CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She has been as busy as a bee preparing for the examination.”, what is the meaning of “As busy as a bee”?
A. temporarily given low priority
B. in a difficult situation
C. very busy and active
D. sad or discouraged
Correct Answer: C
“As busy as a bee” means very busy and active. Example: She has been as busy as a bee preparing for the examination. 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 blind as a bat”?
A. beyond one's authority, responsibility, or level of expertise
B. to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system
C. an experience that reveals surprising facts or changes understanding
D. unable to see well or notice what is obvious
Correct Answer: D
“As blind as a bat” means unable to see well or notice what is obvious. Example: Without his glasses he is as blind as a bat. 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 “an additional skill or resource that may be useful”?
A. Another string to one's bow
B. Cut someone down to size
C. Breakneck speed
D. Crack the whip
Correct Answer: A
“Another string to one's bow” means an additional skill or resource that may be useful. Example: Learning data analysis gives her another string to her bow. 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 “All over the map”?
A. final success after being doubted or mocked
B. disorganized, inconsistent, or covering many unrelated topics
C. to think creatively in an unconventional way
D. to continue smoothly without hesitation or interruption
Correct Answer: B
“All over the map” means disorganized, inconsistent, or covering many unrelated topics. Example: His answer was all over the map and lacked a clear argument. 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 “All hell breaks loose”?
A. within the period remembered by people still alive
B. despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success
C. a situation suddenly becomes extremely chaotic or violent
D. a person who looks almost exactly like another
Correct Answer: C
“All hell breaks loose” means a situation suddenly becomes extremely chaotic or violent. Example: All hell broke loose after the final decision was announced. 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 supervisor seems frightening, but he is all bark and no bite.”, what is the meaning of “All bark and no bite”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
C. to punish someone as severely as the rules allow
D. someone who sounds threatening but is unlikely to act
Correct Answer: D
“All bark and no bite” means someone who sounds threatening but is unlikely to act. Example: The supervisor seems frightening, but he is all bark and no bite. 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 “Alive and kicking”?
A. still active, healthy, or successful
B. to reach a decision
C. improve one's performance or leave
D. old-fashioned and not up to date
Correct Answer: A
“Alive and kicking” means still active, healthy, or successful. Example: The old business is still alive and kicking. 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 “despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success”?
A. Beside the point
B. Against all odds
C. Jump down someone's throat
D. Hot potato
Correct Answer: B
“Against all odds” means despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success. Example: Against all odds, the small team won the championship. 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 small office produced excellent work; you cannot judge a book by its cover.”, what is the meaning of “You can't judge a book by its cover”?
A. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
B. to do something as fully or completely as possible
C. to make a bold or important decision after hesitation
D. appearance does not reliably show true quality or character
Correct Answer: D
“You can't judge a book by its cover” means appearance does not reliably show true quality or character. Example: The small office produced excellent work; you cannot judge a book by its cover. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Too many cooks spoil the broth”?
A. to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something
B. to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way
C. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
D. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
Correct Answer: C
“Too many cooks spoil the broth” means too many people controlling a task can ruin it. Example: The project had five supervisors; too many cooks spoil the broth. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “the final event that causes failure or destruction”?
A. Put paid to
B. The last nail in the coffin
C. Put the lid on
D. A bull in a china shop
Correct Answer: B
“The last nail in the coffin” means the final event that causes failure or destruction. Example: Losing the main client was the last nail in the coffin for the firm. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “The early bird catches the worm”?
A. people who act early gain an advantage
B. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
C. to become the main focus of attention
D. to misunderstand someone because of confused communication
Correct Answer: A
“The early bird catches the worm” means people who act early gain an advantage. Example: Apply early because the early bird catches the worm. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to accept an insult or bad treatment without resistance”?
A. Touch bottom
B. Be on edge
C. Water under the bridge
D. Take something lying down
Correct Answer: D
“Take something lying down” means to accept an insult or bad treatment without resistance. Example: She refused to take the unfair accusation lying down. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Put words in someone's mouth”?
A. an important person in a limited or unimportant setting
B. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
C. to claim that someone said something they did not say
D. to take a risk by supporting an unpopular idea or person
Correct Answer: C
“Put words in someone's mouth” means to claim that someone said something they did not say. Example: Do not put words in my mouth; I never opposed the plan. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On top of the world”?
A. likely or expected to happen
B. extremely happy
C. to greatly surprise or impress someone
D. the principle of equal retaliation
Correct Answer: B
“On top of the world” means extremely happy. Example: She felt on top of the world after topping the exam. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He focused on minor errors and could not see the wood for the trees.”, what is the meaning of “Not see the wood for the trees”?
A. to miss the overall situation because of too much attention to details
B. a person with good qualities that are not yet polished or obvious
C. to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something
D. to be the person who controls a group or situation
Correct Answer: A
“Not see the wood for the trees” means to miss the overall situation because of too much attention to details. Example: He focused on minor errors and could not see the wood for the trees. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Make one's mouth water”?
A. full of talk but lacking action or courage
B. under strong pressure to act quickly or perform
C. the least undesirable option in an unfavorable situation
D. to make something seem very attractive, especially food
Correct Answer: D
“Make one's mouth water” means to make something seem very attractive, especially food. Example: The smell of fresh bread made my mouth water. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to criticize or question something received as a gift”?
A. Have a lot on one's plate
B. Come a cropper
C. Look a gift horse in the mouth
D. Come to terms with
Correct Answer: C
“Look a gift horse in the mouth” means to criticize or question something received as a gift. Example: Accept the free training and do not look a gift horse in the mouth. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Let one's hair down”?
A. to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent
B. to relax and behave freely after restraint
C. in a straight line between two places
D. to become the main focus of attention
Correct Answer: B
“Let one's hair down” means to relax and behave freely after restraint. Example: After the exams, the students finally let their hair down. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Keep one's head above water”?
A. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
B. to take advantage of a confused or difficult situation
C. to stop or destroy a plan, hope, or activity
D. to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent
Correct Answer: A
“Keep one's head above water” means to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties. Example: Small shops are struggling to keep their heads above water. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.