Some proverbs/idioms are given below together with their meanings. Choose the correct meaning of proverb/idiom.
Red rag to a bull
Answer: D
It means anything that provokes.
A red rag to a bull is something certain to enrage, from the belief that bulls are angered by red - they are not, being colour-blind, but the phrase survives.
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Red tape
Answer: A
It means official delay.
Red tape is excessive bureaucratic procedure, from the red ribbon once used to tie up legal and official papers.
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Red herring
Answer: B
It means something to distract attention.
A red herring is a false trail. Smoked herrings were once drawn across a track to teach hounds to follow a scent through distractions.
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Stand in good stead
Answer: D
It means to be helpful in need.
To stand in good stead is to prove useful when the time comes. Stead is an old word for place - the same as in instead.
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To show the white feather
Answer: C
It means to show cowardice.
A white feather in a gamecock's tail was taken as a sign of poor breeding and want of fight, so to show the white feather is to flinch.
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See eye to eye
Answer: B
It means to agree.
To see eye to eye with someone is to be of the same opinion as them.
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Spartan life
Answer: B
It means a life of austerity.
A Spartan life is hard and frugal, from the discipline of ancient Sparta, whose citizens were bred to endure hardship.
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To set people by the ears
Answer: A
It means to incite people against each other.
To set people by the ears is to set them quarrelling, from dogs seizing each other by the ears in a fight.
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A stalking horse
Answer: D
It means a pretence.
A stalking horse is something used to conceal a real purpose. A fowler would walk beside a horse, real or artificial, to get within range of birds unseen.
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Spick and span
Answer: A
It means in perfect order.
Spick and span means neat and clean, from spike-and-span-new: a new nail and a fresh-cut chip of wood.
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