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Idiomatic Keys Trivia Quiz

Keys have managed to find their way into different types of idioms and phrases. How many of these do you know? Take this quiz and unlock the answers.

A multiple-choice quiz by zorba_scank. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
zorba_scank

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
368,603

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
1548

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. If you were keyed up about taking this quiz, which of these would you *not* be? Hint

Bored

Anxious

Excited

Restless

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following terms is used to describe a restrained or subdued event? Hint

Under key

Beneath key

Below key

Low key

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Question 3 of 10

3. To key in on something means to focus attention on it.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. The keys of which musical instrument would you be pressing if you were 'tickling the ivories'?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 5 of 10

5. While talking about money being able to accomplish anything, what kind of key is said to open all doors? Hint

Silver

Shiny

Ancient

Golden

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following describes the meaning of the term 'to hold the key'? Hint

To have control over something

Both of these

To provide an explanation for something

Neither of these

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the engineering or construction business, how would a 'turnkey project' be best described? Hint

Only the blueprint prepared

Only the skeleton frame completed

Fully equipped, completed project

All the equipment provided but the assembling left to be done

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Question 8 of 10

8. On a musical talent show, would a contestant be happy if the judges said she was off-key?

Yes

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Question 9 of 10

9. If something is kept in a safe and secure place it is said to be under what? Hint

Passkey

Lock and key

Malarkey

Keyboard

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following religious heads is believed to be vested with the 'power of keys'? Hint

The Archbishop of Canterbury

The Pope

The Dalai Lama

The Aga Khan

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. If you were keyed up about taking this quiz, which of these would you *not* be?

Answer: Bored

While the exact origin of this term is not clearly known, it may have come from the tuning of a musical instrument which increases the tension of the strings. Another theory is that the phrase is related to old toys which had to be wound up with a key to work.

2. Which of the following terms is used to describe a restrained or subdued event?

Answer: Low key

Any event or situation intentionally designed to not attract much attention is called low key. The term is also used in photography to describe pictures largely composed of dark hues.

3. To key in on something means to focus attention on it.

Answer: True

Singling out someone or something for specific attention could be termed as keying in on it. For instance, in a cricket match, the fielding side could key in on the weakness of a particular batsman and play on it to get him out.

4. The keys of which musical instrument would you be pressing if you were 'tickling the ivories'?

Answer: Piano

The white keys of the piano were originally made of ivory which may have led to this expression.

5. While talking about money being able to accomplish anything, what kind of key is said to open all doors?

Answer: Golden

The earliest written usage of this phrase is the John Lyly play "Euphues and his England" which contains the line - "Who is so ignorant that knoweth not, gold be a key for euery locke, chieflye with his Ladye."

6. Which of the following describes the meaning of the term 'to hold the key'?

Answer: Both of these

The term can be used in both ways. For instance, the Rosetta Stone held the key to deciphering the hieroglyphic text of the Egyptians. On the other hand, the Biblical verse - "I hold the keys of death and Hades" from Revelations 1:18 (New International Version) denotes control over death.

7. In the engineering or construction business, how would a 'turnkey project' be best described?

Answer: Fully equipped, completed project

Turnkey projects are those where the contractor is responsible for the entire project from start to finish with no work pending to be done by the buyer. These projects are typically of the 'off-the-shelf' variety with no customization done for different buyers.

Earlier the term turnkey was also used to describe a prison warden who held the keys to all the cells.

8. On a musical talent show, would a contestant be happy if the judges said she was off-key?

Answer: No

Off-key is used to denote that the person is out of tune. It may also be used to describe something that is not appropriate.

9. If something is kept in a safe and secure place it is said to be under what?

Answer: Lock and key

To be kept under lock and key means to be kept safely in a place which cannot be easily broken into.

Malarkey is used to describe nonsensical talk while passkey is a type of master key that can open all doors in a hotel or similar establishment.

10. Which of the following religious heads is believed to be vested with the 'power of keys'?

Answer: The Pope

In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus is quoted as anointing Peter to lead the church after him. Peter is thus always denoted as holding keys symbolizing his authority to allow or prohibit people from entering the church. This ecclesiastical power is believed to be passed on through the papacy.

Source: Author zorba_scank

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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