Constable GD 2026 — English Language: Idioms & Phrases Practice MCQs

Practice these 20 carefully selected MCQs on Idioms & Phrases for the Constable GD 2026 examination. Each question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand not just the correct answer but the underlying concept.

Instructions: Attempt all questions. Check your answers after completing the set. Target: 15+ correct out of 20 for a good score.

Q1. What does 'Beat around the bush' mean?

(A) To talk directly   (B) To avoid the main topic   (C) To work in a garden   (D) To move quickly

Answer: (B) To avoid the main topic

Explanation: 'Beat around the bush' means to avoid coming to the main point. Used when someone talks about irrelevant things instead of addressing the issue directly.

Q2. 'Once in a blue moon' means:

(A) Very frequently   (B) Very rarely   (C) Every month   (D) During full moon

Answer: (B) Very rarely

Explanation: 'Once in a blue moon' means something that happens very rarely or infrequently.

Q3. 'Hit the nail on the head' means:

(A) To hammer something   (B) To be exactly right   (C) To miss the point   (D) To work hard

Answer: (B) To be exactly right

Explanation: This idiom means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem; to be precisely accurate.

Q4. 'Let the cat out of the bag' means:

(A) To release a pet   (B) To reveal a secret   (C) To buy groceries   (D) To start a fight

Answer: (B) To reveal a secret

Explanation: This phrase means to accidentally reveal information that was supposed to be kept secret.

Q5. 'Bite the bullet' means:

(A) To literally bite a bullet   (B) To endure a painful situation   (C) To be afraid   (D) To avoid responsibility

Answer: (B) To endure a painful situation

Explanation: To 'bite the bullet' means to endure a painful or difficult situation that is unavoidable.

Q6. 'Cost an arm and a leg' means:

(A) To be cheap   (B) To be very expensive   (C) To get injured   (D) To buy insurance

Answer: (B) To be very expensive

Explanation: This idiom means something is very expensive or costs a lot of money.

Q7. 'Break a leg' is used to mean:

(A) Wishing someone injury   (B) Wishing good luck   (C) Showing disapproval   (D) Expressing anger

Answer: (B) Wishing good luck

Explanation: Contrary to its literal meaning, 'break a leg' is a theatrical expression used to wish someone good luck.

Q8. 'Burn the midnight oil' means:

(A) To waste resources   (B) To work late into the night   (C) To start a fire   (D) To sleep early

Answer: (B) To work late into the night

Explanation: This idiom means to work late at night, especially for studying or completing an important task.

Q9. 'Piece of cake' refers to:

(A) A dessert item   (B) Something very easy   (C) A reward   (D) A difficult task

Answer: (B) Something very easy

Explanation: 'Piece of cake' means a task or action that is easy or simple to accomplish.

Q10. 'Spill the beans' means:

(A) To cause a mess   (B) To reveal secret information   (C) To cook food   (D) To start crying

Answer: (B) To reveal secret information

Explanation: 'Spill the beans' means to reveal information that was meant to be kept secret, often unintentionally.

Q11. 'Under the weather' means:

(A) Outdoors   (B) Feeling ill   (C) Very happy   (D) Very cold

Answer: (B) Feeling ill

Explanation: This idiom means feeling slightly ill or unwell, not in good health.

Q12. 'Back to square one' means:

(A) Moving forward   (B) Starting over again   (C) Reaching the end   (D) Making progress

Answer: (B) Starting over again

Explanation: This means returning to the beginning of a task after a failed attempt.

Q13. 'Bite off more than you can chew' means:

(A) To overeat   (B) To take on more than you can handle   (C) To be hungry   (D) To finish quickly

Answer: (B) To take on more than you can handle

Explanation: This idiom means to attempt more than one is capable of handling.

Q14. 'Catch someone red-handed' means:

(A) To see someone blushing   (B) To catch someone in the act   (C) To shake hands   (D) To paint hands red

Answer: (B) To catch someone in the act

Explanation: To catch someone red-handed means to catch them in the act of doing something wrong.

Q15. 'Down the drain' means:

(A) Underground pipes   (B) Wasted or lost   (C) In a flood   (D) Getting clean

Answer: (B) Wasted or lost

Explanation: This idiom means wasted, lost, or ruined — as if gone down a drain with no recovery.

Q16. 'Every cloud has a silver lining' means:

(A) Bad weather precedes rain   (B) Every bad situation has something good   (C) Silver is found in clouds   (D) Rain is always coming

Answer: (B) Every bad situation has something good

Explanation: This proverb means that even in difficult situations, there is always something positive.

Q17. 'Fit as a fiddle' means:

(A) Playing music well   (B) In excellent health   (C) Very thin   (D) Perfectly shaped

Answer: (B) In excellent health

Explanation: 'Fit as a fiddle' means in very good health and physically able.

Q18. 'Get out of hand' means:

(A) To release something   (B) To become uncontrollable   (C) To finish quickly   (D) To hand something over

Answer: (B) To become uncontrollable

Explanation: This idiom means something has become unmanageable or out of control.

Q19. 'Hit the sack' means:

(A) To punch a bag   (B) To go to bed   (C) To pack up   (D) To start working

Answer: (B) To go to bed

Explanation: 'Hit the sack' is an informal expression meaning to go to sleep or go to bed.

Q20. 'Jump on the bandwagon' means:

(A) To join a parade   (B) To follow a popular trend   (C) To play music   (D) To drive a vehicle

Answer: (B) To follow a popular trend

Explanation: This idiom means to join a popular activity or trend because many others are doing it.

Pro Tip: For the Constable GD 2026 exam, Idioms & Phrases is a regularly tested area. Revise all 20 questions and their explanations at least twice before the exam. Also attempt mock tests to simulate real exam conditions.