Match the idioms given in List-I with the appropriate meanings given in List II
| LIST-I (Idioms.) | LIST-II (Meanings) |
| A. in a pickle | I. an easy target |
| B. to keep one's shirt on | II. a shameful secret |
| C. a sitting duck | III. in a difficult situation |
| D. a skeleton in the closet | IV. to keep calm |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
| List-I | List-II | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) in a pickle | (III) in a difficult situation | To be in a pickle is to be in an awkward or difficult situation that is hard to get out of. | I was in a pickle when I lost my wallet on the way to the station. |
| (B) to keep one's shirt on | (IV) to keep calm | To keep one's shirt on means to stay calm and not lose one's temper; it is an informal phrase, often used as a request to someone who is getting angry. | Keep your shirt on; the bus will be here in five minutes. |
| (C) a sitting duck | (I) an easy target | A sitting duck is a person or thing that is easy to attack, cheat or criticise, like a duck resting on the water that a hunter can hit easily. | Parked in the open, the empty jeep was a sitting duck for thieves. |
| (D) a skeleton in the closet | (II) a shameful secret | A skeleton in the closet (or cupboard) is a shameful or embarrassing secret from the past that someone keeps hidden. | The minister feared that a reporter would find the skeleton in his closet. |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in a pickle | – | – | – | 12-06 S2 | – |