Source: English Quiz
1. From stem to stern
(a) all the way from the front of a ship to the back.
(b) from the beginning to the end.
(c) top of a plant to its roots.
(d) loose pleasantness to become strict.
2 Over egg the pudding
(a) add unnecessary details to make something seem better or worse.
(b) fill the pudding excessively with egg.
(c) add details in order to make something more exciting.
(d) add important details to the content of a story.
3. Turn over a new leaf
(a) change one’s behaviour for the better.
(b) read between the pages of a book.
(c) do a somersault
(d) do a new job.
4. Take up the hatchet
(a) behave formally
(b) pursue a chance
(c) be caught in a trap
(d) prepare for or go to war
5. At loose ends
(a) tie two loose ends of a thread
(b) keep options open
(c) in an uncertain situation
(d) repay debts
6. With might and main
(a) with full risks
(b) with full force
(c) having full confidence
(d) with full blessings
7. Ruffle somebody’s feather
(a) gamble
(b) escape responsibility
(c) annoy somebody
(d) show contempt for
8. Cut short
(a) delete
(b) praise
(c) interrupt
(d) slice into small pieces
9. Bad blood
(a) war
(b) ill feeling
(c) threatening attitude
(d) in an infected state of being
10 A laughing stock
(a) an object of laughter
(b) a storehouse of jokes
(c) an object of desire
(d) a stock of high value
Answers:
1(a) From stem to stern = from the front to the back especially of a ship
Look at the sentence : Surges of water rocked their boats from stem to stern
2. (a) add unnecessary details to make better or worse. Over egg the pudding = to spoil something by trying too hard to improve it
Look at the sentence : As a director, I think he has a tendency to over-egg the pudding, with a few too many gorgeous shots of the country side.
3. (a) change one’s behaviour for the better Turn over a new leaf = start to act or or behave in a better or more responsible way; improve; to start behaving in a better way.
Look at the sentence : Apparently he has turned over a new leaf and he is not smoking any more.
4 (d) prepare for or go to war Take up the hatchet = to make or declare war
Look at the sentence : He induced the tribes to take up the hatchet against the English.
5 (c) in an uncertain situation At a loose end = to have nothing to do At loose ends = not knowing what to do, especially because of an upsetting change.
Look at the sentences : If you find yourself at loose ends, you could always clean the bathroom. I was at loose ends after finishing school and not being able to find a job.
6 (b) with full force With might and main = with all one's power or strength; to the best of one's ability; with as much effort as possible.
Look at the sentence : They shouted with might and main but nobody came to rescue them.
7. (c) annoy somebody Ruffle somebody’s feather = to cause someone to be upset.
Look at the sentence : Mohan ruffled a few feathers when he suggested cutting the teacher’s salaries.
8 (c) interrupt Cut short = to have to stop doing something before it is finished.
Look at the sentence : Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of more guests.
9 (b) ill feeling Bad blood = feelings of hate between people because of arguments in the past.
Look at the sentence : There has been bad blood between the two families for years.
10 (a) an object of laughter A laughing stock = someone or something that seems stupid or silly, especially by trying to be serious or important and not succeeding.
Look at the sentence : Another performance like that and this team will be the laughing stock of the league