CUET English 2026 PYQs13 May Shift 1. Free, no login required.

Vocabulary

Idioms

Hard

Read the given sentences carefully. Choose the options that demonstrate correct usage of the underlined idioms:-

(A) The global economy has been in the doldrums ever since armed conflicts began on multiple fronts.

(B) Being up with the lark always leaves me in a foul mood as I am a morning person.

(C) Accessibility to artificial intelligence and large language models has led to the unfortunate practice of students copying lock, stock and barrel from them, rather than doing their own research.

(D) Bureaucrats and politicians who indulge in unethical practices such as corruption do justice to their positions.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:-

(A) and (C) only

(A), (B) and (D) only

(B) and (C) only

(B), (C) and (D) only

✅ Correct Option: 1

(A) correctly uses 'in the doldrums' for a stagnant economy. (C) correctly uses 'lock, stock and barrel' to mean entirely. (B) is used incorrectly, since being 'up with the lark' (waking early) should suit a morning person rather than cause a foul mood. (D) misuses 'do justice to', since corrupt officials fail to do justice to their positions, they do not do justice to them. So only (A) and (C) are correct.

2026: 14 May Shift 1

Choose the correct idiom to replace the underlined phrase in the following sentence:

Prakhar is obsessed with sustainable living. He is always lecturing someone or another about the benefits of composting and waste management.

A. has a chip on his shoulder about

B. has wind in his sails about

C. has a bee in his bonnet about

D. has a bun in the oven about

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

2026: 11 May Shift 2

Choose the appropriate expression from the options to fill in the blank of the following sentence:

I'll just have to ___ and hope no one sees that I'm upset.

2026: 29 May Shift 2

Match the idioms given in List-I with their meanings given in List-II.

	LIST-I (Idioms)		LIST-II (Meanings)
A.	Build castles in the air	I.	The art of speaking
B.	To have the gift of the gab	II.	To keep starvation at bay
C.	Keep the wolf from the door	III.	To make visionary schemes
D.	Lead up the garden path	IV.	To cheat

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

2025: 30 May Shift 1

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence given below:

I am sure that Pooja will participate and win the annual debate as she has __________.

2026: 18 May Shift 2

Choose the most appropriate idiom to complete the sentence:

The demand of inquiry into his conduct is just a ____ as there is no truth in it.

2022: 4 Aug Shift 1

Match the Idioms given in List I with their meaning in List II

List I (Idiom)	List II (Meaning)
A. Above all	I. Aimlessly
B. At random	II. Very short distance
C. At a loose end	III. Most important
D. At a stone's throw	IV. Leisure and free time

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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