Vocabulary

Idioms

Easy

Match the proverbs given in List-I with the meanings given in List-II

List-I List-II
(Proverbs) (Meanings)
(A) A drowning man will catch at a straw (I) Solving a small problem early, prevents bigger ones
(B) Don't put all your eggs in one basket (II) When in trouble, trying all possible means of escape.
(C) Fools rush in where angels fear to tread (III) Avoid depending entirely on one resource or plan.
(D) A stitch in time saves nine (IV) Unwise people take risks that careful people avoid.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

List-I	List-II
(Proverbs)	(Meanings)
(A) A drowning man will catch at a straw	(I) Solving a small problem early, prevents bigger ones
(B) Don't put all your eggs in one basket	(II) When in trouble, trying all possible means of escape.
(C) Fools rush in where angels fear to tread	(III) Avoid depending entirely on one resource or plan.
(D) A stitch in time saves nine	(IV) Unwise people take risks that careful people avoid.

(A) - (I), (B) - (II), (C) - (III), (D) - (IV)

(A) - (III), (B) - (II), (C) - (I), (D) - (IV)

(A) - (II), (B) - (III), (C) - (IV), (D) - (I)

(A) - (II), (B) - (IV), (C) - (I), (D) - (III)

✅ Correct Option: 3

Option 1 -> Incorrectly matches "drowning man" with "small problem" and "stitch in time" with "risks".

Option 2 -> Incorrectly matches "drowning man" with "one resource" and "fools rush in" with "small problem".

Option 3 -> Correctly matches all proverbs: drowning man = desperate measures, eggs/basket = diversification, fools rush in = unwise risks, stitch in time = early prevention.

Option 4 -> Incorrectly matches "eggs in basket" with "risks" and repeats meaning (II) for D.

Hence, Option 3 -> (A) A drowning man catching at a straw represents desperate attempts when in trouble (II), (B) Not putting eggs in one basket means diversifying resources (III), (C) Fools rushing in means taking unwise risks (IV), and (D) A stitch in time means early problem-solving prevents bigger issues (I) -> correct

2026: 19 May Shift 2

Match the Idioms given in List-I with their meanings given in List-II

LIST-I (Idioms)		LIST-II (Meanings)
A.	Nail your colours to mast	I. Performing well or confidently
B.	A shot in the dark	II. Declare openly and firmly what you believe
C.	Take your cue from	III. An attempt to guess something
D.	In the groove	IV. Follow the example or advice of

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

2026: 18 May Shift 1

Read the given sentences carefully. Choose the options that demonstrate the most appropriate usage of idioms:

(A) Ever so often, the minority shareholders squeaked and chattered but none of them dared to bell the cat.

(B) My new mop comes with numerous features that help me tidy up the house quickly; it really is a white elephant!

(D) The young woman, aware of her family's financial constraints, decided to sow her wild oats by getting a part-time job at the library.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

2026: 6 June Shift 1

Fill in the blanks in the sentences given in List-I with the appropriate Idioms given in List-II

List-I (Sentences)	List-II (Idioms)
(A) The persuasive powers of his friends proved successful and he _______.	(I) to live the life of Reilly
(B) After inheriting her family fortunes, she is going ________.	(II) hold your horses
(C) Please __________ and do not jump to unfounded conclusions.	(III) cloud nine
(D) When my brother was selected in the NDA, he was on _________.	(IV) knuckled under

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

2025: 19 May Shift 1

Match the idioms in List-I with their meanings in List-II:

List-I	List-II
(Idioms)	(Meanings)
(A) Living in an ivory tower	(I) Too young and inexperienced
(B) Achilles' heel	(II) A weak spot through which one can be hurt
(C) Wet behind the ears	(III) Too weak or unreliable to be depended on
(D) A broken reed	(IV) Protected from difficult and unpleasant features of life

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

2026: 21 May Shift 2

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom In doldrums from the given options:

2026: 21 May Shift 2

Choose the correct meaning for the idiom To play to the gallery from the given options:

Solution

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