JAMB English Language questions: Idioms and figurative expressions

32 questions with answers and explanations. Tap an option to check yourself.

1. Question 1· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'The agreement was signed at the eleventh hour' means it was signed

   • Aat the last possible moment
   • Bat 11 o'clock
   • Cvery early
   • Dafter a long delay

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

2. Question 2· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'Kunle is feeling under the weather today' means that he is

   • Aoutside in the rain
   • Bslightly unwell
   • Cvery happy
   • Dangry

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

3. Question 3· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'The farmland has become a bone of contention' means that the land is

   • Athe subject of a dispute
   • Bfull of bones
   • Cvery fertile
   • Dfor sale

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

4. Question 4· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   The expression in capitals means: The quarrel over the new uniform was just A STORM IN A TEACUP.

   • Aa tea party
   • Ba serious crisis
   • Cheavy rain
   • Da lot of fuss about something unimportant

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

5. Question 5· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   The expression in capitals means: The two companies decided to BURY THE HATCHET.

   • Afight harder
   • Bhide their weapons
   • Cend their quarrel
   • Dmerge secretly

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

6. Question 6· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'Kemi got cold feet on her wedding day' means that she

   • Abecame nervous and lost her courage
   • Bfelt cold
   • Cran away barefoot
   • Dfell ill

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

7. Question 7· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   'After three defeats, the boxer threw in the towel' means that he

   • Achanged his coach
   • Bcleaned the ring
   • Cwon the match
   • Dgave up

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

8. Question 8· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   The expression in capitals means: News of the strike SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE.

   • Aspread very quickly
   • Bspread slowly
   • Ccaused fires
   • Dwas false

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

9. Question 9· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

   The expression in capitals means: Emeka always BEATS ABOUT THE BUSH when asked about money.

   • Aworks very hard
   • Bavoids coming to the point
   • Cgoes farming
   • Dspeaks clearly

   Show answer

   Explanation and discussion

10. Question 10· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'The quarrel was a storm in a teacup' means that it was

    • Aa dispute over tea
    • Ba violent storm
    • Ca big fuss about something unimportant
    • Da serious crisis

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

11. Question 11· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'There is no use crying over spilt milk' means that

    • Awe should buy more milk
    • Bmilk should not be wasted
    • Ccrying is unhealthy
    • Dit is pointless to regret what cannot be changed

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

12. Question 12· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'Ada hit the nail on the head' means that she

    • Ahurt herself
    • Bsaid exactly the right thing
    • Cbuilt a house
    • Dmade a mistake

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

13. Question 13· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'Stop beating about the bush' means

    • Astop clearing the farm
    • Bstop avoiding the main point
    • Cstop hunting animals
    • Dstop wasting money

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

14. Question 14· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    The expression in capitals means: DON'T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED.

    • Asell eggs early
    • Bcount your poultry carefully
    • Cdo not rely on success before it happens
    • Dbuy more chickens

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

15. Question 15· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'The test was a piece of cake' means the test was

    • Avery easy
    • Bsweet
    • Cshort
    • Dunfair

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

16. Question 16· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'The two families have decided to bury the hatchet' means that they have decided to

    • Amake peace
    • Bstart a fight
    • Cplant trees
    • Dhide their weapons

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

17. Question 17· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    The expression in capitals means: We must STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT.

    • Apunish someone
    • Bwork as blacksmiths
    • Cdelay action
    • Dact at the most favourable moment

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

18. Question 18· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    The expression in capitals means: After the argument, Ngozi GAVE Emeka THE COLD SHOULDER.

    • Adeliberately ignored him
    • Bgave him cold food
    • Cwelcomed him warmly
    • Dhit him

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

19. Question 19· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'Missing the bus turned out to be a blessing in disguise' means that missing the bus

    • Awas a disaster
    • Bwas a religious event
    • Cseemed bad at first but turned out well
    • Dwas planned

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion

20. Question 20· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

    'The new stadium has become a white elephant' means that it is

    • Acostly to maintain but of little use
    • Bpainted white
    • Chome to elephants
    • Dvery popular

    Show answer

    Explanation and discussion