ILAC Idioms and Expressions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?
- To literally break frozen water
- To end a long friendship
- To initiate conversation or reduce tension in a social situation (Correct answer)
- To cause an argument unexpectedly
Correct answer: To initiate conversation or reduce tension in a social situation
'Break the ice' means to do or say something to relieve tension and make people feel more comfortable in a new social situation.
Question 2: If someone says 'it's raining cats and dogs,' what do they mean?
- It is barely drizzling
- It is raining very heavily (Correct answer)
- The weather is unpredictable today
- Animals are falling from the sky
Correct answer: It is raining very heavily
'Raining cats and dogs' is an idiom meaning it is raining extremely hard.
Question 3: What does 'hit the nail on the head' mean?
- To make a serious mistake
- To hammer something into a wall
- To solve a problem by force
- To be exactly right about something (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To be exactly right about something
'Hit the nail on the head' means to identify or describe something precisely and correctly.
Question 4: The phrase 'bite off more than you can chew' means:
- To eat too quickly
- To attempt more than you are capable of handling (Correct answer)
- To be a very strong communicator
- To enjoy challenging tasks
Correct answer: To attempt more than you are capable of handling
This idiom means to take on more responsibility or work than you are able to manage.
Question 5: What does 'under the weather' mean?
- Standing outside during a storm
- Working in outdoor conditions
- Feeling slightly sick or unwell (Correct answer)
- Being confused about the forecast
Correct answer: Feeling slightly sick or unwell
'Under the weather' means to feel slightly ill or not at one's best.
Question 6: If someone 'lets the cat out of the bag,' they have:
- Accidentally dropped something
- Started a new project
- Accidentally revealed a secret (Correct answer)
- Made a clever discovery
Correct answer: Accidentally revealed a secret
'Let the cat out of the bag' means to accidentally disclose information that was meant to be kept secret.
Question 7: 'Burning the midnight oil' means:
- Creating a fire for warmth outdoors
- Wasting electricity late at night
- Having trouble falling asleep
- Working or studying very late into the night (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Working or studying very late into the night
'Burning the midnight oil' means to work or study until very late at night.
ILAC Idioms and Expressions 1
What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?