CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Turn one's back on”?
A. to become confident and comfortable in a new situation
B. to delay a decision until one has had time to think
C. everyone gets a chance for success at some time
D. to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something
Correct Answer: D
“Turn one's back on” means to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something. Example: A true friend does not turn his back on you in trouble. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to provide help to someone in serious difficulty”?
A. Hold one's breath
B. Have bigger fish to fry
C. Throw someone a lifeline
D. Cross the Rubicon
Correct Answer: C
“Throw someone a lifeline” means to provide help to someone in serious difficulty. Example: The emergency loan threw the company a lifeline. 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 best of a bad bargain”?
A. to reveal a secret or true intention unintentionally
B. the least undesirable option in an unfavorable situation
C. to sell very quickly and in large quantities
D. a normal part of one's job or routine
Correct Answer: B
“The best of a bad bargain” means the least undesirable option in an unfavorable situation. Example: He accepted the transfer as the best of a bad bargain. 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 “Take one's breath away”?
A. to amaze someone greatly
B. natural skill in growing plants
C. money earned very easily
D. to reveal one's plans or intentions
Correct Answer: A
“Take one's breath away” means to amaze someone greatly. Example: The mountain scenery took our breath away. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Without the data, any estimate would be a shot in the dark.”, what is the meaning of “Take a shot in the dark”?
A. a near success is still a failure
B. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
C. to fail badly or suffer an unexpected fall
D. to make a guess without enough information
Correct Answer: D
“Take a shot in the dark” means to make a guess without enough information. Example: Without the data, any estimate would be a shot in the dark. 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 “See the back of”?
A. to obtain something from someone when it is extremely difficult
B. to become confident and comfortable in a new situation
C. to be pleased that someone or something unwanted has gone
D. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
Correct Answer: C
“See the back of” means to be pleased that someone or something unwanted has gone. Example: Residents were glad to see the back of the prolonged construction work. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to operate smoothly and exactly as planned”?
A. Bring home the truth
B. Run like clockwork
C. Keep one's head above water
D. Wear the trousers
Correct Answer: B
“Run like clockwork” means to operate smoothly and exactly as planned. Example: The examination arrangements ran like clockwork. 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 the lid on”?
A. to stop or suppress something
B. to waste time by delaying action
C. to try any unlikely method when desperate
D. to work extremely hard
Correct Answer: A
“Put the lid on” means to stop or suppress something. Example: The new order put the lid on unauthorized spending. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to deceive or trick someone”?
A. Beat the air
B. You can't judge a book by its cover
C. A rolling stone gathers no moss
D. Pull a fast one
Correct Answer: D
“Pull a fast one” means to deceive or trick someone. Example: The seller tried to pull a fast one on the customer. 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 “Out of hand”?
A. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
B. to buy or accept something without examining it properly
C. immediately and without consideration; also uncontrolled depending on context
D. full of talk but lacking action or courage
Correct Answer: C
“Out of hand” means immediately and without consideration; also uncontrolled depending on context. Example: The committee rejected the proposal out of hand. 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 one's toes”?
A. without special conditions or obligations
B. alert and ready to act
C. to be extremely happy
D. to make sense or appear reasonable
Correct Answer: B
“On one's toes” means alert and ready to act. Example: Unexpected questions kept the candidates on their toes. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The damaged aircraft landed on a wing and a prayer.”, what is the meaning of “On a wing and a prayer”?
A. with very little chance of success and relying mainly on hope
B. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
C. a person who gives unwanted advice to someone doing a task
D. something certain is better than something more valuable but uncertain
Correct Answer: A
“On a wing and a prayer” means with very little chance of success and relying mainly on hope. Example: The damaged aircraft landed on a wing and a prayer. 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 “Off colour”?
A. to make useless or ineffective efforts
B. to cause great fear or horror
C. to cause surprise, shock, or disapproval
D. slightly ill or not feeling well
Correct Answer: D
“Off colour” means slightly ill or not feeling well. Example: He looks a little off colour today. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to cause great fear or horror”?
A. Catch someone's eye
B. Keep one's powder dry
C. Make one's blood run cold
D. Get one's act together
Correct Answer: C
“Make one's blood run cold” means to cause great fear or horror. Example: The scream in the dark made his blood run cold. 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 a name for oneself”?
A. to greatly surprise or impress someone
B. to become well known or respected
C. to be defeated, fail, or die
D. to defend or support someone strongly
Correct Answer: B
“Make a name for oneself” means to become well known or respected. Example: She made a name for herself in public administration. 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 “Leave someone holding the bag”?
A. to leave someone responsible for a problem or blame
B. a day when many things seem to go wrong
C. to solve a very difficult problem by decisive action
D. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
Correct Answer: A
“Leave someone holding the bag” means to leave someone responsible for a problem or blame. Example: The partners disappeared and left him holding the bag. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Keep your shirt on; the results will be posted soon.”, what is the meaning of “Keep one's shirt on”?
A. used to introduce something confidential
B. to drive away very fast
C. without special conditions or obligations
D. to remain calm and patient
Correct Answer: D
“Keep one's shirt on” means to remain calm and patient. Example: Keep your shirt on; the results will be posted soon. 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 ear to the ground”?
A. to make something seem very attractive, especially food
B. the apparent or stated value without deeper examination
C. to stay alert for new information or changes
D. to seek approval by flattering or pleasing someone
Correct Answer: C
“Keep one's ear to the ground” means to stay alert for new information or changes. Example: Good journalists keep their ears to the ground. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent”?
A. Know the score
B. Hold the fort
C. Lend an ear
D. Throw someone a lifeline
Correct Answer: B
“Hold the fort” means to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent. Example: Please hold the fort while I attend the meeting. 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 “Hit the ground running”?
A. to begin a task energetically and effectively
B. to reach the lowest or worst point
C. in serious difficulty and likely to fail
D. to accept a difficult or unpleasant reality
Correct Answer: A
“Hit the ground running” means to begin a task energetically and effectively. Example: The new officer hit the ground running on his first day. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.