phrases etymology quiz

The Phrases Etymology Quiz

-Harish Krishna V

Disclaimer
• It must be said that some of these phrase
origins are debatable and the existence of
other possible theories is not denied.

Question 1
• In the past, some sports such as cycling and
running sometimes used a particular handicap
system. A line or mark, known as a _______
was drawn to indicate the starting position for
all competitors except those who had been
awarded an advantage: they were allowed to
start a little way in front.
• So, a competitor starting from _______would
start from a position without any advantage.

Answer 1
• From scratch

from the very beginning without making use
of any previous work.

Question 2
• This phrase was originally used to describe a
method of testing for gold using conc. HNO3.
• Gold is resistant to the effects of HNO3, but an
object made of some other metal will show
signs of corrosion if immersed in it.

Answer 2
• The acid test

A situation which finally and decisively
determines someone’s or something’s quality

Question 3
• This expression was first used by P. G.
Wodehouse in the Strand Magazine in 1928:
“The prospect of getting the true facts –
straight, as it were, ____ ___ ______ _____ -
held him fascinated.”
• The underlying idea was that the best way to
get racing tips was to ask a _____ directly.

Answer 3
• Straight from the horse’s mouth

from the person directly concerned

Question 4
• The violins of an orchestra are divided into
two sections: generally speaking, the
______1_____ play notes in the higher range
than the ______2_____, and parts for the
____1____ usually have more of the main
tune and are technically difficult to
play, suggesting that ____2____ have a
subordinate role to play.

Answer 4
• Play second fiddle

be treated as something less important than
someone or something

Question 5
• This is a translation of the Spanish phrase
quinta _______ and originates from the
Spanish Civil War (1936-39).
• As General Mola marched towards Madrid in
1936, leading four ______s of Nationalist
troops, he declared that he had a fifth ______
inside Madrid ready to assist in the attack.
• As it turned out, the Nationalists, under
General Franco, did not succeed until 1939.

Answer 5
• Fifth column

a group within a country at war who are
working for its enemies

Question 6
• This originates from the need of casual farm
labourers to be especially careful with their
money and set aside a certain amount.
• If the weather was bad, they were unable to
work – and if they didn’t work, they didn’t
earn any money.

Answer 1
• Rainy day

a possible time in the future when money will
be needed

Question 1
• A bestiary was a medieval times reference
book giving information and observations on
different kinds. Some of these bestiaries
described how bear cubs were supposedly
born as formless lumps and were given form
by their mother.
• Variations of the phrase that came up a little
later reflect the former popularity of corporal
punishment as a parenting tool.

Answer 1
• Lick _____ into shape

act forcefully to bring someone or something
into a better state

• Variation: knock/whip someone into shape

Question 1
• During the First World War, some troops in the
trenches would emerge out and charge over
the parapets to attack the enemy. A large
number of the soldiers died due to this
excessive act.

Answer 1
• Over the top

exaggerated / undue

Question 1
• A ____ is a particular way of grasping or
restraining an opponent in wrestling or similar
sports. The rules and regulations of each sport
dictate what sort of ____s are acceptable,
and certain kinds, such as gripping the
opponent around the throat, are classified as
unlawful because they are too dangerous.
• Sometimes, however, a special kind of contest
would be held where participants were more
or less allowed to do anything they like.

Answer 1
• No holds barred

with no rules or regulations

Question 1
• The word _______ originally referred to an
ancient Roman way of foretelling the future:
in Latin ______ium meant the practice of
observing the flight patterns of birds in order
to predict future events, a practice undertaken
by a person known as an _____x.
• A decision or undertaking might be postponed
if the _____x found that the omens were not
favourable or ‘______ious’.
• The association with favourable influence and
patronage led to this phrase.

Answer 1
• Under the auspices of

with the help, support, protection of

Question 1
• The word _____ is a shortened form of the
word a_____ which means ‘reduced or
lessened’.
• The idea is that the anxiety or excitement you
experience while waiting for something to
happen is so great that you almost stop
breathing.

Answer 1
• With bated breadth

in great suspense

Question 1
• In aeronautics, _______ is short for flight
________, the set of limiting combinations of
factors such as speed and altitude that are
possible for a particular type of plane.
• Sometimes, pilots push the aircraft to or even
beyond the current limits of performance, and
hence the phrase.

Answer 1
• Push the envelope

approach or extend the limits of what is
possible

Question 1
• There is a Native American custom of getting
rid of the tomahawk to mark the conclusion of
a peace treaty between warring groups. The
tomahawk, as the warriors’ main weapon,
symbolised war.

Answer 1
• Bury the hatchet

end a quarrel or conflict

Question 1
• The word _____ was applied to the board for
games like chess, draughts, or backgammon,
and _____s came to refer specifically to
backgammon because the board had two
folding halves.
• It was common practice to turn the board
round between games since a player had to
play from what had previously been his
opponent’s position.

Answer 1
• Turn the tables

turn a position of disadvantage into one of
advantage

Question 1
• In ancient times, the ____ was the piece of
precious cloth separating the innermost
sanctuary from the rest of the Jewish temple
in Jerusalem.
• The idea soon developed of this cloth
representing a barrier between this life and
the unknown state of existence after
death, giving rise to the current phrase.

Answer 1
• Beyond the veil

in a mysterious or hidden place or state

Spare Question
• This expression is nautical in origin. An
important job on board a ship was making and
repairing ropes, a task which involved twisting
together a number of long threads.
• The image of this process and a certain
reputation sailors carried combined to give
the phrase.

Answer 1
• Spin a yarn

tell a long, far-fetched story

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