Most Important 50 idioms starting with G – English Exam Guide

1. “Gain ground” means to:

A. Win suddenly
B. Move rapidly
C. Succeed steadily
D. Lose slowly

Correct Answer: C. Succeed steadily


Explanation: To “gain ground” means to make progress or advance slowly but steadily.

2. “Gala day” means:

A. Day of mourning
B. Working holiday
C. Day of celebration
D. Day for meetings

Correct Answer: C. Day of celebration


Explanation: A “gala day” is a day of festive celebration or public holiday.

3. “Game not worth the candle” means:

A. Game is too risky
B. Game is boring
C. Not worth the effort
D. Game is expensive

Correct Answer: C. Not worth the effort


Explanation: This phrase is used when the reward or outcome of an activity is not worth the time, effort, or cost spent on it.

4. “Gall and wormwood” means:

A. Slightly annoying
B. Extremely bitter
C. Completely tasteless
D. Hard to swallow

Correct Answer: B. Extremely bitter


Explanation: “Gall and wormwood” refers to something that is extremely bitter, resentful, or causing deep grief.

5. “Garbled quotation” means:

A. Exact quote
B. Quotation with style
C. Quotation taken out of context
D. Mutilated or confused quote

Correct Answer: D. Mutilated or confused quote


Explanation: A “garbled” message or quote is one that has been distorted or mixed up so much that it is unclear.

6. “Gift of the gab” means:

A. Talent for writing
B. Skill in acting
C. Fluent speaking
D. Artistic hand

Correct Answer: C. Fluent speaking


Explanation: Someone with the “gift of the gab” has an natural ability to speak fluently, persuasively, and interestingly.

7. “A good Samaritan” means:

A. Religious preacher
B. Honest businessman
C. Helpful stranger
D. Clever politician

Correct Answer: C. Helpful stranger


Explanation: A “good Samaritan” is a person who unselfishly helps a stranger or someone in distress.

8. “To get into bad odour” means to:

A. Smell badly
B. Lose popularity
C. Be physically hurt
D. Make a mistake

Correct Answer: B. Lose popularity


Explanation: To be in “bad odour” with someone means to be out of favour or to have a bad reputation with them.

9. “Glance at” means to:

A. Ignore something
B. Stare for long
C. Take a quick look
D. Analyze deeply

Correct Answer: C. Take a quick look


Explanation: To “glance at” means to look at something briefly and quickly.

10. “Glance over” means to:

A. Memorize
B. Study in depth
C. Look closely
D. Look briefly

Correct Answer: D. Look briefly


Explanation: To “glance over” or “scan” means to look through or check something quickly without reading every detail.

11. “Gloss over” means to:

A. Praise highly
B. Hide faults
C. Explain clearly
D. Complain openly

Correct Answer: B. Hide faults


Explanation: To “gloss over” something means to avoid dealing with a mistake or flaw by mentioning it only briefly or deceptively.

12. “Get into a scrape” means to:

A. Get a reward
B. Win a prize
C. Get into trouble
D. Make an escape

Correct Answer: C. Get into trouble


Explanation: To “get into a scrape” means to find oneself in an awkward, embarrassing, or difficult situation.

13. “Get scent of” means to:

A. Smell something
B. Get a clue
C. Be suspicious
D. Tell someone’s secret

Correct Answer: B. Get a clue


Explanation: To “get scent of” something means to receive a hint, clue, or information about a secret or hidden plan.

14. “Get the upper hand” means to:

A. Gain control
B. Be defeated
C. Ask for help
D. Lose a battle

Correct Answer: A. Gain control


Explanation: To “get the upper hand” means to gain a position of advantage, power, or control over someone else.

15. “Give a wide berth to” means to:

A. Stand beside
B. Invite over
C. Avoid completely
D. Sit nearby

Correct Answer: C. Avoid completely


Explanation: To “give a wide berth” to someone or something means to keep a safe distance away from them; avoiding them completely.

16. “Give one a bit of one’s mind” means to:

A. Praise openly
B. Advise kindly
C. Rebuke sharply
D. Encourage softly

Correct Answer: C. Rebuke sharply


Explanation: To “give someone a bit/piece of your mind” means to tell them exactly what you think of them, usually to scold or rebuke them sharply.

17. “Give and take” means:

A. Bargain smartly
B. Show intolerance
C. Be selfish
D. Be cooperative

Correct Answer: D. Be cooperative


Explanation: “Give and take” refers to a process of compromise where both sides make concessions to be cooperative.

18. “Give up the ghost” means to:

A. Sleep
B. Become quiet
C. Die
D. Run away

Correct Answer: C. Die


Explanation: This is an idiomatic expression meaning to die; to pass away.

19. “Give the benefit of doubt” means to:

A. Decide against someone
B. Punish quickly
C. Support without proof
D. Think the best in unclear situations

Correct Answer: D. Think the best in unclear situations


Explanation: To “give someone the benefit of the doubt” means to believe something good about them in a situation where the truth is not clear.

20. “Go down” means to:

A. Be forgotten
B. Be ignored
C. Be recorded
D. Be avoided

Correct Answer: C. Be recorded


Explanation: “Go down” (in history) means to be remembered or recorded as having happened.

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