CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On borrowed time”?
A. not something one enjoys or feels comfortable with
B. to give someone little attention, sympathy, or consideration
C. to have more important matters to deal with
D. continuing longer than expected before an inevitable end
Correct Answer: D
“On borrowed time” means continuing longer than expected before an inevitable end. Example: The failing machine is running on borrowed time. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “not something one enjoys or feels comfortable with”?
A. On top of the world
B. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
C. Not one's scene
D. Make one's blood run cold
Correct Answer: C
“Not one's scene” means not something one enjoys or feels comfortable with. Example: Large formal parties are not really my scene. 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 “Much ado about nothing”?
A. to remain prepared for possible trouble or action
B. a great deal of fuss over something unimportant
C. to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent
D. the final event that causes failure or destruction
Correct Answer: B
“Much ado about nothing” means a great deal of fuss over something unimportant. Example: The controversy turned out to be much ado about nothing. 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 hay while the sun shines”?
A. to take advantage of a favorable opportunity while it lasts
B. to be the first to accuse or condemn another person
C. to go out and celebrate in a lively way
D. to try deliberately to attract or win a particular person
Correct Answer: A
“Make hay while the sun shines” means to take advantage of a favorable opportunity while it lasts. Example: Applications are open now, so make hay while the sun shines. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The commander advised the troops to keep their powder dry.”, what is the meaning of “Keep one's powder dry”?
A. to reveal a secret or true intention unintentionally
B. every part of a place, including hidden areas
C. to forget past disagreements and forgive one another
D. to remain prepared for possible trouble or action
Correct Answer: D
“Keep one's powder dry” means to remain prepared for possible trouble or action. Example: The commander advised the troops to keep their powder dry. 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 one's cake and eat it too”?
A. to return to the simplest and most important principles
B. to solve a very difficult problem by decisive action
C. to want two incompatible advantages at the same time
D. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
Correct Answer: C
“Have one's cake and eat it too” means to want two incompatible advantages at the same time. Example: He wants lower taxes and more services, but cannot have his cake and eat it too. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to make the best possible impression”?
A. A miss is as good as a mile
B. Put one's best foot forward
C. Bite the dust
D. Hold one's breath
Correct Answer: B
“Put one's best foot forward” means to make the best possible impression. Example: Put your best foot forward in the interview. 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 up appearances”?
A. to hide one's real difficulties and maintain an outward image
B. to go out and celebrate in a lively way
C. temporary difficulty in speaking because the throat is dry or irritated
D. to stop an unsuccessful activity before losing even more
Correct Answer: A
“Keep up appearances” means to hide one's real difficulties and maintain an outward image. Example: Though deeply in debt, the family tried to keep up appearances. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to damage someone's reputation so that everything they do is judged negatively”?
A. Keep one's head above water
B. Off colour
C. Have a bee in one's bonnet
D. Give a dog a bad name
Correct Answer: D
“Give a dog a bad name” means to damage someone's reputation so that everything they do is judged negatively. Example: Once you give a dog a bad name, people interpret every mistake against him. 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 “Curry favour”?
A. a past event that is no longer important
B. a normal part of one's job or routine
C. to seek approval by flattering or pleasing someone
D. to provide help to someone in serious difficulty
Correct Answer: C
“Curry favour” means to seek approval by flattering or pleasing someone. Example: He tried to curry favour with the senior management. 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 “Cross the Rubicon”?
A. to relax and behave freely after restraint
B. to take an irreversible and decisive step
C. in serious difficulty and likely to fail
D. to suddenly begin discussing a different subject
Correct Answer: B
“Cross the Rubicon” means to take an irreversible and decisive step. Example: By resigning publicly, he crossed the Rubicon. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Opportunists often worship the rising sun.”, what is the meaning of “Worship the rising sun”?
A. to flatter or support people who are gaining power
B. to be the person who controls a group or situation
C. to criticize or question something received as a gift
D. to want two incompatible advantages at the same time
Correct Answer: A
“Worship the rising sun” means to flatter or support people who are gaining power. Example: Opportunists often worship the rising sun. 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 up the cudgels for”?
A. to remain proud and confident in difficulty
B. in serious difficulty and likely to fail
C. to operate smoothly and exactly as planned
D. to defend or support someone strongly
Correct Answer: D
“Take up the cudgels for” means to defend or support someone strongly. Example: The lawyer took up the cudgels for the wrongly accused worker. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to try deliberately to attract or win a particular person”?
A. Save face
B. Lend an ear
C. Set one's cap at
D. Walk on eggshells
Correct Answer: C
“Set one's cap at” means to try deliberately to attract or win a particular person. Example: She had set her cap at securing the prestigious fellowship. 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 one's hand in one's pocket”?
A. being apart can increase affection
B. to spend or contribute money
C. to remain proud and confident in difficulty
D. to break a promise
Correct Answer: B
“Put one's hand in one's pocket” means to spend or contribute money. Example: Local businesses put their hands in their pockets to support the relief fund. 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 “Plough a lonely furrow”?
A. to pursue an independent course without support from others
B. a person very similar in character to a parent
C. to lose a skill or ability one once had
D. to act very carefully to avoid upsetting someone
Correct Answer: A
“Plough a lonely furrow” means to pursue an independent course without support from others. Example: The researcher ploughed a lonely furrow for years before being recognized. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Those who make reckless decisions eventually have to pay the piper.”, what is the meaning of “Pay the piper”?
A. deceptive or misleading presentation intended to hide the truth
B. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
C. to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way
D. to bear the cost or consequences of an action
Correct Answer: D
“Pay the piper” means to bear the cost or consequences of an action. Example: Those who make reckless decisions eventually have to pay the piper. 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 “Live on air”?
A. very ill and close to death
B. to deceive or trick someone
C. to survive with very little food
D. likely or expected to happen
Correct Answer: C
“Live on air” means to survive with very little food. Example: During the expedition they seemed to live on air. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to give someone little attention, sympathy, or consideration”?
A. Take a dim view of
B. Give someone short shrift
C. Hold the fort
D. Cry for the moon
Correct Answer: B
“Give someone short shrift” means to give someone little attention, sympathy, or consideration. Example: The committee gave the weak complaint short shrift. 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 “Draw the long bow”?
A. to exaggerate greatly
B. to break a promise
C. alert and ready to act
D. to defend or support someone strongly
Correct Answer: A
“Draw the long bow” means to exaggerate greatly. Example: He was drawing the long bow when he claimed complete success. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.