ALCPT Idiomatic and Phrasal Expressions 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When someone says they are 'on the fence' about a decision, what do they mean?
- They are very excited about it
- They have already decided
- They are undecided or neutral (Correct answer)
- They are strongly against it
Correct answer: They are undecided or neutral
'On the fence' means being undecided or not having taken a side yet.
Question 2: If a project is said to be 'behind the eight ball,' what is the situation?
- It is ahead of schedule
- It is in a difficult or disadvantaged position (Correct answer)
- It is completed successfully
- It is very straightforward
Correct answer: It is in a difficult or disadvantaged position
'Behind the eight ball' describes being in a difficult or losing position.
Question 3: What does the phrasal verb 'look into' mean in 'The manager will look into the complaint'?
- Ignore completely
- Investigate or examine (Correct answer)
- Reject outright
- Forward to someone else
Correct answer: Investigate or examine
'Look into' means to investigate or examine something more carefully.
Question 4: If someone tells you to 'hang tight,' what are they asking you to do?
- Leave immediately
- Speak more quietly
- Wait patiently (Correct answer)
- Work faster
Correct answer: Wait patiently
'Hang tight' is an informal way of telling someone to wait patiently.
Question 5: What does 'bite the bullet' mean in everyday American English?
- Refuse to cooperate
- Endure a painful situation with courage (Correct answer)
- Give up on a goal
- Start a fight with someone
Correct answer: Endure a painful situation with courage
'Bite the bullet' means to endure something difficult or unpleasant with determination.
Question 6: The phrase 'call it a day' most likely means:
- Schedule a meeting
- Name something officially
- Stop working for the day (Correct answer)
- Celebrate an achievement
Correct answer: Stop working for the day
'Call it a day' means to stop working or doing an activity for the day.
Question 7: What is the meaning of 'burn bridges' in the sentence 'You don't want to burn bridges with your old employer'?
- Maintain good relationships
- Permanently damage a relationship (Correct answer)
- Ask for a favor
- Start a new project
Correct answer: Permanently damage a relationship
'Burn bridges' means to permanently destroy a relationship or opportunity.
ALCPT Idiomatic and Phrasal Expressions 4
When someone says they are 'on the fence' about a decision, what do they mean?