CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “The thin end of the wedge”?
A. to take a risk by expressing an opinion or supporting someone
B. misunderstanding each other because of different aims or meanings
C. a small action likely to lead to larger undesirable consequences
D. to react in an extremely angry or emotional way
Correct Answer: C
“The thin end of the wedge” means a small action likely to lead to larger undesirable consequences. Example: Allowing one exception could be the thin end of the wedge. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “something common, expected, or required at a particular time”?
A. Split hairs
B. Give up the ghost
C. Call a halt to
D. The order of the day
Correct Answer: D
“The order of the day” means something common, expected, or required at a particular time. Example: Strict discipline was the order of the day during training. 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 crux of the matter”?
A. the most important or central point of an issue
B. to challenge someone to prove a claim or threat
C. something that gives new energy, confidence, or improvement
D. to prevent hunger, poverty, or danger from becoming serious
Correct Answer: A
“The crux of the matter” means the most important or central point of an issue. Example: The crux of the matter is whether the evidence is reliable. 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 the law into one's own hands”?
A. to openly oppose or contradict something
B. to punish someone without legal authority
C. enough space or freedom to act
D. in a difficult or troublesome situation
Correct Answer: B
“Take the law into one's own hands” means to punish someone without legal authority. Example: Citizens must not take the law into their own hands. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He took exception to the accusation.”, what is the meaning of “Take exception to”?
A. to become extremely angry
B. to copy someone's good example
C. to object strongly to something
D. a series of unfortunate events
Correct Answer: C
“Take exception to” means to object strongly to something. Example: He took exception to the accusation. 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 a leaf out of someone's book”?
A. of no value or importance
B. to give someone the necessary information
C. a learned person or writer
D. to copy someone's good example
Correct Answer: D
“Take a leaf out of someone's book” means to copy someone's good example. Example: You should take a leaf out of her book and revise daily. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to take a risk by expressing an opinion or supporting someone”?
A. Stick one's neck out
B. A queer fish
C. Backstairs influence
D. Break one's word
Correct Answer: A
“Stick one's neck out” means to take a risk by expressing an opinion or supporting someone. Example: He stuck his neck out to defend the junior employee. 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 one's ground”?
A. to behave irresponsibly or recklessly, especially when young
B. to refuse to change one's position despite pressure
C. to achieve a series of easy victories or successes
D. to stop an addictive habit suddenly and completely
Correct Answer: B
“Stand one's ground” means to refuse to change one's position despite pressure. Example: She stood her ground during the negotiations. 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 “Split hairs”?
A. to react in an extremely angry or emotional way
B. in debt or operating at a financial loss
C. to argue about very small or unimportant differences
D. to stop an addictive habit suddenly and completely
Correct Answer: C
“Split hairs” means to argue about very small or unimportant differences. Example: The committee wasted time splitting hairs over minor wording. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Choosing between those routes is six of one and half a dozen of the other.”, what is the meaning of “Six of one and half a dozen of the other”?
A. very near and ready to help
B. to fail to keep a promise
C. in a state of extreme hostility
D. two alternatives that are effectively equal
Correct Answer: D
“Six of one and half a dozen of the other” means two alternatives that are effectively equal. Example: Choosing between those routes is six of one and half a dozen of the other. 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 “Sink or swim”?
A. to succeed or fail entirely by one's own efforts
B. a person who refuses to believe something without proof
C. misunderstanding each other because of different aims or meanings
D. a state of happiness based on false hopes
Correct Answer: A
“Sink or swim” means to succeed or fail entirely by one's own efforts. Example: Once training ended, the recruits were left to sink or swim. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to run away very quickly or outpace someone”?
A. Cut one's coat according to one's cloth
B. Show a clean pair of heels
C. Call into question
D. Burn one's boats
Correct Answer: B
“Show a clean pair of heels” means to run away very quickly or outpace someone. Example: The thief showed the police a clean pair of heels. 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 “See red”?
A. secretly or confidentially
B. an embarrassing or shameful secret
C. to become very angry
D. a strange or eccentric person
Correct Answer: C
“See red” means to become very angry. Example: The manager saw red when he discovered the fraud. 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 “Scratch the surface”?
A. to take a risk by expressing an opinion or supporting someone
B. for the same reason or in a similar way
C. to succeed or fail entirely by one's own efforts
D. to deal with only a small part of a subject
Correct Answer: D
“Scratch the surface” means to deal with only a small part of a subject. Example: A short lecture can only scratch the surface of constitutional law. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He blamed his colleague merely to save his own skin.”, what is the meaning of “Save one's skin”?
A. to protect oneself from danger, blame, or punishment
B. to behave irresponsibly or recklessly, especially when young
C. to challenge someone to prove a claim or threat
D. a very narrow escape from danger or failure
Correct Answer: A
“Save one's skin” means to protect oneself from danger, blame, or punishment. Example: He blamed his colleague merely to save his own skin. 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 “Salt of the earth”?
A. to infer the truth from available facts
B. a very good, honest, and dependable person
C. a matter open to debate or uncertainty
D. to adapt to modern ideas or changes
Correct Answer: B
“Salt of the earth” means a very good, honest, and dependable person. Example: The villagers described the teacher as the salt of the earth. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to face a series of criticisms, difficulties, or dangers”?
A. Keep one's head
B. Pros and cons
C. Run the gauntlet
D. Wear and tear
Correct Answer: C
“Run the gauntlet” means to face a series of criticisms, difficulties, or dangers. Example: The minister had to run the gauntlet of hostile questions. 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 “Rise from the ashes”?
A. to fail or be destroyed, especially financially
B. to go directly and quickly toward something
C. to provide very valuable and loyal service
D. to recover strongly after destruction or failure
Correct Answer: D
“Rise from the ashes” means to recover strongly after destruction or failure. Example: The company rose from the ashes after restructuring. 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 “Red tape”?
A. excessive official rules and bureaucracy
B. an urgent and important issue
C. favored or approved by someone
D. an obstacle that prevents progress
Correct Answer: A
“Red tape” means excessive official rules and bureaucracy. Example: The project was delayed by red tape. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The decision was unpopular among the rank and file.”, what is the meaning of “Rank and file”?
A. to maintain one's position or perform well against others
B. ordinary members of an organization rather than its leaders
C. to face a series of criticisms, difficulties, or dangers
D. already decided and not open to change or discussion
Correct Answer: B
“Rank and file” means ordinary members of an organization rather than its leaders. Example: The decision was unpopular among the rank and file. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.