Read to Lead E-Institute.

For All One Paper Exams

By Yousuf Jalal.

Topic Past Paper Antonyms

English: PPSC
General Exams Preparation including the syllabus of
Islamic Studies, Pakistan Affairs, Math and Ability,

Geography, General Knowledge, Everyday Science, Basic

Computer, English, Urdu.

Join WhatsApp Channel to get All Notes

and Related Material Free of cost.
Contact Freely

Yousuf Jalal
( Board Of Revenue, Punjab)
0316- 0786636(WhatsAPP Only)

1
 Set 01

1. “Ins and Outs” means …………………….

a. Outcomes b. Parade
c. All the details d. Wandering
2. “At sixes and Sevens” means ……………………
a. Quickly b. Bewildered
c. Come Early d. Teenage
3. “Blue-eyed boy” means …………………………:
a. Favorite Person b. Criminal
c. Beautiful Person d. Poor
4. He turned a deaf ear to my advice. Turn a deaf ear means ………………..
a. did not accept b. did not listen
c. did not like d. did not act
5. An "above board" person means ……………
a. Dishonest b. Trustworthy
c. cruel d. Wise
6. To turn on one's heel is to turn around:
a. Carefully b. Hesitantly
c. Sharply d. Quickly
7. To play into another's hand is to put oneself under another's ............................
a. Possession b. Game
c. Plot d. Control
8. “To hit the road” means ………………..
a. Finish journey b. Start journey
c. Dismantle journey d. Repair a road
9. To plough the sand” means ………………….
a. To make the desert bloom b. To work in vain
c. To do a difficult work d. None
10. “Diamond cuts diamond” means …………….
a. Retaliation b. Costly
c. Prominent d. Pure
11. “Once in a blue moon” means ……………..
a. Rarely b. Beautiful
c. Extremely d. Very Poor

2
12. Choose the one word substitution of “To wipe out”.
a. Eradicate b. Exaggerate
c. Exonerate d. Emigrate
13. To 'clip the wings' means to …………………
a. Remove limits b. Put pressure
c. Reduce length d. Put limits
14. Choose the correct meaning of the Idiom: "Kith and kin"
a. Blood relations b. Seniors
c. Juniors d. Neighbors
15. Idiom "Tie the knot" means?
a. Friendship b. Getting married
c. Enmity d. Criticism
16. A piece of cake idiom means?
a. Part of cake b. An easy task
c. Celebrate birthday. d. None of these
17. He was all at sea when he began his new job. What does idiom "at sea" means …………
a. Puzzle b. Disturb
c. Lucidity d. Explicitness
18. A driver should always be mentally alert. He is likely to cause disaster if he indulges in …………
a. a grey eminence b. hang up
c. a brown study d. a mare's nest
19. To flex ones muscles means to …………………..
a. Show interest b. Punish
c. Show Weakness d. Show Strength / Authority
20. If you “have a finger in the pie”, you are ………… in something.
a. Involved b. Disinterested
c. Puzzled d. None of these
21. A bone of contention means …………….
a. Cause of quarrel b. Delicious bone
c. A reason for peace d. None of these
22. To give up smoking means?
a. Stop smoking b. Arrange smoking
c. Both a & b d. None of these
23. Choose the option that best explains meaning of: "To talk through one's hat"
a. To speak nonstop b. To talk nonsense
c. To talk wisely d. To talk loudly
3
24. Meaning of proverb "By fits and starts".
a. Irregularly b. Suddenly
c. Successfully d. Incompletely
25. Meaning of the phrase “to pass by”.
a. Ignore b. Under look
c. Over look d. Think by
26. What is the meaning of the proverb, “All and sundry”?
a. Rich man b. Everybody
c. Selected person d. Poor people
27. Pros and Cons means ...........................
a. Details b. For and against
c. Loss and profit d. Analysis
28. Add fuel to the fire …………………….
a. Calm down b. Create problem
c. Aggravate trouble d. None of these
29. To make a clean breast of something is to ……………….
a. confide b. confess
c. collect d. recollect
30. “With an Open arms” means ………………
a. Warmly b. Resemble
c. Emblematic d. Bonny

4
 Set 2
1. “Out of Question” means ……………….
a. Easy b. Stunning
c. Impossible d. Ugly
2. “To lose heart” means to become ……………….
a. Angry b. Mad
c. Sad d. Discouraged
3. What does "To lose face" means?
a. To look blank b. To look angry
c. To be helpless d. To be humiliated
4. "Air head" means ………………….
a. A stupid person b. A pilot
c. A proud monarch d. A genius
5. "Never-never land" means ………………
a. An ideal place b. Dream land
c. A worthless place d. A useless situation
6. To point the finger of scorn to someone is to treat him with:
a. Disdain b. Kindness
c. Indifferentism d. Respect
7. Choose the correct meaning of the following idioms and proverbs. His bark is worse than his bite.
a. He bark as well as bite like a dog. b. He sounds dangerous but is not.
c. His anger is biting. d. Bank of a dog is more harmful than blue.
8. Choose the correct meaning of the following idioms and proverbs. There is no smoke without a
fire.
a. Fire always emits smoke. b. Fire is a source of pollution in environment.
c. There is some truth in a rumor. d. For smoke we have to fire.
9. Choose the correct meaning of idiom: "Put/set the cat among the pigeons".
a. To be afraid of darkness b. To flatter the boss with unnecessary praise
c. To beat the weak d. To say or do something that makes a lot of people angry
10. Select the right idiom.
a. Burn the night oil b. I burn the late night oil
c. Burn the midnight oil d. Burn the oil
11. Select the right idiom.
a. Keep body and character together. b. Keep body and mind together.
c. Keep body and soul together. d. Keep body and spirit together.

5
12. “To call spade a spade” means ……………
a. To meet expectations b. To avoid the main topic
c. To speak in plain terms d. To make loud noise
13. “To give one the sack” means ………………
a. To defeat a person b. To dismiss a person
c. To make agree someone d. To abuse a person
14. Rule of Thumb means ………………………..
a. mark of thumb on a legal paper
b. an easily applied procedure for making a determination
c. an easy choice
d. an unknown rule
15. What it the moaning of the Idiom/proverb "To be at loggerheads"
a. To cooperate with enemies b. To be in strong disagreement or dispute
c. To face stiff opposition d. To tax one's mind and body
16. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: "A dark horse".
a. A pure black horse b. A wicked fellow
c. A lucky horse d. An unexpected winner
17. What is the meaning of idiom/proverb "To take the bull by the horns"?
a. To punish a person for his arrogance
b. To deal with a difficult situation in a direct way
c. To handle it by fierce attack
d. To bypass the legal process
18. Choose the correct meaning of the Idioms: To bear the brunt of:
a. in a position of advantage b. to make an easy choice
c. undecided d. to endure the main force or shock
19. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: "Gift of the gab"
a. A gift from a wealthy person b. A gift from a poor person
c. A gift from a relative d. Fluency of speech
20. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom "To drive home".
a. To find one's roots b. To return to original position
c. To return home d. To emphasize a point
21. Choose the correct meaning of the idioms: Hobson's choice:
a. Giving no choice at all b. To make the best choice
c. To make the worst choice d. To settle for a compromise

6
22. “To fight tooth and nail” means ………………….
a. To fight a losing battle b. To oppose resolutely
c. To have physical fight d. To lodge a formal protest
23. Choose the meaning of the idioms: On the fence:
a. In a position of advantage b. In a difficult situation
c. About to fall d. Undecided
24. Choose the correct meaning of idiom: To husband one’s resources:
a. To hand over everything to husband b. To manage one’s meaning with frugality
c. To take household expenses from d. None of these
25. What is the meaning of the idiom: A wet blanket?
a. A comfortable thing b. An unpleasant situation
c. An unwelcomed guest d. Someone presence damps enthusiasm
26. What is the meaning of idiom: To smell a rat.
a. To detect bad smell b. To misunderstand
c. To suspect a trick or detect d. To see hidden
27. To make amend for means ………………………..
a. To make every possible effort b. To compensate for damage
c. To bring change in something d. None of these
28. “Cock and Bull Story” means ……………………………… :
a. Imaginary Story b. True Story
c. Initial Learning d. A lie that is completely Unbelievable
29. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: "A Gordian Knot".
a. A piece of rope b. Difficult or complex problem
c. An easy task d. None of these
30. What does "to break the Ice" mean?
a. To start sleep b. To start a conversation
c. To start friendship d. To cool

7
 Set 03

1. What does the phrase "Putting the cart before the horse" mean?
a. To be ready to go b. To do something contrary to conventional order
c. To do things in correct order d. To be over active
2. 'To have an axe to grind' means …………………………
a. To be fully acquainted with something b. To have a personal interest in a matter
c. To take guidance on a complicated matter d. To take an agreeable position
3. 'To cool one's heels' means …………………….
a. To be kept waiting b. To be good and delicate
c. To have a deal with troublesome person d. To praise someone
4. 'In a Jiffy' means ………………….
a. In a trouble b. Without any delay
c. Unable to decide d. Friendly way
5. "Get your goat" means ...........................
a. To pacify someone b. To irritate someone
c. To soothe someone d. To Hug someone
6. “To hit below the belt” means ………………….
a. An unexpected misfortune b. To fight unfairly
c. To extort money d. None of these
7. House of cards means ……………………..
a. Strong house b. A project to make proper house
c. A weak structure d. None of these
8. “To take with a pinch of salt” means ……………….
a. To take with some reservation b. To take with total disbelief
c. To take wholeheartedly d. To take seriously
9. “To run amuck” means ……………………
a. To run a long race b. To run about in frenzy
c. To feel exhausted d. To run slowly
10. “To pull strings” means …………………….
a. To use external influence b. To tease someone
c. To speed up d. To prepare for something
11. Take a leaf out of someone's book means?
a. To snatch something b. Imitate or emulate someone in particular way
c. To cheat d. None of these

8
12. He keeps himself to himself: means ……………..
a. prefers to talk to nobody b. prefers to do things alone
c. prefers to share with all d. shares with his kith and kin
13. To cut the cake means ……………………
a. celebrate birthday b. make use of time
c. stop wasting time in talks d. stop hindering others
14. Mixed feelings means …………………….
a. feeling of hate & love b. not clear feelings
c. compassionate heart d. neutral
15. Leading questions means ……………….
a. Main question b. Question requiring a precise answer
c. Question suggesting an answer d. Question which is the most difficult to answer
16. "Eye wash" means ………………
a. Some one's beloved b. Deceit
c. Fondness of vising new places d. A woman with a bright face
17. Keep tabs on, means ………………….
a. To follow strictly b. To do something
c. To steal something d. To keep under observation
18. “Let sleeping dogs lie” means ……………….
a. To avoid restarting a conflict. b. To avoid disturbing someone.
c. To care for dogs. d. To kill the sleeping dogs.
19. "The Trojan horse" means …………………..
a. A person exercising absolute power
b. An agent is disguise used against, or by the enemy
c. Horses reared by inhabitant of Troy
d. None of these
20. "To put one's hand to plough" means ……………..
a. To handle the situation b. To stop the conversation
c. To take a difficult task d. To give up task
21. To hit nail on the head means …………….
a. To say just the right thing b. To act just at the right moment
c. To speak hard words d. To antagonize
22. Tick the Synonyms: To lionize a person:
a. To worship someone b. Acquisition of lion-like characteristics
c. To treat a person as celebrity d. A precast for training circus lions

9
23. “To gather orange blossoms” means …………….
a. To get oranges b. To get a bride
c. To get a groom d. To have children
24. “Keep one's own counsel” means ……………….
a. To retain one's own lawyer b. To rely on own advice
c. To preserve a discreet silence d. To obtain the services of a lawyer
25. “At the drop of a hat” means ……………….
a. Immediately b. Without delay
c. As a follow up of orders d. In a good moment
26. “To meet one’s Waterloo” means …………….
a. To die an ignoble death b. To meet a strong adversary
c. To die fighting d. To meet one’s final defeat
27. Idiom "A slap on the wrist" means ……………..
a. Hard punishment b. Beating someone
c. Make someone sad d. Warning or small punishment
28. "Laissez-faire" means ……………….
a. Non-interference of state in economy b. Extra-ordinary political activity
c. Military operation in troubled areas d. Rapid industrialization of a country
29. What does "To be in two minds" means?
a. To be uncertain b. To work on someone else's advice
c. To be dominated by someone d. To be of unsound mind
30. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander:
a. Everyone regardless of differences deserves equal treatment
b. Goose and gander should both be fed with sauce
c. Like treatment for like things
d. Rich and poor should be treated equally

10
 2021-2022
Set 04
1. Idiom As the Crow flies means ………….
a. Indirect b. Impossible
c. Straight d. None of these
2. "To set free" means …………………..
a. To blame someone b. To make peace
c. To get profit d. To release someone
3. Choose the best meaning of Idiomatic phrase: A square meal
a. A good diet b. A full meal
c. A timely meal d. A proper diet
4. Select the meaning of Idiom between double quotes from given options. To jump on the
bandwagon means to …………
a. Continue b. Rest
c. Join in d. None of these
5. Chose the meaning Idiomatic phrase. To cross swords
a. To fight b. To defend
c. To kill d. To rob
6. Choose the best meaning of Idiomatic phrase Hallmark
a. A big mark b. A sport
c. Genuine excellence d. Grand
7. Give the meaning of Idiom: Spick and Span
a. Meanwhile b. Neat and clean
c. in the meantime d. None of these
8. Give the meaning of Idiom: To bury the hatchet.
a. To make peace b. To act unfairly
c. To keep secret d. None of these
9. Complete the following proverbial / idiomatic phrase with correct option. A wolf in ……………
a. Donkey’s clothing b. Sheep clothing
c. Greece d. None of these
10. Select the correct meaning of the idiom from options provided below. They …………….. the
company to reverse its decision.
a. Called for b. Called on
c. Called to d. None of these

11
11. Complete the following proverbial / idiomatic phrase with correct option. Familiarity breeds
……….
a. Contempt b. Enmity
c. Love d. None of these
12. Idiomatic phrase out and out means ………….
a. Completely b. Miss out
c. Long for something d. None of these
13. Guess the correct possible meaning of the given idiom from the following option “A Pipe Dream”.
a. A nightmare b. A daydream
c. An unending dream d. None of these
14. My friend is a couch potato. What does the idiom/phrase “couch potato” means:
a. Active person b. Busy person
c. Lazy person d. None of these
15. To cry wolf means ……………..
a. To give false alarm b. To listen eagerly
c. To turn pale d. None of these
16. As plentiful as blackberries means …………..
a. Narrow down b. Squirt around
c. Explanatory d. None of these
17. Poke one’s into means ……………..
a. To praise someone b. To get involved
c. To be rude d. None of these
18. The green eyed monster means …………………
a. Hatred b. An animal with green eyes
c. To get into troubles d. Jealous
19. To carry the day means …………….
a. To succeed b. To lose something
c. To do something wrong d. None of these
20. Be out of blue means ……………….
a. Higher than sky b. Once upon a time
c. Suddenly d. None of these
21. Yeoman's service means ………………
a. Convert b. Congested
c. Concluded d. None of these

12
22. "Give cold shoulder" means ............. .
a. To support b. Cold meat
c. To ignore d. None of these
23. To shell out means to ……………..
a. Receive b. Take
c. Spend money d. Enjoying
24. Watch out means ……………..
a. Relax b. Hurry up
c. Be careful d. Seek permission
25. A month of Sundays means …………….
a. Won’t happen b. Extremely long time
c. Never imagined d. None of these
26. Say the word means …………..
a. Apologize b. Sign
c. Give up d. None of these
27. “Keep a straight face” means ………………..
a. Remain silent b. Remain Serious
c. Remain Mute d. None of these
28. “Hornet’s Nest” means ……………………
a. A violent situation b. A bee’s house
c. A good situation d. None of these
29. To "back out" means ………………
a. to be trapped b. To retreat
c. to support d. None of these
30. Keep a straight face means ………………..
a. Remain silent b. Remain serious
c. Remain disturbed d. Remain mute

13
 Set 05
1. “Hole and Corner” means ………………
a. Strict b. Servile
c. Secret d. None of these
2. Identify the meaning of “Led Astray”.
a. Misguided b. Lose the job
c. Killed d. None of these
3. Choose the meaning of “At Arm’s length” ………………….
a. Length of arm b. At a distance
c. Insult d. None of these
4. To Iron means to ……………..
a. complete small details b. Make problems
c. Plan ahead d. None of these
5. “That which cannot be approached or reached” means …………………
a. Accessible b. Inaccessible
c. Entry d. None of these
6. To pull up socks means …………………..
a. To get ready b. Already late
c. To start d. None of these
7. What is the meaning or A fair weather friend
a. False friend b. Close friend
c. Good friend d. Loyal friend
8. Choose the correct meaning of “Hide one’s light under a bushel”.
a. To save electricity b. To conceal one’s talent
c. To avoid limelight d. None of these
9. Choose the correct meaning of “Spill the beans” is ………………
a. To misbehave b. To reveal a secret
c. To talk nonsense d. None of these
10. Idiom scratch someone’s back means …………
a. Backbiting someone b. Give someone a favor
c. Find flaws in someone work d. None of these
11. Choose the best meaning of Idiomatic phrase: A burning question
a. An important question b. A confusing question
c. A simple question d. A forgotten issue

14
12. Choose the best meaning Idiomatic Phrase. A lion’s share
a. The part of a lion b. The share of a lion
c. Major part d. The lion’s escape
13. Give the meaning of Idiom: 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
14. He didn’t bat eye: means the same as …………….
a. He didn’t see b. He wasn’t happy
c. He didn’t show surprise d. None of these
15. What is the meaning of the idiom a chip off the old block:
a. A piece of wood b. An old friend
c. A good bargain d. Characteristics of one’s ancestors
16. Give the meaning of Idiom: To be rolling in money.
a. Very rich b. Washing a lot of money
c. Borrowing money d. None of these
17. Give the meaning of Idiom: To throw up the sponge.
a. To offer a challenge b. To surrender or give up contest
c. To become utterly disappointed d. None of these
18. Fill in the blank best meaning of the idiomatic phrase: To turn the tables.
a. To turn someone b. To turn the situation to one’s own side
c. To reverse the condition completely d. None of these
19. Give the meaning of idiom: A scapegoat
a. A sharp goat
b. A person who is made to suffer for the misdeeds of another
c. A goat that has escaped from the herd
d. None of these
20. Nip in the bud means ................. .
a. To destroy in the very beginning b. To destroy at the end
c. To make use of time d. None of these
21. Hair’s breadth escape means …………….
a. To run in zig-zag manner b. To be affected by riots
c. A narrow eascape d. None of these
22. Choose the meaning of “Fish in Trouble Waters” ………………
a. To make a personal profit out of disturbance b. To dive in deep water
c. To go for a daunting task d. None of these

15
23. Under the cloud means ………………
a. To be a secret b. To be under suspicion
c. Feel good factor d. Amazing
24. Broken reed means ………….
a. A subject of talk b. Weak person
c. Some cause of quarrel d. Keep lost in dreams
25. To die in harness means ……………….
a. Die in sickly manner b. Died in exile
c. To die while still working d. None of these
26. “To end in smoke” means ……………..
a. To make completely understand b. To overcome someone
c. To ruin oneself d. None of these
27. He is looking for someone to offer, her glamorous well paid and undemanding job but I think he is:
a. Happy go lucky b. Crying for moon
c. Hard boiled d. None of these
28. To get into hot waters means …………….
a. To be impatient b. To get into difficulties
c. To suffer a huge financial loss d. To be in a confused state of mind
29. Face the music means …………………..
a. Bear the consequences b. Wrong impression
c. Tears shed by a crocodile d. None of these
30. “Cut the mustard” means …………………..
a. To leave the job b. To get injured
c. To come up to expectations d. None of these
31. To be old as the hills means …………..
a. To be old but foolish b. To be very ancient
c. To be wise and learned d. None of these
32. Above the fold means ………………..
a. Bottom of news article b. Upper half of the front page of newspaper
c. Bottom of the letter d. None of these
33. He is sick of life means …………..
a. Confined to bed b. Living miserable life
c. Living tired life d. None of these

16
34. Give the meaning of Idiom: To was one’s dirty linen in public
a. To criticize one’s nature in public
b. To do some ugly work in public
c. To discuss dirty and scandalous matters of personal nature in the presence of strangers
d. None of these
35. What is meaning of the idiom to turn over a new leaf.
a. To cover up one’s fault by wearing new marks
b. To change the old habits and adopt new ones
c. To change completely one’s course of action
d. To shift attention to new problems after having studied the old ones thoroughly

17