Question 1

Identify the sentence with correct phrase usage: Which option correctly uses the idiom 'beat around the bush'?

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'beat around the bush' means to avoid discussing something directly or to speak indirectly about a topic. It is used when someone is not being straightforward or is wasting time before getting to the point.

Question 2

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The government decided to crack down on corruption in the public sector.'

Accepted Answer

The phrasal verb 'crack down on' means to take strict action against something illegal or undesirable. It is commonly used in formal and news contexts to describe enforcement or suppression of wrongdoing.

Question 3

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The manager decided to put off the meeting because he was not feeling well.' Which of the following is the most appropriate replacement for 'put off'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put off' means to postpone or delay something. In this context, it is correctly used. However, the question tests understanding of phrasal verbs and their appropriate synonyms in formal writing.

Question 4

Select the option that best replaces the underlined phrase.

The manager decided to **put all his eggs in one basket** by investing the entire company fund in a single project.

Which of the following is the closest meaning?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put all one's eggs in one basket' is an idiom meaning to risk everything on a single venture or outcome, leaving no backup plan. The sentence correctly uses this idiom to describe the manager's risky decision to invest all funds in one project.

Question 5

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase.

The company's new strategy proved to be a **double-edged sword** in the competitive market.

What does this phrase mean in the given context?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'double-edged sword' refers to something that has both positive and negative consequences or effects. It describes a situation where an action or decision can benefit you in one way but harm you in another way simultaneously.

Question 6

Identify the error in the following sentence: 'The report which was submitted yesterday contains several errors that needs to be corrected immediately.'

Accepted Answer

The sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error. The subject 'errors' is plural, but the verb 'needs' is singular.

Question 7

Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'The team leader's decision to go the extra mile _____ the project's success.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'go the extra mile' means to make additional effort beyond what is required. This phrase is correctly used in the sentence, and the blank requires a verb that shows the result of this effort. Option B 'ensured' (made certain) is correct because going the extra mile would ensure success. Option A 'hindered' (obstructed) contradicts the positive meaning, option C 'questioned' (doubted) is illogical, and option D 'delayed' (postponed) is also contradictory.

Question 8

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The employee's poor performance was a thorn in the side of the entire department.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'a thorn in the side' is an idiom meaning a persistent source of irritation or annoyance. Option C correctly replaces it with 'a constant source of irritation,' which conveys the same meaning. Option A uses 'a needle in a haystack' (something hard to find), option B uses 'a drop in the ocean' (something insignificant), and option D uses 'a blessing in disguise' (something good that appears bad initially), none of which fit the context of persistent annoyance.

Question 9

Which sentence correctly uses the idiom 'to beat around the bush'?

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to beat around the bush' means to avoid discussing the main point directly or to speak indirectly. Option B correctly uses this idiom in context: the speaker is avoiding the main topic by talking about irrelevant things. Option A misuses it (suggests physical action), option C reverses the meaning (suggests being direct), and option D uses it with incorrect grammar.

Question 10

Select the option that best replaces the underlined phrase.

The manager decided to **put all his eggs in one basket** by investing the entire company fund in a single project.

Which of the following is the most appropriate replacement?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put all his eggs in one basket' is an idiom meaning to risk everything on a single venture or outcome, which is generally considered unwise. The sentence correctly uses this idiom to convey that the manager made a risky decision by concentrating all resources in one project. The correct replacement should preserve this meaning of taking excessive risk by depending entirely on one thing.

Question 11

Choose the option that correctly replaces the underlined phrase: 'The employee was asked to come to terms with the new company policy.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'come to terms with' means to accept something difficult or unpleasant, or to reach an agreement about something. It is an idiomatic expression commonly used in professional and formal contexts.

Question 12

Select the option that best replaces the underlined phrase.

The manager decided to **put all his eggs in one basket** by investing the entire company fund in a single project.

A) distribute resources across multiple ventures
B) risk everything on a single venture
C) organise his financial portfolio carefully
D) delegate responsibilities to team members

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put all one's eggs in one basket' is an idiom meaning to risk everything on a single outcome or venture, without diversification. In the sentence, the manager is making a risky decision by investing all funds in one project. Option B correctly captures this meaning of concentrated risk. Options A and C suggest careful planning or distribution, which contradicts the idiom's negative connotation. Option D refers to delegation, which is unrelated to the phrase.

Question 13

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The CEO decided to call off the conference due to the pandemic.' What is the most appropriate formal replacement for 'call off'?

Accepted Answer

The phrasal verb 'call off' means to cancel or abandon something that was planned. The question tests understanding of this phrasal verb and its formal synonym.

Question 14

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The manager decided to put off the meeting because of the unexpected crisis.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put off' means to postpone or delay. In this context, it is correctly used to mean the manager postponed the meeting. The correct answer is option B, which maintains this meaning. Option A uses 'put up with' (tolerate), option C uses 'put down' (suppress/demean), and option D uses 'put aside' (set apart for later), none of which fit the context of postponing a meeting.

Question 15

Select the option that correctly replaces the underlined phrase.

The witness decided to **spill the beans** about the incident after months of silence.

Which option best expresses the same meaning?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'spill the beans' is an idiom meaning to reveal a secret or to disclose confidential information. The sentence correctly uses this phrase to describe the witness finally revealing information about the incident after keeping quiet for a long time.

Question 16

Select the option that correctly replaces the underlined phrase.

After years of hard work, she finally **came into her own** and achieved recognition in her field.

Which option best conveys the same meaning?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'come into one's own' means to reach a point where one's talents, abilities, or qualities are fully recognised and appreciated. The sentence correctly uses this idiom to describe the woman's achievement of recognition after sustained effort.

Question 17

Identify the sentence where the phrase 'beat around the bush' is used CORRECTLY.

A) The politician continued to **beat around the bush** when asked directly about his involvement in the scandal.
B) The teacher decided to **beat around the bush** by explaining the concept step-by-step to the students.
C) The doctor will **beat around the bush** to diagnose the patient's illness accurately.
D) She **beat around the bush** to complete the project on time.

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'beat around the bush' means to avoid discussing something directly or to speak in a roundabout way. Option A correctly uses this idiom because the politician is avoiding a direct answer about the scandal. Options B, C, and D misuse the phrase by pairing it with actions that involve clarity, accuracy, or efficiency—the opposite of what the idiom means.

Question 18

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'in the long run'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'in the long run' means 'ultimately' or 'in the end,' referring to the final outcome or result after a considerable period of time. It is used to contrast immediate effects with eventual consequences.

Question 19

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The politician's speech was full of empty promises, which proved to be much ado about nothing.'

Accepted Answer

'Much ado about nothing' is an idiom meaning a lot of fuss or activity that amounts to nothing significant. Option D 'a lot of fuss over something insignificant' correctly captures this meaning. Option A 'a serious matter requiring attention' contradicts the meaning, option B 'a well-planned strategy' is unrelated, and option C 'a minor issue easily resolved' misses the sense of wasted effort and false promises.

Question 20

Identify the sentence with the correct use of the phrase 'at loggerheads':

A) The two nations have been at loggerheads over trade policies for months.
B) The committee members are at loggerheads to reach a consensus.
C) She remained at loggerheads despite the mediator's efforts.
D) They went at loggerheads with the new proposal.

Accepted Answer

'At loggerheads' is an idiom meaning 'in disagreement or conflict.' It must be used with parties/people who are in dispute, and the preposition 'with' (when specifying the opposing party) or 'over' (when specifying the issue) should follow. The phrase describes a state of disagreement, not an action.

AFCAT Phrase Replacement

Phrase Replacement— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Phrase Replacement — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Phrase Replacement