SSC CGL Idioms & Phrases Verified Practice Test 1

1. 'At the eleventh hour' means:

• A. very early
• B. at the last moment (Correct)
• C. in a hurry
• D. every hour

Explanation: The phrase refers to something done just before the deadline.

2. 'A piece of cake' means:

• A. a bakery item
• B. very difficult
• C. very easy (Correct)
• D. half done

Explanation: The idiom means something simple to do.

3. 'Call it a day' means:

• A. begin a task
• B. stop working for the day (Correct)
• C. phone someone
• D. name the date

Explanation: The phrase means to end the day's activity.

4. 'Hit the nail on the head' means:

• A. repair furniture
• B. say exactly the right thing (Correct)
• C. injure oneself
• D. miss the point

Explanation: It refers to being exactly correct.

5. 'Under the weather' means:

• A. outside in rain
• B. slightly ill (Correct)
• C. very rich
• D. deeply confused

Explanation: The expression means not feeling well.

6. 'Burn the midnight oil' means:

• A. work late into the night (Correct)
• B. waste fuel
• C. celebrate at night
• D. sleep early

Explanation: It refers to studying or working very late.

7. 'Break the ice' means:

• A. shatter a frozen object
• B. start a friendly interaction (Correct)
• C. ruin a plan
• D. stay silent

Explanation: The idiom means removing awkwardness and beginning conversation.

8. 'Spill the beans' means:

• A. cook food
• B. reveal a secret (Correct)
• C. make a mess
• D. waste time

Explanation: It means to disclose something hidden.

9. 'In black and white' means:

• A. in colourless form
• B. in writing (Correct)
• C. very old
• D. under doubt

Explanation: The phrase refers to something recorded in written form.

10. 'Once in a blue moon' means:

• A. daily
• B. rarely (Correct)
• C. at night
• D. suddenly

Explanation: It describes something that happens infrequently.

11. 'By leaps and bounds' means:

• A. slowly
• B. with difficulty
• C. very rapidly (Correct)
• D. without logic

Explanation: The phrase means at a very fast rate.

12. 'Cost an arm and a leg' means:

• A. cause injury
• B. be very expensive (Correct)
• C. require effort
• D. need medical care

Explanation: The idiom refers to a very high price.

13. 'Read between the lines' means:

• A. read softly
• B. find the hidden meaning (Correct)
• C. skip lines
• D. read quickly

Explanation: It means understanding what is implied, not directly stated.

14. 'On cloud nine' means:

• A. flying high
• B. extremely happy (Correct)
• C. completely lost
• D. deeply tired

Explanation: The idiom means very joyful.

15. 'Keep an eye on' means:

• A. blink often
• B. watch carefully (Correct)
• C. draw a picture
• D. ignore completely

Explanation: The phrase means to observe closely.