Free Vocabulary MCQs with Answers

1341. "Achilles' heel" means ________?

• A. To action a task; to initiate work
• B. A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength
• C. A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage
• D. To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable

Explanation: Achilles’ heel is a weak point in someone or something that is otherwise strong, like Achilles’ vulnerable heel in Greek mythology. It can lead to serious or fatal failure despite overall strength.

1342. "Ace in the hole" means __________?

• A. A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage
• B. A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength
• C. Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy
• D. Without any hesitation; instantly

Explanation: An ace in the hole is a hidden resource or advantage kept in reserve for use when needed. It is a secret strength, not a weakness.

1343. "A hot potato" means _________?

• A. The one tiny drawback that ruins it
• B. To go to bed to sleep
• C. To find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor
• D. A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with

Explanation: A hot potato is a controversial or difficult matter that people want to avoid handling. The image suggests something too hot to hold comfortably.

1344. A bitter pill means ___________?

• A. Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy
• B. A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with
• C. A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted
• D. When an attempt fails, and it's time to start planning all over again

Explanation: A bitter pill is an unpleasant fact or situation that must nevertheless be accepted. The phrase compares acceptance to swallowing unpleasant medicine.

1345. It was he who "put a spoke in my wheel".

• A. tried to cause an accident
• B. helped in the execution of the plan
• C. thwarted in the execution of the plan
• D. destroyed the plan

Explanation: To put a spoke in someone’s wheel means to obstruct or thwart their plans, just as a spoke can stop a wheel from turning. Option c expresses this meaning, although its wording is grammatically incomplete.

1346. Do no trust a man who "blows his own trumpet"

• A. flatters
• B. praises others
• C. admonishes others
• D. praises himself

Explanation: To blow one’s own trumpet means to praise or boast about oneself. It is the opposite of modestly acknowledging others’ achievements.

1347. In the armed forces, it is considered a great privilege to "die in harness".

• A. die on a horse back
• B. die in the battlefield
• C. die while still working
• D. die with honour

Explanation: To die in harness means to die while still engaged in one’s work or duty. Although the phrase originated with a worker dying while harnessed to a horse, its modern meaning is broader.

1348. He "passed himself off" as a noble man.

• A. Was regarded as
• B. Pretended to be
• C. Was thought to be
• D. Was looked upon

Explanation: To pass oneself off as someone means to pretend to be that person or to falsely present oneself as having that identity or status. Thus, he pretended to be a nobleman.

1349. I met him after a long time, but he gave me "the cold shoulder".

• A. scolded me
• B. insulted me
• C. abused me
• D. ignored me

Explanation: To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore or show an unfriendly lack of attention to them. It does not specifically mean scolding or abusing them.

1350. He could be easily arrested because the police were tipped off in a advance. tipped off means _____________?

• A. Toppled over
• B. Bribed
• C. Given advance information
• D. Threatened

Explanation: To tip someone off means to give them advance information, often secretly, about an event or danger. Here the police received early information that allowed them to arrest him.