War Idioms

This exercise tests your understanding of war idioms.

1. When you are trapped by two contradictory conditions or requirements, you are in a .............................. situation.

no man's land

catch 22

catch all

Correct! Wrong!

2. Which of the following expressions refers to the unintended damage that happen to people or things during a military operation?

a can of worms

collateral damage

pandora's box

Correct! Wrong!

3. To cross the Rubicon is to take a/an ..........................................

recourse

irreversible step

reversible course of action

Correct! Wrong!

4. To draw a line in the sand is ..............................

to set a limit

to order retreat

to attack

Correct! Wrong!

5. When it is every man ..............................., people are in a difficult situation where each person has to fend for themselves.

for others

for himself

for themselves

Correct! Wrong!

6. A friendly fire is …………………………… that kills one's own troops.

a deliberate military action

an accidental military action

a deadly military action

Correct! Wrong!

7. To hunker down is to ..........................................

prepare oneself for prolonged struggle

set a limit

devise a course of military action

Correct! Wrong!

8. When you are ......................................, you are in harm's way.

in the line of fire

no man's land

in the front line

Correct! Wrong!

9. To ...................................... is to act without deliberation.

raise the gun

fire the gun

jump the gun

Correct! Wrong!

10. Which of the following expressions refers to a sign of hope after a period of difficulty?

light at the end of the tunnel

bite the bullet

a baptism of fire

Correct! Wrong!

11. A …………………………… is a thoughtless / unpredictable person who is likely to cause more harm than good.

loose cannon

war horse

weekend warrior

Correct! Wrong!

12. A .............................. is a minor problem that is blown out of proportion.

storm in a teacup

shot across the bow

cannon fodder

Correct! Wrong!

Answers

catch 22
Collateral damage
To cross the Rubicon is to take an irreversible step.
To draw a line in the sand is to set a limit.
When it is every man for himself, people are in a difficult situation where each person has to fend for themselves.
A friendly fire is an accidental military action that kills one’s own troops.
To hunker down is to prepare oneself for prolonged struggle.
When you are in the line of fire, you are in harm’s way.
To jump the gun is to act without deliberation.
Light at the end of the tunnel
A loose cannon is a thoughtless / unpredictable person who is likely to cause more harm than good.
A storm in a teacup is a minor problem that is blown out of proportion.