101. To drive home
(A) To find one’s roots
(B) To return to place of rest
(C) Back to original position
(D) To emphasize
Answer: (D) To emphasize
To drive home: To make something completely clear or understood by emphasizing it strongly.
102. To be the black sheep
(A) One who always cooperates
(B) One who has a bad reputation
(C) One who is ashamed
(D) One who has dark coloured skin
Answer: (B) One who has a bad reputation
Black sheep: A member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to them.
103. To end in smoke
(A) To influence
(B) To end in ruin
(C) To end in applause
(D) To overcome someone
Answer: (B) To end in ruin
End in smoke: To yield no practical result; to come to nothing or be ruined.
104. To be within a stone’s throw
(A) Very far off
(B) Within a certain radius
(C) Within a definite distance
(D) At a short distance
Answer: (D) At a short distance
Within a stone’s throw: Very close to; at a short distance.
105. Have one’s hand full
(A) To be very rich
(B) To be very clumsy
(C) To be very busy
(D) To be very generous
Answer: (C) To be very busy
Have one’s hands full: To be completely occupied or very busy with something.
106. Hobson’s choice
(A) Excellent choice
(B) No real choice at all
(C) Choice to live or die
(D) First choice
Answer: (B) No real choice at all
Hobson’s choice: A choice of taking what is available or nothing at all; a “take it or leave it” situation.
107. A close-fisted man
(A) A miser
(B) A coward
(C) A close friend
(D) Generous
Answer: (A) A miser
A close-fisted man: A person who is very unwilling to spend money; a miser.
108. Beat a dead horse
(A) Exploit someone to the point of killing him/her
(B) To continue playing a game knowing very well that you are going to lose
(C) Show extreme level of cruelty especially to animals
(D) To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution
Answer: (D) To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution
Beat a dead horse: To waste time and effort trying to do or achieve something that is impossible or already finished.
109. Out of print
(A) A book no longer available from the publisher
(B) All publishers refuse to publish your book
(C) Not able to print due to being short on paper
(D) Intentionally not mention some items in the article or book
Answer: (A) A book no longer available from the publisher
Out of print: (Of a book) no longer being published.
110. Keep under one’s hat
(A) To take care of somebody else’s valuables given to you for safe keeping
(B) To steal and hide something
(C) To keep something a secret
(D) To keep all your wealth in your home
Answer: (C) To keep something a secret
Keep under one’s hat: To keep something confidential or secret.