1. The detective left no stone unturned to trace the culprit.
a) took no pains
b) did very irrelevant things
c) resorted to illegitimate practices
d) used all available means
Explanation: left no stone unturned: try every possible course of action in order to achieve something.
2. The authorities took him to task for his negligence.
a) gave him additional work
b) suspended his assignment
c) reprimanded him
d) forced him to resign
Explanation: took him to task: to criticize someone.
3. In spite of the immense pressure exerted by the militants, the Government has decided not to give in.
a) accede
b) yield
c) oblige
d) confirm
Explanation:give in: to finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a period of time.
4. Their business is now on its last legs.
a) About to fructify
b) About to perish
c) About to produce results
d) About to take off
Explanation: on its last legs: near the end of life, usefulness, or existence.
5. He went back on his promise to vote for me.
a) withdrew
b) forgot
c) reinforced
d) supported
Explanation:went back on: to fail to keep a promise, or to change a decision or agreement.
6. To take with a grain of salt
a) To take with some reservation
b) To take with total disbelief
c) To take wholeheartedly
d) To take seriously
Explanation: To take with a grain of salt: to view something with skepticism or to not to interpret something literally.
7. To snap one's fingers
a) To speak abruptly
b) To accept immediately
c) To grasp eagerly
d) To become contemptuous of
Explanation:To snap one's fingers: to perform a rude gesture in which one touches their nose with their thumb in order to express contempt or a lack of respect.
8. To throw down the glove
a) To resort to wrong tactics
b) To give a challenge
c) To accept defeat
d) To reject the prize
Explanation: To throw down the glove: To offer a challenge.
9. To catch somebody on the hop
a) To give someone a surprise
b) To catch somebody off guard
c) To stand in the way of someone
d) To catch somebody suddenly
Explanation: To catch somebody on the hop : to do something when someone is not ready for it and is not able to deal with it.
10. To turn up one's nose at a thing
a) To show eagerness to have something
b) To show indifference
c) To treat it with contemptuous dislike or disgust
d) To start a grapple with it
Explanation: To turn up one's nose at a thing: to refuse to accept something, especially because you do not think it is good enough.