The topic of Idioms & Phrases plays a significant role in the English section of competitive exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT. Mastering idioms and phrasal verbs not only boosts a candidate’s vocabulary but also enhances their understanding of English expressions that are commonly used in daily communication. These figurative expressions often have meanings that cannot be directly inferred from the individual words they comprise, making their study vital for performing well in these exams.
Why Idioms & Phrases Matter
- Language Proficiency: Knowledge of idioms and phrases reflects a deeper understanding of the language. Candidates who are familiar with these expressions tend to have a better grasp of nuances in meaning, making them more adept at interpreting complex sentences.
- Real-Life Application: Many idioms and phrases are widely used in spoken and written English. Having a good command over them helps candidates in not only exam scenarios but also in real-world conversations and writing.
- Time Management: In exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT, time is of the essence. Idioms and phrases questions, when understood well, can be solved quickly, helping candidates maximize their time efficiency in the exam.
- Contextual Usage: Idioms and phrases are often tested in a contextual format, where candidates need to pick the most appropriate phrase to fit a given sentence. This tests their ability to not only recall the idiom but also apply it correctly based on the context.
- Frequent Occurrence in Exams: Idioms and phrases have become a staple in competitive exams. Their consistent presence in question papers means candidates must prepare thoroughly to score well in this area.
Knowledge of Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are another critical component of this topic. A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that creates a new meaning. For example, “look up” means to search for information. Understanding such phrases helps in solving questions related to idioms and phrases, as many idiomatic expressions are phrasal verbs.
In Idioms & Phrases Class 3, I conducted an MCQ session where candidates solved important questions on this topic. The practice of these questions not only helped improve their vocabulary but also strengthened their ability to quickly identify and apply the correct idiom or phrase in a given context.
Directions: Given below are some idioms/phrases 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) At the eleventh hour
(a) Start of something
(b) To steal something
(c) Last possible moment of doing something
(d) Lazy hour
Ans. (c)
Q) Take a rain check
(a) Politely decline an offer
(b) To go somewhere
(c) Very common thing
(d) To confront someone aggressively
Ans. (a)
Q) Man of letters
(a) Being illiterate
(b) Writing something
(c) A literary person
(d) Both bad and good times
Ans. (c)
Q) To keep body and soul together
(a) To have no strength
(b) To sustain life
(c) To avoid starvation
(d) Fail to keep a position
Ans. (b)
Q) Tickled pink
(a) Greatly pleased
(b) To cry a lot
(c) Seeing everything kindly
(d) To move fast
Ans. (a)
For more questions, check out NDA-CDS-AFCAT 1 2025 Exam English Live – Idioms & Phrases – Class 3
By mastering Idioms & Phrases, candidates will be well-prepared to tackle this section confidently in the NDA, CDS & AFCAT 1 2025 exams. This topic, when combined with a solid understanding of phrasal verbs, will give candidates a competitive edge.
