CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A skeleton in the cupboard”?
A. to waste or misuse something recklessly
B. in a difficult or troublesome situation
C. an embarrassing or shameful secret
D. to remain true or valid
Correct Answer: C
“A skeleton in the cupboard” means an embarrassing or shameful secret. Example: The inquiry revealed a skeleton in the cupboard. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “something that gives new energy, confidence, or improvement”?
A. A feather in the cap
B. By fits and starts
C. A snake in the grass
D. A shot in the arm
Correct Answer: D
“A shot in the arm” means something that gives new energy, confidence, or improvement. Example: The funding announcement was a shot in the arm for the project. 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 queer fish”?
A. a strange or eccentric person
B. financially profitable or free from debt
C. to make something completely certain
D. to be abandoned, rejected, or lost
Correct Answer: A
“A queer fish” means a strange or eccentric person. Example: The villagers regarded the solitary newcomer as a queer fish. 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 nine days' wonder”?
A. to achieve a series of easy victories or successes
B. something that attracts attention only for a short time
C. in debt or operating at a financial loss
D. to succeed or fail entirely by one's own efforts
Correct Answer: B
“A nine days' wonder” means something that attracts attention only for a short time. Example: The scandal proved to be a nine days' wonder. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “For the trapped workers, rescue was a matter of life and death.”, what is the meaning of “A matter of life and death”?
A. to exclude or ignore someone
B. to deliberately ignore someone
C. an extremely serious matter
D. to reach an agreement
Correct Answer: C
“A matter of life and death” means an extremely serious matter. Example: For the trapped workers, rescue was a matter of life and death. 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 house divided against itself”?
A. to bring something to an end
B. in a state of extreme hostility
C. with all possible effort and determination
D. a group weakened by internal conflict
Correct Answer: D
“A house divided against itself” means a group weakened by internal conflict. Example: A house divided against itself cannot work effectively. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a result that is certain in advance”?
A. A foregone conclusion
B. Hit the jackpot
C. Play into someone's hands
D. At the top of one's lungs
Correct Answer: A
“A foregone conclusion” means a result that is certain in advance. Example: With such a large lead, victory seemed a foregone conclusion. 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 fine kettle of fish”?
A. excessive official rules and bureaucracy
B. an awkward or troublesome situation
C. to strongly oppose something
D. to look sad or disappointed
Correct Answer: B
“A fine kettle of fish” means an awkward or troublesome situation. Example: Losing both keys and documents left us in a fine kettle of fish. 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 dead end”?
A. a decisive test that proves the true quality or value of something
B. regardless of whether the result is good or bad
C. a situation or course of action with no possibility of progress
D. to challenge someone to prove a claim or threat
Correct Answer: C
“A dead end” means a situation or course of action with no possibility of progress. Example: The investigation reached a dead end. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The audit gave the project a clean bill of health.”, what is the meaning of “A clean bill of health”?
A. something common, expected, or required at a particular time
B. a weak point in an otherwise strong person or system
C. for the same reason or in a similar way
D. an official statement that someone or something is in good condition
Correct Answer: D
“A clean bill of health” means an official statement that someone or something is in good condition. Example: The audit gave the project a clean bill of health. 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 brainwave”?
A. a sudden clever idea
B. to fail completely, especially financially
C. to reach an agreement
D. to sound convincing or believable
Correct Answer: A
“A brainwave” means a sudden clever idea. Example: She had a brainwave that solved the scheduling problem. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “an unpleasant fact or situation that must be accepted”?
A. By word of mouth
B. A bitter pill to swallow
C. A house divided against itself
D. Take a leaf out of someone's book
Correct Answer: B
“A bitter pill to swallow” means an unpleasant fact or situation that must be accepted. Example: The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. 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 “Word for word”?
A. to remain true or valid
B. a task requiring enormous effort
C. in exactly the same words
D. a strange or eccentric person
Correct Answer: C
“Word for word” means in exactly the same words. Example: He repeated the statement word for word. 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 “Win hands down”?
A. currently fashionable or popular
B. to run away
C. a major and fundamental transformation
D. to win very easily
Correct Answer: D
“Win hands down” means to win very easily. Example: The experienced candidate won the debate hands down. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She told a white lie to avoid embarrassing her friend.”, what is the meaning of “White lie”?
A. a harmless or minor lie told to avoid hurting someone
B. out of favor with or in conflict with someone or something
C. to treat others without regard for their rights or feelings
D. a general view from above or a broad overall view
Correct Answer: A
“White lie” means a harmless or minor lie told to avoid hurting someone. Example: She told a white lie to avoid embarrassing her friend. 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 “Up in arms against”?
A. to object strongly to something
B. angrily protesting against something
C. to have good intentions
D. currently fashionable or popular
Correct Answer: B
“Up in arms against” means angrily protesting against something. Example: Residents were up in arms against the new tax. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “completely controlled by someone”?
A. Dot the i's and cross the t's
B. A red herring
C. Under one's thumb
D. Blue-eyed boy
Correct Answer: C
“Under one's thumb” means completely controlled by someone. Example: The weak manager was under his partner's thumb. 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 “Under a cloud”?
A. neat, tidy, and well organized
B. an embarrassing or shameful secret
C. to find faults in something
D. under suspicion or disgrace
Correct Answer: D
“Under a cloud” means under suspicion or disgrace. Example: The officer left the department under a cloud. 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 “Tooth and nail”?
A. with all possible effort and determination
B. two alternatives that are effectively equal
C. to lose approval, status, or reputation
D. to hurt someone deeply, especially emotionally
Correct Answer: A
“Tooth and nail” means with all possible effort and determination. Example: They defended their position tooth and nail. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The false figures were meant to throw dust in the auditors' eyes.”, what is the meaning of “Throw dust in someone's eyes”?
A. unrealistic dreams or plans
B. to mislead or deceive someone
C. to have too little of something
D. an unconvincing or weak excuse
Correct Answer: B
“Throw dust in someone's eyes” means to mislead or deceive someone. Example: The false figures were meant to throw dust in the auditors' eyes. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.