The English section of competitive defence exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT not only assesses grammar and vocabulary but also puts a strong emphasis on the candidate’s comprehension of common expressions, especially Idioms & Phrases.
In our Idioms & Phrases MCQ Live Class 1, we introduced students to the most frequently asked expressions, helping them understand the meanings, origins, and applications of these idiomatic structures — an essential requirement for mastering this topic.
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) Face the music
(A) Listen to the music
(B) Feel sorry
(C) Get finished
(D) Get reprimanded
Ans. (D)
Q) Play it safe
(A) Play for pleasure
(B) Avoid risks
(C) Play light games
(D) Play a game peacefully
Ans. (B)
Q) Back up
(A) Give moral support
(B) Pull back from
(C) Back-bencher
(D) Stay behind
Ans. (A)
Q) Plain speaking
(A) Revealing the secret
(B) Spilling the beans
(C) Telling nonsense
(D) Telling the truth
Ans. (D)
Q) Be to the fore
(A) Be prominent
(B) To take the lead
(C) To the brim
(D) Pre-apprehension
Ans. (A)
For more questions, check out NDA-CDS-AFCAT 2 2025 Exam English Live – Idioms & Phrases – MCQ Class 1
What Was Covered in Idioms & Phrases MCQ Live Class 1
The focus of our session was twofold:
- Recognizing idioms from previous year papers and trend-based selections.
- Explaining their meanings, roots (where relevant), and practical use.
We ensured that students:
- Could identify the correct meaning from four close options.
- Understood how idioms are derived from historical or cultural contexts.
- Learned how to eliminate wrong options that confuse literal vs figurative meanings.
Core Learning Outcomes
During this live class, students:
- Improved retention by understanding origins, not just cramming meanings.
- Practiced time-efficient elimination strategies for MCQ solving.
- Built contextual vocabulary for use in comprehension and spoken English.
Tips Shared with Students
✅ Avoid literal interpretation – Always think figuratively.
✅ Practice sentence usage – Idioms make more sense in full context.
✅ Use mnemonic tricks – Connect images or stories to the idiom.
✅ Revise regularly – Make your own Idioms notebook.
Conclusion
The Idioms & Phrases MCQ Live Class 1 helped lay a strong foundation by teaching not just what these expressions mean, but why they mean what they do and how to recognize the right answer in a competitive setting. As these expressions frequently appear in NDA, CDS, and AFCAT exams, mastering them gives candidates a clear advantage.
