Question 1

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) concentrate all resources in one risky venture
C) save money for future emergencies
D) delegate responsibility to junior staff

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, which is generally considered unwise. In the sentence, the manager is making a risky decision by investing all funds in one project. Option B correctly captures this meaning of concentrating all resources in one risky venture. Option A reverses the meaning (diversifying instead of concentrating). Option C misses the risk element entirely. Option D is unrelated to the idiom's meaning.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'take into account'?

Accepted Answer

'Take into account' means to consider or include something in a decision or calculation. It requires a noun or noun phrase as its object.

Question 3

Choose the option that correctly replaces the underlined phrase: 'The employee went the extra mile to complete the project on time.' Which alternative is NOT appropriate?

Accepted Answer

'Go the extra mile' is an idiom meaning to make extra effort or do more than required. The question asks which alternative is NOT appropriate, testing recognition of false synonyms.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'at the end of the day'?

Accepted Answer

'At the end of the day' is an idiomatic phrase meaning 'ultimately' or 'when all is said and done.' It is used to introduce a final conclusion or summary statement, not a literal reference to time.

Question 5

Identify the sentence where the phrase 'in light of' is used correctly: Which option uses this phrase appropriately?

Accepted Answer

'In light of' means 'considering' or 'taking into account.' It is used to introduce a reason or context for a decision or statement. The phrase requires a noun or noun phrase to follow it.

Question 6

Select the sentence where the phrase 'call for' is used correctly:

Which option uses 'call for' with the correct meaning?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'call for' has multiple meanings: (1) to demand/require, (2) to collect someone. The question tests contextual understanding of this multi-meaning phrase.

Question 7

Choose the sentence with the correct replacement of the underlined phrase:

Original: 'The employee was brought to book for his misconduct.'

Which option correctly uses an idiom with the same meaning?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'brought to book' means 'held accountable or punished'. The question tests whether candidates can identify synonymous idiomatic expressions.

Question 8

Identify the grammatically correct sentence with proper phrase replacement:

Original: 'The project has been shelved indefinitely, which means the team members are in a state of uncertainty.'

Which replacement is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'in a state of uncertainty' is wordy. The question tests whether candidates can replace verbose phrases with concise, idiomatic alternatives.

Question 9

Select the sentence where the phrase 'at loggerheads' is used correctly:

Which option uses 'at loggerheads' with proper grammar and meaning?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'at loggerheads' means 'in strong disagreement'. The question tests both the meaning and the grammatical structure required for this idiom.

Question 10

Identify the option that best replaces the underlined phrase in the sentence below:

The manager's decision to overlook the employee's misconduct has set a bad precedent, and now junior staff members are **taking the law into their own hands** by making unauthorised policy changes.

A) following the rules strictly
B) acting without proper authority or permission
C) challenging the management openly
D) interpreting regulations independently

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'taking the law into their own hands' is an idiom meaning to act without proper authority, ignoring established procedures or permissions. In the given context, junior staff are making unauthorised policy changes, which perfectly aligns with this idiom's meaning. Option B correctly captures this sense of acting without proper authority or permission. Option A is the opposite meaning. Option C suggests open confrontation, which is not what the idiom conveys. Option D misrepresents the phrase as merely interpreting rules, when it actually means bypassing authority entirely.

Question 11

Identify the sentence where the phrase needs CORRECTION:

Original: 'The employee's persistent efforts to bring the company back on track were finally recognised when she was promoted.'

Which option BEST corrects any phrase-related error?

Accepted Answer

This question tests whether candidates can identify and correct a subtle phrase or collocation error. The phrase 'bring back on track' is idiomatic, but the question tests whether it is the most precise choice or if an alternative is more appropriate.

Question 12

Which sentence contains the INCORRECT use of an idiom or phrase?

A) The CEO decided to take the bull by the horns and restructure the entire department.
B) The project was shelved indefinitely, so the team had to bite the bullet and accept the delay.
C) Despite the criticism, the director stood his ground and refused to back down.
D) The company's profits have gone through the roof, so they decided to water down their expansion plans.

Accepted Answer

This question tests whether candidates can identify when an idiom is used incorrectly in context. All options contain idioms, but one uses an idiom that contradicts the logical meaning of the sentence.

Question 13

Select the option that correctly completes the sentence:

'After months of hard work, the team finally _____ their goal of increasing sales by 30%.'

Which phrase best fits the blank?

Accepted Answer

This question tests the correct use of the idiom 'achieve' versus similar-sounding but incorrect phrases. The sentence requires a phrase that means 'successfully accomplished' in a business context.

Question 14

Identify the sentence with correct phrase replacement:

Original: 'The manager decided to put off the meeting because he was not in the mood.'

Which option BEST replaces 'put off'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put off' means to postpone or delay. In this context, it is correctly used. However, the question tests whether the candidate can identify an appropriate synonym phrase that maintains the same meaning and grammatical correctness.

SBI Clerk Phrase Replacement

Phrase Replacement— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Phrase Replacement — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Phrase Replacement