Idioms and Proverbs Quiz

What is the meaning of the idiom used in this sentence? After months of ignoring the subtle signs, the principal finally had to admit that there was a skeleton in the cupboard.

1. The school had outdated teaching methods.
2. There were problems with the construction of the building.
3. A valuable tradition had been forgotten over time.
4. An embarrassing or shameful secret had been hidden.

Answer: (d) An embarrassing or shameful secret had been hidden.

Match the proverbs in Column A with their meanings in Column B: Column A (Sayings) Column B (Meanings) 1 You can't unring a bell a Don’t interfere with something that works fine 2 Don't fix what isn't broken b Don’t judge someone unless you’ve been in their place 3 Walk a mile in someone’s shoes c What’s done cannot be undone 4 The road to hell is paved with good intentions d Good plans are worthless without proper action

1. 1-b, 2-d, 3-c, 4-a
2. 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b
3. 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d
4. 1-a, 2-b, 3-d, 4-c

Answer: (c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d

Which of the following proverbs is the odd one out, thematically or contextually?

1. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
3. The early bird catches the worm.
4. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Answer: (d) Let sleeping dogs lie.

Which of the following idioms is the odd one out in terms of emotional tone or implication?

1. Every cloud has a silver lining.
2. Add fuel to the fire.
3. Light at the end of the tunnel
4. The darkest hour is just before the dawn.

Answer: (b) Add fuel to the fire.

Which of the following idioms does not belong with the others in tone or function?

1. Pour oil on troubled waters.
2. Throw a spanner in the works.
3. Rock the boat.
4. Stir the pot.

Answer: (a) Pour oil on troubled waters.

Read the incident below. One of the idioms is used incorrectly. Choose the correct idiom to replace it. Tessa knew the new project would be demanding, but she was ready to bite the bullet and start without delay. Her manager, however, warned her not to cry over spilt ink, since the earlier proposal had already been rejected. They both agreed to move forward with fresh ideas.

1. Replace "cry over spilt ink" with "add insult to injury"
2. Replace "bite the bullet" with "bark up the wrong tree"
3. Replace "cry over spilt ink" with "cry over spilt milk"
4. Replace "bite the bullet" with "beat around the bush"

Answer: (c) Replace "cry over spilt ink" with "cry over spilt milk"

Read the incident below. One of the idioms used is incorrect in context. Choose the correct idiom to replace it. When the company faced a cyberattack, Rosa kept her ear to the ground and monitored every update. She told her team not to panic and assured them they would burn their bridges only if they acted impulsively. Her calm leadership helped everyone stay focused under pressure.

1. Replace "burn their bridges" with "lose their heads"
2. Replace "kept her ear to the ground" with "shoot the breeze"
3. Replace "burn their bridges" with "kill two birds with one stone"
4. Replace "burn their bridges" with "jump the gun"

Answer: (a) Replace "burn their bridges" with "lose their heads"

Read the incident and choose the idiom that best completes the sentence meaningfully. Aris had just joined a prestigious law firm. In his first month, he started questioning his seniors' strategies in meetings and dismissed their years of experience. Eventually, he was quietly taken off projects. His colleague murmured, "Well, he really tried to __________."

1. put his shoulder to the wheel
2. teach his grandmother to suck eggs
3. keep his nose to the grindstone
4. make ends meet

Answer: (b) teach his grandmother to suck eggs

Choose the idiom that best fits the context of the sentence. When Pamela overheard her team planning a surprise farewell party for her, she quickly pretended not to know anything. Later, when they asked if she had any idea, she replied with a smile, "Not at all—your plan really caught me __________."

1. off guard
2. under the table
3. in the red
4. on thin ice

Answer: (a) off guard

Read the incident below and select the proverb that best completes the sentence meaningfully. Anna was given the chance to present a new product idea in front of the company’s top executives. Instead of preparing thoroughly, she spent days obsessing over minor presentation graphics. When her concept was questioned during the meeting, she fumbled and failed to defend it. Her senior later remarked, "In situations like these, you must remember that __________."

1. empty vessels make the most noise
2. don't count your chickens before they hatch
3. the cobbler should stick to his last
4. a watched pot never boils

Answer: (c) the cobbler should stick to his last