CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Castles in the air”?
A. everyone without distinction
B. to begin fighting physically
C. unrealistic dreams or plans
D. out of favor with someone
Correct Answer: C
“Castles in the air” means unrealistic dreams or plans. Example: Without a budget, the proposal is merely castles in the air. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to achieve a series of easy victories or successes”?
A. Go to the wall
B. Kick the bucket
C. Up in arms against
D. Carry all before one
Correct Answer: D
“Carry all before one” means to achieve a series of easy victories or successes. Example: The new team carried all before it in the tournament. 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 someone's bluff”?
A. to challenge someone to prove a claim or threat
B. to undertake a dangerous or difficult task that others avoid
C. regardless of whether the result is good or bad
D. to behave in an uncontrolled or destructive way
Correct Answer: A
“Call someone's bluff” means to challenge someone to prove a claim or threat. Example: The committee called the contractor's bluff. 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 “By word of mouth”?
A. in a difficult or troublesome situation
B. through spoken communication rather than writing
C. to maintain interest, activity, or discussion
D. to lose approval, status, or reputation
Correct Answer: B
“By word of mouth” means through spoken communication rather than writing. Example: News of the vacancy spread by word of mouth. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The authorities promised to bring the offenders to book.”, what is the meaning of “Bring to book”?
A. financially profitable or free from debt
B. honest and just treatment or conduct
C. to punish or hold someone responsible
D. a group weakened by internal conflict
Correct Answer: C
“Bring to book” means to punish or hold someone responsible. Example: The authorities promised to bring the offenders to book. 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 “Bring home to”?
A. to openly oppose or contradict something
B. a life full of frequent quarrels
C. honest and just treatment or conduct
D. to make someone understand something clearly
Correct Answer: D
“Bring home to” means to make someone understand something clearly. Example: The accident brought home to him the dangers of reckless driving. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to tell someone important or unpleasant information”?
A. Break the news
B. Not bat an eyelid
C. On the wrong side of
D. Call into question
Correct Answer: A
“Break the news” means to tell someone important or unpleasant information. Example: The doctor gently broke the news to the family. 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 “Bolt from the blue”?
A. to refuse to change one's position despite pressure
B. a completely unexpected event or piece of news
C. to run away very quickly or outpace someone
D. a state of happiness based on false hopes
Correct Answer: B
“Bolt from the blue” means a completely unexpected event or piece of news. Example: The sudden cancellation was a bolt from the blue. 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 “Blue-eyed boy”?
A. secret or improper influence exercised behind the scenes
B. to feel particular affection or sympathy for someone
C. a person highly favored by someone in authority
D. an achievement that brings pride or credit
Correct Answer: C
“Blue-eyed boy” means a person highly favored by someone in authority. Example: He was considered the director's blue-eyed boy. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “There is many a slip between the cup and the lip.”, what is the meaning of “Between the cup and the lip”?
A. something that attracts attention only for a short time
B. a person who refuses to believe something without proof
C. to suggest or have a trace of something unpleasant
D. a situation in which success may fail at the last moment
Correct Answer: D
“Between the cup and the lip” means a situation in which success may fail at the last moment. Example: There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. 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 “Bell the cat”?
A. to undertake a dangerous or difficult task that others avoid
B. to behave as if one is more important than others
C. out of favor with or in conflict with someone or something
D. to challenge someone to prove a claim or threat
Correct Answer: A
“Bell the cat” means to undertake a dangerous or difficult task that others avoid. Example: Everyone criticized the policy, but no one was willing to bell the cat. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to be unable to decide between alternatives”?
A. Go by the board
B. Be in two minds
C. Make no bones about
D. Go to the wall
Correct Answer: B
“Be in two minds” means to be unable to decide between alternatives. Example: I am in two minds about accepting the transfer. 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 “Bandy words”?
A. through spoken communication rather than writing
B. honest and just treatment or conduct
C. to exchange angry or argumentative words
D. to become known or be discovered
Correct Answer: C
“Bandy words” means to exchange angry or argumentative words. Example: The two officials began to bandy words in the meeting. 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 “Backstairs influence”?
A. likely to end, fail, or die soon
B. to become very successful or popular very quickly
C. to give a warning of danger or trouble
D. secret or improper influence exercised behind the scenes
Correct Answer: D
“Backstairs influence” means secret or improper influence exercised behind the scenes. Example: The appointment was rumored to involve backstairs influence. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The assistant was always at the director's elbow.”, what is the meaning of “At one's elbow”?
A. very near and ready to help
B. honest and just treatment or conduct
C. a life full of frequent quarrels
D. to organize one's own affairs properly
Correct Answer: A
“At one's elbow” means very near and ready to help. Example: The assistant was always at the director's elbow. 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 daggers' point”?
A. to organize one's own affairs properly
B. in a state of extreme hostility
C. to give someone the necessary information
D. a cause of dispute or quarrel
Correct Answer: B
“At daggers' point” means in a state of extreme hostility. Example: The rival groups were at daggers' point. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “from a very short distance or in close contact”?
A. A doubting Thomas
B. Set one's teeth on edge
C. At close quarters
D. Under the rose
Correct Answer: C
“At close quarters” means from a very short distance or in close contact. Example: The officers observed the damage at close quarters. 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 a loose end”?
A. completely controlled by someone
B. to object strongly to something
C. a strange or eccentric person
D. having nothing particular to do
Correct Answer: D
“At a loose end” means having nothing particular to do. Example: After finishing the assignment early, he was at a loose end. 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 stumbling block”?
A. an obstacle that prevents progress
B. to object strongly to something
C. a major and fundamental transformation
D. completely controlled by someone
Correct Answer: A
“A stumbling block” means an obstacle that prevents progress. Example: Lack of funding is the main stumbling block. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He pretended to be loyal but was a snake in the grass.”, what is the meaning of “A snake in the grass”?
A. to waste or misuse something recklessly
B. a secretly treacherous or deceitful person
C. to make someone understand something clearly
D. to be abandoned, rejected, or lost
Correct Answer: B
“A snake in the grass” means a secretly treacherous or deceitful person. Example: He pretended to be loyal but was a snake in the grass. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.