CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A man of letters”?
A. to barely avoid danger or failure
B. excessive official rules and bureaucracy
C. a learned person or writer
D. to exclude or ignore someone
Correct Answer: C
“A man of letters” means a learned person or writer. Example: He was respected as a man of letters. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “an unconvincing or weak excuse”?
A. Run the gauntlet
B. In a pickle
C. Move with the times
D. A lame excuse
Correct Answer: D
“A lame excuse” means an unconvincing or weak excuse. Example: Traffic was a lame excuse for missing the exam by an hour. 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 Herculean task”?
A. a task requiring enormous effort
B. to copy someone's good example
C. neat, tidy, and well organized
D. to look sad or disappointed
Correct Answer: A
“A Herculean task” means a task requiring enormous effort. Example: Completing the survey in one week was a Herculean task. 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 fool's paradise”?
A. directly from the original or most reliable source
B. a state of happiness based on false hopes
C. to avoid restarting an old conflict or problem
D. to behave in an uncontrolled or destructive way
Correct Answer: B
“A fool's paradise” means a state of happiness based on false hopes. Example: Anyone ignoring the warning signs is living in a fool's paradise. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Water scarcity is a burning question for the region.”, what is the meaning of “A burning question”?
A. a series of unfortunate events
B. with complete energy, sincerity, and commitment
C. an urgent and important issue
D. to begin fighting physically
Correct Answer: C
“A burning question” means an urgent and important issue. Example: Water scarcity is a burning question for the region. 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 “Within an ace of”?
A. to understand how a situation is developing
B. to accept the truth of a situation
C. to tell someone important or unpleasant information
D. very close to doing or achieving something
Correct Answer: D
“Within an ace of” means very close to doing or achieving something. Example: He came within an ace of winning the scholarship. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “in an arrogant or overbearing manner”?
A. With a high hand
B. An apple of discord
C. Bring to a head
D. Come to blows
Correct Answer: A
“With a high hand” means in an arrogant or overbearing manner. Example: The official dealt with the staff with a high hand. 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 “Wear and tear”?
A. to go directly and quickly toward something
B. damage caused by ordinary use over time
C. having lost or spent money because of something
D. friendly enough to speak to each other
Correct Answer: B
“Wear and tear” means damage caused by ordinary use over time. Example: The machine showed signs of wear and tear. 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 “Upset the apple cart”?
A. in a state of extreme hostility
B. having no patience, strength, or resources left
C. to spoil a plan or stable situation
D. to disappear or change very slowly
Correct Answer: C
“Upset the apple cart” means to spoil a plan or stable situation. Example: A sudden rule change upset the apple cart. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The information was shared under the rose.”, what is the meaning of “Under the rose”?
A. a task requiring enormous effort
B. likely to happen soon
C. to deliberately ignore someone
D. secretly or confidentially
Correct Answer: D
“Under the rose” means secretly or confidentially. Example: The information was shared under the rose. 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 “Turn turtle”?
A. to overturn or capsize
B. neat, tidy, and well organized
C. to deliberately ignore someone
D. excessive official rules and bureaucracy
Correct Answer: A
“Turn turtle” means to overturn or capsize. Example: The overloaded boat turned turtle in rough water. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “completely or thoroughly”?
A. Upset the apple cart
B. To the backbone
C. At the beck and call
D. Take exception to
Correct Answer: B
“To the backbone” means completely or thoroughly. Example: He is honest to the backbone. 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 “The primrose path”?
A. something common, expected, or required at a particular time
B. something that distracts attention from the real issue
C. an easy and pleasant path that leads to trouble
D. to delay taking action or making a decision
Correct Answer: C
“The primrose path” means an easy and pleasant path that leads to trouble. Example: Shortcuts can lead students down the primrose path. 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 “The man in the street”?
A. false or insincere expressions of sorrow
B. to disappear or change very slowly
C. to stop working or to die
D. an ordinary member of the public
Correct Answer: D
“The man in the street” means an ordinary member of the public. Example: The policy must be understandable to the man in the street. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Junior staff took their cue from the senior officer.”, what is the meaning of “Take one's cue from”?
A. to follow someone's example or guidance
B. to maintain interest, activity, or discussion
C. an urgent and important issue
D. to disappear or change very slowly
Correct Answer: A
“Take one's cue from” means to follow someone's example or guidance. Example: Junior staff took their cue from the senior officer. 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 “Take by storm”?
A. to turn an unavoidable situation into an advantage
B. to become very successful or popular very quickly
C. to hear a rumor or learn something secretly
D. to make a special effort to do something
Correct Answer: B
“Take by storm” means to become very successful or popular very quickly. Example: The new learning app took the market by storm. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to avoid someone or something”?
A. On the wrong side of
B. At daggers' point
C. Steer clear of
D. Give a wide berth
Correct Answer: C
“Steer clear of” means to avoid someone or something. Example: Candidates should steer clear of unverified study material. 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 “Stand in good stead”?
A. to live or act within one's available means
B. to become very successful or popular very quickly
C. to run away very quickly or outpace someone
D. to be useful or helpful in the future
Correct Answer: D
“Stand in good stead” means to be useful or helpful in the future. Example: Strong writing skills will stand you in good stead in competitive exams. 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 “Sow wild oats”?
A. to behave irresponsibly or recklessly, especially when young
B. to turn an unavoidable situation into an advantage
C. not clearly belonging to one category or another
D. to make a special effort to do something
Correct Answer: A
“Sow wild oats” means to behave irresponsibly or recklessly, especially when young. Example: He spent his youth sowing wild oats before settling down. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The decision smacks of favoritism.”, what is the meaning of “Smack of”?
A. ordinary members of an organization rather than its leaders
B. to suggest or have a trace of something unpleasant
C. to make damaging or insulting remarks about someone's character
D. to deal with only a small part of a subject
Correct Answer: B
“Smack of” means to suggest or have a trace of something unpleasant. Example: The decision smacks of favoritism. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.