CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On the house”?
A. to say openly what one really thinks
B. extremely irritated or close to losing patience
C. provided free of charge by a business
D. to discuss a matter seriously and directly
Correct Answer: C
“On the house” means provided free of charge by a business. Example: Dessert was on the house. 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 “experiencing a series of successes”?
A. Caught off guard
B. In living memory
C. In good faith
D. On a roll
Correct Answer: D
“On a roll” means experiencing a series of successes. Example: The team is on a roll after five straight wins. 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 “Old school”?
A. traditional in style, methods, or attitudes
B. continuing until the last possible moment
C. to refuse stubbornly to change one's position
D. from poverty to wealth or success
Correct Answer: A
“Old school” means traditional in style, methods, or attitudes. Example: His teaching style is old school but effective. 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 “Not miss a beat”?
A. to produce very good or surprising results
B. to continue smoothly without hesitation or interruption
C. fixed and not open to change
D. an expression of annoyance, surprise, or impatience
Correct Answer: B
“Not miss a beat” means to continue smoothly without hesitation or interruption. Example: Despite the unexpected question, she did not miss a beat. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “There are several colleges in this neck of the woods.”, what is the meaning of “Neck of the woods”?
A. improve one's performance or leave
B. to monitor or watch something closely
C. a particular area or neighborhood
D. in another person's situation or position
Correct Answer: C
“Neck of the woods” means a particular area or neighborhood. Example: There are several colleges in this neck of the woods. 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 “Make a splash”?
A. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
B. to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem
C. a situation in which contradictory rules make a solution impossible
D. to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression
Correct Answer: D
“Make a splash” means to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression. Example: The new product made a splash at the exhibition. 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 stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something”?
A. Lose track
B. Work wonders
C. Skin and bones
D. Know something by heart
Correct Answer: A
“Lose track” means to stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something. Example: I lost track of time while studying. 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 “Last laugh”?
A. to state rules firmly and demand obedience
B. final success after being doubted or mocked
C. to begin doubting a decision already made
D. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
Correct Answer: B
“Last laugh” means final success after being doubted or mocked. Example: Critics mocked the plan, but the team had the last laugh. 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 “Keep tabs on”?
A. more advanced or progressive than others
B. more successful or advanced than competitors
C. to monitor or watch something closely
D. a particular area or neighborhood
Correct Answer: C
“Keep tabs on” means to monitor or watch something closely. Example: The admin keeps tabs on all pending applications. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I had seen him on television but never in the flesh.”, what is the meaning of “In the flesh”?
A. to take a firm position and refuse to allow something
B. to end in a very exciting or impressive way
C. to depend on or base one's hopes or argument on something
D. physically present rather than seen in a picture or online
Correct Answer: D
“In the flesh” means physically present rather than seen in a picture or online. Example: I had seen him on television but never in the flesh. 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 “In the clear”?
A. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
B. the lowest possible level or point
C. to examine detailed conditions carefully
D. to occur briefly as a thought
Correct Answer: A
“In the clear” means free from blame, danger, or suspicion. Example: The audit showed that she was in the 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 “at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability”?
A. Laughing stock
B. In one's prime
C. Whole new ball game
D. Grass is always greener on the other side
Correct Answer: B
“In one's prime” means at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability. Example: The athlete retired while still in his prime. 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 “In living memory”?
A. a quiet period before serious activity or trouble
B. at the appropriate time after a normal period
C. within the period remembered by people still alive
D. to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks
Correct Answer: C
“In living memory” means within the period remembered by people still alive. Example: It was the worst flood in living memory. 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 “in agreement or accordance with”?
A. For crying out loud
B. Work wonders
C. Spare no expense
D. In line with
Correct Answer: D
“In line with” means in agreement or accordance with. Example: The new policy is in line with national standards. 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 “In limbo”?
A. in an uncertain state while awaiting a decision
B. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
C. to watch or pressure someone very closely
D. to give one's opinion, even if not requested
Correct Answer: A
“In limbo” means in an uncertain state while awaiting a decision. Example: The project remained in limbo for months. 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 “In hindsight”?
A. as good as or better than all others
B. with understanding gained after an event has happened
C. to cause damage, suffering, or exhaustion over time
D. good value or benefit for the money spent
Correct Answer: B
“In hindsight” means with understanding gained after an event has happened. Example: In hindsight, delaying the launch was the right decision. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Both sides entered the negotiations in good faith.”, what is the meaning of “In good faith”?
A. very well behaved or completely reliable
B. to avoid trouble and behave properly
C. honestly and with sincere intentions
D. to accept criticism, pressure, or blame
Correct Answer: C
“In good faith” means honestly and with sincere intentions. Example: Both sides entered the negotiations in good faith. 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 “In at the deep end”?
A. disorganized, inconsistent, or covering many unrelated topics
B. a situation suddenly becomes extremely chaotic or violent
C. affecting everyone or everything in a group
D. put into a difficult situation without preparation
Correct Answer: D
“In at the deep end” means put into a difficult situation without preparation. Example: On her first day, she was thrown in at the deep end. 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 “immediately and without hesitation”?
A. In a heartbeat
B. Out of practice
C. Lay down the law
D. Read the room
Correct Answer: A
“In a heartbeat” means immediately and without hesitation. Example: I would accept that opportunity in a heartbeat. 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 “Hot potato”?
A. from the very beginning without using previous work
B. a controversial issue that is difficult to handle
C. to hide or ignore an embarrassing problem
D. a different activity or speed that provides variety
Correct Answer: B
“Hot potato” means a controversial issue that is difficult to handle. Example: The land dispute became a political hot potato. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.