Expressions Quiz: Success

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests comprehension of common English expressions used when talking about achieving or not achieving success.

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

1. The company has been going great guns since the new CEO took over.

doing very well
doing a lot of good
doing a bit better
a) doing very well b) doing a lot of good c) doing a bit better

2. Our plan to open a cafe went by the board when the pandemic struck.

was postponed
was approved
was scrapped
a) was postponed b) was approved c) was scrapped

3. Lydia thinks she is in the running for a promotion.

has no chance of getting
has a chance of getting
is going to get
a) has no chance of getting b) has a chance of getting c) is going to get

4. Henry passed his final exam with flying colours.

with great confidence
with some difficulty
with high marks
a) with great confidence b) with some difficulty c) with high marks

5. For years our campaign to protect the forest got nowhere, but at last we're getting somewhere.

achieving nothing
achieving something
achieving everything
a) achieving nothing b) achieving something c) achieving everything

6. Do you think Emma will cut it as an actress in Hollywood?

fail
succeed
achieve greatness
a) fail b) succeed c) achieve greatness

7. If you play your cards right, you could be in for a pay rise.

do good deeds
have good luck
make good choices
a) do good deeds b) have good luck c) make good choices

8. Even the poorest kids can make something of themselves if they get a good education.

succeed at something
do something
survive
a) succeed at something b) do something c) survive

9. With 95% of the votes counted, it looks like victory is in the bag for our candidate.

impossible
unlikely
certain
a) impossible b) unlikely c) certain

10. The study of evolution has come a long way since Darwin first proposed it.

progressed a lot
explained a lot
achieved a lot
a) progressed a lot b) explained a lot c) achieved a lot

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.