C2 Collocations and Idiomatic Expressions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the idiom 'beat around the bush' mean?
- To avoid coming to the main point (Correct answer)
- To work diligently in an outdoor setting
- To search a location thoroughly
- To act in a disorganized, confused manner
Correct answer: To avoid coming to the main point
'Beat around the bush' means to avoid discussing the most important issue by talking about peripheral or irrelevant matters.
Question 2: What does 'a blessing in disguise' mean?
- A hidden religious symbol embedded in text
- Something that initially seems bad but proves to be beneficial (Correct answer)
- An unexpected financial windfall
- A deceptive or dishonest individual
Correct answer: Something that initially seems bad but proves to be beneficial
A 'blessing in disguise' refers to something that initially appears negative or unfortunate but ultimately turns out to be advantageous.
Question 3: If someone 'burns their bridges,' what have they done?
- Initiated a new and exciting project
- Made a fresh, clean beginning in life
- Permanently damaged an important relationship or opportunity (Correct answer)
- Taken a calculated but unnecessary risk
Correct answer: Permanently damaged an important relationship or opportunity
'Burn bridges' means to permanently destroy a relationship or opportunity, making it impossible to return to a previous situation.
Question 4: What does 'bite the bullet' mean?
- To consume something particularly unpleasant
- To make a rash and impulsive decision
- To argue or fight with someone aggressively
- To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage
'Bite the bullet' means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation bravely and without complaint.
Question 5: When someone says 'the ball is in your court,' what do they mean?
- You are being blamed for causing a problem
- It is now your turn or responsibility to act (Correct answer)
- You are being invited to participate in a game
- You are required to make a financial payment
Correct answer: It is now your turn or responsibility to act
'The ball is in your court' means it is now the other person's turn to take action or make a decision.
Question 6: What does 'cut to the chase' mean?
- To run faster than a rival competitor
- To take a physical shortcut on a route
- To immediately end a pursuit or follow-up
- To get directly to the most important point (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To get directly to the most important point
'Cut to the chase' means to stop wasting time on unimportant details and address the main point of a discussion directly.
Question 7: What does 'let the cat out of the bag' mean?
- To accidentally reveal a secret (Correct answer)
- To create an uncontrollable chaotic situation
- To resolve a long-hidden problem
- To free something that had been physically restrained
Correct answer: To accidentally reveal a secret
'Let the cat out of the bag' means to accidentally disclose a secret or surprise that was intended to remain hidden.
C2 Collocations and Idiomatic Expressions 2
What does the idiom 'beat around the bush' mean?