happens

Explanation: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” means to not make plans or rely on something that has not yet happened or is uncertain.

46. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “spill the beans”:

a) To accidentally drop beans on the floor

b) To clean spilled beans

c) To reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept secret

d) To cook beans

Answer: c) To reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept secret

Explanation: “Spill the beans” means to reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept secret.

47. What does the idiom “out of sight, out of mind” mean?

a) To not be able to see

b) To forget about something or someone when they are not present or visible

c) To keep things hidden from others

d) To close your eyes and ignore something

Answer: b) To forget about something or someone when they are not present or visible

Explanation: “Out of sight, out of mind” means to forget about something or someone when they are not present or visible.

48. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “hit the nail on the head”:

a) To miss the target

b) To hit something hard

c) To criticize someone harshly

d) To be exactly right or accurate

Answer: d) To be exactly right or accurate

Explanation: “Hit the nail on the head” means to express or do something exactly right or accurately.

49. What does the idiom “take the bull by the horns” mean?

a) To wrestle a bull

b) To tame a bull

c) To face a difficult or challenging situation directly and with confidence

d) To run away from a bull

Answer: c) To face a difficult or challenging situation directly and with confidence

Explanation: “Take the bull by the horns” means to face a difficult or challenging situation directly and with confidence.

50. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “go the extra mile”:

a) To travel an extra mile

b) To run a marathon

c) To put in additional effort or do more than what is expected

d) To drive a long distance

Answer: c) To put in additional effort or do more than what is expected

Explanation: “Go the extra mile” means to put in additional effort or do more than what is expected to achieve a goal or satisfy someone’s needs.


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Aishwarya Agrawal
Aishwarya Agrawal

Aishwarya is a gold medalist from Hidayatullah National Law University (2015-2020) and has over 9 years of experience in law. She has been mentoring law aspirants to help them secure admission to their dream colleges and universities.

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