Question 1

Identify the best replacement for the underlined phrase: 'The manager decided to do away with the outdated system.' Which option correctly replaces 'do away with'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'do away with' means to eliminate, abolish, or get rid of something. The question tests understanding of this idiomatic expression and its appropriate synonym.

Question 2

Choose the correct replacement for the underlined phrase: 'The company decided to take on new employees to meet the rising demand.' Which option best replaces 'take on'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'take on' means to hire, employ, or accept responsibility for something. The question tests understanding of this versatile phrasal verb and its appropriate synonym in employment context.

Question 3

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The manager decided to put off the meeting because of the strike.' Which phrase replacement is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put off' means to postpone or delay. In this context, it is correctly used. The question tests understanding of the phrasal verb 'put off' and its appropriate replacement.

Question 4

Identify the correct replacement for the underlined phrase: 'The employee was asked to look into the complaints from customers.' Which option best replaces 'look into'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'look into' means to investigate or examine. The question tests understanding of this common phrasal verb and its appropriate formal replacement.

Question 5

Choose the best replacement for the underlined phrase: 'The project fell through due to lack of funding.' Which option correctly replaces 'fell through'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'fell through' means to fail or not happen as planned. The question tests understanding of this idiomatic expression and its appropriate synonym.

Question 6

Select the correct phrase replacement: 'The new policy will bring about significant changes in the organisation.' Which option best replaces 'bring about'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'bring about' means to cause or make something happen. The question tests understanding of this common phrasal verb and its formal equivalent.

Question 7

Select the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The employee's constant complaints and negativity **got on everyone's nerves**, making the workplace environment toxic.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'got on everyone's nerves' is an idiom meaning to annoy or irritate people persistently. The sentence uses it correctly to describe how the employee's behaviour affected colleagues.

Question 8

Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'The project deadline is approaching, and we cannot **afford to put off** the work any longer.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'afford to put off' combines the verb 'afford' (to be able to do something without negative consequences) with 'put off' (to postpone). Together, they mean 'cannot risk delaying'.

Question 9

Select 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.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'put all eggs in one basket' is an idiom meaning to risk everything on a single venture without diversification. In this context, it correctly conveys the manager's risky decision. The sentence structure and tense are grammatically sound.

Question 10

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'beat around the bush'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'beat around the bush' means to avoid discussing something directly or to waste time with irrelevant talk. It is typically used in negative contexts or with verbs like 'don't' or 'stop'.

Question 11

Select the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The CEO's speech was so inspiring that it **struck a chord** with the entire audience.'

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'struck a chord' is an idiom meaning to resonate emotionally or create a strong positive response. It is correctly used here to describe the audience's emotional reaction to the speech.

Question 12

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'call it a day'?

Accepted Answer

The phrase 'call it a day' means to stop working or to end an activity for the day. It is typically used in contexts where someone decides to finish or conclude something.

Question 13

Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'The CEO's decision to downsize the company was a hard pill to swallow, but the employees eventually ___.'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'a hard pill to swallow' means something difficult to accept. The sentence requires a phrase showing acceptance or resignation after initial resistance. The completion must logically follow the idiom's implication.

Question 14

Select the option that best replaces the underlined phrase: 'The project manager decided to call it a day after working for twelve hours straight.'

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'call it a day' means to stop working or to end an activity for the day. The sentence uses it correctly. However, the question tests whether you can identify an equally appropriate idiomatic replacement that fits the context of fatigue and work cessation.

Question 15

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase 'under the weather'?

Accepted Answer

The idiom 'under the weather' means to feel ill or unwell, usually mildly. Correct usage requires a subject experiencing illness or poor health, and the context must be about physical or mental condition, not external circumstances.

SSC GD Constable Phrase Replacement

Phrase Replacement— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Phrase Replacement — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Phrase Replacement