CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Turn one's nose up at”?
A. to rely on past achievements instead of continuing to work
B. criticizing someone for a fault that one also has
C. to reject or dislike something because one thinks it is not good enough
D. something that is briefly successful but does not last
Correct Answer: C
“Turn one's nose up at” means to reject or dislike something because one thinks it is not good enough. Example: He turned his nose up at the simple meal.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Employees are expected to toe the line.”, what does the idiom “Toe the line” mean?
A. to withdraw or leave quickly, especially after difficulty
B. to create a complicated set of new problems
C. to speak foolishly or without knowing the facts
D. to obey rules or conform to expected standards
Correct Answer: D
“Toe the line” means to obey rules or conform to expected standards. Example: Employees are expected to toe the line.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Throw one's weight around”?
A. to use one's power or influence in an unpleasantly forceful way
B. a disreputable or troublesome member of a group or family
C. to be common among members of the same family
D. to speak plainly and directly, even if the truth is unpleasant
Correct Answer: A
“Throw one's weight around” means to use one's power or influence in an unpleasantly forceful way. Example: The supervisor likes to throw his weight around.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “criticizing someone for a fault that one also has”?
A. Call a spade a spade
B. The pot calling the kettle black
C. Save for a rainy day
D. Wet blanket
Correct Answer: B
“The pot calling the kettle black” means criticizing someone for a fault that one also has. Example: Calling him disorganized is the pot calling the kettle black.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The early goal took the wind out of the opponents' sails.”, what does the idiom “Take the wind out of someone's sails” mean?
A. forced to choose between two difficult alternatives
B. to pass from one owner to another
C. to reduce someone's confidence, enthusiasm, or advantage
D. to defeat or financially exploit someone badly
Correct Answer: C
“Take the wind out of someone's sails” means to reduce someone's confidence, enthusiasm, or advantage. Example: The early goal took the wind out of the opponents' sails.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Strike while the iron is hot”?
A. at risk or in danger of being lost
B. to discuss private family or organizational problems openly in public
C. a very small amount compared with what is needed
D. to take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts
Correct Answer: D
“Strike while the iron is hot” means to take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts. Example: Demand is high, so we should strike while the iron is hot.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Shoot oneself in the foot”?
A. to harm one's own interests through one's actions
B. in an obvious place or very close by
C. to cause trouble or disturb a stable situation
D. to refuse to change one's position or opinion
Correct Answer: A
“Shoot oneself in the foot” means to harm one's own interests through one's actions. Example: By insulting the client, he shot himself in the foot.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “It is wise to save for a rainy day.”, what does the idiom “Save for a rainy day” mean?
A. to survive with only the basic necessities
B. to save money for future difficulties
C. honestly and according to the rules
D. to boast about one's own achievements
Correct Answer: B
“Save for a rainy day” means to save money for future difficulties. Example: It is wise to save for a rainy day.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Run in the family”?
A. to withdraw or leave quickly, especially after difficulty
B. competent and deserving of one's position or pay
C. to be common among members of the same family
D. to rely on past achievements instead of continuing to work
Correct Answer: C
“Run in the family” means to be common among members of the same family. Example: Musical talent runs in their family.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to cause trouble or disturb a stable situation”?
A. Small hours
B. Worth one's salt
C. With open arms
D. Rock the boat
Correct Answer: D
“Rock the boat” means to cause trouble or disturb a stable situation. Example: Nobody wanted to rock the boat before the negotiations ended.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Rise to the occasion”?
A. to perform well in a difficult or important situation
B. to admit that what one said was wrong
C. a weak or unstable plan or organization likely to collapse
D. to withdraw or leave quickly, especially after difficulty
Correct Answer: A
“Rise to the occasion” means to perform well in a difficult or important situation. Example: The young player rose to the occasion in the final.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I cannot quite put my finger on what is wrong.”, what does the idiom “Put one's finger on” mean?
A. to reduce someone's confidence, enthusiasm, or advantage
B. to identify the exact cause or problem
C. to become less active or less important
D. to fight or compete with great determination
Correct Answer: B
“Put one's finger on” means to identify the exact cause or problem. Example: I cannot quite put my finger on what is wrong.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Pull strings”?
A. to harm one's own interests through one's actions
B. to refuse to change one's position or opinion
C. to use influence or connections to achieve something
D. to admit that what one said was wrong
Correct Answer: C
“Pull strings” means to use influence or connections to achieve something. Example: He pulled strings to get an early appointment.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to shift responsibility to someone else”?
A. Chew the fat
B. In high spirits
C. Fly off the handle
D. Pass the buck
Correct Answer: D
“Pass the buck” means to shift responsibility to someone else. Example: Do not pass the buck; take responsibility for the error.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He felt out of his depth in the advanced statistics class.”, what does the idiom “Out of one's depth” mean?
A. in a situation too difficult for one's knowledge or ability
B. to unite in support or defense against criticism or attack
C. a very small amount compared with what is needed
D. to complete the most difficult part of a task
Correct Answer: A
“Out of one's depth” means in a situation too difficult for one's knowledge or ability. Example: He felt out of his depth in the advanced statistics class.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Make one's blood boil”?
A. to want something very much
B. to make someone extremely angry
C. to become increasingly worse
D. as much as one wants
Correct Answer: B
“Make one's blood boil” means to make someone extremely angry. Example: The unfair accusation made my blood boil.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Learn the hard way”?
A. in a difficult situation with few choices
B. to give a severe warning or reprimand
C. to learn through difficult or unpleasant experience
D. to keep changing one's attitude or opinion
Correct Answer: C
“Learn the hard way” means to learn through difficult or unpleasant experience. Example: He learned the hard way that deadlines matter.
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Idioms
In the sentence “It is time to lay our cards on the table.”, what does the idiom “Lay one's cards on the table” mean?
A. to fight or compete with great determination
B. to discuss the most important practical details
C. over a long period of time; eventually
D. to state one's intentions or facts openly
Correct Answer: D
“Lay one's cards on the table” means to state one's intentions or facts openly. Example: It is time to lay our cards on the table.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Keep the ball rolling”?
A. to maintain the progress of an activity or conversation
B. to avoid changing something that is already satisfactory
C. trouble or conflict appears likely to happen soon
D. to perform well in a difficult or important situation
Correct Answer: A
“Keep the ball rolling” means to maintain the progress of an activity or conversation. Example: A follow-up meeting will keep the ball rolling.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to keep one's plans, ideas, or feelings secret”?
A. Be all thumbs
B. Keep one's cards close to one's chest
C. Show one's true colors
D. Hit the ceiling
Correct Answer: B
“Keep one's cards close to one's chest” means to keep one's plans, ideas, or feelings secret. Example: The negotiator kept his cards close to his chest.