Directions : In these questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/ Phrase given in bold.

401. up a blind alley
(1) hiding something intentionally
from another person
(2) not warning a person who is
in danger
(3) one can enjoy thrills only if
one takes risk
(4) following a course of action
that is certain to lead to an
undesirable outcome
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 16-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
402. from stem to stern
(1) all the way from the front of a
ship to the back.
(2) from the beginning to the end.
(3) top of a plant to its roots.
(4) loose pleasantness to become
strict.
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
Question No. (403–405) :
(SSC (10+2) MkVk ,aVªh vkWijsVj ,oa LDC
ijh{kk] 10-11-2013] izFke ikyh)
403. The die is cast and nothing can
be done now.
(1) The game has been played
(2) There has been a failure
(3) The effect has worn out
(4) The decision has been taken
404. He is in the habit of picking holes
in everything.
(1) delving deep into
(2) finding fault with
(3) causing trouble to
(4) asking questions about
405. over egg the pudding
(1) add unnecessary details to
make something seem better
or worse.
(2) fill the pudding excessively
with egg.
(3) add details in order to make
something more exciting.
(4) add important details to the
content of a story.
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
Question No. (406–408) :
(SSC (10+2) MkVk ,aVªh vkWijsVj ,oa LDC
ijh{kk] 10-11-2013] f}rh; ikyh)
406. The young servant goes about
with the old master.
(1) tries to know more about
(2) adjusts well
(3) moves around
(4) goes around
407. turn over a new leaf
(1) change one’s behaviour for the
better.
(2) read between the pages of a
book.
(3) do a somersault
(4) do a new job.
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
408. After getting a severe scolding
from his mother, Raghu got down
to business.
(1) began to work seriously
(2) joined his father’s business
(3) started a business
(4) became businesslike
Question No. (409–411) :
(SSC eYVh Vk¯Ldx LVkiQ ijh{kkμ16-02-2014)
409. He was the bad egg in the family.
(1) greedy (2) worthless
(3) valuable (4) unwanted
410. take up the hatchet
(1) behave formally
(2) pursue a chance
(3) be caught in a trap
(4) prepare for or go to war
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
411. at loose ends
(1) tie two loose ends of a thread
(2) keep options open
(3) in an uncertain situation
(4) repay debts
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
Question No. (412–414) :
(SSC eYVh Vk¯Ldx LVkiQ
ijh{kkμ16-02-2014 f}rh; ikyh)
412. with might and main
(1) with full risks
(2) with full force
(3) having full confidence
(4) with full blessings
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
413. was plain sailing
(1) was very easy
(2) was complicated
(3) was competitive
(4) was uncomfortable
414. ruffle somebody’s feather
(1) gamble
(2) escape responsibility
(3) annoy somebody
(4) show contempt for
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
Question No. (415-417) :
(SSC eYVh Vk¯Ldx LVkiQ
ijh{kkμ23-02-2014 f}rh; ikyh)
415. I have recently changed my job
and I am going to have teething
problems.
(1) difficulties at the start
(2) difficulties at the end
(3) difficulties all the time
(4) problem with my teeth
416. cut short
(1) delete
(2) praise
(3) interrupt
(4) slice into small pieces
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
417. Chetan is very upset because the
new manager alwayspicks on him.
(1) advises him
(2) warns him severely
(3) selects him
(4) treats him badly
Question No. (418-422) :
418. a laughing stock
(1) an object of laughter
(2) a storehouse of jokes
(3) an object of desire
(4) a stock of high value
(SSC CGL Tier-II (CBE) ijh{kk 12-01-2017)
419. The mention of her former
husband’s name still makes Rita
foam at the mouth.
(1) angry (2) vomit
(3) shy (4) fall sick
420. We must husband our resources
against hard times.
(1) save (2) support
(3) sing (4) concede
421. He struck several bad patches
before he made good.
(1) eliminated many difficulties
(2) went through many illnesses
(3) had many professional difficulties
(4) came across bad weather
(SSC MTS ijh{kk 30-04-2017 izFke ikyh)
422. He talked over the matter for an
hour but without any result.
(1) assessed (2) fought about
(3) discussed (4) surveyed
(SSC MTS ijh{kk 30-04-2017 izFke ikyh)
SEH–644
IDIOMS/PHRASES
Question No. (423-427) :
(SSC CGL Tier-I iquiZjh{kkμ2013] 27-04-2014)
423. Scot-free
(1) to escape from captivity
(2) be free of all responsi-bilities
(3) to get something unexpe-cted
(4) without suffering any
punishment or injury
(SSC CGL Tier-I (CBE) ijh{kk 07-01-2017
f}rh; ikyh)
424. Tongue in cheek
(1) in an insincere way
(2) to praise wholeheartedly
(3) a sensational news
(4) to say something hurtful
(SSC CGL Tier-I (CBE) ijh{kk 07-01-2017
f}rh; ikyh)
425. He is a cut above all the other
boys in the group.
(1) quite taller than
(2) more active than
(3) a little rougher than
(4) rather superior to
426. As soon as the police arrived, the
bank robbers showed the white
flag.
(1) calmly left the scene
(2) surrendered
(3) ran away
(4) were incensed
427. To cut one short.
(1) to love one
(2) to insult one
(3) to criticise one
(4) to interrupt one
Question No. (428–432) :
(SSC CAPFs S.I. CISF ASI ,oa
fnYyh iqfyl S.I. ijh{kk] 22-06-2014)
428. We must work with al l our
might and main, otherwise we
cannot succeed.
(1) full force
(2) complete trust
(3) exceptional skill
(4) full unity
429. The sailors nailed their colours
to their mast.
(1) put up a colourful mast
(2) refused to climb down
(3) took over the ship
(4) decided to abandon the ship
430. We had better batten down the
hatches. The weather is unpredictable.
(1) stay in-door
(2) prepare for a difficult situation
(3) go somewhere safe
(4) face the obstacles
431. It is difficult to have a sensible
discussion with her as she flies
off at a tangent.
(1) gets carried away
(2) starts discussing something
irrelevant
(3) loses her temper easily
(4) does not really understand
anything
432. The students found it hard to go
at equal speed with the professor.
(1) get away from
(2) put up with
(3) keep up with
(4) race against
Question No. (433-437) :
433. Add fuel to the fire
(1) go from one bad situation to
another
(2) a cause becomes stronger
when more people join
(3) the flame will extinguish if it
runs out of oil
(4) cause a situation to become
worse
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 08-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
434. The thief managed to escape by
the skin of his teeth.
(1) by running very fast
(2) by getting help from his friend
(3) by the narrowest margin
(4) by disguising himself
435. William left us with a heartwrenching
swan song.
(1) last cry
(2) last gift
(3) last prayer
(4) last performance
436. A slap on the wrist
(1) a mild punishment
(2) punishing the wrong person
(3) to hit someone where it hurts
the most
(4) to threaten someone
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 08-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
437. The Director’s ideas for the development
of the company are all
moonshine.
(1) nonsense
(2) superficial
(3) outdated
(4) exemplary
Question No. (438-442) :
(SSC CGL Tier-I iquiZjh{kkμ2013]
20-07-2014 f}rh; ikyh)
438. The present manner of delimitation
has been done in a gerrymandering
way.
(1) in a legal and constitutional
manner
(2) in a judicial and fair way
(3) in a manipulative and unfair
way
(4) in a dictative manner like the
Germans
439. The performance of the lead actors
in the play brought the
house down.
(1) made the audience applaud
enthusiastically
(2) made the audience leave
(3) made the audience cry
(4) made the audience request an
encore
440. Against the clock
(1) To do a job fast to finish it
before a deadline
(2) time is money
(3) man is a victim of time
(4) it is useless to fight destiny
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 09-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
441. The Alpha and Omega
(1) beginning and end
(2) a Shakespearean play
(3) a Greek song
(4) a Swiss watch
442. Jane earned pin money working
part-time as a waitress.
(1) saved money
(2) additional money
(3) a small amount of money
(4) money to be spent only for
luxuries and treats
Question No. (443-447) :
(SSC CGL Tier-I ijh{kk 19-10-2014 izFke ikyh)
443. In the following question, out of
the four alternatives, select the
alternative which best expresses
the meaning of the idiom/phrase.
Scapegoat
(1) animal sacrifice as an offering
to God
(2) the most useful animal or
person
(3) a lucky person who is forgiven
for his crimes
(4) a person who is blamed for
the mistakes of others
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 09-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
SEH–645
IDIOMS/PHRASES
444. She is a person who pulls no
punches.
(1) speaks politely
(2) speaks frankly
(3) speaks rudely
(4) speaks sweetly
445. For any group work to be successful,
it is important that everyone
is on the same page.
(1) present for the meeting
(2) registered for the work
(3) willing to pay the same fees
(4) thinks in a similar way
446. Our plan to go to London is in
the air.
(1) undecided
(2) certain
(3) under consideration
(4) for approval
447. My efforts at pest control went
in vain, I have to go back to the
drawing board.
(1) plan it all over again
(2) take professional help
(3) spend some time researching
abroad
(4) work at night
Question No. (448-452) :
(SSC CGL Tier-I ijh{kk 19-10-2014)
448. There is no cut and dried method
for doing this.
(1) simple
(2) honest
(3) ready made
(4) understandable
449. Suddenly the man blacked out
during the parade and had to be
helped to a quiet place.
(1) lost temper
(2) lost control over himself
(3) lost consciousness
(4) lost balance
450. Hold your horses for a moment
while I make a phone call.
(1) Be patient (2) Stayout
(3) Be quiet (4) Wait
451. A hot potato
(1) a war like situation which
could have been easi ly
avoided
(2) a common eatery but
favoured by celebrities
(3) a controversial situation
which is awkward to deal with
(4) a celebrity who keeps getting
into some or the other controversy
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 10-01-2017 r`rh; ikyh)
452. I am very interested to know the
outcome of the debate, kindly
keep me in the loop.
(1) out of it
(2) informed about the fees
(3) informed about the last date
of joining
(4) informed regularly
Question No. (453-457) :
(SSC CGL Tier-I ijh{kk 26-10-2014)
453. In the following question, out of
the four alternatives, select the
alternative which best expresses
the meaning of the idiom/phrase.
New kid on the block
(1) New rules which are bound
to fail
(2) A junior
(3) A new social trend
(4) A newcomer
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 10-01-2017 r`rh; ikyh)
454. He could not get money from his
master because he rubbed him
up the wrong way.
(1) irked or irritated him
(2) asked him to speed up
(3) suggested a wrong method
(4) advised him to be strict
455. Ask Mr. Das. He can give you all
the news you need : he is always
in the swim.
(1) giving news to others
(2) at the swimming pool
(3) in search of news
(4) well–informed and up–to–date
456. You have been trying to solve this
puzzle for a long time, be careful
so that you avoid barking up
the wrong tree.
(1) trying to solve problems
(2) trying to find something at a
wrong place
(3) keep working constantly
(4) climbing the wrong tree
457. I’ll be able to do my job very well
when I know the ropes.
(1) become bolder
(2) work in silence
(3) learn the procedures
(4) gain confidence
Question No. (458–462) :
(SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO ,oa LDC ijh{kk
02-11-2014] (iVuk {ks=k % izFke ikyh)
458. Deepak did not care for his family,
he wanted to gather roses only.
(1) to save money miserly
(2) to paint a rosy picture of the
past
(3) to seek all enjoyments of life
(4) to obtain fame by hardwork
459. a close-fisted person
(1) a powerful person
(2) a miser
(3) a close friend
(4) a cowardly person
460. A piece of cake
(1) everything tastes nice to a
hungry person
(2) getting a smaller share than
expected
(3) it is difficult to forget tasty food
(4) something easily achieved
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 11-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
461. A picture paints a thousand
words
(1) An image of a subject conveys
its meaning or essence more
effectively than a description
does.
(2) It is impossible to describe a
beautiful sight.
(3) A painter can express his feelings
better than a writer.
(4) A beautiful poem creates a
mental picture.
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 11-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
462. actions speak louder than words
(1) what someone actually does
mean more than what they
say they will do
(2) someone’s character can be
judged from how one speaks
(3) those who talk less and work
more are always appreciated
(4) if one makes a commitment
then one has to act on it
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 13-01-2017 r`rh; ikyh)
SEH–646
IDIOMS/PHRASES
Question No. (463-467) :
(SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO ,oa LDC
ijh{kk 02-11-2014] f}rh; ikyh)
463. Add insult to injury
(1) sensitive people are hurt even
when one tries to help them
(2) to act in a way that makes a
bad situation worse
(3) people mistreat those who are
already facing a bad time
(4) hurtful words are like a
wound which does not heal
easily
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 13-01-2017 r`rh; ikyh)
464. Please be as brief as you can, I
have other fish to fry.
(1) to cook the food
(2) to take rest
(3) some important work to attend
to
(4) to attend the friends
465. Rise and shine
(1) Work hard and succeed in life
(2) an expression used when
waking someone up
(3) Try harder to overcome life’s
problems
(4) Be of spotless character
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 15-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
466. Raining cats and dogs
(1) raining unusually hard
(2) to win a big lottery
(3) to get wealth beyond what
one deserves
(4) to become filthy rich by honest
means
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 15-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
467. Run out of steam
(1) to lose impetus or enthusiasm
(2) to work quickly like a machine
(3) to give up easily
(4) no more money to spend
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 15-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
Question No. (468 – 472) :
(SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO ,oa
LDC ijh{kk] 09-11-2014)
468. get around
(1) persuade (2) recall
(3) exclude (4) avail
(SSC CAPFs ASI ,oa DP ,oa SI
ijh{kk 01-07-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
469. The students were all ears, when
the speaker started talking about
the changes in the exam.
(1) smiling (2) silent
(3) restless (4) attentive
470. In his salad days he was quite a
dandy.
(1) childhood (2) adolescence
(3) school days (4) old age
471. He is cool about working at
night.
(1) ready to work
(2) not ready to work
(3) excited about working
(4) grudgingly working
472. Turn a blind eye
(1) not able to see the obvious
truth
(2) hide the ugly truth from someone
(3) pretend not to notice
(4) stay away from bad habits
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 16-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
Question No. (473–477) :
[SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO ,oa LDC ijh{kk]
16-11-2014] (iVuk {ks=k % izFke ikyh)]
473. Up a blind alley
(1) hiding something intentionally
from another person
(2) not warning a person who is
in danger
(3) one can enjoy thrills only if
one takes risk
(4) following a course of action
that is certain to lead to an
undesirable outcome
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 16-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
474. Your behaviour is simply beyond
the pale.
(1) outside commonly accepted
standards
(2) beyond sorrow
(3) uninteresting
(4) something acceptable
475. The much hyped event turned out
be a nine days’ wonder.
(1) an event that lasted for nine
days
(2) created awe for nine days
(3) a dazzling spectacle of great
value
(4) a dazzling short-lived spectacle
of no real value
476. Listening to the lecture was
watching grass grow.
(1) very boring
(2) very interesting
(3) very confusing
(4) very informative
477. Suddenly the balloon goes up in
the middle of the conversation.
(1) the situation turns unpleasant
or serious
(2) a sudden shift in the topic of
conversation
(3) the conversation takes a lighter
note
(4) an abrupt silence takes place
Question No. (478-482) :
(SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO & LDC
ijh{kkμ16-11-2014] f}rh; ikyh)
478. The departmental store is open
around the clock.
(1) at different timings
(2) early morning
(3) day and night
(4) throughout the afternoon
479. Through the reporter’s efforts,
many unknown facts have come
to light.
(1) ignited (2) flared up
(3) brightened
(4) been revealed
480. Rome was not built in a day
(1) it takes time to create great
things
(2) you have to win many wars
to build an empire
(3) a task done hurriedly fails
completely
(4) building anything worth while
requires skill
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 16-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
481. The boy was in Dutch with his
friends.
(1) in love
(2) in good terms
(3) in awe
(4) in trouble
482. rule of thumb
(1) a rough unit of measure for
small lengths
(2) a broadly accurate guide
based on practice
(3) to force someone to work
against his wish
(4) to use your power to ensure
discipline
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 16-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
SEH–647
IDIOMS/PHRASES
Question No. (483-492) :
(SSC CGL Tier-II ijh{kk 21-09-2014)
483. Wild goose chase
(1) A hopeless search for something
unattainable
(2) An adventurous trip full of
surprises
(3) to waste a lot of time and effort
for small returns
(4) to have fun doing a certain
task
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 17-01-2017 f}rh; ikyh)
484. Why do you fight shy of me ?
(1) fight with
(2) avoid
(3) embarrass
(4) shout at
485. They have latched on to tourism
as a way of boosting the local
economy.
(1) promoted
(2) discovered
(3) exposed
(4) explored
486. When he asked me the way to the
cafeteria, I told him to follow his
nose.
(1) to find it by himself
(2) to ask someone else
(3) to follow me
(4) to go straight ahead
487. Winning the competition was
quite a feather in my cap.
(1) rewarding
(2) an exciting moment
(3) an achievement
(4) a joy for my parents
488. shooting fish in a barrel
(1) to do random acts of stupidity
(2) to behave in a cruel manner
(3) ridiculously easy
(4) to escape through a narrow
opening
(SSC CHSL (10+2) Tier-I (CBE)
ijh{kk 18-01-2017 r`rh; ikyh)
489. After the public meeting, the
crowd went haywire.
(1) were in jubilation
(2) protested
(3) became out of control
(4) left the venue
490. He broke off in the middle of the
story.
(1) fainted
(2) suddenly stopped
(3) divided his narrative
(4) took time off
491. Some shots were fired at random.
(1) without any aim
(2) for a long time
(3) to end quarrel
(4) thoroughly
492. I can finish the work by myself,
but she always tries to be a backseat
driver.
(1) person who misjudge others
(2) person who wants to do
things by herself
(3) person who falsely accuses
others
(4) person who gives unwanted
advice
Question No. (493–502) :
(SSC CGL Tier – II ijh{kkμ12-04-2015)
493. Sheila’s tall tales have no meaning.
(1) jealousy (2) greed
(3) boasting (4) pride
494. The bridge gave way under the
heavy weight.
(1) collapsed (2) endured
(3) withstood (4) stooped
495. His plan was so complicated that
it floored his listeners.
(1) encouraged (2) annoyed
(3) entertained (4) puzzled
496. My uncle’s business has gone to
the dogs.
(1) is ruined (2) is dead
(3) is sick (4) is angry
497. Despite the highs and lows, life
tends to average itself out.
(1) balance itself
(2) be unvarying
(3) show equal value
(4) get compatible
498. On second thoughts she refused
to accept his invitation.
(1) On reconsidering
(2) reviewing leisurely
(3) moral grounds
(4) seeing his brashness
499. I stirred the hornet’s nest by my
honest statement.
(1) responded to criticism angrily
(2) caused anger in many people
(3) stopped people criticizing
someone
(4) acted with energy and interest
500. He knows how to break in horses.
(1) rear (2) tend
(3) train (4) force
501. The judge declared the agreement
null and void.
(1) empty (2) annulled
(3) unavoidable (4) not binding