CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Hold one's own”?
A. having lost or spent money because of something
B. to react in an extremely angry or emotional way
C. to maintain one's position or perform well against others
D. to take a risk in the hope of success
Correct Answer: C
“Hold one's own” means to maintain one's position or perform well against others. Example: The new debater held her own against experienced opponents. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to have good intentions”?
A. Make a beeline for
B. Carry all before one
C. Out of the woods
D. Have one's heart in the right place
Correct Answer: D
“Have one's heart in the right place” means to have good intentions. Example: He sometimes makes mistakes, but his heart is in the right place. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Have a narrow escape”?
A. to barely avoid danger or failure
B. deeply involved or overwhelmed by something
C. to organize one's own affairs properly
D. to maintain interest, activity, or discussion
Correct Answer: A
“Have a narrow escape” means to barely avoid danger or failure. Example: The passengers had a narrow escape when the bus skidded. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Go to the wall”?
A. to finish or deal with something quickly
B. to fail or be destroyed, especially financially
C. to calm a disagreement or tense situation
D. to follow someone's example or guidance
Correct Answer: B
“Go to the wall” means to fail or be destroyed, especially financially. Example: Many small businesses went to the wall during the crisis. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Nervousness got the better of him during the interview.”, what is the meaning of “Get the better of”?
A. to react in an extremely angry or emotional way
B. to behave as if one is more important than others
C. to defeat or gain an advantage over someone or something
D. for the same reason or in a similar way
Correct Answer: C
“Get the better of” means to defeat or gain an advantage over someone or something. Example: Nervousness got the better of him during the interview. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Fall from grace”?
A. to punish someone without legal authority
B. to exchange angry or argumentative words
C. very similar in character or type
D. to lose approval, status, or reputation
Correct Answer: D
“Fall from grace” means to lose approval, status, or reputation. Example: The once-popular official fell from grace after the scandal. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to accept the truth of a situation”?
A. Face the facts
B. In a blue funk
C. A matter of life and death
D. Keep one's head
Correct Answer: A
“Face the facts” means to accept the truth of a situation. Example: We must face the facts and revise the plan. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Cut someone dead”?
A. an embarrassing or shameful secret
B. to deliberately ignore someone
C. to find faults in something
D. an urgent and important issue
Correct Answer: B
“Cut someone dead” means to deliberately ignore someone. Example: After the quarrel, he cut his former friend dead. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Come to light”?
A. to disappear or change very slowly
B. to make someone understand something clearly
C. to become known or be discovered
D. a secretly treacherous or deceitful person
Correct Answer: C
“Come to light” means to become known or be discovered. Example: Several facts came to light during the inquiry. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His explanation did not carry conviction.”, what is the meaning of “Carry conviction”?
A. an unconvincing or weak excuse
B. very similar in character or type
C. a series of unfortunate events
D. to sound convincing or believable
Correct Answer: D
“Carry conviction” means to sound convincing or believable. Example: His explanation did not carry conviction. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Call a halt to”?
A. to stop an activity
B. of no value or importance
C. left helpless or without support
D. to behave irresponsibly or dishonestly
Correct Answer: A
“Call a halt to” means to stop an activity. Example: The authorities called a halt to illegal construction. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to bring something to an end”?
A. A matter of life and death
B. Bring down the curtain on
C. Have a soft corner for
D. A sea change
Correct Answer: B
“Bring down the curtain on” means to bring something to an end. Example: The final ceremony brought down the curtain on the festival. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Break the deadlock”?
A. regardless of whether the result is good or bad
B. to cause a situation to reach a decisive or critical point
C. to end a situation in which no progress can be made
D. misunderstanding each other because of different aims or meanings
Correct Answer: C
“Break the deadlock” means to end a situation in which no progress can be made. Example: A compromise finally broke the deadlock. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Blow one's top”?
A. left helpless or without support
B. likely to happen soon
C. having nothing particular to do
D. to become extremely angry
Correct Answer: D
“Blow one's top” means to become extremely angry. Example: The director blew his top when the confidential file went missing. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The young athlete has been in the limelight since the victory.”, what is the meaning of “Be in the limelight”?
A. to receive a lot of public attention
B. not clearly belonging to one category or another
C. to pass the worst point and begin improving
D. to be innocent or free from wrongdoing
Correct Answer: A
“Be in the limelight” means to receive a lot of public attention. Example: The young athlete has been in the limelight since the victory. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “At one's disposal”?
A. a task requiring enormous effort
B. available for one's use
C. to mislead or deceive someone
D. to strongly oppose something
Correct Answer: B
“At one's disposal” means available for one's use. Example: All necessary resources are at your disposal. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a major and fundamental transformation”?
A. At the beck and call
B. The man in the street
C. A sea change
D. Move with the times
Correct Answer: C
“A sea change” means a major and fundamental transformation. Example: Digitization brought a sea change in record management. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A red herring”?
A. to make a special effort to do something
B. something common, expected, or required at a particular time
C. to behave in an uncontrolled or destructive way
D. something that distracts attention from the real issue
Correct Answer: D
“A red herring” means something that distracts attention from the real issue. Example: The personal allegation was a red herring in the policy debate. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A narrow squeak”?
A. a very narrow escape from danger or failure
B. to spoil a plan or stable situation
C. to behave in an uncontrolled or destructive way
D. to fail or be destroyed, especially financially
Correct Answer: A
“A narrow squeak” means a very narrow escape from danger or failure. Example: Passing by one mark was a narrow squeak. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Whether the reform will work remains a moot point.”, what is the meaning of “A moot point”?
A. to tell someone important or unpleasant information
B. a matter open to debate or uncertainty
C. a very good, honest, and dependable person
D. to understand how a situation is developing
Correct Answer: B
“A moot point” means a matter open to debate or uncertainty. Example: Whether the reform will work remains a moot point. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.