Name: _______________________________
Idioms Test 2

Directions: Read each idiom and determine the meaning.

Idiom: A common expression understood figuratively, as the literal definition makes no sense.

1. Janet gushed over the sculpture in the antique shop, but Kevin thought that the craftsmanship was merely run of the mill.

a. Something this is of exceptionally high quality
b. Something marked by creativity or originality 
c. Something that is too expensive for the average person too afford 
d. Something that is low quality, common or ordinary 

2. After Michael missed three shots in a row and passed the ball to a player on the other team, the boys were only up by two and they suspected that Michael would be the Achilles' heel of the team. 

a. A person who performs well under pressure
b. A valuable contributor to a cause shared by many
c. A weakness in an otherwise strong entity
d. A person who inspires others to succeed 

3. Lyle chose Marco for his partner, thinking that it would be fun to work with his best friend, but now that the project was due tomorrow and the boys had nothing done, Lyle realized that he should have hitched his horse to a different wagon. 

a. When one wishes to have chosen different company than one is presently keeping
b. When one accepts responsibility for one's own involvement in an unfortunate event
c. When one understands that the only way to solve a problem is through hard work
d. When one determines that the best course of action is to tell the truth 

4. The prosecutor knew that the councilman had stolen public funds, but she wanted to get all of her ducks in a row before she charged him with a crime. 

a. She wanted to catch the councilman in the act
b. She wanted to take the time to properly prepare her case 
c. She had other business to take care of before going after the councilman
d. She had to finish eating lunch before she went back to work 

5. Vince knew that if he wanted to get into college, he'd have to keep his nose to the grindstone all senior year.

a. Vince would have to apply for college.
b. Vince would have to work hard for a whole year. 
c. Vince would have to wait patiently for an opportunity. 
d. Vince would have to stay out of trouble for a whole year.

6. Mrs. March was afraid of leaving the student teacher with her third period class because she feared that the student teacher was a bit too green to be left alone with such a wild bunch. 

a. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too inexperienced.
b. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too jealous of some of the students.
c. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too nice.
d. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too sick to handle the children.

7. I know that Catherine has been really unpleasant toward you, Alvin, but take it with a grain of salt: she's mean to everyone. 

a. Alvin should try hard to get on Catherine's good side.
b. Alvin should be worried that Catherine is not treating him kindly.
c. Alvin should go and get lunch and reflect on Catherine's attitude.
d. Alvin should not be concerned about how Catherine is treating him.

8. Ever since country western super group The Mountain Boys started wearing stovepipe hats, those hats have been selling like hotcakes.

a. This means that stovepipe hats have been selling quickly.
b. This means that stovepipe hats have been selling slowly.
c. This means that stovepipe hats have been selling at an average pace.
d. This means that stovepipe hats have not been selling at all.

9. After promising to go to Beth's parent's cabin for the weekend, Molly got invited to the coolest party of the year and now Molly is really in a pickle.

a. This means that no matter what happens things are going to work out for Molly.
b. This means that Molly is stuck in a difficult situation.
c. This means that Molly has become really popular. 
d. This means that Molly smells like vinegar. 

10. Even though Lucas had been bullying the new kid since the beginning of the year, Lucas shed his crocodile tears after the principal caught him and threatened him with suspension. 

a. This means that Lucas genuinely feels sorry for his actions.
b. This means that Lucas display of sorrow was insincere. 
c. This means that Lucas was afraid of the principal.
d. This means that Lucas was afraid of the new kid.

11. The researchers at the renowned UC Berkeley have a long history of pushing the envelope in regards to computer science. 

a. This means that these researchers have long followed behind others in the field.
b. This means that these researchers have long led efforts in the field. 
c. This means that these researchers have kept up with trends in the field. 
d. This means that these researchers have long attempted to do away with paper record keeping.

12. While Kristie's cake pops are both delicious and artistic, nobody can hold a candle to her pecan pie.

a. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is not visually pleasing. 
b. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is very hot when it comes out of the oven.
c. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is better than all others. 
d. This means that Kristie's pecan pie is in serious need of improvements.

13. After I told the client that we could give him a discount on the window repairs, the boss said that we couldn't and now I've got egg all over my face.

a. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who is known to not tell the truth.
b. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who profits from other's misfortunes.
c. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who looks foolish or embarrassed. 
d. Someone who has egg all over his or her face is a person who looks very hungry.

14. When Angelo called Devon "stinky pants" on the playground, Devon wanted to call Angelo a mean name too, but Devon's mother had always taught him to turn the other cheek.

a. To forgive an act of aggression
b. To return an act of aggression with greater force
c. To return an act of aggression with equal force 
d. To hide from aggression in order to protect oneself

15. Although I hate green peppers, I ordered them on the pizza because everybody else wanted them and I didn't want to go against the grain. 

a. To oppose or resist a strong force 
b. To just go along with whatever is the easiest 
c. To raise one's voice to an inappropriate level
d. To ignore something unpleasant