CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Without funding, the proposal is just pie in the sky.”, what is the meaning of “Pie in the sky”?
A. very well behaved or completely reliable
B. to fail financially or cease operating
C. an unrealistic promise, hope, or plan
D. to begin performing confidently and effectively
Correct Answer: C
“Pie in the sky” means an unrealistic promise, hope, or plan. Example: Without funding, the proposal is just pie in the sky. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Pick someone's brain”?
A. the final option when all others have failed
B. to cause damage, suffering, or exhaustion over time
C. to speak or act quickly without careful thought
D. to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice
Correct Answer: D
“Pick someone's brain” means to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice. Example: I would like to pick your brain about the interview process. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort”?
A. Pay dirt
B. Blank cheque
C. Lose track
D. Wet behind the ears
Correct Answer: A
“Pay dirt” means to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort. Example: After months of research, the investigators finally hit pay dirt. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Over the moon”?
A. to finish or complete something
B. extremely happy
C. to fall deeply in love
D. still active, healthy, or successful
Correct Answer: B
“Over the moon” means extremely happy. Example: She was over the moon after passing the exam. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Out of practice”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
C. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
D. a situation in which contradictory rules make a solution impossible
Correct Answer: C
“Out of practice” means less skilled because of not doing something for some time. Example: I am out of practice at mental arithmetic. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The advanced course was initially out of his league.”, what is the meaning of “Out of one's league”?
A. very hard physical or emotional effort
B. to have a very enjoyable time
C. to begin serious work or discussion
D. beyond one's ability, status, or level
Correct Answer: D
“Out of one's league” means beyond one's ability, status, or level. Example: The advanced course was initially out of his league. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On top of things”?
A. fully informed, organized, and in control
B. a fair opportunity or fair treatment
C. very well behaved or completely reliable
D. to guide, protect, or mentor someone
Correct Answer: A
“On top of things” means fully informed, organized, and in control. Example: A good manager stays on top of things. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “following a correct or promising course”?
A. In line with
B. On the right track
C. Leave the door open
D. Kill time
Correct Answer: B
“On the right track” means following a correct or promising course. Example: Your revised study plan is on the right track. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On the nose”?
A. irrelevant to the main issue
B. angry or embarrassed
C. exactly correct or precise
D. to be patient with someone
Correct Answer: C
“On the nose” means exactly correct or precise. Example: His estimate was right on the nose. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “extremely irritated or close to losing patience”?
A. In the works
B. Fight fire with fire
C. Pull no punches
D. On one's last nerve
Correct Answer: D
“On one's last nerve” means extremely irritated or close to losing patience. Example: The constant noise was getting on her last nerve. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Off one's head”?
A. crazy or behaving irrationally
B. someone finally understands something
C. permanently or seriously
D. rare and not often found
Correct Answer: A
“Off one's head” means crazy or behaving irrationally. Example: You must be off your head to take such a dangerous risk. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Off one's chest”?
A. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
B. said or revealed in order to feel relief from worry or guilt
C. a situation with either too much or too little and nothing in between
D. to act without a plan, relying on instinct and experience
Correct Answer: B
“Off one's chest” means said or revealed in order to feel relief from worry or guilt. Example: He felt better after getting the secret off his chest. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She finally made up her mind to apply.”, what is the meaning of “Make up one's mind”?
A. smiling very broadly
B. to make progress
C. to reach a decision
D. honestly and with sincere intentions
Correct Answer: C
“Make up one's mind” means to reach a decision. Example: She finally made up her mind to apply. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Make no mistake”?
A. to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks
B. while acting under strong emotion without enough thought
C. to admire or respect someone for an achievement
D. used to emphasize that something is certainly true
Correct Answer: D
“Make no mistake” means used to emphasize that something is certainly true. Example: Make no mistake, the competition will be tough. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to treat something serious as if it were unimportant”?
A. Make light of
B. Zero in on
C. Slip through one's fingers
D. Put someone on the spot
Correct Answer: A
“Make light of” means to treat something serious as if it were unimportant. Example: Do not make light of safety violations. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Make headway”?
A. someone finally understands something
B. to make progress
C. young and inexperienced
D. something worth thinking about carefully
Correct Answer: B
“Make headway” means to make progress. Example: The committee finally made headway on the disputed issue. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Lose face”?
A. to ruin someone's plans, chances, or position
B. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
C. to suffer humiliation or loss of respect
D. to destroy someone's happy but unrealistic belief
Correct Answer: C
“Lose face” means to suffer humiliation or loss of respect. Example: The compromise helped the official avoid losing face. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Both are excellent craftsmen—like father, like son.”, what is the meaning of “Like father, like son”?
A. to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility
B. at a point where an important decision must be made
C. not comparable because one is much better or worse
D. a son often resembles his father in behavior or character
Correct Answer: D
“Like father, like son” means a son often resembles his father in behavior or character. Example: Both are excellent craftsmen—like father, like son. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Level playing field”?
A. a fair situation in which everyone has equal opportunity
B. to treat something serious as if it were unimportant
C. to allow the possibility of future action or agreement
D. to end in a very exciting or impressive way
Correct Answer: A
“Level playing field” means a fair situation in which everyone has equal opportunity. Example: Transparent rules create a level playing field for all candidates. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a person or thing widely mocked or ridiculed”?
A. Clear the air
B. Laughing stock
C. Corner the market
D. Fall into place
Correct Answer: B
“Laughing stock” means a person or thing widely mocked or ridiculed. Example: The failed scheme made the department a laughing stock. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.