Idioms & Phrases MBA CET 2026

MBA CET 2026: Idioms & Phrases | Interactive Quiz

MBA CET 2026: Idioms & Phrases

Instructions: Read the contextual sentence and identify the correct meaning of the underlined idiom from the five options provided.
Q1. PLAY HARDBALL
“The company decided to play hardball during the merger negotiations, refusing to lower their valuation despite the market downturn.”
  • 1. To play a professional sport with intensity
  • 2. To act in a tough and uncompromising way to get what you want
  • 3. To participate in a risky financial investment
  • 4. To ignore the rules of a formal agreement
  • 5. To delegate difficult tasks to subordinates
Correct Option: 2 Rationale: Playing hardball means using aggressive or ruthless methods to achieve an objective, especially in business or politics. Option 1 is literal; others miss the negotiation aspect.
Q2. REST ON THEIR LAURELS
“After winning the ‘Best Startup’ award, the founders warned the team not to rest on their laurels as the competition was already catching up.”
  • 1. To take a well-deserved vacation after a project
  • 2. To be satisfied with past success and stop putting in effort
  • 3. To hide one’s achievements from the public
  • 4. To celebrate a victory with great pomp and show
  • 5. To retire early from a professional career
Correct Option: 2 Rationale: To rest on one’s laurels means to be so satisfied with what you have already achieved that you no longer try to improve or do more.
Q3. TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS
“Instead of waiting for the management to address the falling sales, Raj decided to take the bull by the horns and implement a new marketing strategy himself.”
  • 1. To engage in a dangerous physical activity
  • 2. To blame others for a difficult situation
  • 3. To deal with a difficult situation directly and confidently
  • 4. To wait for the right moment to act
  • 5. To avoid a problem until it becomes unmanageable
Correct Option: 3 Rationale: This idiom means to face a difficult or dangerous situation directly and with courage.
Q4. BEAT AROUND THE BUSH
“If you want a raise, just ask for it directly instead of beating around the bush for twenty minutes.”
  • 1. To work hard in an outdoor environment
  • 2. To search for something that is lost
  • 3. To discuss a matter without coming to the main point
  • 4. To physically clear a path through a forest
  • 5. To criticize someone indirectly
Correct Option: 3 Rationale: Beating around the bush means avoiding the main topic or not speaking directly about an issue.
Q5. PULL THE STRINGS
“Although the CEO is the face of the company, it is the chairman who actually pulls the strings from behind the scenes.”
  • 1. To be an expert in playing musical instruments
  • 2. To be involved in a complex manufacturing process
  • 3. To control a situation or person, often secretly or indirectly
  • 4. To work harder than anyone else in a team
  • 5. To cause a system to fail due to interference
Correct Option: 3 Rationale: To pull the strings means to use your influence or power over others to control a situation, often without being publicly recognized for it.
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