JAMB and WAEC English Language questions: Idioms and figurative expressions

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

1. Question 21· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   The expression in capitals means: Our team won the match BY THE SKIN OF ITS TEETH.

   • Aafter extra time
   • Beasily
   • Cunfairly
   • Donly just

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2. Question 22· 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

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3. Question 23· 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

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4. Question 24· 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

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5. Question 25· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   The expression in capitals means: The candidates were ON TENTERHOOKS waiting for the results.

   • Arelaxed
   • Banxious
   • Cangry
   • Dbored

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6. Question 26· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: Chinedu always BLOWS HIS OWN TRUMPET at meetings.

   • Aplays music loudly
   • Barrives early
   • Cworks very hard
   • Dboasts about himself

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7. Question 27· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   The expression in capitals means: The coach told the players to PULL THEIR SOCKS UP.

   • Adress neatly
   • Bchange their socks
   • Cstop playing
   • Dmake more effort

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8. Question 28· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

   Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: The principal gave the boys A PIECE OF HIS MIND.

   • Ascolded them
   • Bpraised them
   • Cadvised them gently
   • Dgave them gifts

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9. Question 29· Idioms and figurative expressions· JAMB

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

   • Avery easy
   • Bsweet
   • Cshort
   • Dunfair

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10. Question 30· 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

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11. Question 31· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    The expression in capitals means: By resigning, Kunle has BURNT HIS BOATS.

    • Astarted a new business
    • Blost all his savings
    • Ctravelled abroad for work
    • Dmade it impossible to return to his old position

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12. Question 32· 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

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13. Question 33· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: The plan to build a new library is still IN THE PIPELINE.

    • Aabandoned
    • Bbeing prepared
    • Ccompleted
    • Dtoo costly

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14. Question 34· 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

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15. Question 35· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    The expression in capitals means: After the scandal, the minister FACED THE MUSIC.

    • Aaccepted the consequences of his actions
    • Battended a concert
    • Cran away from the country
    • Ddenied every charge

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16. Question 36· 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

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17. Question 37· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

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

    • Aspread slowly
    • Bcaused a fire
    • Cwas false
    • Dspread very quickly

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18. Question 38· 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

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19. Question 39· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    The expression in capitals means: The trader SOLD HIM A PUP.

    • Asold him a dog
    • Bcheated him by selling him something worthless
    • Cgave him a good bargain
    • Drefused to sell to him

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20. Question 40· Idioms and figurative expressions· WAEC

    Choose the interpretation that best explains the expression in capitals: Ada is the APPLE OF HER FATHER'S EYE.

    • Aher father's favourite
    • Bvery beautiful
    • Cher father's helper
    • Dalways sad

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