To turn over a new leaf
Options are :
- To change completely one�s course of action
- To shift attention to new problems after having studied the old ones througly
- To cover up one�s faults by wearing new marks
- To change the old habits and adopt new ones
(Correct)
Answer :To change the old habits and adopt new ones
Complete English Common Errors Practice Test for all Exams Set 1
To wrangle over an ass�s shadow
Options are :
- To act in a foolish way
- To quarrel over trifles
(Correct)
- To waste time on petty things
- To do something funny
Answer :To quarrel over trifles
To take with a grain of salt
Options are :
- To take with some reservation
(Correct)
- To take with total disbelief
- To take hole heartedly
- To take seriously
Answer :To take with some reservation
Hobson�s choice
Options are :
- Feeling of insecurity
- Accept or leave the offer
(Correct)
- Feeling of strength
- Excellent choice
Answer :Accept or leave the offer
English Grammar Tests - From Beginner to Advanced Set 4
To take the bull by the horns
Options are :
- To punish a person severely for his arrogance
- To grapple courageously with a difficulty that lies in our way
(Correct)
- To handle it by fierce attack
- To bypass the legal process and take action according to one�s own whims
Answer :To grapple courageously with a difficulty that lies in our way
To cast pearls before a swine
Options are :
- To spend recklessly
- To spend a lot of money on the upkeep of domestic hogs
- To waste money over trifles
- To offer to a person a thing which he cannot appreciate
(Correct)
Answer :To offer to a person a thing which he cannot appreciate
To bring one�s eggs to a bad market
Options are :
- To face a humiliating situation
- To bring one�s commodities to a market where there is no demand for them
- To show one�s talents before an audience which is incapable of appreciating them
- To fail in one�s plans because one goes to the wrong people for help
(Correct)
Answer :To fail in one�s plans because one goes to the wrong people for help
Complete English Common Errors Practice Test for all Exams Set 9
To give/get the bird
Options are :
- To get the awaited
- To have good luck
- To send away
(Correct)
- To get the impossible
Answer :To send away
Will o� the wisp
Options are :
- Anything which eludes or deceives
(Correct)
- To act in a childish way
- To act in a foolish way
- To have desires unbacked by efforts
Answer :Anything which eludes or deceives
To fly off the handle
Options are :
- To take off
- To be indifferent
- To dislocate
- To lose one�s temper
(Correct)
Answer :To lose one�s temper
Complete English Common Errors Practice Test for all Exams Set 4
To keep the ball rolling
Options are :
- To earn more and more
- To work constantly
- To keep the conversation going
(Correct)
- To make the best use of
Answer :To keep the conversation going
To have a brush with
Options are :
- To start painting
- To have good and pleasing terms
- To be impressed
- To have a slight encounter
(Correct)
Answer :To have a slight encounter
Dog in the manger
Options are :
- An undersized bull almost the shape of a dog
- A dog that has no kennel of its own
- A person who puts himself in difficulties on account of other people
- A person who prevents others form enjoying something useless to himself
(Correct)
Answer :A person who prevents others form enjoying something useless to himself
Complete English Common Errors Practice Test for all Exams Set 9
Something up one�s sleeve
Options are :
- A grand idea
- A secret plan
(Correct)
- A profitable plan
- Something important
Answer :A secret plan
To keep the wolf away from the door
Options are :
- To keep away from extreme poverty
(Correct)
- To keep off any unwanted and undesirable person
- To keep alive
- To hold the difficulties and dangers in check
Answer :To keep away from extreme poverty
To take the wind out f another�s sails
Options are :
- To maneuver to mislead another on the high seas
- To cause harm to another
- To defeat the motives of another
- To anticipate another and to gain advantage over him
(Correct)
Answer :To anticipate another and to gain advantage over him
Complete English Common Errors Practice Test for all Exams Set 6
To pros and cons
Options are :
- For and against a thing
(Correct)
- Foul and fair
- Good and evil
- Former and latter
Answer :For and against a thing
A bull in a china shop
Options are :
- A person who is very ugly but loves the beautiful things of life
- A person who takes a sadistic delight in harming innocent people
- A person who becomes too excited where no excitement is warranted
- A person who is rough and clumsy where skill and care are required
(Correct)
Answer :A person who is rough and clumsy where skill and care are required
Hard-pressed
Options are :
- Bewildered
- Insulted
- In difficulties
(Correct)
- Hard discipline
Answer :In difficulties
English Grammar Tests - From Beginner to Advanced Set 16
To pour oil in troubled water
Options are :
- To foment trouble
- To add to the trouble
- To instigate
- To clam a quarrel with soothing words
(Correct)
Answer :To clam a quarrel with soothing words
He has come up during the last five years.
Options are :
- Fallen in rank
- Risen in status
(Correct)
- Become proud
- Become humble
Answer :Risen in status
Last evening I was held up at the meeting.
Options are :
- Kept
- Detained
(Correct)
- Delayed
- Stopped
Answer :Detained
Complete English Common Errors Practice Test for all Exams Set 3
Many people called on the minister when he was ill.
Options are :
- Helped
- Surrounded
- Criticized
- Visited
(Correct)
Answer :Visited
The old man was cut to the quick when his rich son refused to recognize him.
Options are :
- Irritated
- Annoyed
- Surprised
- Hurt intensely
(Correct)
Answer :Hurt intensely
Only strict laws make the evil of dowry die out.
Options are :
- Drift
- Disappear
(Correct)
- Decrease
- Decay
Answer :Disappear
Complete English Common Errors Practice Test for all Exams Set 9
Over and above the household work, she works in a factory on a part time basis.
Options are :
- Beside
- In addition to
(Correct)
- In place of
- Together with
Answer :In addition to
We should abstain from casting aspersions on the character of our colleagues.
Options are :
- Passing critical remarks
- Cracking silly jokes
- Paying left handed compliments
- Passing slanderous remarks
(Correct)
Answer :Passing slanderous remarks
Over and above the household work, she works in a factory on a part-time basis.
Options are :
- Together with
- In place of
- Beside
(Correct)
- In addition to
Answer :Beside
English Grammar Tests - From Beginner to Advanced Set 4
The staff has felt on edge over since they heard the rumor about retrenchment.
Options are :
- Nervous
(Correct)
- Unhappy
- Disheartened
- Scared
Answer :Nervous
I stood up for him when everyone else was criticizing him.
Options are :
- Tolerated him
- Faced him boldly
- Supported him energetically
(Correct)
- Opposed him insistently
Answer :Supported him energetically
