After a long courtship, Vikram and Ananya finally decided to 'tie the knot' last winter. What does this idiom mean?

• A. To sign a formal business agreement
• B. To get married (Answer)
• C. To end a long-standing friendship
• D. To resolve a difficult personal dispute

'Tie the knot' means to get married. The phrase likely originates from the ancient custom of literally tying the hands of a bride and groom together during a wedding ceremony. Options A, C, and D introduce non-matrimonial meanings.

Everyone knew that the sales director was 'under the thumb' of the overbearing regional manager. What does this mean?

• A. Working under a thumbprint-based security system
• B. Controlled or dominated by another person (Answer)
• C. Working within a strict set of guidelines
• D. Being closely monitored for performance

'Under someone's thumb' means to be completely controlled or dominated by that person. The image is of someone literally pressing another under their thumb. Option C (following guidelines) lacks the personal dominance the idiom implies. Option D (monitored) is supervision, not control.

The merger plans were still 'up in the air' as both companies negotiated the final terms. What does this phrase mean?

• A. The plans are progressing well and nearing completion
• B. The plans are uncertain and not yet decided (Answer)
• C. The plans have been publicly announced
• D. The plans require approval from a higher authority

'Up in the air' means uncertain, undecided, or unsettled — like something floating without a fixed landing place. Option A implies progress, which contradicts the uncertainty the idiom conveys.

Her new colleague was known for 'wearing his heart on his sleeve' — everyone always knew exactly how he felt. What does this mean?

• A. To be easily manipulated by emotional appeals
• B. To openly and freely show one's emotions (Answer)
• C. To display one's achievements prominently
• D. To be overly sentimental in professional settings

'Wear your heart on your sleeve' means to show your emotions openly and without reservation. The phrase appears in Shakespeare's Othello. Option D (overly sentimental) implies a negative connotation the idiom does not inherently carry.

The experienced debater defeated his opponent 'hands down'. What does this phrase mean?

• A. By using physical gestures to make an argument more convincing
• B. Easily and without any real challenge (Answer)
• C. By refusing to engage in the debate
• D. By appealing to the emotions of the audience

'Win hands down' means to win easily and without difficulty. The expression originates from horse racing — a jockey who was so far ahead that he could drop his hands (relaxing the reins) and still win. Options A, C, and D introduce methods of winning not in the idiom.

She passed her professional certification exam 'with flying colours'. What does this idiom mean?

• A. To pass a test with a very high score and great success (Answer)
• B. To complete a colourful and creative project
• C. To pass a test that involves artistic skills
• D. To finish a marathon event wearing bright clothing

'With flying colours' means to succeed brilliantly or with distinction. It comes from naval tradition where a victorious fleet would sail into port with its flags ('colours') flying high. Options B, C, and D exploit 'colours' literally.

The charming new investor turned out to be a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. What does this idiom warn about?

• A. Someone who is quiet and shy but becomes aggressive when threatened
• B. Someone who appears harmless or kind but is actually dangerous or deceitful (Answer)
• C. Someone who pretends to be an expert but lacks real knowledge
• D. Someone who changes their opinion depending on who they are speaking to

'A wolf in sheep's clothing' describes someone who appears friendly and harmless but has hidden harmful or deceitful intentions. From Aesop's fable of a wolf that disguises itself in a sheep's fleece to infiltrate the flock. Option C (fake expert) involves deception but not the specific danger/harm the idiom implies.

He wanted both the freedom of freelancing and the security of a permanent salary, but his mentor said, 'You can't have your cake and eat it too.' What does this mean?

• A. You cannot make a decision without fully committing to its consequences
• B. You cannot enjoy the benefits of two mutually exclusive options simultaneously (Answer)
• C. You cannot spend money and also save it at the same time
• D. You cannot succeed in two different careers at once

'You can't have your cake and eat it too' means you cannot enjoy two mutually exclusive things simultaneously. If you eat your cake, it is gone; if you keep it, you cannot eat it. Option C is a specific financial application; the idiom is about any pair of mutually exclusive benefits.

Her legal team decided to 'leave no stone unturned' in gathering evidence to support the appeal. This is an example of what kind of approach?

• A. A cautious and minimally invasive approach
• B. An exhaustive approach where every possible option is explored (Answer)
• C. A creative approach that finds unconventional solutions
• D. A collaborative approach that involves many people

'Leave no stone unturned' means to try every possible method and explore every avenue in pursuit of a goal. Option A (minimally invasive) is the opposite. Option C (creative) and D (collaborative) introduce specific qualities not contained in the idiom.

After the decade-long rivalry, the two tech giants decided to 'bury the hatchet' and form a joint venture. What does this idiom mean?

• A. To hide controversial past decisions from public view
• B. To end a conflict and make peace (Answer)
• C. To agree to keep a business arrangement confidential
• D. To sign a formal treaty after a legal dispute

'Bury the hatchet' means to end a conflict, dispute, or rivalry and make peace. The phrase comes from a Native American tradition of literally burying weapons as a symbol of peace. Option D (formal treaty) is a related but more specific legal act. Option A misreads 'bury' as concealment of information.