Idioms and phrases are an important part of English vocabulary. They help students understand the meaning of expressions that may be different from the literal meaning of the individual words.
For Class 9 and Class 10 students, learning common idioms and phrases can improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing skills, and performance in English grammar and competitive examinations.
This article contains 100 important Idioms and Phrases questions with answers, covering commonly used expressions, their meanings, and their use in sentences.
What Are Idioms and Phrases?
An idiom is a group of words whose overall meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words.
For example:
A piece of cake means something very easy to do.
A phrase is a group of words that works together as a meaningful expression.
Learning common idioms and phrases helps students understand English more naturally.
Part A: Common Idioms and Their Meanings
Questions 1–10
1. What does the idiom "A piece of cake" mean?
A) A delicious cake
B) Something very easy
C) Something expensive
D) Something difficult
Answer: B) Something very easy
2. What does "Break the ice" mean?
A) To break something
B) To start a friendly conversation
C) To create a problem
D) To stop talking
Answer: B) To start a friendly conversation
3. What does "Once in a blue moon" mean?
A) Every day
B) Very frequently
C) Very rarely
D) At night
Answer: C) Very rarely
4. What does "Hit the nail on the head" mean?
A) To hurt someone
B) To do something incorrectly
C) To say or do exactly the right thing
D) To repair something
Answer: C) To say or do exactly the right thing
5. What does "Under the weather" mean?
A) Outside in the rain
B) Feeling unwell
C) Feeling excited
D) Feeling angry
Answer: B) Feeling unwell
6. What does "Spill the beans" mean?
A) Waste food
B) Cook something
C) Reveal a secret
D) Make a mess
Answer: C) Reveal a secret
7. What does "Cost an arm and a leg" mean?
A) Be very cheap
B) Be very expensive
C) Be dangerous
D) Be useless
Answer: B) Be very expensive
8. What does "In hot water" mean?
A) Taking a bath
B) Being in trouble
C) Feeling relaxed
D) Working hard
Answer: B) Being in trouble
9. What does "Call it a day" mean?
A) Name a day
B) Start working
C) Stop working for the day
D) Celebrate a holiday
Answer: C) Stop working for the day
10. What does "Keep an eye on" mean?
A) Close your eyes
B) Watch carefully
C) Ignore something
D) Look away
Answer: B) Watch carefully
Part B: Everyday Idioms
Questions 11–20
11. "Beat around the bush" means:
A) To avoid the main topic
B) To work in a garden
C) To speak loudly
D) To become angry
Answer: A) To avoid the main topic
12. "Let the cat out of the bag" means:
A) Release an animal
B) Reveal a secret
C) Buy a pet
D) Create confusion
Answer: B) Reveal a secret
13. "Bite the bullet" means:
A) Eat something quickly
B) Face a difficult situation bravely
C) Run away
D) Start a fight
Answer: B) Face a difficult situation bravely
14. "Go the extra mile" means:
A) Travel a long distance
B) Make an additional effort
C) Walk slowly
D) Stop working
Answer: B) Make an additional effort
15. "Burn the midnight oil" means:
A) Waste electricity
B) Work or study late at night
C) Light a lamp
D) Sleep early
Answer: B) Work or study late at night
16. "A blessing in disguise" means:
A) Something that seems bad but turns out to be beneficial
B) A religious ceremony
C) A hidden person
D) A serious problem
Answer: A) Something that seems bad but turns out to be beneficial
17. "Add fuel to the fire" means:
A) Put out a fire
B) Make a situation worse
C) Cook food
D) Start a machine
Answer: B) Make a situation worse
18. "On cloud nine" means:
A) Very confused
B) Very happy
C) Very tired
D) Very worried
Answer: B) Very happy
19. "See eye to eye" means:
A) Look at someone's eyes
B) Agree with someone
C) Avoid someone
D) Challenge someone
Answer: B) Agree with someone
20. "Through thick and thin" means:
A) In good and bad times
B) Very quickly
C) Without thinking
D) In a crowded place
Answer: A) In good and bad times
Part C: Idioms Related to Success and Failure
Questions 21–30
21. "Where there is a will, there is a way" means:
A) Willpower can help overcome difficulties
B) Roads are always available
C) Everyone should travel
D) Success is automatic
Answer: A) Willpower can help overcome difficulties
22. "Rise to the occasion" means:
A) Stand up physically
B) Successfully deal with a difficult situation
C) Attend a function
D) Leave a place
Answer: B) Successfully deal with a difficult situation
23. "Learn the ropes" means:
A) Learn how to tie ropes
B) Learn how to do a particular job
C) Start a journey
D) Repair something
Answer: B) Learn how to do a particular job
24. "Get the hang of" means:
A) Hold something
B) Learn how to do something
C) Drop something
D) Forget something
Answer: B) Learn how to do something
25. "Make a mark" means:
A) Write a symbol
B) Make an important impression or achievement
C) Draw a line
D) Correct a mistake
Answer: B) Make an important impression or achievement
26. "Miss the boat" means:
A) Miss a bus or boat literally
B) Miss an opportunity
C) Go on a journey
D) Arrive early
Answer: B) Miss an opportunity
27. "Back to square one" means:
A) Return to the starting point
B) Draw a square
C) Win a competition
D) Complete a task
Answer: A) Return to the starting point
28. "A step in the right direction" means:
A) Walking somewhere
B) An action that makes progress toward a goal
C) Taking a wrong decision
D) Changing direction
Answer: B) An action that makes progress toward a goal
29. "Keep your fingers crossed" means:
A) Keep your hands closed
B) Hope for a good result
C) Stop working
D) Feel nervous
Answer: B) Hope for a good result
30. "Turn over a new leaf" means:
A) Turn a page
B) Start behaving differently or begin again
C) Read a book
D) Change a subject
Answer: B) Start behaving differently or begin again
Part D: Idioms Related to People and Behaviour
Questions 31–40
31. "A man of his word" means:
A) A person who speaks a lot
B) A person who keeps his promises
C) A writer
D) A politician
Answer: B) A person who keeps his promises
32. "A couch potato" means:
A) A vegetable seller
B) A person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television
C) A hardworking person
D) A farmer
Answer: B) A person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television
33. "A dark horse" means:
A) A black animal
B) An unexpected or little-known competitor who may succeed
C) A dangerous person
D) A horse rider
Answer: B) An unexpected or little-known competitor who may succeed
34. "A jack of all trades" means:
A) A person who knows how to do many different kinds of work
B) A shopkeeper
C) A person who works only with machines
D) A gambler
Answer: A) A person who knows how to do many different kinds of work
35. "A bookworm" means:
A) An insect
B) A person who loves reading
C) A librarian
D) A writer
Answer: B) A person who loves reading
36. "A wet blanket" means:
A) A person who discourages others from enjoying themselves
B) A person who likes rain
C) A person who works outdoors
D) A helpful person
Answer: A) A person who discourages others from enjoying themselves
37. "A fair-weather friend" means:
A) A friend who likes good weather
B) A friend who is supportive only in good times
C) A childhood friend
D) A helpful neighbour
Answer: B) A friend who is supportive only in good times
38. "A heart of gold" means:
A) A rich person
B) A very kind and generous nature
C) A strong person
D) A brave soldier
Answer: B) A very kind and generous nature
39. "A pain in the neck" means:
A) A medical problem
B) An annoying person or thing
C) A helpful person
D) A difficult journey
Answer: B) An annoying person or thing
40. "A social butterfly" means:
A) An insect found in cities
B) A person who enjoys meeting and talking to people
C) A shy person
D) A person who works alone
Answer: B) A person who enjoys meeting and talking to people
Part E: Idioms Related to Money and Work
Questions 41–50
41. "Make ends meet" means:
A) Join two things
B) Manage financially with the money available
C) Complete a race
D) Finish a meeting
Answer: B) Manage financially with the money available
42. "Bring home the bacon" means:
A) Bring food home
B) Earn money to support the family
C) Cook dinner
D) Buy groceries
Answer: B) Earn money to support the family
43. "Tighten your belt" means:
A) Wear a tight belt
B) Spend less money
C) Exercise regularly
D) Work faster
Answer: B) Spend less money
44. "Break the bank" means:
A) Rob a bank
B) Cost too much money
C) Open a bank account
D) Save money
Answer: B) Cost too much money
45. "Pay through the nose" means:
A) Pay a very high price
B) Pay with cash
C) Refuse to pay
D) Pay late
Answer: A) Pay a very high price
46. "In the red" means:
A) In danger
B) Having financial losses or debt
C) Feeling angry
D) Wearing red clothes
Answer: B) Having financial losses or debt
47. "In the black" means:
A) Being profitable or financially successful
B) Being in darkness
C) Being confused
D) Being unemployed
Answer: A) Being profitable or financially successful
48. "Cash cow" means:
A) An expensive animal
B) A source of regular income or profit
C) A bank employee
D) A farming tool
Answer: B) A source of regular income or profit
49. "Go broke" means:
A) Break something
B) Lose all or most of one's money
C) Start a business
D) Save money
Answer: B) Lose all or most of one's money
50. "Worth one's salt" means:
A) Worth the amount of salt
B) Competent and deserving of respect
C) Very expensive
D) Very wealthy
Answer: B) Competent and deserving of respect
Part F: Idioms Related to Feelings and Emotions
Questions 51–60
51. "Over the moon" means:
A) Extremely happy
B) Very confused
C) Very tired
D) Extremely angry
Answer: A) Extremely happy
52. "Green with envy" means:
A) Feeling sick
B) Feeling jealous
C) Feeling relaxed
D) Feeling proud
Answer: B) Feeling jealous
53. "Lose one's temper" means:
A) Become angry
B) Forget something
C) Become happy
D) Lose an object
Answer: A) Become angry
54. "Have butterflies in one's stomach" means:
A) Feel nervous or excited
B) Feel hungry
C) Feel sleepy
D) Feel angry
Answer: A) Feel nervous or excited
55. "In high spirits" means:
A) Feeling happy and cheerful
B) Feeling sick
C) Feeling frightened
D) Feeling tired
Answer: A) Feeling happy and cheerful
56. "Down in the dumps" means:
A) Very happy
B) Sad or depressed
C) Very busy
D) Very successful
Answer: B) Sad or depressed
57. "Get cold feet" means:
A) Have cold legs
B) Become afraid to do something
C) Feel comfortable
D) Run quickly
Answer: B) Become afraid to do something
58. "Keep your cool" means:
A) Stay calm
B) Stay outside
C) Become angry
D) Feel cold
Answer: A) Stay calm
59. "Blow one's top" means:
A) Become extremely angry
B) Finish a task
C) Win a competition
D) Speak softly
Answer: A) Become extremely angry
60. "Have a change of heart" means:
A) Have a heart problem
B) Change one's opinion or decision
C) Become ill
D) Become stronger
Answer: B) Change one's opinion or decision
Part G: Idioms Related to Time and Situations
Questions 61–70
61. "At the eleventh hour" means:
A) Very early
B) At the last possible moment
C) At eleven o'clock every day
D) During lunch
Answer: B) At the last possible moment
62. "In the nick of time" means:
A) Just before it is too late
B) Very early
C) After a long time
D) Never
Answer: A) Just before it is too late
63. "For the time being" means:
A) Forever
B) For now
C) Yesterday
D) In the future
Answer: B) For now
64. "In no time" means:
A) Never
B) Very soon or very quickly
C) After many years
D) At midnight
Answer: B) Very soon or very quickly
65. "Once and for all" means:
A) Again and again
B) Finally and permanently
C) Sometimes
D) Temporarily
Answer: B) Finally and permanently
66. "From time to time" means:
A) Always
B) Occasionally
C) Never
D) Immediately
Answer: B) Occasionally
67. "Time flies" means:
A) Time passes quickly
B) Time stops
C) Time is wasted
D) Time is measured
Answer: A) Time passes quickly
68. "Behind the times" means:
A) Late for school
B) Old-fashioned or not modern
C) Very punctual
D) Ahead of everyone
Answer: B) Old-fashioned or not modern
69. "Call the shots" means:
A) Fire a weapon
B) Make the important decisions
C) Play a game
D) Take photographs
Answer: B) Make the important decisions
70. "A matter of time" means:
A) Something that will happen eventually
B) A clock problem
C) Something impossible
D) A historical event
Answer: A) Something that will happen eventually
Part H: Idioms Related to Communication
Questions 71–80
71. "Speak one's mind" means:
A) Speak honestly about one's thoughts
B) Speak very softly
C) Memorize something
D) Avoid conversation
Answer: A) Speak honestly about one's thoughts
72. "Read between the lines" means:
A) Read a book carefully
B) Look for a hidden or implied meaning
C) Read very quickly
D) Skip a paragraph
Answer: B) Look for a hidden or implied meaning
73. "Put in a good word for someone" means:
A) Write a good sentence
B) Say something favourable about someone
C) Criticize someone
D) Give someone a book
Answer: B) Say something favourable about someone
74. "Get straight to the point" means:
A) Speak directly about the main issue
B) Walk straight
C) Avoid the topic
D) Speak indirectly
Answer: A) Speak directly about the main issue
75. "Hear it on the grapevine" means:
A) Hear something from an informal source
B) Hear music
C) Work in a garden
D) Hear a speech
Answer: A) Hear something from an informal source
76. "Give someone a heads-up" means:
A) Hit someone
B) Give someone advance information or warning
C) Help someone stand
D) Ignore someone
Answer: B) Give someone advance information or warning
77. "Keep someone posted" means:
A) Send someone a letter
B) Keep someone informed
C) Ignore someone's messages
D) Put something on a notice board
Answer: B) Keep someone informed
78. "Get the message" means:
A) Receive a letter
B) Understand what someone is trying to communicate
C) Write a message
D) Send an email
Answer: B) Understand what someone is trying to communicate
79. "Talk behind someone's back" means:
A) Speak to someone privately
B) Talk about someone when they are not present
C) Speak loudly
D) Give someone advice
Answer: B) Talk about someone when they are not present
80. "A word of mouth" means:
A) Written information
B) Information passed by people speaking to one another
C) A newspaper article
D) A formal announcement
Answer: B) Information passed by people speaking to one another
Part I: Common Idioms for School and Competitive Exams
Questions 81–90
81. "By heart" means:
A) With love
B) From memory
C) With difficulty
D) With emotion
Answer: B) From memory
82. "Learn by heart" means:
A) Understand something deeply
B) Memorize something
C) Read something quickly
D) Forget something
Answer: B) Memorize something
83. "A close shave" means:
A) A haircut
B) A narrow escape from danger or difficulty
C) A close friendship
D) A difficult examination
Answer: B) A narrow escape from danger or difficulty
84. "In a nutshell" means:
A) In a small container
B) In a few words or briefly
C) In detail
D) Without meaning
Answer: B) In a few words or briefly
85. "At a loss" means:
A) Unable to understand what to do
B) Very successful
C) Very wealthy
D) Extremely happy
Answer: A) Unable to understand what to do
86. "In black and white" means:
A) In writing or in printed form
B) In darkness
C) In two colours
D) In a drawing
Answer: A) In writing or in printed form
87. "A storm in a teacup" means:
A) A major storm
B) A lot of anger or excitement about a small matter
C) A weather problem
D) A difficult journey
Answer: B) A lot of anger or excitement about a small matter
88. "The tip of the iceberg" means:
A) The visible part of a much larger problem or situation
B) A piece of ice
C) A small achievement
D) A mountain
Answer: A) The visible part of a much larger problem or situation
89. "A drop in the ocean" means:
A) A very large amount
B) A very small amount compared with what is needed
C) A natural disaster
D) A water shortage
Answer: B) A very small amount compared with what is needed
90. "By leaps and bounds" means:
A) Very slowly
B) Rapidly and greatly
C) Without planning
D) With difficulty
Answer: B) Rapidly and greatly
Part J: Mixed Idioms and Phrases Questions
Questions 91–100
91. "A bird's-eye view" means:
A) A view from above
B) Watching birds
C) A small picture
D) A detailed explanation
Answer: A) A view from above
92. "Kill two birds with one stone" means:
A) Harm two animals
B) Accomplish two things with one action
C) Complete one task slowly
D) Create two problems
Answer: B) Accomplish two things with one action
93. "Actions speak louder than words" means:
A) Speaking loudly is important
B) What someone does is more important than what they say
C) Words are always unnecessary
D) Actions should be discussed
Answer: B) What someone does is more important than what they say
94. "Every cloud has a silver lining" means:
A) Clouds are beautiful
B) There is something positive in every difficult situation
C) Rain is always helpful
D) Problems never end
Answer: B) There is something positive in every difficult situation
95. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" means:
A) Do not carry eggs
B) Do not depend completely on one plan or resource
C) Always buy eggs
D) Keep things together
Answer: B) Do not depend completely on one plan or resource
96. "The ball is in your court" means:
A) You are playing a sport
B) It is your responsibility to take the next action
C) You have won a match
D) You should leave the court
Answer: B) It is your responsibility to take the next action
97. "When pigs fly" means:
A) When animals learn to fly
B) Something that is extremely unlikely or impossible
C) Very soon
D) During winter
Answer: B) Something that is extremely unlikely or impossible
98. "Too many cooks spoil the broth" means:
A) Cooking is difficult
B) Too many people trying to control a task can ruin it
C) Food should be cooked slowly
D) Everyone should cook together
Answer: B) Too many people trying to control a task can ruin it
99. "Practice makes perfect" means:
A) Practice is unnecessary
B) Regular practice improves performance
C) Perfection is impossible
D) Practice wastes time
Answer: B) Regular practice improves performance
100. "Rome was not built in a day" means:
A) Rome is an old city
B) Important things take time and patience
C) Cities are difficult to build
D) History is difficult to understand
Answer: B) Important things take time and patience
How to Learn Idioms and Phrases Easily
Students can improve their knowledge of idioms and phrases with regular practice.
Learn 5–10 idioms every day.
Write the meaning of each idiom in your own words.
Make a sentence using every new idiom.
Group idioms according to topics such as emotions, money, success, and communication.
Revise previously learned idioms regularly.
Read English newspapers, stories, and articles to find idioms in context.
Practice multiple-choice questions.
Use idioms naturally in writing and conversation.
Keep a personal vocabulary notebook.
Take online quizzes to test your understanding.
Quick Revision: 20 Important Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A piece of cake | Something very easy |
| Break the ice | Start a friendly conversation |
| Once in a blue moon | Very rarely |
| Hit the nail on the head | Say or do exactly the right thing |
| Under the weather | Feel unwell |
| Spill the beans | Reveal a secret |
| Cost an arm and a leg | Be very expensive |
| In hot water | Be in trouble |
| Call it a day | Stop working |
| Keep an eye on | Watch carefully |
| Burn the midnight oil | Work or study late at night |
| Go the extra mile | Make an additional effort |
| On cloud nine | Very happy |
| See eye to eye | Agree |
| Miss the boat | Miss an opportunity |
| Turn over a new leaf | Start afresh |
| Lose one's temper | Become angry |
| Keep your cool | Stay calm |
| Read between the lines | Understand hidden meaning |
| In a nutshell | In brief |
Conclusion
Idioms and phrases make English more expressive and help students understand both written and spoken English more effectively. Learning common idioms is especially useful for Class 9–10 English examinations, vocabulary tests, reading comprehension, competitive exams, and everyday communication.
Practice these 100 Idioms and Phrases Questions with Answers regularly and try to use the expressions in your own sentences. This will help improve vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and communication skills.
