Advance English Idiom Quiz 1

Meaning of the English Idioms from the Quiz Above

Boost your language skills with our idiomatic expressions quiz, featuring multiple choice exercises and an answer key to enhance your understanding of idioms and phrases!

1. Law of the Jungle meaning: A situation where there are no laws or rules to govern conduct, often leading to the strongest or most ruthless individuals prevailing.

   • Law of the jungle in sentence: “In the cutthroat world of corporate mergers, it often feels like the law of the jungle prevails.”

2. Make Light Work Of meaning: To do something easily or quickly.

   • Make light work of in sentence: “She made light work of the complicated report, finishing it in just a few hours.”

3. Lion’s Share meaning: The largest part or most of something.

   • Lion’s share in sentence: “He received the lion’s share of the inheritance, much to his siblings’ dismay.”

4. Half an Eye meaning: Paying minimal attention or only partial focus.

   • Half an eye in sentence: “With half an eye on the TV, she continued to work on her essay.”

5. Be Full of Beans meaning: To have a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

   • Be full of beans in sentence: “Even after a long day, the kids were still full of beans, running around the house.”

6. Be-all and End-all meaning: The most important thing; the ultimate aim or goal.

   • Be-all and end-all in sentence: “Winning this championship is the be-all and end-all for the team this season.”

7. Trial and Error meaning: A method of achieving something or solving a problem by trying a number of different methods and learning from the mistakes made.

   • Trial and error in sentence: “He learned how to bake the perfect bread through trial and error.”

8. Eat Out of Someone’s Hand meaning: To be completely controlled or manipulated by someone.

   • Eat out of someone’s hand in sentence: “The charismatic leader had his followers eating out of his hand.”

9. Up for Grabs meaning: Available for anyone to take or win.

   • Up for grabs in sentence: “With the boss retiring, his position is up for grabs.”

10. Free Lunch meaning: Something beneficial that is obtained without any cost or effort.

    • Free lunch in sentence: “They quickly learned that there’s no such thing as a free lunch in the business world.”

11. Price Yourself Out of the Market meaning: To charge so much for your services or products that nobody wants to pay for them.

    • Price yourself jut of the market in sentence: “By setting the rent too high, the landlord priced himself out of the market.”

12. Throw Caution to the Wind meaning: To behave in a way that is not considered careful or safe.

    • Throw caution to the wind in sentence: “She threw caution to the wind and invested all her savings in the new venture.”

13. Twist Someone’s Arm meaning: To persuade someone to do something they are reluctant to do.

    • Twist someone’s arm in sentence: “I didn’t really want to go to the party, but my friends twisted my arm.”

14. Walking Papers meaning: Dismissal from employment or a relationship.

    • Walking papers in sentence: “After the scandal, he was given his walking papers.”

15. Strike While the Iron is Hot meaning: To take advantage of an opportunity promptly while it’s still available.

    • Strike while the iron is hot in sentence: “He decided to strike while the iron was hot and sell his shares while the market was high.”

16. Get the Better of You meaning: To lose control of your emotions and act in a way you later regret.

    • Get the better of you in sentence: “Don’t let your anger get the better of you during the negotiation.”

17. Play Your Cards Close to Your Chest meaning: To keep one’s plans, ideas, or feelings secret.

    • Play your cards close to your chest in sentence: “In business, it’s often wise to play your cards close to your chest.”

18. Itchy Feet meaning: A strong desire to travel or move on.

    • Itchy feet in sentence: “After two years in the same job, she’s getting itchy feet.”

19. Buy a Lemon meaning: To purchase something that proves to be worthless or defective.

    • Buy a lemon in sentence: “I thought I was getting a good deal on the car, but I ended up buying a lemon.”

20. Hang in There meaning: To persist and not give up despite difficulties.

    • Hang in there in sentence: “Even though the course is tough, hang in there—you’ll learn a lot.”

21. Stick to Your Last meaning: To continue doing what you are skilled at and not try to change to something you know little about.

    • Stick to your last in sentence: “He should stick to his last and avoid making investments in industries he’s unfamiliar with.”

22. Accidentally on Purpose meaning: Doing something intentionally but pretending it was an accident.

    • Accidentally on purpose in sentence: “She ‘accidentally on purpose’ spilled her drink on him to get his attention.”

23. Not Let the Grass Grow Under Your Feet meaning: To not delay in getting something done; to act promptly.

    • Not let the grass grow under your feet in sentence: “She didn’t let the grass grow under her feet and immediately started on the new project.”

24. Hit the Airwaves meaning: To be broadcast on radio or television.

    • Hit the airwaves in sentence: “The new ad campaign hit the airwaves last week and has already generated a lot of buzz.”

25. Black Tie Event meaning: A formal event at which men are expected to wear black bow ties with tuxedos and women evening gowns.

    • Black tie event in sentence: “They’re attending a black tie event tonight at the embassy.”

Why Learn English Idioms?

Idioms – colorful and often puzzling expressions, play a vital role in the English language, offering a unique way to convey meanings in a few words. Common idioms, such as ‘piece of cake’ for something easy, and ‘break the ice’, meaning to initiate conversation, are examples of how idiomatic expressions enrich our communication.

American idioms, in particular, add a cultural flavor, reflecting the nuances of American English. A comprehensive list of idioms, including popular and famous ones, can be found on the FluencySpot.com website.

In the business world, business idioms are frequently used to succinctly express complex ideas. Understanding the idiom meaning is crucial in both social and professional contexts.

Phrases like ‘thinking outside the box’ or ‘touch base’ are common idioms in English that demonstrate the dynamic nature of idiomatic expressions. By exploring English idioms and phrases, one can appreciate the depth and creativity of language, making the learning process both challenging and enjoyable.