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Idioms, Phrases & One-word Substitution

English Language & Comprehension — Paper-I · Official 2026 Coverage

Useful for: SSC CGL

Overview

This topic tests figurative idioms, phrasal verbs and single words that replace descriptive phrases.

Key points

A bolt from the blue: a complete surprise.
To call it a day: to stop working.
To turn a deaf ear: to ignore.
Phrasal verbs: put off (postpone), look into (investigate), give in (surrender).
One-word: misanthrope (hater of mankind), philanthropist (lover of mankind), insolvent (unable to pay debts).

Explanation

Learn idioms by theme.
Context gives the tone of the idiom.
Roots: anthropo (human), theo (god), -cracy (rule).
Autocracy (rule by one), democracy (rule by the people), theocracy (rule by religious leaders).

Step by step

Read the full sentence or passage first.
Apply the exact grammar or vocabulary rule.
Re-read the final answer in context.

Examples

"The news of his promotion came as a bolt from the blue" → a complete surprise.
The committee will look into the complaint → investigate.
One who cannot pay debts → insolvent.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Literal meanings.
Trap: Confusing misanthrope and philanthropist.
Trap: Phrasal verbs with similar particles.

Quick revision

Figurative first.
Roots: anthropo, theo, -cracy.
Phrasal verb particles change meaning.

Practice MCQs

In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Kabir was asked for one word meaning: “a speech delivered without preparation”.
1. Inevitable
2. Lexicographer
3. Panacea
4. Extempore
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Answer: (d) Extempore. Extempore is the standard term for “a speech delivered without preparation”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Kabir was asked for one word meaning: “a government by the people”.
1. Lexicographer
2. Inevitable
3. Panacea
4. Democracy
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Answer: (d) Democracy. Democracy is the standard term for “a government by the people”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Nisha was asked for one word meaning: “a person who compiles a dictionary”.
1. Somnambulist
2. Lexicographer
3. Manuscript
4. Inevitable
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Answer: (b) Lexicographer. Lexicographer is the standard term for “a person who compiles a dictionary”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Nisha was asked for one word meaning: “a remedy for all diseases”.
1. Inevitable
2. Panacea
3. Somnambulist
4. Manuscript
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Answer: (b) Panacea. Panacea is the standard term for “a remedy for all diseases”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Arjun was asked for one word meaning: “a person living at the same time as another”.
1. Illiterate
2. Astronomer
3. Polyglot
4. Contemporary
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Answer: (d) Contemporary. Contemporary is the standard term for “a person living at the same time as another”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Arjun was asked for one word meaning: “a person who loves books”.
1. Astronomer
2. Polyglot
3. Bibliophile
4. Extempore
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Answer: (c) Bibliophile. Bibliophile is the standard term for “a person who loves books”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Tara was asked for one word meaning: “a speech delivered without preparation”.
1. Extempore
2. Polyglot
3. Aviary
4. Democracy
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Answer: (a) Extempore. Extempore is the standard term for “a speech delivered without preparation”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Tara was asked for one word meaning: “a government by the people”.
1. Aviary
2. Extempore
3. Polyglot
4. Democracy
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Answer: (d) Democracy. Democracy is the standard term for “a government by the people”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Dev was asked for one word meaning: “a person who compiles a dictionary”.
1. Democracy
2. Aviary
3. Lexicographer
4. Optimist
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Answer: (c) Lexicographer. Lexicographer is the standard term for “a person who compiles a dictionary”.
In a vocabulary round held in Jaipur, Dev was asked for one word meaning: “a remedy for all diseases”.
1. Democracy
2. Panacea
3. Optimist
4. Aviary
Read chapter notes · Similar questions
Show answer
Answer: (b) Panacea. Panacea is the standard term for “a remedy for all diseases”.