CDS · English · UPSC · 2018–2026

Idioms and Phrases — CDS English PYQs

155 questions from this chapter, asked in 9 CDS exams between 2018–2026.

155questions
9CDS exams
2018–2026years covered

Questions asked per year

202610 Qs202520 Qs202410 Qs202320 Qs202210 Qs202120 Qs202020 Qs201925 Qs201820 Qs

Practice questions first 10 of 155 — free

Q1MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

Mealy-mouthed

(A)Habituated to inflicting harsh words on others
(B)Possessing exquisite culinary sensibilities
(C)Lacking braveness to state things forthrightly
(D)Exhibiting tendency for gluttony
Q2MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

Live in each other's pockets

(A)To have a lot of money that is shared with others
(B)To exchange wealth readily with each other
(C)To live by borrowing from each other
(D)To spend too much time together
Q3MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

Play possum

(A)Pretend to be dead
(B)Take big risks
(C)Behave in a stupid way
(D)Be excessively happy
Q4MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

Work like a dog

(A)To work in the hope of reward
(B)To work faithfully
(C)To work very hard
(D)To make a mess while working
Q5MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

Open a can of worms

(A)To create suspense about how things will turn out
(B)To spark a situation that creates problems and complications
(C)To create trouble by saying the right thing at the wrong time
(D)To create something without anyone knowing about it
Q6MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

More than meets the eye

(A)A pleasant feast for the eyes beyond one's imagination
(B)A beautiful spectacle unfolding before one's eyes
(C)The disguised significance of something beyond the obvious
(D)A pair of beautiful eyes
Q7MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

Hold the fort

(A)To reach high places
(B)To breach all opposition
(C)Be present at the precise moment when one is required
(D)Be responsible on behalf of someone who is absent
Q8MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

It's all Greek to me

(A)It is foreign to me
(B)It appears classical to me
(C)I can't understand it at all
(D)It's frustrating because it is unfamiliar
Q9MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

To close ranks

(A)To engage in fierce competition
(B)To stop communicating with one's colleagues
(C)To stop hiring people for new jobs
(D)To unite in order to defend a common interest
Q10MCQ2026
AnswerLogic

Be under a cloud

(A)To be the object of suspicion
(B)To be filled with gloom
(C)To operate as an undercover agent
(D)To hide one's misdeeds

Why practise Idioms and Phrases PYQs?

Idioms and Phrases has appeared in 9 CDS English exams we track between 2018–2026. UPSC examiners consistently reuse concepts and question patterns from this topic — practising its previous year questions is the most reliable way to know exactly what to expect in your exam.

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