ENGLISH QUIZ: Do YOU know the meanings of these phrases?

Answer these questions and find out just how many common English expressions and phrases you can interpret accurately! Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

What does it mean when someone tells you to 'knock yourself out'?

Or advises you not to 'burn the candle at both ends'?

In the following pages, we bring you some common English expressions you've probably heard often. Select the correct meaning of each to determine just how strong your command over the language is.

Answers are provided upon submission of results on each page and you can draw your own conclusions about your performance!

There was an elephant in the room whenever the brothers met, because they hadn't discussed their mother's will.
'An elephant in the room' implies:
1) An obvious problem or issue left unaddressed
2) A fight waiting to happen
3) A fat relative looking to make trouble

Her grandfather kicked the bucket on his way to their native village.
'Kicked the bucket' implies:
1) Anger
2) Loss of sanity
3) Death

When Raj got drunk, he started behaving like a bull in a china shop.
'A bull in a china shop' implies:
1) Someone who starts behaving like an animal
2) Clumsy, careless, destructive behaviour
3) A silly individual pretending to be smart

On Tulika's birthday, they decided to paint the town red.
'Paint the town red' implies:
1) To celebrate flamboyantly
2) The destruction of public property
3) Graffiti

Is that new cricketer performing consistently, or is he just a flash in the pan?
'A flash in the pan' implies:
1) A bright spark
2) Sudden but short-lived success
3) A young rebel

I knew I was standing at a crossroads when I had to choose between marrying him and taking up the new job.
'At a crossroads' implies:
1) A situation that has no solution
2) The brink of an important decision, which is sure to affect the future
3) A footpath along the side of a street

Her boss pulled the plug on the meeting as soon as he learned she would be attending.
'Pulled the plug' implies:
1) To stop, prevent or cancel
2) To postpone
3) To get irritated about

Anu's brother is such a tech whiz, fixing your cellphone will be a piece of cake for him.
'A piece of cake' implies:
1) A treat
2) An opportunity
3) Something very simple or easy

I hope you break a leg in the final round of the competition!
'Break a leg' implies:
1) Miserable failure
2) Good luck
3) Breakthrough

His girlfriend was so angry that he was over two hours late, she didn't mince words.
'Didn't mince words' implies:
1) Complete silence
2) Direct, outspoken criticism
3) Speaking unintelligibly fast

Arjun tried to apologise for what happened, but I insisted that it's water under the bridge.
'Water under the bridge' implies:
1) Something forgiven and forgotten
2) Something too overbearing to move past
3) Something unfortunate

In a nutshell, the office picnic was tiring, arduous and so not worth it.
'In a nutshell' implies:
1) To sum it up briefly
2) To put it politely
3) To crack under strain

The stand-up comedian had the audience in stitches.
'In stitches' implies:
1) Utter boredom
2) Stuck in a rut
3) Uncontrollable laughter

He's had a bone to pick with the CEO ever since the last board meeting.
'A bone to pick' implies:
1) Something to discuss
2) A reason to be angry
3) Something to bargain or haggle over

This new generation of touch-screen tablets will give you more bang for your buck.
'More bang for your buck' implies:
1) More trouble than it's worth
2) More value for money
3) More offers than before

Your score is: 0 out of 15

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