Idiom quizzes - A

(English Idioms & Sayings)
Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets:

He is (not very good) when he tries to repair something in his house.

(a) all thumbs (b) about time (c) all ears (d) an arm and a leg

Answer(a) all thumbs

He was (all ready to) leave the house when his friend came over.

(a) at ease to (b) about to (c) at heart to (d) at loggerheads to

Answer(b) about to

The teacher said the little boy was (her favorite).

(a) the apple of her eye (b) above suspicion (c) at sixes and sevens (d) as good as her word

Answer(a) the apple of her eye

(Without warning) it began to rain.

(a) All day long (b) All of a sudden (c) At every turn (d) At the crack of dawn

Answer(b) All of a sudden

That car must have cost him (an incredibly large amount of money).

(a) arm in arm (b) across the board (c) the apple of his eye (d) an arm and a leg

Answer(d) an arm and a leg

She is always (available) when he wants her.

(a) at the top of the hour (b) at large (c) at the end of her rope (d) at his beck and call

Answer(d) at his beck and call

"Okay I`m (listening). Please continue with your story."

(a) all ears (b) at hand (c) at the top of my lungs (d) at loose ends

Answer(a) all ears

I do not think that he is (to blame) for breaking the computer.

(a) at risk (b) at fault (c) at peace (d) ahead of the game

Answer(b) at fault

He is (very forgetful) and is always losing his glasses.

(a) absent-minded (b) alive and kicking (c) all in (d) ahead of his time

Answer(a) absent-minded

He is always (fighting) with his boss about something.

(a) at sea (b) asleep at the switch (c) at odds (d) at heart

Answer(c) at odds

(Usually) I get up and go jogging before breakfast every Sunday.

(a) At random (b) As a last resort (c) At the appointed time (d) As a rule

Answer(d) As a rule

We (followed the rules) when we applied for the housing loan.

(a) added up the rules (b) allowed for the rules (c) acquired a taste for the rules (d) abided by the rules

Answer(d) abided by the rules

The painter completed the job (in a barely adequate manner) but not very well.

(a) all in a days work (b) after a fashion (c) after the fact (d) after hours

Answer(b) after a fashion

I made (a very good effort) to finish the science project on time.

(a) an all-out-effort (b) an avenue of escape (c) an all-right-effort (d) an acid test

Answer(a) an all-out-effort

The family was (ready) to begin the holiday when the car broke down.

(a) all the rage (b) all over the place (c) all set (d) all sweetness and light

Answer(c) all set

(By chance) I met my friend just after I lost my wallet and all of my money.

(a) As a mattet of fact (b) As far as possible (c) Around the clock (d) As luck would have it

Answer(d) As luck would have it

(At the last possible moment) the woman was able to get enough money to go on the trip.

(a) At the eleventh hour (b) At the present time (c) At the bottom of the hour (d) At this stage of the game

Answer(a) At the eleventh hour

We go to the Italian restaurant (occasionally) but not very often.

(a) at the end of the day (b) at times (c) at length (d) at will

Answer(b) at times

The city worked for almost six months (continuously) in order to finish the new convention center.

(a) at once (b) at least (c) at a stretch (d) at a sitting

Answer(c) at a stretch

The furniture arrived (without damage) after travelling across the country.

(a) all systems go (b) against the clock (c) after all was said and done (d) all in one piece

Answer(d) all in one piece

We arrived at the concert (early) so that we could get good seats.

(a) as usual (b) ahead of time (c) at first (d) all at once

Answer(b) ahead of time

The students began to (misbehave) when the teacher left the room.

(a) act up (b) act their ages (c) act high and mighty (d) add fuel to the fire

Answer(a) act up

After the meeting started everybody began to (complain).

(a) appear out of nowhere (b) ask for the moon (c) air their grievances (d) add insult to injury

Answer(c) air their grievances

We decided to continue with our plans (no matter what).

(a) according to Hoyle (b) at all costs (c) at cross-purposes (d) at any rate

Answer(b) at all costs

The workers made an effort (more than was required) to finish the project.

(a) all to the good (b) at last (c) at their earliest convenience (d) above and beyond what was required

Answer(d) above and beyond what was required

There were (all types of people) at the concert.

(a) any number of people (b) all manner of people (c) at this juncture many people (d) at face value many people

Answer(b) all manner of people

The man was arrested by the police for (violently attacking someone).

(a) assault and battery (b) being armed and dangerous (c) being armed to the teeth (d) being afraid of his own shadow

Answer(a) assault and battery

(Including everyone) there were over 300 people at the meeting.

(a) All along (b) All the time (c) All told (d) As the crow flies

Answer(c) All told

We spent much time (taking care of) the children whose parents were working.

(a) advising against (b) along with (c) attending to (d) answering to

Answer(c) attending to

There was much money (at risk) when the company bid on the new contract.

(a) at the drop of a hat (b) at stake (c) able to breathe easily again (d) at the latest

Answer(b) at stake

Posted by Learning English through Idioms and Sayings