Idioms MCQ Test With Answers + PDF Exercise 05

If something is in the wind, it is about to happen soon. Imminent means coming very soon: Changes are in the wind at the office.

If you are in the doghouse, someone is angry with you because of something you did, so you are in trouble: He forgot her birthday, so he's in the doghouse.

In the pink means in very good health: Grandma is 90 but still in the pink.

To iron out problems or details means to solve them and remove the small difficulties: We need to iron out a few details before we sign. Not make problems, which is the opposite.

In toto is Latin for 'in total'. It means completely, as a whole: The plan was rejected in toto.

The ins and outs of something are all its small details: She knows the ins and outs of the business. Not the main idea only, because the idiom is about every detail.

If someone or something is in your hair, it keeps bothering you, so it is annoying: The kids were in my hair all day.

If a situation is in hand, you are dealing with it and it is under control: Don't worry, the problem is in hand.

In the nick of time means at the last possible moment, just in time: We reached the station in the nick of time. Not too late, because you do arrive in time.

To jazz up something means to make it more interesting, exciting or attractive: She jazzed up the room with bright cushions.

To join forces means to work together for a shared goal, to unite: Two companies joined forces to build the bridge. Not fight: people join forces to work together, not against each other.

People say joking apart when they stop joking and want to say something serious: Joking apart, I really need your help.

To jump at something, like an offer or a chance, means to accept it quickly and eagerly: She jumped at the chance to work abroad.

Just what the doctor ordered means exactly what you need or want: A hot cup of tea was just what the doctor ordered.

Just about means nearly or almost: I've just about finished my homework.

To jump through hoops means to do lots of difficult things because someone tells you to, in order to please them or get something: We had to jump through hoops to get a visa.

To jump down someone's throat means to speak to them angrily and suddenly, to scold them: I only asked a question, and he jumped down my throat.

To jump on the bandwagon means to join in something that has become popular or fashionable: Many companies jumped on the bandwagon and started selling e-bikes.

To jump the gun means to do something too soon, before the right time: They jumped the gun and announced the winner before all the votes were counted. Not shoot at something: the idiom has nothing to do with real guns.

To kick someone around means to treat them badly or unfairly: He's tired of being kicked around by his boss. (Kick around an idea can also mean to discuss it informally.)