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IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Questions with Solutions for 2027
June 13, 2026
Overview: Check out the most important IPMAT Idioms and phrases questions with solutions for preparing for IPMAT 2027. Read on to get the list of the most often asked idioms and phrases in the IPMAT exam.
Idioms and phrases are one of the most important topics in the IPMAT English section. Every year, exams like IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak, and other management entrance tests include direct idiom-based questions, contextual usage, and sentence completion questions.
This blog provides IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Questions with Answers, carefully prepared from a real classroom lecture transcript, along with explanations and exam-oriented practice.
Table of Contents
Understanding Idioms and Phrases in the IPMAT Exam
Idioms and phrases are expressions whose meanings cannot be understood literally. Instead, they carry a figurative or contextual meaning.
For example:
- “Bite the bullet” → To face a difficult situation bravely
- “Break the ice” → To start a conversation in a social setting
In IPMAT, such expressions are used to test:
- Contextual understanding
- Logical interpretation
- English fluency under exam pressure
Read: Topic-Wise Preparation Tips for IPMAT Verbal Ability
Most Important IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Categories
To master this topic, it is best to group idioms into categories rather than memorising randomly.
1. Body Part Idioms
Example: Keep your chin up → Stay positive in difficult situations
2. Animal Idioms
Example: Kill two birds with one stone → Achieve two results with one effort
3. Color Idioms
Example: Out of the blue → Something unexpected
4. Objects & Weapons Idioms
Example: Bite the bullet → Face a painful situation bravely
5. Food-Related Idioms
Example: Spill the beans → Reveal a secret
Grouping helps students retain faster and solve IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Questions with Answers more effectively.
Most Important IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Questions with Solutions
Below are real IPMAT exam-style questions based on the provided lecture content.
1. After his long string of failures, his final success came ______.
A) out of the blue
B) in black and white
C) under the carpet
D) on the fence
Answer: A) out of the blue
Explanation: “Out of the blue” means something unexpected.
2. The negotiations finally succeeded when the mediator helped to ______ between the two parties.
A) break the ice
B) hit the nail
C) cut corners
D) jump the gun
Answer: A) break the ice
Explanation: To “break the ice” means to start a conversation or ease tension.
3. After realizing her mistake, she had to ______.
A) eat humble pie
B) throw in the towel
C) miss the boat
D) stir up trouble
Answer: A) eat humble pie
Explanation: It means to accept humiliation or admit a mistake.
4. The startup’s plan went ______ when investors withdrew funding.
A) up in smoke
B) on fire
C) under water
D) in black and white
Answer: A) up in smoke
Explanation: Means complete failure or destruction.
5. Finishing the marathon without training is a ______.
A) tall order
B) red herring
C) paper tiger
D) cold feet
Answer: A) tall order
Explanation: A very difficult task.
6. Despite initial enthusiasm, the team’s performance ______ under pressure.
A) fell flat
B) broke ice
C) held water
D) tested waters
Answer: A) fell flat
Explanation: It means failed completely.
7. The professor’s explanation really ______ the nail on the head.
A) hit
B) cut
C) broke
D) missed
Answer: A) hit
Explanation: “Hit the nail on the head” means being exactly correct.
8. The scheme may ______ trouble later for investors.
A) stir up
B) sweep
C) cut
D) throw
Answer: A) stir up
Explanation: To create or cause trouble.
Read More: IPMAT 2027 preparation
9. Constant criticism can ______ the morale of employees.
A) sap
B) boost
C) raise
D) hold
Answer: A) sap
Explanation: “Sap morale” means weaken confidence.
10. A good leader knows when to ______ fire.
A) play with
B) break
C) cut
D) jump
Answer: A) play with
Explanation: “Play with fire” means taking risky actions.
11. His resignation ______ a can of worms regarding internal conflicts.
A) opened
B) closed
C) hit
D) swept
Answer: A) opened
Explanation: “Open a can of worms” means creating many problems.
12. Students who don’t prepare often ______ the boat.
A) miss
B) catch
C) hold
D) break
Answer: A) miss
Explanation: “Miss the boat” means losing an opportunity.
13. She ______ cold feet before the presentation.
A) got
B) made
C) held
D) cut
Answer: A) got
Explanation: “Get cold feet” means becoming nervous.
14. The team left no stone ______ in their preparation.
A) unturned
B) broken
C) missed
D) cut
Answer: A) unturned
Explanation: Means making every possible effort.
15. The new policy finally ______ the deadlock.
A) broke
B) cut
C) hit
D) held
Answer: A) broke
Explanation: “Break the deadlock” means resolving a standstill.
16. His argument did not ______ water in court.
A) hold
B) cut
C) break
D) miss
Answer: A) hold
Explanation: “Hold water” means to be valid or logical.
17. The manager decided to ______ the auditor’s questions.
A) stonewall
B) break
C) stir
D) sweep
Answer: A) stonewall
Explanation: To delay or obstruct information.
18. Despite failures, she refused to ______ in the towel.
A) throw
B) break
C) cut
D) miss
Answer: A) throw
Explanation: “Throw in the towel” means to surrender.
19. The proposal turned out to be a ______ herring.
A) red
B) blue
C) black
D) green
Answer: A) red
Explanation: “Red herring” means a misleading clue.
20. The minister’s statement failed to ______ any ice with farmers.
A) cut
B) break
C) hold
D) sweep
Answer: A) cut
Explanation: “Cut ice” means to have influence.
Read: How To Prepare Vocabulary for IPMAT 2027?
21. When the professor asked an unexpected question, Rohan decided to ______ the bullet and answer honestly.
A) bite
B) hit
C) throw
D) break
Answer: A) bite
Explanation: “Bite the bullet” means to face a difficult situation bravely.
22. The CEO’s joke helped ______ the ice among new recruits.
A) break
B) cut
C) hit
D) stir
Answer: A) break
Explanation: “Break the ice” means to ease tension and start conversation.
23. After working for six hours straight, she decided to ______ it a day.
A) call
B) break
C) throw
D) take
Answer: A) call
Explanation: “Call it a day” means to stop working for the day.
24. The designer watch cost him an ______ and a leg.
A) arm
B) ear
C) eye
D) hand
Answer: A) arm
Explanation: “Cost an arm and a leg” means extremely expensive.
25. Despite repeated failure, he managed to keep his ______ up.
A) chin
B) head
C) hands
D) feet
Answer: A) chin
Explanation: “Keep your chin up” means stay positive.
26. She solved two problems in one go, truly ______ two birds with one stone.
A) killing
B) hitting
C) catching
D) breaking
Answer: A) killing
Explanation: Means achieving two results with one effort.
27. His rude remark was the ______ straw for the team.
A) last
B) final
C) breaking
D) heavy
Answer: A) last
Explanation: “Last straw” means final unbearable event.
28 The auditor advised the firm to do everything ______ the book.
A) by
B) in
C) with
D) from
Answer: A) by
Explanation: “By the book” means following rules strictly.
29. The coach told players to ______ up their socks before the final match.
A) pull
B) lift
C) hold
D) set
Answer: A) pull
Explanation: “Pull up your socks” means improve effort and performance.
30. He felt completely ______ the weather after returning from the trip.
A) under
B) over
C) above
D) below
Answer: A) under
Explanation: “Under the weather” means feeling ill or unwell.
31. Calling a spade a spade means to speak ______.
A) indirectly
B) plainly and honestly
C) secretly
D) carefully
Answer: B) plainly and honestly
Explanation: It means being direct and truthful.
Read More: IPMAT Verbal Ability syllabus
32. The manager decided to ______ and ______ the matter instead of prolonging debate.
A) nip in the bud
B) call and clear
C) break and hold
D) stir and pass
Answer: A) nip in the bud
Explanation: “Nip in the bud” means stopping a problem early.
33. Despite repeated warnings, officials continued to ______ the issue.
A) turn a blind eye
B) break the ice
C) hit the nail
D) cut corners
Answer: A) turn a blind eye
Explanation: Means deliberately ignoring something.
34. Instead of facing the music, he tried to ______ the blame.
A) pass the buck
B) hit the nail
C) break the ice
D) cut ice
Answer: A) pass the buck
Explanation: Means shifting responsibility to someone else.
35. When confronted with evidence, he had no choice but to ______ the music.
A) face
B) hear
C) avoid
D) cut
Answer: A) face
Explanation: “Face the music” means accept consequences.
36. The sudden announcement left everyone ______.
A) in the dark
B) in light
C) on fire
D) in hand
Answer: A) in the dark
Explanation: Means confused or uninformed.
37. Instead of staying silent, he chose to ______ the hornet’s nest.
A) stir
B) break
C) cut
D) hold
Answer: A) stir
Explanation: Means to create trouble or chaos.
38. She tried to clear the air instead of ______ the situation further.
A) worsening
B) improving
C) fixing
D) holding
Answer: A) worsening
Explanation: Opposite of resolving confusion.
39. The debate quickly got out of hand and arguments started to ______ thick and fast.
A) fly
B) run
C) fall
D) break
Answer: A) fly
Explanation: Means happening rapidly and aggressively.
40. He chose to improve performance instead of just ______ the situation.
A) worsening
B) solving
C) ignoring
D) fixing
Answer: A) worsening
Explanation: Context-based elimination.
Read: IPMAT Previous Year Question Papers
Why Idioms and Phrases Matter in IPMAT?
Idioms and phrases are frequently asked because they test:
- Vocabulary depth
- Contextual understanding
- Sentence interpretation skills
- Elimination strategy in MCQs
A strong grip on idioms can help you score quick and easy marks in IPMAT English.
Strategy to Master IPMAT Idioms and Phrases
Before jumping into questions, remember the expert strategy:
1. Learn through categories:
- Color idioms
- Animal idioms
- Food idioms
- Body parts idioms
- Object-based idioms
2. Focus on context
Even if you don’t know the idiom, the sentence helps eliminate wrong options.
3. Revise frequently
Idioms cannot be learned in one day; they need revision cycles.
Conclusion
The IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Questions with solutions section is not about memorisation but about understanding meaning through context.
With regular practice with idioms and phrases questions for IPMAT 2027, students can easily improve accuracy and performance in the verbal ability section.
Mastering idioms like break the ice, bite the bullet, call it a day, and out of the blue can significantly boost your score in IPMAT exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Idioms and Phrases in IPMAT?
Are Idioms and Phrases Important for IPMAT Preparation?
How Many Idioms and Phrases Questions Can Be Asked in IPMAT?
What Is the Best Way to Prepare for IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Questions?
Can I Solve IPMAT Idioms and Phrases Questions Without Memorizing Hundreds of Idioms?
Lalita Vishwakarma
Content Writer
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