CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Hot under the collar”?
A. very quickly
B. permanently or seriously
C. angry or embarrassed
D. young and inexperienced
Correct Answer: C
“Hot under the collar” means angry or embarrassed. Example: He became hot under the collar when questioned about the error. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “It is unhealthy to hold a grudge for years.”, what is the meaning of “Hold a grudge”?
A. to become deeply involved in an interesting task
B. to admire or respect someone for an achievement
C. every possible method, including clever or questionable ones
D. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
Correct Answer: D
“Hold a grudge” means to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone. Example: It is unhealthy to hold a grudge for years. 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 “Hit a rough patch”?
A. to experience a difficult period
B. fixed and not open to change
C. to fail financially or cease operating
D. to work extremely hard
Correct Answer: A
“Hit a rough patch” means to experience a difficult period. Example: The business hit a rough patch but later recovered. 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 have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood”?
A. Up for grabs
B. Hit home
C. Put someone on the spot
D. Put one's foot down
Correct Answer: B
“Hit home” means to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood. Example: The warning hit home when he saw the accident statistics. 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 “Hear a pin drop”?
A. to set a higher standard
B. permanently or seriously
C. to experience complete silence
D. exactly correct or precise
Correct Answer: C
“Hear a pin drop” means to experience complete silence. Example: You could hear a pin drop when the result was announced. 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 begin doubting a decision already made”?
A. For keeps
B. Fair shake
C. As blind as a bat
D. Have second thoughts
Correct Answer: D
“Have second thoughts” means to begin doubting a decision already made. Example: She had second thoughts about accepting the transfer. 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 “Grin and bear it”?
A. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
B. from the very beginning without using previous work
C. to state rules firmly and demand obedience
D. to think creatively in an unconventional way
Correct Answer: A
“Grin and bear it” means to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining. Example: The wait was long, but we had to grin and bear it. 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 “Grass is always greener on the other side”?
A. to take revenge or balance a previous wrong
B. other situations often seem better than one's own
C. an outrageously high price or obvious unfairness
D. to relax or avoid excessive effort or worry
Correct Answer: B
“Grass is always greener on the other side” means other situations often seem better than one's own. Example: Before changing careers, remember that the grass is always greener on the other side. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His classmates teased him for being a goody two-shoes.”, what is the meaning of “Goody two-shoes”?
A. an additional skill or resource that may be useful
B. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
C. a person who behaves extremely well and seeks approval
D. said to express hope that good luck will continue
Correct Answer: C
“Goody two-shoes” means a person who behaves extremely well and seeks approval. Example: His classmates teased him for being a goody two-shoes. 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 “Go with the flow”?
A. a controversial issue that is difficult to handle
B. used to emphasize that something is certainly true
C. to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice
D. to accept a situation and adapt without resistance
Correct Answer: D
“Go with the flow” means to accept a situation and adapt without resistance. Example: When plans changed, she decided to go with the flow. 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 compete strongly and make success difficult for an opponent”?
A. Give someone a run for their money
B. Work wonders
C. The penny drops
D. Second to none
Correct Answer: A
“Give someone a run for their money” means to compete strongly and make success difficult for an opponent. Example: The newcomer gave the champion a run for his money. 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 “Give the green light”?
A. to continue having romantic feelings for someone
B. to give permission for something to proceed
C. difficult to obtain and therefore especially valuable
D. recovering after disappointment or failure, often emotionally
Correct Answer: B
“Give the green light” means to give permission for something to proceed. Example: The authority gave the green light to the project. 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 “Get a second wind”?
A. fully informed, organized, and in control
B. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
C. to regain energy after becoming tired
D. something difficult to request or achieve
Correct Answer: C
“Get a second wind” means to regain energy after becoming tired. Example: After a short break, the team got a second wind. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His constant interruptions really get my goat.”, what is the meaning of “Get one's goat”?
A. to stop oneself from saying something
B. to say openly what one really thinks
C. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
D. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
Correct Answer: D
“Get one's goat” means to annoy or irritate someone greatly. Example: His constant interruptions really get my goat. 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 “Get even”?
A. to take revenge or balance a previous wrong
B. a quiet period before serious activity or trouble
C. to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks
D. final success after being doubted or mocked
Correct Answer: A
“Get even” means to take revenge or balance a previous wrong. Example: He was more interested in getting even than solving the dispute. 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 begin serious work or discussion”?
A. Talk shop
B. Get down to business
C. Daylight robbery
D. Get one's ducks in a row
Correct Answer: B
“Get down to business” means to begin serious work or discussion. Example: After introductions, the committee got down to business. 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 “Get a word in edgeways”?
A. to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do
B. to compete strongly and make success difficult for an opponent
C. to manage to speak when someone else is talking continuously
D. to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result
Correct Answer: C
“Get a word in edgeways” means to manage to speak when someone else is talking continuously. Example: He talked so much that I could not get a word in edgeways. 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 control one's emotions or understand a situation properly”?
A. Whole new ball game
B. Last but not least
C. Run-of-the-mill
D. Get a grip
Correct Answer: D
“Get a grip” means to control one's emotions or understand a situation properly. Example: You need to get a grip and focus on the next question. 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 “From rags to riches”?
A. from poverty to wealth or success
B. the whole of something; everything involved
C. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
D. to have a very enjoyable time
Correct Answer: A
“From rags to riches” means from poverty to wealth or success. Example: His story is a classic journey from rags to riches. 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 “For crying out loud”?
A. an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience
B. an expression of annoyance, surprise, or impatience
C. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
D. to watch or pressure someone very closely
Correct Answer: B
“For crying out loud” means an expression of annoyance, surprise, or impatience. Example: For crying out loud, read the instructions before submitting the form. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.