Checklist for the Literati

Here is a list of expressions which don't literally mean what they say. You've probably run across all of them as you've turned the pages of literature. If you're up on you literary allusions - both classic and common - most of these fifty phrases should be in the bag! You score 2 points for each choice correctly made. However, you lose 3 points for each incorrect answer. Questions left unanswered do not count. A score of 82 will be a feather in your cap, while an achievement of 94 should transport you to seventh heaven.

1. Crocodile Tears False, affected, hypocritical sorrow Loud, sarcastic comment in a compassionate voice Vulgar lamentation to excite pity	9. Brown Study To plan a murderous act A mood of serious or perplexed absorption An unflinching determination to acquire knowledge
2. To Make Bricks without Straw To perform magic To perform a task without essential material To make plans for an unlikely enterprise	10. The Lion's Share The prerogative of noble birth The best or largest part A conqueror's booty
3. To Bury the Hatchet To stop work To compromise To make peace	11. To Bell the Cat To do a risky deed To boast vaingloriously To make a scene in public
4. To Carry Coals to Newcastle To buck competition To do a host of unnecessary acts to carry out a simple job To take things to a place where they already abound	12. Achilles' Heel Concealed weapons A vulnerable point Something about which one is inordinately sensitive
5. To Show the White Feather To exhibit cowardice To betray one's trust To plea for mercy	13. A Skeleton in the Closet An open secret hypocritically hushed One's unsavory past A private, hidden source of shame or grief
6. A Joe Miller An unsavory anecdote A stale joke A ham comedian	14. A Parthian Shot A cowardly blow A parting shot A deadly aim
7. Crossing the Rubicon To get married To change one's religious or political affiliation To take an irrevocable, decisive step	15. Hobson's Choice Accepting a nomination A choice without an alternative Accepting a jail sentence rather than paying a fine
8. Homeric Laughter Inextinguishable laughter Cynical agreement Feigned happiness under pressure	16. To Speak in Lutestring To use artificial, stilted language To coddle with honeyed words To swindle

17. The Alpha and Omega The waste The whole the best	27. Between Scylla and Charybdis To be torn between two loves Between two dangers, neither of which can be avoided Loss of both money and honor
18. Gilding the Lily To artificially beautify something of supreme loveliness To mock To offer a substitute which must be detected	28. To Turn the Cat in the Pan To cleverly give a dexterous turn to a situation To accuse one's accuser To accomplish a miracle
19. A Job's Comforter A priest One who maliciously afflicts while ostensibly comforting A political advisor who renders poor counsel	29. A White Elephant A burdensome possession An institution that exists only through lavish endowments A profitless business maintained solely through sentiment
20. To Play Possum To feign ignorance or illness with intent to deceive To spy for both sides To purloin trade secrets from one's employer	30. To Cry Wolf To give alarm without occasion To frighten by a ruse To claim aggression while one attacks
21. A Roman Holiday A three-day weekend A riotous and hilarious good time An entertainment which causes loss to those providing it	31. A Barmecide Feast An easy piece of change An illusion of plenty An orgy of gluttony
22. To Eat Crow To accept what one has fought against To act with utter humility To half starve	32. To Talk Like a Dutch Uncle To admonish with severity and directness To insist To make lavish promises
23. Abraham's Bosom A synagogue The comfort of religion The abode of bliss in the world to come	33. Sour Grapes Cut-throat competition Things affectedly despised because they cannot be possessed
24. To Catch a Tartar To encounter an opponent who is unexpectedly strong To discover a disloyal associate To swallow a sharp sauce	34. To Walk in Golden Slippers To be rolling in riches To dream or imagine that one is wealthy To belong to a clerical order
25. A Greek Gift A bribe Something given with a treacherous purpose A present of something received from someone else	35. Attic Salt Poignant, delicate wit Money used for bribes Sarcasm
26. To Kick the Bucket To defy one's superiors To flunk out of West Point To depart this life	36. To Cut the Gordian Knot To dispose of a difficulty by prompt, arbitrary action To break into a society where one has been spurned To act snobbishly

37. A Simon Legree A cruel taskmaster A mean old miser A fiendish experience	44. Pyrrhic Victory A victory gained at too great cost A complete rout A military triumph
38. To Tilt at Windmills To petition the government To fight imaginary enemies To attempt the useless	45. To Sow Dragon's Teeth To bring up children with hatred To count on a future success which is beyond hope To follow policies which will lead to war
39. A Mare's Nest An absurd belief A quest that is beyond attainment An undiscovered love	46. A Fabian Policy Dilatory tactics calculated to wear out the enemy Outward conciliation while secretly arming Flattery
40. Dining with Duke Humphrey To be invited by relatives To act snobbishly To go without dinner	47. A Pig in a Poke A quick mind Something whose true value is unknown A great bargain
41. Born to the Purple Of imperial worth Congenitally angry Born both rich and handsome	48. To Run with the Hare and Hunt with the Hounds To keep in favor with both parties to an argument To hesitate To do a job thoroughly
42. To Play Ducks and Drakes To placate both parties in a controversy To squander foolishly To vacillate and waste time	49. Beer and Skittles A free meal Quite easily accomplished Easygoing enjoyment
43. Waving the Bloody Shirt Stirring up or reviving sectional animosity Demanding ransom under threat To signal for peace	50. The Goose Hangs High Demands have increased Prices are extremely expensive Everything promises success

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