Idioms and Phrases - Practice Set - 6

1. He went on sowing wild oats; he reaped suffering in his later life.

1. inviting troubles as a boy
2. warning others as a young man
3. irresponsible pleasure seeking in young age
4. sowing grains called oats when young

2. I don't know why she has become stand-offish recently.

1. angry
2. hilarious
3. indifferent
4. unmanageable

3. Why don't you put an end to blowing your own trumpet?

1. playing your own trumpet to produce music
2. making too much noise
3. praising your own abilities and achievements
4. None of these

4. On New Year's eve even the elderly paint the town red.

1. paint their faces red
2. have a lively time
3. drink red wine
4. get up early

5. The saint's life was an open book.

1. an uncomplicated one
2. one that held no secrets
3. an example to all
4. an interesting biography

6. Reading between the lines I realized that my friend wanted to keep something from me.

1. looking for meanings that are not actually expressed
2. reading carelessly
3. reading with anxiety
4. glancing over the lines

7. Sometimes, it happens that we have to give the devil his due.

1. to give credit to even a notorious person
2. to give encouragement even to the enemy
3. to invite the devil
4. to stand in the way of the devil

8. The king had been made to eat humble pie.

1. to eat slowly
2. to have an excellent dish
3. to eat a good pie
4. to have to apologise

9. He was given Hobson's choice by the employer.

1. excellent choice
2. no real choice at all
3. choice to live or die
4. first choice

10. He has a very nice manner, but you would better take what he says with a grain of salt.

1. to listen to something with considerable doubt
2. to talk sensibly
3. to criticise
4. to complement