CDS General English Solved Paper (I) : 2006
(IDIOMS/PHRASES)

Directions (For the 15 items which follows): In this section, you are given four alternative meanings to each idiom/phrase. Choose the most appropriateone.

1. FABIAN POLICY
(a) Dictatorial policy
(b) Democratic policy
(c) Market policy
(d) Policy of using gradual reforms

2. TO KICK THE BUCKET
(a) To start an account
(b) To start a sea journey
(c) To die
(d) To start agricultural activity

3. TO EAT HUMBLE PIE
(a) To eat slowly
(b) To have an excellent dish
(c) To live in a modest manner
(d) To have to apologise

4. ODDS AND ENDS
(a) Quarrelsome persons
(b) Various intentions
(c) Miscellaneous things
(d) Nonsense

5. TO PICK UP THE GAUNTLET
(a) To accept felicitations
(b) To accept a challenge
(c) to accept bribe
(d) To accept a senior post

6. TO COOL ONE’S HEELS
(a) To give a cold treatment to somebody
(b) To be kept waiting for sometime
(c) To go for a holiday
(d) To settle a controversial issue

7. TO CUT THE GORDIAN KNOT
(a) To perform an opening ceremony
(b) To solve a difficult problem
(c) To get a sharp injury
(d) To go for mountaineering

8. AN OLIVE BRANCH
(a) An offer of peace
(b) An idea
(c) A lady
(d) A wicked person

9. THE PRIMROSE PATH
(a) A modern marketplace
(b) The pursuit of pleasure
(c) Right of self-determination
(d) Process using high technology

10. ANY OLD HOW
(a) Untidy
(b) Unpredictable
(c) A horror movie
(d) By chance

11. LEAD SOMEBODY TO THE ALTAR
(a) To make somebody to learn games
(b) To marry somebody
(c) To arrest somebody
(d) To pass judgment

12. TO GO FOR THE JUGULAR
(a) To play a music instrument
(b) To make a destructive attack
(c) To go to watch a circus
(d) To go for hunting

13. IN PAWN
(a) To feel better
(b) Confused
(c) Very busy
(d) Pledged

14. TO MIND ONE’S P’s and Q’s
(a) To have an illegible handwriting
(b) To overdress
(c) To be careful and polite
(d) To remember poetry by heart

15. TOUCH-AND-GO
(a) A weak person
(b) Uncertain as to the result
(c) To catch a thief
(d) A tough competitor

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