CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I heard on the grapevine that transfers are expected.”, what is the meaning of “Hear it on the grapevine”?
A. being apart can increase affection
B. to survive with very little food
C. slightly ill or not feeling well
D. to learn something through informal rumors
Correct Answer: D
“Hear it on the grapevine” means to learn something through informal rumors. Example: I heard on the grapevine that transfers are expected. 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 “Have a bee in one's bonnet”?
A. to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance
B. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
C. to be strongly and repeatedly preoccupied with an idea
D. to flatter or support people who are gaining power
Correct Answer: C
“Have a bee in one's bonnet” means to be strongly and repeatedly preoccupied with an idea. Example: He has a bee in his bonnet about reorganizing the department. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to be wasted or lost completely”?
A. Hold the fort
B. Go down the drain
C. Keep one's ear to the ground
D. Burn the midnight candle
Correct Answer: B
“Go down the drain” means to be wasted or lost completely. Example: Months of preparation went down the drain after the file was corrupted. 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 “Get blood from a stone”?
A. to obtain something from someone when it is extremely difficult
B. with very little chance of success and relying mainly on hope
C. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
D. to go out and celebrate in a lively way
Correct Answer: A
“Get blood from a stone” means to obtain something from someone when it is extremely difficult. Example: Getting information from the silent witness was like getting blood from a stone. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “every part of a place, including hidden areas”?
A. Let the grass grow under one's feet
B. Set one's cap at
C. Rub shoulders with
D. Every nook and cranny
Correct Answer: D
“Every nook and cranny” means every part of a place, including hidden areas. Example: The inspectors searched every nook and cranny. 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 “Don't count your chickens before they hatch”?
A. improper, unreasonable, or not in accordance with rules
B. considered too low or unworthy for one's status
C. do not assume success before it actually happens
D. the crucial moment when an important action begins
Correct Answer: C
“Don't count your chickens before they hatch” means do not assume success before it actually happens. Example: Wait for the official result; do not count your chickens before they hatch. 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 “Cut one's losses”?
A. to flatter or support people who are gaining power
B. to stop an unsuccessful activity before losing even more
C. to leave someone responsible for a problem or blame
D. to make the reality of something clear and forceful
Correct Answer: B
“Cut one's losses” means to stop an unsuccessful activity before losing even more. Example: The company closed the project to cut its losses. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “With little evidence left, the defense was clutching at straws.”, what is the meaning of “Clutch at straws”?
A. to try any unlikely method when desperate
B. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
C. to think carefully about something before deciding
D. the final event that causes failure or destruction
Correct Answer: A
“Clutch at straws” means to try any unlikely method when desperate. Example: With little evidence left, the defense was clutching at straws. 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 “Burn the midnight candle”?
A. the final event that causes failure or destruction
B. to give someone little attention, sympathy, or consideration
C. to have all the advantages in a situation
D. to work or study late into the night
Correct Answer: D
“Burn the midnight candle” means to work or study late into the night. Example: Students burned the midnight candle before the examination. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “family relationships are often stronger than other relationships”?
A. Back to basics
B. Give a dog a bad name
C. Blood is thicker than water
D. Put one's hand to the plough
Correct Answer: C
“Blood is thicker than water” means family relationships are often stronger than other relationships. Example: In the dispute he sided with his brother because blood is thicker than water. 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 “Bite the hand that feeds you”?
A. everyone gets a chance for success at some time
B. to harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you
C. to change one's opinion or manner, especially under pressure
D. to be strongly and repeatedly preoccupied with an idea
Correct Answer: B
“Bite the hand that feeds you” means to harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you. Example: Do not bite the hand that feeds you by insulting your supporters. 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 “All that glitters is not gold”?
A. appearances can be deceptive
B. to spend or contribute money
C. to deceive or trick someone
D. to admit the truth about something
Correct Answer: A
“All that glitters is not gold” means appearances can be deceptive. Example: The offer looked attractive, but all that glitters is not gold. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After months away, they found that absence makes the heart grow fonder.”, what is the meaning of “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”?
A. exactly at the stated time
B. to admit the truth about something
C. very ill and close to death
D. being apart can increase affection
Correct Answer: D
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder” means being apart can increase affection. Example: After months away, they found that absence makes the heart grow fonder. 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 “A rolling stone gathers no moss”?
A. to make an exceptional effort to help or please someone
B. a clumsy person who causes damage or trouble in a delicate situation
C. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
D. to hide one's real difficulties and maintain an outward image
Correct Answer: C
“A rolling stone gathers no moss” means a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth. Example: He changes jobs every few months; a rolling stone gathers no moss. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a near success is still a failure”?
A. Keep up appearances
B. A miss is as good as a mile
C. Not see the wood for the trees
D. Zero hour
Correct Answer: B
“A miss is as good as a mile” means a near success is still a failure. Example: Missing the qualifying mark by one point still means failure; a miss is as good as a mile. 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 “A friend in need is a friend indeed”?
A. a true friend proves loyalty during difficulty
B. to begin a task energetically and effectively
C. to make a careful and serious effort
D. people who act early gain an advantage
Correct Answer: A
“A friend in need is a friend indeed” means a true friend proves loyalty during difficulty. Example: He helped me during the crisis; a friend in need is a friend indeed. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a group is limited by its weakest member or part”?
A. Raise eyebrows
B. Play it by ear
C. Hit a brick wall
D. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
Correct Answer: D
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link” means a group is limited by its weakest member or part. Example: Teamwork matters because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. 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 “A bad workman blames his tools”?
A. everyone gets a chance for success at some time
B. to prevent something unpleasant from coming closer or becoming worse
C. an incompetent person often blames equipment or circumstances for failure
D. immediately and without consideration; also uncontrolled depending on context
Correct Answer: C
“A bad workman blames his tools” means an incompetent person often blames equipment or circumstances for failure. Example: Do not blame the software; a bad workman blames his tools. 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 “Wear the trousers”?
A. to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent
B. to be the dominant decision-maker in a relationship
C. under strong pressure to act quickly or perform
D. to reduce the intensity or unpleasantness of something
Correct Answer: B
“Wear the trousers” means to be the dominant decision-maker in a relationship. Example: Everyone knew who wore the trousers in that partnership. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The negotiator had to walk a tightrope between both sides.”, what is the meaning of “Walk a tightrope”?
A. to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance
B. to accept an insult or bad treatment without resistance
C. to stop or destroy a plan, hope, or activity
D. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
Correct Answer: A
“Walk a tightrope” means to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance. Example: The negotiator had to walk a tightrope between both sides. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.