CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The neglected worker felt he was living a dog's life.”, what is the meaning of “A dog's life”?
A. the lowest possible level or point
B. to keep something secret or hidden
C. a very unhappy or difficult life
D. beyond one's ability, status, or level
Correct Answer: C
“A dog's life” means a very unhappy or difficult life. Example: The neglected worker felt he was living a dog's life. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Yellow streak”?
A. someone finally understands something
B. something very easy to do
C. without preparation or planning
D. a tendency toward cowardice
Correct Answer: D
“Yellow streak” means a tendency toward cowardice. Example: His refusal to act under pressure revealed a yellow streak. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone”?
A. Wouldn't hurt a fly
B. Head in the clouds
C. Caught off guard
D. Hang one's hat on
Correct Answer: A
“Wouldn't hurt a fly” means very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone. Example: Despite his size, he would not hurt a fly. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Work wonders”?
A. one suddenly feels disappointed, worried, or discouraged
B. to produce very good or surprising results
C. a completely different situation with new conditions
D. to state rules firmly and demand obedience
Correct Answer: B
“Work wonders” means to produce very good or surprising results. Example: A short break can work wonders for concentration. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Whole ball of wax”?
A. to organize everything properly before acting
B. following a correct or promising course
C. the whole of something; everything involved
D. put into a difficult situation without preparation
Correct Answer: C
“Whole ball of wax” means the whole of something; everything involved. Example: The contract covers salaries, travel, equipment—the whole ball of wax. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “By noon, the event was well and truly underway.”, what is the meaning of “Well and truly”?
A. very busy and active
B. something worth thinking about carefully
C. immediately and without hesitation
D. completely and beyond doubt
Correct Answer: D
“Well and truly” means completely and beyond doubt. Example: By noon, the event was well and truly underway. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Walk all over someone”?
A. to treat someone badly because they do not resist
B. an experience that reveals surprising facts or changes understanding
C. the most powerful or important person in a group
D. with understanding gained after an event has happened
Correct Answer: A
“Walk all over someone” means to treat someone badly because they do not resist. Example: Do not let people walk all over you. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to feel extremely happy”?
A. Break a sweat
B. Walk on air
C. Blood, sweat and tears
D. Fall into place
Correct Answer: B
“Walk on air” means to feel extremely happy. Example: He was walking on air after receiving the promotion. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Up to speed”?
A. the most powerful or important person in a group
B. unlimited authority or freedom to spend or act
C. fully informed or performing at the required level
D. put into a difficult situation without preparation
Correct Answer: C
“Up to speed” means fully informed or performing at the required level. Example: The new employee was quickly brought up to speed. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “almost remembered but not quite able to be said”?
A. In the works
B. Blank cheque
C. Take it easy
D. Tip of one's tongue
Correct Answer: D
“Tip of one's tongue” means almost remembered but not quite able to be said. Example: Her name is on the tip of my tongue. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Talk shop”?
A. to discuss one's work or profession socially
B. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
C. extra attractive features that are not essential
D. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
Correct Answer: A
“Talk shop” means to discuss one's work or profession socially. Example: Even at dinner the engineers kept talking shop. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Take stock”?
A. a fair situation in which everyone has equal opportunity
B. to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do
C. to act cleverly so as to achieve a desired result
D. to act in a way that matches one's words or promises
Correct Answer: B
“Take stock” means to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do. Example: After the setback, the team paused to take stock. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The manager took the heat for the team's failure.”, what is the meaning of “Take the heat”?
A. following a correct or promising course
B. to organize everything properly before acting
C. to accept criticism, pressure, or blame
D. fixed and not open to change
Correct Answer: C
“Take the heat” means to accept criticism, pressure, or blame. Example: The manager took the heat for the team's failure. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Straight and narrow”?
A. at a point where an important decision must be made
B. to stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something
C. to be grateful for the good things one has
D. the honest and morally acceptable way of living or behaving
Correct Answer: D
“Straight and narrow” means the honest and morally acceptable way of living or behaving. Example: The warning helped him return to the straight and narrow. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation”?
A. Speak volumes
B. Drop the ball
C. At first hand
D. In good faith
Correct Answer: A
“Speak volumes” means to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation. Example: His silence spoke volumes about his disappointment. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Sit tight”?
A. heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
B. to wait patiently without taking action
C. a dangerously or extremely fast speed
D. to begin serious work or discussion
Correct Answer: B
“Sit tight” means to wait patiently without taking action. Example: Sit tight until the official notice is released. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Shoot from the hip”?
A. to remove tension or misunderstanding through honest discussion
B. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
C. to speak or act quickly without careful thought
D. to make something active, successful, or interesting again
Correct Answer: C
“Shoot from the hip” means to speak or act quickly without careful thought. Example: Good negotiators avoid shooting from the hip. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The department issued a statement to set the record straight.”, what is the meaning of “Set the record straight”?
A. things have gone well up to the present point
B. to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression
C. used to indicate that many or all possible things are included
D. to correct a false impression by giving the true facts
Correct Answer: D
“Set the record straight” means to correct a false impression by giving the true facts. Example: The department issued a statement to set the record straight. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Run-of-the-mill”?
A. ordinary and not special
B. a tendency toward cowardice
C. crazy or behaving irrationally
D. exactly correct or precise
Correct Answer: A
“Run-of-the-mill” means ordinary and not special. Example: The article was a run-of-the-mill summary with no new insight. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “immediately from the beginning”?
A. Put one's foot down
B. Right off the bat
C. Cut someone down to size
D. Go down fighting
Correct Answer: B
“Right off the bat” means immediately from the beginning. Example: Right off the bat, the interviewer asked a difficult question. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.