Question 1

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: PRUDENT

Accepted Answer

PRUDENT means careful, wise, and showing good judgment in practical matters. It comes from Latin 'prudens' (foreseeing, wise). The word is frequently tested in banking exams because prudence is a core principle in financial regulation. A correct synonym must convey carefulness and wisdom in decision-making.

Question 2

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to: CANDID

Accepted Answer

CANDID means frank, honest, and straightforward in speech or expression. It derives from Latin 'candidus' (white, pure). The opposite would be a word suggesting dishonesty, evasiveness, or concealment. This vocabulary item frequently appears in SBI and SSC papers.

Question 3

Choose the word most OPPOSITE in meaning to: BENIGN

Accepted Answer

BENIGN means kind, gentle, harmless, or (in medical contexts) not cancerous. It comes from Latin 'benignus.' The opposite would be a word suggesting harm, malice, or danger. This term appears regularly in SSC CGL and IBPS papers, particularly in reading comprehension passages.

Question 4

Choose the word most SIMILAR in meaning to: ABSCOND

Accepted Answer

ABSCOND means to leave secretly or illegally, typically to avoid detection or punishment. It is commonly used in banking and legal contexts in Indian exams. The word comes from Latin 'abscondere' (to hide away). A correct synonym must convey the sense of fleeing or disappearing unlawfully.

Question 5

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'To BEAT AROUND THE BUSH'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'beat around the bush' means to avoid discussing the main point or to speak indirectly about something. It originates from hunting practices where beaters would strike bushes to flush out game, rather than going directly to the target. In modern usage, it describes someone who talks in circles instead of getting to the point.

Question 6

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'To BREAK THE ICE'

Accepted Answer

'Break the ice' means to initiate conversation or interaction in a social situation where people are initially uncomfortable or reserved. Example: 'She told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.' The phrase originates from literal ice-breaking in frozen waters to allow ships to pass.

Question 7

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'To BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW'

Accepted Answer

'Bite off more than one can chew' means to take on more responsibility or work than one can handle; to overcommit. Example: 'He bit off more than he could chew by accepting three projects simultaneously.' The phrase is a literal metaphor about eating too much food at once.

Question 8

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'To BEAT A DEAD HORSE'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to beat a dead horse' means to waste effort on something that is already finished, hopeless, or no longer worth discussing. It refers to continuing to pursue a futile effort or rehashing an exhausted topic.

Question 9

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'To SPILL THE BEANS'

Accepted Answer

'Spill the beans' means to reveal a secret or disclose confidential information unintentionally or prematurely. Example: 'He spilled the beans about the surprise party.' The origin is debated, but one theory links it to ancient Greece where beans were used for secret voting.

Question 10

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'To CALL IT A DAY'

Accepted Answer

'Call it a day' means to stop working or stop doing an activity, usually because you've done enough or are tired. Example: 'We've worked for 10 hours; let's call it a day.' The phrase likely originated from workers in fields or factories signalling the end of the working day.

Question 11

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'TO HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to have an axe to grind' means to have a hidden motive, a personal grievance, or a selfish reason for doing something. It originated in 18th-century America, possibly from a story where someone asked a boy to turn a grindstone while they sharpened their axe—the boy was being used for someone else's benefit. This phrase tests whether candidates can identify concealed intentions or ulterior motives.

Question 12

Choose the idiom/phrase most OPPOSITE in meaning to: 'TO WEAR ONE'S HEART ON ONE'S SLEEVE'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to wear one's heart on one's sleeve' means to openly display one's emotions, feelings, or vulnerabilities without hiding them. It originated in medieval times when knights would wear their lady's colours on their sleeve as a public declaration of love. The opposite would be to conceal or hide one's true feelings. This question tests the candidate's ability to identify antonymic idioms.

Question 13

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'TO BURN ONE'S BRIDGES'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to burn one's bridges' means to destroy one's chances of returning to a previous situation or relationship, or to act in a way that makes reconciliation impossible. It originates from military strategy—when an army burns the bridges behind them, they cannot retreat. This phrase tests understanding of consequences and irreversible actions in figurative language.

Question 14

Choose the idiom/phrase most OPPOSITE in meaning to: 'TO GIVE SOMEONE THE COLD SHOULDER'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to give someone the cold shoulder' means to deliberately ignore, snub, or treat someone with indifference or hostility. The origin is debated, but it likely refers to serving a cold shoulder of meat (a cheap, undesirable cut) instead of a hot, fresh meal—a sign of disrespect. The opposite would be to show warmth, acceptance, or friendliness. This question tests antonymic understanding of social behaviour idioms.

Question 15

Choose the idiom/phrase most SIMILAR in meaning to: 'TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'to call a spade a spade' means to speak frankly and directly about something, without euphemism or pretence. It originates from ancient Greek and Latin texts where the spade was used as a symbol of directness. The correct answer must capture this sense of blunt honesty and plain speech.

SBI Clerk Idioms & Phrases

Idioms & Phrases— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Idioms & Phrases — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Idioms & Phrases