CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Last but not least”?
A. to act in a way that matches one's words or promises
B. to avoid helping someone by sending them from place to place or giving excuses
C. used to introduce the final item while stressing it is still important
D. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
Correct Answer: C
“Last but not least” means used to introduce the final item while stressing it is still important. Example: Last but not least, review your answers before submission. 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 know something from memory”?
A. Keep one's eyes peeled
B. At a crossroads
C. Catch-22
D. Know something by heart
Correct Answer: D
“Know something by heart” means to know something from memory. Example: Candidates should know key formulas by heart. 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 “Knock someone's socks off”?
A. to greatly impress or surprise someone
B. to begin performing confidently and effectively
C. a dangerously or extremely fast speed
D. more advanced or progressive than others
Correct Answer: A
“Knock someone's socks off” means to greatly impress or surprise someone. Example: Her presentation knocked the panel's socks off. 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 “Kill time”?
A. to cause damage, suffering, or exhaustion over time
B. to do something while waiting so that time passes
C. unable to see well or notice what is obvious
D. to focus closely on a particular target or issue
Correct Answer: B
“Kill time” means to do something while waiting so that time passes. Example: We played a game to kill time before the train arrived. 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 new policy was kept under wraps until the official launch.”, what is the meaning of “Keep under wraps”?
A. to delay criticism, action, or attack
B. to stop oneself from saying something
C. to keep something secret or hidden
D. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
Correct Answer: C
“Keep under wraps” means to keep something secret or hidden. Example: The new policy was kept under wraps until the official launch. 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 “Keep one's eyes peeled”?
A. to organize everything properly before acting
B. the whole of something; everything involved
C. to stop oneself from saying something
D. to watch very carefully for something
Correct Answer: D
“Keep one's eyes peeled” means to watch very carefully for something. Example: Keep your eyes peeled for the road sign. 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 act too soon before the proper time”?
A. Jump the gun
B. Grin and bear it
C. Wrap things up
D. Fall into place
Correct Answer: A
“Jump the gun” means to act too soon before the proper time. Example: Announcing the result before verification would be jumping the gun. 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 “Jump down someone's throat”?
A. to be grateful for the good things one has
B. to respond to someone with sudden anger or criticism
C. to treat something serious as if it were unimportant
D. a fair situation in which everyone has equal opportunity
Correct Answer: B
“Jump down someone's throat” means to respond to someone with sudden anger or criticism. Example: Do not jump down my throat before hearing the full story. 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 “In two shakes”?
A. extremely happy
B. permanently or seriously
C. very quickly
D. temporarily given low priority
Correct Answer: C
“In two shakes” means very quickly. Example: I will finish this form in two shakes. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Several new training programs are in the pipeline.”, what is the meaning of “In the pipeline”?
A. to give one's opinion, even if not requested
B. the final option when all others have failed
C. to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious
D. being planned or developed and likely to happen
Correct Answer: D
“In the pipeline” means being planned or developed and likely to happen. Example: Several new training programs are in the pipeline. 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 “In the loop”?
A. informed and included in communication or decisions
B. final success after being doubted or mocked
C. to face a difficult amount of work
D. a completely different situation with new conditions
Correct Answer: A
“In the loop” means informed and included in communication or decisions. Example: Please keep me in the loop about any schedule changes. 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 “while acting under strong emotion without enough thought”?
A. In line with
B. In the heat of the moment
C. Get one's goat
D. Make a splash
Correct Answer: B
“In the heat of the moment” means while acting under strong emotion without enough thought. Example: He said something rude in the heat of the moment. 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 “In the driver's seat”?
A. irrelevant to the main issue
B. the whole of something; everything involved
C. in control of a situation
D. still active, healthy, or successful
Correct Answer: C
“In the driver's seat” means in control of a situation. Example: Strong evidence put the prosecution in the driver's seat. 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 “without knowledge or information”?
A. Bad taste in one's mouth
B. Chew someone out
C. Have second thoughts
D. In the dark
Correct Answer: D
“In the dark” means without knowledge or information. Example: Employees were kept in the dark about the restructuring. 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 “In the bag”?
A. almost certain to be achieved or won
B. to continue having romantic feelings for someone
C. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
D. to remain determined and not give in
Correct Answer: A
“In the bag” means almost certain to be achieved or won. Example: With a huge lead, victory seemed to be in the bag. 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 “In plain English”?
A. temporarily given low priority
B. in simple and clear language
C. a particular area or neighborhood
D. to greatly impress or surprise someone
Correct Answer: B
“In plain English” means in simple and clear language. Example: Please explain the rule in plain English. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He realized he was in over his head after accepting three major projects.”, what is the meaning of “In over one's head”?
A. put into a difficult situation without preparation
B. a completely different situation with new conditions
C. involved in something too difficult to manage
D. to watch or pressure someone very closely
Correct Answer: C
“In over one's head” means involved in something too difficult to manage. Example: He realized he was in over his head after accepting three major projects. 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 “In one ear and out the other”?
A. to guide, protect, or mentor someone
B. a dangerously or extremely fast speed
C. to monitor or watch something closely
D. heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
Correct Answer: D
“In one ear and out the other” means heard but immediately forgotten or ignored. Example: My advice seems to go in one ear and out the other. 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 “at the appropriate time after a normal period”?
A. In due course
B. At a premium
C. Zero in on
D. Break the mould
Correct Answer: A
“In due course” means at the appropriate time after a normal period. Example: Successful candidates will be informed in due course. 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 “In broad daylight”?
A. crazy or behaving irrationally
B. openly during the daytime
C. rare and not often found
D. to take a short rest
Correct Answer: B
“In broad daylight” means openly during the daytime. Example: The robbery occurred in broad daylight. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.