CBSE Class 8 English Idioms and Phrases Worksheet

Question. Leave no stone unturned ?
a) Leave the path halfway
b) Not make enough effort
c) Turn everything upside down
d) Try everything possible

Answer : D

Question. Flash in the pan ?
a) Old discovered only once during panning
b) Something that offers hope, like a light in a tunnel
c) An early promise that fails to materialize
d) Sudden discovery of a surprise element

Answer : C

Question. A snake in the grass ?
a) A well-wisher
b) difficult to find
c) A good friend
d) A secret enemy

Answer : D

Question. All those who carried the day in reality shows failed to make a mark later. ?
a) Acted as hosts
b) Participated
c) Won a victory
d) Make a guest appearance

Answer : C

Question. Four corners of the earth ?
a) From the very beginning
b) From all parts of the world
c) From beginning to end
d) From morning till night

Answer : B

Question. Add fuel to the fire ?
a) Simplify the problem
b) Exploit someone
c) Calm down the situation
d) To make a bad situation worse

Answer : D

Question. Donkey's years ?
a) once in a while
b) having long ears
c) instantly
d) a very long time

Answer : D

Question. Grin from ear to ear ?
a) to ridicule someone
b) to have very sharp ears
c) to smile a lot because of happiness
d) to make funny faces

Answer : C

Question. To take stock of ?
a) to check the accounts
b) to store goods
c) to assess a situation
d) to buy stocks

Answer : C

Question. Feel a bit under the weather ?
a) To be unappreciated
b) To feel sick or unhealthy
c) To be calm and impatient
d) To be happy

Answer : B

Question. To play ducks and drakes ?
a) to use recklessly
b) to change places
c) to be friendly
d) to act cleverly

Answer : A

Question. costs an arm and a leg ?
a) rarely available
b) very expensive
c) nothing to lose
d) easy to obtain

Answer : B

Question. Blow one's own trumpet ?
a) Praise oneself
b) Condemn others
c) Be self-reliant
d) Follow others

Answer : A

Question. Many people join politics to feather their own nest. ?
a) Make others’ life comfortable
b) Promote their own interest
c) Utilize black money
d) Serve their country

Answer : B

Question. at snail's pace ?
a) Do something very carefully
b) Be very persistent
c) Do something very slowly
d) Keep your moves secret

Answer : C

Question. To take French leave ?
a) Welcome the host
b) Leave with written permission
c) Leave without any intimation
d) Acknowledge the host

Answer : C

Question. Above one’s head ?
a) To be very tall
b) Intimate and personal
c) Overhead expenses
d) Beyond one’s understanding

Answer : D

Question. Rise to the occasion ?
a) challenge an opponent who is strong
b) show you can deal with a situation successfully
c) assess a critical situation carefully
d) take a big risk in order to succeed

Answer : B

Question. Left out in cold ?
a) to stand out
b) to be criticised
c) to be ignored
d) to be indecisive

Answer : C

Question. Jump on the bandwagon ?
a) To take a long ride
b) To insult someone
c) To trust someone blindly
d) To join a popular trend

Answer : D

Question. Cat’s Whiskers ?
a) A very easy matter
b) To be highly impressive
c) To be very determined
d) Difficult to understand

Answer : A

Question. Fit as a fiddle ?
a) To play a melodious tune
b) In a perfectly healthy condition
c) A severe and conclusive test
d) To be a perfect match

Answer : B

Question. Keep a civil tongue ?
a) Speak with great politeness
b) Maintain silence when needed
c) Argue with soft words
d) Express dissent mildly

Answer : A

Question. To take one’s hat off ?
a) To fool someone
b) To feel hot
c) To please someone
d) To admire someone

Answer : D

Question. Miss the boat ?
a) Be too slow
b) Lose courage
c) Accept defeat
d) Lose an opportunity

Answer : D

Question. No strings attached ?
a) Without condition or restrictions
b) Forced to do something
c) Lacking clarity
d) Involving a choice to be

Answer : A

Question. When his envious competitor extended a hand of friendship, he smelt a rat. ?
a) detected something wrong
b) felt very pleased
c) became complaisant
d) behaved arrogantly

Answer : A

Question. Come to light ?
a) To be obscure
b) To be well lit-up
c) To pry a secret
d) To be known publicly

Answer : D

Question. It’s greek to me. ?
a) Inevitable
b) Incomprehensible
c) Incredible
d) Openly supporting someone

Answer : B

Question. We now have an ex-Minister in the running from our constituency for the post of Member of Parliament. ?
a) Contesting the seat
b) Teaching yoga
c) Giving speeches
d) Jogging everyday

Answer : A

Question. A piece of cake ?
a) Something serious
b) Something easy
c) Something difficult
d) Something amusing

Answer : B

Question. To have a gut feeling ?
a) To feel an instinct or intuition
b) To experience discomfort
c) To have pain in the abdomen
d) To suffer from inflammation

Answer : D

Idioms and Phrases for Class 8 English Exam

1. A hot potato
Meaning: Something that is difficult or dangerous to deal with.
Example: Terrorism is a political hot potato in Afghanistan.

2. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Way of asking what someone is thinking.
Example: After several minutes of silence he finally looked at her and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Lily.”

3. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more significant than what you say.
Example: He: I’m sorry. I’ll try to be a better person henceforth.
She: Actions speak louder than words.

4. Add insult to injury
Meaning: To make a bad situation worse.
Example: Their basement was flooded, and then, to add insult to injury, a pipe burst in the kitchen.

5. An arm and a leg
Meaning: A lot of money.
Example: It’s the best cruise in the world, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.

6. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To solve two problems at a time with just one action
Example: John practiced his words while peeling the potatoes. He was killing two birds with one stone.

7. Last straw
Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems
Example: This is the last straw. I’m calling the police.

8. Drastic times call for drastic measures
Meaning: When you’re extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
Example: Yes we had to let go of five of our workers! Drastic times call for drastic measures.

9. Elvis has left the building
Meaning: The show has come to an end. It’s all over.
Example: We waited for another performance by the band but it looked like Elvis had left the building.

10. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Immediately; without any hesitation
Example: Ellie was always ready to go shopping at the drop of a hat.

11. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Start something all over again.
Example: I failed this semester, but now I am back to the drawing board.

12. Ball is in your court.
Meaning: It is up to you to take the next step
Example: I’ve made my decision, now the ball is in your court.

13. Tongue in cheek
Meaning: (of a remark) Supposed to be taken in funny or ironic sense
Example: Her comment was taken more seriously than intended. It was supposed to be tongue in cheek.

14. Turn a blind eye
Meaning: Pretend not to notice
Example: People tend to turn a blind eye to crime against women.

15. Shot in the dark
Meaning: A complete guess (may or may not be close to the truth)
Example: He didn’t know too much about programming, so Meaninging the interviewer’s question was merely a shot in the dark.

16. Sink your teeth into
Meaning: Do something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
Example: Robin immediately sank his teeth into his new job.

17. Walk on eggshells
Meaning: Be extremely cautious about one's words or actions
Example: Celebrities are scrutinized by the media for all their actions so they’re required to walk on eggshells.

18. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Looking in the wrong place; accusing the wrong person.
Example: He did not commit the crime, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

19. Be glad to see the back of
Meaning: Be glad to see someone leave.
Example: I never liked her. I’ll be glad to see the back of her.