How To Answer Idioms / Phrases Tests

1. Do not limit yourself to meanings alone, understand contexts: 
Try and understand in what context a particular idiom or phrase has been used. This will help you understand and remember the particular idiom or phrase better.

2. Keep a handy list for revising what you have learnt: 
Keep a diary to learn words on the go. This will not make learning a chore. In fact, these days you don’t even need to carry a diary. You can simply note down the idioms and their meanings in a notepad app on your smart-phone and revise it on the go.

3. Never try and learn too many idioms or phrase at the same time.

However, learning them by grouping them into themes is quite a good idea.

4. Relate idioms and phrases to visual imagery.

Try and relate idioms and phrases to images and link them to stories.  
 

5. Find out the origin of idioms & phrases.

Most idioms & phrases have very interesting origin stories. You should try to explore them as these would enable you to understand the meanings of these idioms and phrases better. 

6. Eliminate first
A very direct meaning given in answer option can never be the actual meaning of idiom/phrases. It is to confuse the student. So first eliminate such answer options.

7. Choose the answer
Try to find the philosophical meaning of the idiom rather its direct meaning. You can also try to put the idiom/phrase in a sentence or context to bring out its meaning more clearly.