CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reach a point where progress becomes impossible”?
A. Pull the plug
B. Throw a spanner in the works
C. Take a shot in the dark
D. Hit a brick wall
Correct Answer: D
“Hit a brick wall” means to reach a point where progress becomes impossible. Example: The investigation hit a brick wall. 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 lot on one's plate”?
A. to organize oneself and start behaving effectively
B. to reduce spending because money is scarce
C. to have many responsibilities or tasks
D. to wait anxiously for something to happen
Correct Answer: C
“Have a lot on one's plate” means to have many responsibilities or tasks. Example: She has a lot on her plate this week. 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 “Go the whole hog”?
A. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
B. to do something as fully or completely as possible
C. to pursue an independent course without support from others
D. the apparent or stated value without deeper examination
Correct Answer: B
“Go the whole hog” means to do something as fully or completely as possible. Example: If we renovate the office, we may as well go the whole hog. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “A responsible leader should not go back on his word.”, what is the meaning of “Go back on one's word”?
A. to break a promise
B. more importantly than anything else
C. to experience financial difficulty
D. exactly at the stated time
Correct Answer: A
“Go back on one's word” means to break a promise. Example: A responsible leader should not go back on his word. 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 “Give it one's best shot”?
A. to be defeated, fail, or die
B. to be wasted or lost completely
C. to be nervous, tense, or irritable
D. to make one's strongest possible effort
Correct Answer: D
“Give it one's best shot” means to make one's strongest possible effort. Example: Even if the paper is difficult, give it your best shot. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to misunderstand someone because of confused communication”?
A. Put a bold face on
B. Open-and-shut case
C. Get one's wires crossed
D. Let the grass grow under one's feet
Correct Answer: C
“Get one's wires crossed” means to misunderstand someone because of confused communication. Example: We got our wires crossed about the meeting time. 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 off on the wrong foot”?
A. to misunderstand someone because of confused communication
B. to begin a relationship or activity badly
C. to reach the lowest or worst point
D. to behave loudly or dramatically in public
Correct Answer: B
“Get off on the wrong foot” means to begin a relationship or activity badly. Example: The two officers got off on the wrong foot. 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 a move on”?
A. to hurry
B. money earned very easily
C. an important person in a limited or unimportant setting
D. a true friend proves loyalty during difficulty
Correct Answer: A
“Get a move on” means to hurry. Example: Get a move on or you will be late for the test. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After the holiday, she felt like a million dollars.”, what is the meaning of “Feel like a million dollars”?
A. more importantly than anything else
B. to relax and behave freely after restraint
C. to reveal one's plans or intentions
D. to feel extremely well and confident
Correct Answer: D
“Feel like a million dollars” means to feel extremely well and confident. Example: After the holiday, she felt like a million dollars. 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 “Every dog has its day”?
A. to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way
B. to declare one's beliefs or intentions openly and firmly
C. everyone gets a chance for success at some time
D. to want two incompatible advantages at the same time
Correct Answer: C
“Every dog has its day” means everyone gets a chance for success at some time. Example: Do not lose hope; every dog has its day. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to send someone a short written message”?
A. Fall on deaf ears
B. Drop someone a line
C. Win laurels
D. Go bananas
Correct Answer: B
“Drop someone a line” means to send someone a short written message. Example: Drop me a line when you reach Lahore. 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 “Down and out”?
A. without money, employment, or hope
B. exactly at the stated time
C. the principle of equal retaliation
D. to break a promise
Correct Answer: A
“Down and out” means without money, employment, or hope. Example: The charity assists people who are down and out. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “very similar in character or behavior”?
A. Throw down the gauntlet
B. Put words in someone's mouth
C. Come hell or high water
D. Cut from the same cloth
Correct Answer: D
“Cut from the same cloth” means very similar in character or behavior. Example: The two dishonest partners were cut from the same cloth. 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 “Come clean”?
A. a near success is still a failure
B. slightly ill or not feeling well
C. to admit the truth about something
D. to be nervous, tense, or irritable
Correct Answer: C
“Come clean” means to admit the truth about something. Example: The employee finally came clean about the mistake. 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 “Change one's tune”?
A. to make a bold or important decision after hesitation
B. to change one's opinion or manner, especially under pressure
C. to flatter or support people who are gaining power
D. to hope for good luck or a favorable result
Correct Answer: B
“Change one's tune” means to change one's opinion or manner, especially under pressure. Example: He changed his tune when confronted with the evidence. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The bright headline caught my eye.”, what is the meaning of “Catch someone's eye”?
A. to attract someone's attention
B. to break a promise
C. to exaggerate greatly
D. to drive away very fast
Correct Answer: A
“Catch someone's eye” means to attract someone's attention. Example: The bright headline caught my eye. 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 “By a hair's breadth”?
A. exactly at the stated time
B. more importantly than anything else
C. to spend or contribute money
D. by a very small margin
Correct Answer: D
“By a hair's breadth” means by a very small margin. Example: He missed the top position by a hair's breadth. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to drive away very fast”?
A. Pull a fast one
B. Lend an ear
C. Burn rubber
D. No strings attached
Correct Answer: C
“Burn rubber” means to drive away very fast. Example: The car burned rubber as soon as the light turned green. 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 “Bring home the truth”?
A. careful about small amounts but wasteful about large ones
B. to make the reality of something clear and forceful
C. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
D. to do something as fully or completely as possible
Correct Answer: B
“Bring home the truth” means to make the reality of something clear and forceful. Example: The accident brought home the truth about road safety. 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 “Break the bank”?
A. to cost more money than one can afford
B. to give someone little attention, sympathy, or consideration
C. the crucial moment when an important action begins
D. to remain prepared for possible trouble or action
Correct Answer: A
“Break the bank” means to cost more money than one can afford. Example: A short local trip will not break the bank. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.