Idioms & Phrases 1.

He was on thin ice after making a controversial

statement.
1. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
2. They were on thin ice due to the icy conditions on
idiom.
the road.
By leaps and bounds
3. They were on thin ice when they skated on the
1. Slowly
frozen lake.
2. Rapidly
4. She was on thin ice while trying to balance on a
3. Unknowingly tightrope.

4. Normally 5. Identify the most appropriate meaning of the given

idiom.
2. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. Bread and butter

Yeoman’s service 1. Comfortable living

1. Fraudulent service 2. Means of livelihood

2. Working under a cruel master 3. Money making

3. Excellent work done 4. The breakfast

4. A thankless and tedious job 6. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom.
3. Select the most appropriate idiom for the
underlined part in the given sentence: Be in seventh heaven

Sohan was very much perplexed to find that his 1. To be ignored

younger brother Mohan had taken poison.
2. To be in a state of extreme happiness
1. At any rate
3. To start performing better
2. At logger heads
4. To avoid talking about what’s important
3. At his disposal
7. Based on the situation in the sentence, select the
4. At his wit’s end most appropriate idiom for the underlined segment.

4. Skating on thin ice After the Pandemic, his business crumbled and he is
in a difficult situation.
1. Be in a tight corner 3. a man of straw

2. Give a cold shoulder 4. a man of letters

3. Bolt from the blue 11. Identify the meaning of the idiom in the given
situation.
4. Pull the last straw
I will always stand by my friend.
8. Choose the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. 1. Support in difficult situation

At the drop of a hat 2. Stand next to

1. Eventually 3. Work together

2. Immediately 4. Be in a queue

3. Certainly 12. Select the most appropriate meaning of the

underlined idiom in the given sentence.
4. Consecutively
Only those having blue blood can dethrone the evil
9. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
autocrat and restore equilibrium.
idiom.
1. Bitter relations
Go down in flames
2. Vigilant nature
1. To crash and burn
3. Political ideology
2. To destroy completely
4. Aristocratic lineage
3. To fail spectacularly
13. Select the phrase/idiom that will improve the
4. To burn down completely
underlined part of the given sentence.
10. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
After two hours of wandering in the desert, we realised
substitute the underlined segment in the given
we were on a wild horse race.
sentence.
1. wild carpet rug
Read the books of APJ Abdul Kalam, who was a
scholar. 2. wild jackal hunt

1. a dare devil 3. wild goose chase

2. a queer fish 4. wild shadow chase

14. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given 17. Select the most appropriate idiom for the given
idiom. situation focusing on the underlined words.

Ignoring his father’s warnings, he said, “an elephant in
the room” to his mother.
1. There is an obvious problem
2. Someone hiding in the room
3. The elephant got stuck in the room
4. Someone begins to suspect
15. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence.
The players like the coach because he is honest,
realistic and practical in dealing with them.
1. far and wide
2. down to earth
3. sick and tired
4. by and large
16. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence.
I invited them to my anniversary dinner but they had
other plans, so they decided to politely decline with
the implication that they may come at a later date.
1. Took it with a grain of salt
2. To take a rain check
3. To spoil a moment
4. Call it a day
18. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence and complete the sentence correctly.
It is important to take this opportunity to make a name
for yourself – beat around the bush.
1. fight tooth and claw
2. bare the foot
3. pass with flying colours
4. strike while the iron is hot
19. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom.

Popular cosmetics brands in India are very expensive. Gift of the gab

1. take it with a pinch of salt 1. A talent for singing

2. cost an arm and a leg 2. A talent for lying

3. up in arms 3. A talent for speaking

4. flog a dead horse 4. A gift for a person named Gab

20. Select the most appropriate idiomatic expression 23. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
that can substitute the underlined segment in the idiom.
given sentence.
To leave no stone unturned
He is very strict with his students but good-natured.
1. To treat someone/something as if of no importance
1. he has a big mouth
2. To control a person completely
2. his heart is in the right place
3. To win everything that is available
3. his heart misses a beat
4. To do everything possible to achieve something
4. his eyes are bigger than his stomach
24. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
21. Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the substitute the underlined words in the given sentence.
blank.
It’s Christmas and everything looks so beautiful. It
When I went to Egypt and lost my wallet and passport, makes me believe that life is wonderful and pleasant.
I was _____________.
1. I’m facing the music
1. rolling up my sleeves
2. I’m changing my tune
2. working my fingers to the bone
3. life is a bowl of cherries
3. putting my nose to the grindstone
4. I’m up in the air
4. up in a creek without a paddle
25. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
22. Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the idiom.
blank.
Beat around the bush.
John was always ________ about becoming a
1. To talk about something important.
millionaire without doing any hard work.
2. To go around the bush.
1. building castles in the air
3. To live around the bush.
2. eating like a horse
4. To avoid talking about what is important.
3. having an ace up his sleeve

4. a storm in a tea cup

26. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence.
I don't know which career he will choose. He delays
making strong decisions.
1. is as clean as a whistle
3. An absence of fear or anxiety
4. Relentless determination
29. In question four alternatives are given for the
underlined Idiom/Phrase in the sentence. Choose the
alternative which best expresses the meaning of the
Idiom/Phrase.

2. sits on the fence In life, there will be many situations where you have to
choose between the devil and the deep blue sea.
3. spills the beans
1. To be in dilemma to choose
4. turns a blind eye
2. To be in a good condition
27. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
substitute the underlined segment in the given 3. To be in the deep sea
sentence.
4. To choose wisely
We need to make sure that criminals like these get
30. Select the sentence that uses the given idiom
more from the authorities than a very mild
correctly.
punishment.
Have your head in the clouds
1. a taste of their own medicine
1. They had their heads in the clouds by looking up at
2. an axe to grind
the sky during a meteor shower.
3. a blessing in disguise
2. The pilot had his head in the clouds while flying a
4. a slap on the wrist plane.

28. Select the most appropriate meaning of the 3. He had his head in the clouds during an important
underlined idiom. meeting.

Despite multiple obstacles, she continued with her 4. She had her head in the clouds by wearing a cloud-
endeavour, demonstrating that she has nerves of shaped hat.
steel.

1. The capacity to maintain composure when stressed

2. Extraordinary beauty
31. Based on the situation in the sentence, select the 34. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
most appropriate idiom for the underlined segment. idiom.

He always takes up difficult tasks – those which are When pigs fly
beyond his capabilities.
1. Something that will never happen
1. Bite off more than you can chew
2. Something that will never deviate
2. Pull someone’s leg
3. something that will get completed
3. No pain no gain
4. Something that will never last long
4. Miss the boat
35. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
32. Select the most appropriate idiom from the idiom.
options to replace the underlined segment in the given
Sacred cow
sentence.
1. Unquestionable
After his business failed, he had to reduce spending
2. Interrogate
and adjust to a frugal lifestyle.

1. let the cat out of the bag 3. Hateful

4. Harmful
2. hit the nail on the head

36. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given

3. kick the bucket
idiom.
4. tighten his belt
Black sheep
33. Select the most appropriate option that can
substitute the underlined word in the given idiom. 1. Disreputable

2. Miscreant
A goose's eye view

3. Intelligent
1. bird’s 2. hornet's

4. Naive
3. fool's

4. dog's
37. Select the most appropriate idiom for the 40. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
underlined part in the given sentence: substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence.
Amar was left in a difficult situation by his business
partners. Even after becoming bankrupt, Charlie is able to
maintain an outward show.
1. Heart and soul
1. bell the cat
2. Hard and fast
2. cut a sorry figure
3. High and dry
3. bring down the house
4. Head and shoulders above
4. keep up appearances
38. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. 41. Select the option that best explains the underlined
idiom in the given sentence.
Get itchy feet
A team's captain always keeps a level head, even in
1. Judge something primarily on appearance
the most challenging situations.
2. Join a popular trend or activity
1. Keeps his head protected with a helmet
3. Learn something by memorising it without a thought
2. Prefers to keep his head covered with a cap
to what is being learnt
3. Maintains an equal number of players on the field
4. To start to want to travel or do something different
4. Remains calm and composed
39. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. 42. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
substitute the underlined segment in the given
On thin ice
sentence.
1. On an investigating job
Reena decided not to go to work today because she
2. On a summer vacation was feeling sick.

3. Communicating with friends 1. sitting on the fence 2. fit as a fiddle

4. In a risky position 3. going down in flames

4. under the weather

43. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given 3. cake
idiom.
4. tart
Keep your pants on
47. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
1. To keep calm and quiet idiom.

2. To wear the dress neatly Chip on the shoulder

3. To work like a tailor 1. Elated

4. To make things proper 2. Emotional

44. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given 3. Happy

idiom.
4. Offended
Nip in the bud
48. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
1. To suppress something at an early stage idiom.

2. To publicise a long-kept secret Spill the beans

3. To complete a prolonged or unfinished work 1. Accomplish a lot

4. To stop something from growing beyond limit 2. Tremble at possibilities

45. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given 3. Cornered by someone
idiom.
4. Reveal a secret
From cradle to grave
49. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
1. To achieve something you needed idiom.

2. Buying something very cheap or very expensive See eye to eye

3. Giving directions and telling someone to follow 1. To agree with someone

4. During the whole span of one’s life 2. To get upset with something

46. Select the most appropriate option that can 3. To do something pointless
substitute the underlined segment in the given idiom.
4. To ignore someone
A piece of biscuit

1. Toast 2. pastry
50. Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the 2. She’s feeling worried about something.
blank.
3. She’s not feeling well or is a bit sick.
She now has more than a year as minister___________.
4. She’s feeling adventurous and ready for a challenge
1. under her belt
54. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
2. on her thin ice idiom.

3. in the fast lane Through thick and thin

4. down for the count 1. Always supporting someone even if there are
problems or difficulties
51. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. 2. Never giving up a friendship

Bite the bullet 3. Sometimes thin, sometimes thick

1. To help someone achieve their goals 4. Never giving up on a goal

2. To eat something unpleasant 55. Select the phrase/idiom that will improve the
underlined part of the given sentence.
3. To face a difficult situation
When our principal said she was leaving the company,
4. To avoid a situation
I played out the opportunity to fill the job.
52. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
1. glided at the opportunity 2. ran to the opportunity
substitute the underlined words in the given sentence.
3. started at the opportunity
I have been living without a lot of money since I lost my
job. 4. jumped at the opportunity

1. living hand to mouth 2. receiving a kickback 56. Select the most appropriate option that can
substitute the underlined word in the given idiom.
3. keeping my chin up
At the last hour
4. as genuine as a three-dollar bill
1. twelfth
53. Select the most appropriate meaning of the idiom
in the given sentence. 2. eleventh

She’s feeling under the weather today. 3. sixth

1. She’s feeling happy and energetic. 4. half

57. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given 60. Choose the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. idiom.

The best of both worlds Back to back

1. Everyone gets a chance 1. Present and discuss the details of something.

2. Stay strong in a difficult situation 2. Try to get something.

3. Do a perfectly good job 3. Something follows immediately after something

else.
4. Good in every way
4. Do something very fast or with great energy.
58. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. 61. Select the most appropriate idiom that can
substitute the underlined segment in the given
A vicious cycle
sentence.
1. a situation in which one problem creates another
I sometimes accept excess work to please my
one, making the original problem easy to forget.
manager, so I take more responsibilities than one can
2. a situation in which several problems merge and manage.
become one extremely complex problem.
1. burn my boats
3. a situation in which one problem causes another
2. get a taste of my own medicine
one, making the first one easy to solve.
3. bite off more than I can chew
4. a situation in which one problem causes another
one, making the original problem impossible to solve. 4. hear it straight from the horse’s mouth

59. Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the 62. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
blank. idiom.

The team always _______ to come up with unique Make waves

advertisements for all its clients.
1. To have patience
1. thinks outside the box
2. To cause difficulty
2. throw caution to the winds
3. To take it easy
3. take a back seat
4. To give up
4. turn the tables
63. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given 2. cracked a joke
idiom.
3. fired a cracker
Spill the beans
4. whispered a secret
1. To have happy period of your life
67. Select the most appropriate option to substitute
2. To be in a state of shock the underlined part of the following sentence.

3. To expose a secret Mathew decided to complete the marathon to prove

that he is still fit as a fiddle in his eighties.
4. To have an excuse
1. an owner of a fit horse
64. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given
idiom. 2. a fit and energetic person

Up the ante 3. a man of great qualities 4. proud and unreliable

1. Mediocre 68. Choose the most appropriate meaning of the

underlined phrase.
2. Increase demands
He's still keeping his chin up despite all his health
3. Expensive
problems.
4. Cost cutting
1. To stay safe during difficulty
65. Select the most appropriate option that can
2. To keep one’s chin clean and moist
substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence. 3. To save others during difficult times

The Government must strive to provide a/an fair and 4. To stay cheerful during difficult times
square deal to the citizen of its country.
69. Select the most appropriate option to substitute
1. violent and immoral the underlined segment in the given sentence.

2. honest and straightforward
3. exclusive and unreal 4. forward and backward
66. During the preparation for competitive exams,
Meena avoided going to parties.
Amit is also a chip off the old block like his brother,
Tandon.
1. resembling his parents in character and appearance
2. talking to others tough like a stone

1. steered clear of 3. planning things ahead neatly

4. getting ready for the future endeavours 3. office colleagues 4. special students

70. The meaning of which of the following options is 73. Select the most suitable expression that can
‘Good luck’? substitute the underlined part of the sentence without
any change in meaning.
1. Break a leg
Planning to go for a movie just before the final-year
2. All wet
examination is nothing but skating on thin ice.
3. Second banana
1. doing hard work
4. Hang in there
2. enjoying the moment
71. Select the most appropriate meaning of the
3. going to hill stations 4. being in a risky situation
underlined segment in the given sentence.
74. Select the most appropriate option to substitute
I sent the agreement over for them to sign so the ball is
the underlined segment in the given sentence.
now in their court.
Though Kalpana listened to Sheetal carefully, she
1. It is time for someone to deal with a problem or
knew that she should take it with a grain of salt.
make a decision, because other people have already
done as much as they can 1. regard it as exaggerated and not completely true

2. An approach that uses traditional ideas that have 2. move according to the trend
previously worked
3. be do it meticulously as taking salt
3. A time when after which programmes for older
4. accept it as really useful and worthy
audiences may be aired on TV
75. Select the most appropriate option to substitute
4. Better to be satisfied with what you have than risk
the underlined segment in the given sentence.
losing it by trying to get something better
The manager, decided at last to bring the stenographer
72. Select the most appropriate option to substitute
to book for her illegal money transactions after trying
the underlined part of the given sentence.
to ignore it several times.
All the kith and kin of my deceased landlady were
1. bring her for a detailed investigation
present to attend her funeral.
2. take her into great confidence
1. secret enemies
3. make her accountable for her conduct
2. blood relatives
4. place her in a safe supportive position
76. Select the most appropriate meaning of the 16.2
underlined segment in the following sentence.
17.2
Don’t you think that the cat’s in the cradle? You never
18.4
make time for me.
19.3
1. Busy in your work
20.2
2. Complicated relationship
21.4
3. Busy in minting money 4. Newly married life
22.1

23.4
Idioms & Phrases asked in SSC CPO 2024
24.3
1.2
25.4
2.3
26.2
3.4
27.4
4.1
28.3
5.2
29.1
6.2
30.3
7.1
31.1
8.2
32.4
9.3
33.1
10.4
34.1
11.1
35.1
12.4
36.1
13.3
37.3
14.1
38.4
15.2
39.4
40.4 64.2

41.4 65.2

42.4 66.1

43.1 67.2

44.1 68.4

45.4 69.1

46.3 70.1

47.4 71.1

48.4 72.2

49.1 73.4

50.1 74.1

51.3 75.3

52.1 76.2

53.3

54.1

55.4

56.2

57.4

58.4

59.1

60.3

61.3

62.2

63.3