21. “Hobson’s choice” means:
Correct Answer: B. No option at all
Explanation: “Hobson’s choice” is a choice where only one option is actually offered (take it or leave it).
22. “Hold with the hare and run with the hounds” means:
Correct Answer: C. Play a double game
Explanation: This means to try to support two opposing sides at the same time; playing a double game.
23. “High time” means:
Correct Answer: B. Perfect time
Explanation: “High time” (or “about time”) means it is the right time for something that should have been done already.
24. “Highhandedness” means:
Correct Answer: C. Arrogant or oppressive behavior
Explanation: Highhanded behavior is acting without considering the feelings or rights of others; being arrogant and overbearing.
25. “Husband one’s resources” means:
Correct Answer: D. Use resources wisely
Explanation: To “husband” resources (like money or supplies) means to manage them carefully and economically.
26. “Hush money” means:
Correct Answer: A. Reward for silence
Explanation: “Hush money” is money paid to someone to prevent them from revealing embarrassing or illegal information.
27. “Out-Herod Herod” means:
Correct Answer: B. Be extremely wicked
Explanation: To “out-Herod Herod” means to be more extreme or outrageous in some bad quality (from Hamlet, referring to the biblical King Herod).
28. “By hook or by crook” means:
Correct Answer: B. Try every possible means
Explanation: To do something “by hook or by crook” means to do it by any means necessary, whether fair or foul.
29. “Hope against hope” means:
Correct Answer: C. Keep hoping even when it seems impossible
Explanation: To “hope against hope” means to continue to hope for something even though all available evidence suggests it is impossible.
30. “To eat humble pie” means:
Correct Answer: B. Apologize sincerely
Explanation: To “eat humble pie” means to admit that you were wrong and to apologize in a way that is humiliating.
31. “Hang fire” means:
Correct Answer: B. Come to no result
Explanation: In some contexts, “hang fire” means to be delayed so much that no result or action is eventually taken.
32. “To die in harness” means:
Correct Answer: D. Die while still in active service
Explanation: To “die in harness” means to die while still working or actively engaged in one’s profession or duty.
33. “His heart sank in his boots” means:
Correct Answer: C. He lost all courage or hope
Explanation: If your “heart sinks into your boots,” you suddenly feel very disappointed, discouraged, or frightened.
34. “On the horns of a dilemma” means:
Correct Answer: C. To be in a fix
Explanation: Being “on the horns of a dilemma” means facing a choice between two equally unpleasant or difficult alternatives.
35. “Bring a hornet’s nest about his ears” means:
Correct Answer: B. Create an unpleasant situation for oneself
Explanation: To “stir up a hornet’s nest” for oneself means to provoke a large amount of public anger, criticism, or trouble.
36. “Hard nut to crack” means:
Correct Answer: C. A problem not easily solved
Explanation: A “hard nut to crack” is a difficult problem or person with whom it is hard to deal.
37. “Off hand” means:
Correct Answer: A. Without preparation
Explanation: To do something “off-hand” means to do it immediately, without thinking about it or preparing for it beforehand.
38. “Move heaven and earth” means:
Correct Answer: C. Make every possible effort
Explanation: To “move heaven and earth” means to do everything humanly possible to achieve a particular result.
39. “Bring home” means:
Correct Answer: B. Make others understand
Explanation: To “bring something home to someone” means to make them fully realize or understand something clearly.
40. “Over head and ears” means:
Correct Answer: C. Completely involved
Explanation: To be “head over ears” or “over head and ears” in something (like debt or work) means to be completely and deeply involved in it.