IEO Idioms & Phrases 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the idiom 'the ball is in your court' mean?
- It is time to play a sport
- The decision or next action is up to you (Correct answer)
- You have made a mistake
- You need to wait for others
Correct answer: The decision or next action is up to you
'The ball is in your court' means it is now the other person's responsibility to take the next step or make a decision.
Question 2: What does 'barking up the wrong tree' mean?
- Looking in the wrong place or blaming the wrong person (Correct answer)
- Making loud, unnecessary noise
- Climbing trees dangerously
- Confusing animals with plants
Correct answer: Looking in the wrong place or blaming the wrong person
'Barking up the wrong tree' means pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.
Question 3: The idiom 'burn the midnight oil' refers to:
- Wasting energy carelessly
- Working or studying late into the night (Correct answer)
- Cooking a very late dinner
- Starting a fire at night
Correct answer: Working or studying late into the night
'Burn the midnight oil' means to work or study very late at night, originally by the light of an oil lamp.
Question 4: What does 'let the cat out of the bag' mean?
- To free an animal accidentally
- To reveal a secret that was supposed to be kept (Correct answer)
- To cause chaos in a room
- To surprise someone with a gift
Correct answer: To reveal a secret that was supposed to be kept
'Let the cat out of the bag' means to accidentally or carelessly reveal a secret.
Question 5: What is the meaning of 'on the fence'?
- In an outdoor location
- Unsure or uncommitted about a decision (Correct answer)
- Working in agriculture
- Watching something from a distance
Correct answer: Unsure or uncommitted about a decision
'On the fence' means unable to make a decision or choose a side; being neutral or indecisive.
Question 6: The idiom 'spill the beans' means:
- To make a mess while cooking
- To reveal secret information accidentally (Correct answer)
- To share food generously
- To make a surprising discovery
Correct answer: To reveal secret information accidentally
'Spill the beans' means to accidentally or impulsively reveal secret information.
IEO Idioms & Phrases 2
What does the idiom 'the ball is in your court' mean?