CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Blind leading the blind”?
A. to reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings
B. to interpret or apply rules less strictly
C. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
D. to continue having romantic feelings for someone
Correct Answer: C
“Blind leading the blind” means an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person. Example: Neither understood the system; it was the blind leading the blind. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “No department should be given a blank cheque without oversight.”, what is the meaning of “Blank cheque”?
A. with understanding gained after an event has happened
B. to give one's opinion, even if not requested
C. to think creatively in an unconventional way
D. unlimited authority or freedom to spend or act
Correct Answer: D
“Blank cheque” means unlimited authority or freedom to spend or act. Example: No department should be given a blank cheque without oversight. 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 “Bite one's tongue”?
A. to stop oneself from saying something
B. to face a very difficult struggle
C. following a correct or promising course
D. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
Correct Answer: A
“Bite one's tongue” means to stop oneself from saying something. Example: She bit her tongue rather than argue with the examiner. 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 “the overall situation rather than small details”?
A. All hell breaks loose
B. Big picture
C. All over the map
D. Have a blast
Correct Answer: B
“Big picture” means the overall situation rather than small details. Example: Do not lose sight of the big picture while checking minor errors. 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 “Beside the point”?
A. a particular area or neighborhood
B. to begin performing confidently and effectively
C. irrelevant to the main issue
D. in simple and clear language
Correct Answer: C
“Beside the point” means irrelevant to the main issue. Example: Whether he was tired is beside the point; the deadline was clear. 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 interpret or apply rules less strictly”?
A. At a premium
B. Between a rock and a hard place
C. Face up to
D. Bend the rules
Correct Answer: D
“Bend the rules” means to interpret or apply rules less strictly. Example: Officials must not bend the rules for favored applicants. 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 “Bells and whistles”?
A. extra attractive features that are not essential
B. to give permission for something to proceed
C. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
D. final success after being doubted or mocked
Correct Answer: A
“Bells and whistles” means extra attractive features that are not essential. Example: The software has many bells and whistles but lacks stability. 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 “Beat someone to the punch”?
A. a situation in which contradictory rules make a solution impossible
B. to act before someone else can do the same thing
C. to talk to someone at length, often about a problem
D. to understand the mood and reactions of people present
Correct Answer: B
“Beat someone to the punch” means to act before someone else can do the same thing. Example: Our competitor beat us to the punch and launched first. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Months of preparation finally bore fruit.”, what is the meaning of “Bear fruit”?
A. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
B. to keep something secret or hidden
C. to produce successful or useful results
D. to pursue unrealistic or impossible goals
Correct Answer: C
“Bear fruit” means to produce successful or useful results. Example: Months of preparation finally bore fruit. 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 “Be my guest”?
A. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
B. not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed
C. a person who behaves extremely well and seeks approval
D. used to give someone permission to do something
Correct Answer: D
“Be my guest” means used to give someone permission to do something. Example: If you want to use my notes, be my guest. 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 reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings”?
A. Bare one's soul
B. Bring someone to their knees
C. Go down fighting
D. In two shakes
Correct Answer: A
“Bare one's soul” means to reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings. Example: He bared his soul to his closest friend. 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 “Bang for one's buck”?
A. the final option when all others have failed
B. good value or benefit for the money spent
C. to interpret or apply rules less strictly
D. a different activity or speed that provides variety
Correct Answer: B
“Bang for one's buck” means good value or benefit for the money spent. Example: This course gives students excellent bang for their buck. 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 “Ballpark figure”?
A. to examine detailed conditions carefully
B. someone finally understands something
C. a rough numerical estimate
D. ordinary and not special
Correct Answer: C
“Ballpark figure” means a rough numerical estimate. Example: Can you give me a ballpark figure for the total cost? 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 unfair decision left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.”, what is the meaning of “Bad taste in one's mouth”?
A. to strongly annoy or emotionally affect someone
B. in very good health and physical condition
C. involved in something too difficult to manage
D. an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience
Correct Answer: D
“Bad taste in one's mouth” means an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience. Example: The unfair decision left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. 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 “Back of beyond”?
A. a very remote or isolated place
B. to monitor or watch something closely
C. to greatly impress or surprise someone
D. not permitted or beyond an allowed area
Correct Answer: A
“Back of beyond” means a very remote or isolated place. Example: They were posted to a village in the back of beyond. 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 “directly from personal experience or the original source”?
A. Cut one's teeth on
B. At first hand
C. Face up to
D. As good as gold
Correct Answer: B
“At first hand” means directly from personal experience or the original source. Example: She learned at first hand how difficult the job can be. 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 “At a crossroads”?
A. to act before someone else can do the same thing
B. to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result
C. at a point where an important decision must be made
D. small details can cause serious problems in an otherwise good plan
Correct Answer: C
“At a crossroads” means at a point where an important decision must be made. Example: The organization is at a crossroads and must choose a new strategy. 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 old”?
A. Have a blast
B. Walk the talk
C. Get a second wind
D. As old as the hills
Correct Answer: D
“As old as the hills” means extremely old. Example: That story is as old as the hills. 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 “As good as gold”?
A. very well behaved or completely reliable
B. to pursue unrealistic or impossible goals
C. to criticize or scold someone severely
D. a very unhappy or difficult life
Correct Answer: A
“As good as gold” means very well behaved or completely reliable. Example: The children were as good as gold during the ceremony. 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 “As fit as a fiddle”?
A. extremely irritated or close to losing patience
B. in very good health and physical condition
C. to hide or ignore an embarrassing problem
D. to remain determined and not give in
Correct Answer: B
“As fit as a fiddle” means in very good health and physical condition. Example: Despite his age, he is as fit as a fiddle. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.