In the following questions four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase italicised and underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of idiom/phrase.
Do not imagine that he is really sorry his wife died. Those are only crocodile tears.
Answer: A
It means pretended sorrow.
Crocodile tears are an insincere show of grief, from the old belief that the crocodile wept while devouring its prey.
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The Prime Minister has pulled up the Orissa party men.
Answer: D
It means reprimanded.
To pull someone up is to check them sharply for a fault, as one pulls up a horse.
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He did me a good turn by recommending me for the post of Vice Principal.
Answer: B
It means did an act of kindness.
To do someone a good turn is to help them, without any implication of repaying an earlier favour.
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He believes in the policy of making hay while the sun shines.
Answer: D
It means making the best use of a favourable situation.
Hay must be cut and dried in dry weather, so to make hay while the sun shines is to seize the opportunity while it lasts.
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His friends advised him to be fair and square in his dealings.
Answer: D
It means upright.
Fair and square means honest and straightforward in dealing - square carrying the sense of honest, as in a square deal.
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It is high time that India did something about the population problem.
Answer: A
It means already late.
It is high time means the moment for action has arrived and is indeed overdue. The construction takes the past subjunctive - it is high time India did something.
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He is always standing up for the weak and the oppressed.
Answer: B
It means championing the cause of.
To stand up for someone is to defend and support them publicly.
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We should give a wide berth to bad characters.
Answer: C
It means keep away from.
To give a wide berth is to keep well clear, from the sea room a ship needs to swing safely at anchor.
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The turban is in vogue in some communities.
Answer: A
It means in fashion.
In vogue is French for in fashion, vogue meaning the current of fashion - literally the rowing of a boat.
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The old man was cut to the quick when his rich son refused to recognise him.
Answer: B
It means hurt intensely.
The quick is the living flesh under a nail, so to cut someone to the quick is to wound their feelings deeply.
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