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Test your basic knowledge |
TOEFL Vocab: English Idioms
Start Test
Study First
Subjects
:
toefl
,
english
,
vocabulary
Instructions:
Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Surprise them with something difficult or unpleasant to deal with
to see light
knock into shape
throw someone a curveball
run its course
2. Argue violently all the time
fight like cats and dogs
run its course
to get/ take flak
like the cat that ate the canary
3. Suddenly understanding something
to see light
right of the bat
to see reason
debt of honour
4. Something that happens only once
a flash in a pan
going up in the world
get the sack
get off your backside
5. Become sensible/ reasonable
be beyond the pale
to see reason
see the joke
someone is batting a thousand
6. Become famous or respected for
cry buckets
make a name for
like the cat that ate the canary
prick ones ears up
7. Gained a better position - or more money - than before
see the joke
the frosting on the cake
cold cash
going up in the world
8. Doing something extremely well - better than they had hoped
someone is batting a thousand
bluff your way
up-to-the-minute
catch some z's
9. Recieve strong criticism
to get/ take flak
a flash in a pan
take a shine to
to take center stage
10. Enthusiasm for adventurous activities
spirit of adventure
debt of honour
like the cat that ate the canary
is fresh out of
11. Remembering the past nostalgically
is fresh out of
spirit of adventure
the good old days
take a shine to
12. A debt that one owes someone for moral rather than financial reason
sit on the fence
to get/ take flak
to take center stage
debt of honour
13. Accept your low position within society without trying to improve it
throw someone a curveball
cold cash
know your place
to se the point
14. Has just finished or sold all its supply
put your foot in it
is fresh out of
run its course
cry buckets
15. To be the most important or noticeable thing or person
be given/ get his marching order
prick ones ears up
to take center stage
sink like a stone
16. Failed completely
going up in the world
not worth a dime
cry buckets
sink like a stone
17. Sleep (informal)
18. Something that makes a good thing even better
hopping mad
the frosting on the cake
know no bounds
run its course
19. Money in form of cash or notes - not a cheque or credit card
to see light
cold cash
debt of honour
know your place
20. Understanding the importance of something
spirit of adventure
to pull rank
take the cake
to se the point
21. Take action to get something into a good condition
someone is batting a thousand
to see light
knock into shape
run its course
22. Used informally to describe something the speaker finds very annoying
take the cake
the good old days
bluff your way
up-to-the-minute
23. Give something a new start
hopping mad
someone is batting a thousand
know no bounds
open the door to
24. Do something careless or stupid
throw someone a curveball
someone drops the ball
prick ones ears up
run its course
25. Very angry
see the joke
hopping mad
bluff your way
catch some z's
26. Start to listen carefully
get off your backside
to take center stage
cold cash
prick ones ears up
27. To immediately like something/someone
to se the point
sit on the fence
prick ones ears up
take a shine to
28. Immediately
to see reason
right of the bat
know your place
sink like a stone
29. Come to a natural end
run its course
someone drops the ball
sit on the fence
to see reason
30. Control something firmly and effectively
run a tight ship
sink like a stone
up-to-the-minute
get off your backside
31. A necessary part of an event or experience which cannot be avoided
part and parcel
cold cash
to get/ take flak
take the cake
32. Stop being lazy (very informal)
to see light
get off your backside
someone drops the ball
hopping mad
33. Has little or no value
to get/ take flak
part and parcel
not worth a dime
the frosting on the cake
34. Say something accidentally which upsets or embarrasses someone
the good old days
bluff your way
put your foot in it
get the sack
35. Delay making a decision when they have to choose between two different options in a dispute
someone drops the ball
sit on the fence
catch some z's
be beyond the pale
36. People that you don't know or think are not important
right of the bat
get off your backside
fight like cats and dogs
every Tom - Dick and/or Harry
37. New
up-to-the-minute
run a tight ship
is fresh out of
hopping mad
38. Understand something
throw someone a curveball
to see reason
is fresh out of
see the joke
39. Be extreme
part and parcel
cry buckets
feather one's own nest
know no bounds
40. Cry a lot (informal)
right of the bat
to see reason
cry buckets
see the joke
41. Very pleased with oneself (informal - usually collocates with 'look' - 'grin' or 'smile')
the frosting on the cake
to take center stage
debt of honour
like the cat that ate the canary
42. Pretend to be in a weaker or stronger position than is really the case
take the cake
knock into shape
cry buckets
bluff your way
43. Be dismissed from your job
take the cake
catch some z's
get the sack
to see light
44. To limit someone's freedom
45. Lose his job
know no bounds
someone drops the ball
be given/ get his marching order
put your foot in it
46. Hard - boring work
curl your lip
someone drops the ball
grunt work
run a tight ship
47. To sneer; show disrespect
curl your lip
the good old days
a flash in a pan
part and parcel
48. Be unacceptable
be beyond the pale
is fresh out of
open the door to
take a shine to
49. Use the power his (manager) position gives him to make them (employees) do something
be given/ get his marching order
cry buckets
to pull rank
prick ones ears up
50. Dishonestly use your position to get money for yourself