11. To be in a huff means
(A) to be in a hurry
(B) to breathe in a noisy way
(C) to be in a bad mood
(D) to suffer from illness
Answer: (C) to be in a bad mood
To be in a huff: To be offended, annoyed, or in an angrily offended mood.
12. To make inroads means
(A) to succeed by reducing the power of something else
(B) to make a connection between two things
(C) to separate one thing from another
(D) to create new beginnings
Answer: (A) to succeed by reducing the power of something else
To make inroads: To make progress or advance into a new area or territory, often at the expense of someone or something else.
13. Have somebody taped means
(A) to understand somebody completely and deal with them successfully
(B) to cling to somebody romantically
(C) to record somebody’s conversation
(D) to keep track of somebody’s dealings and whereabouts
Answer: (A) to understand somebody completely and deal with them successfully
Have somebody taped: To have sized someone up; to fully understand someone’s character, motives, or methods.
14. To be in a jam means
(A) to be stuck in traffic
(B) to be in a difficult situation
(C) to play a musical instrument
(D) to dance the night away
Answer: (B) to be in a difficult situation
To be in a jam: To find oneself in a predicament or a difficult, troublesome situation.
15. To have nine lives means
(A) to be very lucky in dangerous situations
(B) to have multiple identities
(C) to hide one’s identity
(D) to be reincarnated nine times
Answer: (A) to be very lucky in dangerous situations
To have nine lives: (Derived from the myth that cats have nine lives) meaning to survive near-fatal accidents or be exceptionally lucky in dangerous situations.
16. Put me on my mettle
(A) grounded me
(B) humbled me and my spirit
(C) aroused me to do my best
(D) messed with me
Answer: (C) aroused me to do my best
Put one on one’s mettle: To force someone to show their courage, strength of character, or utmost ability.
17. Out of sorts
(A) not well
(B) out of place
(C) out of order
(D) all over the place
Answer: (A) not well
Out of sorts: Feeling slightly ill, upset, or in a bad temper.
18. To cut teeth
(A) to saw a tree
(B) to comb
(C) to brush teeth
(D) to gain early experience in a field
Answer: (D) to gain early experience in a field
To cut one’s teeth: To gain one’s first experience in a particular job or activity.
19. To show derision to
(A) to teach
(B) to mock
(C) to hide
(D) to show
Answer: (B) to mock
Derision: Contemptuous ridicule or mockery.
20. Nail my colour to the mast
(A) refuse to surrender
(B) refuse to speak
(C) go to a salon
(D) go to a party
Answer: (A) refuse to surrender
Nail one’s colours to the mast: To defiantly display one’s opinions and beliefs, and show that one has no intention of yielding or surrendering.