Question 1

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase:

After the scandal, the politician's reputation was **in tatters**.

a) under investigation by authorities
b) severely damaged or ruined
c) subject to public debate
d) gradually improving with time

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'in tatters' is an idiom meaning severely damaged, ruined, or in a very poor condition. It comes from the image of cloth torn into rags. In the sentence, the politician's reputation has been severely harmed by the scandal. Option (b) correctly conveys this meaning of severe damage or ruin.

Question 2

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase:

The new employee was **green** and made several mistakes during the first week.

a) inexperienced or new to a job
b) environmentally conscious
c) jealous or envious of colleagues
d) physically ill or unwell

Accepted Answer

The word 'green' when used to describe a person is an idiom meaning inexperienced, new, or lacking knowledge in a particular field. In the sentence, the new employee's mistakes are attributed to being new and inexperienced. Option (a) correctly captures this idiomatic usage.

Question 3

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase:

The project deadline is **set in stone** and cannot be changed under any circumstances.

a) written in a formal contract
b) fixed and unchangeable
c) approved by senior management
d) delayed due to unforeseen issues

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'set in stone' is an idiom meaning fixed, permanent, and unchangeable. It comes from the image of something carved into stone, which cannot be easily altered. In the sentence, the deadline is firm and cannot be modified. Option (b) correctly conveys this meaning of being fixed and unchangeable.

Question 4

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase:

The company decided to **bite the bullet** and implement the unpopular cost-cutting measures immediately.

a) criticise someone harshly
b) accept a difficult or unpleasant situation courageously
c) delay making a difficult decision
d) consult employees before taking action

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'bite the bullet' is an idiom meaning to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination, accepting the inevitable. It originates from battlefield medicine when soldiers would bite bullets during surgery without anaesthesia. In the sentence, the company is accepting the difficult decision to implement unpopular measures. Option (b) correctly captures this meaning.

Question 5

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase:

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

a) invest money wisely across multiple ventures
b) risk everything on a single venture
c) distribute resources equally among teams
d) focus on the most profitable option

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put all eggs in one basket' is an idiom meaning to risk everything on a single venture or outcome, without diversification. In the sentence, the manager is concentrating the entire budget into one project, which matches the idiomatic meaning perfectly. Option (b) correctly captures this sense of risk and concentration.

Question 6

Choose 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) carefully plan financial investments
D) diversify the investment portfolio

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, which is generally considered unwise. In the given 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. Options A and D suggest diversification, which is the opposite of what the idiom means. Option C is too vague and doesn't reflect the risk element inherent in the phrase.

Question 7

Select the sentence where 'come to terms with' is used correctly:

Which option demonstrates proper usage of this phrase?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'come to terms with' means to accept or make peace with something difficult or unpleasant. It requires an object (noun/pronoun) that represents the difficult situation being accepted.

Question 8

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

Which option demonstrates proper usage of this idiom?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'at loggerheads' means in strong disagreement or in conflict with someone. It requires the preposition 'with' to indicate the person or group one is in disagreement with.

Question 9

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

'The employee decided to bite the dust after working for 30 years.'

Which option correctly replaces 'bite the dust'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'bite the dust' is an idiom meaning to fail, be defeated, or die. However, in the context of 'after working for 30 years,' it is inappropriate and offensive. The correct phrase should be 'call it a day' or 'retire,' which means to stop working and leave one's job.

Question 10

Identify the grammatically correct sentence with proper phrase usage:

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

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'in the long run' means over a long period of time or ultimately. It is used to discuss consequences or outcomes that will happen eventually, not immediately.

Question 11

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 into a single project.

A) distribute resources across multiple ventures
B) concentrate all resources into one risky venture
C) carefully plan the investment strategy
D) withdraw from the investment opportunity

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, which is generally considered unwise. In the given sentence, the manager is making a risky decision by investing all company funds into one project. Option B correctly captures this meaning of concentrating all resources into one risky venture, which aligns with the cautionary tone of the original phrase. Option A reverses the meaning entirely. Option C misses the risk element. Option D is unrelated to the sentence's context.

Question 12

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

The manager's decision to overlook the employee's misconduct has **put the cat among the pigeons**, causing widespread discontent in the office.

A) created a peaceful resolution
B) stirred up trouble and controversy
C) demonstrated strong leadership
D) encouraged team collaboration

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put the cat among the pigeons' is an idiomatic expression meaning to cause trouble, create conflict, or stir up a disturbance by doing something that upsets people. In the given sentence, the context clearly indicates that the manager's decision has caused 'widespread discontent,' which aligns with the meaning of creating trouble and controversy. Option B correctly captures this sense. The other options misrepresent the idiom's meaning—it does not suggest peace (A), leadership strength (C), or collaboration (D). The sentence structure and the word 'causing' before the blank reinforce that the phrase must convey a negative or disruptive action.

Question 13

Identify the grammatically correct sentence with proper phrase replacement:

Original: 'The witness's testimony was at odds with the evidence presented in court.'

Which replacement is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'at odds with' means in disagreement or conflict with. We must identify which replacement maintains this meaning while being contextually suitable.

Question 14

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'turn a blind eye'?

Select the most appropriate option:

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'turn a blind eye' means to deliberately ignore or pretend not to notice something wrong. It requires an object (what is being ignored) and implies willful negligence.

Question 15

Identify the sentence with the correct use of 'beat around the bush':

Which option uses this phrase appropriately?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'beat around the bush' means to avoid discussing the main point directly; to talk indirectly or evasively about something.

Question 16

Identify the sentence with correct phrase replacement:

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

Which replacement maintains the meaning while improving clarity?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put off' means to postpone or delay. The sentence uses it correctly, but we need to identify which alternative maintains this meaning. 'Put aside' means to ignore or set aside mentally, which changes the meaning. 'Put up with' means to tolerate. 'Postpone' is the direct synonym that preserves meaning.

Question 17

Select the sentence where the phrase 'come to light' is used correctly:

Which option uses this phrase appropriately?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'come to light' means to be revealed or discovered after being hidden. It requires a subject that can be 'revealed' (typically information, truth, facts, or evidence).

SSC CPO Phrase Replacement

Phrase Replacement— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Phrase Replacement — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Phrase Replacement