CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Out of line”?
A. to act very carefully to avoid upsetting someone
B. to fail badly or suffer an unexpected fall
C. a great deal of fuss over something unimportant
D. improper, unreasonable, or not in accordance with rules
Correct Answer: D
“Out of line” means improper, unreasonable, or not in accordance with rules. Example: His remarks were completely out of line. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “in serious difficulty and likely to fail”?
A. A frog in one's throat
B. Not have a leg to stand on
C. On the rocks
D. The early bird catches the worm
Correct Answer: C
“On the rocks” means in serious difficulty and likely to fail. Example: Their partnership is on the rocks. 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 the dot”?
A. regardless of any difficulty or obstacle
B. exactly at the stated time
C. likely or expected to happen
D. appearances can be deceptive
Correct Answer: B
“On the dot” means exactly at the stated time. Example: The examination began at nine o'clock on the dot. 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 the cards”?
A. likely or expected to happen
B. to amaze someone greatly
C. to behave wildly and uncontrollably
D. to be extremely happy
Correct Answer: A
“On the cards” means likely or expected to happen. Example: A change in leadership appears to be on the cards. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “They launched the project on a shoestring.”, what is the meaning of “On a shoestring”?
A. to disapprove of something
B. to gain honor or distinction
C. to become well known or respected
D. with very little money
Correct Answer: D
“On a shoestring” means with very little money. Example: They launched the project on a shoestring. 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 the record”?
A. to understand someone's thoughts or intentions very easily
B. to be too difficult for someone to understand
C. not intended for public reporting or official use
D. a normal part of one's job or routine
Correct Answer: C
“Off the record” means not intended for public reporting or official use. Example: The official made the comment off the record. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to have no valid argument or justification”?
A. As the crow flies
B. Not have a leg to stand on
C. Get the short end of the stick
D. Lose one's touch
Correct Answer: B
“Not have a leg to stand on” means to have no valid argument or justification. Example: Without evidence, the accusation has no leg to stand on. 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 “No strings attached”?
A. without special conditions or obligations
B. to make useless or ineffective efforts
C. very similar in character or behavior
D. slightly ill or not feeling well
Correct Answer: A
“No strings attached” means without special conditions or obligations. Example: The grant was offered with no strings attached. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to declare one's beliefs or intentions openly and firmly”?
A. Batten down the hatches
B. Touch bottom
C. Cast the first stone
D. Nail one's colours to the mast
Correct Answer: D
“Nail one's colours to the mast” means to declare one's beliefs or intentions openly and firmly. Example: The candidate nailed his colours to the mast and defended the policy. 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 “Money for old rope”?
A. to ask for something impossible
B. impossible or not allowed
C. money earned very easily
D. to spend or contribute money
Correct Answer: C
“Money for old rope” means money earned very easily. Example: For an expert, the simple assignment was money for old rope. 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 “Meet one's Waterloo”?
A. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
B. to suffer a final and decisive defeat
C. to reach the lowest or worst point
D. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
Correct Answer: B
“Meet one's Waterloo” means to suffer a final and decisive defeat. Example: The unbeaten champion finally met his Waterloo. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The young officer began making waves with bold reforms.”, what is the meaning of “Make waves”?
A. to cause trouble or bring significant change
B. to earn a very large profit quickly
C. to make a careful and serious effort
D. to avoid humiliation or loss of respect
Correct Answer: A
“Make waves” means to cause trouble or bring significant change. Example: The young officer began making waves with bold reforms. 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 killing”?
A. to be too difficult for someone to understand
B. regardless of any difficulty or obstacle
C. to organize oneself and start behaving effectively
D. to earn a very large profit quickly
Correct Answer: D
“Make a killing” means to earn a very large profit quickly. Example: Some investors made a killing during the market boom. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to behave loudly or dramatically in public”?
A. Pull a fast one
B. Give someone short shrift
C. Make a scene
D. Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Correct Answer: C
“Make a scene” means to behave loudly or dramatically in public. Example: He made a scene at the counter over a minor 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 “Lose one's touch”?
A. deceptive or misleading presentation intended to hide the truth
B. to lose a skill or ability one once had
C. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
D. to solve a very difficult problem by decisive action
Correct Answer: B
“Lose one's touch” means to lose a skill or ability one once had. Example: After years away from teaching, he feared he had lost his touch. 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 “Look down one's nose at”?
A. to regard someone or something as inferior
B. to begin a relationship or activity badly
C. to behave loudly or dramatically in public
D. to misunderstand someone because of confused communication
Correct Answer: A
“Look down one's nose at” means to regard someone or something as inferior. Example: No one should look down his nose at manual work. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Do not let the grass grow under your feet if applications close today.”, what is the meaning of “Let the grass grow under one's feet”?
A. to become well known or respected
B. natural skill in growing plants
C. to deceive or trick someone
D. to waste time by delaying action
Correct Answer: D
“Let the grass grow under one's feet” means to waste time by delaying action. Example: Do not let the grass grow under your feet if applications close today. 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 “Let bygones be bygones”?
A. continuing longer than expected before an inevitable end
B. to stop supporting or conforming to one's group
C. to forget past disagreements and forgive one another
D. a normal part of one's job or routine
Correct Answer: C
“Let bygones be bygones” means to forget past disagreements and forgive one another. Example: They agreed to let bygones be bygones and work together. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to listen sympathetically”?
A. Below one's dignity
B. Lend an ear
C. Live on air
D. Bring home the truth
Correct Answer: B
“Lend an ear” means to listen sympathetically. Example: A good friend will lend an ear when you need advice. 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 “Know the score”?
A. to understand the true facts of a situation
B. to sell very quickly and in large quantities
C. to stop supporting or conforming to one's group
D. to reveal someone's hidden identity or secret role
Correct Answer: A
“Know the score” means to understand the true facts of a situation. Example: Experienced officers know the score and are not easily misled. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.