In the realm of competitive defence exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT, success often hinges on how well a candidate understands the nuances of the English language — and one such essential component is Idioms and Phrases. These colourful expressions not only enrich language but also test a candidate’s ability to comprehend figurative meaning from contextual usage.
In our Idioms & Phrases MCQ Live Class 3, the focus shifted from direct idiom-based questions to sentence-based MCQs, where candidates had to identify the correct meaning of underlined idioms and phrases used in contextual sentences — a highly relevant format in CDS and NDA exams.
Directions: Given below are some sentences with some underlined idiomatic phrases/phrasal verbs followed by four alternative meanings to each. Choose the response (a), (b), (c), (d) which is the most appropriate expression and mark your response to the answer sheet accordingly.
Q) Ram is very calculative and always has an axe to grind.
a) fails to arouse interest
b) has a private agenda
c) works for both sides
d) has no result
Ans. (b)
Q) There is no gainsaying the fact that the country is in difficulties.
a) denying
b) hiding
c) forgetting
d) ignoring
Ans. (a)
Q) On the issue of marriage, Sarita put her foot down.
a) walked fast
b) was firm
c) got down
d) stood up
Ans. (b)
Q) The police looked all over for him but drew a blank.
a) arrested him
b) took him to court
c) did not find him
d) put him in prison
Ans. (c)
Q) His investments helped him make a killing in the stock market.
a) lose money quickly
b) murder someone quickly
c) plan a murder quickly
d) make money quickly
Ans. (d)
For more questions, check out NDA-CDS-AFCAT 2 2025 Exam English Live – Idioms & Phrases – MCQ Class 3
Why This Style Is Exam-Focused
In sentence-based idiom questions, students are not only expected to know the idiom but also to:
- Understand how it’s being used
- Relate the idiom to the tone and logic of the sentence
- Avoid misinterpretation due to literal translation
These are higher-order language skills directly relevant to officer-level communication standards.
Skills Sharpened in the Live Class
- 🔍 Comprehension Under Pressure: Timed MCQs tested quick reading and analysis.
- 🧠 Contextual Reasoning: Students learned to decode idioms without relying on memory alone.
- 🧹 Option Elimination Strategy: Identifying distractors and eliminating similar-sounding but incorrect meanings.
Class Summary & Learning Outcomes
By the end of MCQ Live Class 3, candidates were able to:
- Confidently identify idiomatic meaning in usage-based questions
- Develop exam-oriented approach toward solving English MCQs
- Recognize how the same idiom may shift slightly in tone based on sentence context
Pro Tips for Sentence-Based Idioms
- Read the entire sentence carefully – Context gives away the tone and implication.
- Avoid literal interpretation – Idioms are never meant to be taken literally.
- Focus on the subject’s emotion or action – It often hints at the idiom’s meaning.
- Revise commonly asked idioms from previous year papers – Trends repeat.
Conclusion
Our Idioms & Phrases MCQ Live Class 3 provided students with realistic, exam-style practice of idioms in sentence form — a format that demands a blend of vocabulary knowledge, context reading, and quick reasoning. For NDA, CDS & AFCAT aspirants, mastering this format is not just about marks, but about mastering the language of command and clarity.
