ExamAdept

When someone “lets the cat out of the bag,” they

A:

reveal a secret by accident

B:

adopt a pet

C:

cause a problem intentionally

D:

refuse to speak

Answer: A

Explanation:
✅ The idiom means to reveal a secret unintentionally.
❌ “Adopt a pet” — literal.
❌ “Cause a problem” — not implied.
❌ “Refuse to speak” — opposite idea.

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To “hit the nail on the head” means

A:

to say exactly the right thing

B:

to do something violent

C:

to make a mistake

D:

to finish something early

Answer: A

Explanation:
✅ It means to be exactly right about something.
❌ “Violent” — literal hammer action.
❌ “Mistake” — opposite.
❌ “Finish early” — unrelated.

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The idiom “under the weather” means

A:

enjoying the sunshine

B:

feeling unwell

C:

working hard

D:

being lazy

Answer: B

Explanation:
✅ Under the weather = slightly sick or unwell.
❌ “Enjoying the sunshine” — literal weather meaning.
❌ “Working hard” or “being lazy” — unrelated.

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If someone “spills the beans,” they

A:

make a mess

B:

cook something

C:

forget something

D:

tell a secret

Answer: D

Explanation:
✅ Spill the beans = reveal a secret or confidential information.
❌ “Make a mess” — literal.
❌ “Cook something” — unrelated.
❌ “Forget something” — incorrect.

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When someone says “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it,” they mean

A:

they’re afraid of future problems

B:

they’ll worry about a problem when it happens

C:

they want to avoid all difficulties

D:

they’re preparing early

Answer: B

Explanation:
✅ The idiom means deal with a problem later, not before it happens.
❌ “Afraid” — not about fear.
❌ “Avoid” — doesn’t fit context.
❌ “Preparing early” — the opposite of its meaning.

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Questions for: Idiomatic Expressions