Chapter 24

Question 1

Armageddon

Answer 1

Vast, decisive battle

Question 2

Bell the cat

Answer 2

Do a daring, risky deed for the sake of others

Question 3

Between Scylla and Charybdis

Answer 3

Between two equally difficult alternative, neither of which can be avoided without incurring the other

Question 4

Carry coals to Newcastle

Answer 4

Take something to a page where it is lenticular and not needed; to do something superfluous

Question 5

Catch-22

Answer 5

Contradiction in an order or regulation that makes people victims of provisions, regardless of what they do

Question 6

Crocodile tears

Answer 6

False tears; insincere show of grief

Question 7

Cross the Rubicon

Answer 7

Take a decisive, irrevocable step

Question 8

Cry wolf

Answer 8

Give false alarm

Question 9

Dog in the manger

Answer 9

Person who prevents other from using something he or she Connor use and does not need

Question 10

Fifth column

Answer 10

Subversive group of civilians working secretly within their own country to turn it over to an invading enemy

Question 11

Fourth estate

Answer 11

Reporters; the press; journalism

Question 12

Freudian slip

Answer 12

Slip of the tongue by which it is thought a person unintentionally reveals his or her true feelings

Question 13

Hobson’s choice

Answer 13

Choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all

Question 14

Hoist with one’s own petard

Answer 14

Blown up with one’s own bomb; victimized by one’s own schemes

Question 15

Juggernaut

Answer 15

Massive, irresistible force crunching everything in its path

Question 16

Last straw

Answer 16

Final test of patience or endurance

Question 17

Midas touch

Answer 17

Talent for making money in any enterprise one engages in

Question 18

Murphy’s Law

Answer 18

Satirical maxim stating that if anything can go wrong, it will

Question 19

Open sesame

Answer 19

Any means or formula that works like magic to help one achieve a desired end

Question 20

Pandora’s box

Answer 20

Source of extensive unforeseen troubles

Question 21

Parkinson’s Law

Answer 21

Satirical maxim about the lack of productivity, stating that work expands to fill the time available for its completion; also, that the number of subordinates increases regardless of the amount of work produced

Question 22

Pyrrhic victory

Answer 22

Victory achieved at ruinous cost

Example: Antietam

Question 23

Sour grapes

Answer 23

Disparagement of something that one does not or cannot have

Question 24

Achilles’ heel

Answer 24

Vulnerable spot or weak point