CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to fail badly or suffer an unexpected fall”?
A. Have bigger fish to fry
B. Fish in troubled waters
C. Hold all the aces
D. Come a cropper
Correct Answer: D
“Come a cropper” means to fail badly or suffer an unexpected fall. Example: The overconfident candidate came a cropper in the final round. 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 “Chew the cud”?
A. to provide useful material, advantage, or profit
B. to take an irreversible and decisive step
C. to think deeply and leisurely about something
D. to wait anxiously for something to happen
Correct Answer: C
“Chew the cud” means to think deeply and leisurely about something. Example: He sat alone chewing the cud over the proposal. 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 grist to the mill”?
A. to send someone a short written message
B. to provide useful material, advantage, or profit
C. to make a guess without enough information
D. to have too much work to do
Correct Answer: B
“Bring grist to the mill” means to provide useful material, advantage, or profit. Example: Every new case brings grist to the lawyer's mill. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Arguing without evidence is merely beating the air.”, what is the meaning of “Beat the air”?
A. to make useless or ineffective efforts
B. to make a careful and serious effort
C. to be nervous, tense, or irritable
D. to be ignored or not listened to
Correct Answer: A
“Beat the air” means to make useless or ineffective efforts. Example: Arguing without evidence is merely beating the air. 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 “Zero hour”?
A. to risk everything in an attempt to succeed
B. to be the dominant decision-maker in a relationship
C. to sell very quickly and in large quantities
D. the crucial moment when an important action begins
Correct Answer: D
“Zero hour” means the crucial moment when an important action begins. Example: At zero hour, every member of the team was ready. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to work extremely hard”?
A. Hit the ground running
B. Make one's mouth water
C. Work one's fingers to the bone
D. An eye for an eye
Correct Answer: C
“Work one's fingers to the bone” means to work extremely hard. Example: He worked his fingers to the bone to support his family. 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 “Win laurels”?
A. to experience financial difficulty
B. to gain honor or distinction
C. without money, employment, or hope
D. to perform much better than someone
Correct Answer: B
“Win laurels” means to gain honor or distinction. Example: She won laurels for the country through her research. 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 thin”?
A. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
B. to accept an insult or bad treatment without resistance
C. to be pleased that someone or something unwanted has gone
D. to criticize or question something received as a gift
Correct Answer: A
“Wear thin” means to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition. Example: His excuses are beginning to wear thin. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The team was under the gun to finish before the deadline.”, what is the meaning of “Under the gun”?
A. to forget past disagreements and forgive one another
B. improper, unreasonable, or not in accordance with rules
C. to understand someone's thoughts or intentions very easily
D. under strong pressure to act quickly or perform
Correct Answer: D
“Under the gun” means under strong pressure to act quickly or perform. Example: The team was under the gun to finish before the deadline. 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 “Turn the scale”?
A. to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance
B. an incompetent person often blames equipment or circumstances for failure
C. to decide the result or give one side the advantage
D. to go out and celebrate in a lively way
Correct Answer: C
“Turn the scale” means to decide the result or give one side the advantage. Example: The final witness turned the scale in favor of the prosecution. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reach the lowest or worst point”?
A. Not one's scene
B. Touch bottom
C. Zero hour
D. Under the gun
Correct Answer: B
“Touch bottom” means to reach the lowest or worst point. Example: The economy appears to have touched bottom and begun recovering. 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 “Tighten one's belt”?
A. to reduce spending because money is scarce
B. according to one's own wishes without considering others
C. to earn a very large profit quickly
D. in a straight line between two places
Correct Answer: A
“Tighten one's belt” means to reduce spending because money is scarce. Example: The family had to tighten its belt after prices rose. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to issue a challenge”?
A. Bend over backwards
B. Let one's hair down
C. Save face
D. Throw down the gauntlet
Correct Answer: D
“Throw down the gauntlet” means to issue a challenge. Example: The opposition threw down the gauntlet by demanding a public debate. 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 “Throw a spanner in the works”?
A. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
B. a person with good qualities that are not yet polished or obvious
C. to cause a problem that prevents a plan from proceeding smoothly
D. to be the first to accuse or condemn another person
Correct Answer: C
“Throw a spanner in the works” means to cause a problem that prevents a plan from proceeding smoothly. Example: The sudden ban threw a spanner in the works. 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 the plunge”?
A. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
B. to make a bold or important decision after hesitation
C. to buy or accept something without examining it properly
D. to lose a skill or ability one once had
Correct Answer: B
“Take the plunge” means to make a bold or important decision after hesitation. Example: After months of planning, he took the plunge and started the business. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She took pains to verify every fact.”, what is the meaning of “Take pains”?
A. to make a careful and serious effort
B. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
C. to cause trouble or bring significant change
D. money saved is as valuable as money earned
Correct Answer: A
“Take pains” means to make a careful and serious effort. Example: She took pains to verify every fact. 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 centre stage”?
A. to think deeply and leisurely about something
B. to relax and behave freely after restraint
C. to suddenly begin discussing a different subject
D. to become the main focus of attention
Correct Answer: D
“Take centre stage” means to become the main focus of attention. Example: Economic reform took centre stage in the debate. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to disapprove of something”?
A. First and foremost
B. Bite the dust
C. Take a dim view of
D. Cross the Rubicon
Correct Answer: C
“Take a dim view of” means to disapprove of something. Example: The court takes a dim view of deliberate delay. 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 “Stand tall”?
A. to avoid humiliation or loss of respect
B. to remain proud and confident in difficulty
C. to make something seem very attractive, especially food
D. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
Correct Answer: B
“Stand tall” means to remain proud and confident in difficulty. Example: She stood tall despite unfair criticism. 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 “Spill one's guts”?
A. to reveal private information or secrets
B. regardless of any difficulty or obstacle
C. to regard someone or something as inferior
D. to cause trouble or bring significant change
Correct Answer: A
“Spill one's guts” means to reveal private information or secrets. Example: Under questioning, he spilled his guts. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.