Best 30+ MCQs of Idioms starting with M – English Exam Guide

Correct Answer: C. One’s first speech

Explanation: A “maiden speech” is the first speech made by a person, especially a newly elected member of a legislature or parliament.

Correct Answer: D. A female attendant to a queen or princess

Explanation: A “maid of honour” is an unmarried woman who attends a queen or princess, or the chief bridesmaid at a wedding.

Correct Answer: B. An ordinary person

Explanation: This idiom refers to an average, ordinary person who represents the views or interests of the general public.

Correct Answer: B. A person of literary ability

Explanation: A “man of letters” (or woman of letters) is a person who is devoted to reading, literature, and scholarly pursuits; a literary scholar.

Correct Answer: C. A man of many talents

Explanation: A “man of parts” is a person who has many different skills, qualities, or talents.

Correct Answer: C. A brave and noble person

Explanation: A “man of spirit” is a person who shows courage, vigour, and a noble character.

Correct Answer: B. A weak and ineffective man

Explanation: A “man of straw” is a person of no substance or weak character; someone who is easily defeated or used as a front for someone else.

Correct Answer: C. An imaginary or mistaken idea

Explanation: A “mare’s nest” is a discovery that turns out to be illusory or a hoax; something that is believed to be important but is actually nonexistent or worthless.

Correct Answer: B. Magnify a small issue

Explanation: To “make a mountain out of a molehill” means to exaggerate the importance or difficulty of a minor problem.

Correct Answer: B. Pretend to willingly do something unavoidable

Explanation: To “make a virtue of necessity” means to benefit from something that you were forced to do anyway, by pretending it was your own choice.

Correct Answer: D. Defeat or destroy completely

Explanation: To “make mincemeat of” someone means to defeat them thoroughly and easily in an argument or contest.

Correct Answer: B. Be terribly frightened

Explanation: If something makes your “hair stand on end,” it causes you to feel extreme fear or horror.

Correct Answer: B. Become distinguished

Explanation: To “make a mark” means to become successful, famous, or influential in a particular field.

Correct Answer: C. Prove a legal argument

Explanation: To “make out a case” means to provide enough evidence or sound reasoning to prove that something is true or justified.

Correct Answer: D. Destroy completely or finish quickly

Explanation: To “make short work of” something means to finish it or deal with it very quickly and decisively.

Correct Answer: C. Arouse intense desire

Explanation: If food makes your “mouth water,” it looks or smells so delicious that you have an intense desire to eat it.

Correct Answer: B. Make up for lost time

Explanation: Originally a nautical term, to “make up leeway” means to recover a loss of time or to catch up with progress that has been delayed.

Correct Answer: A. Wait without progress

Explanation: To “mark time” means to keep oneself busy without making any real progress, often while waiting for something else to happen.

Correct Answer: C. A shy or insincere speaker

Explanation: A “mealy-mouthed” person is someone who is afraid to speak plainly or directly; someone who uses soft or insincere words to avoid offending others or being blunt.

Correct Answer: B. Interfere

Explanation: To “meddle with” something means to interfere in something that is not your concern, often causing trouble or damage.