How To Solve Idioms and Phrases

July 26, 2025

How to Solve Idioms and Phrases

Want to know how to solve idioms and phrases easily? This page will guide you with simple tips, tricks, and strategies to confidently solve idioms and phrases questions in exams.

Idioms and phrases are commonly asked in exams and campus placements. Many students find them tricky, but with the right approach, solving them becomes easy. 

How To Solve Idioms & Phrases Questions

What Are Idioms and Phrases?

IDIOMS

Idioms are a collection of words or phrases which have a figurative meaning that is generally well established and known.

  • For example- More holes than Swiss cheese
  • Meaning- Something that has a lot of problems, it is incomplete or lacks important components.

PHRASES

Phrase is a small group of words that are like a unit. These units are a part of a bigger sentence or a clause.

  • For example – Picnic basket in hand, she set off for her date.
  • Meaning – Taking the basket she went for her date.

How To Solve Idioms and Phrases Questions

Idiom is a set of certain words which when used together, brings out a meaning which is entirely different from the meaning of each word when it is used individually. To explain Phrases we can say that they are a counterpart of the Idioms. This means that both Idioms and phrases ca be used inter-changeably and with each other.

Idioms

In an idiom, the meaning arises from common usage. It means that the idiom will have no meaning if used with individual words but will make sense even if not used in a sentence.

For Example –

  • It’s a piece of cake
  • Let the cat out of the bag
  • Up in the air
  • Takes two to Tango
  • Call it a day …………………. and so on.

With these examples we now know how idioms can be used solely to describe a situation without the need of a sentence.

Phrases

Phrase is a small group of words that have a meaning when taken together. However, for phrases it means that they are just a phrase that needs the support of a clause to make complete sense in a sentence.

For example –

  • This situation is getting out of hand.
  • A pack of wolves is fatally dangerous.
  • After everything i will have go back to the drawing board
  • I should hit the sack now!
  • Speak of the devil and he is here!

So with the above examples we can see that phrases are a part of sentence.

how to solve idioms and phrases

Prime Course Trailer

Related Banners

Get PrepInsta Prime & get Access to all 200+ courses offered by PrepInsta in One Subscription

Get Prime

Tips on How to Solve Idioms and Phrases

  1. Understand the Context
    Always read the sentence carefully. Try to understand the overall meaning before selecting the idiom.
  2. Learn Common Idioms
    Start with the most frequently asked idioms in exams. Some popular ones are:
    • A blessing in disguise
    • Spill the beans
    • Hit the nail on the head
  3. Use Elimination Technique
    In multiple-choice questions, eliminate the obviously wrong options first.
  4. Visualize the Meaning
    Try to create a mental image or story around the idiom. It helps in memorizing them easily.
  5. Practice Regularly
    Solving practice questions daily will boost your speed and accuracy.

Common Errors Students Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake Solution
Taking idioms literally Always think figuratively and look for context
Ignoring sentence context Read the full sentence and surrounding clues
Learning idioms without examples Always practice with sample sentences
Learning too many idioms at once Learn in small groups of 5-10 idioms daily
Not reviewing frequently Revise every week using quizzes or flashcards

How to Solve Idioms & Phrases Question Quickly

Question. 1

One proverb/Idiom is mentioned below together with its meaning. Choose the correct meaning of that particular Idiom from the given options:

Add fuel to the flames:

Options:

A.To burn something
B.To do or say something that makes someone react more strongly
C.To consider something
D.None of the above

Correct Option: B
Explanation: To add fume to flames means to over exaggerate anything that makes a bad situation more miserable.

Question. 2

One proverb/Idiom is mentioned below together with its meaning. Choose the correct meaning of that particular Idiom from the given options:

To smell a rat

Options:

A.To see a rat
B.To suspect foul dealings
C.To find plague in a specific area
D.None of the above

Correct Option: B
Explanation: To smell a rat means to suspect a nasty dealing or sensing something wrong in a particular situation. This can be better explained with the help of an example below:

If I don’t go to school today, then the teacher will smell a rat.

Question. 3

One proverb/Idiom is mentioned below together with its meaning. Choose the correct meaning of that particular Idiom from the given options:

Strike while the Iron is hot.

Options:

A.To beat the hot iron
B.To act promptly when the situation is in favour
C.To Extreme tensed situation
D.To raise objections

Correct Option: B
Explanation: It means to take advantage of any opportunity as and when it arises without waiting. It can be better explained with the help of an example:

Sam told Martha- You’ve got such a great job opportunity. If I were you, then I’d rather strike while the iron is hot.

Question: 4

One proverb/Idiom is mentioned below together with its meaning. Choose the correct meaning of that particular Idiom from the given options:

To snap one’s fingers

Options:

a. To grasp eagerly
b. To speak abruptly
c. To accept immediately
d. To become contemptuous of

Correct answer: D

Explanation: It means to treat with contempt, scorn, disregard

He was snapping his fingers in time with the music.

Question: 5

One proverb/Idiom is mentioned below together with its meaning. Choose the correct meaning of that particular Idiom from the given options:

To spill the beans

Options:

a. To misbehave
b. To great obstructions
c. To keep secrets
d. To reveal secret information

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: It means to reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly.

My brother spilled the beans about the surprise party planned for our parents, by telling them during a conversation last night.

Also Check Out

Rules For Idioms And Phrases
Idioms and Phrases Question and Answers
Shortcuts, Tips and Tricks for Idioms and Phrases

Also Check:

Branding

Get over 200+ course One Subscription

Courses like AI/ML, Cloud Computing, Ethical Hacking, C, C++, Java, Python, DSA (All Languages), Competitive Coding (All Languages), TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Amazon, DBMS, SQL and others

Get Prime
Course List
Course List

Checkout list of all the video courses in PrepInsta Prime Subscription

Checkout list of all the video courses in PrepInsta Prime Subscription

Checkout
Checkout