SSC CGL Idioms & Phrases Verified Practice Test 2

1. 'In hot water' means:

• A. taking a bath
• B. in trouble (Correct)
• C. working in heat
• D. fully prepared

Explanation: The phrase means facing difficulty or blame.

2. 'Beat around the bush' means:

• A. avoid the main point (Correct)
• B. move quickly
• C. win a fight
• D. speak politely

Explanation: It means talking indirectly without coming to the point.

3. 'On the same page' means:

• A. reading one book
• B. in agreement (Correct)
• C. inside a notebook
• D. standing together

Explanation: The phrase means sharing the same understanding.

4. 'Throw in the towel' means:

• A. clean a room
• B. surrender (Correct)
• C. begin a fight
• D. join a team

Explanation: The phrase means to give up.

5. 'The ball is in your court' means:

• A. you are playing
• B. it is your decision now (Correct)
• C. you lost the game
• D. the match is over

Explanation: Responsibility has shifted to you.

6. 'Go the extra mile' means:

• A. travel physically
• B. make more effort than expected (Correct)
• C. leave early
• D. take a wrong route

Explanation: It means doing more than the minimum required.

7. 'Through thick and thin' means:

• A. in every season
• B. under all conditions (Correct)
• C. by cleverness
• D. for a short time

Explanation: The phrase means during good and bad times alike.

8. 'Miss the boat' means:

• A. travel late
• B. lose an opportunity (Correct)
• C. forget luggage
• D. cross a river

Explanation: It refers to failing to act at the right time.

9. 'At loggerheads' means:

• A. fully united
• B. in strong disagreement (Correct)
• C. working silently
• D. out of energy

Explanation: It describes people in serious conflict.

10. 'Bite off more than you can chew' means:

• A. eat too fast
• B. take on more than you can handle (Correct)
• C. waste food
• D. speak without thinking

Explanation: The idiom refers to overcommitting yourself.

11. 'Make both ends meet' means:

• A. join two things
• B. manage financially (Correct)
• C. solve a puzzle
• D. finish quickly

Explanation: It means living within limited income.

12. 'Back to square one' means:

• A. return to the starting point (Correct)
• B. move in circles
• C. win easily
• D. stand in a corner

Explanation: It means starting all over again.

13. 'In the nick of time' means:

• A. too early
• B. at the exact last moment (Correct)
• C. after a long delay
• D. on a holiday

Explanation: The phrase means just in time.

14. 'A storm in a teacup' means:

• A. a weather report
• B. a small issue made to seem big (Correct)
• C. a difficult debate
• D. a happy event

Explanation: It means exaggerating a minor matter.

15. 'At daggers drawn' means:

• A. in close friendship
• B. in bitter conflict (Correct)
• C. carrying weapons
• D. ready for travel

Explanation: The phrase means openly hostile.