Expressions with UNDER Quiz

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests comprehension of common English expressions that include the word UNDER.

Read each sentence and choose the answer with the closest meaning to the words in italics.

1. The USA's war crimes are nearly always swept under the carpet.

prosecuted
committed
concealed
a) prosecuted b) committed c) concealed

2. The city's police force was under a cloud after the video was shown.

under arrest
under suspicion
under investigation
a) under arrest b) under suspicion c) under investigation

3. The team's attacking players have been under par all season.

worse than usual
better than usual
shorter than usual
a) worse than usual b) better than usual c) shorter than usual

4. Even though they were coming under fire, medics kept carrying wounded soldiers to safety.

being burned
being shot at
being fired
a) being burned b) being shot at c) being fired

5. After last night's party, we're feeling a bit under the weather today.

uncomfortable
unhappy
unwell
a) uncomfortable b) unhappy c) unwell

6. I'll tell you what his wife told me if you promise to keep it under your hat.

remember it
forget it
keep it secret
a) remember it b) forget it c) keep it secret

7. If you're charged with driving under the influence, you'll lose your licence.

while drunk or on drugs
while using your phone
while not paying attention
a) while drunk or on drugs b) while using your phone c) while not paying attention

8. Before going under the knife, get a second opinion from another doctor.

going into hospital
having an operation
refusing an operation
a) going into hospital b) having an operation c) refusing an operation

9. The phone's design is being kept under wraps for now.

kept safe
kept secret
kept unfinished
a) kept safe b) kept secret c) kept unfinished

10. The fossil fuel industry's role in creating doubt about climate change is under the microscope.

being examined
being minimized
being exaggerated
a) being examined b) being minimized c) being exaggerated

Your score is:

Correct answers:

Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.